problem solving

Examples of problem solving in the following topics:

• Types of Decisions

  • Three approaches to decision making are avoiding, problem solving and problem seeking.
  • Accordingly, three decision-making processes are known as avoiding, problem solving, and problem seeking.
  • Problem solving requires problem definition, information analysis and evaluation, and alternative selection.
  • On occasion, the process of problem solving brings the focus or scope of the problem itself into question.
  • Differentiate between the three primary decision-making approaches: avoiding, problem solving, and problem seeking

• Taking Corrective Action

  • One key aspect of taking corrective action is problem-solving.
  • This problem-solving process is the central consideration for effective corrective action.
  • Step one in the problem-solving process is identifying the problem, which can be hard to distinguish from symptoms of the problem: it can be easy to mistake repercussions of a problem for the problem itself.
  • Attempts at corrective action are often unsuccessful because of failures in the problem-solving process, like not having enough information to isolate the real problem, or a decision maker who has a stake in the process and may not want to admit that their department made an error.
  • Model the problem-solving process of identifying contributing factors, taking corrective action, and assessing the effectiveness of a solution

• The Systems Viewpoint

  • Systems thinking is an approach to problem solving that considers the overall system instead of focusing on specific parts of a system.
  • When problem-solving, advocates of systems thinking must consider specific problems within an overall system rather than reacting to specific issues or specific outcomes.
  • In this type of fragmented thinking, problems are addressed without considering the context, environment, or the impact of similar problems.
  • This helps managers get an accurate understanding of the problem and facilitates a superior response to the problem.
  • This helps managers get an accurate understanding of the problem and facilitates a superior response to the problem.

• The Trait-Theory Approach

  • These include interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.
  • This model contends the following traits are correlated with strong leadership potential: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism, honesty, charisma, intelligence, creativity, achievement motivation, need for power, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, technical knowledge, and management skills.
  • This diagram visually represents Zaccaro's theory that distal attributes (e.g., cognitive abilities, personality, values) serve as precursors for the development of proximal personal characteristics (e.g. social skills, problem-solving skills), both of which contribute to leadership.

• Sustainability Innovation

  • "Sustainopreneurship" describes using creative business organizing to solve problems related to sustainability to create social and environmental sustainability as a strategic objective and purpose, while at the same time respecting the boundaries set in order to maintain the life support systems of the process.
  • In other words, it is "business with a cause," where the world's problems are turned into business opportunities for deploying sustainability innovations.
  • Entrepreneurship consciously sets out to find or create innovations to solve sustainability-related problems.
  • Solving sustainability-related problems from the organizational frame is the be-all and end-all of sustainability entrepreneurship.

• Alderfer's ERG Theory

  • These needs align with Maslow's levels of esteem-related needs (such as self-esteem, confidence, and achievement) and self-actualization needs (such as morality, creativity, problem-solving, and acceptance of facts).

• Why Study Organizational Theory?

  • Organizational theory studies organizations to identify how they solve problems and how they maximize efficiency and productivity.
  • Organizational theory studies organizations to identify the patterns and structures they use to solve problems, maximize efficiency and productivity, and meet the expectations of stakeholders.

• Horizontal Communication

  • Sharing information, solving problems, and collaborating horizontally is often more timely, direct, and efficient than up or down communication.
  • According to Professor Michael Papa, horizontal communication problems can occur because of territoriality, rivalry, specialization, and simple lack of motivation.
  • Specialization is a problem that occurs when there is a lack of uniform knowledge or vocabulary within or between departments.

• Types of Teams

  • Cross-functional teams combine people from different areas, such as marketing and engineering, to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

• Internal and External Control

  • A set of processes are implemented to monitor project execution to discover and solve problems or potential problems in a timely manner.