Showing papers in "Omega-international Journal of Management Science in 1984"
176 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of small firms in the diffusion of new technologies is discussed, specifically semiconductors and computer aided design (CAD), and the authors demonstrate the interrelationship between the two.
Abstract: It is clear from research policy statements throughout Europe and in the USA and Japan that governments are becoming increasingly interested in the well-being of small firms. This is based on a belief in their ability to generate employment, their potential for the industrial regeneration of the so-called development areas and their ability to produce technological innovations. It is to this latter issue—the innovation potential of small firms—that this article is addressed. Further, while most studies of the role of small firms in innovation have been concerned with ‘innovation counts’ and have adopted a rather static approach, we are here concerned with their role in the dynamics of the introduction and diffusion of new technologies, specifically semiconductors and computer aided design (CAD). Moreover, there has in the past been a tendency to emphasize the role of the small firms or the role of large firms in innovation; we reject this rather sterile view and demonstrate the interrelationship between the two. In both areas—semiconductors and CAD—the initial breakthroughs were made in the RD it was through the actions of new technology-based small firms that these innovations were diffused into more general use. Again in both cases, the basic technological know-how, the entrepreneurs themselves and often the risk capital, derived from the original innovating large companies. Thus, policies that do not take into account the dynamic complementarities between the large and the small clearly are of only limited utility.
137 citations
TL;DR: A heuristic algorithm, based upon the daily vehicle routing algorithm of Fisher and Jaikumar, is presented and computational results are given for test problems drawn from the literature.
Abstract: In this paper we consider the period vehicle routing problem, which is the problem of designing routes for delivery vehicles to meet customer service level requirements (not all customers require delivery on every day in the period). A heuristic algorithm, based upon the daily vehicle routing algorithm of Fisher and Jaikumar, is presented and computational results are given for test problems drawn from the literature.
121 citations
TL;DR: A guided tour of those scheduling techniques in which the performance measures bear in one way or the other on job due dates based on scheduling objectives is provided.
Abstract: This paper provides a guided tour of those scheduling techniques in which the performance measures bear in one way or the other on job due dates. The classification is based on scheduling objectives. Within each category the theoretical developments and computational experiences have been reviewed.
109 citations
TL;DR: This paper reports on the several ways in which an apparently simple problem was approached and recognises that the process of solution which is adopted can dictate the eventual outcome and determine what the recommendations will be.
Abstract: Problems may be viewed from many different angles and in many different ways. The order in which facts are collected, the attitudes of the people involved in the problem, the climate in which the problem finds itself to be, all play their parts in determining what the problem is perceived to be and how it is tackled. This paper reports on the several ways in which an apparently simple problem was approached and recognises that the process of solution which is adopted can dictate the eventual outcome and determine what the recommendations will be.
100 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that weak dominance in terms of payoffs is equivalent to weak dominance of regret, and that regret is a better measure of regret than strong dominance of one strategy over another.
Abstract: The paper deals with decision making under conditions of linear partial information, i.e. when probabilities of states of nature are not known precisely, but are subject to linear constraints. Conditions ensuring strict and weak statistical dominance of one strategy over another are derived. It is also shown that weak dominance in terms of payoffs is equivalent to weak dominance in terms of regrets. The new results are more general than those obtained by Fishburn and by Kmietowicz and Pearman for weak and strict ranking of probabilities, and include them as special cases. The new results can be employed in practical decision making in several ways.
72 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of organizational design choices are involved with the introduction of new technology, and it is not expected that the changes discussed will be appropriate to all kinds of organization.
Abstract: New technology can provide the means to institute considerable changes in management organization, both through its application to operations and through its direct use in managerial work. These changes are expected to lead to smaller more cohesive management structures on the basis of the advantages offered by new technology for control and integration. However, a number of organizational design choices are involved with the introduction of new technology. These may present uncertainties, and it is not expected that the changes discussed will be appropriate to all kinds of organization. In Britain, there are also particular institutional and cultural barriers to the full realization of new technology's managerial potential.
66 citations
TL;DR: Accuracy studies in particular that of Makridakis et al.
