Objectives and competences

In this course students: 1. Systematically enhance their theoretical knowledge in the field of decision methods. 2. Gain the ability to apply their theoretical knowledge in complex practical problems of evaluation, selection and verification of ideas/opportunities/solutions in the field of economics and business. 3. To know how to acquire the creative problem solving approach to analysis of complex practical economic and business problems, and are able to critically evaluate it.

Content (Syllabus outline)

I. METHODS FOR PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITY DEFINITION - Introduction: problems' types and characteristics, opportunities' meaning and role, problem definition, problem solving phases - Techniques for problem/opportunity definition: why, mind mapping, fisbone diagrams, wishing - Computer support of problem/opportunity definition, with an emphasis on Concept Draw MindMap - Applications on practical cases of the business problems' and opportunities' definition by appropriate computer support II. CREATIVE THINKING METHODS - Introduction: types of thinking, meaning, role and characteristics of creative thinking, conditions for creative thinking, elimination of blocks to creativity - Creative thinking techniques (for generating, decomposing, analyzing of ideas): brainstorming, brain-writing, ideas writing, nominal technique, forced relationships, attribute listing, morphological analysis, check list, W technique - Computer support of creative thinking, with an emphasis on Visio - Applications on practical cases of generating, decomposing and analyses of strategies, developmental visions and solutions, opportunities for new business fields, financial solutions and investment possibilities, marketing, organizational and information structures, by appropriate computer support III. DECISION-MAKING METHODS SUPPORTIVE OF CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING - Introduction: decision-making support, role and overview of quantitative methods for problem solving, traditional and alternative approaches for the evaluation, selection and verification of ideas/opportunities/solutions, learning enterprise, phases of solving multi-criteria decision-making problems, rating - Quantitative methods supportive of decision-making (evaluation, selection and verification of ideas/opportunities/solutions) in creative problem solving considering multiple criteria - Computer support to decision-making, with an emphasis on Expert Choice - Applications on pracitcal cases of evaluation, selection and verification of ideas/opportunities/solutions and for problem solving and analyzing, by appropriate computer support

Learning and teaching methods

- lecturing - teaching with the case method - active group work, discussion

Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding

Development of knowledge and understanding: Students: 1. Acquire comprehensive knowledge about the elements, process and the methods of creative – economic and business - problem solving and are able to explain interconnections among different phases of the creative problem solving procedure. 2. Develop skills to review the gained results of the problems, typical for their study field in Business Administration, gained with the creative problem solving methods. 3. Are aware of personal and professional responsibility in activating and developing creativity. Cognitive/Intellectual skills: Students: 1. Understand and apply critical analysis and development of the creative problem solving methods and their usability in solving real and abstract professional problems, without guidance. 2. Can select appropriate techniques for complex problem solving and are able to evaluate the reliability, validity and significance of results gained. 3. Can determine the problem and are able to find solutions.

Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes

Key/Transferable skills Students: 1. Further develop skills and expertise in the use of knowledge in a specific working area. 2. Upgrade the ability to apply information technology. 3. Upgrade the ability for team-work and team leadership. Practical skills: Student: 1. Is able to act autonomously with minimal guidelines and supervision.

Readings

Obvezna študijska literatura (Compulsory textbooks): 1. Čančer, V., Mumel, D. (2008). Metode ustvarjalnega reševanja problemov: zapiski predavanj. Maribor: Ekonomsko-poslovna fakulteta. 2. Čančer, V. (2023). A hybrid multi-criteria and creative, problemsolving approach, for measuring local values of information technology products. Acta polytechnica Hungarica, 20(2), 205-221. (Dosegljivo 26. 4. 2024 na http://acta.uni-obuda.hu/Cancer_131.pdf) Dodatna študijska literatura (Additonal textbooks): - Čančer, V. (2008). Gradivo za vaje pri predmetu Metode ustvarjalnega reševanja problemov. Maribor: Ekonomsko-poslovna fakulteta. - Boulden, G. P. (2002). Thinking Creatively. London: Penguin. - Hammond, J.S., Keeney, R.L., & Raiffa, H. (2002). Smart Choices: A practical guide to making better life decisions. New York: Broadway books. - Pečjak, V. (2001). Poti do novih idej: tehnike kreativnega mišljenja. Ljubljana, Piran, Beograd: D. Sakan – New Moment. - Saaty, T.L. (2010). Creative Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making (4. izd.). Pittsburgh: RWS Publishing. - Thorpe, S. (2003). Vsak je lahko Einstein. Kršite pravila in odkrijte svojo skrito genialnost!. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, založba. - Aktualni znanstveni in strokovni prispevki.

Prerequisits