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On the nature of problems in consulting practice
Colin Eden,David Sims +1 more
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In this paper, the authors discuss the practice of operational research in ways which reflect its political complexity, rather than the techniques, which are more commonly described in the published papers and texts, and suggest that practitioners could usefully devote some energy to reflecting upon the processes used in effective problem solving.Abstract:
OR consultants who wish to help clients with complex policy issues need to find ways of taking account of personal and illegitimate features of a client's understanding of his situation, as well as the technical features which are usually considered. This paper is an attempt to discuss the practice of operational research in ways which reflect its political complexity, rather than the techniques, which are more commonly described in the published papers and texts. The discussion leads to the suggestion that practitioners could usefully devote some energy to reflecting upon the processes used in effective problem solving.read more
Citations
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Analyzing cognitive maps to help structure issues or problems
TL;DR: How cognitive maps might be analyzed for the purpose of structuring problems or issues and what the various analysis methods imply for an operational research practitioner when helping a client work on a ‘‘messy’’ issue or problem are suggested.
Journal ArticleDOI
Facilitated modelling in operational research
TL;DR: Drawing on research scattered across a range of publications and domains, the review presented here provides a formal definition of facilitated modelling, together with a general framework that allows the conceptualisation of a wide variety of facilitated modeling approaches to organisational intervention.
Journal ArticleDOI
The greater whole: Towards a synthesis of system dynamics and soft systems methodology
David C. Lane,Rogelio Oliva +1 more
TL;DR: A theoretical case for using system dynamics and soft system methodology together, and a synthesis of the two called ‘Holon Dynamics' is proposed, with reflections on the proposal and the need for theoretical consistency when mixing tools is emphasised.
Journal ArticleDOI
A Note on the Concept of 'Problem'
TL;DR: In this paper, three views of the concept of "problem", rooted in three major epistemological trends, are presented and contrasted, and the clarifications and comparisons provided are utilized to illus trate some main sources of ambiguity with respect to problems.
Journal ArticleDOI
Multiple criteria analysis of foundation instalment alternatives by applying Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the process of selection the foundation instalment alternative, which have to be the most appropriate and safe for building which stands on the aquiferous soil.
References
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Book
Theory in Practice: Increasing Professional Effectiveness
Chris Argyris,Donald A. Schön +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a transition from Model I to Model II is discussed, with a focus on the transition from Theory of Action to Practice. But, the transition is not seamless: it requires Learining model-II behavior.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Future of Operational Research is Past
TL;DR: In this article, a detailed examination of the impacts of OR on its practice is made, including the dispersion of OR in organizations, the displacement of OR workers, and the dissolution of its interdisciplinarity.