Katharina Burger

Understanding behaviour in problem structuring methods interventions with activity theory

This article argues that OR interventions, particularly problem structuring methods (PSM), are complex events that cannot be understood by conventional methods alone. In this paper an alternative approach is introduced, where the units of analysis are the activity systems constituted by and constitutive of PSM interventions. The paper outlines the main theoretical and methodological concerns that need to be appreciated in studying PSM interventions. The paper then explores activity theory as an approach to study them. A case study describing the use of this approach is provided.

Integrating Problem Solving and Research Methods Teaching for Systems Practice in Engineering

Problem solving and research methods apparently sit within different traditions of development evidenced by disparate sources of literature. However, in the graduate education of engineers taking an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) Program in Systems there is a need for their integration in such a way as to make their relationship clear. We argue from experience of course delivery and project supervision that research methods from business and management need to support a generic problem solving approach – informed from the Problem Structuring Methods (PSM) literature, and specifically Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) – such that they provide the rigorous evidence needed at any stage of a problem solving cycle. There is a clear hierarchy with a problem solving approach providing the guiding methodology for systems practice in engineering, and research methods supplying the means to generate answers to specific questions as they arise. We specifically discuss the special role of action research as both a problem solving and a research strategy and its relevance to engineering education, and suggest a philosophical underpinning for the approach.

Understanding PSM Interventions Through Sense-Making and the Mangle of Practice Lens

In this paper we seek to understand how individuals, as part of a group facilitated modelling setting, commit themselves to a set of actions, as a basis of sense-making, sense-giving and coordinated actions. For this we introduce Pickering’s Mangle of Practice to understand the practice of a group facilitated modelling setting. Using video data from a group modelling building exercise, we analyze how individual actors framed their circumstances in communication with one another and how through facilitated model building this affected their subsequent interpretation and decisions as the process unfolds. We show how, through the models as objects enhanced the interaction between verbal communication, expressed and felt emotion and material cues led to collective behavior within the group. With our study we extend prior research and elaborate on the role of objects and materiality as part of group decision making.

Big data and behavior in operational research: towards a “Smart OR”

Organisations are today characterised by increased dynamism and complexity. The challenges that have appeared as a result of these conditions have made organisations and the behaviour within them difficult to examine. We define SMART OR as the creative use of Big Data and hard and soft OR to enhance behaviour and positive results for decision-makers. In this chapter we describe the background to SMART OR, which is essentially action oriented and located within a particular problem context and stakeholder grouping and can take into account a number of biases—should an external observer observe them.

Overview: Behavioral Operational Research in Practice

This chapter provides a review of practical applications of behavioral operational research as reported in academic journals and at three recent conferences. It is contended that all practical applications of OR could be defined as behavioral studies, as real-world uses involve people and therefore behavior will be influenced in some way. The review presented, however, is restricted to applications of BOR that address (i) the incorporation of behavioral factors in models, (ii) modeling of behavior or (iii) understanding how behavior is influenced by models. The historical background of BOR is traced, from the earliest indexed journal paper through to the most recent conference presentations at EURO 2015; the growth of the subject is described; and BOR in practice is shown to be a multi-disciplinary endeavor.

Smart Cities: Big Data and Behavioral Operational Research

In this chapter we describe a number of case studies utilizing big data and OR. Each case study is a distinct strand with implications for practice. Following the case studies, we outline how these strands come together in our conceptualization of Smart OR.