bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital policy changes in obstetric patient movement
Authors: McFadden Kathleen L.
Published: July 2002

In preparation for health care reform, many hospitals are contemplating redesigning their physical facilities and altering patient care policies. Uses a large Texas hospital as the subject of this study which was considering implementing policy changes in obstetric patient care along with constructing labour, delivery, recovery room suites. Uses simulation models based on Markovian patient movement to analyse whether their proposed changes will improve overall operational efficiency. The existing as well as proposed obstetric patient movement systems were developed and comparisons made based on average length of stay and total per‐patient cost to the hospital. The quantitative models proved useful in improving decision making with regard to the alternatives. Argues that the methodology can be extended to other hospitals who seek to streamline patient movement to enhance efficiency and patient convenience.
Understanding the use of just‐in‐time purchasing in a developing country
Authors: Lawrence John J. , Lewis Holly S.
Published: July 2002

Weak supplier bases and weak infrastructures pose significant obstacles to the use of just‐in‐time (JIT) purchasing in developing countries. Explores the use and effectiveness of JIT purchasing practices in one such developing country, Mexico, in an attempt to lay a foundation for understanding the use of JIT purchasing in developing countries in general. Analyses two distinct activities characteristic of JIT purchasing: JIT deliveries from suppliers and supplier involvement in improvement activities. Uses a large sample mail survey and comparative case studies. Indicates that both JIT deliveries and supplier involvement in improvement activities can enhance performance in Mexican operations under certain circumstances. Finds the effectiveness of pursuing JIT deliveries depends on plant and company size. Achieving high levels of supplier involvement appears to depend in part on the extent that Mexican managers have developed a network within the parent company. Provides recommendations for managers and suggestions for areas requiring further research.
Remodelling a company via systems re‐engineering
Authors: Thomas P.V. , Davies A.
Published: July 2002

Examines how a conceptually ideal manufacturing business structure may be achieved by analysing information flows, processes and activities at a macro level within the company. Outlines the methodology used to identify the existing company position, strategic alternatives, organizational model and information flows. Describes the modifications necessary to the system in order to achieve the re‐engineering objectives required by the business. Indicates how strategic decisions relating to organizational design may be implemented via systems re‐engineering.
Manufacturing cell formation using spreadsheets
Authors: Kerr Donald C. , Balakrishnan Jaydeep
Published: July 2002

Many algorithms have been proposed to form manufacturing cells from component routeings. Most of these methods require specialized algorithms for implementation. Some others use well known procedures such as integer programming. However, these may be difficult for practising managers to comprehend. Proposes a simple method that can be implemented using spreadsheet software. The method is based on similarity coefficients and a pair‐wise interchange procedure. Describes the method and the spreadsheet implementation. Compares our procedure with many existing procedures using eight well‐known problems from the literature. Using three evaluation measures shows that the proposed procedure is effective. Given its simplicity and effectiveness, it may be useful to practitioners and researchers.
The changing basis of performance measurement
Authors: Ghalayini Alaa M. , Noble James S.
Published: July 2002

The objective of performance measurement has changed over the past few decades. Traditional performance measures based on productivity are no longer appropriate or representative of the information needs of today’s competitive global market. Alternative performance systems have been proposed that range from time as the basis of all measures to the integration of a variety of performance measures. Reviews and analyses the limitations of traditional approaches to performance measurement as well as the emerging trends in performance measurement system development. Reveals that the basis of performance measurement is changing and that there are certain characteristics that are necessary in order to produce information that is relevant for improving world‐class manufacturing performance.
The European auto components industry
Authors: Oliver Nick , Delbridge Rick , Lowe Jim
Published: July 2002

Reports the findings of a study into manufacturing performance and practice in 71 auto components plants in eight countries. Documents the performance differences between plants in different countries, and tests the extent to which lean production principles explain variations in performance. As a group, European plants trailed the USA and Japan on productivity and quality. Measures of process discipline and control most consistently discriminated between the high and low‐performing plants. There was no clear link between performance and patterns of work organization or human resource policy.
The seven value stream mapping tools
Authors: Hines Peter , Rich Nick
Published: July 2002

