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Applying OR to problem situations within community organisations: A case in a Danish non-profit, member-driven food cooperative

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  • Tavella, Elena
  • Papadopoulos, Thanos

Abstract

This paper focuses on how the use of Community OR (COR), specifically Systems Thinking (ST) and the Viable System Model (VSM) can help in addressing complex and uncertain problem situations within community organisations, in particular Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). Literature has highlighted the importance and benefits of AFNs, but also the complexity and uncertainty underpinning the majority of AFN related problem situations that limit decision making and strategic planning and threaten the long-term sustainability of AFNs. To address this issue, we discuss the use of ST via a VSM intervention within a member-driven food cooperative in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the changes in decision making and the organisational structure of the cooperative. We illustrate the application of the VSM and in particular the methodology for organisational self-transformation within ‘localist green communitarianism’ and ‘nonprofit management’ to tackle issues, enhance democratic and participative decision making, and changes in the organisational structure that foster coordination and cohesion. The implications for COR and Soft OR, limitations and future research directions are also provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Tavella, Elena & Papadopoulos, Thanos, 2017. "Applying OR to problem situations within community organisations: A case in a Danish non-profit, member-driven food cooperative," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 258(2), pages 726-742.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:258:y:2017:i:2:p:726-742
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2016.08.065
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    Cited by:

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    2. Juliana Mariano Alves & Waldecy Rodrigues & Fernán Enrique Vergara & Fred Newton Souza & Leonardo Augusto Amaral Terra, 2021. "From the black box to the fish farming development policy project: A diagnosis from the viable system model," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 459-472, August.
    3. Lowe, David & Espinosa, Angela & Yearworth, Mike, 2020. "Constitutive rules for guiding the use of the viable system model: Reflections on practice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(3), pages 1014-1035.
    4. Jorge Velez-Castiblanco & Diana Londono-Correa & Olandy Naranjo-Rivera, 2018. "The Structure of Problem Structuring Conversations: A Boundary Games Approach," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 853-884, October.
    5. Rosario Michel-Villarreal & Martin Hingley & Maurizio Canavari & Ilenia Bregoli, 2019. "Sustainability in Alternative Food Networks: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Emmanuel D. Adamides & Theodoros Katopodis & Antonios Mountouris & Athanasios Sfetsos, 2023. "Organising for Resilience to Climate Change in Critical Infrastructures: The Application of Viable System Model in an Oil Refinery," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 36(4), pages 609-640, August.
    7. Daniel E. Ufua & Evans Osabuohien & Mercy E. Ogbari & Hezekiah O. Falola & Emmanuel E. Okoh & Adnan Lakhani, 2021. "Re-Strategising Government Palliative Support Systems in Tackling the Challenges of COVID-19 Lockdown in Lagos State, Nigeria," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 22(1), pages 19-32, June.
    8. D. E. Ufua & O. Y. Olonade & Muhammad Yaseen & J. A. Dada & Olusola J. Olujobi & Evans Osabuohien, 2022. "Intrinsic Conflict Among Nigerian Public Security Forces: A Systems Model for Compliant Security Service Delivery in Nigeria," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(6), pages 809-827, December.
    9. Lami, Isabella M. & Tavella, Elena, 2019. "On the usefulness of soft OR models in decision making: A comparison of Problem Structuring Methods supported and self-organized workshops," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 275(3), pages 1020-1036.
    10. Aubert, Alice H. & Lienert, Judit, 2024. "Operational Research for, with, and by citizens: An overview," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 316(3), pages 800-814.

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