Showing papers in "Industrial Management and Data Systems in 1981"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe recent work by the authors into the nature and effects of chains of stressors on the shopfloor which could be argued to be holding back real growth in the UK's manufacturing potential, chiefly through the diversion of energy for human growth into over-concentration on factors leading to dissatisfaction at work.
Abstract: Are the sources and effects of executive stress echoed down the line on to the shopfloor of manufacturing industry? Should the researchers into the “stress‐chains” at managerial level turn their attention to the investigation of stress and stress‐reduction among blue‐collar workers? How far it can be done, and how parallel are the problems on each level, are questions which British industry might well concentrate upon to a greater extent than is evident from a review of the literature on stress over the last 5–10 years. This article describes recent work by the authors into the nature and effects of chains of stressors on the shopfloor which could be argued to be holding back real growth in the UK's manufacturing potential, chiefly through the diversion of energy for human growth into over‐concentration on factors leading to dissatisfaction at work.
18 citations
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TL;DR: The very stones of the Cotswold, with the soft patina that makes them look mellow with time even when newly quarried, are conducive to quiet contemplation, and the ancient hills reinforce the reflective mood as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The very stones of the Cotswold, with the soft patina that makes them look mellow with time even when newly quarried, are conducive to quiet contemplation, and the ancient hills reinforce the reflective mood. So few locations could better serve the company or professional association planning a seminar where concentrated thought is the requirement … with, say, long‐term strategic planning on the agenda rather than a slick sales presentation.
4 citations
TL;DR: The Chewton Glen Hotel as discussed by the authors is a true-blue British hotel with a French cuisine, except its cuisine which is French, and all staff are the most dedicated professionals except the boss, the monarch of the Glen, who is a gifted amateur.
Abstract: Everything about the Chewton Glen Hotel is true‐blue British…except its cuisine which is French All staff are the most dedicated professionals…except the boss, the monarch of the Glen, who is a gifted amateur And each department runs with effortless ease…except behind the scenes where enormous effort is invested
3 citations
TL;DR: The objective of software development is to produce accurate, efficient, easily maintainable systems which perform reliably and meet the users' needs as effectively as possible, but this objective is still not being achieved in most installations.
Abstract: The objective of software development is to produce accurate, efficient, easily maintainable systems which perform reliably and meet the users' needs as effectively as possible. However, this objective is still not being achieved in most installations. During the last ten years many good methodologies for programming have been introduced and it is generally agreed that the use of almost any of these solves most, if not all, of the problems encountered during programming. But methodologies for commercial systems design have not become so well established, although it is generally recognised that many systems are poorly designed and that this causes problems in later development stages and subsequent maintenance. The design problem has been highlighted since programming has improved so much through the use of new techniques.
3 citations
TL;DR: The fairness and usefulness of multiple rater performance appraisal systems compared to single rater systems are so clearly superior that users of MRPAS are likely to adopt the view that single rating systems are obsolete.
Abstract: Improvement in performance appraisal systems are necessary because current methods are neither accurate nor fair. Recent attempts to improve performance appraisals by training raters has been shown to have the opposite effect‐actually decreasing the accuracy of the performance measures. Multiple rater performance appraisal systems (MRPAS) provide an opportunity to increase appraisal accuracy by combining judgements of individual raters. However, before MRPAS are used, numerous objections must be overcome including system acceptance, finding raters, system design, desire to participate, and the potential use of too much management time. The Objective Judgement Quotient (OJQ) performance appraisal process is used as a demonstration method that has developed solutions to each of these objections. When MRPAS are used effectively, the fairness and usefulness of multiple rater systems compared to single rater systems are so clearly superior that users of MRPAS are likely to adopt the view that single rater systems are obsolete.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the advancing technology behind natural and synthetic micron diamond powders and their significance in the automated industry of today is discussed, especially in the field of diamond abrasives.
Abstract: Fine diamond powders, in some cases composed of particles smaller than one micron, are assuming ever increasing importance, especially as the cost of conventional abrasives rises disproportionately. This article looks at the advancing technology behind natural and synthetic micron diamond powders and their significance in the automated industry of today
2 citations
TL;DR: In fact, closed circuit television now plays a central role in the design of new plants, rather than being added as an afterthought, and the trend in the 1980s will be towards incorporating closed-circuit television into an integrated management system where all building controls are centralised.
Abstract: With the continual advance of technological research and development, today's sophisticated closed circuit television systems have immense scope in almost every field of security, surveillance and industrial process control — in fact, wherever there is a situation to be observed. In an industrial environment, closed circuit television can be used to fulfil two basic functions — security and process control. Obviously each factory or plant has its own particular requirements, but today's closed circuit television systems can be tailor‐made to meet the individual specifications not only of the large, national organisations, but also those of smaller industrial concerns. In fact, closed circuit television now plays a central role in the design of new plants, rather than being added as an afterthought, and the trend in the 1980s will be towards incorporating closed circuit television into an integrated management system where all building controls are centralised.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have published a booklet in which economist Alfred Sherman, who was also one of Mrs Thatcher's speech writers, calls for a Minister for Denationalisation to dismantle the "vast parasitic apparatus" of State industry.
