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14.12.05

Managment theory as design science

Joan E. van Aken (from the Eindhoven University of Technology) argues about differences of explanatory sciences (which lead to organization theory) and design sciences (which lead to management theory). In his own words: ’The ultimate mission is to develop design knowledge,i.e.knowledge that can be used in designing solutions to problems in the field in question.It is important to teach a civil engineer subjects like physics and mechanics, but in designing a bridge he or she needs the design knowledge developed by his or her discipline, like for instance the properties of different types of bridges.’ Therefore, the goal is less on problem identification, but rather focused on solutions. In my view, this must also be the aim of consultants. Organisations invest time and effort to solve problems. They expect a way forward (if the problem is solvable than it should be solved, if it is unsolvable (complex situations) than it should be made manageable).

A while ago, I wrote about Liedtka’s approach to strategy as design. Although she argues from a very different starting point, there are many similar approaches to the design paradigm in management.

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