Facing up to opposition

OR interventions are played out on a stage populated by different interest groups, working towards different goals and priorities, and enjoying differential power. It is unrealistic to expect all differences to be resolved and all power to be suspended or pledged in support of the OR practitioner. Opposition and opportunism will feature. This paper is concerned with opposition. A Foucauldian view of power is utilised to explore aspects of opposition and inform proposals for a structured response.