Exploring organizational problem-solving modes: a dynamic capabilities approach
ISSN: 0025-1747
Article publication date: 26 August 2021
Issue publication date: 6 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Adopting the dynamic capability perspective, this study aims at exploring which problem-solving capabilities result in fundamental solutions with a potentially low likelihood for problems to recur. This can also shed light on why, despite many attempts, process improvement programs often fail to produce such long-term solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study is carried out to inductively describe and classify problem-solving in companies and to indicate why problem-solving efforts are typically bounded to short-term solutions. The empirical findings are triangulated with findings from the extant literature.
Findings
First, the authors propose three problem-solving modes with different characteristics and potential impacts on operational performance: intuitive problem-solving, semi-structured problem-solving and systematic problem-solving. Second, by emphasizing dynamic capabilities' micro-foundations and with the focus on learning mechanisms, the authors show that, among these modes, only systematic problem-solving can serve as a dynamic capability with fundamental solutions. Third, based on insights from the case study, the authors address behavioral and organizational impediments that curb dynamic capabilities and limit systematic problem-solving adoption.
Originality/value
This study is an empirically informed attempt to understand systematic problem-solving as a dynamic capability. The authors uncover the micro-foundations and the learning mechanisms through which systematic problem-solving becomes a dynamic capability. By highlighting problem-solving orientation as a hardly investigated dimension of improvement programs, the authors show that a mixture of a static problem-solving approach and a set of impediments at both individual and organizational levels is the major reason of failures of improvement programs over time.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank anonymous reviewers for their thorough assessment as well as their constructive feedback to improve the work.
Citation
Mohaghegh, M. and Größler, A. (2022), "Exploring organizational problem-solving modes: a dynamic capabilities approach", Management Decision, Vol. 60 No. 1, pp. 254-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-08-2020-1097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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