THE EFFECT OF OPERATIONS-RESEARCH ON PROGRAM CHANGES IN BANGLADESH

This article is based on the ten-year experience of an operations rese arch project in Bangladesh. It assesses how, and under what circumstan ces, research-based advice and results of pilot projects contribute to change in large-scale public programs. It discusses project research on issues facing the national family planning program: recruitment and training of field-workers; delivery of injectable contraceptives; man agement information; field-workers' use of service registers; field su pervision; satellite clinics; and contraceptive user fees. These issue s are used to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of a long-te rm institutionalized project, and to describe the diversity of means f or communication with policymakers. The analysis shows that research, policy decision, and implementation can occur in any sequence. Policy advice that disrupts long-standing power relationships and organizatio nal culture takes a great deal of effort to implement. Operations rese arch can produce useful changes in organizational behavior, even when large-scale problems remain.