bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a supermarket chain
Authors: Mackenzie Kenneth D.
Published: December 2019

This paper describes the application of parts of the Organizational Audit and Analysis Technology for organizational design to a regional supermarket chain organization. Following brief presentation of some background about the retail food business and some organizational features of the chain, the application is described. The described application includes a strategic assessment stage, an organizational audit, the organizational design, implementation planning, and strategic planning.
The prospects for artificial intelligence
Authors: Lindsay Robert K.
Published: December 2019

Planning for the continuing and accelerating impact of the computer revolution is becoming more difficult as the field of artificial intelligence makes broader inroads into the automation of intellectual functions. Increasingly, decision making formerly done exclusively by humans will fall within the scope of automation, and the societal changes will be great. However, AI still lacks deep insight into the fundamental nature of human thought and experience, and theoretical breakthroughs of major proportion will be needed before machines will (or ought to) replace humans for many purposes. Surprisingly, many areas of human activity that appear to be purely logical and factual, and even seemingly trivial, will not soon be achievable by computers.
Centralization and distribution of CAD/CAM systems
Authors: Ahituv Niv , Ronen Boaz
Published: December 2019

The paper deals with planning and control of the development of CAD/CAM systems in an organization. The paper presents a descriptive technique that facilitates the analysis of centralization/distribution level of CAD/CAM and helps in establishing an organizational policy regarding this issue. The paper adapts a methodology which is used in the Management Information Systems (MIS) area. It defines what is distribution; it classifies degrees of distribution into various categories; it proposes a methodology to set a desired range for the degree of distribution; it distinguishes between the various activities along the system life cycle and suggests how an organization can assign a different degree of distribution to any of the life cycle activities.
Systematic organizational communication and compunication
Authors: Charalambides Leonidas C.
Published: December 2019

The essence of an individual's personality or a group's culture is the underlying ‘mindset’ or ‘worldview’. It is the primary determinant of the manner in which a problem subject makes as well as communicates assumptions about the future behavior of his stakeholders. This process is crucial to the successful dissolution of ill-structured (i.e., strategic) organizational problems. The systems worldview has long been recognized as being superior to the analytical. However, organizations face many obstacles in evolving from the latter to the former. Most have to do with the prevailing corporate languages which emphasize content rather than context. A Conceptualization/Communication/Creativity Support System (CSS) will be the main vehicle for the creation of such a language. It will be a computer and communication (‘compunication’) hardware and software system that will help managers think and communicate systemically even though they may be working analytically.
Decision techniques and social research: A contingency framework for problem solving*
Authors: Geurts Jac L.A. , Hart Stuart L. , Caplan Nathan S.
Published: December 2019

The development and use of decision techniques on the one hand, and the conduct of empirically-based social and behavioral research on the other, have proceeded in virtual isolation from one another. Each stream of activity, however, does share one feature in common: they both lack a framework or set of contingency principles for organizing their products or findings along dimensions salient to both researchers and practitioners. This paper addresses that omission by developing a framework to reconcile these two streams of activities with the realities of decision making in organizations. Specifically, the article (1) identifies key dimensions for organizing different problem types into appropriate categories, (2) creates a means for integrating the scattered findings flowing from the relevant empirically-based research fields, and (3) classifies existing decision techniques on the basis of their appropriateness to the problem. The practical and research implications of this framework are also discussed.
Conflict and complexity: The case of hydropower construction in Norway*
Authors: Burns Tom R. , Midttun Atle
Published: December 2019

This report presents and illustrates an approach with which to analyze complex, societal decision making, and the planning and opposition around it. We examine hydropower construction in Norway, where the ‘industrial complex’ has relentlessly pursued its post-war policy of developing hydropower facilities. During the 1970s this complex of interests was challenged by environmentalists and traditional economic interests (farming, fishing, and reindeer herding). In the case of one project, this led to the most serious societal confrontation in post-war Norway. The report examines the background to this conflict, its course and outcome.
High technology management*
Authors: Zeleny Milan
Published: December 2019

High technology is fundamentally different from any other technology: it affects directly the nature and organization of tasks to be performed. Therefore, high technology, more than any other technology, has to be managed. We propose operational definition of high technology in terms of its effects on the support net of requisite relationships. This allows us to bring the distinctions between high technology, technology and appropriate technology into sharper operational focus. The symbiosis of men and machines is discussed in the framework of human systems management and symbionics. Principles of high technology management are outlined and their use in organization design demonstrated on real-life example of high-technology effects on systemic operations structures of an international company.
The role of visibility in systems*
Authors: Veryard Richard
Published: December 2019

