TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiences of mixed method OR Practitioners
T2 - moving beyond a technical focus to insights relating to modelling teams
AU - Ackermann, Fran
AU - Howick, Susan
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Complex, real-world problems often benefit from being tackled using multiple OR methods. The ability to combine methods successfully therefore plays a key role in successful OR practice. The research described in this paper aims to augment current understanding of mixed methods modelling, moving beyond the predominant focus on technical aspects of which methods to use and how they can be combined. As such the research sought to explore the practice of mixed methods from the perspective of those with mixed methods experience to reflect on all aspects of a modelling intervention and identify generic lessons. The research involved a series of in-depth interviews with experienced OR practitioners (both academic and non-academic) to understand how they undertake mixed methods work. The paper describes the research methodology employed, the emergent data and the results of the analysis. The analysis reveals that an area of significance hitherto only peripherally addressed was consideration of the modelling team particularly a) additional skills, b) organisational culture and modeller personality and c) the role of the team leader. The paper concludes with some avenues for further exploration regarding teaching, research, and the practice of OR mixed methods work.
AB - Complex, real-world problems often benefit from being tackled using multiple OR methods. The ability to combine methods successfully therefore plays a key role in successful OR practice. The research described in this paper aims to augment current understanding of mixed methods modelling, moving beyond the predominant focus on technical aspects of which methods to use and how they can be combined. As such the research sought to explore the practice of mixed methods from the perspective of those with mixed methods experience to reflect on all aspects of a modelling intervention and identify generic lessons. The research involved a series of in-depth interviews with experienced OR practitioners (both academic and non-academic) to understand how they undertake mixed methods work. The paper describes the research methodology employed, the emergent data and the results of the analysis. The analysis reveals that an area of significance hitherto only peripherally addressed was consideration of the modelling team particularly a) additional skills, b) organisational culture and modeller personality and c) the role of the team leader. The paper concludes with some avenues for further exploration regarding teaching, research, and the practice of OR mixed methods work.
KW - mixing methods
KW - modelling teams
KW - practice of OR
UR - https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tjor20/current
U2 - 10.1080/01605682.2021.1970486
DO - 10.1080/01605682.2021.1970486
M3 - Article
SN - 0160-5682
VL - 73
SP - 1905
EP - 1918
JO - Journal of Operational Research Society
JF - Journal of Operational Research Society
IS - 9
ER -