Business Commons^™

A Study Of White-Collar Clerical Productivity : Composition, Issues And Implications For Human Resource Planning, Sheila Devereaux

Theses

During the past decade, there has been a growing concern and focus over declining American productivity. Declining productivity requires long-range thinking, and fundamental changes on the part of government, labor and management.

One of the major contributors identified is the labor force. What has gone unmeasured for years is the white-collar clerical workforce. The service sector has become the most dominant area where clerical workers have increased, consequently, productivity issues have become a top priority.

Management must assess the implications of losses in turnover, absenteeism, performance lag, and morale that affects bottom-line profits. Management is under pressure to develop action …

Human Resource Planning For Mergers And Acquisitions, Thomas Jide Fiki

Theses

When a firm is acquired or merged, everyone feels shaken.

When organizations merge, the people in them are touched by several real and poignant issues, with each issue having the potential for lowering morale and productivity. When mergers or acquisitions fail, either by falling short of stated objectives or more disastrously - by divestiture - a chief culprit is often inadequate or nonexistent human resource planning.

A solid people plan - which takes into account what and how to communicate before and during a merger not only helps retain a semblance of order and direction within the company facing a …

Office Automation, Nanda Kishore Krishnaiah

Theses

This thesis gives an overview of the technology available to management for implementing office automation. It explores the methodology for creating an integrated automated office. It discusses methods for linking automated offices through the concept of networking and it addresses the major behavioral aspects associated with the implementation of automation in the office. The most significant part of this thesis is that the conceptual design model is illustrated by the application to an actual case study. The author was involved as a team member in an automation project with the Center for Information Age Technology, at New Jersey Institute of …

Just-In-Time In The United States : Culture And Competitive Manufacturing, Wolfram Pabst Von Ohain

Theses

Richard Schonberger, 'the' Guru of Just-in-Time' in the United States, wrote in the preface of his 1986 book World Class Manufacturing:

"...Japanese success is rot mature-based. Its basis is a quite different set of concepts, principles, policies, and techniques for managing and operating a manufacturing enterprise. All of it is easy to understand, not hand to accept (once known), eminently teachable and learnable, and not so difficult to apply.

If Just-in-Time is such 'a piece of cake' one would expect that most American companies would practice Just-in-Time. As commonly known, most American companies do not follow the philosophy of Just-in-Time. …

High Tech Transition And The Organization, Chetan H. Shah

Theses

The future outlook of any corporation depends upon the resourcefulness of those who manage the planning and operating functions of the business. Time and accuracy are two critical criteria in effective managerial reports for decision making. The electronic computer is a welcome addition into the industry. While its applications to payroll, accounting, sales, and inventory have been extensive, computing has nevertheless been criticized. This study concentrates on determining the impact computing has had on the managers and especially on the people working in the organization from clerks to the top level management.

While an investigation of the existing literature was …

Developing A Portable Data Terminal Computer System For Field Service Personnel, Frank De Bellis

Theses

This thesis is intended to provide the reader with a background in the development of modern day portable data terminals / computer systems. In order to accomplish this, some background will be provided to familiarize the reader with the evolution of computer systems. This will enable the reader to become familiar with the fast pace at which these computer systems have developed within only the last several years.

This thesis will include a description of the design, development, and implementation of these computer systems. The thesis will include a description of the way the many pieces of such a sophisticated …

Mrp Ii As A Tool For Inventory Management : Application, Implementation, And Its Alternatives, Yi-Hsin Chiu

Theses

MRP II has been used universally as a tool for production planning in various manufacturing systems. Its foundation of success is based on an accurate inventory management. Due to the rational pricing of computer hardware and software, the selection of an appropriate off-the-shelf MRP II package has become an important topic. Moreover, implementation of a commercial MRP II package significantly affects its capability of handling an assigned task. The scope of this thesis is to discuss how to successfully implement MRP II through a design and development of a proper inventory data base in order to expand its application. The …

Automated Manufacturing Technology As A Factor In Production Planning And Control, Henry Steven Nicholas

Theses

The field of automated manufacturing technology is examined. The physical hardware is described, including transfer systems, feeder systems, placing devices, automated work stations, sensors, and actuators. The interrelation of the hardware elements is described and various applications are identified. The role of the control system and its interaction with the hardware is examined. The data communications network required for the control system is considered. Various types of computers, computer network structures, and process control strategies are examined.

