Chapter 5: The Challenges in the 21st Century: Context for Designing New Model of Management

In this chapter, the discussion revolves around the necessity for responsible management within the context of a complex environment. The 21st century has brought forth numerous challenges for businesses and organizations globally. The rise of VUCA has made it increasingly difficult for companies to achieve success using traditional management approaches. Addressing adaptive challenges and wicked problems, which are sustainability issues that are hard to define and even harder to solve, has become a significant concern for today's enterprises. To tackle these challenges, a shift in management and leadership paradigms is needed, particularly a shift from ego-centric to eco-centric management styles and from boss-centric to self-management approaches. Embracing a more responsible and sustainable management strategy is essential for addressing adaptive challenges. This could involve integrating Taoist principles like compassion, conservation and compliance into management practices and collaborating with stakeholders to devise innovative solutions to tackle adaptive challenges and wicked problems.