Modern man is surrounded by procedural systems, often highly formalized and at least partially computerized. Systems are by their nature intangible and not directly visible. Indirect representation (via system models) is required to make a system visible, so that it can be properly understood, shaped and controlled.
The application of metaknowledge to information management*
Authors: Blanning Robert W.
Published: December 2019

An important difference between expert systems and more conventional DSS is that many expert systems contain explicit representations of metaknowledge. Metaknowledge is information about the content and structure of an expert system – for example, a description of the information contained in the system or an explanation of how the system works. This information may be useful in helping a user to interpret the output of the system or otherwise to use the system more effectively. We examine here the organizational implications of a particular type of metaknowledge – knowledge about the varietey of information sources available to a manager that may help him to solve a particular decision problem. This information may come from people, organizational units, and decision support systems, the latter in the form of stored data, data analysis procedures, text files, decision models, and knowledge-bases. Thus, a knowledge-based DSS may help a manager to interact more productively with a network of people and computers. We are concerned here with the ways in which this might be accomplished.
Quality motivation in Japan
Authors: Kondo Yoshio
Published: December 2019

The essentials of human motivation is closely related to the essence of humanity and human work. The creative and social activities are the main elements of humanity and are to be involved in human work. It is understood from the comparison of pleasure given by sporting activities and our work. The relationship between creative activities and standardization of work is also discussed. The creative activities are indispensable in our work, and the four steps for the conversion to creative work are investigated.
Information overload: Causes and consequences*
Authors: Schneider Susan C.
Published: December 2019

The failure of an organization's information processing capacity to meet its information processing requirements creates the potential for dysfunction. A model of information overload is presented that describes the antecedents (the nature of information and organizational conditions) and consequences (primary and secondary symptoms). The role of structural differentiation and integration in creating and managing overload is discussed. Primary symptomatology reflects the inadequacy of differentiation and integration. Subsequent secondary symptomatology reflects the maladaptive attempts to cope. The possible effects on organizational behavior and strategy are explored.
The characteristics of microcomputer support personnel: A normative perspective
Authors: Ahituv Niv , Baroudi Jack J. , Ronen Boaz
Published: December 2019

Microcomputers are being used extensively for business purposes. This use has created new jobs and careers for microcomputer support personnel. Definitions of three new positions: the microcomputer support person, the microcomputer-manager, and the super-user are presented, along with their selection, training and career needs. Additionally, suggestions for where to locate the micro support function are made. This paper may be used by researchers and practitioners as a source of questions, needing investigation, regarding the microcomputer support function. Further, this paper may serve as an outline for educational and training programs for microcomputer support personnel.
A conceptual approach for modelling system development projects
Authors: Spiegler Israel , Tsirulnikov Levi
Published: December 2019

The paper proposes a conceptual model for describing and managing system development projects. The model provides a structured way to subdivide projects into tasks and a tool for measuring a priori the level of control needed to manage projects in information system and other areas. A Project Basic Unit (PBU) is defined as the main building block used to describe various levels of a project hierarchy. Project phasing, the subdivision of higher PBUs into lower level ones, is investigated. Criteria for project phasing which is an important element of managing projects, are outlined and discussed. The area of project control where one person performs more than one project role, called coresidence, is also presented. This phenomenon is a frequent cause of lack of control and malfunctions in system development projects.
Cause-effect loops as explanation of underdevelopment*
Authors: Herrscher Enrique G.
Published: December 2019

In order to explain the non-development of certain allegedly developing countries, notably Argentina, as the result of a long tradition of being a ‘non-system’, we coin [2] the expression ‘Should Be countries’ or SBC: i.e., countries that by most environmental standards should be developed, but are not. In such cases, isolated parts of the system prevent development, while that same non-development stands in the path of most actions to remedy the lack of coalescence of the different elements of society.
Knowledge as a New Form of Capital
Authors: Zeleny Milan
Published: December 2019

