SOCIAL-THEORY AND OPERATIONAL-RESEARCH PRACTICE

The emphasis in the social sciences has been on developing theory. The emphasis in OR has been on practice. It is argued in this paper that both traditions stand to gain much from close collaboration with each other. As a first step in this argument some highly relevant social sc ience is introduced. As a second step, this is considered in relation to Beer's cybernetics and Checkland's soft systems methodology. These approaches demonstrate how subtle philosophical and sociological judge ments can be incorporated in tools for practical action. At the same t ime, a much enhanced appreciation of the relative strengths of these m ethodologies is gained by viewing them from a social theory perspectiv e. OR can help social scientists to make their findings usable in prac tice, and social science can help operational researchers achieve more sophisticated interventions and to learn from those interventions.