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Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education pp 1–9Cite as

Wicked Problems and Sustainable Development

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Synonyms

Complex; Intractable; Messy

Definition

Wicked problems are intractable social issues that defy traditional problem-solving approaches because they are characterized by high levels of complexity and ambiguity and involve multiple stakeholder groups with strongly divergent values and perspectives. While initially applied in a social planning context, sustainability researchers have increasingly utilized this lens to explain the multidimensions of many sustainable development issues and explore new ways for addressing these complex issues.

Introduction

In this entry, the origin of wicked problems as a concept and its ten distinguishing properties is discussed. These characteristics are then used to discuss vexing dimensions of sustainable development that are highlighted in the research literature. There is increased attention by sustainability researchers to how traditional decision-making approaches, management strategies, public policy responses, and education are insufficient...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada

    Lorelei L. Hanson

Authors
  1. Lorelei L. Hanson
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Correspondence to Lorelei L. Hanson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

Section Editor information

  1. World Sustainable Developoment Research and Transfer Centre, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

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Hanson, L.L. (2019). Wicked Problems and Sustainable Development. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2_522-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2_522-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-63951-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-63951-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

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