Showing papers in "Interfaces in 1982"
TL;DR: A pavement management system was developed for the State of Arizona to produce optimal maintenance policies for each mile of the 7,400-mile network of highways as mentioned in this paper, which integrated management policy decisions, budgetary policies, environmental factors, and engineering decisions.
Abstract: A pavement management system was developed for the State of Arizona to produce optimal maintenance policies for each mile of the 7,400-mile network of highways. The heart of the system is a mathematical model which captures the dynamic and probabilistic aspects of pavement maintenance. The model integrates management policy decisions, budgetary policies, environmental factors, and engineering decisions. During the first year of implementation, fiscal year 1980–81, the system saved 14 million dollars (almost 1/3 of Arizona's preservation budget). The forecast savings over the next four years is 101 million dollars.
377 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a method for identifying the optimum number of passengers at each fare class on each flight segment that will optimize revenue, which is used not only in pricing analysis but also in setting policies to influence the passenger fare-class mix so that the optimum will be more nearly achieved in actual practice.
Abstract: Deregulation has opened up many opportunities and challenges in the transportation industry—opportunities to increase profits and challenges to keep from being outflanked by competition. A goal of particular interest to the scheduled airlines is to set prices more adaptively and to change them more rapidly. A difficult problem arises when many passengers with different itineraries compete for a limited number of seats on a single-flight segment. The problem is complicated by the existence of different fare classes, many flight segments, and different demands across time. For any given set of prices, flight-segment capacities, and passenger-carrying demand, there is some number of passengers at each fare class on each flight segment that will optimize revenue. Knowledge of such an optimum can be used not only in pricing analysis but also in setting policies to influence the passenger fare-class mix so that the optimum will be more nearly achieved in actual practice. We describe a method for identifying the...
187 citations
TL;DR: This is the first of three articles about some popular tools that have been widely used since the early 1970's to support strategic decision-making, and the article below deals with the experience curve.
Abstract: This is the first of three articles about some popular tools that have been widely used since the early 1970's to support strategic decision-making. The article below deals with the experience curve; subsequent articles will deal with the growth-share matrix and the industry attractiveness-business strength matrix. These tools have inspired a degree of controversy about their uses and limitations, issues that will be explored in this and the subsequent articles. This is the first of the tutorial articles we will be publishing in Interfaces. The objective of a tutorial article is to describe an important technique or an application area for Interfaces readers who are nonexperts in the field. Please write and let me know what area(s) you would like to see covered in tutorial articles (and who you would like to see write them) and what area(s) you would be prepared to cover in a tutorial of your own.
94 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a Management Science project at E. I. Du Pont, Inc., which utilized state-of-the-art computerized vehicle routing methods to reduce delivery costs for a major product by over 15%.
Abstract: This paper describes a Management Science project at E. I. Du Pont, Inc., which utilized state-of-the-art computerized vehicle routing methods to reduce delivery costs for a major product by over 15%. The problem involved the assignment of over 1,500 customers to about 50 routes. The project illustrates him an Operations Research consulting team, working closely with line management can install a decision support system that provides major benefits.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a procedure to increase the likelihood of publishing important papers, which will be tested by Interfaces for a year and will be evaluated by the International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks.
Abstract: Recent research shows that journal reviewing practices are neither objective nor fair. I propose a procedure to increase the likelihood of publishing important papers. This will be tested by Interfaces for a year.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make four major points about Decision Support Systems (DSS): First, DSS is a redundant term currently being used to describe a subset of Management Science that predates the DSS movement, and this lack casts serious doubts on its substantive underpinnings.
Abstract: There are four major points I would like to make about Decision Support Systems (DSS). First, DSS is a redundant term currently being used to describe a subset of Management Science that predates the DSS movement. Second, DSS is not based on any formal conceptual framework, and this lack casts serious doubts on its substantive underpinnings. Third, very few chief executive officers will opt to become computer programmers, with or without DSS. And, finally, the office of the future is a myth.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of a goal programming model to resolve a trucking terminal site location problem is presented, by allowing consideration of quantifiable personal preferences of the individuals who provide and use the truck terminal's services.
Abstract: This paper illustrates the use of a goal programming model to resolve a trucking terminal site location problem This is accomplished by allowing consideration of quantifiable personal preferences of the individuals who provide and use the truck terminal's services
31 citations
TL;DR: The article below was the keynote address at the Australian Operational Research Society Conference last summer as mentioned in this paper, and dealt with a major issue in the Management Science process, the problem of consultant-client relationships, as well as the larger topic of the decision support systems, which are being discussed frequently in America and in the pages of this journal.