Develops a new value stream or supply‐chain mapping typology. This seven‐map typology is based on the different wastes inherent in value streams. The use of the various tools, either singularly or in combination, is therefore driven by the types of waste to be removed. The tools themselves are drawn from a range of existing functional ghettos such as logistics, operations management and engineering. Maintains that two of the seven tools can be regarded as completely new. This cross‐functional approach means that the choice of tools to be used can be made from outside of traditional departmental boundaries, affording researchers and companies the opportunity to use the most appropriate tools rather than merely those that are well‐known in their function. Describes each tool briefly and gives a simple mechanism for choosing which is most appropriate to contingent situations.
TQM and organization size
Authors: Ghobadian Abby , Gallear David
Published: July 2002

Notes a broad agreement that small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) fulfil a critical role in modern economies, and therefore their ability to survive, remain competitive and produce high quality outputs is of utmost importance at both micro and macro levels. Focuses on total quality management (TQM), a new management paradigm, which is successfully competing with the well‐established paradigms such as scientific management. Argues that implementation of TQM principles can potentially help SMEs to enhance their robustness, as well as improve the quality of their final output. However, observes that, by comparison with the large organizations, SMEs have been slow in implementing TQM. Examines the differences between the characteristics of SMEs and large organizations; the relationship between the size of organization and inherent characteristics of TQM; and the effect of organization size on the implementation of TQM using deductive research. Using the case data, develops a ten‐step methodology for the implementation of TQM in SMEs.
Total quality management in an R&D environment
Authors: Kiella Michael L. , Golhar Damodar Y.
Published: July 2002

Qualitatively identifies unique features of the research and development (R&D) work environment in productive organizations. Synthesizes strategies for the R&D manager and suggests the application of total quality management (TQM) principles as a template for effectively meeting research, development, management and corporate objectives. Presents an agenda for implementing TQM in an R&D environment which has traditionally been viewed as an isolated and hierarchical work environment.
Part family formation for variety reduction in flexible manufacturing systems
Authors: Felix Offodile O. , Grznar John
Published: July 2002

Presents the similarity coefficient method for group technology to alleviate the part family formation problem in flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). Part families are formed in FMS in order to take advantage of part similarities in design and manufacture. Parts coding and classification analysis (PCA) has constituted the bulk of part family formation techniques in practice. Using shape‐based features for grouping is very labour intensive at the coding and classification stages. As a means of alleviating the latter problem, presents an approach for converting the weighted codes of the PCA to similarity coefficient measures. Uses a clustering algorithm to identify the part families. Presents a numerical example that compares the single and average linkage clustering technologies. An experimental investigation of the two methods showed that the average linkage clustering (ALC) performs better than the single linkage clustering (SLC) technology in minimizing intercellular materials handling costs.
New trends in parallel machine scheduling
Authors: Lam Kokin , Xing Wenxun
Published: July 2002

Reviews some new trends in parallel machine scheduling (PMS). PMS, as an area of research, is governed by questions that arise in production planning, flexible manufacture systems, computer control, etc. The main characteristic of these problems is to optimize an objective, with jobs to be finished on a series of machines with the same function. Gives a short review of new developments in PMS associated with the problems of just‐in‐time (JIT) production, pre‐emption with set‐up, and capacitated machine scheduling. Discusses non‐regular objectives oriented by the JIT concept; pre‐emption with set‐up; capacitated machine scheduling; and relationships between PMS and vehicle routeing problems.
Business process definition: a bottom‐up approach
Authors: Bititci Umit S. , Muir Daniel
Published: July 2002

In recent years there has been considerable focus on business processes which has created a debate on their definition. One school of thought believes that a standard set of business processes can be applied fairly universally to most businesses; others believe that business processes are individual and specific to organizations. Reviews this debate and presents a view based on a technique developed to define business processes using a bottom‐up approach. This technique focuses first on the business activities and goes on to quantify the relationships between business activities. The hypothesis behind the work described is that the closely coupled activities could be grouped together to form a natural business process. Describes the technique developed for bottom‐up identification of business processes in some detail and presents a case study which has been designed as a controlled experiment.
Integrated performance measurement systems: a development guide
Authors: Bititci Umit S. , Carrie Allan S. , McDevitt Liam
Published: July 2002

The performance management process is seen as a closed loop control system which deploys policy and strategy, and obtains feedback from various levels in order to manage the performance of the business. The performance measurement system is the information system which is at the heart of the performance management process and it is of critical importance to the effective and efficient functioning of the performance management system. Research identifies two critical elements with respect to the content and structure of the performance measurement system. These are: integrity and deployment. The viable systems model (VSM) provides a framework for assessing the integrity of the performance measurement system. The reference model developed for integrated performance measurement systems provides a framework against which performance measurement systems can be designed and audited.
Supplier alliance success and failure: a longitudinal dyadic perspective
Authors: Ian Stuart F.
Published: July 2002

