Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad published in 1978"

Remarks on theories of computation and semantics of programming languages

Abstract: Theories of computation related to the semantics of programming languages, like those of McCarthy and Scott, rely on non‐constructive mathematical “ideas.” Turing's theory does not assume any mathematical “ideas.” In the approaches of Floyd, McCarthy and Scott the attempt is to develop a general theory of “meaning of programs” and then to consider the problem of correctness and equivalence. From a constructive point of view, suggested in this paper, correctness is considered only from that of meaning of a particular program. A general theory of meaning is rejected because of its ontological assumptions. It is shown why for a constructive semantics of programming languages the distinction in ontology between a “mathematical algorithm” and the corresponding program is so fundamental.

Industrial Conflicts in India A Statistical Analysis

Abstract: An attempt is made in this paper to analyse recent strike activities in India. It was found that inflationary conditions had significantly influenced the strike activity. The wage-productivity ratio had some influence, A crosssection analysis for inter-state and inter-industry variations in the strike activity was also attempted. It was found that employment, salaried staff-workers ratio, and wage-productivity ratio accounted for dispersion in the strike activity. The explanatory model developed by the author could substantially explain strike-proneness in Indian industry. Pramod Verma is Professor and Chairman of the Personnel and Industrial Relations area at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. His research and teaching interest is in industrial relations, personnel management, and industrial economics. The industrial relations scene may either display signs of harmony and cooperation between management and union or it may be dominated by conflicts, strikes, and disharmony. Each of the situations has its impact on the process of production and hence industrial progress and growth. The latter situation obviously has evoked much concern since conflicts, if not resolved in time, ultimately take the shape of strikes or lock-outs resulting in loss of production and profitability of the organization. The attendant negative impact is equally shared by workers in the form of loss of wages and other benefits.

Evaluation of Training

Abstract: Though a good amount of money is spent on training, very little attention is paid to evaluation of training. This paper reviews some of the recent publications on this vital issue.Books ReviewedAnd...

Relative Efficiency of Ancillary and Small Scale Units

Abstract: Ancillary units are small firms manufacturing and supplying intermediate goods, typically to large firms. Several policy measures are under consideration to raise the output of the ancillary indust...

Rate-Making in Marine Cargo Insurance: Some Issues

Abstract: Traditionally, rate-making in marine cargo insurance business is intuitive, based on individual knowledge, wisdom, and general feel of the underwriter. The presence of many factors contributing to ...

Disciplinary Enquiries in Industry: Law, Process, and Decision-Making

Abstract: C. D. Menon is Professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Earlier, he was Chief Personnel Officer and a member of the Executive Committee of The Metal Box Company of India Limited. Calcutta. The introduction of S. 11A to the Industrial Disputes Act 1947, by an amendment in 1971 has completely changed the complexion of punishment of misconduct established through a process of disciplinary enquiry. Before the amendment the principles under which a tribunal could interfere with the decision of management were enunciated in the Indian Iron and Steel Company Ltd. case in which the Supreme Court held:

Honeycomb type flat plate collectors - Experiments leading to drinking straw

Abstract: Honeycomb type flat plate collectors have been demonstrated to be capable of achieving high temperatures. They operate through the mechanisms of suppressing convection currents and reducing the losses to a negligible level. This paper reports the use of drinking straw honeycomb of L/D ratio of 12 which achieved temperatures in excess of 230°C, when the honeycomb was thermally destroyed. Wet steam of up to 50 psi pressure has been generated on a 0.6 m × 0.6 m aluminum tube in sheet collector.

Designing MIS for Top Management: Some Operational Guidelines:

Abstract: Business organizations must equip themselves with expertise to prevent maladjustment with environment as a result of changing technologies, expanding markets, and shifts in government policies. This involves a systematic appraisal of future trends and a selection of strategies. A framework for top management information system (TMIS), mixing “hard” and “soft” data, has been delineated in this article. The authors believe that future management information systems are likely to be verbal and qualitative in nature.

Machine Intelligence and a Constructive Epistemology

Abstract: While researches in artificial intelligence have been primarily directed at simulating human cognitive system or problem-solving methods, this paper outlines a new direction of research by showing how human knowledge can be analysed by a knowledge system based on machine intelligence and constructive logic into a segment directly affecting a finite machine system, and another segment, where the ontological assumptions transcend any finite machine capability. Such a critique of knowledge would free humans from dogmatism of any kind.

Increasing Productivity of Commercial Banking Operations: A Systemic Approach

Abstract: Commercial banking operations have undergone significant changes in quantitative as well as qualitative terms during the last decade. Despite these major changes, the systems and procedures of work have largely remained the same, without any major modification since they were devised. The systems and procedures used have a bearing on customer service, productivity, and cost of operations. With growing concern being expressed in all these areas, it has become necessary to examine the present systems and procedures with a view to developing improved methods of work. In this paper, suitable alternatives for rationalizing and improving systems and procedures pertaining to day-to-day on-line/off-line activities of commercial banking operations are examined.

Preference of Housewives for Cooking Media

Abstract: Shanti Seth is Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She took her doctorate in Economics from Lucknow University and started teaching at Meerut College in 1958. She was a Population Council Fellow at Princeton University in 1961-62. In a market where a variety of cooking media are available, a study of the behaviour of housewives in selecting cooking media would be interesting and useful. When a housewife uses a certain brand, it may be because she likes it; it is not necessary that she has knowledge about other products since the choice often depends on ingredients required for cooking. Our study was based on the likes and dislikes of housewives. We have tried to find out certain factors which would explain the preferences of housewives However, identification of such factors, though present in tha product, can be treated as subjective judgment like any other study based on factor analysis technique. At least the study supports empirically what is felt intuitively. It may be mentioned that though other techniques were available they were not tried for certain reasons. Firstly, housewives may not be aware of the attributes of all products. Secondly, the study was not taken from a company's point of view to rate their products or to map markets. Cooking medium, unlike toiletries and cosmetics, is an essential commodity; hence, consumers' choice was given more importance than