Book Review: Dangerous Decisions — Problem Solving in Tomorrow's World
| Published date | 01 January 2000 |
| Date | 01 January 2000 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X0007300115 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
BOOK REVIEWS
DANGEROUS DECISIONS -
PROBLEM
SOLVING IN
TOMORROW'S
WORLD
Enid
Mumford
KluwerAcademic I
Plenum
Publishers, New York
Paperback
This is an ambitious book that considers the complexities of problem
solving methods in modem organizations and applies these to the fields
of drugs, cybercrime and money laundering. Professor Mumford
considers problem solving and decision making as a generic part of a
manager's role. She argues that confronting problems creates a degree
of stability within any organization, which can, on occasions, be offset
by the pace of change. She contends that the more complex a problem
the more composite the solution should become; the more variety in the
problem the more variety in the solution. Simply increasing resources
does not solve complex issues.
The book analyzes the coordination, skills and capabilities that are
essential to successful problem solving. Information sharing as well as
organizational relationships is explored in some detail and a ten-step
model, which ranges from problem identification to appropriate
strategic approach, is discussed. The problem solving methods of
'specialist'groups - scientists, lawyers and doctors is evaluated.
In the chapter entitled "Problem solving and the Police" Mumford
presents a general overview of the purpose of the police, making special
reference to the role of the cm and their complex relationship within
the intelligence systems which she identifies as the foundation of their
purpose. Reference is made to the essential skills of detection work and
the role of offender profiling is also considered. The importance of the
individual and the skills that they bring to the service is emphasized.
West Yorkshire Police is selected in order to demonstrate positive
organizational capabilities of an efficient police service supporting its
staff. The benefits of strategic alignment, coherent and complimentary
objective setting with a desire for continual improvement in the change
management process are examined. The advantages of a holistic
approach to inter-agency intelligence sharing are made clear. Finally,
Professor Mumford examines the role of community policing with the
premise that this concept naturally leads into problem orientated
policing and inevitable empowerment of the lower ranks.
Mumford smoothly handles the transition from problem solving in
a police context to analysing complex issues such as drugs, money
laundering and cybercrime. She develops the physicist concept of
entropy - energy that exists but is not available for use - and cleverly
maps its affect if applied within a strategic approach to problem solving.
The strength of this book is that, throughout, there is an emphasis on
internal problem sharing and quality cooperation on both national and
January 2000 The Police Journal 93
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