OR Enactment: the Theatrical Metaphor as an Analytic Framework

Theatre provides a powerful metaphor to support thinking about human interactions in organizations. This paper indicates how a dramaturgical approach can illuminate what goes on in OR interventions (as well as, incidentally providing guidance in their prosecution). This perspective emphasizes aspects of the conduct of our work with clients that are too easily neglected, and help us to anticipate how things may turn out. It has a critical bearing upon the practice of OR and upon the training of OR practitioners.

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