Many firms have entered into strategic supplier alliances as a means of leveraging technology and as part of their continuous improvement efforts. The advantages and disadvantages from such an approach and the implementation problems are well known. However, knowledge of how these relationships evolve and dissolve over time is weak, hindered in part by cross‐sectional and a one‐perspective approach to empirical research. Presents the results from a survey based study of matched buyer and supplier pairs over time. Examines negative and positive trend relationships for predictive and explanatory causes. Data did not support the theory that the subordinated use of power can help to explain continued success and satisfaction with the relationship nor did negative trend relationships necessarily mean dissatisfaction. However, negative trend relationships appear to be predictable based on overly optimistic expectations that the benefits from such efforts will be forthcoming and reluctance on the part of buying firms to share information.
Is lean manufacture universally relevant? An investigative methodology
Authors: James‐Moore S.M. , Gibbons A.
Published: July 2002

Observes that although the concept of lean manufacture is well understood, little work has been carried out to determine its applicability to high‐value, low‐volume complex products. Proposes a methodology for enabling an examination of the degree of relevance of lean manufacturing to such products, using a model of a typical lean high‐volume automotive producer as a base, comparing the drivers faced, the practices adopted to respond and the type of measures used to assess effectiveness. Provides an explanation as to how this approach was applied to the civil aerospace industry as an example of those products the authors have chosen to define as “super value goods”, together with some initial first line results.
A lean and global smaller firm?
Authors: Karlsson Christer , Åhlström Pär
Published: July 2002

Addresses the question of whether the lean enterprise concept is applicable to small and medium‐sized firms. The implications of the lean enterprise framework for the smaller firm can be summarized in three basic ideas. First, building a larger and more comprehensive offer through partnerships, which has a potential to offer comparatively significant advantages. Second, building unique competence through collaboration with smaller and focused businesses. Third, avoiding large geographical distances when collaborating in more advanced knowledge areas and paying attention to the amount of corporate management capacity that can be occupied by global networking issues.
Network structures and co‐ordination mechanisms
Authors: Nassimbeni Guido
Published: July 2002

Notwithstanding the extensive body of literature, there is still confusion surrounding the concept of “network” since it encompasses a variety of inter‐organisational relationships. By adopting the Mintzberg’s approach on organisational structures and co‐ordination mechnisms, this work proposes a framework for the classification of the main network structures, analysing the interdependency forms and co‐ordination mechanism of each of them. The work provides some illustrative examples of the various network structures and the co‐ordination mechanisms operating on them.
Stock level determination and sensitivity analysis in repair/rework operations
Authors: Humphrey A.S. , Taylor G.D. , Landers T.L.
Published: July 2002

In this article, we present the results of a study examining the behavior of various inventory stocking methodologies in repair/rework operations. A major area of focus is on the sensitivity of key model parameters to stochastic replenishment lead times, product demand, and overhaul factors. A case study in a US Army depot provides validation for the effort. Simulation results indicate the current depot stocking methodologies are adequate in ideal conditions, but are less effective in more challenging and realistic scenarios. Results also indicate that some commonly used inventory models are quite robust to stochastic operating parameters in the unique/rework environment.
Computer‐based technologies to support operations management in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheng T.C.E. , Ngai E.W.T.
Published: July 2002

Presents the findings of two surveys of computer‐based technologies to support operations management (OM) in Hong Kong. One of the surveys is to examine the status of the use of computer‐based technology and to uncover the extent to which it is being used to support quality including such aspects as quality control, quality assurance and quality management in Hong Kong. The other survey is to investigate the average level of information technology (IT) applications ‐ the Internet, World Wide Web, local area network, etc. ‐ in small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong. It is focused on the information needs and access of the SMEs with a view to understanding the existing operation, problems and needs of SMEs in regard to communication, information access and dissemination and the difficulties of applying IT in these areas.
Operations management in the USA
Authors: Meredith Jack , Roth Aleda
Published: July 2002

Relates the current situation with regard to operations management in the USA by reporting on journal submissions and course popularity. Notes that the areas most popular in terms of journal submissions are supply chain management, operations strategy and quality management. Also notes that, in terms of course popularity, areas such as consulting, entrepreneurship, international business and project management are of great interest to students.
The role of SAP software in business process re‐engineering
Authors: Soliman Fawzy , Youssef Mohamed A.
Published: July 2002

