Leroy White - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Leroy White

Research paper thumbnail of Experience in the Practice of One Tradition of Multimethodology

This paper explores issues arising from the growing experience in the practice of just one of the... more This paper explores issues arising from the growing experience in the practice of just one of the traditions of multimethodology, namely that associated with a set of theoretical principles labeled "pragmatic pluralism," and a methodological framework which is being developed to put these into action, namely, PANDA (participatory appraisal of needs and the development of action). The paper begins with a short historical introduction to the tradition of multimethodology under consideration; Section 2 then briefly describes some of the main features and principles involved in the PANDA framework. We then present three short case studies to illustrate different features of PANDA in action. The concluding section reflects on the issues that arise from the use of PANDA and discusses our future agenda for its development.

Research paper thumbnail of Working with Heterogeneity: A Pluralist Strategy for Evaluation

Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 1997

ABSTRACT This paper explores the question of appropriate methodologies for use in the context of ... more ABSTRACT This paper explores the question of appropriate methodologies for use in the context of evaluation in the social policy arena. Evaluation in such contexts is characterised by the need to work in situations exhibiting a high degree of heterogeneity. The paper begins by presenting a critical analysis of a particular strategy for evaluation arising from within the systems tradition, namely contingency based approaches. It then presents an alternative way of approaching evaluation, which we have found particularly valuable for use where a high degree of variety exists. The pluralist strategy described is based on acknowledging and respecting difference and then working with it, rather than rationalising it away through seeking a "common' position. Elements of this strategy for evaluation will be illustrated with examples two case studies, in Belize and London. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Research paper thumbnail of Pragmatic pluralism—An explication

Systems Practice, 1996

The focus with which the paper is concerned is the process or task of intervention and, more spec... more The focus with which the paper is concerned is the process or task of intervention and, more specifically, the exploration of three (overlapping and interacting) questions pertinent to those who would intervene:

Research paper thumbnail of Community OR - doing what feels good!

Research paper thumbnail of Voices and values: Linking values with participation in OR/MS in public policy making

Omega, 2007

It is now widely accepted that public policy development requires both an appreciation of public ... more It is now widely accepted that public policy development requires both an appreciation of public values and an ability to involve insights from local people. Operational research (OR) has made some contributions to public policy development, and there has been a call to use problem-structuring methods (PSM) in this environment. This growing need for greater use of OR/management science (MS)

Research paper thumbnail of Doing community operational research with multicultural groups

Omega, 1994

This paper presents two brief ease studies from our work with multicultural groups, and explores ... more This paper presents two brief ease studies from our work with multicultural groups, and explores some of the issues of OR practice in this context. The paper particularly focuses on issues to do with the process of OR, rather than on the detailed content of the case studies. In the discussion that follows, we examine one theme which we see as central to O(u)R practice, namely working with 'difference'; present some guidelines that we have found useful in practice; and examine the question of the accessibility of community OR to community groups.

Research paper thumbnail of The Death of the Expert

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the Use of Narrative Analysis as an Operational Research Method: A Case Study in Voluntary Sector Evaluation

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of After OR: An Agenda for Postmodernism and Poststructuralism in OR

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1993

... Following Finley'5, the difference between modern and postmodern lies in ... The mod... more ... Following Finley'5, the difference between modern and postmodern lies in ... The modern constantly laments that cleavage and strives to repair the gap of separation by using the symbolic ... Thepost-modern does not lament the split; it accepts it and dissolves the other, be it concept ...

Research paper thumbnail of Wanted: Dead OR Alive—Ways of Using Problem-structuring Methods in Community OR

International Transactions in Operational Research, 1997

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid appraisal of the health promotion needs of the Hillbrow Community, South Africa

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2003

ABSTRACT Traditional approaches to health needs assessment tend not to involve local communities ... more ABSTRACT Traditional approaches to health needs assessment tend not to involve local communities and can result in services that have little relevance to local health needs. If health policy is aimed at improving the health status of individuals as well as communities it is important that lifestyle, social networks and the environment, as well as human biology and healthcare provision, are emphasised. This paper addresses the health promotion needs of the population of Hillbrow, an inner city area in Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose of the study was to profile the needs and priorities in the Hillbrow community and to make recommendations for future health promotion activities within the community. This paper focuses on the use of rapid appraisal to involve a marginalised community.

Research paper thumbnail of Operational research and sustainable development: Tackling the social dimension

European Journal of Operational Research, 2009

... Socio-economic and socio-cultural linkages have become increasingly prominent ([Lehtonen, 200... more ... Socio-economic and socio-cultural linkages have become increasingly prominent ([Lehtonen, 2004] and [Robért et al., 2002]), and social concerns have crept into the terminology of policy makers ([George and Kirkpatrick, 2006], [OECD, 2001] and [UNDESA, 2002]). ...

