An Approach to Facilitate Problem Solving: Individualizing the Problem Proposition

33 Pages Posted: 15 Dec 2008

See all articles by Beatriz Munoz-Seca

Beatriz Munoz-Seca

University of Navarra, IESE Business School

Date Written: October 1, 2008

Abstract

This paper addresses one of the many facets of the problem-solving activity: the challenge inherent in the problem proposition. We have identified the problem proposition as a core element in obtaining efficient problem solving. The Educational Dimension Portfolio, EDP, is our proposal for individualizing the problem proposition. This paper presents EDP's characteristics and implications through testing the results of 491 IESE Business School executives from the European Union (EU) and Latin America (LA). We enumerate five working hypotheses and show their results. We also propose an Educational Delivery Approach (EDA) to help managers become manager-educators. We present the Socratic educational process, the apprenticeship process and the providing alternatives process as a guide to become a manager-educator.

Keywords: problem solving, problem proposition, operations management, manager-educator

Suggested Citation

Munoz-Seca, Beatriz, An Approach to Facilitate Problem Solving: Individualizing the Problem Proposition (October 1, 2008). IESE Business School Working Paper No. 768, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1315289 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1315289

Beatriz Munoz-Seca (Contact Author)

University of Navarra, IESE Business School ( email )

Avenida Pearson 21
Barcelona, 08034
Spain