Operational Research interdisciplinary synthesis?

Interdisciplinarity played an essential role at the foundation of Operational Research, which is itself a relatively recent inter-discipline. The interdisciplinary character of OR has not thrived since due in part to pressures within a predominantly mono-disciplinary academia. The need for interdisciplinarity never went away and is now gaining more prominence due to the increased political importance of complex problems such as sustainable development. The challenges of academic recognition remain, as do those of creating mutual respect, understanding and willingness to cooperate between the disciplines. A number of measures are reported that have been inspired to help turn thoughts and words into action and, hopefully, a little bit of progress.