AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to discuss and if possible to dispel the industrialist's misunderstanding of operational research. The author lists some of the varied ideas held by industrialists of operational research including several which are contradictory, as for example (a) That operational research is new and revolutionary; and (b) That operational research proves nothing new and has always been practised without being so named.A number of suggestions are then made and developed, which should lead to a better understanding. These include, clearer definitions of operational research and a better adaptation of the specialized literature to the needs of industrial management, with particular emphasis on the publication of real rather than synthetic case histories. Headings of sections are:The attitude of industrialists.The exact nature of operational research.Problems, criteria, models.The practice of operational research in business.