How do you frame ill‐defined problems? A study on creative logics in action

Cristina Tu Anh Pham; Stefano Magistretti; Claudio Dell'Era

doi:10.1111/caim.12543

journal article Open Access Jan 26, 2023

How do you frame ill‐defined problems? A study on creative logics in action

Cristina Tu Anh Pham

Stefano Magistretti

Claudio Dell'Era

Creativity and Innovation Management Vol. 32 No. 3 pp. 493-516 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/caim.12543

Abstract

Problem framing is pivotal to fostering knowledge and innovation, especially in the modern environment where problems are often ill defined. However, the managerial literature has thus far mainly addressed problem framing from an outcome perspective, overlooking the processes that lead to the outcomes. A common view is that the complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty of ill‐defined problems call for a creative process. Therefore, through ethnographically observing six design thinking workshops, this study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the problem framing creative process. Specifically, we unpack three thinking modalities involved in the creative process (i.e. creative logics) of problem framing: analogical reasoning, associative thinking and abductive reasoning. We suggest that individuals enact these through seven creative operations. In addition, we link these creative operations to two types of problem framing outcomes: referenced frames and crafted frames. From a practitioner perspective, this study casts new light on the importance of problem framing for creativity and innovation, highlighting the ways in which individuals operationalize the creative logics to frame ill‐defined problems as original problems worth solving.

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References

Details

Published: Jan 26, 2023
Vol/Issue: 32(3)
Pages: 493-516
License: View

Authors

C

Cristina Tu Anh Pham

School of Management – Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy

S

Stefano Magistretti

School of Management – Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy

C

Claudio Dell'Era

School of Management – Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy

Cite This Article

Cristina Tu Anh Pham, Stefano Magistretti, Claudio Dell'Era (2023). How do you frame ill‐defined problems? A study on creative logics in action. Creativity and Innovation Management, 32(3), 493-516. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12543

How do you frame ill‐defined problems? A study on creative logics in action

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