bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of linear gain saturation on large‐signal dynamics of quantum‐well lasers
Authors: Chen Y. , Wartak M. S.
Published: July 2007

Dynamical characteristics of separate confinement heterostructure (SCH) quantum‐well lasers with carrier transport effects under large‐signal modulation are investigated numerically. Realistic logarithmic dependence of material gain on carrier density is used. It is shown that both the relaxation oscillation frequency and chirping are reduced due to linear gain saturation. The effect of carrier transport across SCH on transient response is also examined. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of biaxially anisotropic waveguides using tangential vector finite elements
Authors: Peng Guanghua , Lee Jin‐Fa
Published: July 2007

Problems of biaxially anisotropic waveguides with arbitrary cross section are formulated in terms of vector and scalar potentials. By using the tangential vector finite elements, electromagnetic characteristics of propagating modes in the waveguides are obtained without the occurrence of any spurious modes. Numerical results are verified and agreements with other published results are achieved. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
I.F. Filter bandwidth optimization of coherent heterodyne analog FM optical receiver
Authors: Wu Jingshown , Tsao Hen‐Wai , Lee Yang‐Han , Ho Keang‐Po , Chin Le Pond
Published: July 2007

The performance of the coherent heterodyne optical FM receiver employing a discriminator has been simulated under different i.f. filter bandwidths to find the optimal bandwidth. The value of the signal‐to‐noise ratio has been obtained under different values of i.f. filter bandwidth, modulation index, and signal power. The phase noise linewidth is fixed at Δv = 10 kHz. Even for very small linewidth, the performance of the coherent optical FM receiver is mainly dominated by phase noise. The advantage of FM modulation exists only when received signal power is small. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Transmission equations for soliton amplification in erbium‐doped optical fibers
Authors: Zhao Y. , Chan K. T.
Published: July 2007

The transmission equation for describing soliton amplification in Er3+‐doped optical fibers is derived from the semiclassical theory. To the best of our knowledge, excited‐state absorption is considered for the first time in such an equation. The doping shape, pump and signal lightwave modes, and spectral‐broadening function are also included. This equation is a general one that is widely applicable to the analysis and optimization of doped fibers for soliton amplification. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nonlinear distortion analysis in optically prefiltered SCM systems
Authors: Marti J. , Capmany J. , Mangharam H.
Published: July 2007

We consider nonlinear distortion due to the optical source and the cross talk produced in optically prefiltered SCM systems. Optimum values for the optical modulation index are calculated and power penalties due to intermodulation distortion are obtained depending on the number of channels and the laser linewidth. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An FFT T‐matrix method for 3D microwave scattering solutions from random discrete scatterers
Authors: Chew W. C. , Lin J. H. , Yang X. G.
Published: July 2007

An efficient method to solve the scattering by a cluster of randomly located discrete scatterers is described. The scatterers can have an arbitrary shape, and only their T matrices need be known. An iterative method is suggested to solve this problem. To expedite the matrix‐vector multiply, we first aggregate the random scattering centers of the scatterers into centers that reside on a regular array. Then, the FFT method is used to perform the matrix‐vector multiply in O(N log N) operations. This method can solve a problem with a large number of unknowns, involving thousands of discrete scatterers, on a workstation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Experimental studies of a new power divider for integrated optics
Authors: Soghomonian M. S. , Benson T. M.
Published: July 2007

A dielectric lens structure, the effective refractive index of which varies with its radius, is studied experimentally at millimeter‐wave frequencies. The experimental results demonstrate that such a lens is suitable as a wideband compact power splitter for integrated optical circuits. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Heterodyne detection of multipulse signaling in optical communication channels
Authors: Fares Doaa A.
Published: July 2007

Pulse‐position modulation (PPM) schemes are usually used in optical communication systems to improve the receiver sensitivity. Recently, multi‐PPM (MPPM) signaling [1] has been presented as a very powerful alternative to the PPM format, for laser direct detection systems. With similar information efficiency, it achieved a significant performance improvement at higher transmission rates, and had less bandwidth expansion, and better peak‐to‐average power ratios, with respect to the PPM model. In this article we investigate extending the MPPM signaling to coherent optical communication systems. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Error of rotation output due to light injection to LD source in a self‐coupled interferometric fiber GYRO: Experiment
Authors: Shi Chao‐Xiang , Iizuka Hisao
Published: July 2007

An experiment regarding an inexpensive self‐coupled interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (self‐coupled I‐FOG) is conducted. The gyro output and rotation‐rate resolution of a self‐coupled I‐FOG are investigated and compared with those of a conventional I‐FOG having two couplers. The error effect of rotation output in a self‐coupled I‐FOG due to the interaction of the gyro output and the laser source is examined. Our results show that the resolution of rotation rate of an economical self‐coupled I‐FOG is one order of magnitude lower than that of a conventional I‐FOG. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Detecting the presence of 180° phase discrepancies in transmission‐coefficient measurements of lossless multiport rectangular‐waveguide components
Authors: Yeo S. P. , Cheng M. , Bannister D. J. , Ide J. P.
Published: July 2007