While the importance of SAP software in business applications and in process redesigning may have received attention recently, its effects on fostering process thinking have not been fully recognised. For example, SAP technology has facilitated a process‐oriented approach to system development because an SAP database can be shared by several functions in different functional units participating in the same business process. The SAP system has been built around business processes that cross functional units. In addition SAP technologies provide opportunities for improving collaboration among personnel from different functional units in their efforts to accomplish a common business process. The analysis reveals that while both computing and communication technology generate an undercurrent of process thinking, it is important to realise that SAP is a facilitator for process improvement and re‐engineering. This paper presents an overview of the role of SAP software as an enabler in business process re‐engineering. The paper also discusses the impact of the SAP system on organisations’ information and business integration strategies.
New organisation structures for global business: an empirical study
Authors: Wright D.T. , Burns N.D.
Published: July 2002

Examines factors such as the trend to globalisation, triggers for change such as advances in information technology (IT), changing organisation structures and adoption of business process re‐engineering using the findings of a questionnaire. Questions addressed the topics of: industrial sector, organisational strategy, structure, people, performance, and the role of IT. The key findings included: that globalisation was a real and significant force for change affecting organisation strategy, operations, and characteristics; that alternative organisation strategies lead to varying organisational success, and scope for improvement; and that evolution (rapid or slow) to a virtual enterprise is feasible for most firms.
A conceptual framework for effective implementation of JIT
Authors: Wafa Marwan A. , Yasin Mahmoud M.
Published: July 2002

The just‐in‐time (JIT) production and inventory philosophy coupled with manufacturing automation in the form of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) and its related facets are considered by many as great competitive weapons. The birth of JIT and its positive influence on the global strategic posture of Japanese firms is well‐documented. In the 1980s many US manufacturers regarded JIT manufacturing as a peculiar Japanese contrivance, suited only to the oriental culture. However, as more companies with ever more diverse manufacturing environments successfully applied its principles, manufacturers recognized its inherent wisdom. Today, most US manufacturers have come to regard JIT as vital to their survival. This study examines the problems associated with the implementation of JIT in manufacturing environments and attempts to identify hindering factors for its success. An implementation strategy is proposed so that the organization will achieve the benefits of JIT and ultimately improve its strategic posture.
Resource‐based competition and the new operations strategy
Authors: Gagnon Stéphane
Published: July 2002

Argues that operations strategy research should integrate recent theories from the resource‐based view of strategic management. Going beyond the model of Hayes and Wheelwright, this would call for the end of the market‐based view, where operations strategy merely follows the directions set by the marketing function. It would emphasize the dynamic development and leveraging of competencies and capabilities in order to set new business diversification strategies. A new paradigm of operations strategy could emerge, where “management fundamentals” such as learning and culture would be actively integrated within operations, in order to become key sources of competitive advantage. Accordingly, the operations function could progressively: take the leadership of strategy formulation; create “portfolios” of optional capabilities for strategies of organizational agility; and implement world‐class practices more effectively through evolutionary strategic frameworks.
The evolution of production models: is a new paradigm emerging?
Authors: Bartezzaghi Emilio
Published: July 2002

The evolution of production models raises a number of questions on the changes which are taking place, on the continuity of or break with consolidated models, and on whether new production paradigms are emerging. Traces back this broad and multi‐faceted debate to five theses which summarise the principal interpretative approaches: the emergence of lean production as the dominant model; the indeterminacy of production models and the unpredictability of their evolution; the existence of a number of different models which are strongly dependent on context; the asymptotic convergence over time of different models on a single point of reference which is not lean production, while the latter will decline or be revised; and the emergence of a new unifying paradigm which leaves room for and even requires specific variations and adaptations. Reassesses these positions in the light of the life‐cycle of management models and in support of the fifth thesis, i.e. the emergence of a new paradigm. Among the different possible formulations of the new paradigm, that termed “strategically flexible production” is presented.
Measuring supply chain performance
Authors: Beamon Benita M.
Published: July 2002

The process of choosing appropriate supply chain performance measures is difficult due to the complexity of these systems. The paper presents an overview and evaluation of the performance measures used in supply chain models and also presents a framework for the selection of performance measurement systems for manufacturing supply chains. Three types of performance measures are identified as necessary components in any supply chain performance measurement system, and new flexibility measures for supply chains are developed.
Obstacles and preconditions for logistics and manufacturing improvements in Africa – a case study
Authors: Voordijk Hans
Published: July 2002

