Abstract:

The degree to which operational research will be accepted as a management tool depends very largely upon whether or not operational researchers can sell their discipline and skill to management. So far all signs are that OR men have as yet failed to do so. In common with continental countries operational research in Britain has penetrated few organisations; the nationalised industries and a handful of multi-national companies employ a substantial number of operational researchers. The main conclusions from the Seminar are: 1. Operational research equates with a way of thinking; 2. Many people are in fact using OR techniques without realising it; 3. Management needs to be converted, not to accept the definition of OR but accept OR as an everyday tool particularly to evaluate alternative plans.