Think Tank

Bedford and Hadar (2014) explained the think tank as an "organization that provides research, advice, consulting, and advocacy on issues of import to society" (para.1).  Think tank organization focused on connecting diverse ideas to translate the ideas into innovative actions. Think tank ideas arise because complex organizations are not well coordinated by design to apply critical thinking that supports innovative ideas. 

Think tank is an institution that encompasses experts advocating on the economy, technology, social and cultural issues. Bedford and Hadar (2014) asserted that think tanks focus on policymaking, quality of products and services, the nature of funding, and their behavior as communities of experts.   Think tanks provide expert views supporting innovative actions and advocating policy changes. Think thank are also serve as platforms for learning and solving problems.

Think tank is founded on shared goals and focus by a group of participants. Participants in a think tank serve as independent contributors of ideas irrespective of the facts and without taking sides. Therefore, the think tank aims to fill the knowledge gap that may have existed on a topic. The engagement of participants in a think tank depends on individual interest to offer an in-depth viewpoint. They analyze likely factors to propose new viewpoints and solutions to problems and add contributing information to innovation. Their goal is to offer immediate and concrete solutions that support longstanding benefits and offer visionary concepts/ideas for the future.  The approaches think tanks apply to contribute their visionary ideas reach beyond the questions of "how to why", and beyond "what to what if" (Caliva. et al.).

Penttila (2007)  identified "combine ideas" as a think tank model, which applies a model of interaction between experts to combine their ideas through news articles or other means of physical publications.  The other type of think tank is a "take it online" method, which allows experts to contribute their ideas using the web (online). Conferences are a think tank method where experts of a filed gather to gather to contribute their ideas. Think tank methods include disseminating a background discussion paper through workshops (Palmer & Ellis, 2009).  

Think tanks fall under two categories –  one roof and without a roof Whittenhauer (n.d.). A diverse group of experts gathers together under a standard roof to share their ideas in a face-to-face meeting. Before meeting face-to-face meetings, the experts work with each other exchanging their ideas in writing. The organizers of the program cover the cost of the face-to-face meeting. Without roof think tank model is organized by an entity utilizing blogs for experts to weigh-in their ideas. Without a roof think tank model is less expensive and is more useful to reach a wide range of experts to participate in a think tank session. 

References

Caliva, L., Scheier, I. (1992). The think tank technique. Retrieved April 24, 2916 from       http://academic.regis.edu/volunteer/ivan/sect03/sect03b.htm 

Bedford, D., & Hadar, G. (2014). Do think tanks think?. Kidmore End: Academic Conferences    International Limited.  

Penttila, C. (2007). 5 Big Biz Think Tank Techniques. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/174688.

Palmer, J., & Ellis, N. (2009). Methodology for a think tank: The future of military and veterans' health. Foresight : The Journal of Futures Studies, Strategic Thinking and Policy, 11(3), 14-27.  

Whittenhauer, K. (n.d.). Effective Think Tank Methods. Retrieved from http://classroom.synonym.com/effective-think-tank-  methods-5728092.html

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