bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial: The First MS/OR Practitioner: Niccolò Machiavelli
Authors: Murphy Frederic H.
Published: October 2008

We have all read accounts of management science's growth out of activities in the Second World War. Yet this story is not entirely accurate. Inventory analysis and queuing, for example, originated at the beginning of this century. Our antecedents actually extend even further back in history—to the Italian renaissance. My nomination for the first practitioner of management science is Niccolò Machiavelli, who lived from 1469 to 1527 in Florence, Italy. His book, The Prince, written in 1513, is the first text on the practice of management science.
Operations Research Techniques: A Longitudinal Update 1973–1988
Authors: Lane Michael S. , Mansour Ali H. , Harpell John L.
Published: October 2008

Questionnaires have been sent to Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) members at five-year intervals over the past 15 years (1973, 1978, 1983, 1988). The most recent set of questionnaires (1988) indicates what operations research (OR) educators and practitioners believe are the quantitative techniques needed for a proper foundation in OR. The results show some change since the first questionnaire (1973). Three quantitative techniques stand out as consistently believed to be the most important: math programming, statistics, and simulation. Other techniques vary in relative importance. Practitioners indicate the use of a more diverse set of techniques than educators.
Improving Delivery Performance in Gear Manufacturing at Jeffrey Division of Dresser Industries
Authors: Hutchison Jim , Leong G. Keong , Ward Peter T.
Published: October 2008

Our simulation of the gear manufacturing operation based on historical demand patterns focuses on management and control of a newly organized plant within a plant at Jeffrey Mining Equipment Division of Dresser Industries. Using due-date performance as the primary measure of effectiveness, we simulated a change in dispatching policy that realized 39 percent improvement over existing policy at the highest demand level. The results of the study led Jeffrey Division to make changes in both their capacity adjustment policy and their shop floor priorities.
20/30 Hindsight: How Much Mathematics Do You Use?
Authors: Chamberlain Robert G. , Fox Michael , Pollock Stephen M. , Shaw Susan H. , Nunez Emilio J. , Ford John R. , Magee John F. , Machol Robert E.
Published: October 2008

An overview of opinions of several OR/MS practitioners about how much math they really use in their job.
The Southern Company Uses a Probability Model for Cost Justification of Oil Sample Analysis
Authors: Mellichamp Joseph M. , Miller David M. , Kwon O-Joung
Published: October 2008

One of the difficult decisions facing managers responsible for maintaining motor vehicle and construction equipment fleets is whether or not to implement oil analysis programs. We developed a simple probability model for the Southern Company which enables their maintenance managers to evaluate various maintenance strategies including options that incorporate oil sampling programs. The model has been used to determine optimum policies for five classes of equipment and to assess the sensitivity of these results to various changes in the model parameters.
On Post-Evaluation Analysis: Candle-Lighting and Surrogate Models
Authors: Kimbrough Steven O. , Oliver Jim R. , Pritchett Clark W.
Published: October 2008

Gleaning information from a model to guide the design of new and better options is an important, underemphasized facet of post-evaluation analysis. We call this facet candle-lighting analysis. We structure this analysis as a series of questions which we incorporate into a DSS that uses standard mathematical and artificial intelligence techniques. Creating new options typically requires action by an organization. The DSS stores models of these actions, their cost and benefits, and information about the source and accuracy of parameters. We applied candle-lighting analysis to a performance evaluation model developed with and for the US Coast Guard that is part of a prototype DSS.
Computers that Criticize You: Stimulus-Based Decision Support Systems
Authors: Angehrn Albert A.
Published: October 2008

What do you expect from your assistants? Just efficiency in answering your inquiries? Or should they also raise relevant issues and offer their knowledge and experiences without request? The conversational framework for decision support (CFDS) is the basis for a new generation of decision support and executive information systems able to decide when and how to provide suggestions, advice, and criticism to their human users. This alternative approach to human-computer cooperation transforms a DSS into a decision-making arena in which users define and explore their problems under the continuous stimulus of electronic agents. Stimulus agents, in turn, act as information providers, servants, experts, or mentors, recreating a virtual teamwork environment.
Creativity in MS/OR: Value-Focused Thinking—Creativity Directed toward Decision Making
Authors: Keeney Ralph L.
Published: October 2008

