Creative Problem Solving for Managers: Developing Skills for Decision Making and Innovation - Softcover

Proctor, Tony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415551102 ISBN 13: 9780415551106

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

The regularity with which the term 'solutions' is used in management speak suggests that management is largely about problem solving. To suggest that thinking creatively is a useful skill in solving a problem may be stating the obvious, but experience tells us that under pressure, managers tend to fall back on the 'tried and tested' rather than the new and creative.

 

This text provides an essential introduction to the ideas and skills of solving problems creatively. It demonstrates:

 

• how and why people are blocked in their thinking
• how this impairs the creative problem solving process
• how creative problem solving techniques can help overcome these difficulties

 

Theories of creative thinking are critically examined and utilised to explore the variety of techniques that can be employed to discover insights into difficult management problems. Using case studies and case histories together with extensive diagrams, examples and thought-provoking questions, Creative Problem Solving for Managers provides the most up-to-date and extensive approach to this important topic.

 

This refreshing new edition will prove essential reading on the growing number of 'creativity management' classes springing up in business schools and will also be a helpful read on a range of other modules that require a creative mindset.

About this title

From the Back Cover

How can managers tackle complex problems? How do you encourage innovation? How do you implement new solutions? Is creativity the key to management success?

This accessible text provides a lively introduction to the essential skills of creative problem solving. Using extensive case-studies and examples from a wide range of business situations, it explores a wide range of problem-solving theories and techniques, illustrating how these can be used to solve a range of management problems.

Thoroughly revised and redesigned, this new edition retains the accessible and imaginative approach to problem solving skills of the first edition. Contents include:

* blocks to creativity and how to overcome them
* key techniques including lateral thinking, morphological analysis and synectics
* computer-assisted problem solving
* increased coverage of group problem solving techniques and paradigm shift

As creativity is increasingly recognised as a key skill for successful managers, this book will be welcomed as a readable and comprehensive introduction for students and practising managers alike.

About the Author

Tony Proctor is Emiritus Professor in Marketing at the University of Chester, UK. His research interests lie in creativity, organizational studies and marketing. He has published a number of books, as well as papers in academic journals and conferences.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0415551102
• ISBN 13: 9780415551106
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 352