Showing papers in "Industrial Management and Data Systems in 1983"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define the concept of quality as the degree to which a product fulfils its function, given the needs of the consumer, which can be divided into functional and psychological qualities.
Abstract: Quality is a somewhat diffuse concept. Everybody knows more or less what is meant by it, but a precise definition of quality is more difficult to establish. “Quality” comes from the Latin word qualitas, which means properties or attributes. In the marketing terminology, quality is defined as: the degree to which a product fulfils its function, given the needs of the consumer [1]. Looking at the number of functions a product is expected to fulfil, it is possible to discern a varying amount of sub‐qualities which can be divided into functional and psychological qualities. The functional qualities consist of properties of the material, workmanship and of the technical and economic nature. These we call the “objective” characteristics of the pro‐duct. The psychological qualities, such as beauty, sportsmanship, prestige, are formed by the symbolic meaning the consumer associates with the product. These are “subjective” characteristics [2].
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors suggest that this is an area in which small and medium sized firms are becoming increasingly active in the area of technology licensing and research at Bath University, funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Abstract: As the cost of new product development increases, pressure to make the best use of available technology continues to grow. This applies just as much to large firms trying to recoup investment in Ft and D as to the smaller firm endeavouring to maintain a balanced portfolio of new products. One answer to the problem may be technology licensing and research currently being carried out at Bath University, and funded by the Leverhulme Trust, suggests that this is an area in which small and medium sized firms are becoming increasingly active.
6 citations
TL;DR: A quality circle is composed of a small group of employees who genuinely care about others, preferably doing similar work, meeting voluntarily with a leader on a regular basis, to identify problems, analyse the causes, recommend their solutions to management and, wherever possible, implement solutions as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Quality Circles are organisational options that are aimed at helping employees at all levels to achieve greater job satisfaction; they seek to increase productivity and product quality through direct employee participation. The underlying assumption is that such participation will result in useful suggestions for improving work methods, product quality, communications, etc, and for increasing employee commitment to implement these changes. Most Quality Circle developments have taken place with industrial blue collar workers. However, wherever there are groups of people, in or out of industry, Quality Circles can be formed with success. Whether the implementation of a Quality Circle is part of short‐ or long‐term planning does not matter, the rules remain the same and the philosophy remains unaltered. A Quality Circle is composed of a small group of employees who genuinely care about others, preferably doing similar work, meeting voluntarily with a leader on a regular basis, to identify problems, analyse the causes, recommend their solutions to management and, wherever possible, implement solutions.
5 citations
TL;DR: The proportion of the population engaged in argriculture has been steadily falling while the number of industrial workers has increased, until the mid 1960s as mentioned in this paper, when employment in UK manufacturing peaked at 8.6 million and since then about two million have left the industrial sector.
Abstract: Ever since the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century, the proportion of the population engaged in argriculture has been steadily falling while the number of industrial workers has increased; that is, until the mid 1960s. In 1966, employment in UK manufacturing peaked at 8.6 million and since then about two million have left the industrial sector. At one time in 1981, the engineering industry was losing 1,000 jobs a day.
3 citations
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TL;DR: The inflow of cash is vital to any business as mentioned in this paper and, during times of recession, cashflow control takes on even greater importance, and profits must be maximised as close as possible to the due date.
Abstract: The in‐flow of cash is vital to any business. If companies are to survive and grow, cash must flow into the business at a rate adequate to meet commitments. Cashflow must be budgeted and carefully controlled at all times and, during times of recession, cashflow control takes on even greater importance. If the in‐flow of cash is to be adequate, and profits are to be maximised, proceeds from sales must be received as close as possible to the due date. Any delay in the receipt of sums due will reduce profits and, in extreme cases, could bring about the insolvency of the business.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it is to strategic planning that a company must turn if it is going to survive and flourish, rather than long-range planning, which does not guarantee success.
Abstract: Though long range planning has saturated our corporate environment, it does not guarantee success. Rather, it is to strategic planning that the company must turn if it is to survive and flourish.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the project management strategy adopted during the successful building of an £85 million Terephthalic acid plant for ICI at Wilton, Cleveland.
Abstract: This study concerns the project management strategy adopted during the successful building of an £85 million Terephthalic acid plant for ICI at Wilton, Cleveland. The client, and many others in the Teeside region had experienced severe problems in terms of cost and time overruns on previous similar projects. The resolute application of several fundamental project management principles is shown to bring about a radical change in people's attitudes. The previously inefficient and frequently acrimonious situation was transformed into one of highly productive teamwork and resulted in the project meeting all its objectives only three months behind schedule and several million pounds under budget. ICI rated the construction efficiency as the highest achieved for many years at Wilton.