Knowledge has become the most important productive force. It has upstaged man's medieval dependency on land, raw materials, labor, machines and money. A nation's store of knowledge is its principal asset and the greatest source of wealth. Other forms of capital now flow from the knowledge-poor to the knowledge-rich areas of the world. Traditional categories of economics, like ‘labor-intensive’ or ‘capital-intensive’, are becoming less relevant in the ‘knowledge-intensive’ world. Possession of land, raw materials, labor, infrastructure, technology and money might be necessary, but it is not sufficient: one has to know how, for what and why to use them. Knowledge has become primary form of capital. We speak of ‘knowledge industries,’ ‘knowledge systems,’ ‘knowledge workers’ or ‘knowledge engineering.’ Productive systems of world-class performance are characterized by their scope, management and expansion of knowledge, not by their scale, labor, money or management information systems. In the newly lagging or declining economies, knowledge has become increasingly specialized, atomized and splintered, leading to the overwhelming ineffectiveness and waste in labor-oriented processes, task specialization and division of labor. Newly accelerating economies are characterized by their dominant emphasis on task, labor and knowledge reintegration, flexibility, multifunctionality and integrative education.
The Process of Inverting the Organizational Pyramid
Authors: Tomasek Hana
Published: December 2019

Management transformation principles directed toward continual quality improvement suggest the process for inversion of the traditional organizational pyramid. Training of all employees in new philosophy and implementation of teamwork provide an environment in which all employees strive to improve quality by applying statistical process control to their work processes. This way a company can meet the customer needs in the ever-changing and competitive marketplace.
Inaccurate Financial Forecasts and Societal Complexity
Authors: Gauci Bernard , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: December 2019

Forecasters can sometimes exert influence over the events they are predicting. This paper explores the possibilities for such an internal validation of forecasts in the financial markets. Internal forecast validation comes from model multiplicity and from an unequal closeness of actors to the price determination process. The predictive success of a forecaster's model depends on his closeness to traders. A trader's model in turn may differ from the forecaster's model if he does not adopt the forecaster's predictions. In contrast, the economic theoretician assumes that there exists an objective (or true) model of the market that is also adopted by all market participants. But this model may be unidentifiable. The surprisingly low forecast accuracy of experts in the case of the financial markets is usually investigated from the perspective of model monopoly. The recognition of model multiplicity, where some models are held by actors that are more proximate to the price determination process than others, may resolve this conundrum. This approach, however, also points to the inability to determine forecast accuracy when internal validation is involved.
A Symbolic Approach to Computer-assisted Preference Elicitation
Authors: Mallory Geoff , Michalowski Wojtek
Published: December 2019

The paper deals with the problems of supporting a preferences learning process. It is argued that decision makers while evaluating decision feel more comfortable manipulating graphical symbols rather than textual information. A discussion of the benefits of such a symbolic representation and manipulation is given.
Management and Philosophy: In Search of a New Heuristic
Authors: Schipper Frits
Published: December 2019

The article gives an introduction to the subject of this special issue of HSM on management and philosophy. Before commenting on the contributions by the different authors and raising questions for further discussion, the subject is introduced by commenting on two concepts, i.e., culture and knowledge. Culture, a hot issue in management and organization theory, is of old also on the philosophical agenda. The same obtains for the idea of knowledge. It is argued that in the case of issues such as culture and knowledge, philosophical analysis can sharpen our look and in its own way may contribute to more responsible action.
Paradox, Identity and Change in Management
Authors: Nooteboom B.
Published: December 2019

A few philosophical notions are explored that may be of some use to improve our understanding of the nature of identity and change of organizations in their environment. This may improve our grasp of some of the paradoxes that emerge from the present management literature. The philosophical notions are drawn from ancient (pre-socratic) philosophy, from post-modern philosophy (in particular the underlying philosophy of language of Ferdinand de Saussure) and from the “genetic (developmental) epistemology” of Jean Piaget. What these notions have in common is an attempt to understand the relation between order and chaos in change. How do qualitative, structural change and learning come about, and can one identify stages of transition? Understanding is seen as internalized action, whereby interaction with the environment is essential. Interaction is not a process arising from prior, fixed, independent identities, but identity is formed by interaction. Differentiation in actions of participants (people in organizations, firms in the market), and hence a looseness of control, is necessary to achieve novelty in the form of new combinations; a new synthesis. But when such novelty is achieved it is indeterminate, at first, and a tighter control is required to make the synthesis more determinate and to press for its utilisation. These differences between stages of renewal are related to different strengths and weaknesses of small and large firms. They also imply that there is not one single organizational form of control that is fit for all circumstances: different stages require different forms of control. This may explain some of the paradoxes in advice from the management literature.
Conflict and Consensus: Ethics as a Shared Value Horizon for Strategic Planning1
Authors: Pruzan Peter , Thyssen Ole
Published: December 2019

