Mike Yearworth Email & Phone Number

My research is focussed on the way in which managers in engineering organisations make decisions when faced with messy problem contexts. These are characterised by contested stakeholder viewpoints, difficulties agreeing objectives, lack of reliable data and uncertain outcomes from interventions. My work is mostly concerned with the methodology of decision making and the development and use of Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) to support decision making and is ordered in the following themes:METHODOLOGY: Implications of the Generic Constitutive Definition (GCD) of Problem Structuring Methods - studying non-codified problem structuring in organisations, methodological learning and improving PSMs/Soft OR.PRACTICE: Stakeholder engagement, working across multiple organisations, facilitation, use of Group Support Systems for online workshops, integrating functional systems modelling techniques (e.g. Discrete Event Modelling, Agent Based Modelling, System Dynamics) into problem structuring approaches, integrating analytics/big data (Smart OR).THEORY: Use of Actor Network Theory (ANT) – particularly ideas of hybrid forums and use of co-production models. Philosophy of pragmatism, ethics and issues of procedural and distributive justice. Work increasingly focussed on a processual re-interpretation of engineering and OR practice with a view to integrating hard/soft perspectives.These themes are investigated in the following contexts:- Process modelling for achieving purpose- Group modelling through conventional workshops and online Group Support Systems- Multi-organisational collaboration- Strategy making with senior leadership teamsBook on 'Problem Structuring: Methodology in Practice' expected in 2024.

Listed skills include System Dynamics, Modeling, Qualitative Research, Research, and 44 others.