Operations research for developing countries: a different view

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the recent success stories of operations research in developing countries. Personal experiences in developing two similar mathematical models for two steel companies (one in a developing country and another in a developed country) are discussed. Most interestingly and contrary to the common belief, the model used in he developing country was found far more successful than that used in the developed country. We conclude this paper with a list of action programs for making OR more useful in developing countries.