Ethics has become a buzzword in modern managerial language. Unfortunately, the literature provides only meager support in operationalizing this concept so that it can be constructively used as a value horizon for strategic planning in the organization. Depending upon the author, ethics is typically considered to be either intuitive and very personal or a set of top-down rules. Both approaches hinder value-oriented conversation between decision makers and decision takers instead of stimulating such dialogue. In addition, almost all the literature, without argument, assumes that an enterprise can have ethics and that top management instrumentally should employ ethics to promote classical economic goals. We consider ethics within the context of a self-organizing enterprise. An ethical decision is one which is rationally approved of by the stakeholders affected by it. This leads to a dialogue-based concept of culture and to a series of concrete recommendations as to the operationalization of ethics in an organization. Noteworthy is the ‘Ethical Accounting Statement’ which is now being employed in Denmark.
The Economy of Discourses: A Third Order Cybernetics?
Authors: Boxer Philip , Kenny Vincent
Published: December 2019

This paper introduces the idea of, and necessity for, a ‘third-order cybernetics’. It does this through the critique and problematisation of the ontology of the observer as elaborated within a second-order cybernetics. The necessity for this third-order is directly generated from our work as strategy consultants and our needs to evolve an effective, coherent and ethical consultancy practice. The paper draws primarily on the writings of Lacan and Maturana to provide the epistemological presumptions upon which we generate a new characterisation of, and approach to, the business organisation. This new approach for the understanding of the business organisation is presented as an ‘Economy of Discourses’. This Economy is a description of the effects of a third-order in the second-order observer's invention of himself as subject. We have formulated this approach as an aid for diagnosis, intervention and prognosis in our work with business organisations. We include two case studies, one of a chemicals-based manufacturer, the other of a large accountancy practice. In these two cases we seek to unpack and illustrate the way in which it is possible to use the new approach, and to highlight the principles which allow the consultant maximal movement and effectiveness in relation to his client system. We end by outlining the implications of our approach for an ethics of consultancy.
The Rings of Management: The New Management Theory
Authors: Schultz Louis E.
Published: December 2019

Rings of Management – based on the four rings of Environment Management, Process Management, Personal Management and Strategy Management – is a new way of managing that is designed to help organizations move successfully into the 21st century. Environment Management involves a transformation in the management culture of the organization. Process Management embodies efforts to improve and innovate processes, services and products. Personal Management embodies the individual actions of employees to improve their own work. Strategy Management involves identifying and communicating the organization's purpose, mission, values and goals. When implemented properly, this four-ring approach will help organizations create an environment in which continuing improvement is a way of life for all employees.
Contracts in Cultures
Authors: Maruyama Magoroh
Published: December 2019

A cross-cultural comparative study of socially compelling expectations and obligations including the cultural context of gift-giving, bribing and return service in Poland, Russia, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Thailand, using causal loop analysis where applicable.
Multinational Corporations in Less Developed Countries: An Alternative Strategy
Authors: Bassiry G.R.
Published: December 2019

In a world characterized by increasing transnationalization of business, the multinational corporations (MNCs) are destined to play a central role in global economic integration. By focusing on the dynamic trilateral relationship between MNCs, home and host countries, this study critically explores certain aspects of MNC operations in less developed countries (LDCs) and proposes an alternative strategy aimed at the achievement of long-term stability in MNC-LDC relations. The dimensions of MNCs' impact are documented through case studies based on income distribution data, the analysis of political events and consumption patterns – representing the economic, political and cultural aspects of MNC influences respectively. The proposed alternative strategy is designed to ameliorate tensions between MNCs and LDCs, based on enlightened self-interest, sound business practices, cultural sensitivity and social responsibility.
New Instruments for Management Research
Authors: Carlsson Christer
Published: December 2019

The growing acceptance and emphasis on interactive decision support systems (DSSs), and executive support systems (ESSs) built with expert systems software, has brought forward a need to better understand how managers actually go about producing or constructing their decisions. This is an exciting development because the DSSs show the need for a new management research paradigm. DSSs are constructed to show the essence of the decision and planning problems we try to solve with computer support; this is sometimes described as modelling the internal logic of the problems, which is a straightforward application of the analysis paradigm well known from operations research. Experience with DSSs shows that the internal logic can be formulated only in what Simon called well-structured problems. Even if we normally manage to formulate problems in such a fashion that they appear well-structured, there still remains a growing uneasiness with the trade-off between precision and relevance. Zeleny recently suggested the metaphor of cognitive equilibrium as a basis for a better descriptive understanding of human decision making: a decision is an emergent pattern properly balancing all components of the decision. This metaphor is useful for dealing with semi- or ill-structured problems, for which no internal logic can be formulated. Without a logical pattern it is improper to tackle a problem with mathematical tools, as the resulting representation would induce a non-existing structure on the problem. We need a methodological framework for the cognitive equilibrium, and we need research instruments, which – unlike mathematical models – can deal with semi- or ill-structured problems. We will show that a proper methodological framework can be constructed around Vickers' appreciative systems concept, and that it can be implemented with expert systems.
Transformation in Management
Authors: Dimitroff Gail
Published: December 2019

