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Articles 1201 - 1230 of 1238
Full-Text Articles in Business
Stochastic Scheduling - Part Ii The Location Of Planning Horizons, Gifford H. Symonds
Stochastic Scheduling - Part Ii The Location Of Planning Horizons, Gifford H. Symonds
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This paper examines optimal stochastic scheduling, a framework that integrates deterministic activity vectors for the initial period and stochastic vectors for future periods to optimize expected outcomes across a sequence of time periods. Each stochastic schedule adapts to state conditions revealed incrementally, ensuring that revised schedules reflect updated data distributions. Adhering to the Optimality Principle, which disregards past operations, and the Planning Horizon Principle, which restricts considerations beyond a defined horizon, the approach ensures sequential optimization within and across planning periods. Key periods, such as the planning horizon, are critical due to their influence on the objective functional and operational …
Scoring And Profitability Models For Evaluating And Selecting Engineering Projects, Burton V. Dean, Meir J. Nishry
Scoring And Profitability Models For Evaluating And Selecting Engineering Projects, Burton V. Dean, Meir J. Nishry
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
Recent developments in allocation theory may be applied to research management decision problems in the firm. Of major importance to firms employing engineers in new product development activities are problems involving the specification and allocation of resources such as manpower, funds, equipment, and facilities. To solve these problems, quantitative measures of organizational performance must be derived that are consistent with corporate goals and that include the relevant resource variables, noncontrollable variables, parameters, and constraints. Mathematical models are constructed and solved in this paper that yield solutions for allocating manpower resources to projects. A scoring model is constructed and then used …
Contract Research Proposal Preparation Strategies, Burton V. Dean, Robert H. Culhan
Contract Research Proposal Preparation Strategies, Burton V. Dean, Robert H. Culhan
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
A bidding model is developed and used to examine alternative contract research proposal preparation strategies. Expected profits due to sales from initial and follow-on production orders are related to proposal preparation cost, contract value, and the probability of contract award. Limited engineering resources may be allocated to proposal preparation effort so as to maximize total expected profits. The model is tested and applied in the proposal preparation activity of a company in the aerospace industry.
Regional Development Of Metropolitan Cleveland And The Great Lakes Basin, Ellis Johnson
Regional Development Of Metropolitan Cleveland And The Great Lakes Basin, Ellis Johnson
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The long-range objective of this study is to formulate a planning procedure that would make it possible to develop a combination of short-range and long-range plans to guide the development and growth of Greater Cleveland and the Great Lakes Basin. As part of this study, a number of high-priority initial studies are indicated in Table 1. Appendix I is a draft of an outlined philosophy and procedure for a study of planning for Cleveland. Appendices II and III contain some data and ideas of value to future studies. Appendix IV is a further discussion of the economic problem of Cleveland, …
Stochastic Scheduling - Part I Stochastic Programming For A Single Period, Gifford H. Symonds
Stochastic Scheduling - Part I Stochastic Programming For A Single Period, Gifford H. Symonds
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This study addresses stochastic scheduling, focusing on production and order schedules under uncertain demands. The approach involves periodically revising schedules to incorporate updated demand data, optimizing decision values for the current period and expected values for future periods. A novel method is introduced to transform stochastic scheduling problems into certainty equivalent problems, ensuring that solutions to the latter also optimize the original stochastic problem. The methodology emphasizes determining certainty equivalents of stochastic constraints, identifying critical planning horizons, and developing optimization procedures for inter-horizon schedules. Part I formulates and solves one-period programming problems, selecting stochastic solutions that meet probability constraints, thus …
Patient Scheduling In A Chronic Disease Hospital: System Design And Implementation, J.T. Ross Jackson, Eugene E. Tillock, Graham D. Clapp
Patient Scheduling In A Chronic Disease Hospital: System Design And Implementation, J.T. Ross Jackson, Eugene E. Tillock, Graham D. Clapp
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This paper reports on the nature of patient services and the essential role which scheduling may play in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of such services. Hospitals and nursing home facilities must routinely provide a broad spectrum of services promptly at times they are needed by their patients. Service demands for individual patients should be coordinated with the vocal immediate and longer term needs of the patient, under conditions which allow for suitable balance between the individual patient's needs and the priorities necessary for staff personnel to properly fulfill their broader patient and institutional service responsibilities.
