Tools for Thinking: Modelling in Management Science - Hardcover

Pidd, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471964557 ISBN 13: 9780471964551

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1996

Synopsis

This text is a bridge across what sometimes seems a divide between "hard" and "soft" OR/MS. It demonstrates that the views which are often characterized as "hard" and "soft" OR/MS are not really in opposition to one another but are addressing different types of issue. It explores the development and use of explicit models in management science. It discusses the way in which models are built and the way in which they should be used. The emphasis is on modelling rather than mathematics, though some familiarity with algebra and statistical ideas will be expected of the reader. It is careful to pace management science within a framework which is defensible in the face of attacks on rational methods in business. It argues for their relevance alongside other aspects of management such as intuition, vision and leadership.

About this title

About the Author

Mike Pidd is Professor of Management Science at Lancaster University. He has published many books, articles and papers. He is well known as the author of Computer Simulation in Management Science (John Wiley) which is now in its third edition.

From the Back Cover

Tools for Thinking Modelling in Management Science Michael Pidd The Management School, University of Lancaster Thinking things through is easier said than done. Are there tools and methods that can help us to do this? Are there better ways of taking decisions than just following the latest management fad? Writing from over twenty years' experience as management teacher and consultant, Mike Pidd argues that such tools for thinking do exist. Ideas developed over the last decade make it easier for us to think through the consequences of decisions before we act. Tools for Thinking straddles the soft and hard operational research schools of thought and provides an empirically based framework in which to place them. It focuses on modelling as an activity, rather than on techniques and models, and argues for its relevance alongside intuition, vision and leadership. It provides practical advice and theoretical underpinnings for ? soft systems methodology ? cognitive mapping ? qualitative system dynamics ? optimisation on spreadsheets ? visual interactive modelling ? meta-heuristics approaches In introducing the model as a tool for thought, Mike Pidd shows how models can be employed profitably to explore possible future scenarios and to make sense of managerial vision. Management Science

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0471964557
• ISBN 13: 9780471964551
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 360