Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches
Because of hyper-complexity, a difficulty to define, multiple stakeholders with conflicting perspectives, and a lack of clear-cut solutions, wicked problems necessitate innovative and adaptive strategies. Operations research (OR) has been a valuable tool for managers to make informed decisions for y...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Mathematics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/11/18/3815 |
| _version_ | 1797579003708571648 |
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| author | Wenjing Xu Seyyed Ahmad Edalatpanah Ali Sorourkhah |
| author_facet | Wenjing Xu Seyyed Ahmad Edalatpanah Ali Sorourkhah |
| author_sort | Wenjing Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Because of hyper-complexity, a difficulty to define, multiple stakeholders with conflicting perspectives, and a lack of clear-cut solutions, wicked problems necessitate innovative and adaptive strategies. Operations research (OR) has been a valuable tool for managers to make informed decisions for years. However, as we face increasingly complex and messy problems, it has become apparent that relying solely on either hard or soft OR approaches is no longer sufficient. We need to explore more innovative methodologies to address these wicked problems effectively. This study has bridged the research gap by proposing a structured process encompassing a subdivision-based problem structuring method for defining the wicked problem, a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) for prioritizing subproblems, and a hard OR technique, data envelopment analysis (DEA) for tackling one of the most critical subdivisions. The proposed methodology, the subdivision-based problem structuring method (SPSM), implemented in a case study, focuses on a higher education institution experiencing a decline in student admissions and involves five steps. First, a diverse group of stakeholders is formed to ensure the comprehensive consideration of perspectives. Second, the wicked problem is defined, considering long-term consequences, multiple stakeholders, and qualitative stakeholder opinions. Third, a hierarchical structure is created to break down the wicked problem into manageable subproblems. Fourth, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method prioritizes subproblems. Finally, the subproblems are addressed one by one using a combination of soft and hard OR tools. The findings highlight the benefits of integrating hard and soft OR approaches. The study concludes with reflections on the implications of using a combined OR approach to tackle wicked problems in higher education and beyond. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:29:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1de4a97ad2104e559b3fcee190cbb6b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7390 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:29:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Mathematics |
| spelling | doaj.art-1de4a97ad2104e559b3fcee190cbb6b02023-11-19T11:47:59ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902023-09-011118381510.3390/math11183815Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research ApproachesWenjing Xu0Seyyed Ahmad Edalatpanah1Ali Sorourkhah2Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Economics and Management, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, ChinaDepartment of Mathematics, Ayandegan Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon 46818-53617, IranDepartment of Management, Ayandegan Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon 46818-53617, IranBecause of hyper-complexity, a difficulty to define, multiple stakeholders with conflicting perspectives, and a lack of clear-cut solutions, wicked problems necessitate innovative and adaptive strategies. Operations research (OR) has been a valuable tool for managers to make informed decisions for years. However, as we face increasingly complex and messy problems, it has become apparent that relying solely on either hard or soft OR approaches is no longer sufficient. We need to explore more innovative methodologies to address these wicked problems effectively. This study has bridged the research gap by proposing a structured process encompassing a subdivision-based problem structuring method for defining the wicked problem, a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) for prioritizing subproblems, and a hard OR technique, data envelopment analysis (DEA) for tackling one of the most critical subdivisions. The proposed methodology, the subdivision-based problem structuring method (SPSM), implemented in a case study, focuses on a higher education institution experiencing a decline in student admissions and involves five steps. First, a diverse group of stakeholders is formed to ensure the comprehensive consideration of perspectives. Second, the wicked problem is defined, considering long-term consequences, multiple stakeholders, and qualitative stakeholder opinions. Third, a hierarchical structure is created to break down the wicked problem into manageable subproblems. Fourth, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method prioritizes subproblems. Finally, the subproblems are addressed one by one using a combination of soft and hard OR tools. The findings highlight the benefits of integrating hard and soft OR approaches. The study concludes with reflections on the implications of using a combined OR approach to tackle wicked problems in higher education and beyond.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/11/18/3815problem solvingwicked problemhard ORsoft ORproblem structuring methodsdecision-making |
| spellingShingle | Wenjing Xu Seyyed Ahmad Edalatpanah Ali Sorourkhah Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches Mathematics problem solving wicked problem hard OR soft OR problem structuring methods decision-making |
| title | Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches |
| title_full | Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches |
| title_fullStr | Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches |
| title_short | Solving the Problem of Reducing the Audiences’ Favor toward an Educational Institution by Using a Combination of Hard and Soft Operations Research Approaches |
| title_sort | solving the problem of reducing the audiences favor toward an educational institution by using a combination of hard and soft operations research approaches |
| topic | problem solving wicked problem hard OR soft OR problem structuring methods decision-making |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/11/18/3815 |
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