Scoring And Profitability Models For Evaluation Of Engineering Projects Builder Products Division Emerson Electric Company, Burton V. Dean, Meir J. Nishry
Scoring And Profitability Models For Evaluation Of Engineering Projects Builder Products Division Emerson Electric Company, Burton V. Dean, Meir J. Nishry
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
Recent developments in allocation theory may be applied to research management decision problems in the firm. Of major importance in technical based firms are problems involving the specification and allocation of such technical resources as manpower, funds, equipment, and facilities. Initial steps in the solution of company technical resource allocation problems involve the specification of corporate objectives and their transformation into research objectives and goals. Quantitative research organizational measures of performance must be derived which are consistent with research goals and which include the relevant resource variables, noncontrollable variables, parameters, and constraints. Mathematical models are constructed and solved in this …
On The Structure Problem Of Organization, Burton V. Dean
On The Structure Problem Of Organization, Burton V. Dean
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The organization structure problem is defined as that of specifying the composition of organizational elements or subgroups, their measures of performance, and the corresponding control factors. This paper is concerned with the development of methods for decomposing a total organizational objective function into simpler subgroup performance functions that involve fewer control variables. Methods are developed for yielding this decomposition and for deriving values of the control variables that optimize the performances of the subgroups and the organization. Extensions of the initial structure problem are formulated which permit the application of quantitative methods to problems involving organization transition, adaptation, and adjustment. …
Decentralized Management Of Interacting Processes: A Technique Of Nonlinear Programming, Leon S. Lasdon, S. Sankar Sengupta
Decentralized Management Of Interacting Processes: A Technique Of Nonlinear Programming, Leon S. Lasdon, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The existence and structure of the scheme is considered convergence of the price-adjustment rule used by the central agency is discussed. The result, applicable to intereacting processes, promises on a computational basis, significant advantages. Conceptually, it greatly extends the applicability of some basic economic concepts, and indicates the possibility of a merger of pricing theory and equlilbrium of allocation with modern control theory.
An Application Of Operations Research To Municipal Planning: Some Fiscal Aspects Of Land-Use Planning, Michael H. Alexander
An Application Of Operations Research To Municipal Planning: Some Fiscal Aspects Of Land-Use Planning, Michael H. Alexander
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This study was undertaken as a group research project at Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio. The limits of the study are outlined and a conceptual model developed. A simulation model of a specific community, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, is constructed as an example of how the overall municipal simulation model can provide planning information. Three alternative land use policies described by the Mayor were programmed as input for this simulation model. Analysis of the results and recommendations are included as a part of the study.
Some Order Statistics Relating To Markov Chains: An Application To Purchasing Policies, José Treviño, S. Sankar Sengupta
Some Order Statistics Relating To Markov Chains: An Application To Purchasing Policies, José Treviño, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
A special instance of the general problem of decision-making under uncertainty is considered. In the absence of a well-defined utility function, the following method is adopted: First, a "reasonable" or "acceptable" policy is chosen with unspecified parameters. Then, the associated decision rule is formulated; typically, these are functional transforms of appropriate state variables. Analysis is made of the outcomes produced by the rule in conjunction with the stochastic price process. Finally, some functionals of the (random) outcomes are computed with a view to obtain measures of performance of the decision rule. In each case, the derivations indicate the dependence of …
An Operational Theory Of Oligopoly, Dilip K. Guha, S. Sankar Sengupta
An Operational Theory Of Oligopoly, Dilip K. Guha, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The work reported in this memorandum stems from an attempt to derive operationally meaningful propositions that may be useful to the management of a firm selling an undifferentiated product in conditions of oligopoly. It avoids the game-theoretic constructs on the one hand, and the notions of reaction functions and conjectural variations on the other; it only builds the minimum necessary framework of concepts and constructs for the purposes of decision-making. Given the structure of competition (that is, who competes over what and with what means), the organization of the market (that is, the institutional setup for the consummation of a …
Contract Award And Bidding Strategies, Burton V. Dean
Contract Award And Bidding Strategies, Burton V. Dean
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The R and D contract award and bidding decision process is studied from the points of view of bidders and customers. Competitive bidding models are developed which incorporate such factors as probability of contract award, level of resource utilization, and expected return. Conditions and methods for estimating the probability of contract award are presented. Competitive bidding strategies for the cases of known and unknown numbers of bidders and single and multi-proposal situations are investigated. [Likely published circa 1964.]
