Creative Organisational Response to the Problem of Homelessness Essay Example

others experience homelessness. Our research shows a high rate of migration among homeless individuals, with the United Kingdom alone housing 17% of refugees who have been forced out of their own country. The causes of homelessness include visible factors such as family conflicts, drug addiction, and alcoholism among young people, as well as invisible factors like being born into homelessness or elderly individuals being evicted from their homes. It is truly heartbreaking to witness mistreatment of elderly parents by their own children when they need them the most. In Britain, various significant processes contribute to homelessness (Cloke et al., [year]), including job loss and arrears on leases or mortgages leading to eviction. This crisis also impacts relationships and can result in breakdowns and domestic violence. Homelessness is influenced by various factors, one of which is the release of individuals from institutions like the armed forces.Adolescents and asylum seekers are at high risk of being trapped in benefit systems that can eventually lead to homelessness. This issue is further exacerbated by the scarcity of affordable and secure rental housing in the UK. Historically, research has focused on understanding the causes of "individual homelessness" while neglecting homeless families facing similar circumstances, worsening the problem. In order to address homelessness collaboratively, managers have adopted an innovative organizational approach but face obstacles such as conflicts and other issues that arise during the process. To overcome these challenges and effectively work together as a group, they followed seven steps outlined by Kurland (1982 as cited in Mink & Oven, 1987), which include important elements like demand, intent, composing, construction, content, pre-group contact, and bureau context. These elements go beyond being

a mere checklist; they are crucial components of dynamic and creative thinking. When establishing a group for homeless individuals, it is vital to identify specific needs and create groups based on common requirements such as food and shelter. The main objective of the group is to address these needs and promote self-sufficiency and motivation among the homeless population.When determining the composition of the group, factors such as who should be included, the number of members, and whether it should be open or closed need to be considered. Homeless people may require additional attention, care, and support in order to actively participate in the group. Providing a structured environment is essential for them to effectively organize their lives. The primary goal of the group is to provide this structure while also supporting the homeless community. All homeless individuals respond best when workers engage with them flexibly, consistently, and persistently. Workers must take an active and creative approach in helping individuals express their grievances. It is important to consider each member's background as different homeless people come from diverse backgrounds that may require different approaches for successful integration into the group. The agency serves as a place where group members collaborate to assist the homeless population. Emphasizing the nature and type of agency along with its work preferences is crucial for achieving success. Working as directors for an administration in a group setting can be challenging as it requires convincing every member to work together and adhere to certain conditions that foster creativity within the group. Directors in agencies assisting homeless individuals must prioritize the agency's approach and preferences in order to achieve favorable outcomes.Anderson and King

(1990) identified leadership, coherence, group longevity, and innovation as crucial factors for success in creatively solving problems within a group setting. However, based on our experience as organization directors, implementing these steps and ensuring collaboration among all members proved challenging. Additionally, it is important to prioritize the interests of homeless individuals and find effective solutions for their problems.

The presence of specific conditions is vital for promoting group creativity; however, adhering to these conditions makes generating group creativity difficult. Anderson and King (1990) emphasized key factors that contribute to group success in problem-solving through creative methods: democratic and collaborative leadership, organic construction rather than mechanistic approaches, and diverse groups with individuals from different fields or backgrounds.

Although there is debate about the relationship between group coherence and creativity, it is considered significant. According to Nystrom (1979), there may be a curved relationship between group coherence and creative performance. To explore this relationship further, organizations have implemented techniques like Brainstorming. Brainstorming allows participants to freely generate new ideas without criticism while discussing the topic at hand.During brainstorming sessions, certain guidelines are followed. These include stating the problem and expecting group solutions, recording all ideas for everyone to see, delaying critical evaluation of solutions, and promoting high interaction. It is encouraged to introduce new thoughts and ideas during this process, even if they are fancy or wild and elicit various emotions.

However, there are limitations associated with group work. Some individuals may not actively participate due to hesitancy or other reasons. Hackman and Morris (1975) propose that process errors, coordination issues, or motivational losses can reduce group performance. Process losses occur from task-performance strategy errors while coordination and motivational losses

result from ineffective integration of efforts or inappropriate behavior reinforced by reward systems.

In brainstorming sessions, social facilitation or production pressure from other members can lead to motivational gains. However, our organization recognizes that simply brainstorming alone may not involve active engagement from all members in addressing homelessness. As a result, we utilize innovative and effective techniques to enhance the effectiveness of our job work outing group by involving all members in the preparation of job work outing accomplishments (Bottger & Yetton, 1987).According to Bottger & Yetton (1982), interacting groups have demonstrated greater creativity compared to nominal groups by giving more importance to responses from individuals with higher abilities. To optimize efficiency and innovation, it is crucial to provide training to group members in their respective roles, enabling them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Bottger & Yetton, 1987). This improvement in problem-solving skills leads to higher efficacy levels. Furthermore, groups consisting of individuals with above-average problem-solving abilities excel at identifying and prioritizing high-quality solutions compared to groups with below-average abilities (Bottger & Yetton, 1983).