Abstract: THAT admirable champion of free enterprise, Aims, has published a booklet in which economist Alfred Sherman, who is also one of Mrs Thatcher's speech writers, calls for a Minister for Denationalisation to dismantle the “vast parasitic apparatus” of State industry.
1 citations
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TL;DR: There are occasions when the induction of new employees and other training can create problems for many companies, not through lack of ability by training officers but because workers often lack time.
Abstract: There are occasions when the induction of new employees and other training can create problems for many companies, not through lack of ability by training officers but because — if a scattered workforce has to be reached — they often lack time. If recruits have to wait weeks for a proper introduction to their new jobs, production can suffer. And if some existing staff have never received a thorough grounding in their tasks, there is a danger that efficiency will remain below par.
1 citations
TL;DR: The decision to install a small business computer is generally taken by small companies when all traditional manual methods have failed as mentioned in this paper, and this is probably one of the reasons why such systems are still regarded as a threat to employment by many company staff members.
Abstract: The decision to install a small business computer is generally taken by small companies when all traditional manual methods have failed. At this point in a company's history, two options are available. Either the company can employ more staff to process the paperwork, or they can install a microcomputer to automate their accounting routines. The total costs of installing such a system is often less than that of employing an extra staff member for a year and this is probably one of the reasons why such systems are still regarded as a threat to employment by many company staff members.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe industrial robots as little more than machine tools except that their prime function is handling not making components and that they generally have one manipulating arm and there are three classical types of robot architecture:
Abstract: Industrial robots bear little resemblance to the science fiction concept of futuristic machines — they are little more than machine tools except that their prime function is handling not making components. Being designed to replace a human operator, many of the machines currently available are somewhat similar in scale to a human being although their continuous weight lifting abilities can be much in excess of a human. They generally have one manipulating arm and there are three classical types of robot architecture:
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine some of the implications of the Companies Bill's implications for individual companies and the commercial world as a whole, and particularly its significance for small companies.
Abstract: An important but relatively unsung feature of the previous Parliamentary session was the Companies Bill, which has now completed its Committee Stage and should conclude its remaining stages in the Commons by the end of October. In the following article, Reginald Eyre MP, the Department of Trade Minister responsible for the Bill, examines some of the Bill's implications for individual companies and the commercial world as a whole — and particularly its significance for small companies.
TL;DR: The UK rate of adoption, adaptation and absorption of microelectronics is poor, specialists are being produced slowly and the Government is providing neither the strategy nor the support to be found in other OECD countries as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: By now a great deal has been written about the micro‐processor and its related technology and a great many management appreciation seminars have been organised. Yet the fact remains that only 10–15 per cent of manufacturing companies are actually using micro‐processors and over 50 per cent of managers still seem to be unaware of what microelectronics can do for them. Placed in an international context the UK rate of adoption, adaptation and absorption of micro‐electronics is poor, specialists are being produced slowly and the Government is providing neither the strategy nor the support to be found in other OECD countries. Although there are a few bright spots, the picture is largely one of unrelieved gloom.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a strong evaluation of the contribution marketing can make to modern day society, and at times this process has amounted to rejection of the marketing concept, such evaluations coming from both within and without the ranks of marketeers.
Abstract: Over the past 5/10 years there has been a strong evaluation of the contribution marketing can make to modern day society. At times this process has amounted to rejection of the marketing concept, such evaluations coming from both within and without the ranks of marketeers. The objectives of this article are threefold:
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that what appears to be needed is an integrated theoretical framework, and to this end a socioeconomic systems approach serves as the main focus of this contribution.
Abstract: If the Quality of Working Life (QWL) is to become a distinct “school” then, it is argued, it should possess all the attributes of a school, in particular, vocabulary, concepts and methodology. The very importance of QWL problems in contemporary society would suggest that the realisation of these attributes is an urgent task. It is argued that what appears to be needed is an integrated theoretical framework, and to this end a socio‐economic systems approach serves as the main focus of this contribution.
TL;DR: The first paper ever published on microprocessors described the device as the “re‐configurable” circuit, which conveys the simplest, but most important feature of the microprocessor, namely that by changing the software a device can be tailored to fit a wide range of applications.
Abstract: The first paper ever published on microprocessors described the device as the “re‐configurable” circuit. This conveys the simplest, but most important feature of the microprocessor, namely that by changing the software a device can be tailored to fit a wide range of applications — from a simple light switch control to the central processing unit of a computer. This versatility of microelectronic devices, combined with their falling price, decreasing size and exponentially increasing power makes inevitable their widespread application. Indeed, it can be predicted with reasonable confidence that by the end of the century the pervasiveness of the “silicon chip” will be the defining characteristic of an advanced society.
TL;DR: In this paper, a framework for the evaluation of foreign investments is presented. But the authors do not consider the additional hazards to consider, such as competition from foreign competitors, lack of opportunities in the domestic market, or competitors having set up manufacture abroad, thereby making exports less competitive.
Abstract: Managers may be motivated to invest abroad for a variety of reasons. They may feel “compelled” to make such investments because of lack of opportunities in the domestic market, or because competitors have set up manufacture abroad, thereby making exports less competitive. Alternatively, it may be the logical progression of a growing business. How should managers approach foreign investment decisions? Are they very different from domestic investments? What are the additional hazards to consider? This article sets out to discuss these problems and provides a framework for the evaluation of foreign investments.