Abstract: The major purpose of studies of forecasting accuracy is to help forecasters select the ‘best’ forecasting method. This paper examines accuracy studies in particular that of Makridakis et al. [20] with a view to establishing how they contribute to model choice. It is concluded that they affect the screening that most forecasters go through in selecting a range of methods to analyze—in Bayesian terms they are a major determinant of ‘prior knowledge’. This general conclusion is illustrated in the specific case of the Makridakis Competition (M-Competition). A survey of expert forecasters was made in both the UK and US. The respondents were asked about their familiarity with eight methods of univariate time series forecasting, and their perceived accuracy in three different forecasting situations. The results, similar for both the UK and US, were that the forecasters were relatively familiar with all the techniques included except Holt-Winters and Bayesian. For short horizons Box-Jenkins was seen as most accurate while trend curves was perceived as most suitable for the long horizons. These results are contrasted with those of the M-Competition, and conclusions drawn on how the results of the M-Competition should influence model screening and model choice.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare five distributions, the normal, the logistic, the lognormal, the gamma and the Weibull for obtaining the expected number of back orders, the reorder levels to have a given protection and the optimal order quantity, reorder level in continuous review models of (Q, r ) type.
Abstract: Several distributions have been used for approximating the lead time demand distribution in inventory systems. We compare five distributions, the normal, the logistic, the lognormal, the gamma and the Weibull for obtaining the expected number of back orders, the reorder levels to have a given protection and the optimal order quantity, reorder levels in continuous review models of ( Q, r ) type. The normal and the logistic distributions are inadequate to represent the situations where the coefficient of variation (the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) of the lead time demand distribution is large. The lognormal, the gamma and the Weibull distributions are versatile and adequate; however the lognormal seems to be a viable candidate because of its computational simplicity.
39 citations
TL;DR: A heuristic algorithm is developed for the problem of vehicle routing using fixed delivery areas based upon an initial allocation of customers to subareas followed by customer interchanges in an attempt to improve the subarea quality.
Abstract: In this paper we consider the problem of vehicle routing using fixed delivery areas. This is the problem of splitting the area serviced by a depot into a number of separate subareas—a single delivery vehicle being assigned to each subarea to supply all the customers within the subarea. A heuristic algorithm is developed for the problem based upon an initial allocation of customers to subareas followed by customer interchanges in an attempt to improve the subareas. Computational results are presented for a number of test problems drawn from the literature.
37 citations
TL;DR: For many firms, investment in computer-aided design is an important first step towards integrated systems of design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) as discussed by the authors, which requires higher levels of technical skills at senior levels than are normally found in British engineering firms.
Abstract: For many firms, investment in computer-aided design is an important first step towards integrated systems of design and manufacture (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacture—CAD/CAM). A recent study of CAD in the British engineering industry has indicated that few firms have yet fully recognised its strategic significance. Successful selection and implementation of CAD/CAM requires changes in investment appraisal procedures and demands higher levels of technical skills at senior levels than are normally found in British engineering firms.
TL;DR: This paper deals with the analysis and application of queueing models for single and multi stage flexible manufacturing systems that are subject to resource failure and validates the approximations by comparing their performance estimates against the exact global balance solution.
Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis and application of queueing models for single and multi stage flexible manufacturing systems that are subject to resource failure. Exact results are derived for the single stage queueing system. Two approximations are presneted for the multi stage queueing system as a closed network. We validate the approximations by comparing their performance estimates against the exact global balance solution.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that it is necessary to consider the implications of technical change on three levels of effect (operating, organizational and strategic) in order to make a comprehensive assessment.
Abstract: In the absence of empirical research, media and government publicity have created false expectations and unnecessary anxieties about the effects of new technology. It is comparatively easy to show how information technology can produce productivity gains and job losses in specific areas. But it is not realistic to extrapolate ‘local’ effects to an organization as a whole, or to the economy. The argument of this paper is that it is necessary to consider the implications of technical change on three ‘levels of effect’—operating, organizational and strategic—in order to make a comprehensive assessment. Management, however, appear to concentrate on operating criteria, ignore the consequences of organizational decisions, and do not explore the strategic opportunities of the new technology. The potential strategic advantages may thus not be achieved.