In our group, we utilize the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) as a method for generating a greater number of group decision outcomes (Mink & Oven, 1987). NGT promotes equal participation and generates superior outcomes when compared to brainstorming. The procedure involves dividing the group into smaller groups led by assigned leaders who outline treatment steps. After individual research and discussion, members contemplate the problem and share opinions without consulting others. An open discussion follows where each member provides explanations and evaluations while deliberating on pros and cons in order. Each person privately assigns rankings to all points made. The leader collects

these rankings and determines the idea(s) with the highest number of rankings as the group decision.Moreover, we acknowledge the presence of explicit knowledge within the group to aid in problem-solving (Mink & Oven, 1987). Within this collaborative environment, members can leverage each other's knowledge for improved effectiveness and better solutions, ultimately enhancing the quality of outcomes (Mink & Oven, 1987).

Extensive documentation supports the significance of societal information in the workplace (Griffin 1983; Pfeffer & Salancik, 1978). This encompasses both verbal and non-verbal cues used by individuals to convey their values and evaluations at work (Griffin, 1983; Bateman et al., 1987). The influence of social information on individual perception, attitudes, and behavior has been widely established.

Nevertheless, debates persist regarding its relevance in creative processes within organizations. For instance, Bateman et al. (1987) explored how social information impacts different types of tasks and discovered that unstructured problem-solving tasks requiring creativity are more susceptible to social influence compared to structured tasks with lower demands for creativity.

Group creativity is a culmination of each member's contribution within a group setting (Griffin et al., 1993). Several factors such as diversity within the group, group size, group procedures/processes, and organizational influence collectively contribute to overall group creativity.

While most research focuses on formal groups' creativity effects , our examination specifically looks into informal groups due to shared similarities in their processes and occurrences.Some argue that individuals can excel at generating new ideas within an organization and directly impact its creativity. Our focus of study is the informal group form, as individuals tend to function better within these groups. Overcoming the challenges of working within a complex social system without recognizing the value of

informal groups has been a significant effort for our groups. Our positive approach to creativity has allowed us to contribute to our project in an innovative manner.

We have learned that addressing homelessness requires considering creative solutions and selecting and implementing ideas can be challenging. Active participation and self-confidence are crucial when working creatively, as expressing unexciting ideas to the group requires self-belief. Additionally, many individuals need to discover their creative skills in order to tap into their innovative potential.

Positive support and suspension of critical judgment are necessary due to people's hesitation towards engaging with anything related to creativity. Our goal as a group is to establish "homes" for the homeless population by providing not only their basic needs but also creating a happy and comfortable environment for them.

To raise awareness and inspire others, we plan on using various methods such as organizing plays, campaigns, and mass meetings for our cause. Our goal is to follow our logo and advance the cause of eliminating homelessness from its root.

Recognizing that homelessness is not a disease but a consequence of human actions, we acknowledge the need for a creative approach to address this issue. Traditional methods have proven insufficient in improving the lives of homeless individuals. To effectively tackle this problem, our NGO employed critical thinking to find innovative solutions.

Group discussions involved active participation from all members who shared their ideas independently. Through extensive research on the topic, the entire group gained sufficient knowledge. To foster creativity and idea generation, we utilized the Brainstorming technique, allowing each member to produce numerous new and creative ideas.

This technique also encouraged engagement from individuals who may be hesitant to express their

thoughts in front of others. By promoting collaboration within the group and fostering creativity, we ensured that all members actively contributed their unique perspectives towards finding solutions for homelessness.

However, our group faced challenges in working creatively due to disagreements and indecisiveness.

Collaborating on creative work is challenging as it requires commitment and input from all team members. Scheduling discussions can be difficult due to conflicting activities. To approach the task creatively, we studied case studies on homelessness to understand the mindset of homeless individuals and gained perspective by viewing images of people living in shelters.

Through this process, we learned that deep thought alone is not enough; selection and execution were lacking. We also recognized the importance of engagement and commitment when working creatively. Cultural diversity and differing backgrounds presented obstacles as each member had different opinions based on their cultural backgrounds.

Communication was additionally challenged as English was our second language. Despite these challenges, we thoroughly enjoyed the creative process and gained a true understanding of creativity itself. Personally, I discovered that everyone has their own unique working style and tendencies, which contribute to their work being considered creative.

Creativity involves approaching tasks in a new and different way beyond one's regular actions. Before starting this program, I was unaware of my ability to think creatively. However, I have realized that expanding my boundaries of thought and expression at work can lead to advanced and innovative ideas emerging. These ideas benefit both my workplace and build my self-confidence.

