Problem Solving in Organizations
A Methodological Handbook for Business Students
1st Edition
Published on 25. January 2007
Book
Hardback
198 pages
978-0-521-86976-8 (ISBN)
Description
This concise introduction to the methodology of Business Problem Solving (BPS) is an indispensable guide to the design and execution of practical projects in real organizational settings. The methodology is both result-oriented and theory-based, encouraging students to use the knowledge gained on their disciplinary courses, and showing them how to do so in a fuzzy, ambiguous and politically charged real life business context. The book provides in-depth discussion of the various steps in the process of business problem solving. Rather than presenting the methodology as a recipe to be followed, the authors demonstrate how to adapt the approach to specific situations and to be flexible in scheduling the work at various steps in the process. It will be indispensable to MBA students who are undertaking their own field work.
Reviews / Votes
'The authors present an integrated design-focused and theory-based methodology to increase problem solving effectiveness. The ideas are interesting and come alive with the use of many examples. Business students, consultants, and thoughtful managers will find it very helpful in strengthening the professional features of their work.' Chris Argyris, Harvard UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 247 mm
Width: 174 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
570 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-86976-8 (9780521869768)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Joan van Aken | Hans Berends | Hans van der Bij
Problem Solving in Organizations
A Methodological Handbook for Business and Management Students
Book
06/2012
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€105.39
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Additional editions
Joan Ernst Van Aken | Hans Berends | Hans van der Bij
Problem Solving in Organizations
A Methodological Handbook for Business Students
E-Book
05/2007
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€39.99
Available for download
Persons
Dr Joan Ernst van Aken is Professor of Organization Science at the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands. Dr Hans Berends is Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands. Dr Hans van der Bij is Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Content
Preface; Part I. Fundamentals: 1. Scope and nature of this book; 2. The business problem solving project; 3. Design-focused business problem solving; 4. Theory-driven business problem solving; Part II. The Business Problem Solving Project: 5. Intake and orientation; 6. Theory-driven diagnosis of performance-related business problems; 7. Solution design; 8. Change plan design and the actual change process; 9. Termination, evaluation and reflection; Part III. On Methods: 10. Qualitative research methods; 11. Searching and using scientific literature; 12. Quality criteria for analysis results; Part IV. Conclusion: 13. Concluding remarks; References; Index.