It has recently been observed that the improper choice of relative adaptor orientations may give rise to 180° phase discrepancies in the transmission‐coefficient measurements obtained by automatic network analyzers for multiport rectangular‐waveguide components. Two test procedures for detecting the presence of such discrepancies—based either on principal subdeterminants or on maximum singular value—are described in the present article. Test results indicate that the latter of the two procedures is to be preferred, because the former may in certain instances fail to function satisfactorily. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Wideband large‐signal amplifier based on an odd number of mesfets
Authors: D'Agostino Stefano , Paoloni Claudio
Published: July 2007

The topology of a wideband large‐signal amplifier based on an odd number of MESFETs is presented. The introduction of a Wilkinson combiner at the input and at the output of a distributed amplifier topology allows interesting performance in comparison to conventional large‐signal configurations, typically based on an even number of MESFETs. An application of the proposed amplifier based on three MESFETs, usually inconvenient, is discussed and compared to a conventional four‐MESFET topology. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fast and simple analytical expressions for quasistatic parameters of asymmetric coplanar lines
Authors: Karpuz Ceyhun , Görür Adnan , Görür Hülya , Alkan Mustafa
Published: July 2007

Fast and simple CAD‐oriented analytical expressions for the characteristic impedance and the effective permittivity of asymmetric coplanar waveguides and coplanar strip lines are derived using the conformal mapping method. It has been found that the results calculated using analytical expressions obtained in the present article are in very good agreement with the analytical and experimental results given in the literature. The formulas derived in this study have also been verified to be valid for symmetric coplanar waveguide and strip lines. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
100‐GHz CW GaAs/AlGaAs multiquantum‐well impatt oscillators
Authors: Meng C. C. , Siao S. W. , Fetterman H. R. , Streit D. C. , Block T. R. , Saito Y.
Published: July 2007

Multiquantum‐well structures can be applied to the high‐frequency IMPATT oscillators. The first CW operation of GaAs/AlGaAs multiquantum‐well IMPATT oscillators at 100 GHz is reported here. Preliminary results yielded 6.4‐mW CW power at 100.3 GHz in a nonoptimized circuit. Significantly higher powers are anticipated with further optimization of the circuit parameters. The modern epitaxial technology opens up a new field for two‐terminal high‐frequency sources. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Struve functions for circular aperture patterns
Authors: Hansen R. C.
Published: July 2007

The pattern of a circular aperture with errors normally requires a double numerical integration. When the aperture function is rotationally symmetric or with sin θ variation, the double integration can be reduced to a single integration of a Struve function; these are readily calculable. Thus the pattern calculation is greatly simplified. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a chiral cylinder of arbitrary cross section — GMT approach
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhang Wen Xun
Published: July 2007

In this article the generalized multipole technique (GMT) is formulated to obtain the scattering response of a chiral cylinder of arbitrary cross section. The convergence of GMT was verified, and the accuracy of GMT was recognized by comparing with the eigenfunction expansion method. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Full‐wave analysis of scattering from a spherical‐circular microstrip antenna
Authors: And Tsurng‐Jeng Chang , Chen Hong‐Twu
Published: July 2007

The electromagnetic scattering from a spherical‐circular microstrip antenna is analyzed using a full‐wave analysis incorporating Galerkin's moment method. The radar cross sections (RCSs) are calculated in this study and compared with the corresponding results for the planar circular microstrip antenna. Numerical results for various curvature radii and substrate thicknesses are presented and discussed. The effects of the substrate's uniaxial anisotropy on the scattering behavior are also investigated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Full‐wave, edge‐accounting calculation of losses in rectangular‐groove waveguides
Authors: Svezhentsev Alexander Ye.
Published: July 2007

A loss‐calculation approach that takes into account the exact field behavior near the rectangular edge has been developed for rectangular‐groove waveguides. A new type of groove waveguide with a rectangle‐shaped groove and central symmetry is discussed. A new algorithm for optimizing the losses and overall dimensions of rectangle‐groove guides is described. Sample numerical results for the losses and overall dimensions are presented for a centrally symmetric rectangular‐groove guide and also for a traditional symmetric rectangular‐groove guide. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Finite‐difference solution of scattering (TE case) using exact mesh termination
Authors: Djordjevic A. R. , Sarkar T. K. , Roy T.
Published: July 2007

