PERT: A DYNAMIC APPROACH

This paper combines learning curves with a PERT network to produce a dynamic PERT model. The dynamic model takes cognizance of the fact that many projects are of a repetitive nature and that the network may vary between runs of the project through the addition or deletion of activities attendant to producing variations of a basic model. Thus, on any given run, the activities comprising a network will exhibit varying degrees of repetitiveness. The proposed model treats the estimated completion times of activities comprising the network as a function of (1) the number of times the various activities have been repeated on prior runs of the project, and (2) the learning rate attendant to each activity. Thus, the estimated completion time for a run through the project changes as additional units are produced. A sixteen event PERT network is simulated (using the proposed dynamic model) through twenty runs of a project. The simulation is conducted under three situations; namely, with learning taking place on (1) only noncritical activities, (2) only critical activities, and (3) all activities. In all three cases the results are compared to the static PERT model. The implications of the proposed model for improved decision making are presented in the concluding remarks of the paper.     

A Study of the Impact of an Integrated Information Technology on the Time Utilization of Information Workers

This paper examines the impact of the implementation of an integrated information technology (IIT) on the time utilization of information workers as mediated by the content of the information work performed. The IIT in this study is a system of personal computers linked together in a network for sharing computing, data, and communication resources. The subjects of the study were two groups of information workers in an academic field setting. One group consisted of knowledge workers whose chief activity was to advise and counsel students. The other group represented lower level information workers who provided support service to an academic department. A two-dimensional framework was used to classify each of the activities an information worker performs relative to its importance and programmability within the context of the information work. Using work sampling methodology, it was determined that the IIT was associated with the knowledge workers' reallocation of work time to important yet relatively unstructured tasks. The lower level information workers became more efficient in performing highly structured skill-based activities. However, there was no statistically significant improvement in the effectiveness of the work completed as perceived by the clients of both groups of information workers. The results suggest that when an IIT is implemented, the manner in which newly available time is utilized depends on the nature of the information work performed by the users.     

具有时间转换约束项目网络的时差分析

在传统的网络计划模型中,当所有的紧前工序结束后,当前工序就能够马上开始。但在实践过程中,由于许多工序会受到开始时间的约束,因此工序很少能在满足优先关系约束后的任意时刻开始,而具有时间转换约束的网络则能很好地描述此类问题。本文主要研究在时间转换约束下,不同类型的工序在网络中的时间特性变化情况,并在现有研究基础上,将网络中工序的时间参数由传统的算法转换成具有时间转换约束的时间参数,提出新的机动时间计算公式。最后以案例的形式分析比较传统网络与具有时间转换约束网络的区别,从而体现时间转换约束网络模型的实践价值。     

The changing pattern of distribution

Over the last decade the domestic distribution function has changed its internal and external appearance in order to meet the needs of the market, and enable companies to remain competitive in the market place.The object of this paper is threefold: firstly, to define what changes have occurred within the domestic distribution system; secondly, to identify the reasons for these changes; and thirdly, to forecast future developments within the marketing channel structure.Recently there have been considerable improvements in productivity within the distribution function leading to both absolute cost reductions and increases in customer service levels. Four main factors are considered to have influenced these changes. Firstly, improved management awareness in the role of the distribution functions. Secondly, a significant number of technical developments affecting the operating activities within the distribution function. Thirdly, structural change within the channel and co-operation between the independent channel memebers. Finally, the external channel environment has changed considerably as a result of urban renewal programmes and increasing Government constraints.The methods by which management could achieve change with the distribution function are identified and an outline is given of the problems which may be encountered in the process.It is forecast that planning activities will play an important role in developing the distribution system to meet the market needs of the future.     

Dynamics in Groups: Are We There Yet?

We know that groups are dynamic entities, and yet we rarely study them as such. Previously hamstrung by limited theory, a decade of advances in understanding the fundamental nature of groups and change promised a revolution in group research. Our goal here is to review those theoretical developments and then examine their impact on our empirical understanding of group dynamics. Examining work done and not done, we will take stock of this work, identify the obstacles that seem to keep us focused more on group statics than dynamics, and then close by offering suggestions about not only what approaches to take when studying group dynamics, but also how the field can help develop these approaches. We hope that a review of the group dynamic literature in 2021 will celebrate our coming empirical accomplishments rather than lament a lack of them.     

Emotion Work and Emotion Space: Using a Spatial Perspective to Explore the Challenging of Masculine Emotion Management Practices

This paper sets out to investigate the possibility that employees may challenge management through their colonization of work space, facilitated by the transportation of ‘private’ behaviours and activities into the ‘public’ world of organization. It does this within the context of a broader project on the management of emotions within a special care baby unit characterized as a high risk, emergency working environment. Focusing on the experience of night nurses and drawing on the concept of differential space the article seeks to demonstrate how the dominant form of emotion work (characterized as masculine) on the unit may be contested. This is done through the creation of the unit at night as a space of empowerment, achieved through the visible enactment of a feminized form of emotion work. In this sense the analysis explores how the performance of feminine emotion work can be understood as acts of spatial resistance to the authority of the masculine emotion regime. In other words night nurses make the special care baby unit into a space which challenges the masculinist emotion management which dominates the unit. It will be suggested that our understanding of the performance of emotion management practices in particular and management practices in general may be limited if space is ignored.     

