Labour Market Structures,Labour Market Policy and Wage Formation in the OECD

This paper investigates why the incentive to moderate wages in an environment of rising unemployment differs so strongly among the OECD countries. In the first part we develop an insider-outsider bargaining model in which the wage results from a confrontation of the insiders' wage claims and the employer's wage offer. The second part of the paper empirically tests the model's predictions for the determinants of wage flexibility. The degree of centralization of wage bargaining, the extent of active labour market policy and the characteristics of the unemployment benefit system are shown to be relevant determinants.     

Knowledge-based system for selection of an AGV and a workcentre for transport of a part in on-line scheduling of FMS

The operational level of flexible manufacturing systems FMS is concerned with the detailed decision making required for real-time operation. The real-time control of FMS is extremely complex. On-line scheduling is referred to as real-time control of FMS. On-line scheduling of an FMS requires decision making in various scheduling problems such as selection of an AGV and a workcentre from a set of workcentres simultaneously requesting the service for transport of a part, selection of a new part type to be released into the system, etc. This paper describes a prototype knowledge-based system for selection of an AGV and a workcentre from a set of workcentres simultaneously requesting the service for transport of a part in on-line scheduling of FMS. The knowledge-based system is evaluated by the empirical approach. On-line scheduling of FMS gives potential advantages such as productivity and low throughput time.     

A combined optimization and agent-based approach to supply chain modelling and performance assessment

The main objective of this paper is to give an example of how expert systems techniques for distributed decision-making can be combined with contemporary numerical optimization techniques for the purposes of supply chain optimization and to describe the resulting software implementation. In this paper, multi-agent modelling techniques are applied to simulate and control a simple demand-driven supply chain network system, with the manufacturing component being optimized through mathematical programming. The system measures supply chain performance and the effect of different parameters in the replenishment control system, and can be used to simulate the behaviour of a system that uses optimization for part of its decision-making. The objective of this supply chain network system is to reduce operating cost, while maintaining a high level of customer order fulfilment.     

企业知识管理绩效的模糊评价模型与分析矩阵

在总结国内外知识管理绩效评价指标体系研究现状的基础上,提出应从过程和结果2个方面对知识管理绩效进行评价;建立了一套实用性较强的知识管理评价指标体系,并尝试用"模糊多级综合评价方法"对企业的知识管理绩效进行评价;指出了对评价得分进行分析的方法,并独创了过程-结果分析矩阵.     

Institutional and Stakeholder Mapping: Frameworks for Policy Analysis and Institutional Change

Despite its importance and its widespread employment in policymaking practice, the theoretical and epistemic foundations of institutional mapping have not been elaborated and its legitimacy is yet to be fully granted by the academic community. This paper is a contribution to this overdue effort. The paper has two parts. First it introduces mapping as a cognitive process and explore in this context the structural similarities between maps and theories. While doing that it identifies the basic elements of mapping as a cognitive procedure and based on that it outlines the optimal features of the possible meta-theories framing policy-oriented institutional mapping. The second part goes a step further and discusses two concrete examples that may come close to illustrate the meta-theoretical ideal-type outlined at the end of the first part: the theoretical system implied in the Chicago School of sociology and the Institutional Analysis and Development framework inspired by the new institutional economics.     

浅析现代资本市场体系下的保险资金

本文对现代资本市场体系下的保险资金进行了分析，首先分析了保险资金的构成，接着对保险资金和资本市场的相互关系进行了考察，并分析了当前保险资金运用的现状，最后提出了对当前保险资金运用的思考。     

Modelling and controlling product manufacturing systems using bond-graphs and state equations: Continuous systems and discrete systems which can be represented by continuous models

This paper presents an approach to the modelling and control phases involved in a cooperative process of design and management of the manufacturing systems. Modelling the evolution of the production flow, in the different sections of the system, is based upon the use of the bondgraph methodology in order to reach the state formalism which constitutes one of the modern representations of automation. The class of the systems studied ranges from continuous systems to discrete systems, which can be represented by a continuous approach according to the level of approximation required. The first part of this paper is dedicated to the development of generic models associated with the various basic entities of the manufacturing systems. Then, the bondgraph model of any system is obtained by assembling generic models in relation to the implementation of the means of the studied system, thus guaranteeing a representation which is quite close to the engineering sketches. Finally, switching to the state equation is performed systematically with the easiness provided by this formalism while taking into account the causality principle. An application, involving most of the elementary models developed, concludes the paper.     