A new technique has been proposed regarding how to terminate the mesh for finite‐difference and finite‐element techniques in an exact fashion. Earlier works have dealt with the application of this technique to electrostatic and electromagnetic (TM case) only. This article extends the method to deal with the electromagnetic case but for the TE polarization. Numerical results are presented to compare the accuracy of this technique with the conventional methods‐of‐moments approach. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Radiated fields from a planar structure with a superconducting slab
Authors: And Lucio Vegni , Toscano Alessandro
Published: July 2007

In this article we consider the radiation properties of a planar superconducting structure fed by a planar electric point source. The development of the solution is obtained by using the bidimensional Fourier transform of the Maxwell's equations in the transverse plane of the structure with respect to the normal axis of the interface plane. Several interesting characteristics of the radiated fields have been obtained depending on the electromagnetic constitutive parameters and the superconducting impedance. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Superresolved time‐frequency parametrization of electromagnetic scattering mechanisms due to structural dispersion
Authors: Trintinalia Luiz C. , Ling Hao
Published: July 2007

We present a superresolution procedure that applies ESPRIT in both the time and frequency domains to obtain a parametrized representation of electromagnetic scattering mechanisms due to structural dispersion. This procedure is applied to the backscattered data from an open‐ended circular waveguide. The dispersive waveguide modes are identified with very good accuracy. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FDTD modeling of microstrip‐line‐FED wide‐slot antenna
Authors: Shum S. M. , Tong K. F. , Zhang Xuexia , Luk K. M.
Published: July 2007

Microstrip‐line‐fed wide‐slot antennas of different dimensions are analyzed using the finite‐difference‐time‐domain (FDTD) method. The numerical results are checked against experimental results and reasonable agreement is obtained. The antenna can be matched by adjusting the length of the matching stub. This happens when the trailing edge of the stub is within the width of the slot. In addition, it is found that the impedance bandwidth of the antenna can be improved by widening the slot. © 1995 John Wley & Sons, Inc.
A novel frequency‐selective surface, CHIRO‐FSS
Authors: Koca A. Oguzhan , Ege Tuncay
Published: July 2007

A new frequency‐selective surface (FSS), chiro‐FSS, consisting of an infinite, periodic array of conducting elements printed on an isotropic chiral slab is proposed and analyzed. For the purpose of illustrating the properties of the chiro‐FSS, the reflection characteristics of a two‐dimensional array of crossed dipoles and circular rings backed by a thin chiral slab are presented. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Grid dispersion error using the nonuniform orthogonal finite‐difference‐time‐domain method
Authors: And John Svigelj , Mittra Raj
Published: July 2007

Memory requirements often limit the scope of problems that can be solved using the finite‐difference—time‐domain (FDTD) method. However, problems involving complicated geometries with fine features and large geometries can be more readily handled using nonuniform orthogonal FDTD. Grid dispersion error on nonuniform meshes is addressed in this communication. The critical parameters of cell size in terms of wavelength and growth rate are studied. A theoretical analysis followed by a numerical example demonstrate that grid dispersion error can be held to acceptably small levels. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Frequency/bias‐field mode charts for gyromagnetic waveguides
Authors: Sheikh S. I. , Gibson A. A. P. , Dillon B. M.
Published: July 2007

Axially magnetized ferrite phase‐shift sections can be biased above or below ferrimagnetic resonance. Mode charts displayed in terms of frequency/bias field, rather than tensor entries, cater for partial magnetization. From this construction it is shown that TM modes have separate onset frequencies above and below ferrimagnetic resonance leading to unique modal hierarchies in each region. For one waveguide structure the theoretical cutoff numbers are compared with experimental data and the phase‐shift calculations are separately corroborated by finite‐element solutions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison of the performance of single‐channel optically amplified transmission systems
Authors: Matera F. , Settembre M.
Published: July 2007

In this work a numerical investigation is reported on the propagation regimes that allow single‐channel systems to obtain the maximum capacity in links with optical amplification. Links with anomalous and zero mean chromatic dispersion are considered, adopting both DS and stepindex fibers and operating at a wavelength of 1.55 μm. Solitons and NRZ signals are used. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of an optoelectronic mixer based on metal‐semiconductor‐metal photodetector
Authors: Prasad K. R. , Liu Q. Z. , Macdonald R. I.
Published: July 2007

In this article we present the analysis of an optoelectronic mixer (OEM) based on a metal‐semiconductor‐metal photodiode (MSM‐PD) in microwave fiber‐optic links. The nonlinearities inherent in the MSM‐PD OEM are examined by modeling its dc responsivity as a third‐order polynomial function of applied bias voltage. The OEM has been analyzed in terms of its conversion loss, carrier‐to‐noise ratio, and noise figure. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A DE‐embedding technique for reflection‐based S‐parameter measurements of HMICs and MMICs
Authors: Ghannouchi F. M. , Beauregard F. , Hajji R. , Brodeur A.
Published: July 2007

