1. DEFINITION OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Any subject matter when defined to explain what exactly it is, we may find one definition. Always a definition explains what that particular subject matter is. Say for example, if a question is asked what Bayle‘s law is, we have a single definition to explain the same, irrespective of the language in which it is defined. But if you ask, what Operations research is? The answer depends on individual objective. Say for example a student may say that the Operations research is technique used to obtain first class marks in the examination. If you ask a businessman the same question, he may say that it is the technique used for getting higher profits. Another businessman may say it is the technique used to capture higher market share and so on. Like this each individual may define in his own way depending on his objective. Each and every definition may explain one or another characteristic of Operations Research but none of them explain or give a complete picture of Operations research. But in the academic interest some of the important definitions are discussed below.
Operations Research is the art of winning wars without actually fighting. – Aurther Clarke.
This definition does not throw any light on the subject matter, but it is oriented towards warfare. It means to say that the directions for fighting are planned and guidance is given from remote area, according to which the war is fought and won. Perhaps you might have read in Mahabharata or you might have seen some old pictures, where two armies are fighting, for whom the guidance is given by the chief minister and the king with a chessboard in front of them. Accordingly, war is fought in the warfront. Actually, the chessboard is a model of war field.
Operations Research is the art of giving bad answers to problems where otherwise worse answers are given. - T.L. Satty.
This definition covers one aspect of decision-making, i.e., choosing the best alternative among the list of available alternatives. It says that if the decisions are made on
guesswork, we may face the worse situation. But if the decisions are made on scientific basis, it will help us to make better decisions. Hence this definition deals with one aspect of decision-making and not clearly tells what operations research is
Operations Research is applied decision theory. It uses any scientific, mathematical or logical means to attempt to cope with problems that confront the executive, when he tries to achieve a thorough going rationally in dealing with his decision problem. - D.W. Miller and M.K. Starr.
This definition also explains that operations research uses scientific methods or logical means for getting solutions to the executive problems. It too does not give the characteristics of Operations Research.
Operations Research is the application of the methods of science to complex problems arising in the direction and management of large systems of men, materials and money in industry, business, Government and defense. The distinctive approach is to develop a scientific model of the system, incorporating measurements of factors such as chance and risk, with which to predict and compare the outcome of alternative decisions, strategies or controls. The purpose is to help management to determine its policy and actions scientifically. - Operations Society of Great Britain.
In addition to the above, hundreds of definitions are available to explain what Operations Research is. But many of them are not satisfactory because of the following reasons. (i)Operations Research is not a well-defined science like Physics, Chemistry etc. All these sciences are having well defined theory about the subject matter, whereas operations research does not claim to know or have theories about operations. Moreover, Operations Research is not a scientific research into the control of operations. It is only the application of mathematical models or logical analysis to the problem solving. Hence none of the definitions given above defines operations research precisely. (ii)The objective of operations research says that the decisions are made by brain storming of people from various walks of life. This indicates that operations research approach is inter- disciplinary approach, which is an important character of operations research. This aspect is not included in any of the definitions hence they are not satisfactory.(iii)The above-discussed definitions are given by various people at different times and stages of development of operations research as such they have considered the field in which they are involved hence each definition is concentrating on one or two aspects. No definition is having universal approach.
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