Begin: Operations Research in Disaster Risk Management

I have joined a research group here in the Ateneo, and we are focusing on (1) operations research and (2) disaster risk management. Basically, we will look into how management science can contribute to management of disaster relief operations.

Some definitions:

Operations Research -  as defined by the European Operations Research Societies is "the scientific approach to the solution of problems in the management of complex systems". (Altay and Green, 2006)

Disaster Operations - "the set of activities that are performed before, during and after a disaster with the goal of preventing loss of human life, reducing impact in economy and returning to a state of normalcy". (Altay and Green, 2006)

I am quite excited with this research area as it is something of great relevance here in the Philippines! Also, I think I can bring in contributions based on my knowledge in project management and risk management.

I have a lot to read though, specially to catch up with my colleagues on Operations Research and System Dynamics!

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References: Altay, N., & Green, W. G. (2006). OR/MS research in disaster operations management. European Journal of Operational Research, 175(1), 475–493.

Financial Management Alignment

"... Performance management in development administration has been lagging behind on a number of issues. First, the linkages between targeted results and the financial management of targeted results are hardly established (i.e., costs are not accounted for on a per-result basis), and budgeting of the ID projects is based on budget lines without being linked to targeted results (mostly outputs and outcomes)." (Ika & Lytvynov, 2011)

I'm thinking if I can scope-in financial management into my topic... I hope I can define my proposal soon enough!

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Ika, L. A. & Lytvynov, V. 2011. The “management‐per‐result” approach to international development project design. Project Management Journal.

My Problem with Problem Solving

"In problem solving, we often leap to a favourite or preferred solution without disciplining ourselves to diagnose the problem more deeply, mapping causes and consequences, generating real alternatives, and remaining truly open to the criticisms and refinements offered by others. Existing 'mental models' (about major cause-effect relationships in our world) tend to limit the range of our thinking about solutions to new problems.(Boxall & Purcell, 2011)"

I do tend to be very limited and un-creative when finding solutions. I hope I can overcome this in my dissertation.

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Boxall, P. F. & Purcell, J. (2011) Strategy and human resource management. 3rd. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

It's about Capacity Development

I read this in an online article on economic development ranking in the next 50 years...

" “If we step away from the cyclicality, there are two ways economies can grow; either add more people to the production line via growth in the working population, or make each individual more productive,” the report says.

In other words, demographics – the size of your working population – along with the opportunities to flex that muscle help determine long-term economic trends. Big factors on the back half of that equation: Education opportunities, democratic governments or strong rule of law (a caveat that explains China and Saudi Arabia’s high placement).

“We openly admit that behind these projections we assume governments build on their recent progress and remain solely focused on increasing the living standards for their populations,” the report says. “Of course, this maybe an overly glossy way of viewing the world.” (Voigt, 2012) "

Capacity development is about the strengthening of capabilities at three levels: individuals, organisations and societies (UNDP, 2008). In order for Philippines to really rise among the nations, it needs to continue to build on its infrastructure to develop capacities for its people.

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UNDP (2008), Capacity Development Practice Note. New York
URL: http://www.undp.org/capacity/library_policynotes.shtml

Voigt, Kevin (2012), World's top economies in 2050 will be...
URL: http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/12/worlds-top-economies-in-2050-will-be/