Abstract
Across many domains, research has shown that a gap in knowledge exists on exploring the relationship between concepts such as collective creativity combined with the fourth industrial revolution. Furthermore, limited conceptual knowledge of how they may aid entrepreneurs when faced with a crisis of disruption trade due to external forces such as a pandemic. The primary objective of this study is to explain how collective creativity and Industry 4.0 technology can be used to reduce the negative effects of COVID-19 on local entrepreneurial enterprises by developing a framework of preparedness. A qualitative study, based on one-on-one interviews pertaining to local entrepreneurs located in Gauteng, South Africa. The results of the primary study and conclusion are yet to be established.
TopBackground
According to the Worldometer (2020), COVID-19 has spread to more than 213 countries around the world and has affected 33 117 639 people, caused 999 568 deaths, 24 459 379 people recovered around the world, and the highest reported cases were in the United States of America. These are statistics of 27 September 2020 and the infection numbers are still rising daily. Vaccine developments are still not considered safe to use, as reported on 6 September 2020 (Google News, 2020).
Several pandemics have been witnessed since the 21st century, such as Smallpox; Cholera; Dengue; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); Influenza Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); Ebola and Tuberculosis (Qiu, Rutherford, Mao, & Chu, 2017).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Wicked Problem: This type of problem is complex and difficult to solve and has multiple potential causes, jurisdictions, stakeholders and regulators or implications. Every wicked problem is unique, can be considered to be a symptom of another problem, is difficult to define and there is no immediate or ultimate test of a solution to a wicked problem. Every solution to a wicked problem is a “one-shot operation” because there is no opportunity to learn by trial and error, and every attempt counts significantly.
Wisdom of Crowds: This is based on the idea that large groups of people are collectively smarter than individual experts when it comes to problem-solving, decision making, innovating and predicting.
Cognitive Skills: Brain-based skills to carry out any task, from the simplest to the most complex, and can be most closely associated with learning and problem-solving. Cognitive skills are supported by specific neuronal networks.
Creative Intelligence (CI): Using divergent thinking to go beyond the existing to create novel and interesting ideas.
Creative Problem-Solving (CPS): A way of solving problems or identifying opportunities when conventional thinking has failed. It encourages the use of new perspectives and ways to view problems differently to generate innovative solutions, to formulate a plan to overcome obstacles and reach goals.
Whole-Brain Thinking: Combining divergent and convergent thinking to find the best creative ideas that can be practically implemented.
Collective Creativity: An approach of creative activity that emerges from the collaboration and contribution of many individuals so that new forms of innovative and expressive art forms are produced collectively by individuals connected by the network. Collective creativity occurs when social interactions lead to new interpretations and discoveries which individual thinking could not have generated.