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Lessons Learned: Acquiring Insights from Non-Operational Research Perspectives

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Behavioral Operational Research

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Abstract

In Behavioral Operational Research (OR) non-expert use of methods is high on the agenda, yet this is underdeveloped so far. Other fields of research, such as anthropology and rural development, intensively use methods geared toward incorporating values, knowledge, and experiences of laymen and local communities, in particular Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). In this chapter we aim to highlight how OR might benefit from such non-expert method usage. In order to do this, we employ a content analysis in the Web of Science data base on empirical community-based PRA research papers using modeling and mapping. We focus on methodological issues dealing with participation, data collection methods, modeling and mapping tools and reported strengths and weaknesses. The analysis of PRA papers shows, among others, that problem ownership and engagement of local people are essential for empowerment, support for change and implementation of solutions. Translated to OR this would mean that less emphasis should be put on stakeholders’ commitment to contribute, rather their abilities to implement changes seem vital. PRA learns that accommodating interventions in familiar ways of working and communicating optimizes stakeholders’ ability to analyze and solve their own problems.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Hubert Korzilius

  2. Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, Velp, The Netherlands

    Pleun van Arensbergen

Authors
  1. Hubert Korzilius
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  2. Pleun van Arensbergen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hubert Korzilius .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

    Leroy White

  2. Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Martin Kunc

  3. School of Economics, Finance and Management, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Katharina Burger

  4. Applied Research, BT, Martlesham Heath, UK

    Jonathan Malpass

Appendix A

Appendix A

Reviewed papers (numbers refer to Table 13.1).

  1. 1.

    Debnath, R., & Bardhan, R. (2018). Resource symbiosis model through bricolage: A livelihood generation assessment of an Indian village. Journal of Rural Studies, 60, 105–121.

  2. 2.

    Lara, C., Crispín, A., & Téllez M. (2018). Participatory rural appraisal as an educational tool to empower sustainable community processes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 4254–4262.

  3. 3.

    Yang, L., Liu, M., Lun, F., Yuan, Z., Zhang, Y., & Min, Q. (2017). An analysis on crops choice and its driving factors in agricultural heritage systems: A case of Honghe Hani rice terraces system. Sustainability, 9, 1–18.

  4. 4.

    Gawith, D., Hill, D., & Kingston, D. (2017). Determinants of vulnerability to the hydrological effects of climate change in rural communities: Evidence from Nepal. Climate and Development, 9(1), 50–65.

  5. 5.

    John, A., Gopalakrishnan, R., & Javed, R. (2015). Reflections on use of participatory methods in the capacity building program for tribal community health volunteers. Indian Journal of Community Health, 27(2), 290–294.

  6. 6.

    Soltani, A., Sankhayan, P., & Hofstad, O. (2014). A dynamic bio-economic model for community management of goat and oak forests in Zagros, Iran. Ecological Economics, 106, 174–185.

  7. 7.

    Butiu, C., & Pascary, M. (2014). Triangulation and results restitution in social service needs assessment. Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala, 46, 273–287.

  8. 8.

    Hua, X., Yan, J., Liu, X., Wu, Y., Liu, L., & Zhang, Y. (2013). Factors influencing the grazing management styles of settled herders: a case study of Nagqu County, Tibetan Plateau, China. Journal of Mountain Science, 10(6), 1074–1084.

  9. 9.

    Ping, X., Li, C., & Jiang, Z. (2013). Household energy consumption patterns in agricultural zone, pastoral zone and agro-pastoral transitional zone in eastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Biomass and Bioenergy, 58, 1–9.

  10. 10.

    Aziz, A., Shams, M., & Khan, K. S. (2011). Participatory action research as the approach for women’s empowerment. Action Research, 9(3), 303–323.

  11. 11.

    Hoole, A., & Berkes, F. (2010). Breaking down fences: Recoupling social-ecological systems for biodiversity conservation in Namibia. Geoforum, 41(2): 304–317.

  12. 12.

    Hjortsø, C., Christensen, S., & Tarp, P. (2005). Rapid stakeholder and conflict assessment for natural resource management using cognitive mapping: The case of Damdoi Forest Enterprise, Vietnam. Agriculture and Human Values, 22(2), 149–167.

  13. 13.

    Sawathvong, S. (2004). Experiences from developing an integrated land-use planning approach for protected areas in the Lao PDR. Forest Policy and Economics, 6(6), 553–566.

  14. 14.

    Getchell, J., Vatta, A., Motswatswe, P., Krecek, R., Moerane, R., Pell, A., et al. (2002). Raising livestock in resource-poor communities of the North West Province of South Africa—A participatory rural appraisal study. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 73(4), 177–184.

  15. 15.

    Warner, M. (1997). ‘Consensus’ participation: An example for protected areas planning. Public Administration and Development: The International Journal of Management Research and Practice, 17(4), 413–432.

  16. 16.

    Ahmed, B., & Kelman, I. (2018). Measuring community vulnerability to environmental hazards: A method for combining quantitative and qualitative data. Natural Hazards Review, 9(3), 1–59.

