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Think Tank Methods - A Discussion on Major Impacting Factors

Think tanks primarily embark on sponsoring research on specific problems, encouraging the solution uncovering for associated problems, and facilitating the interactions amongst intellectuals, professionals, and scientists in pursuit of these goals. For example, a public policy think tank might be explicitly focusing on governmental policies with the objective of proposing viable alternatives or enhancing the current policies. This implies, think tanks are not ad hoc commissions, but rather well-structured permanent entities that devote both human and financial resources for purpose achievement (Goodman, 2005; McGann, 2020). Since think tanks do not follow a one size fits all pattern, there are different categorizations of think tanks that are problem-specific (Pautz, 2011). The problem type and purpose of think tank creation and be grouped into five categories including idea combining ideas – promoting interactivity in idea generation and subsequent merging of ideas for an appropriate solution. Backward thinking – approach entailing a bock propagation from end product through intermediates to initial requirements; rapid prototyping implementation – which quick collection of ideas for prototype building and application; incubation funding – company employee-driven idea generation and pursuit supported by specific assigned budget; and, taking it on-line –  platform encouraging contributions online anywhere at any time (McGann, 2020; Penttila, 2007). 


The different categories of think tanks do vary based on the reason for creation and objective often powered by both professionalism and intellectualism. The autonomous and Independent whereby the think tank operating from an independent standpoint with regards to other interest groups or donor influences. They are self-governing and do not receive government aid. This category of think tanks is self-aware, governing independently, and not being dependent on aids from the government or donors. The assignment of think tanks into this category is triggered by their autonomy in the production of high-quality unbiased research works driven by their independence from government and self-governing structural organization (Penttila, 2007). Secondly, we examine Corporate or For-Profit think tanks operating in conjunction with a specific corporation or on a for-profit basis. These think tanks serve as research organizations having a cooperate affiliation and also operating as for-profit businesses. It is expedient to mention that these think tanks are generally associated with profit-generating businesses on a for-profit basis. The for-profit think tanks have a high degree of structural similarity to governmental research organizations (Penttila, 2007).

References

Goodman, J. C. (2005). What is a think tank. National Center for Policy Analysis, 2.

McGann, J. G. (2020). 2019 Global go to think tank index report.

Pautz, H. (2011). Revisiting the think-tank phenomenon. Public Policy and Administration, 26(4), 419-435.

Penttila, C. (2007). 5 Big Biz Think Tank Techniques. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/174688.

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