Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management in 1977"
TL;DR: A number of models in different social science disciplines have been proposed to describe the time pattern of the diffusion process for an innovation as discussed by the authors, and a generalized model is presented of this time pattern; generalized in the sense that it is developed without reference to a specific technical, organizational or social context.
Abstract: A number of models in different social-science disciplines have been proposed to describe the time pattern of the diffusion process for an innovation. A generalized model is presented of this time pattern; generalized in the sense that it is developed without reference to a specific technical, organizational, or social context. Moreover, models used in marketing, geography, economics, and sociology are shown to be special cases of this model. It provides a useful means for relating and comparing recent and future empirical work in diffusion. The limitations of the model are also examined.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty and the information search behavior of managers in organizational boundary-spanning positions, and found that certain information search behaviors appear to be associated with perceived uncertainty.
Abstract: This study empirically examines the relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty and the information search behavior of managers in organizational boundary-spanning positions. It tests hypotheses related to the perceived importance managers attach to external, internal, formal, and informal information sources, as environmental uncertainty increases. Managerial search behavior of electronics firms is contrasted with that in wood products firms. The findings suggest that certain information search behaviors appear to be associated with perceived uncertainty. Significant positive correlations were found to exist between the level of uncertainty perceived by managers and (1) their reliance on external sources of information, (2) their use of informal sources of information, (3) their frequency of use of all information sources, and (4) the amount of time they allocate to information gathering activities.
48 citations
CERN1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors quantify the technical and economic benefits to the manufacturing industries involved in CERN contracts in relation to the expenditures on CERN by its member states by conducting interviews with some 130 European firms.
Abstract: The study attempts to quantify the technical and economic benefits to the manufacturing industries involved in CERN contracts in relation to the expenditures on CERN by its member states. Interviews were carried out in some 130 European firms, which supplied data on estimates of increased sales and decreased costs due to CERN contracts. This economic utility totals 1665 million Swiss francs (MSF) (up to the year 1978) compared with a sales value to CERN of 394 MSF. Utility/sales ratios range from 0.9 to 7.3 for application fields of cables, magnets, cooling systems, vacuum equipment, electronics, and steel; they are as high as 17.3 for computers and 31.6 for precision mechanics. Some 80 percent of the total reported utility results from sales to markets outside high-energy and nuclear physics, for example, railways, shipbuilding, refrigeration, power generation, and power distribution.
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an exploratory field study designed to investigate the effectiveness of leadership styles in various project-oriented work environments was conducted, and the results of the field study revealed that the performance of project managers depends primarily on their leadership style and work environment.
Abstract: The paper reports the results of an exploratory field study designed to investigate the effectiveness of leadership styles in various project-oriented work environments. The study concludes that the effectiveness of project managers depends primarily on their leadership style and work environment. A leader-oriented management approach appears most effective in a poor work environment, while in a good organizational climate a team-oriented style seems to be most effective. The findings presented should help the professional project manager to understand the complex interrelationships among position power, leadership style, and organizational variables. Through this understanding he may be able to identify the leadership style which optimizes project performance in his specific work.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show how regulations result in some innovations being encouraged (in fact necessitated), while others are thwarted by regulation, and suggest a future study that examines the extent of the ripple effect-regulation effects upon firms.
Abstract: The paper shows how regulations result in some innovations being encouraged (in fact necessitated), while others are thwarted What is highlighted is that innovation is `bent' by regulation The paper suggests a future study that examines the extent of the ripple effect-regulation effects upon Firm A (supplier), Firm B (supplier to A), and the effect on users
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, four core dimensions (variety, autonomy, task identity, feedback) and two interpersonal dimensions (dealing with others and friendship opportunities) of job characteristics were studied in a sample of 363 research and development professional personnel.
Abstract: Four core dimensions (variety, autonomy, task identity, feedback) and two interpersonal dimensions (dealing with others and friendship opportunities) of job characteristics were studied in a sample of 363 research and development professional personnel. It was hypothesized that the core dimensions would be positively related to intrinsic job satisfaction, while the interpersonal dimensions were hypothesized to be positively related to socially derived satisfactions. These hypotheses were supported by data from the total sample. All job characteristics were also hypothesized to be negatively related to role conflict and ambiguity. The data from the total sample supported this hypothesis fully with regard to role ambiguity, but only partially with regard to role conflict. Data were also separated and analyzed for supervisors and nonsupervisors. Implication for the management of research and development personnel are included.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the international transfer of technology process at a microenterprise level with the help of the systems approach, and the causal interrelationship between these elements and their components is argued.
Abstract: The nature, cost, and impact of the complex phenomenon of international transfer of technology have been studied at some length, but those concerning the transfer process have yet to draw adequate attention. The paper attempts to describe the international transfer of technology process at a microenterprise level with the help of the systems approach. The causal interrelationship between these elements and their components is argued. Next, the model is utilized to analyze an actual case of technology transfer. There, the particular systems output performance is evaluated, and the behavioral abnormalities are explained against the peculiarities of its internal structure. The paper thus demonstrates the use of the system in analyzing the process of international transfer of technology. The case study also identifies the implications of various elements of the internal structure on the overall performance of the system.
7 citations
TL;DR: Technological change is discussed in the context of systems cost analysis in two ways as discussed by the authors, it is a specific objective of research and development (R&D) programs and is a direct determinant of R&D cost.