This paper will explore the prevailing system of management in the West, one which has discouraged individual initiative. The results are decreased innovation and a reduction in applied technology. To restore motivation, innovation and joy in work and learning, a transformation of management is essential. This transformation requires application of a system of profound knowledge and an understanding of processes and statistics. Areas of understanding include system optimization, statistical variation and losses resulting from tampering. Additioanally, the transformation requires that management must comprehend human behavior, cultural forces, and motivational techniques as well as the process of change.
Hayek's Spontaneous Order and Varela's Autopoiesis: A Comment
Authors: Khalil Elias L.
Published: December 2019

The comment clarifies that organizations (ranging from firms to states) include a command aspect for which Hayek and Varela's approaches fail to account. The command aspect arises from the observation – derived from Russell Paradox – that the type cannot be a member of itself. That is, the commanding authority is a quasi-independent of spontaneous activity. This entails that a spontaneous process cannot be self-enclosed or complete. There is a need for a semi-designing authority in order to provide the spontaneity with greater completeness. I further argue that the Hayek/Varela approach confuses chaotic interaction, which characterize especially ecosystems and markets, with organic interaction, which typifies especially organizations ranging from organisms to firms. It is important to distinguish the two interactions in order to provide a theoretical account of the command aspect of organization.
Management Education and Training Strategies in The People's Republic of China: An Overview
Authors: Warner Malcolm
Published: December 2019

This paper looks at management education and training in the People's Republic of China, in relation to the broader issues of modernisation, cross-cultural knowledge transfer, and skills-development. It examines the infra-structure of such training and focuses specifically on the adoption of Western management theory and practices in a selected number of University Management Schools and Senior Executive Training Centres.
Entropy and Beauty
Authors: Maruyama Magoroh
Published: December 2019

There are cultural and individual differences in aesthetic preferences. Parmenides considered a sphere to be the most beautiful shape. Pythagoras formulated the concept of harmony as arithmetic proportions of sound vibration frequencies. European architects and garden designers traditionally used the principle of unity by similarity and repetition, and principles of identity, opposition, tension and extention. On the other hand, traditional Japanese garden designers and floral composition designers avoided regular geometric forms and repetition of same forms, and composed harmony among dissimilar elements. In the traditional Japanese house, rooms are convertible and connectable, indicating the opposite of identity and opposition. Can these differences be measured? Is entropy an adequate measure? Are other measures needed?
A Learning Process for Transformation to Continuous Improvement Management
Authors: Bush David H. , Dooley Kevin J.
Published: December 2019

Industry spends billions of dollars a year on workplace training and development. These expenditures should become even greater in the future, with organizations embracing the management principles espoused by such leaders as W. Edwards Deming. Two of Deming's ‘Fourteen Obligations For Management’ direct management to provide more employee training and education. Companies are responding by greatly increasing expenditures on training. An example of this is Motorola, a 1988 winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. They have recently established ‘Motorola University’ to offer a broad range of courses to Motorola employees and suppliers. ‘Each Motorola employee from the chairman to the groundskeeper will be required to complete at least 40 hours of education annually at a cost to the company in 1990 of $60 million, excluding salary and benefits paid to workers while they attend training’ (Moskal 1990). There are a variety of approaches that are being applied as a response to training needs. This paper focuses specifically on the training and education for quality improvement efforts. Theory of knowledge, adult learning theory, the team approach and paradigm shifting are explored to understand relevant foundational theory. These factors are combined with an organization transformation process to develop a learning process approach to workplace training and education aimed at achieving an effective and efficient transformation to Continuous Improvement practices.
Where Should be the Trends in Current Accounting Research?
Authors: Filios Vassilios P.
Published: December 2019

In this paper methods and tasks of contemporary accounting research are examined in an attempt to trace desirable trends. Firstly, the methodological considerations underlying accounting are presented. Secondly, it is explained why a shift in research emphasis, and most probably in research methods, is necessary. Thirdly, the mathematical emphasis in accounting research is reexamined in relation to the Nobel prize winners and with reference to the present situation of East European countries. Lastly, the foreign exchange accounting is reconsidered within the framework of the European Economic Community developments.
Car Industry
Authors: Pollmann Werner
Published: December 2019

