Dear list members,

The Centre for Systems Studies at Hull University Business School has organised a number of research seminars which may be of interest to list members with an interest in soft OR and systems. Details of the seminars and how to attend can be found below.

Best wishes

Alberto

RETHINKING SOFT OR: MODELS AS BOUNDARY OBJECTS

Professor L. Alberto Franco, Hull University Business School

Wednesday, 1st February 2012 at 1.30 pm - 3.00pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: This presentation pays attention to how groups use models within the context of soft OR interventions. This focus is critical because it can shed light into the mechanisms through which models affect group interaction and, ultimately, the intervention outcomes. To this end I draw on the boundary objects literature, and characterise model-supported group problem solving in terms of the relative complexity of the 'boundaries' traversed by those involved in tackling the problem of concern. This characterisation enables us to produce a framework that conceptualises models as boundary objects with specific roles, uses and effects according to the boundary faced in group interaction. The framework is then illustrated via a series of case vignettes drawn from an ongoing research programme studying the impact of soft OR interventions in multi-organisational settings. Finally, I discuss the conceptual and prescriptive value of the framework, and identify implications for research into the evaluation of soft OR interventions.

ALBERTO FRANCO is Professor of Problem Structuring Methods at Hull University Business School. He also holds visiting posts at Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands), IE Business School (Spain) and Universidad del Pacifico (Peru). Prior to joining Hull, he worked at the University of Warwick, University of Strathclyde and the London School of Economics. His main research interests focus on evaluating the impact of model-supported dialogue on strategising, decision making, and collaborative problem solving. His work is regularly published in academic journals such as the European Journal of Operational Research, Omega, Journal of the Operational Research Society, and Group Decision and Negotiation. He has extensive experience in areas such as issue management; strategy evaluation; value-focused thinking; uncertainty management; and resource allocation, and has led more than 60 consulting and action research projects in the construction, transport, hospitality, health, legal services, higher education, government and defence sectors.

The seminar is open to all HUBS staff and all postgraduate students, as well as the general public. Refreshments will be provided. In order to reserve your place please reply to Susan Humphrey ([log in to unmask]) no later than Friday 26th January 2012.

SUPPORTING STRATEGIC DECISIONS IN LOGISTIC SYSTEMS WITH MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS

Dr Gilberto Montibeller, London School of Economics

Wednesday, 8th February 2012 at 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: Decisions in logistic systems, such as supply chain design, facilities location, and selection of suppliers, have had growing strategic importance for organisations in recent years. This is occurring due to recent trends, such as the use of larger and more international supply chains, the increase in competitive pressures for quality and cost as well as higher technical requirements in production, and the growth in complexity of supplying policies. Strategic decisions in this context, I will argue, have distinctive features when compared with tactical ones. While logistic analysis has a long tradition in modelling tactical logistic problems, they may need to be adapted to deal with strategic problems. In this talk I will show how Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis can be employed to support strategic decisions in logistic systems when multiple and conflicting strategic objectives are pursued, and will illustrate the ideas with several real-world applications that we have conducted recently.

GILBERTO MONTIBELLER is a Tenured Lecturer in Decision Sciences in the Management Science Group, Department of Management, at the London School of Economics. He is area editor of the Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and council member of the Informs Decision Analysis Society. His research, which focuses on the many facets of using Decision Analysis to support strategic decision making in a facilitated mode, has been published in journals such as the European Journal of Operational Research, Decision Support Systems and OMEGA. One of his papers, on the integrated use of multi-criteria analysis and scenario planning, was awarded the Wiley Prize in Applied Decision Analysis. He has held visiting positions at the Warwick Business School (UK) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA, Austria), and is a visiting associate professor at the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). An expert on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, he has extensive experience in applying it during the past 15 years, consulting to both private and public organizations in Europe and South America.

CUSTOM AND PRACTICE - REVISITED

Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, London School of Economics

Wednesday, 22nd February, 2pm - 3.30pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: In 1986 my Presidential Address to the Operational Research Society was published in the Society's journal. Quite unusually (it has not happened since) it was a contested election, with the result that all 3 candidates had the opportunity of writing a 'manifesto' that was circulated to the members. Therefore it could be claimed that as President I had a mandate, and the Presidential Address was an attempt to spell it out in more detail. The paper, 'Custom and Practice', proposed 3 related priorities for the profession: to extend its client base to include community groups; to develop simpler methods that would promote participation; and to address itself to society's major problems. This talk will take a quarter-century perspective on this programme and on its degree of achievement.

JONATHAN ROSENHEAD is Professor Emeritus of Operational Research at the London School of Economics where he still teaches. His interests cover applications to health services and to development; policy analysis; community OR; the history of operational research; and robustness analysis for decision-making under uncertainty. The latter is an example of Problem Structuring Methods, to which the book by Rosenhead and Mingers, Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited, is a standard introduction. His involvements with Community OR and Problem Structuring Methods both grew out of the manifesto for his (contested) election as President of ORS in 1984.