One key principle of creative thinking that differs from those for conventional problem solving is to separate idea generation from idea evaluation and idea selection. In this guest column, Ralph Keeney proposes “value-focused thinking” as a means of generating alternatives for decision problems and of identifying decision opportunities where time and effort could be productively invested.
IWSAS: Expert System Phone Survey Assistance for Collecting Data on Hazardous Waste Generation
Authors: Coursey David , Bretschneider Stuart , Blair Jane
Published: October 2008

IWSAS, the Intelligent Waste Stream Advisory System, is a phone interviewing assistant that collects information from small quantity generators in New Jersey on their handling of hazardous waste. This expert system aids in conducting interviews to determine the wastes associated with small printing and photography firms. It has many features of conventional computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) software but represents the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in this application arena. Knowledge acquisition involved multiple experts among several organizations. IWSAS has been successfully used by phone interviewers to complete 252 surveys and the results have improved our understanding of factors influencing waste generation.
Misapplications Reviews: Getting the Model Right—The Case of Competitive Bidding
Authors: Rothkopf Michael H. , Engelbrecht-Wiggans Richard
Published: October 2008

The usefulness of a model depends upon how well it captures essential elements of the actual problem. Mismodel the problem, and the conclusions may be wrong. Getting the model right is at least as important as solving the model correctly. In the analysis of competitive bidding, getting the model right has proven difficult. Even seemingly small changes in bidding models may lead to quite different conclusions. Repeatedly, bidding models have proven to be flawed, often with unnerving effects on the conclusions drawn from them. In this guest column, we review several modeling failures documented previously and then present two new examples.
A Decision Support System for Scheduling Personnel in a Newspaper Publishing Environment
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Mohan , Gopalakrishnan Srimathy , Miller David M.
Published: October 2008

We developed and implemented a PC-based decision support system for planning and scheduling part-time workers at a local newspaper company. The system addresses two important issues: generating requirements for part-time workers for each shift and scheduling them based on certain criteria. We used a rule-based system to generate the requirements and a heuristic search procedure incorporated into the system to develop schedules. The system has been in use for the past two years and has resulted in a 16-percent reduction in the number of part-time workers hired, which translates to an annual savings of $50,000. It has also reduced the time supervisors spend generating requirements and schedules for part-time workers.
Case Analysis: Analyses of the National Cranberry Cooperative—1. Tactical Options
Authors: Porteus Evan L.
Published: October 2008

We initiated this section in the November–December 1989 issue of Interfaces with the publication of the National Cranberry Case and an invitation to submit analyses by May 1, 1990. We promised to “review the reports, select and edit the best sections from them, prepare a commentary, and publish the results.” In this first part of those results, I discuss results that consider the environment fixed and focus on the tactical options available. I include edited analyses of the submissions from Khashoggi, Chabas, and Bakken [1990], Juergens, Hoyt, and Swenson [1990], and Langelo [1990]. In the second part, I will expand the analysis to consider changes in the environment and implementation issues, and I will include edited analyses of three additional submissions.
How to Analyze the Results of Linear Programs—Part 1: Preliminaries
Authors: Greenberg Harvey J.
Published: October 2008

In a four part series, I describe ways to analyze the results of linear programs beyond what is commonly described in textbooks. My intent is to capture the thought process in analysis with two objectives. First, I want to provide a guide to those getting started in applications of linear programming by suggesting useful ways of looking at the results. Second, I want to help create an artificially intelligent environment for the analysis of results by presenting a protocol that a knowledge engineer can use. The former has been in the folklore for decades; the latter is part of a project to develop an intelligent mathematical programming system. This first part of the series contains basic terms and concepts used in the other three parts: price interpretation, infeasibility diagnosis, and forcing substructures.
A Modified Analytic Hierarchy Process for Automated Manufacturing Decisions
Authors: Weber Stephen F.
Published: October 2008

Decisions on adopting new manufacturing technologies are often biased because they are based only on those impacts that can be expressed in financial terms. Multi-criteria decision tools that include nonfinancial impacts avoid this bias. One such tool, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), has been modified for the manufacturing environment and incorporated into AutoMan, decision support software for microcomputers. The modified AHP is used here to decide on the best way to automate a machine shop. The four steps are: (1) specify criteria and alternatives; (2) weight criteria using pairwise comparison judgments; (3) rate alternatives with respect to criteria; and (4) compute the overall weighted score for each alternative. This approach preserves existing reliable financial information and integrates it with both nonfinancial quantitative performance data and qualitative informed judgments. Judgments are made explicit and checked for consistency. Over 800 industrial managers have purchased AutoMan to improve their automation decisions.
Improving Throughput of a Coal Transport System with the Aid of Three Simple Models
Authors: Allen Glenn , Gunn Eldon , Rutherford Peter
Published: October 2008

