Arciniegas-Pradilla, Camilo, Bento da Silva, Jose and Reinecke, Juliane (2022) Wicked problems and new ways of organising : how Fe y Alegria confronted changing manifestations of poverty. In: Gümüsay, A. A. and Marti, E. and Trittin-Ulbrich, H. and Wickert, C., (eds.) Organizing for Societal Grand Challenges. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 79 . Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., pp. 93-114. ISBN 9781839098291

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Abstract

Wicked problems are causally complex, lack definite solutions, and re-emerge in different guises. This chapter discusses how new ways of organising emerge to tackle changing manifestations of wicked problems. Focusing on the wicked problem of poverty, we conducted a longitudinal study of Fe y Alegria (FyA), one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisation, which provides education for the poor across 21 countries in Latin America and Africa. Drawing on archival and ethnographic data, we trace the historical narratives of how FyA defined poverty as a problem and developed new ways of organising, from its foundation by a Jesuit priest in 1955 to its current networked structure. Our findings reveal the ongoing cycle of interpretive problem definition and organising solutions for wicked problems. First, since there is no ‘true’ formulation of a wicked problem, actors construct narrative explanations based on their understanding of the problem. Second, organisational solutions to a wicked problem are thus reflections of these narrative constructions. Third, emerging and changing narratives about what the problem is inspire new organisational responses. Our findings provide insights into the dynamic relationship between organising for wicked problems, narratives, and the changing manifestations of wicked problems and grand challenges more broadly.

Item Type:	Book Item
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Decision making, Problem solving, Poverty, Social problems
Series Name:	Research in the Sociology of Organizations
Journal or Publication Title:	Research in the Sociology of Organizations
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Place of Publication:	Bingley
ISBN:	9781839098291
ISSN:	0733-558X
Book Title:	Organizing for Societal Grand Challenges
Editor:	Gümüsay, A. A. and Marti, E. and Trittin-Ulbrich, H. and Wickert, C.
Official Date:	29 March 2022
Dates:	Date Event 29 March 2022 Available 1 September 2020 Accepted
Volume:	79
Page Range:	pp. 93-114
DOI:	10.1108/S0733-558X20220000079007
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Copyright Holders:	Copyright © 2022 Camilo Arciniegas Pradilla, Jose Bento da Silva and Juliane Reinecke License
Date of first compliant deposit:	11 September 2020
Date of first compliant Open Access:	24 March 2022
Related URLs:	Publisher

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