The economic logic of OR consulting practice: Towards a foundational view

Richard John Ormerod

Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 2022, vol. 39, issue 4, 685-707

Abstract: The establishment of foundations for operational research (OR) enables OR academic researchers to ground their theoretical research. As OR consultants, we compete for commercial contracts with clients based on our practical expertise. The paper seeks to identify the economic foundations of this contracting process, to separate those aspects most likely to endure from those that are more ephemeral. The focus of the analysis is on the behaviour of the players in the consulting services market. The market for consultancy thrives despite the fact that it is difficult for both consultants and clients to understand what is being sought and what is being offered. A key question for everyone concerned is how this problem is resolved in practice. The paper distils existing theories into a set of foundational statements that inform OR research aimed at improving the practice of OR consultants and client interactions. Eight economic foundational statements are derived.

Date: 2022
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