On the modeling tactics of research extensions in production/operations management

While some pieces of published research are truly innovative, a great majority of published POM articles accrue from more direct incremental extensions of previous modeling research. However, the present preoccupation with such modeling extensions has recently been the subject of much self-criticism which recognizes the need to pursue neglected aspects of the topic areas. While the use of alternative research methodologies represents one way of responding to this problem, Reisman’s transfer of technology strategy provides another option. The authors suggest that this research strategy may be interpreted as the sharing of research tactics across POM topic areas. Consequently, they describe ten such modeling-oriented tactics which have been used by POM researchers. The autors provide examples of each tactic and suggest apparent opportunities for applying them to other problems.