Research paper thumbnail of A review of the recent contribution of systems thinking to operational research and management science

European Journal of Operational Research, 2010

The systems approach, or systems thinking, has been intimately connected with the development of ... more The systems approach, or systems thinking, has been intimately connected with the development of OR and management science initially through the work of founders such as Churchman and Ackoff and latterly through innovations such as soft systems. In this paper we have undertaken a review of the contribution that systems thinking has been making more recently, especially to the practice of OR. Systems thinking is a discipline in its own right, with many theoretical and methodological developments, but it is also applicable to almost any problem area because of its generality, and so such a review must always be selective. We have looked at the literature from both a theoretical and an applications orientation. In the first part we consider the main systems theories and methodologies in terms of their recent developments and also their applications. This covers: the systems approach, complexity theory, cybernetics, system dynamics, soft OR and PSMs, critical systems and multimethodology. In the second part we review the main domains of application: strategy, information systems, organisations, production and operations, ecology and agriculture, and medicine and health. Our overall conclusion is that while systems may not be well established institutionally, in terms of academic departments, it is incredibly healthy in terms of the quantity and variety of its applications.

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond appraisal: Participatory appraisal of needs and the development of action (PANDA)

Omega, 1997

It is often useful to have a framework for guiding decisions about process when carrying out or f... more It is often useful to have a framework for guiding decisions about process when carrying out or facilitating some intervention. This paper describes such a framework, developed out of combining participatory rural appraisal (PRA) with various OR/systems methods, that we have used in work in both developing and developed countries to enable local people to obtain, share and analyse knowledge of their life and conditions and to plan and act according to that knowledge. The paper begins by examining the framework provided by PRA, indicating why we felt it necessary to develop something slightly different. This paper will then outline the approach which we refer to as PANDA (Participatory Appraisal of Needs and the Development of Action). Applications are illustrated by means of a case-study taken from a developing country context. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

Research paper thumbnail of Nuclear Fusion: Some Linked Case Studies in Community Operational Research

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1996

Journal of the Operational Research Society (1996) 47, 479-489 1996 Operational ... Nuclear Fusio... more Journal of the Operational Research Society (1996) 47, 479-489 1996 Operational ... Nuclear Fusion: Some Linked Case Studies in ... JONATHAN ROSENHEAD1 and LEROY WHITE2 1 London School and Economics and 2University ...

Research paper thumbnail of Experience in the Practice of One Tradition of Multimethodology

This paper explores issues arising from the growing experience in the practice of just one of the... more This paper explores issues arising from the growing experience in the practice of just one of the traditions of multimethodology, namely that associated with a set of theoretical principles labeled "pragmatic pluralism," and a methodological framework which is being developed to put these into action, namely, PANDA (participatory appraisal of needs and the development of action). The paper begins with a short historical introduction to the tradition of multimethodology under consideration; Section 2 then briefly describes some of the main features and principles involved in the PANDA framework. We then present three short case studies to illustrate different features of PANDA in action. The concluding section reflects on the issues that arise from the use of PANDA and discusses our future agenda for its development.

Research paper thumbnail of Working with Heterogeneity: A Pluralist Strategy for Evaluation

Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 1997

ABSTRACT This paper explores the question of appropriate methodologies for use in the context of ... more ABSTRACT This paper explores the question of appropriate methodologies for use in the context of evaluation in the social policy arena. Evaluation in such contexts is characterised by the need to work in situations exhibiting a high degree of heterogeneity. The paper begins by presenting a critical analysis of a particular strategy for evaluation arising from within the systems tradition, namely contingency based approaches. It then presents an alternative way of approaching evaluation, which we have found particularly valuable for use where a high degree of variety exists. The pluralist strategy described is based on acknowledging and respecting difference and then working with it, rather than rationalising it away through seeking a "common' position. Elements of this strategy for evaluation will be illustrated with examples two case studies, in Belize and London. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Research paper thumbnail of Pragmatic pluralism—An explication

Systems Practice, 1996

The focus with which the paper is concerned is the process or task of intervention and, more spec... more The focus with which the paper is concerned is the process or task of intervention and, more specifically, the exploration of three (overlapping and interacting) questions pertinent to those who would intervene:

Research paper thumbnail of Community OR - doing what feels good!

