The Corona crisis: a wicked problem. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schiefloe, Per Morten
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of public health. Volume 49:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: corona crisis -- wicked problem -- complexity theory; Public health -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; 614
• DOI: 10.1177/1403494820970767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1403-4948

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the current Corona crisis from the perspective of the theory of wicked problems. The analysis is based on a combination of observation of national and global effects of the pandemic and a study of relevant theoretical contributions. The findings confirm that the crisis is of a kind that corresponds to the main characteristics of the wicked problems theory. The conclusion is that the pandemic cannot be approached by standardised analytical techniques, because it, like other wicked problems, represents a unique challenge and because all possible solutions may lead to unknown negative consequences.