DEATH OF AN OR GROUP

As part of a major investigation into the success and survival of OR g roups in the UK, the closure of a long standing OR group in an organis ation in the energy sector was examined. Several members of the organi zation and the OR group were interviewed about the closure and the qua lity of the OR service, confirming that the Group had many satisfied c lients. The factors influencing the closure were related to a set of p reviously identified success factors. External and organizational fact ors were the main influences on the closure decision but some weakness es in the management of the group were observed. Following the closure , several members of the Group were redeployed, but two years afterwar ds only one remained in the organization, highlighting the reduced cha nces of survival for dispersed OR.