TL;DR: A stocktaking and review of research in production/operations management, carried out for the Social Science Research Council as discussed by the authors, describes the scope and importance of the management of production and operations.
Abstract: This paper reports the results of a stocktaking and review of research in Production/Operations Management, carried out for the Social Science Research Council. The paper describes the scope and importance of the management of production/operations. Areas of importance for future directions for research are explored and a number of issues concerned with research in the area are examined.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of a study of quality circle failures in UK manufacturing companies, which reveals that the majority of companies which implement quality circles should expect to encounter some form of failure.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study of quality circle failures in UK manufacturing companies. A questionnaire survey formed the first part of the investigation, which reveals that the majority of companies which implement quality circles should expect to encounter some form of failure. The first three years of operating a quality circle programme represent the critical period for establishing long-term survival of the programme, whilst in the case of individual circles it is the first 18 months. The results indicate that white collar circles are more difficult to sustain over time than are circles in blue collar areas. The main reasons for circle failure include: rejection of the concept by top management and trade unions; the company restructuring, redundancies and labour turnover; circle leaders lacking time to organise meetings and a lack of co-operation from middle and first-line management. It is pointed out, that despite an average circle failure rate of 20%, there is a high level of satisfaction with quality circles amongst the respondents.
TL;DR: This paper describes and presents the results of an experiment that was used to investigate the relationships between cognitive types, information presentation and their effect on decision making performance within the context of an MIS/DSS.
Abstract: This paper describes and presents the results of an experiment that was used to investigate the relationships between cognitive types, information presentation and their effect on decision making performance within the context of an MIS/DSS. The experimental task required subjects to specify production levels for future periods given information on prior results. Ninety-six subjects performed the experiment, with 24 in each of the four Jungian cognitive type groups. All subjects received the same information for making decisions but different information presentation modes. The information presentation modes included raw and statistically summarized data and graphical and tabular layouts. The subjects were provided their results after each of their ten decision ‘runs’ via hard copy output. Decisions were entered at CRT terminals by the subjects. Experimental results demonstrated significant differences in performance by cognitive types. Decision performance rankings were partially supported by the results. Hypothesized pairings of cognitive types and information presentation modes were also partially supported. Implications of the results for MIS/DSS design are explored.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of internal and external capital investment funding patterns on the innovativeness of British small independent firms were investigated by using a combined sample of firms from the relatively prosperous South East and the more problematic Scottish development region.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the effects of internal and external capital investment funding patterns on the innovativeness of British small independent firms. By using a combined sample of firms from the relatively prosperous South East and the more problematic Scottish development region, an additional diverse regional economic perspective is given to data initially presented in a national context. Beyond a presentation of the extent of external borrowing, the paper seeks to establish the characteristics of firms obtaining external funds and to assess whether this external capital borrowing sub-sample is mainly comprised of low technology firms in decline, or of high technology firms fueling innovation-led expansion. Data is included on the role of both public and private loan agencies in the external funding process. Conclusions are based on the pattern of results and focus on ways in which the delivery of financial aid might be improved to assist expansion, particularly in fast growing high technology small firms.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the effects of new microprocessor technology such as FMS, CAD/CAM, CNC systems and so on, on industrial relations are relatively indeterminate, given that new production-systems may permit a range of organizational and manpower solutions.
Abstract: This paper argues that the effects of the new microprocessor technology such as FMS, CAD/CAM, CNC systems and so on, on industrial relations are relatively indeterminate, given that new production-systems may permit a range of organizational and manpower solutions. Examples are cited from a number of cross-national empirical studies, relating to selected countries in Western Europe. The first deals with the impact of technology on industrial democracy; the second, with the effect on skill-polarization and hence on employee-involvement. The problems of assessing causal relations are then discussed and the paper concludes that whatever the impact of technology on industrial behaviour, the impact of formal participative norms appears to be greater.
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study of technical progress in the computer industry is presented, which reveals a butterfly pattern of interaction between product and process innovations: the loss in relevance of process innovations is almost exactly compensated by the gain in the relevance of product innovations to technical progress over time.
