Implementation of OR/MS In Government and Industry: A Behavioral Science Perspective

Little attention has been paid by OR/MS researchers to implementations of findings and to implementation as a research topic in itself. A review of the OR/MS literature shows that the field typically ignores human variables, both as components of models and as they affect the implementation of projects. As a result, the success of OR/MS in organizations has been less than originally anticipated. In comparison, the field of Organization Development (OD) places greater emphasis on human variables and on the relationship between the client and “change agent” and has a greater emphasis on applications. OD is weaker than OR/MS in its systems and interdisciplinary orientation. Both fields take for granted the system structure as it is. The success record of OR/MS will be improved by the field retaining its own strengths in comparison to OD, moving closer to OD in its weak areas, and seeking to be aware of power issues which impact on its efforts.