2 citations
TL;DR: Since the imagination of the 1920s was fired by Czech playwright Capek, with Rossums' Universal Robots, the concept of the robot has fascinated managers, technicians and the general public as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Since the imagination of the 1920s was fired by Czech playwright Capek, with Rossums' Universal Robots, the concept of the robot has fascinated managers, technicians and the general public.
2 citations
TL;DR: Change is Big Business: The Problem is Doing it Well as discussed by the authors The problem of change is big business: The problem is doing it well. Change has always been big business. From ancient times to today, individuals, groups and nations have had to cope with numerous changes.
Abstract: Change is Big Business: The Problem is Doing it Well. Change is nothing new to any organised society. From ancient times to today, individuals, groups and nations have had to cope with numerous changes. Changes of political, military and social leaders; changes of national and of local politics; changes of geographic boundaries; changes of the way of life brought about by the application of new technologies leading to changes in the structure of communities. Change has always been big business.
1 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how the employer deals with ill health at work and whether the payment in total is made against genuine sickness and the extent of the absence (continuous or an accumulation over a period) calls into question the very contribution of employment.
Abstract: Amidst all the discussion on self certification and statutory sick pay one point should be central — how does the employer deal with ill health at work? Self certification is a means by which the absence due to sickness is accounted for; and, if it is accounted for, then payment may come from two sources. One is statutorily based, i.e. DHSS sickness benefit: and the other may be part of the contract of employment between the employer and employee. The fact that after April 1983 the employer becomes the paying agent for the state component for the first eight weeks will not of itself change any existing contractually based arrangements. The basic questions remain whether the payment in total is made against genuine sickness and whether the extent of the absence (continuous or an accumulation over a period) is such that it calls into question the very contribution of employment.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a more subtle, long lasting, and perhaps more damaging, conflict can occur between functional departments in a trade union conflict, however, this may also have a more positive dimension.
Abstract: Trade union conflict receives massive media publicity, yet a more subtle, long lasting, and perhaps more damaging, conflict can occur between functional departments. This, however, may also have a more positive dimension.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that many of the painful economies achieved on the shop floor are thrown away in the warehouse, and that significant cost savings can be obtained, however, if more rigorous standards of efficiency are applied.
Abstract: Many of the painful economies achieved on the shop floor are thrown away in the warehouse. Significant cost savings can be obtained, however, if more rigorous standards of efficiency are applied.
TL;DR: The new system of capital allowances on machinery and plant, introduced in 1971, has not had the criticism it deserves as discussed by the authors, and the authors explain why they think its introduction has caused a sharp decline in profitability of hiring plant in the UK.
Abstract: The new system of capital allowances on machinery and plant, introduced in 1971, has not had the criticism it deserves. The authors here explain why they think its introduction has caused a sharp decline in profitability of hiring plant in the UK.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the skills and abilities needed by the marketing manager who is to survive and prosper during the next ten years, and identify 16 traits of effective marketing management in the 1980s.
Abstract: What are the skills and abilities needed by the marketing manager who is to survive and prosper during the next ten years? I have identified 16 traits. This list is by no means definitive but constitutes, I believe, the bedrock of effective marketing management in the 1980s and a basis for thinking about the education and training needs of present and future managers.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that senior managers are often called upon to make unilateral human resource decisions, yet may be ill-suited for the task, and what can be done to ensure that personnel are accurately and equitably appraised?
Abstract: Senior managers are often called upon to make unilateral human resource decisions, yet may be unfitted for the task. What can be done to ensure that personnel are accurately—and equitably—appraised?
TL;DR: In this article, Malaysia stands at the crossroads, looking towards both East and West for suggestions as to how best revitalise her industrial policy. Crucial to this process is the training of Malaysia's managers.
Abstract: Malaysia stands at the crossroads, looking towards both East and West for suggestions as to how best revitalise her industrial policy. Crucial to this process is the training of Malaysia's managers—learning the “action way” could provide the solution.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present tools to help managers make the most effective use of their resources as the environment in which organizations operate becomes increasingly competitive and complex, but difficulties can arise in defining these techniques.
Abstract: It is imperative that management make the most effective use of their resources as the environment in which organisations operate becomes increasingly competitive and complex. There are many tools to help the manager striving for organisational effectiveness, but difficulties can arise in defining these techniques.