A generalized calibration and de‐embedding technique for reflection‐based S‐parameter measurements of microwave devices is proposed. This technique allows two‐port calibration of a network analyzer directly from the embedded reflection coefficient measurements. This technique is a general one, in the sense that it can be implemented in network analyzers with or without transmission measurement capabilities. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An equalization technique for indoor IR wireless LANs
Authors: Chan H. H. , Elmirghani J. M. H. , Cryan R. A.
Published: July 2007

Original results are presented that evaluate the dispersion in the optical diffuse infrared channel and its effects on optical orthogonal codes (OOCs). A new equalization technique is introduced and analyzed in the context of this channel. The method is shown to be effective in reducing the resultant intersymbol interference (ISI). Illustrative examples are given on an isolated pulse and on a typical OOC. The results indicate that good performance can be achieved with minimum hardware overheads. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Optical implementation of cellular automata using polarization‐encoded optical shadow casting
Authors: Zhang Shuqun , Chen Caisheng
Published: July 2007

Optical implementation of cellular automata based on polarization‐encoded optical shadow casting is proposed. All 256 local rules of cellular automata can be performed all optically by simply specifiing the states of LEDs. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An optically controlled dielectric resonator
Authors: Alphones Arikiaswami , Joseph Louis Lazaar
Published: July 2007

A simplified mode‐matching technique has been employed to analyze the resonant characteristics of an optically tunable dielectric resonator loaded with semiconductor wafer. The accuracy of the results of the present method is compared with previously published results for the fully occupied plasma region model obtained using the spectral‐domain method. Experimental observations have been made at X band. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Numerical evaluations of some regularization methods for two‐dimensional inverse scattering
Authors: Caorsi S. , Cardamone D. , Cavallaro D. , Gragnani G. L. , Pastorino M.
Published: July 2007

Some procedures for the regularization of inverse‐scattering problems are evaluated and discussed by using a singular value decomposition of the Green operator. Results of numerical simulations of a cylindrical scatterer are reported to show the limitations and the capabilities of the described methods. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A novel coplanar waveguide series stub matching structure for a broadband amplifier
Authors: Chiou Hwann‐Kaeo , Chang Chi‐Yang , Lin Hao‐Hsiung
Published: July 2007

We report a novel series stub matching structure for broadband amplifiers. In this design, the series open stub is utilized to provide both rf matching and dc blocking for the amplifier. Based on coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines, the amplifier is realized. Excellent bandpass response of a 7.5‐dB gain with ±0.7‐dB flatness and a 8‐dB return loss are obtained over a 70% bandwidth with a center frequency of 9 GHz. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
AN extension of the PML technique to the fdtd analysis of multilayer planar circuits and antennas
Authors: Verdu J. Bernabeu , Gillard R. , Moustadir K. , Citerne J.
Published: July 2007

The perfectly matched layer (PML) technique is extended to structures including different dielectric layers and transmission lines. It is applied to the rigorous finite difference‐time‐domain (FDTD) analysis of a microstrip line and of a microstrip antenna. Comparisons with Mur absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) and with experiments are included. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On the modal behavior of rectangular and deformed planar waveguides
Authors: Choudhury P. K.
Published: July 2007

A similarity has been observed between planar guides with small circular deformations and rectangular waveguides. The results obtained for deformed planar guides have been compared with those reported earlier by J. E. Goell for rectangular waveguides. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Generalized stokes relations and the problem of reversibility in crystal acoustics
Authors: Barkovskii L. M. , Michenev I. V.
Published: July 2007

This article is devoted to an operator generalization for elastoanisotropic case well known in optics of isotropic media: the scalar Stokes relations. The generalized relations connect Fresnel reflection and transmission operators, which apply to problems of the direct and inverse incidence of a plane wave on a plane interface of two semi‐infinite linear homogeneous gyroanisotropic media. The tensor of surface impedance for the piezocrystals is introduced. Using the operator impedance method, feasibility conditions for stated relations are analyzed for oblique and normal wave incidence on the anisotropic layer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sympathetic neural control of integrated cardiovascular function: Insights from measurement of human sympathetic nerve activity
Authors: Wallin B. Gunnar , Charkoudian Nisha
Published: July 2007

