The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research
Classical operational research (OR) is mainly concerned with the use of mathematical techniques and models used in decision-making situations. The basic assumptions of OR presuppose that the structure of the world is one of order and predictability. Although this positivistic approach produces signi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/7/1/5 |
| _version_ | 1818471179526078464 |
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| author | Hennie Kruger Anné Verhoef Rika Preiser |
| author_facet | Hennie Kruger Anné Verhoef Rika Preiser |
| author_sort | Hennie Kruger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Classical operational research (OR) is mainly concerned with the use of mathematical techniques and models used in decision-making situations. The basic assumptions of OR presuppose that the structure of the world is one of order and predictability. Although this positivistic approach produces significant results when levels of certainty and initial conditions are stable, it is limited when faced with an acknowledgement of the complex nature of the real world. This paper aims to highlight that by drawing on a general understanding of complexity theory, classical OR approaches can be enriched and broadened by adopting an epistemology based on the assumption that the underlying mechanisms governing the world are complex. It is argued that complexity theory (as interpreted by the philosopher Paul Cilliers) acknowledges the complex nature of the real world and helps to identify the characteristics of complex phenomena. By aligning OR epistemologies with the acknowledgment of complexity, new modelling methods could be developed. In addition, the implications for knowledge generating processes through boundary setting, as well as the provisional nature of such knowledge and what (ethical) responsibilities accompany the study of complex phenomena, will be discussed. Examples are presented to highlight the epistemological implications of complexity thinking for OR. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:58:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-55ae81ac91c14d03a7b0560a4a287b5c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:58:12Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-55ae81ac91c14d03a7b0560a4a287b5c2022-12-22T02:21:30ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542019-01-0171510.3390/systems7010005systems7010005The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational ResearchHennie Kruger0Anné Verhoef1Rika Preiser2School of Computer, Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South AfricaSchool of Philosophy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South AfricaCentre for Complex Systems in Transition, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, The Stables, 19 Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch 7600, South AfricaClassical operational research (OR) is mainly concerned with the use of mathematical techniques and models used in decision-making situations. The basic assumptions of OR presuppose that the structure of the world is one of order and predictability. Although this positivistic approach produces significant results when levels of certainty and initial conditions are stable, it is limited when faced with an acknowledgement of the complex nature of the real world. This paper aims to highlight that by drawing on a general understanding of complexity theory, classical OR approaches can be enriched and broadened by adopting an epistemology based on the assumption that the underlying mechanisms governing the world are complex. It is argued that complexity theory (as interpreted by the philosopher Paul Cilliers) acknowledges the complex nature of the real world and helps to identify the characteristics of complex phenomena. By aligning OR epistemologies with the acknowledgment of complexity, new modelling methods could be developed. In addition, the implications for knowledge generating processes through boundary setting, as well as the provisional nature of such knowledge and what (ethical) responsibilities accompany the study of complex phenomena, will be discussed. Examples are presented to highlight the epistemological implications of complexity thinking for OR.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/7/1/5complexity theoryoperational researchepistemologyphilosophy of operational research |
| spellingShingle | Hennie Kruger Anné Verhoef Rika Preiser The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research Systems complexity theory operational research epistemology philosophy of operational research |
| title | The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research |
| title_full | The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research |
| title_fullStr | The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research |
| title_short | The Epistemological Implications of Critical Complexity Thinking for Operational Research |
| title_sort | epistemological implications of critical complexity thinking for operational research |
| topic | complexity theory operational research epistemology philosophy of operational research |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/7/1/5 |
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