Framing the Intractable: Comprehensive Success Factor Analysis for Grand Challenges

Sinfield, Joseph V.; Sheth, Ananya; Kotian, Romika Roshan

doi:10.1016/j.sftr.2020.100037

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…To understand the potential of using the purpose-context construct to complex problems beyond technical innovation, we explored its applicability to socio-technical grand challenges (Sinfield et al, 2020). In one such case, we examined the challenge faced by a rural village in the Dominican Republic whose residents were accustomed to relying on rainwater for their freshwater consumption needs.…”

Section: Using Purpose-contexts In Socio-technical Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic problem-specification in innovation science using language

Sheth

Sinfield

2021

IJIS

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Purpose Problem specification is a key front-end step in the innovation process. This paper aims to introduce ‘purpose-context’ – a conceptual framework to systematically explore problem-specification across mapped contexts. The framework’s logic is operationalized by the inherent structure of language – its syntax/grammar, which enables the systematic exploration of problem-specification. The method showcases two approaches to structurally explore the vast textual databases available to us today for problem-specification in innovation science, thereby furthering the pursuit of innovation through its foundational elements. Design/methodology/approach The conceptualization of the purpose-context framework was guided by logic and the scholarship of integration applied to bodies of work including innovation, design and linguistics. Further, the key elements of the conceptual framework were unpacked and structured using the syntax of language. Two approaches to operationalize the method were developed to illustrate the systematicity of the process. The construct was then validated by using it to systematically specify problems in the technical context of Raman spectroscopy and in the socio-technical context of international development. Overall, this paper is a work of relational scholarship of integration that bridges academic-practitioner gaps. Findings The purpose-context framework is well-suited for application in the innovation process with applicability across several abstraction levels. One key contribution is the recognition that a broader problem-specification exercise covering one-one, one-many, many-one, many-many problem-context mappings expands the range of potential solutions (innovations) to address the problem-space. Additionally, the work finds that it is possible to provide structure to the cognitive elements of the innovation process by drawing inspiration from the structure inherent in other cognitive processes such as language (e.g., parts-of-speech, phrase composition). Drawing from language is particularly appropriate as language mediates communication in any collective pursuit of the innovation process and furthermore because a large amount of information exists in textual form. Finally, this paper finds that there is merit in approaching innovation science from its foundational elements – i.e. data, information and knowledge. Research limitations/implications While the purpose-context framework is broadly applicable, the methodical approach to provide structure to the front-end cognitive process is ‘one’ fruitful approach. We suspect other approaches exist. Practical implications The purpose-context framework is simple in its framing yet provides innovators, scholars and thought leaders, the ability to specify the problem space with greater coverage and precision. Further, in the solution-space, it provides them the ability to choose the breadth of solution scope (e.g. targeted solution addressing a single problem, targeted solution addressing a set of problems, the combination of solutions addressing a single problem and combination of solutions addressing a combination of problems). In addition, by pairing the creative front-end innovation process with machine power, this study provides a formal method to scale-up the coverage of creativity (and potentially that of solutions to those problems) and reduces the chances of missed/blind-spots in problem-specification. Finally, evaluating purpose-contexts leads to ‘capability-contexts’ – a capability-oriented viewpoint informing capability development decisions such as the focus of R&D programs and related resource allocation decisions. Originality/value The paper uses logic to connect multiple bodies of research with a goal to provide systematicity to problem-specification – problem-specification, which is an under-addressed part of the innovation process. The use of data to systematically explore problem-space lends it systematicity (repeatability and measurability) and is therefore, valuable to innovation science. The proof-of-concept demonstrates the conversion of concept into a method for practical application.

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Section: Using Purpose-contexts In Socio-technical Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic problem-specification in innovation science using language

Sheth

Sinfield

2021

IJIS

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Single-sector responses have proven inadequate to provide and scale holistic solutions to society's wicked development challenges (Buse & Tanaka, 2011;Clarke & Fuller, 2010;Sinfield et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Single‐sector responses have proven inadequate to provide and scale holistic solutions to society's wicked development challenges (Buse & Tanaka, 2011; Clarke & Fuller, 2010; Sinfield et al, 2020). Strategic multi‐sector engagement initiatives are thus increasingly dominant mechanisms to tackle grand challenges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the robustness and relevance of an evidence‐based sense‐making construct to bridge the research‐practice gap in cross‐sector partnerships

Bampoh,

Sdunzik,

Sinfield

et al. 2023

Bus Strat Dev

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Cross‐sector partnerships (CSPs) are important for tackling development challenges across public, private, and non‐profit sectors. Despite their growing prevalence as partnership models of choice for grand challenge efforts, there is little evidence‐based understanding about the dominant features of these engagements. This makes it difficult to develop CSP engagement models that are useful across development problems and settings. We posit that CSPs are intrinsically cross‐disciplinary endeavors and require collaboration models that enable interdisciplinary problem orientation and solution casting. To facilitate sense‐making in partnership efforts, a CSP engagement model must therefore integrate perspectives on partnership from major disciplines and practitioner experiences. Using automated content analysis of peer‐reviewed publications and manual content analysis of practitioner interviews, we explored the robustness and relevance of partnership capacity theory (PCT), an interdisciplinary CSP engagement model, as an evidence‐based approach to CSP with best‐practice grounding. We found PCT comprehensively characterizes collaborative CSP dynamics and offers a foundational view of CSP best practices.

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“…Development challenges are multilayered and multifaceted, marked by significant tradeoffs between costs, risks, and externalities and the benefits of outcomes (Adderley & Mellor, 2014; George et al, 2015; Nyamwanza & Bhatasara, 2017). Issue sets in development practice often involve diverse stakeholders with a broad range of interests that can be complex to navigate to yield beneficial engagement outcomes (Austin & Seitanidi, 2012b; Sinfield et al, 2020). Given the scale and complexity of sustainable development challenges, partnerships for development need approaches to interorganizational engagement that can be applied in diverse situations to increase the likelihood of a successful partnership and goal attainment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An interdisciplinary perspective on private sector engagement in cross‐sector partnerships: The why, where, and how

Johnson

Bampoh

Sinfield

et al. 2022

Business and Society Review

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Private sector engagement (PSE) is increasingly acknowledged in both literature and practice as a necessary mechanism to sustainably address development challenges. Despite increased practitioner and academic interest in these partnerships, there have been negligible attempts to systematically investigate crosssector partnerships to distill best practices from the multiple environments in which they are employed. This manuscript presents a robust review of the social science and business literatures on cross-sector partnerships, yielding an interdisciplinary, evidence-based framework detailing archetypes of three prominent partnership characteristics of purpose, context, and relationship enablers. This work integrates a wide range of best practices and values pertinent to businesses and society, enabling researchers, practitioners, and partnership managers to characterize and evaluate partnerships systematically. The introduced framework also enables partners to situate and evaluate their partnership activities to optimize outcomes for each partner and impact on the challenge at hand.

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Framing the Intractable: Comprehensive Success Factor Analysis for Grand Challenges

Cited by 8 publications

References 95 publications

Systematic problem-specification in innovation science using language

Systematic problem-specification in innovation science using language

Investigating the robustness and relevance of an evidence‐based sense‐making construct to bridge the research‐practice gap in cross‐sector partnerships

An interdisciplinary perspective on private sector engagement in cross‐sector partnerships: The why, where, and how

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