Abstract: This paper presents certain novel composite measures of technology There are several important uses of the proposed measures in R & D management: to gauge the rate of innovation within any given field, to determine the relative contribution of chosen variables to technical progress, to isolate critical factors in the innovative activity, and to predict whether a technology is ahead or behind its time This is illustrated here by means of a case study of technical progress in the computer industry The theoretical framework of the case study is based on the earlier works of the author pointing to the existence of what may be called technology cycles that transcend both product life cycle and organization product cycle and have the same significance to innovative activity as have business cycles to economic activity The results of our investigation reveal a ‘butterfly pattern’ of interaction between product and process innovations: The loss in the relevance of process innovations is almost exactly compensated by the gain in the relevance of product innovations to technical progress over the course of time The results also indicate that although the pace of technical progress in the computer industry has been exceptionally rapid in the past, it shows signs of slowing down in the future The policy implications of these findings are discussed
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present five case studies of quality circle failures and provide a detailed picture of some of the reasons behind quality circle failure as identified in Part 1 of this study, which indicates that it will be easier to implement quality circles if a business is in a stable phase and the probability of success and survival will be higher.
Abstract: This paper presents five case studies of quality circle failures which provide a detailed picture of some of the reasons behind quality circle failures as identified in Part 1 of this study. The results also indicate that it will be easier to implement quality circles if a business is in a stable phase and the probability of success and survival will be higher. However, there is no absolutely right time to introduce quality circles and a company facing severe economic difficulties may be able to achieve a successful programme, but in such cases survival will ultimately depend on maintaining trade union support. It is pointed out that quality circle programmes are able to withstand a high failure rate of individual circles yet still be very successful.
TL;DR: A quantitative analysis of innovation activity and its relation to traditional academic activity at Chalmers University of Technology is presented in this article, where a list of 14 yardsticks of faculty performance is given and compared with the innovation activities.
Abstract: A quantitative analysis of innovation activity and its relation to traditional academic activity at Chalmers University of Technology is presented. A list of 14 yardsticks of faculty performance is given and compared with the innovation activities. A description of the steadily increasing patent application and spin-off company activity at Chalmers is presented. The undergraduate grades of spin-off company founders are compared with those of non-founders. The average grades in the two groups are very similar, but the spreads in grades of the individual students in the two groups are significantly different. Spin-off company founders tend to have a wider spread in grades than non-founders. A study of science citations vs patent applications for 44 researchers/inventors at Chalmers reveals a strong positive rank correlation between these two activities.
TL;DR: The findings reported result from a questionnaire survey, and a number of company interviews are identified, and further questions which need to be answered are identified as mentioned in this paper, and a research project to provide these answers is outlined.
Abstract: The findings reported result from a questionnaire survey, and a number of company interviews. Further questions which need to be answered are identified, and a research project to provide these answers is outlined.
TL;DR: The authors used discriminant analysis methods to predict which approach a company will use to determine transfer prices given its weightings of certain "determinants" which theory suggests should be relevant to the decision.
Abstract: There is a considerable literature on transfer pricing. One strand of this literature is empirical and is concerned with the extent to which companies use the various transfer pricing methods. The other strand is strongly normative being directed to devising transfer pricing methods and defining the circumstances under which it is appropriate to use them. This study attempts to address both these questions by using discriminant analysis methods to predict which approach a company will use to determine transfer prices given its weightings of certain ‘determinants’ which theory suggests should be relevant to the decision. Domestic and international transfer pricing are considered separately. Discriminant analysis is shown to be quite successful in predicting the transfer pricing systems adopted by the UK companies surveyed.
TL;DR: This paper demonstrates that it is practical to develop a comprehensive process of 'strategic issue management' (SIM) that will facilitate the systematic identification, assessment and analysis of such issues.
