Showing papers on "Restructuring published in 1978"

Industrial Restructuring versus the Cities

Abstract: The paper argues that changes in the national economy are important in an explanation of inner city job changes and focuses upon structural reorganisation in the electrical, electronics and aerospa...

The Next Great Crisis in American Education: Computer Literacy

Abstract: The information explosion in science and the shift in our economy from the production of industrial goods to a greater emphasis on science and knowledge-based industries has created a discontinuity in the nature of jobs and our educational needs. Ironically, widespread dissatisfaction with our schools has led to a nationwide, back-to-basics movement. Computers, which have become indispensible to the operation of science, business, and government, are not a major part of American education. While many schools have introduced computers into their curriculum, these local efforts only partially satisfy the country's needs at costs which are prohibitive and unnecessary when viewed nationally. In an information society, a computer literate populace is as important as energy is to an industrial society. Other nations have begun the task of restructuring their systems to include computers and unless we begin soon, the next crisis in American education will be the computer literacy crisis.

Heterogenistics and morphogenetics

Abstract: The epistemological restructuring goes much beyond the controversy between the relativists and the universalists. It makes us realize that the basic principle of biological, social and some physical processes is increase of heterogeneity and symbiotization. It requires us to see heterogeneity not as deviation from the average but as indispensable components in the system; not as source of conflict but as source of symbiosis and mutual benefit. Furthermore, it goes beyond the concept of division of labor and considers heterogeneity as interactive network which contributes to further heterogenization, symbiotization and cultural change instead of maintenance of the status quo. It sees heterogeneity not as an instrument of evolution which is assumed to have a universal direction, but as a producer of unpredetermined directions of evolution. It sees culture or elements of culture as generating new needs and goals rather than regarding them as internally satisfactory. And it prompts us to develop a science of finding symbiotic combinations among alternative ways the heterogeneous elements can select, rather than watching unsymbiotic combinations defeat themselves.

Dynamic restructuring in an experimental operating system

Abstract: A well structured system can easily be understood and modified. Moreover, it may lend itself even to dynamic modification: under special conditions, the possibility of changing system parts while the system is running can be provided at little additional cost. Our approach to the design of dynamically modifiable systems is based on the principle of data abstraction applied to types and modules. It allows for dynamic replacement or restructuring of a module's implementation if this does not affect its specification (or if it leads to some kind of compatible specification). The fundamental principles of such "replugging" are exhibited, and the implementation of a replugging facility for an experimental operating system on a PDP-11/40E is described.

The Restructuring of Social and Political Theory

Abstract: How one evaluates Richard Bernstein's study of recent alternative approaches in political and social theory depends in part on the expectations one brings to it. It is easy to find fault with the book. Simply in terms of content, Bernstein has perhaps underestimated the literacy of his potential audience. His discussion of mainstream empirical approaches, even though it is far more even-handed than is usually the case, scarcely seems aware that in some quarters—such as those theoreticians engaged in simulation or modeling approaches—the hypothetico-deductive model has had its day. His survey of the “phenomenological alternative” is concerned primarily with Alfred Schutz and barely begins to approach the subject.

Drug firms and dependency in Mexico: the case of the steroid hormone industry

Abstract: The relationship between foreign control and national development is a central concern of the Latin American “dependency school” of analysis, which focuses on the impact of investment by multinational corporations (MNCs) in the Third World. In the MNC-dominated steroid hormone industry in Mexico, foreign control has led to two major consequences which characterize it as “dependent”: first, there has been an unequal distribution of benefits from its growth, favoring the central capitalist economies and the MNCs more than Mexico; and secondly, at the level of domestic policy formulation, there has been a restriction of choice among local development options, since these conflicted with “global” priorities implied by the dependent situation. As an alternative to MNCs, national firms in Mexico would very likely have performed better in terms of Mexican national welfare (defined as local industry growth) and global consumer welfare (defined as identical products at lower prices). The attempt made by the Mexican State during the last two years of the Echeverria administration (1975–1976) to increase its autonomy vis-a-vis the MNCs by restructuring the industry with a new state-owned firm met with only limited success. Reasons for this include Mexico's declining prominence in the world industry due to the availability of substitutes for its raw material, and the ability of the MNCs to build a strong defense using local political allies. Yet despite the difficulties, Third World countries will need to develop strong states which can deal effectively with multinational corporations if they are to successfully establish their own development priorities.