The use of automated manufacturing technology requires a new approach to production planning and control. The traditional approach is described and several problem …

Developing An Effective User Manual, Helen M. Mcclellan

Theses

Providing effective computer-based support to end users by telephone can be quite a challenge. An enormous amount of information is needed by the employees of an information center (know as the Help Desk at ITT Commercial Finance) in order to assist end users with computer related problems and questions. In effect, a carefully prepared manual is a vital support tool for Help Desk employees.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate how an effective user manual is developed. The Help Desk Information & Procedures Manual is assembled using several development methodologies and documentation standards. This study first outlines the …

Attitude Change: The Key To Econo-Industrial Development And Growth In Nigeria, Raheem A. Adegboye

Theses

Not available.

Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs At Business Xyz, Jane F. Henthorn

Theses

An educational institution, called Business XYZ for this study, experienced rising premium costs for workers' compensation insurance that climbed steadily for several years and jumped sharply in 1984 and 1985. In order to keep operating costs down, the administrative officers felt ways must be found to reduce the costs of workers' compensation for this business.

The purpose of this study was to look at the overall situation involving workers' compensation claims and costs at Business XYZ across the period of years the premiums rose so dramatically and to determine causes and solutions to the problem of high workers' compensation costs. …

The Impact Of Gender Differences On The Ethical Conduct Of Corporate Middle Management, Daniel W. Kemper

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of business ethics and the impact gender has upon the ethical decisions of corporate middle management .

Research has attributed the lack of ethics in businessmen to a decline in moral standards . Because this condition seems to be the rule rather than the exception, it becomes necessary to focus more clearly on the corporate system and the moral development of the individuals who make up this system.

Over the years moral development has been the subject of controversy as many theorists have developed their own ideas as to why people behave morally. …

Biorhythms And Industrial Injuries, James Vincent Detitta

Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not a relationship exists between the time of an industrial injury and a specific position on the biorhythm scale known as a critical day.

Ninety-six employees who worked at the E. I. du Pont de Nemours Plant in Parlin, New Jersey served as a test group during 1980. In order to determine if a relationship did exist, the subjects' biorhythmic cycles for 1980 were charted and then their injury performance was monitored during that year to see if the injury date corresponded with a critical day. An additional test was …

Emergency Stop Devices And The Human Factors Of Response, Robert Paul Guinter

Theses

The manual emergency stop Was recognized as an im- portant aspect of machine control very early during the history of powered mechanical systems. The purpose, of course, was to allow machinery to be quickly stepped during emergencies to minimize equipment damage and/or personal injury. Today, however, the emphasis of control is being shifted more and more toward totally automatic systems. Often, the importance of manual emergency stopping and override of these systems is lost in the zeal to perfect automatic controls. The problem that evolves is how and when to provide an efficient human-machine interface to allow a manual emergency …

Principle Causes Of Changes In U.S. Productivity, Harris Kamah Forkpa

Theses

Productivity growth in the United States has taken a downward trend since the nation entered the decade of the 60s. This issue is contemporary because its consequences are apparent in every American industry. Government, business and individuals are equally affected because prices continue to escalate. Hence, the cost of living appears to be unmanageable. Several factors have contributed to the slump in United States productivity growth. The most important of these factors are low capital investment, strained management and labor relationships, insufficient research and development spending, low employee motivation, the attitude of organized labor unions, lack of national commitment, high …

A Research Study To Determine The Characteristics And Attitudes Shared By Entrepreneurs And Intrapreneurs And The Similarities And Differences Between Them, Miguel A. Vargas

Theses

The United States of America has been the mecca of many ventures for people with vision, goals and perseverance. The prosperity of our nation has been paved by individuals with great ambition, determination and insight, who have dared to take on a risk in owning a business enterprise.