Decentralized Management Of Interacting Processes: A Technique Of Nonlinear Programming (Ii), Leon S. Lasdon, S. Sankar Sengupta
Decentralized Management Of Interacting Processes: A Technique Of Nonlinear Programming (Ii), Leon S. Lasdon, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
In this part certain conditions are established under which an equilibrium point of the algorithm of price-adjustment (P - E) is asymptotically stable in the large. These conditions are phrased as requirements on the functions involved in the original or integrated problem. It is shown that although the usual concavity requirements (for maximization problems) are sufficient to guarantee stability, much less will suffice. Mathematically, this appears as the fact that, for stability, only the sum of certain quadratic forms - one for each sub-problem - must be negative, so that one or more positive terms may be cancelled by others …
Towards A General Theory Of Systems Model Of Subsystems, F. Benson, M. Gurel
Towards A General Theory Of Systems Model Of Subsystems, F. Benson, M. Gurel
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This report critiques the traditional classification of Operations Research models into eight types, highlighting their historical origins and limitations in addressing complex systems with multiple decision-makers. The study explores the potential for more general models that combine two or more model types to gain deeper insights into the behavior of complex systems. While iterative optimization of subsystems is a common approach, the analysis shows that this method is unreliable and may not achieve system-wide optimality. Instead, constructing comprehensive models of the entire system is necessary, emphasizing the need for advanced mathematical methods, particularly in solving partial difference equations. However, such …
Capacity Expansion In Oligopoly, S. Sankar Sengupta, Gifford H. Symonds
Capacity Expansion In Oligopoly, S. Sankar Sengupta, Gifford H. Symonds
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
Imperfections of competition may be modeled in terms of stochastic dependence of the price realized by an individual firm on certain decision variables of the firm and of its competitors; or models may be constructed describing how the profits of each competitor are influenced stochastically by the price or quantity decisions of every other competitor. Models of the latter type seem to blur the distinction between what is traditionally understood as monopolistic competition and oligopoly. We shall, therefore, look for some operational definition of oligopoly, that is, a definition in terms of what firms do and how the market (if …
The Decomposition Principle In Engineering Problems: Towards A Multi-Level Concept Of Problem Solving, Hamilton A. Chase, S. Sankar Sengupta
The Decomposition Principle In Engineering Problems: Towards A Multi-Level Concept Of Problem Solving, Hamilton A. Chase, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
In a previous report it was shown that a large system of differential equations could be decomposed into smaller groups (called subproblems) such that the solutions of the subproblems converged to the solution of the original system. It was also shown that the decomposition was most effective when the original problem was decomposed along the boundaries of weakest interaction in terms of the Lipschitz constants. This last fact, however, is a desirable but not essential condition. The major purpose of the present report is to develop certain techniques which will facilitate the application of the decomposition principle as stated in …
The Decomposition Principle In Engineering Problems: Towards A Multi-Level Concept Of Problem-Solving, Hamilton A. Chase, S. Sankar Sengupta
The Decomposition Principle In Engineering Problems: Towards A Multi-Level Concept Of Problem-Solving, Hamilton A. Chase, S. Sankar Sengupta
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
The principal result of this report is a demonstration that systems of ordinary differential equations of engineering that are too large for the available computers can be solved by a principle of "decomposition." It is shown that the systems of resulting subproblems are members of a larger class of problems. The properties of this class are investigated and conditions stated under which the solutions of the subproblems converge to those of the original problem. A measure of the interaction between the subproblems is suggested for a subsequent investigation.
