Economics and Operational Research explores the possible connections of the organization of human and material resources by concentrating on the interpretations of management decisions at various levels in the economy. This book discusses economics and mathematics as an analytical tool. Organized into 10 chapters, this book begins with an overview of how consumers manage their own budgets and how manufacturers select their production processes. This text then described generally how consumers and producers react to each other. Other chapters consider the problem of the transportation of goods through busy road networks and the efficiency attained through central planning. This book discusses as well the control of congestion that arises through decentralization and the construction of an overall planning model. The final chapter discusses the important aspects of national planning, wherein the collection of all consumers and producers makes up one large economic system. This book is a valuable resource for management and engineering personnel.

This edited volume is an introduction to diverse methods and applications in operations research focused on local populations and community-based organizations that have the potential to improve the lives of individuals and communities in tangible ways. The book's themes include: space, place and community; disadvantaged, underrepresented or underserved populations; international and transnational applications; multimethod, cross-disciplinary and comparative approaches and appropriate technology; and analytics. The book is comprised of eleven original submissions, a re-print of a 2007 article by Johnson and Smilowitz that introduces CBOR, and an introductory chapter that provides policy motivation, antecedents to CBOR in OR/MS, a theory of CBOR and a comprehensive review of the chapters. It is hoped that this book will provide a resource to academics and practitioners who seek to develop methods and applications that bridge the divide between traditional OR/MS rooted in mathematical models and newer streams in 'soft OR' that emphasize problem structuring methods, critical approaches to OR/MS and community engagement and capacity-building.

"This is the book I have been waiting for. Community Operational Research has shown that analysis can be used not only for, but also with, community groups, helping them to gain more control of their situations. What Midgley and Ochoa-Arias' volume does is provide not only rich examples of grass-roots practice, but also thought-provoking theoretical explorations. The editors have a point of view, but they allow space for debate with those who interpret Community OR differently." Jonathan Rosenhead (Emeritus Professor of Operational Research, London School of Economics and Political Science; Ex-President of the ORS)