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Community Operational ­Research
OR and Systems Thinking for Community Development (Contemporary Systems Thinking)
By Gerald Midgley (Edited by), Alejandro Ochoa-Arias (Edited by)

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Format
Hardback, 366 pages
Other Formats Available

Paperback : £143.00

Published
United States, 15 June 2004

Community Operational Research: OR and Systems Thinking for Community Development sets out the current concerns of Community Operational Research (Community OR for short) and explores new possibilities for its development. Leading Community OR writers, international reputations in operational research and systems, have contributed chapters that illuminate different aspects of Community OR theory and practice. Following a introductory chapter by the editors on Community OR, the book is presented in three sections: - Section One presents "The History and Development of Community OR". Exploring the institutional development of Community OR and people's motivations for engaging in it. Methodological issues are also discussed. - Section Two covers "Local Action for Community Development". Even though the emphasis is on dealing with local issues, all the authors use methods and techniques to support widely informed decision making. In every case, the impacts of a complex variety of phenomena are taken into account. Even when authors are not using a systems methodology, the ideal of comprehensiveness (one of the hallmarks of systems thinking) is plain to see.
- Section Three is entitled "Dealing Locally with Global Issues". Here, the themes of community development are taken one stage further. This includes authors who are explicitly seeking to address global issues (e.g., environmental problems and the international dimensions of poverty) through widely informed local action. - Finally, Section Four, "The Politics of Systemic Intervention", discusses two themes; the political nature of Community OR practice; and the value of systems thinking to community development. 'This is the book I have been waiting for. Community Operational Research has shown that analysis can be used not only for, but also with, community groups, helping them to gain more control of their situations. What Midgley and Ochoa-Arias' volume does is provide not only rich examples of grass-roots practice, but also thought-provoking theoretical explorations. The editors have a point of view, but they allow space for debate with those who interpret Community OR differently.' Jonathan Rosenhead (Emeritus Professor of Operational Research, London School of Economics and Political Science; Ex-President of the Operational Research Society) '.What the many authors in this book have in common is a commitment to serve the interests of all those affected by a community's behavior - its stakeholders.
This is acquiring a new significance as we decreasingly conceptualize corporations and organizations in general as organisms, and begin to think of them, as Charles Handy has, as communities.' Russell Ackoff (Professor Emeritus of the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania; Ex-President of ORSA; Vice President of TIMS)

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Our Price
£143
Ships from UK Estimated delivery date: 3rd Apr - 7th Apr from UK

Product Description

Community Operational Research: OR and Systems Thinking for Community Development sets out the current concerns of Community Operational Research (Community OR for short) and explores new possibilities for its development. Leading Community OR writers, international reputations in operational research and systems, have contributed chapters that illuminate different aspects of Community OR theory and practice. Following a introductory chapter by the editors on Community OR, the book is presented in three sections: - Section One presents "The History and Development of Community OR". Exploring the institutional development of Community OR and people's motivations for engaging in it. Methodological issues are also discussed. - Section Two covers "Local Action for Community Development". Even though the emphasis is on dealing with local issues, all the authors use methods and techniques to support widely informed decision making. In every case, the impacts of a complex variety of phenomena are taken into account. Even when authors are not using a systems methodology, the ideal of comprehensiveness (one of the hallmarks of systems thinking) is plain to see.
- Section Three is entitled "Dealing Locally with Global Issues". Here, the themes of community development are taken one stage further. This includes authors who are explicitly seeking to address global issues (e.g., environmental problems and the international dimensions of poverty) through widely informed local action. - Finally, Section Four, "The Politics of Systemic Intervention", discusses two themes; the political nature of Community OR practice; and the value of systems thinking to community development. 'This is the book I have been waiting for. Community Operational Research has shown that analysis can be used not only for, but also with, community groups, helping them to gain more control of their situations. What Midgley and Ochoa-Arias' volume does is provide not only rich examples of grass-roots practice, but also thought-provoking theoretical explorations. The editors have a point of view, but they allow space for debate with those who interpret Community OR differently.' Jonathan Rosenhead (Emeritus Professor of Operational Research, London School of Economics and Political Science; Ex-President of the Operational Research Society) '.What the many authors in this book have in common is a commitment to serve the interests of all those affected by a community's behavior - its stakeholders.
This is acquiring a new significance as we decreasingly conceptualize corporations and organizations in general as organisms, and begin to think of them, as Charles Handy has, as communities.' Russell Ackoff (Professor Emeritus of the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania; Ex-President of ORSA; Vice President of TIMS)

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Product Details
EAN
9780306483356
ISBN
0306483351
Other Information
VIII, 366 p.
Dimensions
22.4 x 14.5 x 3 centimeters (0.82 kg)

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Community Operational Research.- I Early Contributions and Later Reflections on Theory, Methodology and Practice.- 2. Community Operational Research: Its Context and its Future.- 3. Community Operational Research: Purposes, Theory and Practice.- 4. Visions of Community for Community OR 75.- II Local Action for Community Development.- 5. A Black Ghetto’s Research on a University.- 6. Housing in the Dearne Valley: Doing Community OR with the Thurnscoe Tenants Housing Co-operative.- 7. Looking Forward with a Council for Voluntary Service.- 8. Facilitation as Fair Intervention.- 9. Perspectives of Engagement in Community Operational Research.- 10. Systemic Intervention for Community OR: Developing Services with Young People (Under 16) Living on the Streets.- 11. Playing with PANDA: the CybOrg and the Rhizome.- III Dealing Locally with Global Issues.- 12. An Interpretive Systemic Exploration of Community Action in Venezuela.- 13. Community and Environmental OR: Towards a New Agenda.- 14. Adaptive Methodology for Ecosystem Sustainability and Health (AMESH): An Introduction.

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Reviews

From the reviews: 'This is the book I have been waiting for. Community Operational Research has shown that analysis can be used not only for, but also with, community groups, helping them to gain more control of their situations. What Midgley and Ochoa-Arias' volume does is provide not only rich examples of grass-roots practice, but also thought-provoking theoretical explorations. The editors have a point of view, but they allow space for debate with those who interpret Community OR differently.' Jonathan Rosenhead (Emeritus Professor of Operational Research, London School of Economics and Political Science; Ex-President of the Operational Research Society) '...What the many authors in this book have in common is a commitment to serve the interests of all those affected by a community's behavior - its stakeholders. This is acquiring a new significance as we decreasingly conceptualize corporations and organizations in general as organisms, and begin to think of them, as Charles Handy has, as communities.' Russell Ackoff (Professor Emeritus of the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania; Ex-President of ORSA; Vice President of TIMS) "The authors/editors have made a worthwhile contribution to the scant literature in a growing field. In particular, they should be commended for presenting illustrations of community projects in developing countries. ! this book attests to the growing application of OR methods to community development ! . I commend the authors for their effort." (JP van Gigch, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 58 (3), 2007)

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