Errors, Estimates, Optimality, Shiv K. Gupta, Arthur J. Yaspan, Maurice W. Sasieni, Burton V. Dean
Errors, Estimates, Optimality, Shiv K. Gupta, Arthur J. Yaspan, Maurice W. Sasieni, Burton V. Dean
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
We are frequently faced with having to make decisions in situations where there is uncertainty about the outcome, but where we can exercise some control. In order to do so in a rational manner we must first define a criterion of optimality. Many workers have used the expected outcome when the actual outcome could not be determined in advance; they have then minimized the expected outcome*. Other definitions of optimality are possible and will be discussed here. A typical situation may be represented by a mathematical model E = f(X_i, Y_j) i = 1, 2, ... n, j = 1, …
The Determination Of Observational Errors Occurring In Information-Collection Processes, John C. Chambers, Donald F. Clark
The Determination Of Observational Errors Occurring In Information-Collection Processes, John C. Chambers, Donald F. Clark
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
An important factor in the determination of an optimal information-collection procedure is the observational error that occurs in the information-collection process. Until recently, information-collection theory has generally assumed either that observational error is irrelevant, or that observational error is not a function of the resources expended in making the observation. However, more recent developments in the theory have included the observational error factor. This paper demonstrates one method that might be used in evaluating observational error, and considers how to determine the variation of observational error with the resources expended. The feasibility of determining observational error is discussed in detail, …
Towards A Behavioral Theory Of Communication, Russell L. Ackoff
Towards A Behavioral Theory Of Communication, Russell L. Ackoff
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
This Research Memorandum develops a formal framework for understanding information as it relates to decision-making. It introduces the concept of an individual's "purposeful state," defined by objectives, valuation of those objectives, possible courses of action, their efficiencies, and the probabilities of their selection. The study defines the amount of information in a purposeful state using the probabilities of choosing among available actions and evaluates information conveyed in a message as the change in information before and after the message. Additionally, the amount of instruction and motivation in a purposeful state is quantified, based on the efficiencies and values of actions …
An Exploratory Study On The Consideration Of Observational Errors In The Design Of Information Collection Procedures, Arthur J. Yaspan, Michael H. Halbert, Russell L. Ackoff
An Exploratory Study On The Consideration Of Observational Errors In The Design Of Information Collection Procedures, Arthur J. Yaspan, Michael H. Halbert, Russell L. Ackoff
Research Reports from the Department of Operations
An information-collection situation is said to arise when a sample is to be taken from some universe, observations are to be made on the elements of the sample, and action is to be undertaken on the basis of these observations with the expectation of return. An information-collection procedure in such a situation is specified by assigning values to the following two quantities: n : the number of elements in the sample, l : the resources expended in making an observation on one element of the sample. An information-collection procedure is considered optimal, in this paper, if the expected return from …
The Antecedents Of Social Contagion On Social Networking Platforms, Michael Fisher
The Antecedents Of Social Contagion On Social Networking Platforms, Michael Fisher
Student Scholarship
Social networking platforms, systems designed to provide digital content services specifically for social network sites, continue to develop through a rapid combination of components forming a service ecology that is much more than a single tool or service. In spite of this development, the most widely utilized theories of technology adoption and usage have focused on single user level tool adoption which limits their explanatory power of services platforms. These platforms have experienced tremendously rapid growth rates and the current state-of-the-art research attempts to explain this phenomenon through an economic or network effect lens, which fall short in explaining individual …
Models Of Management In Rwandan Ingos: The Decoupling Of Formal And Informal Management Practices, Cheryl A. Baldwin
Models Of Management In Rwandan Ingos: The Decoupling Of Formal And Informal Management Practices, Cheryl A. Baldwin
Student Scholarship
The proper nature of NGO management has been debated by many scholars, dividing the argument into at least two central themes: those who advocate that third sector organizations should take management more seriously and acknowledge the continuities with mainstream management, and those who argue that third sector organizations are distinct and cannot be managed using mainstream management practices (Lewis, 2002 and Thomas, 1998). A number of questions have been raised regarding the management of NGOs. What type of management is appropriate for NGOs? Does the management of these organizations differ from other sectors? What management practices are being used by …
