Applying design thinking concepts to rejuvenate the discipline of operations research/ management science

Abstract

Over the last three decades, the discipline of Operations Research/Management Science (OR/MS) has experienced a pronounced crisis in identity, spurring heated debate in the discourse of the discipline. Central to this crisis is the gap between theory and practice. The gap brings into question the continued relevance of OR/MS in industry. This paper briefly names the key problem areas within the discipline that have been highlighted in literature, and proposes the introduction of design thinking concepts as a solution. Design thinking is the obverse of scientific thinking and therefore this approach is slightly unconventional. By exploring these concepts in light of the OR/MS crisis, the paper aims to highlight the potential merits of collaboration between designer thinking and operations research in recapturing the relevance of OR/MS.