  17. 17.

    Liu, W., Dugar, S., McCallum, I., Thapa, G., See, L., Khadka, P., et al. (2018). Integrated participatory and collaborative risk mapping for enhancing disaster resilience. International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(2), 68.

  18. 18.

    Kandel, P., Tshering, D., Uddin, K., Lhamtshok, T., Aryal, K., Karki, S., et al. (2018). Understanding social-ecological interdependence using ecosystem services perspective in Bhutan, Eastern Himalayas. Ecosphere, 9(2), 1–18.

  19. 19.

    Mwongera, C., Shikuku, K. M., Twyman, J., Läderach, P., Ampaire, E., Van Asten, P., et al. (2017). Climate smart agriculture rapid appraisal (CSA-RA): A tool for prioritizing context-specific climate smart agriculture technologies. Agricultural Systems, 151, 192–203.

  20. 20.

    Drumond, M. A., Guimarães, A. Q., & da Silva, R. H. P. (2015). The role of local knowledge and traditional extraction practices in the management of giant earthworms in Brazil. PLoS ONE, 10(4), 1–19.

  21. 21.

    Deb, S., Lynrah, M. M., & Tiwari, B. K. (2013). Technological innovations in shifting agricultural practices by three tribal farming communities of Meghalaya, northeast India. Tropical Ecology, 54(2), 133–148.

  22. 22.

    Bazai, Z. A., Tareen, R. B., Achakzai, A. K. K., & Batool, H. (2013). Application of the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) to assess the ethnobotany and forest conservation status of the Zarghoon Juniper Ecosystem, Balochistan, Pakistan. Phyton, 82, 69–74.

  23. 23.

    David, A., Braby, J., Zeidler, J., Kandjinga, L., & Ndokosho, J. (2013). Building adaptive capacity in rural Namibia: Community information toolkits on climate change. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 5(2), 215–229.

  24. 24.

    Kangalawe, R. Y., & Noe, C. (2012). Biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in Namtumbo District, Tanzania. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 162, 90–100.

  25. 25.

    Kathirvel, S., Jeyashree, K., & Patro, B. K. (2012). Social mapping: A potential teaching tool in public health. Medical Teacher, 34(7), e529–e531.

  26. 26.

    Saqalli, M., Caron, P., Defourny, P., & Issaka, A. (2009). The PBRM (perception-based regional mapping): A spatial method to support regional development initiatives. Applied Geography, 29(3), 358–370.

  27. 27.

    Jakariya, M. D., & Bhattacharya, P. (2007). Use of GIS in local level participatory planning for arsenic mitigation: A case study from Matlab Upazila, Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A, 42(12), 1933–1944.

  28. 28.

    Kalibo, H. W., & Medley, K. E. (2007). Participatory resource mapping for adaptive collaborative management at Mt. Kasigau, Kenya. Landscape and Urban Planning, 82(3), 145–158.

  29. 29.

    Koralagama, D. N., Wijeratne, M., & De Silva, W. N. (2007). Emergence of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) technique as a strategy towards sustainable development: a Sri Lankan experience. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 108(2), 149–160.

  30. 30.

    Hassan, M. M. (2005). Arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh: spatial mitigation planning with GIS and public participation. Health Policy, 74(3), 247–260.

  31. 31.

    Magcale-Macandog, D., & Ocampo, L. J. M. (2005). Indigenous strategies of sustainable farming systems in the highlands of northern Philippines. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 26(2), 117–138.

  32. 32.

    Cronin, S. J., Gaylord, D. R., Charley, D., Alloway, B. V., Wallez, S., & Esau, J. W. (2004). Participatory methods of incorporating scientific with traditional knowledge for volcanic hazard management on Ambae Island, Vanuatu. Bulletin of Volcanology, 66(7), 652–668.

  33. 33.

    Quinn, C. H., Huby, M., Kiwasila, H., & Lovett, J. C. (2003). Local perceptions of risk to livelihood in semi-arid Tanzania. Journal of Environmental Management, 68(2), 111–119.

  34. 34.

    Christiaensen, L., Hoddinott, J., & Bergeron, G. (2001). Comparing village characteristics derived from rapid appraisals and household surveys: A tale from northern Mali. Journal of Development Studies, 37(3), 1–20.

  35. 35.

    Fletcher, A. E., Donoghue, M., Devavaram, J., Thulasiraj, R. D., Scott, S., Abdalla, M., et al. (1999). Low uptake of eye services in rural India: A challenge for programs of blindness prevention. Archives of Ophthalmology, 117(10), 1393–1399.

  36. 36.

    Hellier, A., Newton, A. C., & Gaona, S. O. (1999). Use of indigenous knowledge for rapidly assessing trends in biodiversity: A case study from Chiapas, Mexico. Biodiversity & Conservation, 8(7), 869–889.

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Korzilius, H., van Arensbergen, P. (2020). Lessons Learned: Acquiring Insights from Non-Operational Research Perspectives. In: White, L., Kunc, M., Burger, K., Malpass, J. (eds) Behavioral Operational Research. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25405-6_13

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