The European and North American automotive industries are facing a strong challenge posed by the Japanese automotive industry. Recent investigations predict the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs when the import restrictions on the European automotive market are completely lifted. What is the basis for these prognoses? The success of Japanese companies on the world market and their significant growth rates over the last few years are often explained by references to Far Eastern entrepreneurialism, based on an autonomous cultural identity. In addition, new manufacturing technologies and organisational innovations such as KANBAN and JIT are said to be involved. An MIT study covering the last five years concluded that Japanese companies produce two or three times as many cars per worker as European or American factories. This also applies to so-called transplants, assembly plants in Europe or North America under Japanese management. The advantages of this high productivity have been summarized in the expression ‘lean production’, which describes an integrated approach to the manufacturing process. This comprehensive approach is based on a simultaneous engineering process which combines product and manufacturing tool design and development, material requirement planning, close ties with suppliers and not least, continuous improvements to the quality of the manufacturing process. This paper deals with three alternative reactions to this challenge. The means of combatting this challenge are presented using concrete examples. Individual stages in the supply chain will be examined in greater detail, and opportunities for improvement proposed.
An Approach to Effective Job Placement in an Organization: A Case Study
Authors: Suh Eui-Ho , Byun Dae-Ho , An Young-Sin
Published: December 2019

Effective job placement as a sphere of employment management in an organization is generally regarded as critical for positive maintenance of the organization and for a resulting increase in company-wide productivity. Managers of a personnel department in an organization have commonly tried various approaches to achieve philosophy effective job placement as a crucial part of employment management based on the principle of right-person-in-right-place. However, these approaches are usually dependent on rule of thumb without consideration of the methodologies for identifying aptitudes and personalities of employees. Therefore, more appropriate methodologies and subsequent computer-aided systems are required to evaluate current employees' potential and appropriate placement. This study, as a phase of developing the entire employment management systems in this organization (POSCO), suggests an expert system leading to a running system as a means for effective job placement. We also discuss methodologies to be applied for each lifecycle in constructing the expert system, especially focusing on the main components of the expert system such as structure of rule base, inference engine, and user interface.
Crisis as Status Quo: A Systems Approach to Understanding Institutional Organizations During a Period of Societal Transformation*
Authors: Snow Roberta M.
Published: December 2019

A detailed description of current societal transformation is presented emphasizing the shift from mechanistic to holistic thought, the proliferation of technology, and the shift to post-industrial society. The conservative role societal institutions play during periods of stability is discussed along with the problems that arise during periods of transition. A theoretical framework for describing the conservative behavior of these organizations based on the work of Russell Ackoff and Donald Schon is presented. It indicates that the systems behave in ways characteristic of bureaucratic monopolies. The piece concludes with a brief discussion of organizational alternatives to the existing institutional forms incorporating systemic concepts of organizational design.
Assertiveness at Work: A Norm for Work Relationships in Democratic Societies and Market Economies
Authors: Gripton James , Valentich Mary
Published: December 2019

This article proposes that assertiveness be considered as a norm for employees in work settings in Eastern Europe that are undergoing democratization and a shift to market economies. A cognitive-behavioral approach to assertiveness is presented, with attention to the rights of individuals at work. Verbal and non-verbal components of assertiveness are discussed, as well as considerations for training of employees in Eastern Europe. Transfer of assertiveness technology requires cultural sensitivity to conditions which may not yet be conducive to promotion of individual career interests as well as organizational goals.
The Emergence of Corporate Alliance Networks – Convertion to Self-Organization*
Authors: Richter Frank-Jürgen
Published: December 2019

In recent years, the term network has come into very widespread use in different fields of social, natural and computer sciences. This paper develops a framework for one kind of those different types of networks: corporate alliance networks. The network approach implies a focus on the network and the space between organizations rather than on what is taking place within individual organizations. The paper further attempts to consider the characteristics of networks as self-organizing systems. Self-organization may be taken as the opposite of construction or organization from outside. By joining in alliance networks firms are leaving limiting competitive structures characterized by demarcation and hierarchy. Although networks tend to be stable, they are never static. Three promising features of self-organizing networks are proposed: recursivity, redundancy, and self-consciousness.
The Process of Self-Renewal by Management Teams
Authors: Romme A. Georges L.
Published: December 2019

