The non-codified use of problem structuring methods and the need for a generic constitutive definition

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.When we use a PSM what is it we are actually doing? An answer to this question would enable the PSM community to considerably enlarge the available source of case studies by the inclusion of examples of non-codified PSM use. We start from Checkland's own proposal for a "constitutive definition" of SSM, which originated from trying to answer the question of knowing when a claim of SSM use was legitimate. By extending this idea to a generic constitutive definition for all PSMs leads us to propose a self-consistent labelling schema for observed phenomena arising from PSMs in action. This consists of a set of testable propositions, which, through observation of putative PSM use, can be used to assess validity of claims of PSM use. Such evidential support for the propositions as may be found in putative PSM use can then make it back into a broader axiomatic formulation of PSMs through the use of a set-Theoretic approach, which enables our method to scale to large data sets. The theoretical underpinning to our work is in causal realism and middle range theory. We illustrate our approach through the analysis of three case studies drawn from engineering organisations, a rich source of possible non-codified PSM use. The combination of a method for judging cases of non-codified PSM use, sound theoretical underpinning, and scalability to large data sets, we believe leads to a demystification of PSMs and should encourage their wider use. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Spontaneous emergence of Community OR : self-initiating, self-organising problem structuring mediated by social media

We develop a new constitutive definition of Community OR as a self-initiating, self-organising community actor network emerging spontaneously in response to a triggering event and showing evidence of non-codified OR behaviours leading to action to improve the problem situation. From this new definition we have re-conceptualised Community OR as a construct that can be empirically observed emerging from suitable behavioural data. Social media play an instrumental role, acting as both the source of data and the enabling mechanism through which this form of Community OR occurs. Social media afford new possibilities for community empowerment and participation, with consequences for social enterprise and citizenship. We use Actor Network Theory, and specifically the language of translations, hybrid forums, and Callon's Co-production of Knowledge Model (CKM), as the methodological basis for our definition and analysis. The appearance of hybrid forums as a self-organising response to community needs after an event would seem to be a natural milieu for a range of OR competencies. However, unlike traditional practitioner-led engagements, here the OR practitioner's competency enters in a supportive rather than leading role. We support our argument through the analysis of social media data arising from the community response to a devastating flooding event – the Carlisle floods of December 2015

Problem structuring in OR practice

This is the final versionWe are conducting a novel analysis of the OR literature with a view to understanding something of the breadth of approaches to problem formulation that are found in published OR work. We make use of probabilistic topic modelling to construct a classifier that can identify texts that are strongly associated with the fields of Problem Structuring Methods, Community OR and Behavioural OR – even if not labelled as such through keywords, titles or abstracts – as exemplars of work that address key problem formulation concepts. We draw on Callon’s notion of problematisation as the theoretical basis for our analysis because it sits outside of OR and thus provides a different perspective on problem formulation and insight into the “abundance of problematisations” that face any OR practitioner engaging with real-world problems

Problem structuring interventions in practice?

This is the final versionThe derivation of generic constitutive rules for Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) was motivated by the observation of everyday problem structuring in organisations (Yearworth & White, 2014). The existence of a ‘problem structuring mentality’ naturally provokes questions about appropriate underlying theory. There is already a nexus around the practice of problem structuring and theorising about it and social practice theory offers a way forward (Ormerod, 2008, 2014, 2016). This might provide the means for connecting research into OR practice with wider debates in the management literature. The workshop nature of PSM engagements provides a unique insight into the particular place and particular time of management decision making when dealing with messy problems. We define a research agenda, set out some provocative research questions and discuss their implications for OR practiceEuropean Commissio

Quantifying the value of problem structuring interventions?

We review the current work on measuring and evaluating PSM interventions and return to the paradox of trying to determine a specific monetary value. In an attempt to resolve the paradox, we have borrowed freely from economic theory and constructed a scenario where the question of value can be investigated through the effect that a problem structuring intervention will have on information asymmetry in contract formation. This suggests an avenue of research where the value of problem structuring interventions can be investigated empirically. We discuss the difficulties of research design to investigate this question but also the potential benefits.European Commissio

Response to viewpoint: whither problem structuring methods (PSMs)?

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record

Climate change and cities: problem structuring methods and critical perspectives on low-carbon districts

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.Cities around the world have set climate change mitigation targets, yet actions to implement these targets have so far proved inadequate. Better methodology is needed to support this impetus for action. Problem structuring methods (PSMs) enable improvements to be made in wicked problem situations; they appear to have potential to improve climate change mitigation actions but they are difficult to carry out in highly pluralist problem contexts. A case study (STEEP) that applied a PSM to support lowcarbon urban energy master planning in three cities is presented. The STEEP methodology was effective in reducing the wickedness of the problem but issues of a lack of clarity on problem ownership and lack of interessement were seen. A reflective boundary critique study found that there was a mismatch between power and interest amongst key stakeholders towards the low-carbon vision. Three key issues identified in the case study were discussed through the lens of critical systems thinking: (i) the need for new competencies, (ii) dealing with wickedness, and (iii) behavioural complexity and discordant reference systems. The paper suggests how these issues might be improved through the application of non-PSM theories which can support the use of PSMs in improving city-level climate change mitigation.This work was supported in part by the EU FP7-ENERGY-SMARTCITIES-2012 (314277) project STEEP (Systems Thinking for Comprehensive City Efficient Energy Planning)