An Integrated Framework to Achieve Effective Problem Solving: From Basic Research to Decision Making and Viceversa

Abstract

This paper offers an integrated framework for effective problem solving. In an attempt to overcome the limitations imposed by the separation of approaches that either aim at solving problems for decision making (practitioners– research) or solving problems in basic research (academics– research), this paper provides a methodological procedure that aims at bridging the two types of problem solving. As a consequence, 1) managerial problem solving can be enriched and made more effective, 2) basic research can have a more informed point of departure when using problem definition and problem-solving research, and 3) a far-reaching knowledge dissemination can a) extend researchers– understanding of the phenomenon to its control (making research more useful), and b) make practitioners' control of problems more effective mainly because the change they seek will be preceded by scientific knowledge of the phenomenon.