Throughout the project, I encountered various factors that both helped and hindered its progress. The knowledge gained from the course was instrumental in generating ideas and achieving optimal results. Brain-mapping played

a significant role in fostering creative and innovative thinking. Attending workshops, particularly those with guest members, provided practical knowledge essential for approaching the assignment with creativity and also revealed hidden talents. Collaborating within a group setting sparked new enhancement ideas but managing time and coordinating with the group posed challenges to my creative process. One major obstacle encountered was finding a suitable time slot for conducting group discussions. Throughout the assignment, I learned to identify and effectively use my innovative ideas not only for this task but also in everyday life. This program taught me the importance of using diverse approaches for innovation and how creativity guides us on efficiently utilizing resources.
Completing this assignment cultivated a creative mindset and equipped me with valuable skills for collaborating within a team—a challenge I faced before. As an individual, believing in my own creativity is the foundation for being creative itself. The term "creativity" is subjective and encompasses any activity undertaken with original ideas. People themselves coined this term while discussing creativeness, and all the ideas I am currently writing down are highly original as well.

Working on the homelessness project as a group allowed me to discover a different side of myself where I recognized my previously hidden artistic abilities. During my research, I discovered that I had the ability to creatively organize information, generate ideas for the topic, follow a structured format, and select relevant information in a creative way. This aligns with Walla's (1926, as cited in Shalley & Zhou, 2007) model of the creative thought process, which includes Preparation, Incubation, Illumination, and Verification stages. By following these steps, I demonstrated high levels of creativity.

However, working

as part of a group also presented challenges. Being in a team of three required effective time management and coordinated work. There were obstacles due to agenda conflicts and cultural differences that hindered my progress as an individual at times. Despite this chaos, we utilized each other's knowledge and diverse educational backgrounds to be creative.
Problems are obstacles, but winners face them head-on and persevere. Remaining optimistic and patient has helped me during tough times. Reading articles on creativity has greatly contributed to my overall project. Engaging in creativity lectures has allowed me to discover my own creative abilities. Participating actively in brainstorming sessions, cafe workshops, and gaining insights from special guests has boosted my confidence and morale. The concept of "synectics," taught by Gordon (1961 as cited in Shalley & Zhou, 2007), emphasizes the importance of making the familiar strange and the strange familiar. Although I was initially unfamiliar with my creative abilities, this concept is now highly significant to me (26910). This assignment has transformed my perspective on creativity, revealing that it can be found in almost every aspect of daily life. Activities like playing guitar or cooking have helped me tap into my own creative side. Additionally, I've realized that utilizing organizational skills creatively by effectively managing time and staying focused is essential. By conducting thorough research and studying in the library to eliminate distractions, I was able to access my creative flow.Working together with a group during our weekly lecture activity sessions also proved to be advantageous in generating numerous creative ideas for the assignment. The support and cooperation from my group members greatly contributed to my creativity as we valued and

considered every new idea without any negative or critical feedback. Despite some ideas not being useful, we encouraged each other to contribute more, fostering a strong sense of motivation. Additionally, the diversity within our group, including members from various civilizations, enriched our collective thoughts by providing cultural perspectives that enhanced the quality of our ideas. This inspired me to brainstorm using my own cultural background and generate potential solutions. Furthermore, the social issue of homelessness served as an additional motivator for my creativity. Coming from a third world country in a subcontinent plagued by widespread homelessness due to wars, famines, and natural disasters, I felt compelled to find innovative solutions. I firmly believe that the creative process has no boundaries or limits; it can be applied in any situation, place, or time and can help us see things from different perspectives. The assignment has taught me that creativity is not complex and that almost everyone possesses it to some degree. However, many have yet to realize their own creative potential.During the assignment, we collectively reached the conclusion that loneliness has negative impacts on emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being (Cacioppo and Ernst 1999 as cited in Rokach 2005). As part of an NGO conducting a study on homelessness, we were deeply moved by this issue. We prayed for a miracle to eliminate this social problem at its core. Working as a group proved advantageous as it taught us the significance of structure, planning, and coordinated discipline. This assignment also helped us improve our negotiation skills, communication abilities, and aptitude for teamwork.

The text includes references to three articles:
1. Bahr, H.M., Caplow T., & Sternberg D. (International

Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, vol.6, no.pp.494-98).
2. Bateman T.S., Griffin R.W., & Rubinstein D.(1987), "Social information processing and group-induced shifts in response to task design." Group & Organization Studies, vol.12, no.pp.88-108.
3.Bottger P.C., & Yetton P.W.(1982), "Individual versus group problem solving: An empirical test of a best-member strategy." Organizational Behavior and Human Performance,volume29,no.pages307-321.

Furthermore,Yetton's article from 1983 examining the relationship between group size, members' ability,and societal determination is mentioned (Bottger,P.C.,&Yetton,P.W.).