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Behavioural Problems of Operational Research Implementation in Developing Countries

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Management Problems in Africa

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Abstract

Operational research models frequently do not work because of the lapses of assumptions made by operational researchers. Most mathematical or conceptual models of how decision-makers should approach their problems in organisational settings may be valid in their own rights. If those who design complicated problem-solving analytical models are motivated by the need to resolve pressing operational problems, there should be no serious differences between such models and the persons implementing them. Model builders tend to exist in academic settings in which the mere exercise of producing models is rewarded as academic contributions. Analytical models in the field of operational research tend to rest on the use of mathematical tools and analytical frameworks. Those who are schooled properly in mathematical and analytical cultures do readily feel at home in relating to many abstruse mathematical models. Such persons do represent a tiny percentage of decision-makers and analysts in modern organisations.

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Authors
  1. Joseph A. Bello
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lagos, Nigeria

    Ukandi G. Damachi (Professor of Industrial Relations and Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration) (Professor of Industrial Relations and Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration)

  2. University of Cologne, West Germany

    Hans Dieter Seibel (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations) (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations)

  3. Society for the Advancement of Research on Developing Countries, Cologne, West Germany

    Hans Dieter Seibel (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations) (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations)

  4. Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Hans Dieter Seibel (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations) (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations)

  5. University of Lagos, Nigeria

    Hans Dieter Seibel (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations) (Professor of Sociology, President, Research Associate, Visiting Professor of Industrial Relations)

Copyright information

© 1986 Ukandi G. Damachi and Hans Dieter Seibel

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Bello, J.A. (1986). Behavioural Problems of Operational Research Implementation in Developing Countries. In: Damachi, U.G., Seibel, H.D. (eds) Management Problems in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-05478-7_11

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