A supply chain can be analysed as a network made up of the total set of raw materials supply, and several manufacturing and distribution activities. In the case of the East African country of Eritrea, each element of this network causes problems. Decades of war in this region have deprived Eritrea of the necessary infusion of new investments, technology and skills. In order to solve their supply, production and distribution problems, firms have to improve their logistics locally and seek co‐operation with foreign companies. While the government has to reduce its own role by giving public firms more autonomy, it should strengthen its role in the national economy by increasing investments in education and the transport and communication infrastructure. These actions by government and the business community are necessary not only for Eritrea, but also for a lot of other African countries.
Virtuous and vicious cycles on the road towards international supply chain management
Authors: Akkermans Henk , Bogerd Paul , Vos Bart
Published: July 2002

An increasing number of companies claim to pursue international supply chain management (ISCM), but the empirical evidence of successful implementation programs is still scarce. This paper aims to contribute to theory‐building in this area by presenting an exploratory causal model of goals, barriers, and enablers on the road towards effective ISCM. The model was established in a workshop with a panel of content matter experts. The results point at a disturbingly gloomy picture of vicious cycles frustrating the implementation of effective ISCM strategies. Fortunately, it appears that it is possible to apply the same generic mechanisms to create a virtuous cycle, for instance by promoting cross‐functional careers and by actively responding to demanding customer needs. The challenge ahead is to test the model’s content and validity.
Interaction between production control and quality control
Authors: van der Bij Hans , van Ekert Jeroen H.W.
Published: July 2002

Describes a qualitative study on interaction between systems for production control and quality control within industrial organisations. Production control and quality control interact in a sense. Good performance for one aspect often influences or frustrates the performance of the other. As far as is known, the phenomenon of interaction between production control and quality control has not been described extensively in literature. Therefore we decided to form an inductive theory, based on fieldwork. As a result the study had a particularly qualitative character. It was necessary to sharply delineate the concepts of production control and quality control. The authors regard production control and quality control as two separate, but mutually influencing, control systems in the organisation. On the basis of four case studies, a model was developed that describes and explains the interaction phenomenon between production control and quality control. From this interaction model, points of attention can be deduced for the re‐design of production control systems and quality control systems. The model was tested in two other case studies involving consultants in the area of production control.
Model‐driven, component‐based approach to reconfiguring manufacturing software systems
Authors: Weston Richard
Published: July 2002

Current practice when specifying and developing manufacturing software leads to enterprise systems that are difficult to change. With the purpose of improving current practice a model‐driven, component‐based approach to engineering change capable manufacturing systems is described. Application of the approach is supported by a number of proof‐of‐concept system design and construction environments. Each environment organises the use of modelling tools that function to formally capture and apply the results of systems engineering activities carried out by members of project teams. In this way the development of multi‐perspective enterprise (enterprise: a group of organisations sharing a set of goals and objectives to offer products, services or both (ISO 14258)) models is enabled in a computer executable form and means are provided to reconfigure manufacturing systems by using the models to change the way that system components interoperate. Collectively the proof‐of‐concept environments have demonstrated a capability to engineer a variety of types of manufacturing system and by so doing implement a system structure that accommodates rather than inhibits subsequent change, even where that change is of an unforeseen nature.
The impact of routing and storage policies on warehouse efficiency
Authors: Petersen Charles G.
Published: July 2002

Order picking, the activity by which a number of goods are retrieved from a warehousing system to satisfy a number of customer orders, is an essential link in the supply chain and is the major cost component of warehousing. The critical issue is to simultaneously reduce the cost and increase the speed of the order picking activity. The main objectives of this paper are: evaluate various routing heuristics and an optimal routine in a volume‐based and random storage environment; compare the performance of volume‐based storage to random storage; and examine the impact of travel speed and picking rates on routing and storage policy performance. The experimental results show the solution gap between routing heuristics and optimal routing is highly dependent on the travel speed and picking rate, the storage policy, and the size of the pick list. In addition, volume‐based storage produced significant savings over random storage, but again these savings are dependent on the travel speed and picking rate.
CI and performance: a CUTE approach
Authors: Gieskes José F.B. , Boer Harry , Baudet Frank C.M. , KostasSeferis
Published: July 2002

