Top Journal of Public Policy and Administration (TJPPA)

DIGITAL COMPLEXITY AND WICKED PROBLEMS: RETHINKING PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY RESPONSES

Authors

  • Markus Heinrich Müller Berlin School of Economics and Law, CL – FB 3: Public Administration Alt-Friedrichsfelde 60, 10315 Berlin, Germany.

Abstract

This paper explores the interplay between the proliferation of wicked problems and the rapid advancement of digitization, particularly in the western hemisphere. It addresses the challenges posed to politics and public administration by these dual developments. Highlighting key areas of action tied to current socio-technical changes, the study finds that digitization increases social complexity, diversity, and uncertainty, often exacerbating goal conflicts. As societies transition to digital information societies, both the emergence of new wicked problems and the intensification of existing ones are anticipated. These developments present significant challenges for political and administrative entities, necessitating cultural and institutional innovations to enhance societal problem-solving capacities. The study underscores the need for adaptive strategies and innovative frameworks to navigate the evolving landscape shaped by digitization and its associated complexities

Keywords:

Wicked Problems, Digitization, Public Administration, Socio-Technical Change, Policy Innovation

Published

2024-07-24

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12805946

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Müller , M. H. (2024). DIGITAL COMPLEXITY AND WICKED PROBLEMS: RETHINKING PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY RESPONSES . Top Journal of Public Policy and Administration (TJPPA), 11(2), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12805946

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