Self-renewal, self-organization, autopoiesis and related concepts have become quite popular in strategic change research. These concepts point at the importance of deeper structures of rules governing human behavior in organizations. This article describes the results of a study dealing with the role of management teams in strategic change processes, using the perspective of self-renewal. The results are summarized in a conceptual model of managerial behavior in the context of strategic change. The key concept is the repertoire of top management, which involves a set of recursively applied rules that govern managerial behavior. Management repertoires become institutionalized and relatively successful in particular contexts. The model describes forces contributing to the inertia, breakdown and formation of repertoires of management teams. The most important implication is that management teams could profit from trying to recognize the deeper rules governing their behavior. Managers should also try to prevent their own management team from becoming either extremely homogeneous or heterogeneous. In addition, they should use informal networks as much as the formal hierarchy.
Co-operation in the Field of Information Systems
Authors: Suomi Reima
Published: December 2019

Research on information systems rests to a large extent on a tradition that is characterized by a ‘competition’ paradigm. In this article a paradigm of ‘co-operation’ is put forward on the basis of earlier research in other than information systems research areas. Practical examples from current practice of information systems management and development are drawn. The article puts on a taxonomy for categorizing co-operative efforts. The taxonomy is based on six generalizable determinants of relationship formation as presented by Christine Oliver in the article ‘Determinants of Interorganizational Relationships: Integration and Future Directions’ and on the framework of transaction costs as presented by Oliver E. Williamson.
Managing Diversity: A Comment
Authors: Berne Rosalyn W.
Published: December 2019

The comment points to ‘managing diversity’ programs within business organizations as built upon an inherently weak structure. I argue that without a moral imperative, (a sense of ‘should’, or ‘ought’, derived from principles and beliefs regarding the treatment of human beings), the diversity programs will fail in their effort to build more competitively successful organizations. Three theoretical views of diversity are considered. It is pointed out that these representative views do not acknowledge the innate weakness of typical diversity management programs. This commentary claims to predict not only the likely failure of the programs themselves, but also that the programs will by design cause deeper and wider dis-ease within the organization.
Managing Trade Policy for Development
Authors: Djimopoulos Evangelos S.
Published: December 2019

The policies which have led to the recent high growth rates of some East Asian countries are not based on a brand new approach to development economics. This paper shows that the basic Japanese contribution to development policy combines two strands of thought from the past with the application of some insights acquired in the 1950s. The ‘productivity’ theory of trade, that can be traced back to Adam Smith, and Hamilton's and List's nationalistic and protectionist recommendations, when combined with the export elasticities analysis of Prebisch and Singer, provide us with the basic ingredients of the export-oriented growth policy and explain a large part of the apparent success of the Japanese and Korean economies.
Catalyzing Self-Management Capabilities: A Post-Newtonian Perspective
Authors: Uphoff Norman
Published: December 2019

Approaches to management tend to focus on how to get the most benefit from a given set of existing resources, making optimization and efficiency the goals. Experience in an Asian irrigation system shows how a presumably fixed resource (water) can become expandable when human potentials are mobilized. A situation that was previously zero-sum (even negative-sum) was converted into one with positive-sum dynamics. Self-management can expand the performance of individuals, groups and systems beyond what has been observed before. In this case, the strategy of introducing young organizers as catalysts of social energy revealed capabilities otherwise unknown. This calls into question the intellectual paradigm within which management, and indeed most other, activities are undertaken. An alternative framework, characterized as “post-Newtonian”, is presented as more appropriate for guiding thinking and planning for self-governing systems. It draws on concepts from the physical sciences – relativity theory, quantum mechanics and chaos theory – along with new thinking in the social sciences and humanities.
The Performance of Self-Governing Irrigation Systems in Nepal*
Authors: Ostrom Elinor , Lam Wai Fung , Lee Myungsuk
Published: December 2019

Current theories of development are predominantly based on the presumption that the obstacles and temptations involved in the local collective-action problems related to the provision and maintenance of common-pool resources are so substantial that only national governments have the capacity to surmount them. The temptation to free ride that underlies collective-action problems is viewed as a major deterrent to development. As each person who uses a collective resource would be better off if everyone else contributed to the provision of joint benefits available to all in the community, whether or not that person contributed, it is presumed that each person would be tempted not to contribute. The difficulty of sustaining collective action over the long term, where contributions are obviously costly and benefits are both hard to measure and dispersed over time and space, deepens the pessimism about the likelihood of success of self-organized efforts. The presumed inability of individuals to undertake their own collective action is used as the foundation for a theory of governance that expounds the need for the State. And yet, farmer-managed irrigation systems in Nepal tend to achieve average performance levels above those operated by the State. This paper explores the puzzle raised by the anomaly of low-tech systems organized by farmers achieving higher levels of performance than the high-tech systems built largely with donor funding and operated by the national government.
‘Soft’ Systems Thinking: A Pre-Condition for Organizational Learning
Authors: Cavaleri Steven A.
Published: December 2019