A Formal Grounded Theory On The Ethics Of Transfer In Conflict Resolution, Maurice Apprey
A Formal Grounded Theory On The Ethics Of Transfer In Conflict Resolution, Maurice Apprey
Student Scholarship
A new conflict resolution praxis has been created from two existing practices. The new praxis was the outcome of a meta-ethnographic research method that allows two publications to be synthesized. It does so in a way that allows each separate work to contribute to the new and third product. The result of the synthesis of two two-party conflict resolution programs was further synthesized with a multi-party conflict management schema that uses framing and reframing of positions in negotiations. The result of these qualitative metasyntheses revealed the following: When a third-party facilitation team enters a fractured community, both unofficial gatekeepers of …
Concept Paper: The Impact Of The Internet On Airline Pricing, William G. Brunger
Concept Paper: The Impact Of The Internet On Airline Pricing, William G. Brunger
Student Scholarship
The Airline Industry has experienced considerable change since the Airline Deregulation Act took effect in 1978, both because of the new business climate engendered by deregulation and because of technological advances in and surrounding the industry. One of the most powerful change agents has been the Internet, which is widely used in the sale and distribution of airline tickets. Several researchers have noted that the rise of the Internet has been accompanied by a decrease in airline fares. Previous studies have suggested several causal categories--for example, reduced search costs, greater transparency, mistrust, uncertainty, more effective buying strategies--but have not studied …
The Nonprofit Sector: Where Women Go To Work, Jane Van Buren
The Nonprofit Sector: Where Women Go To Work, Jane Van Buren
Student Scholarship
Nonprofit organizations have a history in the United States of fostering pluralism, diversity and freedom. They play vital roles as advocates and in identifying and addressing unmet human needs in their communities. Most of the recent major social and political movements such as AIDS, civil rights, environmental protection, etc., that have animated American life have all operated through private, nonprofit organizations. Across the United States there are approximately 11 million nonprofit employees, 70 percent of whom are female, who act as the guardians of social justice and community values, and as champions of high quality, equitable, diverse and affordable service …
Sources Of Social Capital In Community Engagement Efforts, Suzanne K. Moore
Sources Of Social Capital In Community Engagement Efforts, Suzanne K. Moore
Student Scholarship
Research on community engagement and collaboration with public institutions has not rigorously studied the sources of social capital at the micro level. By studying local school board experiences in engaging the community, I will advance the knowledge in this area. Local school boards have a distinct role in the leadership of public schools. Although practitioner oriented research has revealed the positive impact of community engagement and collaboration with public education, national studies and the author’s “lived world” have shown that board member policies and practices are not consistent with recommendations in the studies. I propose that the sources of social …
Physician Inter-Personal & Communication Competencies As Measured By Patient, Peer & Self Surveys: Predicting Patient Satisfaction Results From Peer Ratings, Michael J. Deegan
Physician Inter-Personal & Communication Competencies As Measured By Patient, Peer & Self Surveys: Predicting Patient Satisfaction Results From Peer Ratings, Michael J. Deegan
Student Scholarship
The study was intended as a pilot to determine the feasibility and utility of using patient and peer survey instruments to assess participating physician inter-personal and communication skills and humanistic qualities. A longer term objective is to provide practicing physicians constructive insights into their communication and inter-personal effectiveness with patients, peers and other members of the care team. The study relied on a secondary database obtained from the study sponsor. Original data was collected from 100 voluntary participating physicians (PP), 1,000 professional peers (10/PP), and 2,500 patients (25/PP) under the care of the participating physicians. Previously validated peer and patient …
Stakeholder Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Nonprofit Organizations, Susan Mctiernan
Stakeholder Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Nonprofit Organizations, Susan Mctiernan
Student Scholarship
During recent years, nonprofit organizations in the United States have evolved into a major force within the economy. They provide extensive services and “social goods” to individuals in need and they depend on stakeholders for their ability to function effectively. The interconnectedness of nonprofits and stakeholders emanates, at least in part, from their social mission, but is also a function of organizational management in general. This research examines the perceptions of stakeholders of nonprofit organizations in order to begin the process of identifying the considerations that influence the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Conclusions are presented concerning the multidimensionality of these …