Tools for Thinking: Modelling in Management Science - Hardcover

Pidd, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471964557 ISBN 13: 9780471964551

Publisher: Wiley, 1997

Synopsis

This book explores the development and use of explicit models in management science, bridging the gap between "hard" and "soft" OR/MS. It emphasizes modelling rather than mathematics and places management science within a framework which is defensible in the face of attacks on rational methods in business. It discusses soft OR/MS and hard OR/MS and then compares the two. Written in a non-technical style, providing an excellent introduction to the field.

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: Wiley
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471964557
• ISBN 13: 9780471964551
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360