Jonathan was joint chair of the first International Conference on OR for Development in 1992, and again for the 5th ICORD Conference in 2005, both held in India. In 1996 he was Chair of the jury for the IFORS Operational Research in Development Prize, and in 2010 he was IFORS Distinguished Lecturer at the APORS Conference in Penang.

Professor Rosenhead believes that academics have social responsibilities as well as technical challenges. His interest in the history of OR grew out of a desire to better understand the mutual links between OR and the society which generated it. He has been Chair of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science. Currently he is Chair of BRICUP (British Committee for the Universities of Palestine), which promotes a boycott of Israeli universities.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF GROUP MODEL BUILDING

Dr Etienne Rouwette, Radboud University Nijmegen

Wednesday, 21st March, 1.30m - 3.00pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: Group model building is the construction of system dynamics models in direct participation with decision makers and experts. In the Netherlands, group model building has been applied to, among other areas, problems in criminal justice, health care, defence, taxes and telecommunications. I will show a general outline for a group model building process and illustrate this with examples from several cases, using both qualitative and quantitative applications. Evaluation of these cases shows a number of surprising insights: for example, a discrepancy between self-assessment of learning and evaluations on the basis of pre-test¬ - post-test measurements. Ongoing research in controlled settings provides more insights into how different groups of participants and problem situations combine into patterns of methodology use. We then discuss theories from cognitive and social psychology that might explain observed results of group model building.

ETIËNNE ROUWETTE is Associate Professor at the Methodology Group of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, and an Associate Fellow at Warwick Business School. He holds a Masters degree in Psychology from Utrecht University and a PhD from Radboud University Nijmegen. Dr Rouwette has authored several articles on the evaluation of group decision support approaches, including group model building, simulation gaming and electronic meeting support. Since 1993 he has been involved in consultancy applications using group model building and other approaches to group decision support. These include projects in profit and non-profit organizations such as: Dutch Telecom, Corus, Eurocontrol, TNO Research, the Dutch Tax Office, the Health Care Insurance Board (CVZ), as well as a number of Dutch Ministries and municipalities.

A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO SERVICE DESIGN: UNLEARNING AND LEARNING

John Seddon, Vanguard Ltd & Hull University Business School

Wednesday, 25th April 2012 at 1.30 pm - 3.00pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: Current conventions in service design are just that - conventions. 'It's people that make the difference'; 'activity equals cost'; 'internet and telephone channels are cheaper that face-to-face service contact'; 'economy comes from scale'; 'inspection improves performance'. These are just some of the widely-practised norms of service management, and all of them are wrong. Or, to put it another way, they are actually causes of sub-optimisation - they make service performance worse.

Unlearning convention is best achieved normatively, by doing - and by studying the organisation as a system. This is the first step in Seddon's 'Vanguard Method'. The second step is to use what has been learned to redesign service operations on the basis of what at first appear to be counterintuitive truths: it's the system, not the people; costs are in flow, not transactions; economy comes from flow, not scale; and prevention beats inspection.

John will illustrate these ideas with case studies from both the private and public sectors. All of the organisations discussed in the case studies are setting economic benchmarks as well as, paradoxically, engaging people and transforming morale.

The seminar is open to all HUBS staff and all postgraduate students, as well as the general public. Refreshments will be provided. In order to reserve your place please reply Susan Humphrey ([log in to unmask]) no later than Monday 23rd April 2012.

GROUP FACILITATED DISCRETE-EVENT SIMULATION: MYTH OR REALITY?

Professor Stewart Robinson, Loughborough University

Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 1.30 pm - 3.00pm

Venue: Hull University Business School, Derwent, SR3

Abstract: Discrete-event simulation modelling is typically performed in the back office. The modeller obtains data about the system under investigation, develops and verifies the model and generates results from a series of experiments. Although the end-users may be involved in regular progress meetings, much of the work is carried out without their direct input. This can often mean that they feel disengaged from the work, which has implications for its credibility and acceptance. What if simulation could be brought into a group facilitated modelling environment? In this talk we explore how this might be achieved and discuss the benefits for both the problem-owners and simulation modellers. The ideas will be illustrated by examples of group facilitated simulation modelling, especially from the health sector.

STEWART ROBINSON is Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Management Science at Loughborough University, School of Business and Economics. Previously employed in simulation consultancy, he supported the use of simulation in companies throughout Europe and the rest of the world. He is author/co-author of five books on simulation. His research focuses on the practice of simulation model development and use. Key areas of interest are conceptual modelling, model validation, output analysis and alternative simulation methods (discrete-event, system dynamics and agent based). He has recently completed a research project that investigated the use of simulation with lean in healthcare. Professor Robinson is co-founder of the Journal of Simulation and Vice President of the Operational Research Society.

The seminar is open to all HUBS staff and all postgraduate students, as well as the general public.. Refreshments will be provided. In order to reserve your place please reply to Susan Humphreys ([log in to unmask]) no later than Friday 27th April 2012.

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L. Alberto Franco, PhD
Professor of Problem Structuring Methods

E: [log in to unmask]

T: +44 (0)1482 463 189

Hull University Business School

University of Hull
Hull, HU6 7RX, UK

www.hull.ac.uk/hubs

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