 | ORSSA:OperationsResearchSocietyofSA |
| ORSSA:OperationsResearchSocietyofSA |
What is OR? · What is ORSSA? · Chapters · Publications · Annual Conferences · Awards · Liaison with other Bodies
Constitution · Early History · Past Presidents · Previous Executive Committee Members; AGM Minutes
Operations Research (OR) could be defined as the Science of Better.
Operations Research is also known as Management Science and Quantitative Management. Unfortunately, however, these names do not really tell us what we are talking about. The problem with the names probably results from the fact that it is difficult to describe the subject briefly. But let us try……
Operations Research is concerned with decision making in business and industry, in government and society. The decisions may be about large-scale undertakings such as the building of a new gold mine, or about small ones such as the re-routing of a local bus service. They may be concerned with long-term plans for the redevelopment of a whole inner-city area, or with the immediate problems of selecting a port to handle exports of cars, or how to balance predator and prey populations in the management of a National Park. In any of these situations, OR can help to get a better decision.
Operations Research is concerned with what makes things tick and how to make them tick in a better way. The approach used is that of the scientist. OR uses the scientific method to improve the way in which decisions are made. The tasks of the OR practitioner are:
Operations Research is not based on any single academic discipline. It can draw upon physical science, logic, applied mathematics, industrial engineering, social science, economics, statistics and computing, but is none of these on their own. It is concerned with problems which cut across several disciplines and attempts to tackle problems on their merits using relevant tools from any source.
The basis of the subject, the scientific method, has been with us since science began, but the name ‘Operations Research’ was only coined about sixty years ago. OR is not a "hard" subject, for being about change, it also has to be concerned with people and how they react to change. Thus the OR worker must also be prepared to search out and try to understand people’s attitudes, preferences and fears. Also, change-making is not always possible, but when one has helped to bring about significant and worthwhile improvement, the level of satisfaction can be very high.
The Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA) exists primarily to further the interests of those engaged in, or interested in, Operations Research activities. ORSSA is continually involved in matters which concern operations researchers, such as drawing up guidelines for OR education, presenting short courses and marketing OR. The Society provides information to the public on the nature of OR and on career opportunities in OR.
At national level the Society is managed by the Executive Committee (EC). In the larger centres activities are arranged by five chapters. The EC is elected annually at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the chapter managements at their respective AGMs. The chapter chairpersons also serve on the EC. More information on the activities of the EC may be obtained by clicking on "Executive" in the navigation menu to the left.
Currently the Society has five chapters: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Vaal Triangle, Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. Seminars, workshops and panel discussions are arranged on chapter level on an annual basis. Case studies, theoretical work, new technology, etc. are typically presented at these get-togethers. OR is of course the main subject, but topics in specific related areas of interest such as statistics, decision support systems, expert systems, the management sciences and industrial engineering are also covered. More information on the nature and activities of the chapters of ORSSA may be obtained by clicking on "Chapters" in the navigation menu to the left.
ORiON is the official journal of the Operations Research Society of South Africa and is published biannually. Contributions within the following four categories are welcomed: development of new theory, OR success stories, OR case studies and OR methodological reviews. More information on this publication (such as access to abstracts and information on how to contribute or to subscribe) may be obtained by clicking on "ORiON" in the navigation menu to the left.
The Society also publishes a Newsletter four times per year. Apart from snippets of news, general articles and advertisements which are of interest to members, notice of forthcoming activities and reports on recent conferences are given. News items from the EC meetings and OR umbrella-organisations such as IFORS and EURO (see Liason with other Bodies below) are also included. More information on this publication (such as electronic past copies and information on how to contribute or to subscribe) may be obtained by clicking on "Newsletter" in the navigation menu to the left.
A national conference is held at different venues annually , usually around beginning September, to serve as a forum for communication about OR. An overseas expert or a prominent local personage is usually invited as the keynote speaker. More information on the annual ORSSA conference (such as past papers and information on the next conference) may be obtained by clicking on the appropriate link under "Conferences" in the navigation menu to the left.
Each year, at the national conference, the Society awards a medal, known as the Tom Rozwadowski medal, for the best paper published by a member during the preceding twelve months up to June. The medal is named after one of the founder members of ORSSA.
The Society also arranges an annual competition for OR students at honours and masters level. A cash prize is awarded for the best project of those submitted by participating educational institutions.
Apart from the above two prizes, the Executive Committee may also invite long-standing full members of ORSSA to become fellows of the Society. The Society also makes recognition awards to individuals who have served the profession of OR in an exemplary fashion.
More information on the above awards (such as halls of fame and information on how to nominate someone for the awards) may be obtained by clicking on "Awards" in the navigation menu to the left.
ORSSA is one of about 50 members of the International Federation of Operations Research Societies (IFORS), and since 1993 an associate member of EURO, an association of European members within IFORS. IFORS conferences are held every third year, and those of the regional groupings at more frequent intervals. ORSSA members have participated in many of these activities, sometimes also being involved in arranging them. More information on IFORS and its regional groupings may be obtained by clicking on "Links" in the navigation menu to the left.
There is a lot of overlap between OR and other subjects. Where it is considered to be in the interest of members ORSSA maintains links with other scientific and umbrella bodies. We have close ties with the South African Statistical Association and joint conferences were held on several occasions. Joint conferences are also occasionally arranged with organisations such as the SA Institute for Industrial Engineers, the SA Institute for Mechanical Engineers and the SA Logistics Society. To date three joint SACAC/ORSSA symposia on simulation have been held.
The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) is the statutory body responsible for the registration of persons in the natural scientific professions and for promoting the interests of the natural scientific professions. ORSSA is one of the member societies falling under the Professional Advisory Committee for the Mathematical Sciences. One of our members sit on this committee. In this way ORSSA looks after the interests of registered OR practitioners.