Abstract: The article below was the keynote address at the Australian Operational Research Society Conference last summer. It deals with a major issue in the Management Science process, the problem of consultant-client relationships, as well as the larger topic of the decision support systems, which are being discussed frequently in America and in the pages of this journal. An earlier exposition of some of these same ideas by Professor Eden and his colleague Professor David Sims appeared in the February 1981 “Management Science Process” column; hopefully, a greater interface between the work being done in these areas in the United States and elsewhere will be stimulated. (from the foreword of the column editor Robert J. Graham.)
27 citations
TL;DR: The 1960's were devoted mainly to computer hardware developments, and the 1970's to software tools, now, the challenge is to put the technology to work.
Abstract: The 1960's were devoted mainly to computer hardware developments, and the 1970's to software tools Now, the challenge is to put the technology to work Information systems can touch the breadth and depth of an organization Our guide to the future is in the study of successful innovations in information systems within organizations Papers on information systems should describe current practical applications of information technology While research is needed to guide practice, practice is a form of research which validates worthwhile systems and identifies limitations, problems, and issues for study We seek papers that relate research to practice and practice to research
25 citations
TL;DR: Efficiency gets a bad name because it inevitably means measurable efficiency, with three unfortunate consequences: (1) Because costs are typically more easily measured than benefits, efficiency all too often reduces to economy; (2) Because economic costs can usually be more easily defined than social costs, efficiency often produces an escalation in social costs which are treated as externalities; and (3) Efficiency drives the organization toward an economic morality which can amount to a social immorality as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Efficiency gets a bad name because it inevitably means measurable efficiency, with three unfortunate consequences. Because costs are typically more easily measured than benefits, efficiency all too often reduces to economy. Because economic costs can usually be more easily measured than social costs, efficiency often produces an escalation in social costs, which are treated as “externalities.” Because economic benefits are typically more easily measured than social benefits, efficiency often drives the organization toward an economic morality which can amount to a social immorality.
25 citations
TL;DR: Although the past 20 years seem to indicate that modeling for public policymaking has not been very successful, as better decision support systems and other user-friendly computer systems are developed, analysts, policymakers, and staff members will have an opportunity to work more closely throughout the whole process from problem definition to implementation.
Abstract: Although the past 20 years seem to indicate that modeling for public policymaking has not been very successful, as better decision support systems and other user-friendly computer systems are developed, analysts, policymakers, and staff members will have an opportunity to work more closely throughout the whole process from problem definition to implementation. Policy analysts will be in greater demand in government and as consultants to government agencies.
TL;DR: A unique modeling and optimization system has been used that has resulted in more active participation of management in the modeling process and the benefits of using optimization as well as the role of the optimization system are described.
Abstract: This paper describes the development and implementation of a plywood product mix model for Ponderosa Industrial, a medium-sized company that supplies 25% of the plywood in Mexico. A unique modeling and optimization system has been used that has resulted in more active participation of management in the modeling process. The paper focuses on the benefits of using optimization as well as the role of the optimization system.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a successful implementation of a decision support system that is used by the fleet management division at North American Van Lines to plan fleet configuration at the heart of the system is a large linear programming (LP) model that helps management decide what type of tractors to sell to owner/operators or to trade in each week.
Abstract: This paper describes a successful implementation of a decision support system that is used by the fleet management division at North American Van Lines to plan fleet configuration At the heart of the system is a large linear programming (LP) model that helps management decide what type of tractors to sell to owner/operators or to trade in each week The system is used to answer a wide variety of “What if” questions, many of which have significant financial impact
TL;DR: This procedure has the advantage of coping with the objectives of the decision makers without the necessity of formally defining any objective function, in order to permit the choice of an acceptable solution from the feasibility set.
Abstract: A common source of conflict in many educational centers is the examination scheduling and the allocation of classrooms to examinations. This paper proposes a process where this solution is made in successive steps in interaction with the computer. This procedure has the advantage of coping with the objectives of the decision makers without the necessity of formally defining any objective function, in order to permit the choice of an acceptable solution from the feasibility set.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate whether employers effectively screen engineering and scientific applicants on the basis of certain generally accepted variables ordinarily used to identify "quality candidates" and some interesting relationships are developed.
