Introduction
Parents who have infants face multiple challenges, and one of them concentrates on how to feed babies. Although breastfeeding is the traditional way of nourishing newborn children, many women cannot rely on the method because of various reasons. Using infant formula is a convenient alternative, yet there appears to be a nationwide shortage of the product due to such global crises as the COVID-19 pandemic (Ananthakrishnan et al., 2022). As a result, parents have to spend much more time searching for the formula or overpay when purchasing on the Internet (Ananthakrishnan et al., 2022). Therefore, the wicked problem is finding a solution to help families produce homemade baby formula themselves instead of relying on manufacturers. The wicked problem can be resolved by utilizing a strategic approach implemented by an organization created specifically to handle the issue.
Strategic Concepts
The wicked problem can be addressed by using different strategic concepts to determine a resolution to the matter. For instance, the term strategic planning (SP), which is often employed in the business world, describes a process that offers a framework for solving issues (David et al., 2019). Moreover, SP can assist in differentiating from competitors but is based on comprehensive work, difficult managerial choices, and extensive research (David et al., 2019). Consequently, the wicked problem can be addressed by developing a relevant strategy.
Two more concepts that can be utilized in handling the wicked problem are vision and mission. The former depicts what an organization strives to become, whereas the latter identifies the firm’s operations (David et al., 2019). Notably, SP typically starts with developing vision and mission statements (David et al., 2019). The task, in this case, will be to provide parents with alternative and affordable nutrition for children. Accordingly, the vision may be to become the primary supplier of recipes and equipment for homemade baby formula. The mission would be to replace the products supplied by manufacturers with those produced by parents choosing and controlling the ingredients of the formula that will be best for their babies. The two statements may be appealing to families facing the shortage of infant formula and doubting the quality of what is offered in stores.
The next concept that can help in addressing the wicked problem is a competitive advantage (CA). The term refers to any activity done especially well in comparison with competitors (David et al., 2019). SP is quite useful since it assists in achieving a sustainable CS, which means that the organization is able to maintain its edge over rivals for a long period (David et al., 2019). Consequently, a solution to the wicked problem may be to create ready-made sets of ingredients that can be sold and advertised on the Internet. Davis et al. (2020) propose that 79% of parents, in general, refer to social media, and 32% of mothers use blogs to obtain parenting information. Therefore, families would learn about ways to produce homemade infant formula via the Internet and purchase the necessary ingredients from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, since infant formulas often contain vitamins, the sets should come with vitamin powders that parents will add to the homemade mixture. Accordingly, the advantage over ready-made mixes will be greater availability since, in conditions of scarcity, this is the most affordable way to continue feeding children with nutritious food.
Another concept that can assist in resolving the wicked problem is SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis. The term represents a tool that investigates the potencies and shortcomings of a product or service and can be employed to develop appropriate strategies (David et al., 2019). For example, some advantages of the solution to the wicked problem are that such an experimental approach has not yet been brought to the broad market and may have high marginality. A considerable threat is that project management may be too focused on internal implementation and overlook external stakeholders’ interests, leading to poor public relations (Henry, 2021). Opportunities are the growing size of the market and changing consumer preferences (Hitt et al., 2019). Consequently, the wicked problem can be addressed by conducting a SWOT analysis to examine the issue.
Organization
For the reviewed wicked problem, it will be necessary to create a new company that will focus on the relevant solution. The firm will have to create a unique way of making baby formula at home, which cannot be a simple milk recipe since it is already available in the open. The product should also be affordable since current prices for ready formulas are quite high, and store-bought food is likely to become even more expensive (Ananthakrishnan et al., 2022; Henry, 2021). Moreover, since existing businesses offer ready-made formulas, it may not be beneficial for them to familiarize their clients with alternative methods. Therefore, already operating companies may not agree to provide clients with a replacement for their products, thus requiring the creation of a new enterprise.
Furthermore, the strategic management model (SMM) is a model that can be applied to the organization. SMM leads to gaining insights concerning where business is, where it strives to be, and how to get to the desired point (David et al., 2019). For example, for the proposed company, SMM can indicate that it is a new player in the baby food product market. However, the organization wishes to become a well-renowned provider of recipes, ingredients, and equipment for parents to make infant formula at home instead of buying ready mixtures that have become difficult to find. As discussed above, the firm can achieve such a goal through SP and by gaining a competitive advantage. Accordingly, SMM can inform a strategy for the suggested company as the model represents an approach for developing, executing, and evaluating strategies (David et al., 2019). Therefore, SMM can be applied to the proposed firm by helping it identify its position, define objectives, and determine ways to accomplish its pursuits.
Steps
The steps necessary for building a strategy that will address the wicked problem are conducting a comprehensive examination, developing and promoting the product, and assembling the supply chain. SP suggests that research knowing potential pitfalls is being ready to handle them is essential for success, so thorough research of the market will be a vital phase (David et al., 2019). Based on the acquired information, the organization will need an idea of the products that will be offered and how they will be made, such as what ingredients will be provided to parents. Next, the company will need to determine how advertisements and how to encourage families to switch to homemade formula. To do this, the firm will need to involve doctors and knowledgeable persons who can verify the quality of the product. After attracting attention to the offer, it will be important to identify ways to design a logistics chain. Accordingly, a strategy for the wicked problem will need preparation to analyze the market situation.
Benefits and Pitfalls
Developing a strategy is associated with different benefits and pitfalls. The primary advantage is that strategies help businesses address questions and solve problems, leading to improvements in productivity, sales, and profitability (David et al., 2019). Moreover, by designing a strategy, organizations can learn more about external threats, reduce resistance to change, and gain insights into their competitors (David et al., 2019). On the other hand, some pitfalls include making intuitive decisions, not involving all managers and key employees, and hindering flexibility and creativity due to being too formal (David et al., 2019). Therefore, developing a strategy can benefit the solution to the wicked problem by offering a structured plan of action but may also hinder the resolution if certain aspects are overlooked.
Conclusion
To summarize, the wicked problem can be addressed by a new organization that would create a comprehensive strategy. The concepts that can be helpful in determining how to help families provide homemade baby formula are strategic planning, vision, mission, competitive advantage, and SWOT analysis. The terms suggest what should be considered in resolving the issue, and the strategic management model can be applied to the new firm to guide different processes. Designing a strategy is a challenging procedure that involves many pitfalls, but it can provide a detailed plan. Therefore, a strategic approach is necessary for parents to start making infant formula themselves instead of searching for ready mixtures that have become expensive and scarce.
References
Ananthakrishnan, L., Kay, F. U., Zeikus, E. A., Chu, E. S., Chang, J., Barr, J. D., Rofsky, N. M., & Abbara, S. (2022). What the baby formula and medical contrast material shortages have in common: Insights and recommendations for managing the iodinated contrast media shortage. Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, 4(3), 1-8. Web.
David, F. R., David, F. R., & David, M. E. (2019). Strategic management: A competitive advantage approach (17th ed.). Pearson.
Davis, S. A., Knol, L. L., Crowe-White, K. M., Turner, L. W., & McKinley, E. (2020). Homemade infant formula recipes may contain harmful ingredients: A quantitative content analysis of blogs. Public Health Nutrition, 23(8), 1334-1339. Web.
Henry, A. (2021). Understanding strategic management. Oxford University Press.
Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2019). Strategic management: Concepts and cases: Competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning.