Coopetition and value co-creation: (A systems thinking approach to wicked problems)

Currently, four fifths of the 600 EJ world primary energy use come from fossil sources. The Paris Agreement’s global ambition of net zero emissions in 2050 requires fundamental systemic transformation of the energy systems, in a period where global GDP is projected to double. The urgent need for a global energy transition has many of the hallmarks of a wicked problem: involving climate change, poverty and inequality, biodiversity, and possibly the need to rethink the global economy, including how firms and other organizations create value and remain competitive. The energy transition is causing ‘creative destruction’ adding uncertainties and risks, but also massive opportunities.

There is no one solution to wicked problems, and since they are essentially unique, strategies must be continually negotiated within complex social and economic settings. In this course we address the energy transition by joining an interdisciplinary BI-team with Rystad Energy’s data-driven consulting team. We apply a systems thinking approach, addressing energy ecosystems and the need to increase collaborative and joint efforts among all stakeholders. Our aim is to increase the participants’ appreciation of a holistic investigation of factors and interactions that contribute to the energy transition. An important requisite to ensure the transition, is that corporation’s individual decision models factor in these issues, both in terms of value creation/co-creation and risk management.