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Knowledge work, design science and problem structuring methodologies
Author(s) -
Keys Paul
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.841
Subject(s) - structuring , underpinning , computer science , management science , perspective (graphical) , work (physics) , key (lock) , order (exchange) , knowledge management , epistemology , engineering ethics , sociology , engineering , artificial intelligence , political science , business , mechanical engineering , philosophy , civil engineering , computer security , finance , law
It has been argued in a previous paper in this journal that taking a knowledge work perspective enables key aspects of the processes underpinning OR analysis to be better understood. This paper furthers this discussion by exploring knowledge‐related aspects of a particular type of OR, the use of problem structuring methodologies (PSMs). The notion of a design science for the use of PSMs provides a coherent and useful means of organizing this discussion and the content of such a science is presented in order to support the analysis. It is shown that this approach generates useful insights into the nature of some critical practical issues for the continuing development of PSMs and suggestions for how they may be addressed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.