Definition and aggregation of a performance measurement system in three aeronautical workshops using the ECOGRAI method

The requirement for a performance measurement system is essential in order to know the status of the production system and then to improve its control. Focused on research on the control of production systems for 20 years with the development of GRAI methodology, the LAPS/GRAI of University Bordeaux 1 worked for more than 10 years on the definition and the implementation of performance indicator systems through the development of ECOGRAI method and on the aggregation of performance. This paper presents an application of the ECOGRAI method to a workshop inside an aeronautical subcontracting company close to Bordeaux. The first part of the paper will be dedicated to a short presentation of the ECOGRAI method. In particular, we will present six phases of the structured approach and the main tools which are used in the method: the GRAI grid, the coherence panel and the specification sheet and the identity card of the indicators. In the second part, we will present a test case. First, we will present the context of the test case and the objectives that we had to meet. Then we will present the models of the control system and of the physical system through the GRAI grid and actigrams. We will show how we proposed to model the global control of the company and the detailed control of each workshop. Then, we will focus particularly on the way we have identified the performance indicators, based on the objectives and decision variables of the GRAI grid. We will also show how we solved the problem of aggregation of performance in relation to the coordination of decision-making. In the third part, we will detail how we ensured that these indicators were adapted to the control of the workshop and how we ensured their consistency. Finally, we will show to what extent the implementation of the coherent performance indicator system had an impact on the organization and the running of the workshop.     

THE MEASUREMENT AND OPERATING BENEFITS OF COMPONENT PART COMMONALITY

The product structure is a key input to a material requirements planning system. Yet, the effect of alternate product structure designs on system performance is not well understood. Analytical measures are needed to accurately relate product-structure characteristics to total cost and delivery performance. A new analytical measure of product structure called the degree of commonality index is defined in this paper. The degree of commonality index can be applied to single end items, product families, entire product lines, or to any level of product structure. This study suggests that component part commonality, as measured by the degree of commonality index, has a significant effect on system performance. For example, company standardization programs that increase the degree of component part commonality result in manufacturing cost reductions. The degree of commonality index provides a way to directly relate the degree of component part commonality to various dependent variables such as total cost, work center load, and delivery performance.     

OR/MS modeling in long range bank planning

For over 10 years, The Bank of New York has conducted formal Long Range Planning, to insure profitable long term growth. The planning system developed by the Bank relies heavily on Financial Planning and OR/MS Modeling has been an important part of this system. This paper describes the approach taken by the Bank to develop their system and the experience gained through managing the system.     

双旋转货架拣货作业优化设计

本文讨论了由一个拣货员负责的双旋转货架系统,目标是寻找一种最优拣货顺序使得总拣货时间。该问题被证明为强NP-难问题,文章提出了启发式算法寻找最优拣货顺序,并对相关模型及算法进行模拟测试以证明其有效性,为方法选择与应用提供了依据。     

Shop floor control system for tool rooms

A shop floor control system (SFCS), which is the most important component of any production control system, ff has a direct e ect on the productivity of a tool room. The SFCS presented in this paper aims at streamlining various tool room activities, such as process planning, operations scheduling, loading, progress monitoring, and performance monitoring. The system discussed in this paper is characterized by simplicity and is user friendly. Basic information, consisting of three types of information (order details, process details, and part details), is input through interactive dialogue sessions. On-line updating of the process information is carried out, again through interactive dialogue sessions. The basic input to the system along with the on-line updating enables a number of useful and important reports and documents to be generated ff by the system for e ective control of the shop floor. The reports generated include operations scheduling, process sheet, part list, ffi job card, load pending report, e ciency report, etc. This SFCS is developed for a medium sized tool room in an automotive company and its successful implemention reduced paperwork and improved resource management and has resulted in productivity. It can be said that this system offers a first venture into computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) for a tool room.     

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS PLANNING UNDER UNCERTAINTY

This paper presents a framework for characterizing and studying the uncertainty which can affect inventory investment and service level performance in a material requirements planning (MRP) system. It also presents the results of a simulation experiment which compared two techniques (safety stock and safety lead time) for building inventory to protect against uncertainty. The simulation results disclose consistent differences between the techniques in protecting a representative part against timing and quantity uncertainty in both demand and supply for the part. The paper not only provides some initial insights into the behavior of MRP systems under uncertainty, but also establishes some guidelines for choosing between safety stock and safety lead time.     

