A LANGUAGE-ACTION APPROACH TO OPERATIONAL-RESEARCH

This paper results from a collaboration between two academics, one a s ocial psychologist who has explored creative work in engineering produ ct design, the other engaged in the application of 'soft' methods in O R, but with a background in engineering. Much of the new thinking in O R is described in terms of a language-action perspective which is prom inent in studies of computer supported work, negotiation, and other fo rms of discursive action. The perspective is used to examine some of t he tasks needing to be undertaken if OR is to shift from a concern wit h social engineering to a concern with reflective social action. Parti cular attention is paid to the analysis of dilemmas, the growth of com mitment, and the assessment of methods. It is concluded that, if OR ma kes the analysis of cognitive and political processes part of the core of the subject, it may become an epistemic subject with wide applicat ion to organisational decision-making.