Stewardship for Managing Societal Challenges

Abstract

Technological developments have made us live in a complex and constantly changing world. The focus was mainly on a more accessible and better life for individuals, leaving nature and surroundings out of consideration. However, the impact on nature and the environment makes it clear that striving for environmental sustainability is starting to be a bare minimum. Also, the disproportionate impact on marginalised communities is an unintended side-effect. There is increasing emphasis on sustainable practices, conservation of resources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and addressing environmental injustices. Aside from that, mitigating the growing divides in the world requires a different view of our contemporary world. Some of us face increasing anxiety, and others are enthusiastic about the future. It is this future that makes knowledge management play a crucial role in adapting to these new circumstances. Using the existing knowledge based on being proud of the past and, at the same time, being curious and innovative to develop new knowledge to manage unpredictable future events are equally relevant. We recognise that the different settings of change require different types of management styles. Most scientific literature assumes that management is skilled enough to operate well in certainty, while leadership is needed when risk arises. We propagate to integrate the concept of stewardship as a required means in a setting of uncertainty. So far, this concept has gained little attention in knowledge management. Our paper deals with developing skills and competencies for stewardship, managing knowledge to prepare for the unforeseeable futures. In current dynamics, enriched with complexity, it is inevitable to manage knowledge, develop resilience and new skills, respect one another, and build sustainability. Also, new competencies are recognised to manage in current times of change. We combine the paradigms of understanding the different phases of change with the specific types of knowledge management and the competencies required to address the challenges and divides of today. It involves collaboration and shared values among ‘We’: governments, organisations, communities, and ‘Me’, individuals to enact meaningful change for ‘All’, now and in the future.