Discretionary Use of Computers: An Empirically Derived Explanatory Model*

This study identifies variables that explain variations in computer use. Factor analysis of data gathered from 422 business administration faculty reveal eight themes among the independent variables. Seven of these factors significantly discriminate among non, minimal, and high users. These results suggest an empirical model for future studies and provide policy insights for decision makers seeking to stimulate computer usage. Additionally, the study shows that there is much commonality between the previously separate organizational innovation and information systems implementation streams. It also demonstrates that motivation theory may be a valid framework within which to study computer use.     

Cognitive Fit: A Theory-Based Analysis of the Graphs Versus Tables Literature*

A considerable amount of research has been conducted over a long period of time into the effects of graphical and tabular representations on decision-making performance. To date, however, the literature appears to have arrived at few conclusions with regard to the performance of the two representations. This paper addresses these issues by presenting a theory, based on information processing theory, to explain under what circumstances one representation outperforms the other. The fundamental aspects of the theory are: (1) although graphical and tabular representations may contain the same information, they present that information in fundamentally different ways; graphical representations emphasize spatial information, while tables emphasize symbolic information; (2) tasks can be divided into two types, spatial and symbolic, based on the type of information that facilitates their solution; (3) performance on a task will be enhanced when there is a cognitive fit (match) between the information emphasized in the representation type and that required by the task type; that is, when graphs support spatial tasks and when tables support symbolic tasks; (4) the processes or strategies problem solvers use are the crucial elements of cognitive fit since they provide the link between representation and task; the processes identified here are perceptual and analytical; (5) so long as there is a complete fit of representation, processes, and task type, each representation will lead to both quicker and more accurate problem solving. The theory is validated by its success in explaining the results of published studies that examine the performance of graphical and tabular representations in decision making.     

电子商务环境下高校图书馆的信息服务

文章论述了高校图书馆应用电子商务的必要性和可行性,分析了高校图书馆运用电子商务模式的发展前景,提出了电子商务环境下高校图书馆信息服务的策略。     

Multi-Item Grouping Algorithm Yielding Near-Optimal Logistics Cost

This article describes an algorithm used to formulate an inbound consolidation strategy when multi-items are replenished in groups and when total logistics cost is to be minimized. The importance of this algorithm is threefold (1) no optimal procedure exists for grouping multi-items when minimizing total logistics cost, (2) a complete enumeration of all possible groups (from which the optimal grouping set can be identified) is impractical due to the combinatorial nature of the grouping problem, and (3) no other heuristics have been developed that adequately reflect shipping cost in the analysis like this one does. We report the experience of using this algorithm to group and reorder 75 selected ensembles containing a total of 517 inventory items of a retail merchandising firm.     

The Individually Responsible and Rational Decision Approach to Economic Lot Sizes for One Vendor and Many Purchasers

Banerjee's [2] joint economic lot size (JELS) model, along with related works by Monahan [12] and Lal and Staelin [10], represents one approach to minimizing the total inventory carrying and ordering costs of a vendor and his purchaser(s). Noting that JELS philosophy requires a coordinated system and that its practical implementation is problematic, we present an alternative approach to the same problem: the individually responsible and rational decision (IRRD) approach. The IRRD approach is consistent with a free enterprise system and easy to implement. In order to show that the IRRD approach is also more economical than the JELS approach, we first build a more refined JELS model for the case of one vendor and many identical purchasers. Drawing on earlier criticisms of specific JELS models, our refinement relaxes the lot-for-lot assumption commonly used by JELS scholars. To be comparable with earlier works, we retain the assumption of deterministic conditions and demonstrate the economic advantages of IRRD over JELS through a numerical example. An algebraic proof of IRRD's superiority over JELS is offered in the more general and realistic case of a vendor dealing with K nonidentical purchasers with reasonably predictable annual demand but uncertain order quantities and timings.     

Interactive Effects of Major Response Facilitators

Practitioners and researchers have long been interested in achieving the highest response rate within resource constraints on their mailed surveys. Achieving this high response rate typically has required the selection of the right mix of response-facilitating techniques. The selection decisions were generally made under the assumption that the response-facilitating techniques act independently of one another. The authors have examined the validity of this independence assumption by identifying the major response facilitators in use and then analyzing the results of 531 independent mail survey studies. The authors conclude that major facilitators do not function independently. In fact, it was found that significant joint action interactive effects on response rates do exist. Practitioners and researchers who are faced with the survey design decisions of choosing response facilitators can receive assistance by reviewing the results of this diverse collection of reported experiences.     

Resource Flexibility Issues in Multistage Manufacturing

We test the situational impact of two types of resource flexibility, machine flexibility and labor flexibility, in a material requirements planning (MRP)-driven production system. Machine flexibility has not been treated in prior multistage research, only labor flexibility. Machine flexibility is closely related to a plant's positioning strategy. A process-focused plant opts for considerable machine flexibility by choosing general-purpose equipment. Resource flexibility, if effective, can be an attractive alternative to two other types of buffers, inflated inventories and costly capacity cushions. Our simulation results, using factor settings established earlier by a panel of managers, show that resource flexibility is indeed an effective buffer against uncertainties such as end-item demand variability, capacity bottlenecks, equipment failures, and yield losses. Machine flexibility is especially helpful in environments characterized by high uncertainties, tight capacities, and large lot sizes. Worker flexibility has a similar, but less dramatic, impact. Benefits are most striking with customer service, rather than with inventory or labor productivity. Finally, we show that simultaneous introduction of both machine and labor flexibility yields only marginal improvements over either kind of flexibility alone.     

管理信息系统课程的教学探索

管理信息系统是经管类专业的必修课程之一,随着信息技术、计算机和网络技术的快速发展,管理信息系统课程在教学内容和教学方式上要不断地进行更新和优化.根据目前高校实际教学情况,分析了管理信息系统课程教学中存在的诸如教学内容缺乏针对性、教学方法单一、教学过程不注重实践环节等问题,提出了更新教学内容、改进教学方法和优化实践环节的教学改革思路和方案.