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Climate change, social inequality, and technological disruption – our world is facing enormous challenges. But who decides how we tackle them? Is it only politicians, scientists, and business leaders who shape the future? No! A recent study by RPTU emphasizes: The small shapes the big – each of us can and must play a crucial role.
“Often, the most effective solutions do not emerge on the big stages of the highest levels of state and economic management, but rather in everyday work and life situations – in our conversations, decisions, and small actions,” says Professor Anja Danner-Schröder, Head of the Department of Management Studies at RPTU, explaining the background of the study. For instance, seemingly insignificant actions – such as name tags at conferences – can perpetuate social inequality by making hierarchies visible in the form of titles and institutions.
With this study, the scientist calls for more attention to be paid to these often-overlooked everyday practices and interpersonal interactions to initiate sustainable change. The research focused on three central aspects: How do our everyday actions contribute to the major challenges of our time? What are the consequences of this? And what positive impact can our everyday behavior have as part of the solution? Anja Danner-Schröder convened a panel of experts to address these questions. The findings are summarized in the joint publication Tackling Grand Challenges: Insights and Contributions from Practice Theories. Here’s an overview of the key insights:
Actions are both stable and transformative.
Change does not happen in opposition to stability—rather, the two are interconnected. For example, businesses striving for innovation often rely on structured processes to support creativity. Likewise, workers learning to use new technologies bring their own experiences and routines, shaping how those technologies are adopted. The study shows that meaningful change happens when people work within existing structures while also adapting and reshaping them.
Everything is connected.
No problem exists in isolation. The study highlights how actions and decisions create ripple effects, linking people, ideas, and even different global challenges. For instance, extreme weather events like flooding in Australia do not just impact local communities—they influence emergency response strategies worldwide and inspire new ways of working together, even among people who have never met. Similarly, healthcare technologies do not just affect doctors and patients but can reshape entire systems of care and decision-making.
Emotions matter in decision-making.
While problem-solving is often seen as a rational process, the study highlights the crucial role of emotions. Feelings like frustration, urgency, or hope can act as powerful forces, pushing individuals and organizations to reflect, adapt, and take action. Whether in responding to crises or driving social movements, emotions shape how people engage with challenges and influence change.
We are all part of the solution.
One of the study’s key messages is that researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and everyday citizens all play a role in shaping the world. The lines between experts and practitioners, between those studying challenges and those experiencing them, are blurred. Change does not come from a single source—it emerges through collective actions, relationships, and shared experiences.
For more information or to access the full study, please visit:
Danner-Schröder, A., Mahringer, C., Sele, K., Jarzabkowski, P., Rouleau, L., Feldman, M., Pentland, B., Huysman, M., Sergeeva, A. V., Gherardi, S., Sutcliffe, K. M., & Gehman, J. (2025). Tackling Grand Challenges: Insights and Contributions From Practice Theories. Journal of Management Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1177/10564926241292262
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