Mgmt 3900 Study Guide

1. What is a paradigm? Why are our paradigms important to understand as they relate to this course?

A paradigm is a system of rules and regulations that does two things: First, some of the rules set limits or establish boundaries – just like a pattern sets the edges. Then, the rest of the rules offer you guidance on how to be successful by solving problems that exist inside those boundaries – in a sense, they offer you a model for problem solving.

So a paradigm is a problem-solving system. And a paradigm shift is when you change from one set of rules to another.

2. According to Joel Barker in "The Business of Paradigms" video, what happens when the paradigm changes?

When a paradigm shifts, everyone goes back to zero. Your past success guarantees nothing in your future.

3. What does Joel Barker mean by the term “Innovation at the Edge”?

If you want to find a new paradigm developing in your field, you must look beyond the center, way out to the fringes. Because almost always, the new rules are written at the edge. Being the first to follow the new rules/paradigms will lead you to innovation.

4. Explain the Mental Lock from Whack Chapter 6, “That’s Not My Area.” What are some of the ways we can overcome this Lock (Hint: Pages 136-149)?

1. Cross-fertilization: often the best ideas come from cutting across disciplinary boundaries and looking into other fields for new ideas.

2. Be an Explorer: develop the explorer’s attitude: the outlook that wherever you go, there are ideas waiting to be discovered. “Anyone can look for fashion in a boutique or history in a museum. The creative person looks for history in a hardware store and fashion in an airport.”

3. Be willing to be led astray: If you discover something anomalous or unusual, use it as a stepping-stone to something “unexpected.”

4. See the obvious: When you’re looking for ideas, information, and resources, be sure to take not of what’s right in front of you....