Management (Operational Research)

Introduction
Selection criteria

• General scope
• Teaching support
• Research support
• Serials
• Language
• Government publications
• Format

Other libraries
Collection development policy review for Operational Research

Introduction

The general policy for this subject is to collect to teaching support level. For the purpose of collection development, a 'core area' of specialisation within the social sciences is defined for intensive collection. Other subjects which fall outside the 'core' may be excluded, collected more exclusively to research level, or to teaching support level only. All courses taught at the London School of Economics are supported.

Qualifications to this policy are mentioned below and in Part 1 of this document: see Principles of collection policy and Criteria for selection. 

The policy for developing the collections in Operational Research needs to be seen within the context of the complete acquisitions policy. The interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and its publications means that subject boundaries cannot always easily be determined and described in isolation. This is particularly true of operational research, the boundaries of which merge into Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Employment Relations and Organisational Behaviour, Social Psychology, and other disciplines.

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Selection criteria

General scope

The Main Collection houses a modest number of monographs for teaching and research. Additions to the collection will be made according to the principles established above. Any collecting at research level matches primary departmental research interests.

Main aspects of the subject in the Library:

Theory and methodology of Operational Research
Mathematical aspects: e.g. programming decision theory; probabilities;
simulation; optimisation.
Operational Research in planning and development, especially Transportation

Operational Research in industrial organisation
Management Science
Decision-making (social psychology)
Supply chain management and purchasing

The first three reflect the Operational Research Group's current main interests. The emphasis may shift over time to reflect changing directions in research interests.

No aspects of the subject are deliberately excluded. In the case of mathematical works which might be thought too specialised for inclusion, advice is sought from the Group.

There is much overlap with other disciplines so that a work needed for teaching or research may have already been acquired before it is requested by the Group.

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Teaching Support

At least one copy will be acquired of all monographs cited on reading lists. Multiple copies of items designated as essential or core reading are placed in the Course Collection. Single copies of items not designated essential, i.e. those intended for background reading, will be placed in the Main Collection. Requirements for readings of journal articles cited on reading lists are normally met from the Main Collection stock.

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Research Support

The Library does not collect to research level in this subject. This does not mean that material at this level is never acquired, rather that no attempt is made to cover it comprehensively. Key representative publications may be acquired especially when a clear teaching or research interest can be foreseen; normally advice will be sought from the Department especially if the cost is unusually high. For the most part the Library encourages recommendations from the Group, which will be considered sympathetically.

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Serials

The Library subscribes to a relatively small number of serials specific to this subject area. Recommendations for serials will be considered by the serials review committee. Use of electronic journals services will be encouraged to meet serial needs; see Electronic Sources below.

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Language

In principle, material is acquired in English only (if theoretical) and in the major European languages (if descriptive); in practice, in this subject it will be almost entirely in English. An exception is Management, where publications in German and French may occasionally be acquired.

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Government publications

In this subject these are selected according to the same criteria as non-official publications.

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Format

No distinction is made regarding format of material. The Library will therefore collect relevant material in print, microform, or video/DVD, and will provide access to relevant electronic resources (e.g. online databases and datasets, full text journals and books). The preferred format for delivery of electronic resources is via the Internet, but CD-Rom will also be considered.

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Other libraries

To a large extent we rely on extensive collections elsewhere especially Imperial College, which for historic reasons houses the major collection in this subject. Researchers are advised to make use of this collection through our collaborative arrangements. We thus avoid expensive duplication within the University of London. The Library is aware that if conditions of institutional collaboration begin to change this situation may no longer be satisfactory and may need to be reviewed.

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Collection development policy review for Operational Research

This collection development policy will be reviewed on a regular basis in the light of the following: developments in teaching, the interests of the Department of Operational Research and other departments in the School, and relationships with other libraries with whom collaborative arrangements exist. Such reviews will be conducted in co-operation with the Department of Management, Operational Research Group.

Revised 07/07

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