The nature of learning being facilitated by frontline managers

This article, which is based on research conducted at five Australian organizations, explores the role frontline managers play in promoting and facilitating learning at work, an area in the field of workplace learning and human resource development that has not been extensively researched. This article provides a brief review of the literature, outlines the theoretical framework and research methodology and design utilized and presents the research findings and a brief discussion. The results of this study suggest that frontline managers, who were considered leaders of learning within their respective organizations, take an instrumental approach to leading employee learning, that is, learning is seen largely as a mechanism for getting work done. Additional evidence suggests that some frontline managers provide a more expansive learning environment through the purposeful creation of conditions for learning for their employees, beyond the immediate focus on learning, simply for the purpose of getting the work done. A further finding is that much of what frontline managers do in the promotion and facilitation of employee learning is deeply embedded in the idea and practice of being an effective manager. It is hoped that the findings will provide guidance to human resource development and frontline managers in shaping learning at work.     

Control of interrelated research and development projects

The purpose of this paper is to examine a type of resource allocation problem arising in the context of research and development activities. The particular problem analyzed involves scheduling a group of projects in such a way that total cost is minimized while several precedence relations are satisfied and specific completion times are maintained. The primary difficulty results from the existence of commonalities that allow the successful completion of a particular project to be applied to several different purposes. A solution approach is developed which combines a one-pass network algorithm to deal with the precedence and time restrictions and a dynamic programming procedure to allocate the resources to each project.     

How Organizational Cognitive Neuroscience Can Deepen Understanding of Managerial Decision‐making: A Review of the Recent Literature and Future Directions

There is growing interest in exploring the potential links between human biology and management and organization studies, which is bringing greater attention to bear on the place of mental processes in explaining human behaviour and effectiveness. The authors define this new field as organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN), which is in the exploratory phase of its emergence and diffusion. It is clear that there are methodological debates and issues associated with OCN research, and the aim of this paper is to illuminate these concerns, and provide a roadmap for rigorous and relevant future work in the area. To this end, the current reach of OCN is investigated by the systematic review methodology, revealing three clusters of activity, covering the fields of economics, marketing and organizational behaviour. Among these clusters, organizational behaviour seems to be an outlier, owing to its far greater variety of empirical work, which the authors argue is largely a result of the plurality of research methods that have taken root within this field. Nevertheless, all three clusters contribute to a greater understanding of the biological mechanisms that mediate choice and decision‐making. The paper concludes that OCN research has already provided important insights regarding the boundaries surrounding human freedom to act in various domains and, in turn, self‐determination to influence the workplace. However, there is much to be done, and emerging research of significant interest is highlighted.     

基于结构可变的RBF神经网络的时间序列预测

基于神经网络的时间序列预测方法,需要正确确定网络结构,它关系到所建模型的合理性以及预测的准确性。目前确定网络结构的绝大多数方法,其网络结构一经训练确定便保持不变。然而现实中许多时间序列呈现非平稳性,其结构经常发生变化,这就要求网络结构能够动态可调,因此本文提出结构可变的径向基函数(RBF)神经网络预测模型。并采用序列蒙特卡罗(SMC)方法实现基于结构可变RBF网络的时间序列在线预测;最后采用CRU钢铁价格指数月数据进行实证研究,结果表明该模型的有效性。     

New technology and the value-based management of transformational leadership

New technology is calling on people to provide adaptive responses in situations where there are many exceptions or where a high degree of variability exists or where people provide linkages between programmable segments. Further, groups of people who are geographically dispersed and unacquainted with each other will work together to solve business problems or define a process and will then disband when the job is done. Thus, the general model of responsible autonomous job behavior becomes the key facet of individual-organization-technological relationships. It is suggested that this model is best activated by the empowerment of people through the value-based management of transformational leadership.     

A Model for Planning Resource Requirements in Health Care Organizations

In this paper we present a general model and solution methodology for planning resource requirements (i.e., capacity) in health care organizations. To illustrate the general model, we consider two specific applications: a blood bank and a health maintenance organization (HMO). The blood bank capacity planning problem involves determining the number of donor beds required and determining the size of the nursing and support staff necessary. Capacity must be sufficient to handle the expected number of blood donors without causing excessive donor waiting times. Similar staff, equipment, and service level decisions arise in the HMO capacity planning problem. To determine resource requirements, we develop an optimization/queueing network model that minimizes capacity costs while controlling customer service by enforcing a set of performance constraints, such as setting an upper limit on the expected time a patient spends in the system. The queueing network model allows us to capture the stochastic behavior of health care systems and to measure customer service levels within the optimization framework.     