Research paper thumbnail of Voices and values: Linking values with participation in OR/MS in public policy making

Omega, 2007

It is now widely accepted that public policy development requires both an appreciation of public ... more It is now widely accepted that public policy development requires both an appreciation of public values and an ability to involve insights from local people. Operational research (OR) has made some contributions to public policy development, and there has been a call to use problem-structuring methods (PSM) in this environment. This growing need for greater use of OR/management science (MS)

Research paper thumbnail of Doing community operational research with multicultural groups

Omega, 1994

This paper presents two brief ease studies from our work with multicultural groups, and explores ... more This paper presents two brief ease studies from our work with multicultural groups, and explores some of the issues of OR practice in this context. The paper particularly focuses on issues to do with the process of OR, rather than on the detailed content of the case studies. In the discussion that follows, we examine one theme which we see as central to O(u)R practice, namely working with 'difference'; present some guidelines that we have found useful in practice; and examine the question of the accessibility of community OR to community groups.

Research paper thumbnail of The Death of the Expert

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the Use of Narrative Analysis as an Operational Research Method: A Case Study in Voluntary Sector Evaluation

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of After OR: An Agenda for Postmodernism and Poststructuralism in OR

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1993

... Following Finley'5, the difference between modern and postmodern lies in ... The mod... more ... Following Finley'5, the difference between modern and postmodern lies in ... The modern constantly laments that cleavage and strives to repair the gap of separation by using the symbolic ... Thepost-modern does not lament the split; it accepts it and dissolves the other, be it concept ...

Research paper thumbnail of Wanted: Dead OR Alive—Ways of Using Problem-structuring Methods in Community OR

International Transactions in Operational Research, 1997

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid appraisal of the health promotion needs of the Hillbrow Community, South Africa

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2003

ABSTRACT Traditional approaches to health needs assessment tend not to involve local communities ... more ABSTRACT Traditional approaches to health needs assessment tend not to involve local communities and can result in services that have little relevance to local health needs. If health policy is aimed at improving the health status of individuals as well as communities it is important that lifestyle, social networks and the environment, as well as human biology and healthcare provision, are emphasised. This paper addresses the health promotion needs of the population of Hillbrow, an inner city area in Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose of the study was to profile the needs and priorities in the Hillbrow community and to make recommendations for future health promotion activities within the community. This paper focuses on the use of rapid appraisal to involve a marginalised community.

Research paper thumbnail of Operational research and sustainable development: Tackling the social dimension

European Journal of Operational Research, 2009

... Socio-economic and socio-cultural linkages have become increasingly prominent ([Lehtonen, 200... more ... Socio-economic and socio-cultural linkages have become increasingly prominent ([Lehtonen, 2004] and [Robért et al., 2002]), and social concerns have crept into the terminology of policy makers ([George and Kirkpatrick, 2006], [OECD, 2001] and [UNDESA, 2002]). ...

Research paper thumbnail of A review of the recent contribution of systems thinking to operational research and management science

European Journal of Operational Research, 2010

The systems approach, or systems thinking, has been intimately connected with the development of ... more The systems approach, or systems thinking, has been intimately connected with the development of OR and management science initially through the work of founders such as Churchman and Ackoff and latterly through innovations such as soft systems. In this paper we have undertaken a review of the contribution that systems thinking has been making more recently, especially to the practice of OR. Systems thinking is a discipline in its own right, with many theoretical and methodological developments, but it is also applicable to almost any problem area because of its generality, and so such a review must always be selective. We have looked at the literature from both a theoretical and an applications orientation. In the first part we consider the main systems theories and methodologies in terms of their recent developments and also their applications. This covers: the systems approach, complexity theory, cybernetics, system dynamics, soft OR and PSMs, critical systems and multimethodology. In the second part we review the main domains of application: strategy, information systems, organisations, production and operations, ecology and agriculture, and medicine and health. Our overall conclusion is that while systems may not be well established institutionally, in terms of academic departments, it is incredibly healthy in terms of the quantity and variety of its applications.

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond appraisal: Participatory appraisal of needs and the development of action (PANDA)

Omega, 1997

It is often useful to have a framework for guiding decisions about process when carrying out or f... more It is often useful to have a framework for guiding decisions about process when carrying out or facilitating some intervention. This paper describes such a framework, developed out of combining participatory rural appraisal (PRA) with various OR/systems methods, that we have used in work in both developing and developed countries to enable local people to obtain, share and analyse knowledge of their life and conditions and to plan and act according to that knowledge. The paper begins by examining the framework provided by PRA, indicating why we felt it necessary to develop something slightly different. This paper will then outline the approach which we refer to as PANDA (Participatory Appraisal of Needs and the Development of Action). Applications are illustrated by means of a case-study taken from a developing country context. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

Research paper thumbnail of Nuclear Fusion: Some Linked Case Studies in Community Operational Research

The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1996

Journal of the Operational Research Society (1996) 47, 479-489 1996 Operational ... Nuclear Fusio... more Journal of the Operational Research Society (1996) 47, 479-489 1996 Operational ... Nuclear Fusion: Some Linked Case Studies in ... JONATHAN ROSENHEAD1 and LEROY WHITE2 1 London School and Economics and 2University ...