Problem Solving in Organizations: A Methodological Handbook for Business Students

This concise introduction to the methodology of Business Problem Solving (BPS) is an indispensable guide to the design and execution of practical projects in real organizational settings. The methodology is both result–oriented and theory–based, encouraging students to use the knowledge gained on their disciplinary courses, and showing them how to do so in a fuzzy, ambiguous and politically charged real life business context. The book provides in–depth discussion of the various steps in the process of business problem solving. Rather than presenting the methodology as a recipe to be followed, the authors demonstrate how to adapt the approach to specific situations and to be flexible in scheduling the work at various steps in the process. It will be indispensable to MBA students who are undertaking their own field work.

About the Author:

Dr Joan Ernst van Aken is Professor of Organization Science at the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Dr Hans Berends is Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Dr Hans van der Bij is Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization Science and Marketing of the Faculty Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.