The dominant forms of systems thinking can be divided into five basic categories, ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ systems thinking, cybernetic, servo-mechanistic, and integrative systems thinking. ‘Soft’ systems thinking stands out as the perspective that is most supportive of organizational learning. Organizational learning is a process that has received growing attention in industry. Despite the encouraging reports concerning the efficacy of its use, there are many potential stumbling blocks that may limit its wide-spread use in the business world. One of the most serious potential difficulties that may arise involves the incompatibility between the forms of systems thinking which are used and espoused within an organization and those beliefs which are necessary to support organizational learning. Traditionally, Western organizations have adopted models which are based on ‘hard’ systems thinking, such as operational research and systems analysis. Yet, this approach is in many respects antithetical to the precepts of organizationallearning. This paper evaluates both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ systems thinking in terms of their ability to support organizational learning. Finally, three major ‘soft’ systems techniques are examined and summarized to form a core set of ‘soft’ systems principles.
Reengineering in Higher Education: A Case Study
Authors: Dowlatshahi S.
Published: December 2019

This paper explores the relationship between employers' selection criteria such as GPA, internship and previous working experience, student activities, graduates' areas of concentration, and gender upon the graduates' starting salary. The orientation and focus of this paper remains on micro analysis of graduates' earnings. An extensive set of statistical analyses is performed. The qualitative results and implications of the study are explored and presented. It is determined, through a set of analyses, that only GPA, computer science concentration, and student gender were significant and relevant selection criteria in the determination of graduates' starting salary. At the conclusion, the policy and planning implementation and implications of the study are presented as reengineering tools for three groups of constituents.
International Technology Transfer, Intercultural Communication and the Australian Aerospace and Telecommunications Industries
Authors: Irwin Harry , More Elizabeth
Published: December 2019

Given the significance of globalised technology for innovation in contemporary and future organisations in the Asia-Pacific region, the role of technology transfer is a central variable in current organisational capital. International technology involves not only the traditional problems of communicating between technocultures (that is, between scientists/engineers and business managers) but also those of intercultural communication (communication between people with different national/cultural identities). This paper explores the interfaces among technocultural and national identities as they relate to the international technology transfer process. Theoretical discussion is supplemented by analysis of the international technology transfer activities involving Australian participation in the aerospace and telecommunications industries.
Strategic Implications of the Service Factory for Small Manufacturers
Authors: Lin Binshan , Vassar John A. , Martin Christopher L.
Published: December 2019

All small manufacturers compete through operations, yet there is a dearth of practical approaches that can be used to facilitate the strategic task. This paper argues that the adoption of a service factory orientation will give the small manufacturer a competitive advantage. A strategic perspective of the service operation is discussed and three significant implications of the service factory for small manufacturing managers are offered: (1) the service factory is strategic in nature, (2) the strategic advantages of the service factory should be addressed, and (3) the dimensions and attributes of the service factory should be considered along with their impact on the firm. Finally, a set of guidelines is offered to facilitate the implementation of the service factory concept.
Managing China's Human Resources
Authors: Warner Malcolm
Published: December 2019

This paper deals with how human resources in the People's Republic of China are managed. It concentrates principally on how a new system of labour contracts, wage and insurance reforms has been introduced in large state-owned enterprises. Although the official goal is to extend these personnel reforms to other firms in the state sector, we should be careful in extrapolating too much from these experimental changes.
Are Creativity and Standardization Mutually Exclusive?
Authors: Kondo Yoshio
Published: December 2019

Fully displaying creativity is indispensable not only for developing new product and technology but also for managing any business for market growth and profitability. Work standardization, on the other hand, is stressed in the ISO 9000 Series Standards to assure product quality. Thus both elements are indispensable for corporate management. However, they are often thought to be mutually exclusive, because the remaining room for creative work is reduced along with the progress of work standardization. It is demonstrated in the present study, on the contrary, that the means and methods given in the work standards are not the constraints on carrying out the work but the important references which should further be improved by the creative efforts of workers and that creativity and work standardization are mutually complementary.