The Cape Breton Development Corporation had not been achieving the throughput needed from its transport system for moving coal from its coal storage sites to the shipping piers for loading onto ocean going vessels. We used three simple models to analyze this system and to convince management that it could improve the system dramatically with no capital investment. By following these recommendations, the company has approximately doubled the throughput of this system. This leads to significant savings in vessel demurrage costs and improves the market opportunities for coal sales.
Where Were We, Where Are We, Where Are We Going, and Who Cares?
Authors: Woolsey Gene
Published: October 2008

Here we go! It is customary at great meetings of our profession to invite in selected demigods to address the “state of the profession.” It is also customary on such occasions to invite the greatest single outlier in said profession. This is to demonstrate openness of mind and also to provide some comic relief from all of the heavies invited. I must thank Saul Gass for inviting me to address this distinguished group. I want it on the record that Saul asked me to be provocative. I assure you that he will get his wish.
Finding the Japanese Fleet in March 1945
Authors: Green Alex E. S.
Published: October 2008

I performed two operations analyses while serving with the 20th Bomber Command's operations analysis unit in the China, Burma, India theater in World War II: (1) I analyzed combat losses during the first 25 missions and assessed the performance of the remote control gunnery system. (2) I developed a device that, in conjunction with the gunsight, was used to compute the length of ships seen from the air. Testing this device and proving its value in combat led to my participation in the reconnaissance mission that discovered the Japanese fleet in March 1945. The second assignment typified operations analysis during WWII: to solve technical problems arising in combat using what was available or could be fabricated quickly in the field.
Coping with Outliers in Scoring Bombing Training Results
Authors: Miser Hugh J.
Published: October 2008

To cope with outliers, one must look to the underlying phenomena. In the military in 1945, scoring bombing accuracy and rating a training school for bombers both presented dilemmas in dealing with outliers.
Introduction: Innovation, Research and Development, and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Papageorgiou John C.
Published: October 2008

Introductory article about the special issue of Interfaces. It gives an overview of topics covered and particular papers included.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: October 2008

Keeney, Ralph L. 1992, Value-Focused Thinking: A Path to Creative Decisionmaking, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 406 pp., $35.00—reviewed by John R. Schuyler

Weiss, Joseph W. and Wysocki, Robert K. 1992, Five-Phase Project Management: A Practical Planning and Implementation Guide, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Massachusetts, 121 + xiii pp., $19.50—reviewed by Dennis E. Kroll

Louis, Raymond S. 1992, How to Implement Kanban for American Industry, Productivity Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Norwalk, Connecticut, 116 pp., $39.95—reviewed by Richard Y. K. Fung

Landvater, Darryl V. 1993, World Class Production and Inventory Management, Oliver Wight Publications, Essex Junction, Vermont, 272 pp., $42.50—reviewed by Ephrem Eyob

Sherbrooke, Craig C. 1992, Optimal Inventory Modeling of Systems, Multi-Echelon Techniques, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 274 pp., $59.95—reviewed by Steve New

Lund, D. and Øksendal, B., eds. 1991, Stochastic Models and Option Values: Applications to Resources, Environment, and Investment Problems, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 301 pp., $69.00—reviewed by John A. Barnes
High Technology Manufacturing in Low Technology Plants
Authors: Ettlie John E. , Penner-Hahn Joan
Published: October 2008

We performed a two-year case study on the ramp-up of a large flexible assembly system in a Midwestern automotive components plant. The new system was designed to be a creative replication of technology already in operation in the technology supplier's firm and was purchased under a broad corporate alliance agreement as well as a detailed adoption contract. Although the project met its installation schedule, production targets, and direct labor cost savings objectives, the installation of this innovative, partially-tended assembly system raised several issues and questions regarding the optimal part mix schedule, quality standards, and maintenance schedules. We hypothesize that a curvilinear relationship exists between supplier-user satisfaction and flexibility outcomes. Moderate levels of satisfaction appear to maximize the ratio of part families per hour change-over capability of a new flexible system.
Effects of Innovativeness and Venture Stage on Venture Capitalist-Entrepreneur Relations
Authors: Sapienza Harry J. , Amason Allen C.
Published: October 2008

