[Vol. 5 of this handbook series has been reviewed above (see Zbl 0898.90001).]
This volume in the series, Handbooks In Operations Research and Management Science, is a compendium of approaches to analyzing operational problems in the public sector. The “public sector” is broadly defined and for this book refers “to the fact that the analyses and results are open to and subject to public scrutiny”.
The first three chapters serve as an introduction to the public sector and the application of methods and models to this broad area. Chapter 1 (S. M. Pollack, M. Maltz) defines public sector, operations research, management science and gives a brief history of applications. Chapter 2 (S. I. Gass) discusses the nature of a public sector application and how it differs from applications in the private sector. Chapter 3 (A. Barnett) is one of the most entertaining as it focuses on model failure, successful modeling, and model validity.
The other chapter topics are: Military Operations Research (A. R. Washburn); Urban and Air Transportation (A. Odoni, N. H. M. Wilson); Deployment of Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Units (A. J. Swersey); Crime and Justice (M. Maltz); Energy Policy (J. P. Weyant); Managing Natural Resources (B. Golden, E. A. Wasil); Air and Water Quality (C. Revelle, J. H. Ellis); Hazardous Facility Siting (P. R. Kleindorfer, H. Kunreuther); Health and Safety Risks (L. Lave); Health Care Delivery (W. Pierskalla, D. J. Brailer); Sports (Y. Gerchak); Apportionment (H. P. Young, M. L. Balinski); Voting (L. B. Anderson); Paired Comparisons (L. B. Anderson); Scales of Measurement (F. Roberts); Auctions and Competitive Bidding (M. Rothkopf).
Each chapter is a self-contained survey of the topic of that chapter presented by experts in that area. In most cases, the chapter is a blend of theory, models, and applications. The coverage is comprehensive and each chapter has an extensive set of references for those interested in more detail or in going to the source of the materials presented in the handbook. The chapters are well formatted with headings and subheadings that make the location of topics easy to find. The editors have done an excellent job of providing a consistent format for the text.
This volume of the handbook will be of interest to a wide audience. Practitioners in the various fields of the public sector will find this a valuable source of information about the application of models in that area. The extensive references will be of particular value. Graduate students in public sector fields and in operations research and management science will find the handbook a valuable reference with regard to applications of techniques. The book will be a valuable reference tool for the operations research and management science professional with interests in applications in the public sector.
An excellent book recommended for all with interests in operations research and the public sector.