Soft OR and Practice: The Contribution of the Founders of Operations Research

Abstract

“Soft Operation Research and Practice: The Contribution of the Founders of Operations Research” explores two themes relating to the 43 people whose profiles constitute the Assad and Gass book referred to in the article. First, it explores the direct influence of the founders on the development of soft operations research (OR) and the alignment of their work with the characteristics of soft OR. Second, it explores how many key early developments of OR stemmed from the founders’ engagement with practice. It is argued that the affinity of the founders with soft OR and with its emphasis on process in the framing and formulation of problems should therefore be universally recognized as a legitimate branch of OR within its practice and evidenced within its publications. It is additionally argued that all academics should see engagement with practice as a fertile source of stimulation and ideas.