Innovative new ventures constitute a disproportionately large source of economic growth, and the amount of venture capital flowing into such ventures is increasing. A key component in the success of venture-capital-backed firms is the relationship between the lead venture capitalist (VC) and the venture's founding entrepreneur (E). We examined the impact of innovativeness and venture stage on VC-E relations in 51 venture-capital-backed firms and found: (1) greater marketing innovativeness in ventures associated with greater openness in VC-E pairs, (2) greater technological innovativeness in ventures associated with greater conflict in VC-E pairs, and (3) more frequent VC-E interaction in earlier stage ventures. We found that the relationship between technological innovativeness and openness of VC-E relations depended upon the venture's stage.
Editorial: Panculturalism
Authors: Murphy Frederic H.
Published: October 2008

An essay about panculturalism, understood as social values and rules that provably make everyone better off, versus multi-culturalism, that is, according to the author, often just the opposite of its overt definition.
A Hybrid System Improves Claims Auditing at Blue Cross
Authors: May Jerrold H. , Spangler William E. , Chen Sean , Donohue Sharon L.
Published: October 2008

The PlanTracker system helps Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania (BCWP) to analyze errors in claims records transmitted from other Blue Cross organizations with the goal of improving their accuracy. The development of PlanTracker was complicated by a complex and constantly changing data transmission environment that impeded the formation of both descriptive models of human domain expertise and normative models based on analysis of the claims data. We developed a hybrid system that compensated for these problems by utilizing statistical and heuristic knowledge to assess claims data submissions over time. PlanTracker has reduced the time required to audit claims information from seven days to about one hour, helping BCWP to increase the frequency and volume of its records transmission and reduce errors in transmitted claims data. As a result, BCWP has achieved a more timely and consistent billing cycle for its corporate accounts. Since 1987, the dollar volume of claims rejected annually has decreased from 10 percent to 4.5 percent.
Case Analysis: Analyses of the National Cranberry Cooperative—2. Environmental Changes and Implementation
Authors: Porteus Evan L.
Published: October 2008

This second part presents further analyses of the National Cranberry Cooperative Case, published in the November–December 1989 issue of Interfaces. The first part focused on tactical options, assuming a fixed environment for Receiving Plant 1 (RP1). The base case recommended, among other things, purchasing two new dryers and fully staffing the plant starting early each morning of the peak season. Part 2 asks whether better solutions can be found by making technological changes (Analysis 4), managing demand (Analysis 5), or altering the economic environment (Analysis 6). I also discuss implementation.
An Integrated Decision Support System in a Chinese Chemical Plant
Authors: Yang De-Li , Mou Weiqin
Published: October 2008

In July 1986, the institute of systems engineering at Dalian University of Technology and the Dalian Dyestuff Plant developed and implemented an integrated decision support system (DSS) at the Dalian Dyestuff Plant, one of the largest chemical dye plants in China. The DSS combines a linear-programming-based optimization model with a rule-based artificial-intelligence model. The system contains subsystems for production planning, accounting and finances, inventory, and information services. Operational results indicate that the system increased the annual profits by at least 4 million RMB in 1987 (about one million US dollars; the plant's total profits were about 40 million RMB per year at that time).
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: October 2008

Askin, Ronald G. and Standridge, Charles R. 1993, Modeling and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 461 pp., $65.95—reviewed by Ramón Rodríguez

Cottle, R. W.; Pang, J.; and Stone, R. E. 1992, The Linear Complementarity Problem, Academic Press, San Diego, California, 762 pp., $59.95—reviewed by Samer Takriti

Zangwill, Willard I. 1993, Lightning Strategies for Innovation: How the World's Best Firms Create New Products, Lexington Books, MacMillan, New York, 359 pp. $24.95—reviewed by Ephrem Eyob
Risk Management for the Tiles of the Space Shuttle
Authors: Paté-Cornell M.-Elisabeth , Fischbeck Paul S.
Published: October 2008

