Integrating modes of policy analysis and strategic management practice: requisite elements and dilemmas

• Published in: The Journal of the Operational Research Society Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 2 - 13
• Main Authors: Eden, C, Ackermann, F, Bryson, J M, Richardson, G P, Andersen, D F, Finn, C B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01-01-2009; Palgrave Macmillan Publishers; Palgrave Macmillan UK; Palgrave Macmillan; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Applied sciences; Business and Management; Cognitive models; Corporate strategies; Design; Exact sciences and technology; General Paper; Group facilitation; Integrated approach; Management; Modeling; multi-method; Operational research. Management science; Operations research; Operations Research/Decision Theory; Policy analysis; Policy making; Research design; Research methodology; simulation modelling; Simulations; Stakeholders; Strategic management; Strategic planning; Studies; Systems approach; Teaching; policy analysis; multi-method; simulation modelling; Feedback regulation; Leadership; Modeling
• ISSN: 0160-5682; 1476-9360
• DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602575

There is a need to bring methods to bear on public problems that are inclusive, analytic, and quick. This paper describes the efforts of three pairs of academics working from three different though complementary theoretical foundations and intervention backgrounds (ie ways of working) who set out together to meet this challenge. Each of the three pairs had conducted dozens of interventions that had been regarded as successful or very successful by the client groups in dealing with complex policy and strategic problems. One approach focused on leadership issues and stakeholders, another on negotiating competitive strategic intent with attention to stakeholder responses, and the third on analysis of feedback ramifications in developing policies. This paper describes the 10-year longitudinal research project designed to address the above challenge. The important outcomes are reported: the requisite elements of a general integrated approach and the enduring puzzles and tensions that arose from seeking to design a wide-ranging multi-method approach.