Abstract: The notion of a ‘strategic issues’ is rather pervasive in the field of planning in both conceptual [5, 19] and practical contexts. For instance, sometime ago the Wall Street Journal [41] reported that at least 50 large firms have created positions of ‘issues management director’; a dramatic increase in the number of such positions. ‘True’ strategic issues have a readily apparent importance to any organization; yet the process of identifying such issues and of integrating them into strategic planning and management is not well developed. Most treatments of strategic issues deal only with specific segments of the overall process through which relevant issues may be initially identified and finally translated into appropriate strategy [e.g. 5, 17]. This paper demonstrates that it is practical to develop a comprehensive process of ‘strategic issue management’ (SIM) that will facilitate the systematic identification, assessment and analysis of such issues. Such a process can ensure that issue-related factors are fully integrated into the formulation and implementation of strategy and plans. As such, SIM is a process whereby strategic issues may become an integral element of strategic management.
TL;DR: GRASP satisfies a range of simulation needs within the context of designing, implementing and operating industrial robotic systems and has proved itself technically, and also as an educational tool, by showing how a proposed system would operate.
Abstract: This paper describes the GRASP computer aided design system for modelling and evaluating industrial robot workplaces. GRASP satisfies a range of simulation needs within the context of designing, implementing and operating industrial robotic systems. The GRASP software may be used to investigate robots operating by themselves or, more likely, as part of an integrated cell. Facilities within GRASP assist workplace layout, position and velocity evaluations, clash detection and co-ordination between items. A robot library exists and is being extended, and an embryo off-line programming facility has been used under restricted conditions. GRASP has been used to help solve a wide range of practical industrial robot problems and has proved itself technically, and also as an educational tool, by showing how a proposed system would operate. The paper describes the facilities within GRASP.
TL;DR: In this paper, two concepts of management style are drawn together for a more complete description of the individual and therefore of the organisation, based on Jung's personality types and Maslow's concept of basic motivation, embracing his famous hierarchy of needs.
Abstract: Two concepts of management style are drawn together in this paper for a more complete description of the individual and therefore of the organisation. The concepts are those of decision style, based on Jung's personality types, and Maslow's concept of basic motivation, embracing his famous hierarchy of needs. Maslow's growth-motivated are found to have the flexibility of decision style which characterises the best managers. This unified concept of the individual enables a better understanding of many issues in planning and management and examples are given in organisational design and personnel planning. A growth-motivated management is seen as necessary for successful multidimensional functioning and decision style must be matched to organisational purpose. The lifecycle of organisations is characterised by growth-motivated founders and their decline attributable to the loss of this growth-motivation and to decision styles inappropriate to the stage of lifecycle and purpose of the organisation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple method is given for estimating robot throughput times from elementary velocity profiles, and the falloff in throughput due to the effect of many small robot movements is emphasised.
Abstract: The successful introduction of robots into an industrial enterprise means real commitment, engineering support, and detailed involvement in the planning of an integrated manufacturing system. In particular, the production engineer is clearly seen in this context to be the system designer. He must therefore be in a position to specify the performance of all man and machine components within the system such that productivity is maximised. Robot types are reviewed, and analogies between man and machine are used to introduce the RTM concept. Finally, a simple method is given for estimating robot throughput times from elementary velocity profiles. The fall-off in throughput due to the effect of many small robot movements is emphasised.
TL;DR: To uncover the effects of FMS technology on optimal organizational size, factors other than variable production cost savings must be considered, which enlarges the scope of the decision model required to evaluate FMS configurations.
Abstract: FMS is new technology with many considerations that differ from those familiarly applied to job shop, flow shop and automated flow shop work configurations. A major obstacle to using FMS is that little is known about how to co-ordinate flexible work and transfer activities to obtain a relatively constant flow of marketable output. In the past year, articles on FMS have appeared with increasing frequency. Their emphasis highlights the reduction in variable production costs that FMS promises. This paper describes a different approach, namely, to uncover the effects of FMS technology on optimal organizational size. To achieve this end, we must consider factors other than variable production cost savings. This enlarges the scope of the decision model required to evaluate FMS configurations. The investigation proceeds along two diverse, but complementary paths. One is based on a theoretical model, using non-linear breakeven analysis. The second employs empirical data obtained from industrial users. The theoretical model indicates that FMS requires a larger total output than the system it replaces. Empirical results tend to confirm this finding. In addition, FMS alters other managerial considerations, including appropriate marketing strategies.