Trade and Technology in West Africa: The Case of the Niger Company, 1900–1920

Abstract: This study of the performance of the Niger Company, from surrender of the charter until its acquisition by Lever Brothers Limited, explores the ways in which the corporation organized both for stability and for change. Pooling agreements, contracts, negotiations with colonial governments and shippers aimed at defending the company's monopoly over river communications won before 1900. At the same time, company agents expanded the geographical area and the range of commercial operations into a wide variety of enterprises. Of these, the development of mining on the Bauchi Plateau and participation in the exploitation of northern Nigerian groundnuts were the most important and placed severe strains on the capacity of the firm's personnel, as well as on its working capital. The outbreak of war precipitated a crisis in the export of produce which was temporarily deferred by the exceptional profitability of raw commodities and tin concentrates. By 1919, the need for skilled personnel and greater amounts of capital compounded the difficulties arising from too great a reliance on river transport. The company assisted with railway construction and used the new system to meet commitments in its relationship with the mining companies; but it did not decide to restructure its operations in Nigeria to keep pace with changes brought about by railway communications, particularly at Lagos and Port Harcourt. The study, therefore, draws attention to the importance of technological adaptation in business performance, particularly in the case of an enterprise with a number of generalized functions in a rapidly changing tropical market.

Local Government Reform in Malaysia

Abstract: IN MALAYSIA, AS in other developing countries of Asia, local government reform has been necessitated by new challenges to local units of government and, subsequently, their changing role in national developmental and political processes.' Rapid urbanization, which is a by-product of the Malaysian government's strategy for intercommunal redistribution and restructuring society, has substantially increased the demands for local services and an improved standard of living.2 This has made it imperative that powers and resources of local governments be increased and their administrative capability be strengthened to enable them to perform new functions. As compared to the colonial period when local government in Malaysia was looked upon as an agency primarily associated with tasks such as garbage collection and street cleaning, it is now viewed as a "catalyst" for development and, as the late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak pointed out,

A New Brezhnev Doctrine: The Restructuring of International Relations

Abstract: Contemporary Soviet doctrine on international relations emphasizes changes in the relationships of both domestic and world political structures; all the processes of restructuring are said to be “organically” interconnected. An extensive reconceptualization of domestic processes of social change has provided ideological legitimation for elites in the highly bureaucratized Soviet system. Meanwhile, according to Soviet spokesmen, the world correlation of forces has shifted decisively in favor of the U.S.S.R. Because of this change in the world balance, the Soviets claim the power to set the rules in international relations. The new Brezhnev Doctrine projects the U.S.S.R. as the center of the world, largely determining the direction and pace of political change. The Soviet leaders view detente in terms of rational acceptance by the “imperialist camp” of unavoidable processes of restructuring favorable to the “socialist camp.”

The Limits of Terrorism in Insurgency Warfare: The Case of the Viet Cong

Abstract: The various types and uses of terrorism have given rise to much misunderstanding and confusion. Here the author attempts to clarify the concept and evaluate its role in revolutionary warfare. He examines in detail the place of terroristic practices in Viet Cong tactics and finds that, contrary to the perception of American policy-makers, they were employed selectively and with restraintm clearly secondary in importance to the strategy of ideological and organizational restructuring of the countryside.