Sympathetic neural control of cardiovascular function is essential for normal regulation of blood pressure and tissue perfusion. In the present review we discuss sympathetic neural mechanisms in human cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, with a focus on evidence from direct recordings of sympathetic nerve activity using microneurography. Measurements of sympathetic nerve activity to skeletal muscle have provided extensive information regarding reflex control of blood pressure and blood flow in conditions ranging from rest to postural changes, exercise, and mental stress in populations ranging from healthy controls to patients with hypertension and heart failure. Measurements of skin sympathetic nerve activity have also provided important insights into neural control, but are often more difficult to interpret since the activity contains several types of nerve impulses with different functions. Although most studies have focused on group mean differences, we provide evidence that individual variability in sympathetic nerve activity is important to the ultimate understanding of these integrated physiological mechanisms. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence?
Authors: Smith Michelle D. , Coppieters Michel W. , Hodges Paul W.
Published: July 2007

Aims

This study investigated whether there are differences in center of pressure (COP) displacement, trunk motion, and trunk muscle activity in women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during static balance tasks when the bladder is empty and moderately full.

Methods

Subjects stood on a force plate during six static balance conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, standing on foam with eyes open, standing on foam with eyes closed, tandem stance, and standing on a short base. Electromyographic activity (EMG) of the pelvic floor (PF), abdominal, and erector spinae muscles were recorded using surface electrodes. Motion of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips was measured with four inclinometers. Trials were performed with the bladder empty, and when the subject reported a sensation of moderate bladder fullness after drinking 250–1,000 ml of water.

Results

Women with SUI had greater COP displacement (range and root mean square), and increased trunk muscle EMG during static balance tests compared to continent women. When tasks were performed with the bladder moderately full, COP displacement and abdominal muscle EMG were increased in both groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that women with SUI have decreased balance ability compared to continent women. Increased activity of the PF and trunk muscles in women with SUI may impair balance as a result of a reduced contribution of trunk movement to postural correction or compromised proprioceptive acuity. As compromised balance has been linked to falls risk, further research into balance deficits and falls prevalence in this population is warranted. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Line‐search methods in general return mapping algorithms with application to porous plasticity
Authors: Seifert T. , Schmidt I.
Published: July 2007

The present paper focuses on the application of line‐search methods in general return mapping algorithms. Two inexact line‐search methods and an exact line‐search method are investigated regarding their convergence properties within an automatic time incrementation in finite element calculations. As an example for the assessment of the algorithms, an elastic–plastic and an elastic–viscoplastic version of Gurson's porous plasticity model are used in simulations of the necking of a tensile bar. It is shown that larger time increments are possible and, therefore, a smaller number of increments are required when using line‐search methods. The exact line‐search method shows the best performance concerning the required number of increments, but takes more CPU time to complete the simulation. The application of the inexact line search methods in general lowers the number of increments along with a reduction in the CPU time, as compared with the case when no line‐search is used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Winning more than the malcolm baldrige national quality award at AT & T transmission systems
Authors: Seemer Robert H.
Published: July 2007

AT&T Transmission Systems entered the competition for the 1992 Malcolm Baldrige Award because it wanted to accelerate the integration of its total quality management system for its customers, employees, and shareholders. The successful two‐and‐one‐half‐year challenge put to rest arguments that achieving dramatic results through TQM is a five‐year process.
A tool for improvement using the baldrige criteria
Authors: Ritter Diane
Published: July 2007

Organizations are continuing to seek to improve using Total Quality Management. To help in their efforts of self‐assessment and improvement, these organizations, in increasing numbers, are using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria. This article demonstrates how.
Doran textiles, inc.—A case study in turnaround and revival
Authors: Walton Wayne , Melton Steve
Published: July 2007

Can a company bounce back from years of decline in a tight economy? Yes, say the managers of Doran Textiles, Inc. This article details how Doran boldly embarked on a quality improvement process to revive an ailing firm and make it once again a leader in its field.
Chevron's spirolite inverts the management pyramid by defining the customer‐supplier relationship
Authors: Finlay Joel S.
Published: July 2007

The customer‐supplier relationship activity is a process that enables an organization's employees to identify their work outputs and the key customers who use those outputs and begin to identify and continuously improve the outputs that are most important to their customers. Through this process, the organization actually inverts itself in support of the customers of individuals, work units, departments, functions, and levels.
The Minnesota pollution control agency hones in on strategic direction
Authors: Uhlig Keith
Published: July 2007

This article examines the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's total quality management program. The agency, which has an annual budget of $84 million and a staff of 740, has chosen to implement its program in a unique way. It is eschewing quality circles and massive training efforts in order to rebuild its strategic planning processes.
Agility: The ultimate requirement for world‐class manufacturing performance
Authors: Nagel Roger N. , Bhargava Piyush
Published: July 2007