Non-significant,self-validated part identification numbers

The numbering and identification of parts within a manufacturing organization is of immense importance, for it serves as a major means of communicating information throughout the organization. The oldest, and still most prominent method of part identification is the use of meaningful, alphanumeric part numbers. With the transition to computer-assisted manufacturing systems, however, many of the weaknesses of this type of system have come to light. A newer approach to part numbering, the use of all-numeric, non-significant part numbers as a vehicle for identifying parts and accessing the required information about each, may be a major contributor to improved communications in the computer age. This paper explores both approaches to part identification, addressing the advantages and drawbacks of each. It is concluded that the use of non-significant numbering is indeed the best approach to a flexible, simple, and standardized identification system, allowing access to all pertinent part information without incorporating that information into the part number. Two case studies, one of a leading compressor manufacturer, and the other a producer of greeting cards, are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of a conversion from significant to non-significant systems and the benefits obtainable. The problem of reducing data entry errors and maintaining data integrity with non-significant part numbers is analyzed and a proposed algorithm presented. Finally, routines are demonstrated for both generating and then vetting and validating non-significant numbers.     

A model of goal dynamics in technology-based organizations

The purpose of the present work is to build a suitable system dynamics model for goal dynamics in organizations, as proposed by Barlas and Yasarcan (2008). The proposed model does not bear any ambition of being exhaustive: the main objective of this paper is to propose a model of goal dynamics in which Goal Setting, Management by Objectives and Training are viewed as human resource practices able to enhance workers’ goal commitment, and therefore, improve organizational performance. In the first part of this paper, an analysis of the Goal Setting Theory and the role of goal setting practices, in bettering worker's performance, are stressed. In the second part, a case-study, the causal loop and a quantitative model of goal dynamics in organizations are described. In the third part, behaviour reproduction testing, optimization analysis for parameter estimation and scenario analysis are presented. Limitations of the present research and conclusions are finally discussed.     

Technology Use and Performance: A Field Study of Broker Workstations*

Organizations invest in technology with the expectation that it will contribute to performance, and members of the organization must use technology for it to make a contribution. For this reason, it is important for managers and designers to understand and predict system use. This paper develops a model of workstation use in a field setting where the use of the system is an integral part of the user's job. The model is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which we extended to include social norms, user performance, and two control variables. Brokers and sales assistants in the privateclient group of a major investment bank provided data to test our extended model. The core perception variables in TAM do not predict use in this study. Social norms and one's job requirements are more important in predicting use than workers' perceptions about ease of use and usefulness. The paper discusses the implications of these findings and suggests directions for future research.     

部分中间产出作为最终产品的两阶段合作效率

网络DEA模型研究多个进程和多个子系统的复杂系统的效率度量.针对中间产出无法为第2阶段完全消耗的情形,传统DEA模型对系统效率的评价偏高,已有网络DEA模型则对系统效率的评价偏低.本文提出部分中间产出作为最终产品,进入流通渠道的两阶段效率模型,用来测度两阶段生产过程的真实效率.采用乘积形式描述两阶段合作的特征,给出不同...     

Determination of the optimal number of kanbans and kanban allocation in a FMS: A simulationbased study

A simulation-based study is presented to compare the performance of a set of kanban allocation rules in a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) operating in a pull mode. This paper also presents a simulation-based direct search approach to determine the optimal number of kanbans and their simultaneous allocation to different part types. This paper presents a realistic cost function that includes a penalty for failing to meet the demand on time, and a penalty for rescheduling delivery of materials from vendors. The model captures limited flexibility in the form of operational flexibility in a FMS. Future extensions to this study are discussed.     

On vendor part delivery dates in a stochastic assembly system

This paper describes the development of a model for the determination of optimal mean part delivery dates in a stochastic assembly system for the objective of minimizing the expected cost of subassembly and part inventory. Parts are assembled at each station to a subassembly. The part delivery and processing times at assembly stations follow known probability distributions. An approximate solution technique based on the optimization of individual stations in isolation is developed. The approximation applies a correction factor, as a function of the variability in part delivery and processing time, cost parameters and number of stations, to the decisions from the single station solutions to compensate for interdependence between stations. Results indicate that this is an effective approach and yields good near-optimal solutions with very little computational effort. Insights regarding the effect of the type of distribution used, random processing times, variance of the distribution used and cost parameter values on part delivery dates are also reported.     

国际工程造价管理体制的比较研究

工程造价管理体制改革—直是近两年来国家经济体制改革的一个重要组成部分。随着我国建筑市场体制改革的深入,对于这一课题的研究已经成为当务之急。本文运用比较管理研究的方法深入分析和对照了中国香港、英联邦国家、美国、日本和我国的工程造价管理体制,分别从工程造价总的管理体制、政府性工程项目管理体制和具体的工程造价管理方式方法阐述了各自的利弊和我们在工程造价管理体制改革中应该借鉴的地方。