Addressing Wicked Human Services vs Wicked Social-Ecological Problems: A Self-Transcending Constructions Approach

This study takes a phenomenon-based framework and the self-transcending constructions approach to explain why wicked human services problems need to be addressed differently than wicked social-ecological problems. Based on the study's findings, a new approach for addressing wicked human services problems is proposed. In Australia, a Systemic Innovation Lab approach that incorporates a customized software tool has been used to address social-ecological wicked problems. Both, the lab approach and the software tool are based on a framework that is underpinned by dissipative structures and self-transcending constructions theories. This article uses a phenomenon-based approach, as well as insights from self-transcending constructions theory, to discuss why the Systemic Innovation Lab approach and its software tool have not been utilised to address wicked human services problems. This is because when addressing wicked human services problems, the containing, constraining and constructional operations of self-transcendent construction are different than those for wicked social-ecological problems. The results also suggest the need for new software tools to satisfy disability accessibility standards. In response to these identified needs, the article argues that a Systemic Landscape of Practice Lab approach which incorporates a spreadsheet tool that satisfies disability accessibility standards is needed to address wicked human services problems.