It is becoming increasingly clear that the future success of U.S. industry depends on world‐class quality in its products and services. The achievement of this goal requires steps that go beyond the mere improvement of manufacturing. The leading organizations of the next century mill be those that integrate quality‐improvement efforts with agile manufacturing, which requires the utmost in customer responsiveness and a willingness to create virtual corporations that agree to pool their resources toward the achievement of common objectives. If United States industry takes up the agility challenge, the prize will be renewed U.S. quality and competitiveness.
Gain management makes productivity soar at GST steel
Authors: Berman Steven J.
Published: July 2007

GST Steel in Kansas City, Missouri, achieved striking improvements in productivity through a self‐funded gain‐sharing program featuring direct line‐of‐sight, measurable data, and low administrative support. Gain‐sharing payouts averaging 12.4 percent of gross pay in 1993 were surpassed by first quarter 1994 results. Within the first three months of 1994, two components of the company broke 13 production records. In another GST component, management hit its stretch payout of 24 percent while the union reached its stretch payout of 20 percent. On a more intangible level, the program has produced gains in workforce creativity, cost consciousness, commitment, and empowerment. At the same time, the role of management has been revamped to emphasise monitoring, tracking, coaching, and ongoing communication of results.

GSTs success is rooted in a disciplined six‐step process of planning, environmental assessment, plan design, plan testing, plan communication, and plan monitoring. Organizations can achieve similar results if they provide all employees with equal opportunities for success, give equal weight to financial and operational measures, link business strategy with results, and tie the compensation plan to performance measures. This article outlines the function and scope of gain management and chronicles the transformation of GST as it gave birth to its own gain‐management program.
Customer focus charts a prize‐winning course for quality at naval undersea warfare center division
Authors: Williams Sherman , Randall Wade , Wessel Mike , Abrahams Debbie
Published: July 2007

How does a government agency go from potentially losing its most important customers to winning the Federal Quality Institute's Quality Improvement Prototype Award? In the case of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in Keyport, Washington, a series of proactive steps instilled a total quality culture at the facility, geared to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Core process deployment— the key to results through alignment and accountability
Authors: Steele Jack
Published: July 2007

Many companies are improving their business planning process to include the proper inputs, focus on fewer priorities for improvement, and improve communication of the plan to all levels of the organization. Unfortunately, when it comes time to reap the benefits, these plans often fall short in producing desired business results. The reasons for failure are varied, but can include poor management reviews, lack of analysis, lack of accountability, poor cross‐functional coordination, and poor translation of the strategic objectives to all levels of the organization.

Core process deployment, however, can help an organization achieve outstanding business results. Through this procedure, outcome metrics, which measure the various stakeholders' needs, and process or upstream metrics, which act as control points or predictors of outcome metrics, are determined for each core process. In addition, process owners and contributors are identified, and functional and cross‐functional objectives and targets are set for each process consistent with the strategic objectives of the organization. As this article shows, the aligned metrics, objectives, and targets are ultimately cascaded from the top of the organization to the bottom, helping the organization to realize its goals for improvement.
Nations bank reengineers to achieve leadership in international services
Authors: Sczech Marilyn , Attenello Dennis
Published: July 2007

Productivity and service quality often suffer during periods of rapid organizational growth, but this has not been the case at NationsBank. While pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy, the company has been able to control expenses and improve customer satisfaction through the systematic application of reengineering principles in five of its centers for international operations. What's more, by using a strongly participative and bottom‐up approach to reengineering, NationsBank has achieved consistent productivity and quality gains companywide, while remaining sensitive to the needs of employees and customers at every location.
Quick response: The consumer's handshake with manufacturing at union tools
Authors: Allen Robert M.
Published: July 2007

In an effort to bring value to their customers and secure their positions in an increasingly competitive marketplace, retailers and manufacturers are altering their operational strategies. This article demonstrates how Union Tools, Inc. is using the quick response approach to practically come face to face with the consumer and, thus, sharpen its marketing focus and increase its market share.
Winning ways: Establishing an effective workplace recognition system
Authors: Glasscock Sue , Gram Kimberly
Published: July 2007

The benefits from frequent, sincere appreciation can be seen on the bottom line of every measurable corporate attribute, including productivity, sales, product and service quality, and customer satisfaction. Yet, by concentrating only on outstanding performers, most companies recognize less than 5 percent of their workforce, often with rewards that do not reinforce their award‐winning behavior. This article discusses the difference between rewards and recognition and details the elements of workplace recognition programs that lead to repeat winning performance.
Reengineering: Starting with a dirty sheet of paper
Authors: Lemons Susan , Crom Steven E.
Published: July 2007

Experience shows that processes can be creatively reengineered by the very people involved day‐to‐day in those processes. The key is creating an environment in which those participating in business process reengineering (BPR) feel encouraged to take appropriate risks and to experiment with new ways of behaving as well as organizing work. As the two case studies presented in this article show, you don't have to blow up a process, and the people along with it, and start with a clean sheet of paper to design and implement radical performance improvements.
Government savings through partnering: A federal lands highway initiative
Authors: Bushnell David S. , Cross William S.
Published: July 2007