Restructuring the United Nations system: institutional reform efforts in the context of North-South relations

Abstract: Since 1975, the United Nations has undertaken major deliberations to consider institutional reform of the UN system. Such restructuring activities have sprung from widespread dissatisfaction with the United Nations' capacity to deal with problems of economic development and relations between industrialized and developing countries. UN reform efforts have focused on two broad areas: reshaping the deliberative and policy-making operations of central UN institutions in order to reach more coherent global policies on international economic and social affairs; and reorganizing the planning, coordination, and implementation of UN programs to achieve these policy goals more effectively. In 1977, the General Assembly adopted the report of an intergovernmental Ad Hoc Committee, which provided detailed guidelines for prospective UN restructuring, and assigned its recommendations to relevant units within the UN system for the purpose of implementing these reforms. Major themes emphasized in these guidelines include an increased centralization and integration of the UN system in dealing with international economic and social affairs and improved efficiency and coordination of UN operations and activities in these areas. Fundamental to the course of UN restructuring deliberations—and to the extent and significance of eventual institutional reforms—has been the linkage between UN reorganization and the disposition of substantive North-South issues, as the restructuring exercise remains tied to the pace and direction of negotiations concerning “a new international economic order.”

Education as a Socio‐Practical Field: The Restructuring of Educational Theory

Abstract: (1978). Education as a Socio‐Practical Field: The Restructuring of Educational Theory. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 1-25.

Technology and economic dependency: an institutional assessment

Abstract: The theory of Thorstein Veblen that necessity dictates invention is expanded to include the diffusion of technological advances to other countries. This concept is examined in the context of technology transfer from economically developed to developing countries. The interaction of economics, politics, and technology are traced and the point made that policies aimed at self-sufficiency or small-scale applications may tend to isolate an underdeveloped country from the mainstream of world progress. A restructuring of world economic and political relations would be required to change the technological interdependence that exists today. 13 references.

An actor-oriented systems model for the analysis of industrial democracy measures

Abstract: The paper ‘Aetors, games and systems’ by Baumgartner, Burns and De Ville in this volume outlines the theoretical perspective of an actor-oriented systems analysis. This paper here is an outgrowth of that general research effort to model and analyze the structuring and restructuring of social systems. The paper focuses in particular on the visual representation of key concepts of this actor-oriented systems analysis. This modelling exercise involves a simple model of a capitalist system designed to assess the restructuring potential of forms and reforms of work organisation commonly known as industrial democracy measures.1

A History of Wing-Base Organization and Considerations for Change

Abstract: : The historical evolution of the wing-base organization is traced from 1925 to the current time. A documentation of events, the perceptions of military and civilian leaders, and views of the author provide a background for understanding the frequent reorganizations which have occurred and which have always been targeted at furthering the employment of airpower. The potential loss of the Air Force organizational, corporate memory and a lack of explicit organizational feedback are seen as the main drawbacks to accomplishing future restructuring in a reasoned manner. This study provides both a single historical record and a sampling of the attitudes of key personnel regarding the sufficiency of the existing wing-base organization. Areas of organizational dissatisfactions are identified and further action by HQ USAF is recommended.

Short (and Long) War Responses: Restructuring, Border Defense, and Reserve Mobilization for Armored Warfare.

Abstract: : Contents: The Political Problem Of Divergent Interests And Perceptions Of The Military Balance; The Military Problem Of Operational Concept And Organization; Countering The Surprise Attack--A Critique; New Approaches For Countering Surprise; Territorial Defense: Countering Surprise And Obtaining Border And In-Depth Defense; Organizing For Armored Warfare And Operational Reserves; Driving Militarily Robust And Politically Satisfactory Solutions

Research findings and administrative implications for off-campus higher education

Abstract: While off-campus educational programs grow in number and in importance in American higher education, little systematic research has been conducted concerning their effectiveness and intellectual and developmental impact. The project described here compared students in three categories: those studying abroad; those studying off-campus in this country; and those who remained on their home campus. The implications of the findings of the research suggest that a rethinking of existing programs is appropriate, if off-campus educational programs are to realize their full potential. The authors offer concrete suggestions toward restructuring these programs.

System design approaches to public services

Abstract: Applying his practical knowledge from years of experience with public services in mental-health communities, the author examines the weaknesses in our own services and make viable suggestions for restructuring them into total and life-extending systems.