Abstract: Can employers effectively screen engineering and scientific applicants on the basis of certain generally accepted variables ordinarily used to identify “quality candidates?” Some interesting relationships are developed.
TL;DR: In the November 1978 issue of Interfaces, the author wrote a column on decision support systems and shares some of his ideas since then.
Abstract: In the November 1978 issue of Interfaces, the author wrote a column on decision support systems. Much has happened since then and the author shares some of his ideas. Sections presented are: —Seven vignettes related to DSS —What is DSS? —OR/MS methodology: The scientific method —Electronic models —The future.
TL;DR: The shadow price as discussed by the authors is defined as the maximum permissible amount of those costs involved in the addition which have not been included in the per-unit contributions of the basic decision variables.
Abstract: A shadow price of a resource constraint in linear programming is usually defined as the maximum price which should be paid to obtain an additional unit of resource. This definition, however, is imprecise and could lead to incorrect decisions. Because a shadow price already incorporates variable costs involved in the addition of the extra resource unit, shadow price should be defined as the maximum permissible amount of those costs involved in the addition which have not been included in the per-unit contributions of the basic decision variables. This note provides the precise meaning of a shadow price, together with examples of its use in a decision context.
TL;DR: The business world has long encouraged OR/MS academics to engage in more real-world problems and solutions as mentioned in this paper, which has led to some enlightening possibilities as to how academics perceive the advantages and disadvantages of empirical versus conceptual research, and what strategy the business community can follow to promote more empirical research.
Abstract: The business world has long encouraged OR/MS academics to engage in more real-world problems and solutions. A recent empirical study has led to some enlightening possibilities as to how academics perceive the advantages and disadvantages of empirical versus conceptual research, and what strategy the business community can follow to promote more empirical research.
TL;DR: This article used a combination of judgmental modeling and multi-attribute utility theory to define and evaluate new strategies for merchandising Amoco gasoline, motor oil, tires, batteries, and accessories.
Abstract: To define and evaluate new strategies for merchandising Amoco gasoline, motor oil, tires, batteries, and accessories, Standard Oil (Indiana) used a combination of judgmental modeling and multiattribute utility theory. The model combined objective data and subjective assessments to calculate objective weights for the multiattribute model. Ordinary sets of Tinker Toys were used to demonstrate the analytical approach of the model to management. Another visual aid, “the Christmas tree,” was used to display new merchandising strategies. A guaranteed car repair strategy, Certicare, was selected and is projected to improve annual profit by $10 million and to strengthen the dealer organization.
TL;DR: A trade-off among logic design, model code, and dialog code is faced in building this flexible DSS for ski area design that implements functional reversal and handles further operational issues such as model choice and decision intent.
Abstract: For a Decision Support System (DSS) to be process independent, it must be flexible. That is, it must be possible to enter and use it at any point in the decision process. Process flexibility can be obtained by reversing (inverting) model functions. Using a DSS for ski area design, we implement functional reversal and deal with further operational issues such as model choice and decision intent. A trade-off among logic design, model code, and dialog code is faced in building this flexible DSS for ski area design.
TL;DR: I am convinced that the success of OR/MS depends heavily on the appropriate structure and management of the OR/ MS process, much more so than on the elegance of the algorithms applied or the availability of standard computer programs.
Abstract: I am convinced that the success of OR/MS depends heavily on the appropriate structure and management of the OR/MS process, much more so than on the elegance of the algorithms applied or the availability of standard computer programs. I therefore believe that much more research should be carried out in connection with the OR/MS process, and much more emphasis should be put on the OR/MS process in the curricula of our field.
TL;DR: In 1969, there was a lengthy debate in the US senate and before its committees on the ABM (or AntiBallistic Missile) which was designed to shoot down the ICBM (or InterContinental Ballistic Missile) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In 1969 there was a lengthy debate in the US senate and before its committees on the ABM (or AntiBallistic Missile) which was designed to shoot down the ICBM (or InterContinental Ballistic Missile). The ABM had been developed over many years at a cost of a few billions of dollars, and it was now proposed to manufacture and install this weapons system for the defense of the continental United States at a cost of many billions of dollars. This debate was salutary because, among other things, it was the first time that the technological arguments, which should be one of the important considerations in such a political decision as whether to deploy an ABM, were fully explored before the public.
TL;DR: The second year of a course in field consulting developed and run for MBA students increased the number of projects by one-third, the faculty participation by a factor of two, and the savings realized by a Factor of seven as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The second year of a course in field consulting developed and run for MBA students increased the number of projects by one-third, the faculty participation by a factor of two, and the savings realized by a factor of seven.