The tiles of the space shuttle orbiter are critical to its safety at reentry, and their maintenance between flights is time-consuming. We performed a probabilistic risk analysis to identify the most risk-critical tiles and to set priorities in the management of the heat shield. The model is based on a multiple partition of the orbiter's surface. For the tiles in each zone, we used the following data: (1) the probability of debonding due either to debris hits or to a poor bond, (2) the probability of losing adjacent tiles once the first one is lost, (3) the probability of burn-through given the final size of the failure patch, and (4) the probability of failure of a critical subsystem under the skin of the orbiter if a burn-through occurs. A risk-criticality scale was designed based on the results of this model. It is currently used (along with temperature charts) to set priorities for the maintenance of the tiles. We found that 15 percent of the tiles account for about 85 percent of the risk and that some of the most critical tiles are not in the hottest areas of the orbiter's surface. We recommended that NASA inspect the bond of the most risk-critical tiles and reinforce the insulation of the external systems (external tank and solid rocket boosters) that could damage the high-risk tiles if it debonds at take-off. We computed that such improvements of the maintenance procedures could reduce the probability of shuttle accident attributable to tile failure by about 70 percent.
Analytical MS/OR Tools Applied to a Plant Closure
Authors: Clements Dale W. , Reid Richard A.
Published: October 2008

A decision was made in 1989 to shut down the microchip production plant that was being operated by Allied-Signal for the US Department of Energy. Because of long-term contractual obligations, the manufacturing operations were to be gradually phased out over several years. Management used results from time-series forecasting and linear programming models to plan the plant closure and to schedule production during the phase-out period. These analytical tools provided information and insight that resulted in improved decision making and significant cost savings.
Positioning the Organization
Authors: Cyert Richard M.
Published: October 2008

A CEO must structure the organization so that it can deal with the problems it faces. The CEO must be deeply involved in the process of strategic planning and must become aware of the problems the organization may face in the future. Most organizations that get into trouble do so because they do not foresee changes in society or are unable to restructure in time to meet the problems they do foresee. In restructuring, the CEO must be aware that the organization is a system and that changes in one part will affect others.
Neural Networks for the MS/OR Analyst: An Application Bibliography
Authors: Sharda Ramesh
Published: October 2008

From a management scientist's perspective, the neural networks offer three opportunities: statistical methods, optimization methods, and a problem domain in which to apply OR algorithms. This annotated bibliography of application literature should offer a nontechnical fast track to someone getting started in this exciting area. The research published thus far on the applications of neural networks for statistical and optimization problems shows promise for the interface of neural networks and management science.
The Ombudsman: Business School Prestige—Research versus Teaching
Authors: Armstrong J. Scott , Sperry Tad
Published: October 2008

We examined the relationships between the research originating at business schools, students' satisfaction with the schools, and the published ratings of the school's prestige. Research was positively correlated to prestige (where prestige was based on the perceptions of academics, firms, and student candidates). The satisfaction of recent graduates was not related to a school's prestige (based on the perceptions of academics and business firms). Research productivity of schools was not associated with lower satisfaction among their recent graduates. We conclude that schools should emphasize research instead of teaching if they desire high prestige.
Implementing an Operations Management System in a Soviet Machine Building Plant
Authors: Portougal Victor M.
Published: October 2008

A computerized management system was developed in a large Soviet plant during the period when the central government of the former USSR had decided to increase the productivity of the industry by computerizing its management. The project was organized and funded under the restrictions of the strictly planned economic system, and this affected the principles used in developing hardware and software.
The New Dynamism: Part 1
Authors: Frey Donald N.
Published: October 2008

Innovation is a necessary major component of the rapid changes currently going on in American industrial companies, particularly in some large ones that have gotten into serious difficulties. I place the various types of innovation in a taxonomy in which each class has distinctive characteristics and specific organizational and managerial requirements. I also use historical examples to illustrate the various types of innovation and discuss employee difficulties in adapting to change.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: October 2008

Vollmann, Thomas E.; Berry, William L.; and Whybark, Clay D., eds. 1992, Manufacturing Planning and Control Systems, third edition, Richard D. Irwin, Homewood, Illinois, 864 pp., $54.95—reviewed by Per Nikolaj D. Bukh

Shedlar, Gerald S. 1993, Regenerative Stochastic Simulation, Academic Press, San Diego, California, 401 pp., $59.95—reviewed by Alan G. Kalton

Chacko, George K. 1993, Operations Research/Management Science: Case Studies in Decision Making Under Structured Uncertainty, McGraw-Hill, New York, 396 pp., $49.95—reviewed by Augustine O. Esogbue

Waters, C. D. J. 1992, Inventory Control and Management, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, England, 364 pp., $54.95—reviewed by Bruce R. Feiring

Fourer, R.; Gay, M. G.; and Kernighan, B. W. 1993, AMPL: A Modeling Language for Mathematical Programming, The Scientific Press, South San Francisco, California, 351 pp., $52.50—reviewed by Samer Takriti

