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A Midlife Crisis for Operations Research? New Fundamental Challenges for the Profession? Another View

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  • John Rowse

    (Department of Economics, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada)

Abstract

In a recent article published in this journal, Fiksel [Fiksel, Joseph. 1980. Winning is not everything: The midlife crisis of operations research. Interfaces 10 (2) 106--107.] detects a midlife crisis in OR/MS. He perceives there to be two “fundamental challenges” facing the profession; the formulation of models embracing the “wholistic nature” of systems and the need to redirect problem-solving approaches toward “the evolving needs of society.” In addressing the second challenge the objective of “winning” is to be de-emphasized and other objectives stressed to a greater extent. I believe that arguments at odds with these sentiments are easily as persuasive or as plausible as those of Fiksel, and I would like to record several of these arguments.

Suggested Citation

  • John Rowse, 1981. "A Midlife Crisis for Operations Research? New Fundamental Challenges for the Profession? Another View," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 11(1), pages 27-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:11:y:1981:i:1:p:27-30
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.11.1.27
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    professional: OR/MS philosophy;

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