Describes a methodology, called CUTE, after the ESPRIT‐project CUTE (Continuous Improvement using Information Technology towards Excellence) which was aimed at the development of a software‐aided tool to support companies, in particular small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with the development of a sustained CI process. CUTE is based on a variety of hitherto mostly separate disciplines, in particular organisation design, operations management, innovation management and information technology. The methodology guides the user through a number of steps in which causes of poor performance are revealed, ways to develop improvement suggestions are generated, and the company’s capabilities to further develop and implement those suggestions are assessed. Through the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of improvements both the company’s performance and its CI capabilities are improved continuously. A first test of the methodology has shown that CUTE helps users to increase their understanding of their operations and performance, and that the methodology provides a stimulus for starting focused improvement activities.
Money Demand in Four African Countries
Authors: Fielding David
Published: July 2002

Uses recently developed techniques in the estimation of non‐stationary
time series to construct money demand functions for four African
economies, using quarterly data. Finds that money demand depends not
only on income, inflation and interest rates, but also on variability of
inflation and interest rates: the more variable the return to an asset,
the lower its demand. Reports the first quarterly models of money demand
(as far as we are aware) in Cameroon, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Finds
that the model for Kenya encompasses existing models. The estimated
models have important policy implications. Since high inflation tends to
be associated with highly variable inflation, any calculation of the
seignorage‐maximizing rate of inflation which ignores the variability
effect will overestimate the optimal rate of inflation. Insofar as
membership of a monetary union reduces not only the rate of inflation
but also its variability, there are extra gains from membership of such
a union (Cameroon and Ivory Coast are Franc Zone members; Nigeria and
Kenya are not). However, the heter‐ogeneity of the estimated functions
suggests that it would be very difficult to have an effective monetary
policy were the four countries considered members of the same monetary
union.
Forecasting of foreign exchange rate by normal mixture models
Authors: Jung Chulho
Published: July 2002

Develops a method of forecasting foreign exchange rate by normal
mixture model (NMM). Initially establishes a set of exchange rate models
and switches from one model to another probabilistically, depending on
supply shocks or government policy changes. By assuming that the
population distribution of foreign exchange rate is a mixture of normal
distributions, these models can then be estimated simultaneously. Uses
the estimated parameters of the model to forecast foreign exchange rate,
and then four foreign exchange rate models are used to estimate the NMM.
The out‐of‐sample forecasting results obtained show that we can decrease
the mean squared error (MSE) of forecast error dramatically by using the
NMM, compared with the MSE of the best forecast of each separate model.
The economics of development
Authors: Bhattacharya Prabir C.
Published: July 2002

Reviews the literature on economic development and discusses the growth performance of developing countries over the last 40 years. Comments on the relationship between agriculture and industry and considers the relationship between state, development strategies and international trade. Reviews concerns regarding non‐renewable resources and environmental degradation in the context of growth. Discusses changes in world economy brought about by less developed countries transforming into newly industrializing countries, highlighting mechanisms for the relative rise and decline of nations in the world economy.
Defence spending and unemployment rates
Authors: Paul Satya
Published: July 2002

Estimates a three‐equation model to test various economic hypotheses regarding the relationship between unemployment rate and defence spending in 18 OECD countries during the period 1962‐1988. Reveals that the relationship which exists between unemployment rate and defence spending is not uniform across countries. Defence spending has a favourable impact on unemployment rate in Germany and Australia, whereas in Denmark it worsens the employment situation. In Australia, Germany and Belgium, non‐defence spending and the unemployment rate are causally independent. Defence spending appears to act as a stablization tool in response to changes in the unemployment rate only in the UK. No significant causal relationship between unemployment rate and either type of spending is revealed in Japan, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Austria, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada and the USA. Observes a few cases of bi‐directional causality between unemployment rate and defence/non‐defence spending. Gives possible explanations for the observed cross‐country variability in causal relation.
Force fields, hysteresis and economic equilibria
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: July 2002

Looks at the relevance to economic systems of force field equilibrium metaphors. Points out that the force field view of physical reality developed in nineteenth century physics does not necessarily involve homeostasis and reversible time paths. Illustrates the properties of force fields with hysteresis, providing a counter example. Discusses precedents for viewing economic systems as having equilibria haunted by hysteresis, and summarizes and illustrates the implications of applying such an analytical framework to economic systems.
Evolutionary and competence‐based theories of the firm
Authors: Hodgson Geoffrey M.
Published: July 2002

