Climate change, social inequality, and technological disruption are among the biggest challenges of our time. While these issues are often discussed at a high level-by policymakers, scientists, and business leaders-a new study highlights a different perspective: the power of everyday actions in shaping solutions to these complex problems.

Titled "Tackling Grand Challenges: Insights and Contributions from Practice Theories," the study explores how people's routines, interactions, and knowledge shape both stability and change. Instead of viewing challenges as isolated problems requiring top-down solutions, the research focuses on how change emerges from daily practices and relationships.

Key Insights from the Study

1.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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Why This Matters

This research challenges the idea that solving grand challenges requires only large-scale interventions from governments or corporations. Instead, it shows that solutions often emerge from how people work, interact, and adapt in real-world situations. By paying closer attention to these everyday practices, we can better understand how to foster meaningful, lasting change.

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. doi.org/10.1177/10564926241292262