McNeese, William H. and Klein, Robert A., eds. 1991, Statistical Methods for the Process Industries, Marcel Dekker, New York, 512 + xvi pp., $55.00—reviewed by Claude R. Superville

Geweke, John, ed. 1992, Decision Making under Risk and Uncertainty: New Models and Empirical Findings, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 260 pp., $111.00—reviewed by Jayavel Sounderpandian

Flood, Robert Louis 1993, Beyond TQM, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 303 pp., $39.95—reviewed by Stanley J. Stough

Zahedi, Fatemah 1993, Intelligent Systems for Business: Expert Systems with Neural Networks, Wadsworth, Florence, Kentucky, 658 pp., $38.00—reviewed by Sean B. Eom

Buckland, Michael 1991, Information and Information Systems, Praeger Publishers, New York, 248 pp., $16.95—reviewed by Sean B. Eom
An Asset-Liability Investment System
Authors: Mulvey John M.
Published: October 2008

The Pacific Financial Asset Management Company uses stochastic optimization to allocate financial assets. The critical issue is to balance the risk and rewards of the strategic investment decisions in concert with the movements of the projected liabilities. Motivating this approach is the trend to managing risk in a more realistic and comprehensive fashion. The resulting nonlinear optimization system extends the asset-only model of Markowitz to handle liabilities. The aim of the integrative asset-liability system is the preservation of the firm's wealth as measured by assets minus the present value of their liabilities. While the integrative system requires greater information, its recommendations are more closely tailored to the investor's circumstances. The system has been implemented on an IBM PC so that the interactive features can be readily brought into the field.
Mortgage Prepayments and an Analysis of the Wharton Prepayment Model
Authors: Golub Bennett W. , Pohlman Lawrence
Published: October 2008

Predicting the behavior of homeowners in paying or prepaying their mortgages is a key feature of both pricing and portfolio management models. All major players in the market of mortgage-backed securities have to deal with the idiosyncracies of mortgage owners. A variety of prepayment models are currently in routine use by Wall Street firms, insurance and pension fund companies, investment advisory firms, and mortgage agencies. However, most of these models are proprietary, and the analytics underlying them are carefully guarded. We evaluate empirically a model developed at the Wharton School, intending to validate a model developed in academia—whose details are available in the open literature [Kang and Zenios 1992]—by using standard industrial tests.
Creativity in MS/OR: Expanding Knowledge by Consolidating Knowledge
Authors: Reisman Arnold
Published: October 2008

A viewpoint about the accumulation of knowledge in a discipline suggests that knowledge accumulates from individuals carefully mapping out areas likely to yield good information and good results, rather than from random search. This approach avoids duplication, provides better insights, eliminates old mistakes, and builds creatively on previous accomplishments. To this end, Arnold Reisman presents some thoughts and insights about taxonomies as tools for consolidating knowledge and fostering creativity in management science.
Introduction: In Celebration of the 80th Birthday of C. West Churchman, Born Mount Airy, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1913
Authors: Koenigsberg Ernest , van Gigch John P.
Published: October 2008

Introduction to the special issue devoted to the 80th anniversary of C. West Churchman.
Editorial: Interfaces' Mission, A Declaration of Dependence
Authors: Rothkopf Michael H.
Published: October 2008

Contemplations about statements the author considers to be self-evident truths: The management sciences are applied sciences, gaining their importance from their usefulness in policy and decision making. The value of research in the management sciences depends upon its ultimate usefulness for decision and policy making. The value of practice in the management sciences depends upon the existence of a base of relevant knowledge. Thus, researchers and practitioners in the management sciences are of necessity dependent upon each other.
Integrated Production and Distribution Facility Planning at Ault Foods
Authors: Pooley John
Published: October 2008

In the late 1980s, Ault Foods Limited initiated a study of its fluid division's facilities in Ontario to see if changing its existing facility network would improve financial performance without sacrificing customer service. Ault relied on a cross functional team of company personnel and an external consultant to develop a model of its facility network. Ault management used the results from the model to make a number of important changes, closing several plants and warehouses and shifting production and distribution responsibilities. These changes improved Ault's competitive position. The main reason for the project's success was not the technical beauty of the network model but that the project team developed a network model that Ault management understood and results it could accept.
Higher Education and Social Stratification
Authors: Ackoff Russell L.
Published: October 2008

