Labor Utilization Effects of Labor Scheduling Flexibility Alternatives in a Tour Scheduling Environment

This study used a factorial experimental design and a new modeling methodology to investigate the impact of a number of labor scheduling flexibility alternatives and labor requirements characteristics on labor utilization within a tour scheduling environment. Break-placement flexibility and shift-length flexibility were found to be extremely effective in improving labor utilization for all labor requirement distributions used. Flexibility with respect to the number of days included in a tour schedule resulted in substantial improvement in labor utilization for all labor requirements distributions exhibiting daily and/or weekly variation. Surprisingly, virtually no improvement in labor utilization was achieved for any labor requirement distribution by the removal of requirements for consecutive days off. In addition, almost no improvement was found by allowing the shift start time to vary across the working days included in tours. High labor requirement amplitude was found to have a strong adverse effect on labor utilization while longer operational days were associated with improved labor utilization for all labor requirement distributions. We discuss the implications of these results for service operations management and provide suggestions for future research.     

Redesigning a Cellular Manufacturing System to Handle Long-Term Demand Changes: A Methodology and Investigation*

Cellular manufacturing systems have been proposed as an alternative to the job shop since they provide some of the operational benefits of a flow line production process, while retaining to some extent the flexibility of job shops. However, this must be balanced against the possibility of additional initial investments in equipment to form the cells and a certain loss in manufacturing flexibility, particularly in terms of the ability to deal with long-term demand changes. This paper presents a model-based heuristic cell system redesign methodology to deal with such demand changes. The methodology is validated and applied to system designs generated from several data sets published in the literature. Results show that different kinds of demand changes incur distinct kinds of costs. Further, characteristics of cell designs that can handle long-term demand changes at least cost are identified.     

The Impact of Learning and Labor Attrition on Worker Flexibility in Dual Resource Constrained Job Shops

This study investigates the impact of worker learning, worker flexibility, and labor attrition on the system performance of a dual resource constrained (DRC) job-shop. The effects of learning and labor attrition have not been previously addressed in DRC literature. Results from the study, consistent with previous literature, show that the greatest benefits are achieved when inter-departmental worker flexibility is incrementally introduced into the system. In addition, the learning environment, which depends on the initial processing time of jobs and the learning rates of workers, is shown to impact the acquisition of flexibility. The study also shows that the impact of labor attrition on system performance under certain shop conditions may be significant.     

Distinguishing Features of Just-in-Time Systems in the Make-to-Order/Assemble-to-Order Environment*

Few studies of just-in-time (JIT) implementation examine their significance in make-to-order manufacturing environments. This study examines the relative importance of several operating variables that are characteristic features of JIT systems within such environments in North America. The results suggest that the most salient features of JIT for make-to-order and assemble-to-order firms are the elimination of waste (in the form of time and defects), reduced setup time, reduced lotsize, and a smaller pool of suppliers. In addition, the results suggest that the use of non-domestic suppliers can possibly hinder efforts at JIT implementation of materials procurement.     

Manufacturing Proactiveness and Performance*

Since Skinner's [40] landmark article depicting the manufacturing function as the “missing link” in corporate strategic processes, a portion of the blame for inferior performance in many firms has been attributed to the subordinate strategic position of manufacturing. It has been argued that part of the solution to misalignments between the capabilities possessed by manufacturing and the requirements dictated by customers is for manufacturing to take a more proactive stance. However, little research has been reported which examines manufacturing proactiveness empirically. In this paper, we address this gap by developing an operational definition of manufacturing proactiveness and testing empirically whether a link exists between proactiveness and performance based on data collected from a sample of manufacturers. Based on the manufacturing strategy literature, we identify two major dimensions of manufacturing proactiveness: (1) the degree of manufacturing's involvement in the strategic processes of the business unit; and (2) the degree of commitment to a long-term program of investments in manufacturing structure and infrastructure aimed at building capabilities in anticipation of their need. We develop reliable scales for measuring each of the dimensions of proactiveness and use the data to provide evidence of a clear link between manufacturing proactiveness and business performance. We show that investments in structural programs coupled with either high levels of manufacturing involvement in strategic processes or planned investments in infrastructural programs correlate with higher than average performance.     

律师调查令正当性的法理思考

因现行法律限制,律师调查权受到极大制约,妨碍司法正义和当事人合法权益的实现,各地法院试行的"律师调查令制度"均缺乏法律依据,处于实践先行的尴尬境地.现阶段律师不可能享有强制调查权,但律师因客观情况不能调查取证时可以申请调查令.法院委托律师调查是合理的,律师是承担调查取证责任的合适人选.其他国家先进的立法经验可供我们借鉴.     

中学英语教学培养学生语感研究

语感意即学习者多方位接触某种语言及其相关文化而产生的一种规律性的感觉.语感能力作为重要能力结构因素贯穿于中学阶段,其影响作用日益增强.中学英语教学要从听说、读、写等三个环节,持之以恒地将语感训练和语感能力的培养贯穿于英语教学的每个环节,采用多种方法和途径,引导学生在一切语言交际中有意识地去感受语感、把握语感、实践语感.     

浅谈卖淫问题及其解决对策

卖淫在我国一直是一个严重的社会问题,且有愈演愈烈之势.一个女人为了一种完全非内心的、纯粹外在的回报而献出自己最隐秘、最个人性的东西时,货币等价物就把人类尊严降到了最低点.由于社会需求的存在,卖淫在可预见的将来是无法消除的.要减轻卖淫带来的道德败坏、卖淫女犯罪、吸毒等危害,我们要从法治与德治两途径去考虑.     

校园朋辈心理辅导的理论思考与实践探索

校园朋辈心理辅导具有心理的示范性、行为的模仿性、氛围的共融性以及解决心理问题的启示性、疏导性等特点,对解决校园心理问题具有特殊的作用.充分利用大学生心理互助组织开展朋辈心理辅导,建构朋辈心理辅导网络,是校园心理咨询重要而又有效的形式.     

高校共青团团员意识教育长效机制建立研究

高校团员数量占学生总数的95%以上,团工作的优劣,团员表现的好坏直接影响着学校的整体工作.当前在全团开展增强团员意识主题教育活动,是共青团加强自身建设的一项重大战略举措.构建团员意识教育的长效机制,有利于长期深入广泛地开展团员意识教育工作,要从思想教育、组织建设、团务管理和"党建带团建"等方面去考虑.