Soft with a hard centre: discrete-event simulation in facilitation

S Robinson ()
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S Robinson: Warwick University

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2001, vol. 52, issue 8, 905-915

Abstract: Abstract Discrete event simulation is normally described as a ‘hard’ OR technique. This may not, however, always be the case. An example of a simulation of a user support helpline is described which, it is argued, has many of the traits of a ‘soft’ OR intervention. In particular, the study involved a facilitated discussion around a simulation model about possible improvements to a problem situation. The nature of the intervention is considered from both a methodological and paradigmatic perspective, and conclusions are drawn about where the intervention lies on a ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ continuum. It is argued that ‘soft’ issues need to be subsumed into the prescribed methodology for discrete-event simulation.

Keywords: discrete-event simulation; methodology; paradigm; multimethodology; ‘soft’ OR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601158

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