What is so wicked about wicked problems? A conceptual analysis and a research program

2017/07/03 by B. Guy Peters · 1 voice · 4 citations
Social Sciences · #Policy Transfer and Learning #Public Policy and Administration Research #Social Policy and Reform Studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/14494035.2017.1361633

openalex publication_date 2017/07/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Abstract The concept of wicked problems has become a fad in contemporary policy analysis, with any number of problems being labeled as “wicked”. However, if many of these problems are analyzed using a strict definition of the concept they do not meet the criteria. Building on this analysis, I have developed a research program to investigate the extent to which even those problems usually thought to be wicked are actually that difficult.

Citations

• Concept Misformation in Comparative Politics
• Dilemmas in a general theory of planning
• Managing the “hollow state”: procedural policy instruments and modern governance
• What Makes a Concept Good? A Criterial Framework for Understanding Concept Formation in the Social Sciences

Cited by

• Policy advisory system quality under multilevel governance: the German COVID-19 experience
• Exploring the governance of wicked problems: insights from South Africa's Breede Valley urban food system
• Issues management by purpose-driven organizations: Critical infrastructure electric utilities address COVID-19 and the digital divide
• Idea Evaluation for Solutions to Specialized Problems: Leveraging the Potential of Crowds and Large Language Models

Discussions

• ➡️ While adopting information-processing frameworks for complexity and ambiguity is needed, they may still apply to all problems. 🔗to the study: doi.org/10.1080/1449... #postdog @aarhusuni.bsky.soc [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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