This research study was conducted to determine the characteristics and attitudes of both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, as well as the similarities and differences between them.

For this study, a survey of entrepreneurs.was conducted through the use of questionnaires distributed to business owners located in the counties of Essex, Passaic and Hudson, in …

Comparison Of Several Manufacturing Techniques Used To Produce A Sterile Antibiotic Powder, Antonio Joseph Barberio

Theses

There are several manufacturing processes (crystallization, spray drying, freeze drying, and closed crystallization) that are used to produce a sterile antibiotic powder. A pharmaceutical manufacturer is faced with the problem of deciding which process is best suited for their operations. The purpose of this thesis is to propose a comparison technique that might aid in a solution to this problem. In the first step of the comparison technique, a fixed rating is assigned to a number of different categories (i.e. initial cost of equipment, product purity, etc.) for each process. The fixed ratings were established from an industrial survey, and …

The Effects Of Different Administrative Parameters On Learning In A Management Simulation, Stephen Christopher Betts

Theses

This research puts forth a set of conclusions regarding the relationship between how a full scale interactive and competative management simulation is organized and executed and how effective the experience seems to participants. One hundred sixty students who participated in management simulations in five different schools were questionaired about how effective the simulation was in teaching ten different subject areas. Their instructors and other game administators were interviewed to Find out how and why the simulation was organized and executed the way that it was in their school. The simulation used in all five samples was the Tempomatic IV. The …

The Design Of An Order Processing System, Michael Montrose

Theses

The writer of this thesis was once involved in the order processing function with the company studied and recognized that there is a need for a better method of processing customer orders that could be applicable to other companies.

The company studied is considered a "high tech" company, meaning that it is engaged in the design; manufacture, and sale of the latest state of the art products that employ modern computer technology. It is ironic that this company, on the leading edge in its field; is in great need of reform in the office methods used to order its products. …

An Inventory Model For The Specialty Chemical Industry, Paul Murchison

Theses

The specialty chemical industry is a unique segment of the chemical industry. This industry produces chemical intermediate products for the pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetics, and other chemically related industries. Most of the products that are produced are covered by patents or involve proprietary know—how. The specialty chemical products are a minor part of a total formulation but contribute unique properties to the end product. This feature of specialty chemicals gives the manufacturer unusual pricing power compared to producers of commodity chemicals. This industry has proven to be very competitive, profitable and in the forefront of the present automation revolution over the …

Technology Transfer Between Developed And Developing Countries, Tenny Oghogho Ogbomo

Theses

The problems arising from technology transfer, in general, are not new. The problems of the East-West technology transfer, for example, are based on the risk that such transfers will enhance the military capability, or at least the military potential, of the trading partner. In the case of United States trade with the Soviet Union, it can be said that any accretion in the Soviet military capacity weighs against the United States in an overall world-wide balance of power. The restrictions and/or prohibition of such transfer of technology are problems themselves.

The North-South technology transfer, in other words, the technology transfer …

Human Factors In The Design Of Computer Application Software, Curtis Springstead

Theses

The use of computers in business has expanded tremendously over the past two decades. This expansion has been possible due to increasing economies within the computer industry, and in spite of the lack of consideration shown for the users of such data processing systems. The popularity of computers has compelled users to expand their list of requirements from a computer system so that it includes ease of use.

This thesis attempts to bring together many widely dispersed studies and principles that can affect the ease of use of interactive computer systems. The material has been organized according to five components …

Cybernetic Theory Applied In Production Control, Ding-Hsin Fang

Theses

There are many theories for the control of production. Also. there are many successful cases for each of the different theories.

Cybernetic theory is quickly evolving as a design basis for management control systems. Cybernetics is the science of self-regulation and its basic tenents are control, or the ability to direct action toward a predetermined goal, and communication, or the ability to send and receive information.