TL;DR: Most management scientists consider themselves realists as discussed by the authors and believe there is a real world out there, that natural laws do indeed exist, and that we can discover these laws, and build mathematical models to study these laws.
Abstract: Most Management Scientists consider themselves realists. We believe there is a real world “out there,” that natural laws do indeed exist, that we can discover these laws, and that we can build mathematical models to study these laws. We draw heavily on the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences to help construct our world views. One of the most significant symbols in our world is data—the stuff forming the very foundation of our models, whose very existence confirm the reality that we assume. Data are numbers that reflect the hard facts of life—or so I was led to believe during my process of initiation to this field. However, in the years since my release from graduate school, I have yet to encounter any situation when the data reflected any agreed-upon “reality.” The usual situation is that there are many versions of reality and the data provided reflect an approximation of one version of this reality—maybe. Most likely, the data reflect what most people wish was reality or what people want you ...
TL;DR: This article used a multitime period mixed integer program to evaluate and select energy improvement projects and determine the general configuration of the required utility distribution systems at Exxon's refinery and chemical plant complex at Baton Rouge.
Abstract: At Exxon's refinery and chemical plant complex at Baton Rouge, a math programming model was developed to evaluate and select energy improvement projects and determine the general configuration of the required utility distribution systems. Formulated as a multitime period mixed integer program, the model considered over 600 energy improvement projects from which approximately 200 at 74 different processing units were selected. It is expected to yield an incremental savings of approximately $100 million, and the technique is now used at many of Exxon's other major complexes.
TL;DR: The Master of Business and Public Management (MBPM) curriculum at Rice University is intended to provide a new framework of this type without abandoning a Management Science orientation as discussed by the authors, which has been subjected to increasing criticism on a number of grounds.
Abstract: The traditional MBA curriculum is being subjected to increasing criticism on a number of grounds. That curriculum has focused on analytical training in Management Science and functional activities. There is a growing concern that tomorrow's private and public executives need a broader education along a number of dimensions. The Master of Business and Public Management (MBPM) curriculum at Rice University is intended to provide a new framework of this type without abandoning a Management Science orientation.
TL;DR: A methodology for formulating linear programming models is presented which, though not new, has been largely ignored by authors of textbooks and the academic community and could substantially improve interest in and comprehension of mathematical programming.
Abstract: Most Management Science students have been taught In formulate a linear programming model by writing a set of (row) equations. While this technique is suitable for the vast majority of problems usually encountered in industry, it falls short when an entire company must be modeled. In this article, a methodology for formulating linear programming models is presented which, though not new, has been largely ignored by authors of textbooks and the academic community. The author maintains that this approach could substantially improve interest in and comprehension of mathematical programming and provide a useful supplement to the Management Science curriculum.
TL;DR: In this article, a facilities location project was undertaken in Spain to determine where to build a church camp, which represented a multicriteria problem involving population, numbers of churches, and distance.
Abstract: In an unusual application of management science techniques a facilities location project was undertaken in Spain to determine where to build a church camp. This represented a multicriteria problem involving population, numbers of churches, and distance. A simulation approach was used to evaluate various regions throughout the country as to their suitability for the camp, taking into consideration the location of other camps already started.
TL;DR: The production of alloys at the lowest price from a number of stocks of scrap alloys of various composition and from unalloyed metals has been achieved through the use of a new algorithm built into a computer program that differs from the usual linear programming and avoids the shortcomings of the well-known algorithms.
Abstract: The objective of the present work, which was sponsored by the French Ministers de l'Industrie, is to save “vulnerable” metals, i.e., those for which supply is uncertain and/or those that have to be imported. The production of alloys at the lowest price from a number of stocks of scrap alloys of various composition and from unalloyed metals has been achieved through the use of a new algorithm built into a computer program. The method differs from the usual linear programming and avoids the shortcomings of the well-known algorithms. Results are given showing the profits foundries can achieve when using this algorithm. Finally, some practical aspects of the introduction of this software in a foundry are presented, with unexpected consequences on the replacement of used-up stocks.
TL;DR: In this article, an essay about the management of the inventory of tools in a company in South America, following the company growth from a personality managed shed to a huge factory, is presented.
Abstract: An essay about the management of the inventory of tools in a company in South America, following the company growth from a personality managed shed to a huge factory.