Improving operational plant performance in international manufacturing networks: the effects of integrative capabilities and plant roles

Abstract

This study adopts the resource-based view to examine how two integrative capabilities of a plant embedded in a manufacturing network enhance operational performance: the capability to connect with other plants in its manufacturing network (a networking capability, NC), and the capability to integrate manufacturing processes with new product development processes (a new product development capability, NPDC). Our model tests the indirect effect of NC on cost, quality, flexibility and delivery through NPDC. Furthermore, we test if the relationship between NC and NPDC depends on the strategic role of the plant. Using survey data from a sample of 521 plants, we confirmed the mediating effect of NPDC. However, the moderation effect was not confirmed. Our findings reveal that plants can deploy NPDC capabilities, fostered by NC, independently from their role in the network. This study contributes to the understanding of plant capabilities and plant roles in manufacturing networks.     

A methodological strategy for a one-number census in the UK

As a result of lessons learnt from the 1991 census, a research programme was set up to seek improvements in census methodology. Underenumeration has been placed top of the agenda in this programme, and every effort is being made to achieve as high a coverage as possible in the 2001 census. In recognition, however, that 100% coverage will never be achieved, the one-number census (ONC) project was established to measure the degree of underenumeration in the 2001 census and, if possible, to adjust fully the outputs from the census for that undercount. A key component of this adjustment process is a census coverage survey (CCS). This paper presents an overview of the ONC project, focusing on the design and analysis methodology for the CCS. It also presents results that allow the reader to evaluate the robustness of this methodology.     

The Tyranny of the Customer and the Cost of Consumerism: An Analysis Using Systems and Psychoanalytic Approaches to Groups and Society

This paper argues that an organizationaldiscourse on consumerism is replacing a prior discourseof dependency. This discourse encourages, and isencouraged by, economic rationales for behavior and ismarked by the collapse of many complex societal rolesinto the simpler category of customer.Moreover, practices emergent from consumerism andeconomic rationalism often act as organizational andsocial defences against anxieties about theuncertainties and changes occurring in a worldincreasingly dominated by global markets where thecustomer is sovereign. Six workinghypotheses are proposed to explain the operation of these new socialdefences. Evidence in support of these hypotheses comesfrom collaborative action research projects in which theauthor is involved. The argument moves toward a consideration of the new consumerprovider pair which, it is proposed, has becomea major signifier within the consumer discourse andwhich might be considered as a transitional pair indealing with widespread organizationalchange.     

Terrorist Population Dynamics Model

A system that includes a number of terrorist cells is considered. The cells can consist of one or more terrorists. The current number of terrorist cells is further denoted by N(t), where t is a current time counted from any appropriate origin. The objective is to find the evolution of the system in terms of N(t) and some interpretable parameters, such as the initial number of the terrorist cells N0=N(0), the cell disabling rate constant lambda (or the cell half-life t1/2), and the rate of formation of new cells P. The cost-effectiveness analysis, performed in the framework of the model, reveals that the effectiveness of disabling a terrorist cell is getting worse after 2-3 half-lives of a cell, which shows that if the anti-terrorist actions have not reached their goal during that time, the respective policy should be considered for revision, using the risk assessment consideration. Another important issue raised concerns balancing the efforts related to counterterrorism actions inside the system and the efforts protecting its borders. The respective data analysis is suggested and illustrated using simulated data.     

中国湿地经典--红河哈尼梯田

红河哈尼梯田是哀牢山区以哈尼族为代表的各族人民在千百年勤奋劳作中开创的一套梯田文明系统,它是中国山区稻田农耕的最高典范,更是中国人工湿地的不朽经典。它在原先没有湿地的哀牢山区创造了人工湿地梯田,与长江中下游平原和三江平原改变天然湿地为稻田和耕地相比,更显出它保持水土、调节气候、维护生物多样性等湿地功能。     

学分制下学生思想政治工作的思考

本文针对学分制下学生思想政治工作遇到的新情况、新问题 ,结合本校实际 ,就学分制下如何搞好我校学生的思想政治工作 ,作了一些有益的探索 ,提出几点看法。     

冰箱化霜温控开关温度特性全自动测试台

本文介绍了自行研制的冰箱化霜温控开关温度特性全自动测试合，它每次检测数可达１００只，工作槽温度场均匀性在±０．１℃以内，控温精度达±０２℃．文中对其设计原理、系统流程及控制系统等作了详细描述．     

社会科学理论体系的基本结构、评价标准与建构方法

社会科学理论体系是正确反映社会客体本质和规律的理性知识,它是由基本原理、经验知识和逻辑方法构成的整体系统,其基本评价标准包括客观实证、逻辑自洽、构造简单和理论预见四个方面。建立理论体系是社会科学基础研究的直接目的,为此所运用的最一般的建构方法主要是历史与逻辑相统一的方法、由抽象上升到具体的方法、公理化方法、原型移植方法和理想化方法等。     

论我国夫妻财产制的不足与完善

介绍了夫妻财产制度的立法概况 ,对世界各国夫妻财产制度立法的利弊进行了横向比较。同时 ,对我国建国后通过的三部婚姻法进行了纵向比较 ,指出其不足之处 ,阐述了完善夫妻财产制度立法的构想     

完善西部房地产市场的对策思考

对阻碍西部房地产市场发展的相关因素进行了具体分析 ,在此基础上提出了搞好房地产市场发展规划、调整房地产投资结构、搞好物业管理、完善房地产市场中介体系、健全相关法规的几点建议。