Federal Lands Highway (FLH), a unit of the federal Highway Administration, provides highway engineering services to federal land managing agencies to build America's scenic highways. Since 1988, FLH has been systematically implementing total quality management (TQM). A key component of that effort has been its partnering initiative. This has been used to reduce the traditional adversarial relationship between FLH and its contractors by allowing them to jointly discuss and reach mutual agreement on the overall goals of projects before disputes arise. Since costs are reduced and disputes avoided through such arrangements, partnering is a technique that all public‐sector contract administrators should take under serious consideration.
Performance management: The foundation for a high‐performance organization
Authors: Bulger Stanley L.
Published: July 2007

It seems that every organizational consultant, if not every person just down the hall, has the solution for creating a high‐performance organization. Paragon Trade Brands charted a course to achieve such an organizational goal by using various nontraditional core processes that were developed internally. This article focuses on how this program was created and its evolution through implementation and ongoing maintenance. The simplicity of what is presented should not be interpreted as being easy to accomplish. But most organizations that are committed to creating a high‐performance culture can do so by identifying their core processes and dedicating implementation resources in a timely, open manner.
Arizona State university's lesson in creating public‐sector change agents
Authors: von Dran Gisela M. , Prybutok Victor R. , Kappelman Leon A.
Published: July 2007

Public organizations are in need of change. Citizens and their elected representatives are demanding higher accountability and better services at lower costs. In studying the participants of a leadership academy at a large state university, the authors show that transformational leadership attitudes can be transferred to create change agents in complex multifaceted public‐sector environments.
Real‐world reengineering: Supporting organizational change at premier bank
Authors: Parker T. Wood
Published: July 2007

Banking was once considered among the most stable industries. But then came the 1980s, the savings and loan debacle, and the years of corporate downsizing and restructuring. Today, change is the name of the game in banking as it is in virtually every industry. Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings continue to be headline news, particularly with the ascendancy of “megabanks” in many pans of the country.

To position themselves for long‐term marketplace success, some banks, particularly smaller but highly profitable regional financial institutions, are getting smart. They're reinventing themselves in an effort to become more efficient, reduce work process redundancies, make strategic use of new technologies, and better meet‐and anticipate—the changing needs of their customers. But managing organization change is a complex process. It requires the careful alignment and “harmonizing” of internal organizational elements to be successful.

This article details how Premier Bank of Louisiana (recently acquired by Banc One of Ohio) developed a successful formula for reengineering based on the strong, hands‐on championing of change by its CEO and an overall approach that focused on creating “cascading sponsorship” for change efforts inside the organization.
Teamwork enhances customer satisfaction and manufacturing capability at Kent‐Moore
Authors: Zuech Paul , Finley Nancy
Published: July 2007

Companies with an eye toward the future know that they must study the past, examining previous successes and failures to prevent problems and improve performance. Determined to enhance its reputation for customer satisfaction, Kent‐Moore carefully reviewed its processes and found specific areas for improvement. As this article explains, the company's customers were not the only ones to benefit from its forward‐thinking efforts to enhance the efficacy of its operations.
Do Americans have their minds set against TQM?
Authors: Hubiak William A. , O'Donnell Susan Jones
Published: July 2007

Evidence indicates that two‐thirds of quality programs implemented in the United States either fail to produce real improvements or are stalled, in spite of increased efforts. Most explanations for poor performance focus on operational deficiencies in the implementation of TQM practices and fail to address the underlying systemic psychological constraints that limit the dynamic impact of TQM in this country. This article examines five mental models, characteristic of the American mind‐set, that seriously constrain the implementation of TQM.
Technology to ease team‐based quality assessments
Authors: Kaplan Craig
Published: July 2007

Companies such as IBM have found that periodic, team‐based quality assessments can reduce service costs and defects while increasing customer satisfaction and revenue per employee. Whereas in the past such assessments were conducted by high‐priced consultants, today team‐based assessment software offers a highly cost‐effective alternative. By averaging scores and merging comments from many assessors, team‐based software increases the validity of a self‐assessment while increasing involvement and understanding. Combined with appropriate leadership and other widely available technologies, team‐based assessment software has helped organizations ranging from the U.S. Air Force to AT&T address seven major challenges to quality assessment efforts.
Team traps: What they are, how to avoid them
Authors: Rayner Steven R.
Published: July 2007

Virtually every major corporation has a team experiment under way. The same holds true among government, nonprofit, and academic institutions. Although much has been written about successes achieved through teamwork, to truly appreciate the factors that enhance high performance among team members, organizations must examine the reasons why teams fail. This article discusses the traps that can await unsuspecting teams and offers suggestions on how to sidestep them to ensure organizational success.
How to get the most from team training
Authors: Bohlander George W. , McCarthy Kathy
Published: July 2007

