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Overview: Behavioral Operational Research in Practice

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Behavioral Operational Research

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Abstract

This chapter provides a review of practical applications of behavioral operational research as reported in academic journals and at three recent conferences. It is contended that all practical applications of OR could be defined as behavioral studies, as real-world uses involve people and therefore behavior will be influenced in some way. The review presented, however, is restricted to applications of BOR that address (i) the incorporation of behavioral factors in models, (ii) modeling of behavior or (iii) understanding how behavior is influenced by models. The historical background of BOR is traced, from the earliest indexed journal paper through to the most recent conference presentations at EURO 2015; the growth of the subject is described; and BOR in practice is shown to be a multi-disciplinary endeavor.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The definition of ‘models’ adopted in the coding process includes cognitive maps, mental maps, cultural schemata, norms and values, as well as management processes, scripted guidelines and management decision support models, i.e. all types of conceptual and materialised models that mediate behavior and the exploration (models as tools for thinking) of problem situations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portland Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, UK

    Katharina Burger

  2. Research and Innovation, BT Technology, Services and Operations, Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, IP5 3RE, UK

    Jonathan Malpass

Authors
  1. Katharina Burger
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  2. Jonathan Malpass
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

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

    Martin Kunc

  2. BT Technology Service & Operations, Martlesham Heath, UK

    Jonathan Malpass

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

    Leroy White

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Burger, K., Malpass, J. (2016). Overview: Behavioral Operational Research in Practice. In: Kunc, M., Malpass, J., White, L. (eds) Behavioral Operational Research. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53551-1_12

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