This essay explores evolutionary and competence‐based theories of the firm. Evolutionary theories can be regarded as a subset of a wider class of theories, variously described as “capabilities”, “resource‐based”, or “competence‐based” theories of the firm. These contrast with a different set of contractarian theories, emanating largely from the work of Coase. It is argued that the contractarian theories of the firm misleadingly assume given individuals thus neglecting processes of individual learning and transformation. Similarly underestimated is importance of technology and the persistence of variety in firm structure and performance. The genesis of the alternative, competence‐based approach is outlined, including the important subset of “evolutionary” approaches of the Nelson‐Winter type. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relevance of the competence‐based approach to strategic management.
Does too much government investment retard economic development of a country?
Authors: Yavas Abdullah
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the effect of the government size per capita on the steady‐state level of output and on the growth rate differs between LDC’s and developed countries. It is shown that an increase in government size will increase the steady‐state level of output if the economy is at a low steady‐state (underdeveloped), and will decrease the steady‐state level of output if the economy is at a high steady‐state (developed).
Flexible fixturing for workpiece positioning and constraining
Authors: Shirinzadeh Bijan
Published: July 2002

Flexible fixturing is an important aspect of any flexible manufacturing system (FMS) and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. The production analysis for fixturing within an FMS environment is presented. Various approaches to flexible fixturing are briefly described. The reconfigurable fixturing is one of the most appropriate flexible fixturing techniques for CIM environment. Reconfigurable and/or automated modular fixturing employs a number of fixture modules that are set up, adjusted and changed to form different fixture layout. The requirements for locating and constraining workpieces are presented. In addition, computer‐aided planning and analysis of fixture set up are discussed.
Researching information on reengineering
Authors: Miller Bruce
Published: July 2002

The major sources of reengineering information are literature searches, trade associations and expert sources. Discusses these sources and concludes that searching for reengineering information is rewarding for company and client alike.
Mythical animals: a reference pathfinder
Authors: Ulric Karen
Published: July 2002

Provides direction for researchers and collection developers to locate sources of information on mythical, fantastical and symbolic creatures of world folklore and legends and their documentation in primary and secondary texts. Focussing on mythological animals, gives prominence to the unicorn and the dragon as the two most universal and symbolically important creatures, and to sources which concentrate on their status in folklore and legend rather than to literary works.
Developing a hypertext World Wide Web vertical file
Authors: Neuhaus Chris
Published: July 2002

Describes how the reference service provided by the Rod Library Information File has recently been enhanced by the creation of a World Wide Web extension of this vertical file. Like the Information File, the WWW Info File provides Rod Library patrons with subject access to Iowa, corporate, and general information. States that benefits and pitfalls of developing and maintaining this additional system are many and argues that though a final verdict on this system has yet to be pronounced, this and other efforts at vertical file automation may herald renewed interest in this backwater of library and information research.
In Cuba they’re still reading: a bibliography of key Cuban resources
Authors: Pateman John
Published: July 2002

Provides a bibliography of materials about Cuba and the Cuban Revolution published in the UK, Australia, Cuba, and the USA. Lists solidarity organizations, publishers and works by and about people who lived in Cuba before and after the Revolution. Aims to be of use to students of modern history, Latin America, and revolutionary politics.
Faculty use of an academic library reference collection
Authors: Aked Michael J. , Phillips John C. , Reiman‐Sendi Karen , Risner Kevin , Voigt Kathleen J. , Wiesler Judy
Published: July 2002

The Reference Use Study Group of the University of Toledo’s William S. Carlson Library utilized a questionnaire to determine how faculty used the reference collection, as well as their reasons for using it. This questionnaire was part of a comprehensive study of local reference collection use that employed a variety of evaluation methods. Some of the findings corroborated those identified in the literature. The results of this component of the study, as well as other components, will be used to weed the collection, to improve collection management, and may suggest strategies to develop channels of communication with the faculty. This article provides a description of the methodology used to query faculty, selected questionnaire results, brief analysis of these results and a copy of the questionnaire.
Scholarly religious sites on the World Wide Web
Authors: Moroney Kevin
Published: July 2002

This article presents the process and the findings of an internship project, the goal of which was to locate religious and theological resources on the World Wide Web that would meet the scholarly needs of a theological seminary.
Managing foreign book procurement: a case study of Pakistan
Authors: Jalaluddin Haider Syed
Published: July 2002

Discusses the two basic channels of book procurement ‐ the domestic market and imports (either directly or through local bookdealers). The former is the most popular method at present. Acquisition through this method is almost totally directed and controlled by availability of materials in the market, leaving only a limited choice for systematic collection building. Imports through the local bookdealer, favoured by special libraries in the mid‐1950s and 1960s, is no more employed owing to red‐tapism on the part of the dealer. The direct import system, which has proven beneficial in many respects for university libraries, has also gradually been given up. The reasons include: an uncertain import policy, import restrictions and trade embargoes against some countries because of political and ideological reasons, the fluctuating rate of the Pakistani rupee, hurdles in customs clearance, and, above all, the departure of competent personnel conversant with this kind of work to positions in OPEC countries.
Electronic and traditional sources for a newly established branch library: product availability and user preferences
Authors: Tenner Elka , Gyeszly Suzanne D. , Rholes Julia M.
Published: July 2002