Teams are championed to improve many aspects of organizational performance, including customer service, productivity, employee morale, and job satisfaction. But not all teams are successful. Recent studies show that one major cause of team failure is the lack of appropriate training for team members. Team training is most productive when it focuses on important behavioral and process subjects needed for group success. Additionally, training material is used most effectively when it is presented at a logical point during team development. This article discusses ways to develop superior team training programs and the proper sequencing of training content for effective application. It also presents a model training program based on the four recognized stages of team development.
Creating a change reaction: How understanding organizational dynamics can ease reengineering
Authors: Trahant Bill , Burke W. Warner
Published: July 2007

Studies show that nearly two‐thirds of all organizational change efforts are failures or fail to live up to expectations. Why is this? And what can companies do to ensure a greater likelihood of success with change initiative? This article outlines a rigorous, client‐tested approach for planning and implementing change efforts, based on a thorough understanding of the variables at play in an organization whenever change efforts are attempted. The authors explain how an informed understanding of such dynamics greatly enhances the likelihood of success with reengineering and business process redesign efforts.
The power of empowered teams
Authors: Carroll Bob
Published: July 2007

Many articles on empowered teams tend to focus on how a leader developed those teams and the results that followed. This article, however, details the major improvements that a cross‐functional production team made over a five‐year period to significantly boost the performance of its project. All the improvements described were made by the team itself and were considered by their manager to be far more elegant and effective than the improvements he would have devised.
Self‐assessments spur business improvement at merix corporation
Authors: Willey Raymond
Published: July 2007

The leaders of Merix Corporation, a domestic supplier of high‐technology interconnect products, have a history of setting and achieving aggressive goals and effectively managing a continuously evolving company during periods of high growth. A key strategy in maintaining high levels of performance is Merix's use of self‐assessments and award criteria to receive valuable third‐party feedback. This has led the company to win several awards, including a 1996 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. This article describes how Merix integrates a self‐assessment strategy into its business and discusses the application of Shigeo Shingo's concepts to improve the company's manufacturing performance.
Enhancing corporate performance through quality‐driven pollution prevention
Authors: Mannion Richard F.
Published: July 2007

Corporations realize that environmental compliance represents a significant percentage of total manufacturing costs. Increasingly, they are also realizing the fact that pollution is a process inefficiency that needs to be addressed proactively‐not a necessary cost of business to be dealt with at the end of the manufacturing cycle. By integrating its pollution prevention programs with a total quality environmental management concept, The Foxboro Company has obtained extraordinary results in its efforts to cut pollution and manufacturing costs and, thus, improve organizational performance.
The global transpark network: Creating an infrastructure support system for agile manufacturing
Authors: Kasarda John D. , Rondinelli Dennis A. , Ward John W.
Published: July 2007

In the coming century, the vitality and productivity of U.S. manufacturing will depend on the ability of corporations to compete successfully in rapidly changing global markets. Thus, a well‐planned infrastructure comprising the best in storage, transportation, telecommunications, and a host of commercial support services will have to be in place to bolster agile manufacturing

This article examines the types of infrastructure needed to support agile manufacturing by describing the North Carolina Global TransPark (GTP), a prototype project that combines all the systems that firms need to become more competitive in international markets. GTP is expected to be part of an exciting international network of 21st‐century manufacturing and transport complexes that ultimately will change the way U.S. companies compete in global markets.
Continuous improvement in the drive toward best‐in‐world manufacturing at ford electronics
Authors: Byrd Lisa R.
Published: July 2007

Stand still for a moment and you'll be left in the dust by the competition in today's highly competitive, global manufacturing environment. Ford Motor Company's North Penn Electronics Facility has long recognized that the key to winning in its industry is continuous improvement in everything it does. This article details some of the major improvements North Penn achieved in quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction since the early 1990s, trends that have created a spirit of continuous improvement that permeates the organization and will carry it into the latter half of this decade and beyond.
Shared inquiry: Learning how to really succeed in business
Authors: Fricker Ronald D. , Wehrle Robert A.
Published: July 2007

Preparing today's students to become productive and successful members of tomorrow's workforce is a significant undertaking. Some organizations have tried to articulate the needs of the business community, but these efforts typically fail because they tend to speak 01 educators rather than to them in terms they can understand. This article examines some of the unique skill requirements essential for success in the current business environment and focuses on how these skills can be taught in today's education environment through the use of the shared inquiry technique. It also provides business leaders with advice on how to articulate these requirements to the academic world so that a bridge between the two communities can be established.