The Wicked Problem of Consumption

The Wicked Problem of Consumption

Consumption has reached an all-time high and it is threatening our ability to sustain ourselves. Increased wealth, higher incomes and the spread of a consumer society are driving overconsumption throughout the world (University of Technology Sydney 2011).

Consumption is a wicked problem. It is difficult to define, it has various causes and it doesn't have a right answer (Camillus 2008). It is dynamic and complex, and it has no precedent so it can't be solved by traditional processes (Camillus 2008). Nonetheless, businesses are taking steps to curb consumption and more businesses are viewing sustainability as an 'opportunity and platform for growth' (UTS 2011, p. 101). Many businesses report that sustainability activities give them advantages over their competitors.

Although it is a wicked problem, consumption offers many opportunities to businesses. One such opportunity is the development of renewable energy sources. According to Smith (2009) this industry is expected to quadruple in size over the next two decades, which will create many opportunities for businesses, investors and entrepreneurs.

On the other hand, however, there are still many hurdles to the development of renewable energy..... (The rest of this section has been omitted).

To conclude, consumption is a complex problem that brings opportunities as well as challenges for business. However, as the current rates of global consumption are unsustainable, it is imperative that we look for solutions to this wicked problem.

REFERENCES

Camillus, J.C. 2008, 'Strategy as a wicked problem', Harvard

Business Review, vol. 86, pp. 99-106.

Smith, P. 2009 'Renewable energy is good business', Business

Leader, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 22-30.

University of Technology Sydney 2011, Integrated Business

Perspectives, McGraw Hill, North Ryde, Australia.