OR began in the 1930s, and many of the leading figures in various sciences and mathematics contributed to its definition and progress.

background

/pdf/model-world-tales-from-the-time-line-the-definition-of-or-26t4qdj3xq.pdf

The Nature and Development of Operations Research

Model World: Tales from the Time Line—The Definition of OR and the Origins of Monte Carlo Simulation

In the physical world, interaction without friction is nearly inconceivable. The most elaborate mechanisms would be required to pick up a bottle, set a table, drive a car, or walk to the door. Objects set in motion, whether pencils, mice, feet, automobiles, or trains, would slide freely until arrested or deflected by collision with another object. Without the damping effect of friction, we would live in an impossibly kinetic world in which the consequences of every action would persist and multiply to the point of insanity.

Essential friction: error-control in organizational behavior

GAVIRA, M. O. Computer simulation: a tool to acquiring knowledge. Sao Carlos. 146p. Dissertacao (Mestrado) – Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo. In the last years, the computer simulation has become a vital tool in the development of several self-learning techniques, as well in the acquisition of knowledge in the engineering teaching and in the managerial training. The simulation used in the early years of the Operational Research boarded the potential problems by obtaining the best possible results for each part of the model. However, as the complexity of such problems increased, the need for more systemic and generalist approaches has also increased. Initially, the simulation was performed by general programming languages as FORTRAN. But, as the complexity of the observations and the capability of the computer resources increased, Simulation Languages (like GPSS) and Dynamic System Simulation Software (dynamo, STELLA etc) were developed. This methodology (“System Dynamics”) uses concepts of the systemic thought to solve problems and to analyze systems. In that context, the main objectives of this work are to identify and to analyze the potential aspects of the simulation based on System Dynamics when applied in the engineering teaching and in the managerial training.

/pdf/simulacao-computacional-como-uma-ferramenta-de-aquisicao-de-3zxn3qfo1i.pdf

Simulação computacional como uma ferramenta de aquisição de conhecimento.

Metal theft has emerged as a substantial crime problem, causing widespread disruption and damage in addition to the loss of metal itself, but has been the subject of little research. This thesis uses the paradigm of crime science to analyse the problem, focusing on thefts from the railway network in Great Britain. Two theoretical concepts are used: crime scripts and the routine-activities approach. Police-recorded crime and intelligence data are used to develop a crime script, which in turn is used to identify features of the problem a) analysis of which would potentially be useful to practitioners seeking to understand and prevent metal theft, and b) for which sufficient data are available to make analysis practical. Three such features are then analysed in more detail. First, spatial and temporal distributions of metal theft are analysed. Metal theft appears to differ from other types of acquisitive crime in ways potentially useful for prevention, for example in clustering outside (but close to) cities, and in exhibiting significant repeat victimisation over a longer period than found for other crimes. Second, the potential crime-prevention value of the market-reduction approach is analysed by testing for clusters of thefts close to the locations of scrap-metal dealers. Scrap-yard locations are found to be a significant predictor of local thefts, controlling for metal availability, area accessibility, and density of population and industry. Third, the involvement of organised crime groups (OCGs) in metal theft is tested. Due to the difficulty of defining and measuring organised crime, multiple approaches are used: all show OCG involvement to be rarer than official estimates previously suggested. The implications of these findings for practitioners are discussed. The thesis also considers the relevance of the results for the use of crime science and the analysis of OCGs.

methods

Using crime science for understanding and preventing theft of metal from the British railway network

This paper focuses on the significance of the Second World War for the rise and establishment of new disciplines in applied mathematics as well as for the renewed interest and growth in some related subjects in pure mathematics The mathematical topics involved are mathematical programming, operations research, game theory, the theory of convexity, and the theory of systems of linear inequalities Connections and interactions between different branches of mathematics on the one hand and between different kinds of driving forces in the development of mathematics on the other hand are discussed Special emphasis is devoted to the significance of the interplay between practical problem solving and basic research in mathematics proper as a consequence of World War II and the post-war organization of science support in the USA

Additional excerpts

https://www.springer.com/cda/content/document/cda_downloaddocument/9783764316341-c6.pdf?SGWID=0-0-45-401021-p2322058

New Mathematical Disciplines and Research in the Wake of World War II

Systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/105/2719/150.full.pdf

The Nature and Development of Operations Research

Citations

Model World: Tales from the Time Line—The Definition of OR and the Origins of Monte Carlo Simulation

Essential friction: error-control in organizational behavior

Simulação computacional como uma ferramenta de aquisição de conhecimento.

Using crime science for understanding and preventing theft of metal from the British railway network

New Mathematical Disciplines and Research in the Wake of World War II

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