Abstract: Technological change is discussed in the context of systems cost analysis in two ways. First, it is a specific objective of research and development (R&D) programs and is a direct determinant of R&D cost. Methods of measuring technological change are evaluated and an example of an R&D cost equation is set forth. Second, technological change underlies the relationships between design/performance characteristics and procurement costs. For many systems, the year-to-year change is highly significant, and cost analyses which overlook this phenomenon can be in serious error. Examples are discussed.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a system dynamics model of the interrelations in an R&D organization between management by objectives (MBO), social interaction, and employee motivation and productivity is presented.
Abstract: A system dynamics model of the interrelations in an R&D organization between management by objectives (MBO), social interaction, and employee motivation and productivity is presented. In many cases, MBO is shown to increase employee productivity by generating task-related work pressures. However, longer run counteracting decreases in productivity may result if management neglects the negative effects of task pressure on social interaction. Policies are discussed for managing these positive and negative effects inherent in MBO.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors employed a nine-stage model of the process indicating the potential influence of federal actions on the perceptions, attitudes, decisions, and innovation outputs of industrial firms and the further impact of the firms' innovations on the economy.
Abstract: The set of studies employed a nine-stage model of the process indicating the potential influence of federal actions on the perceptions, attitudes, decisions, and innovation outputs of industrial firms and the further impact of the firms' innovations on the economy. This study focused on four of these stages: awareness of the Government Incentive Programmes (GIP), attitudes toward them, general behavior affected by them, and specific decisions related to them. In the Japanese firms, it was found that once a firm is in the `attitude' stage (implying awareness) it will very likely also be in the action stages (general and specific decisions related to the application of the GIPs by the firm). Acceptance of the GIPs (measured by the stage score) by the firms is positively related to the attractiveness of the GIP (measured by a scoring method), and has low correlation with the age of the GIP.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the general design and the basic characteristics of the individual components of a construction scheduling mechanism for electric utilities, which is currently being implemented at the City Public Service of San Antonio, Texas, are described.
Abstract: The general design and the basic characteristics of the individual components of a construction scheduling mechanism for electric utilities, which is currently being implemented at the City Public Service of San Antonio, Texas, are described. The operational-planning portion of this mechanism is comprised of four conventional quantitative-analysis models with the tasks of developing pertinent cost parameters, optimally assigning construction projects to service centers, and routing service crews to project sites. Also described is HAMPS, a developed heuristic program which schedules the projects and performs resource allocation. An example is given to illustrate the operation of HAMPS on which the focus of the discussion is placed. The other portion of the construction scheduling mechanism is a strategic-planning package for estimating, at low cost, future resource requirements as an aid in the daily resource-allocation process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the application of distributed real-time data processing in engineering and manufacturing companies is discussed, and the suitability and relative advantages and disadvantages of various computer configurations, involving the use of mainframe computers, mini-computers, programmable terminals, intelligent terminals, simple visual display units, communication facilities, centralized and distributed data bases for different types of manufacturing companies are considered.
Abstract: Discusses the application of distributed real time data processing in engineering and manufacturing companies. The information flow requirements at different levels of a typical manufacturing system are briefly reviewed. The suitability and relative advantages and disadvantages of various computer configurations, involving the use of mainframe computers, mini-computers, programmable terminals, intelligent terminals, simple visual display units, communication facilities, centralized and distributed data bases for different types of manufacturing companies are considered. The paper concludes following a discussion of the desirability of partitioning systems and the important considerations which should be taken into account for selecting the correct computer configuration.
TL;DR: In this article, decision analysis is used as a means of identifying alternative strategies in the early stages of expansion planning in small power systems (i.e., 5000 MW or less), such strategies serve as loose guidelines for detailed and often time-consuming studies that follow.
Abstract: The aim of the article is to demonstrate how decision analysis can be helpful in formulating and solving capacity expansion problems faced by electric utility companies. This general problem involves the specification of sizes and types of generation capacity (i.e., nuclear units, coal units, combustion turbines) to be brought on line at various points in time. Decision analysis is suggested as a means of identifying alternative strategies in the early stages of expansion planning in small power systems (i.e., 5000 MW or less). Such strategies serve as loose guidelines for detailed and often time-consuming studies that follow. An example problem (fashioned after an actual situation but with the data changed) is utilized to demonstrate decision analysis of nuclear- and coal-fuelled alternatives for meeting projected increases in need for base-loaded generation facilities.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a rational way of collecting, selecting, and ranking problem-generating ideas to be solved by RD and propose that the idea should be technologically feasible and economically efficient, while the relevant R&D and implementation expenditure should be financially creditable.
Abstract: The present paper aims at presenting a rational way of collecting, selecting, and ranking problem-generating ideas to be solved by RD 2) that the idea should be technologically feasible and economically efficient, while the relevant R&D and implementation expenditure should be financially creditable.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe in practical managerial language management information systems (MIS), the benefits and advantages to be gained by utilizing an MIS, and the major attributes and guidelines for construction.
Abstract: The article describes in practical managerial language 1) management information systems (MIS), 2) the benefits and advantages to be gained by utilizing an MIS, and 3) the major attributes and guidelines for construction. To accomplish its objective it is necessary to note and reference many important practices vital to successful management.