For libraries, the trend toward electronic publishing of journals holds out the promise of greater availability of these materials without regard to physical location either of the collection or the patron. The establishment of the Policy Sciences and Economics Library (PSEL), as a branch of the Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M University, was an opportunity to test this hypothesis. In concert with faculty from the departments of political science, economics and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, reference and collection development librarians developed a core collection for this facility. The librarians hoped to be able to rely primarily on electronic journals to satisfy initial faculty research needs. However, a review of journals requested by the faculty served at PSEL revealed that not enough of these titles were available electronically. Further, what was available electronically often did not include the full‐text, cover‐to‐cover completeness necessary. Faculty preferences remain for the print versions, citing problems with coverage, reliability and accessibility of electronic journals.
Halley’s Comet: a bibliography
Authors: Desko Paula
Published: July 2002

Offers advice to the collection builder on approaches that might be taken to Halley’s Comet. Covers introducing yourself to the topic, whether to adopt a historical or scientific focus when building a collection, and what could be included, depending on the profile of the library’s patrons.
The bibliographical structure of fan information
Authors: Hart Chris , Schoolbred Michael , Butcher David , Kane David
Published: July 2002

To date, many mainstream ILS practitioners and educationalists have ignored fan‐produced literature due to the inherently ephemeral nature of the material and the fact that the majority of the information is outside normal bibliographic control. The advent of the Internet has provided fans with a new forum to create and exchange information, much of which is unparalleled in its richness and depth. This material can enrich library collections, while the growing sub‐cultures of electronic fan information can benefit from the skills offered by information professionals. Using case studies, the paper illustrates the range and depth of fan information on the Net and proposes a model to enable information professionals to utilise and control the wealth of fan‐based literature that is now becoming visible. The paper concludes that information professionals should re‐examine the world of fan‐based literature in order to become better informed about the information seeking activities of potential library users and to use their existing expertise to make links between the world of fan literature, and the resources of public and academic libraries.
Can impact factors substitute for the results of local use studies? Findings from an Australian case study
Authors: Altmann Klaus G. , Gorman G.E.
Published: July 2002

The usefulness of impact factors as a substitute for conducting a costly local use study was investigated in an Australian university library. The results presented in this paper are consistent with the view that logical deselection decisions can be made only by using the results of a local use study. A number of reasons are advanced for why impact factors are poor predictors of local use.
The collection development workstation: a sampling of Web resources
Authors: Brown Linda A.
Published: July 2002

This webliography provides librarians with a list of some of the best Internet resources for collection development.
Creating a High Performance International Team
Authors: Canney Davison Sue
Published: July 2002

European integration and the search for global markets have created many
new international teams. Shows that the effectiveness of a team′s
performance is strongly related to how the team members interact to
achieve their common purpose. Also, that individual performance inside
the team is influenced by how the team was created and is managed within
the company. Outlines the guidelines and skills that enable team members
to create value and high performance from their diverse backgrounds,
demonstrating where good international team management differs from
national team management and where cross‐cultural issues are likely to
have the most impact.
Evaluation of Management Development: A Case Study
Authors: Currie Graeme
Published: July 2002

Focuses on how behaviour changes in an organization should be evaluated
following management development. Describes the evaluation strategy, the
rationale for this, and problems associated with such a strategy,
following a team‐building programme of integrated modules in a
community‐based unit of a district health authority.
Accrediting Work‐based Learning: Action Learning – A Model for
Empowerment
Authors: Gregory Michael
Published: July 2002

Defines “action research” and “action learning” as forms of emancipatory and
democratic learning, and describes their use as a model of professional
development which empowers the individual as both learner and critically
reflective social researcher. Some of the issues in developing an
accreditation programme for action research at master′s level are
discussed and a number of areas are identified for further research
based around an action research Master of Arts degree in human resource
strategy. Suggests that the notion of continuing professional
development and professional fellowship can be delivered and accredited
within the higher education system, using practitioner‐centred and
problem‐solving approaches and the idea is promoted that the
methodological use of action research in professional development is a
means by which the divide between academia and industry‐based
practitioner experience can be bridged.