The objective of this thesis is to identify and discuss this theory applied to the management techniques of production control for a Far Eastern textile firm and to investigate the extent that the firm …

Applications And Evaluation Criteria For Robotic Systems, Brijan Shirish Badshah

Theses

The robot industry is one of the fastest growing industries. In almost every area of manufacturing, robots are being considered for one or more tasks, but the success of any commercial industrial undertaking has to be measured in terms of financial performance.

To help practitioners in the manufacturing area, an economic analysis and investment appraisal technique for robotic systems is developed, especially to assist managers in making the crucial decision about utilizing an industrial robot. An interactive microcomputer program is developed which performs the economic analysis for cost justification and helps managers to decide whether the implementation of a robot …

Leading The Electronics Industry Into Total Automation, George P. Rossi

Theses

The introduction of an automated PCB facility in today's technological society still includes a people-oriented facility. The main thrust should be to develop Artificial Intelligence, then the incorporation of LANS, CAD, ICAM, and CIM.

The ability to lace all the functions together is by far the biggest obstacle. The hardware of the equipment is not so much the obstacle to the chemical process and knowledge as the software. Software, which is the capability to talk from the computer to the equipment, is the greatest stumbling block because there is no standardization in the language format.

The method which a computer …

Investigation Into The Feasibility Of Burning Hazardous Waste In Utility Boilers, Reuben Steinberg

Theses

Disposal of hazardous waste is of major concern in recent years in this country. Declining availability of landfills together with more stringent State and Federal regulations has necessitated the need to consider alternative means of hazardous waste disposal. It was suggested that burning hazardous wastes in presently operating utility boilers might be beneficial to the utilities and offer a solution to this social problem.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of this alternative given the technical, economic and regulatory considerations involved and discusses the findings of adopting this technology for hazardous waste disposal.

Based on the results of this study it …

Management Of Personnel Systems, James P. Ward

Theses

The "Management of Personnel Systems" course (BA-332), taught at Lindenwood College in Spring 1986, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding key components in personnel and industrial relations. Designed for graduate-level students, the course emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications of human resource management. Its core objective is to equip students with the philosophy, skills, and experiential learning necessary to operate effectively within the personnel function of organizations.

The syllabus covers a broad spectrum of topics, including job analysis and design, staffing and recruitment, equal employment opportunity, performance appraisal systems, compensation and benefits, labor relations, collective bargaining, organizational development, safety …

A Review Of Personnel Policies And Procedures Developed For St. Charles County In 1984, Richard L. Balicki

Theses

This paper will discuss the development, design and formulation of personnel policies and procedures for St. Charles County in 1984. At the time the process of development started, the county was without an approved personnel policies and procedures system and was concerned about a possible federal audit that could result in their losing federal funds because of the lack of formal policies.

In order to develop a system that would be used by the various county offices, input was sought from elected and appointed officials as well as other levels of county employees. The success and failure of this method …

A Market Study On The Viability Of Small Launch Firms, Allen George Dyer

Theses

As the United States only launch vehicle program NASA'~ Space Shuttle forced the shutdown of conventional launch vehicle operations . A system whose profitability depended on frequent use, but which, instead , incurred numerous launch delays, the Shuttle soon could not cover the cost of itself much less turn an profit. The French Ariane, albeit a simpler launch vehicle, soon successfully competed with the Shuttle for payloads.

The Reagan Administration, by various supportive measures, encouraged the market entrance of commercial launch firms . The Shuttle and Ariane, however, subsidized by their respective governments , set prices so artificially low that …

Emerson E & S Division's Management Technique: An Exploratory Survey Into The Benefits Of An Integrated Business Environment, Timothy Fitzsimmons Carr

Theses

Over the past few years, integrated business environments have become popular in the defense industry . An integrated business environment is a method used to unify all management and engineering activities required for a company to perform on a contract. The follow i ng research provides an introduction to the concepts of managing technological business through streamlining the efforts of all human and non-human resources involved, and secondarily , an exploratory survey into some of the important benefits and open issues that are being explored and debated among users, developers and maintainers of test program sets.