Case study in Six Sigma methodology: manufacturing quality improvement and guidance for managers

This article discusses the successful implementation of Six Sigma methodology in a high precision and critical process in the manufacture of automotive products. The Six Sigma define–measure–analyse–improve–control approach resulted in a reduction of tolerance-related problems and improved the first pass yield from 85% to 99.4%. Data were collected on all possible causes and regression analysis, hypothesis testing, Taguchi methods, classification and regression tree, etc. were used to analyse the data and draw conclusions. Implementation of Six Sigma methodology had a significant financial impact on the profitability of the company. An approximate saving of US$70,000 per annum was reported, which is in addition to the customer-facing benefits of improved quality on returns and sales. The project also had the benefit of allowing the company to learn useful messages that will guide future Six Sigma activities.     

基于重大偏差标准的软件项目工作量管理方法研究

为有效管理软件项目工作量,本文研究了一个基于重大偏差标准的软件项目工作量管理模型。该模型利用过程控制的原理和数理统计的方法,提出依据重大偏差标准和风险储备时间对软件项目进行动态控制,并介绍了风险储备时间与重大偏差标准的定量设置方法。该模型涵盖了从风险储备时间的确定,到重大偏差标准的提出,再根据风险储备时间和重大偏差标准进行监控的整个过程。为提高软件项目管理精度,保证项目在可接受的偏差范围内顺利完成打下坚实的基础。     

A model for new product planning

A model is proposed for long term budget planning of new products. The model makes use of the Project Stage Survival Rate and Project Stage Cost Rate concepts discussed previously in Part I of this paper. published in our August edition.

The methodology utilizes the special attributes of the stages encountered during the R & D process. For this purpose, the project stage is used as a budgeting module. The model is oriented to satisfy the company growth objective by considering a continuous flow of new projects. The process aims at the successful completion of a planned number of projects within given time periods.

A hypothetical application of the model is presented in the form of a Budget Planning Chart.     

RFID technology for increasing visibility in ETO supply chains: a case study

This paper presents the application of an innovative system for increasing visibility along an Engineer-To-Order supply chain. The system has been applied in a leading Italian company that manufactures vessels and tube heat exchangers. By means of this method, the company shares information about its shop floor activities with other actors in the supply chain, i.e. clients and suppliers. The system elements are as follows: Radio-frequency identification transponders (to identify either components, operators, tooling machines (e.g. welding machines) or production phases), a Wi-Fi network (to communicate data) and a web-based application that is accessible by the company’s clients. This paper shows the methodology that is used to define the system’s architecture and the technical solutions adopted. Benefits in terms of reduction in costs for monitoring and control have been observed. Moreover, customers perceived the increased visibility of the production process to be a valuable service.     

An investigation of order release and flow time allowance policies for assembly job shops

The effects of a number of essentially different work order release and flow time allowance policies on the assembly order flow times and assembly order due date performance are investigated. Work orders within an assembly order have different routing length. The assembly order flow time is the time that elapses between the release of the first work order and the completion of the last work order of the assembly order. The timing of the release of work orders, and the distribution of the flow time allowance over the work orders in an assembly order were varied, and used systematic computer simulation to investigate the effects on performance. The results show that the best performance is obtained with simultaneous work order release, an average operation flow time allowance equal to the average operation waiting time and equalized flow time allowances per work order in an assembly order.     

基于MDE资源分时段与活动平移并行的均衡优化

本文以资源均方差作为衡量工程网络计划资源均衡性的评价函数,基于非关键活动资源可以分段使用的状态,提出了对非关键活动机动时间及其各个时段的资源强度同时动态并行调整的优化策略,以弥补非关键活动平移幅度因受时差的限制而对均衡效果产生的影响,并以此构建了网络计划资源均衡优化模型;并针对网络计划均衡优化模型是一多峰值的非线性优化函数的特点,对基于种群的全局搜索策略的差分进化算法进行了改进和进行全局最优解的寻优,以优化各个非关键活动起止时间,求出各个非关键活动最优的安排;最后,通过实例分析,并与其它算法进行了对比分析,验证明了所提出的均衡优化方法的优越性和实用性.     

GPRs搭接网络分解优化定理在流水作业中的应用

本文发现在GPRs搭接网络传统算法中，针对某些可分解的关键工序，通过工序的分解会产生分解悖论和咖啡时间悖论。通过对这些悖论现象的分析研究，发现其存在帕累托改进。对此，提出了两个分解优化定理及网络的分解优化方法，使网络的总工期和总时差的分布都得到了优化，为项目WBS和资源优化提供了更科学的，更充足的条件。并将该分解优化定理同流水作业原理相结合，用实例证明了该方法的可操作性，为流水作业中施工段的划分提供了科学的优化方法。