Abstract

CALLAGHAN, Chris  and  BOODHOO, Suvera. Wicked problems and innovation research: A conceptual review. JCMAN [online]. 2023, vol.20, n.1, pp.59-82. ISSN 1815-7440.  http://dx.doi.org/10.35683/jcm21060.185.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The catastrophic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic seem incalculable. The scientific discovery system seems to have failed to anticipate or adequately address the consequences of the outbreak- a form of research failure. The purpose of this paper is to argue that this research failure reflects a wicked problem of a lack of innovativeness, one not only of natural science, but also of social science, given that the natural science system is itself nested within human systems of behaviour DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This paper takes the form of a conceptual review paper FINDINGS: Knowledge of the coronavirus-related consequences of research failure was absent prior to the outbreak. In hindsight, potential externalities, or benefits to society of improvements in the discovery system, and its management, are now evident. Rittel and Webber and Nelson describe certain characteristics of wicked problems, which are taken here to provide useful insights into how to address the wicked problem of research failure RECOMMENDATIONS/VALUE: A novel proposed research agenda suggests how improvements might be achieved in the productivity of the research process itself MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The novel research agenda suggested here suggests that improvements to research effectiveness may require the further development and formalisation of a sub-field of management, namely 'research management' JEL CLASSIFICATION: O32

Keywords : COVID-19; Coronavirus; Innovation failure; Management research; Research failure; Research management.

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