The anatomy of complex societal problems and its implications for OR

This paper discusses the emergence and development of complex societal problems. Several models and theories from the social sciences are used to analyse them in terms of content and recognition by the media, the public and political decision-makers. These descriptions – which conceptualize societal problems as highly politicized issues and conflicts between stakeholders – have important implications for handling this sort of problem in an OR consulting process, e.g. in community OR. As complex societal problems behave like moving targets, the consequences for the formulation of appropriate models in such a context are also elaborated.