A Perspective on the Application of the Transdisciplinary Scientific Research Approach and the Interdisciplinary Area Research Approach to Solving Complex Problems Occurring in Modern Society

Abstract

First, we briefly describe the history of operations research, which has been developed to help make optimal decisions in both private and public sectors using actual quantitative and qualita- tive data. Then, we explain the transdisciplinary scientific research approach and the interdisciplinary area research approach, respectively. The former approach attempts to combine natural scientific and technological disciplines, while the latter tries to incorporate methods and insights from across a vari- ety of academic disciplines such as the humanities, social science and natural science in order to solve a diverse range of social problems. Based upon these approaches, we emphasize the importance of the interdisciplinary area approach and its future benefit in cultivating and training human resources.