Institutions of higher learning fall into three strata: the elite, the middle, and the bottom. In general, the cost of tuition, the quality of students they accept, and the quality of the jobs they subsequently take are highly correlated, hence preserve and reinforce social stratification. Such stratification is incompatible with their proclaimed objective of promoting learning, and I believe that their primary objective is to maximize the quality of work life of the faculty. Teaching is the price the faculty pays for this privilege and, like all prices, they try to minimize it. I suggest (1) how to modify higher education so as to promote learning rather than teaching and (2) how to modify admissions so as to eliminate social stratification among universities and colleges and their graduates. I am not optimistic about the chances for these changes.
The Cruel Science of World Mismanagement: An Essay in Honor of C. West Churchman
Authors: Mitroff Ian I.
Published: October 2008

A new philosophy of inquiry in which management and implementation play a central role grows out of C. West Churchman's lifetime concern with the management of science.
Management Science: Science of Managing and Managing of Science
Authors: Churchman C. West
Published: October 2008

As the first editor-in-chief of Management Science, I expressed my ambition for the society (TIMS) and its journal. My notion was that a society and journal in the subject of a science of management would investigate how humans can manage their affairs well. For me, “well” means “ethically,” or in the best interest of humanity in a world of filthy oppression and murder (I'm a philosopher and therefore have a philosophical bias, the same bias Plato had when he wrote the Republic). I find that 40 years later management scientists have been inventing all kinds of mathematical models and novelties (management by objectives, game theory, artificial intelligence, expert systems, TQM, chaos theory), and none of these has contributed much to the ethical benefit of human beings. Hence, in 1993, we are still waiting for a science of management to emerge, although there are some lights at the end of the tunnel.
Parallel and Supercomputing in the Practice of Management Science
Authors: Zenios Stavros A.
Published: October 2008

The performance of von Neumann (serial) computers improved by a factor of 106 between 1955 and 1990. Within the next decade we expect to see similar improvements delivered by parallel supercomputers. As this new technology matures, it shifts from being a research topic to being a fundamental tool for scientific, engineering, and business applications. Multiprocessor systems that once cost several million dollars and were found only in government laboratories are now very affordable. They have proliferated in academia, high-technology industries, and business. This new technology has also penetrated the practice of management science. Parallel and supercomputers could change the way management scientists apply the tools of their trade and influence the decision-making process.
Temple Dental School Uses an Expert System to Schedule Students' Clinical Rotations
Authors: Schleyer Titus K. L.
Published: October 2008

Each semester, Temple University School of Dentistry must develop a complex schedule for students' clinical rotations in seven clinics. The schedule must satisfy several demands: clinics have to be adequately staffed, students need time off for lectures and treating patients, and each student should serve approximately the same number of rotations over a two-year period. A number of methods are available to solve scheduling problems such as this. They range from simple rules and linear programming to custom-coded algorithms and expert systems. The many, sometimes conflicting requirements of the schedules at Temple Dental School made using mathematical or algorithmic methods difficult. I developed a scheduler in a rule-based artificial intelligence language (Prolog) to generate schedules that satisfy all user requirements. It has resulted in yearly savings of 11 to 19 person-days for programming and schedule development.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: October 2008

Raghavan, T. E. S.; Ferguson, T. S.; Parthasarathy, T.; and Zrieze, O. J., eds. 1991, Stochastic Games and Related Topics, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, x + 233pp., $94.00—reviewed by Marco LiCalzi

Graves, S. C.; Rinnooy Kan, A. H. G.; and Zipkin, P. H., eds. 1993, Logistics of Production and Inventory, North-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 760 pp., $165.00—reviewed by Belarmino Adenso-Díaz
A Decision Support System for Developing Evacuation Plans around Nuclear Power Stations
Authors: Hobeika Antoine G. , Kim Sigon , Beckwith Robert E.
Published: October 2008

We developed a microcomputer software package for analyzing and developing evacuation plans around nuclear power stations, the transportation evacuation decision support system—TEDSS. It is designed to help emergency managers make decisions in evacuation planning and operations. The system helps the user prepare detailed evacuation master plans for different scenarios, including evacuation times, best routes, expected traffic bottlenecks, and the allocation of evacuees to different shelters. In an actual emergency, the system helps the user to make decisions as the nature of the disaster changes, such as selecting proper zones to evacuate, estimating evacuation times, and providing routing strategies for the particular emergency. TEDSS has a knowledge base that contains the evacuation expert rules, disaster-related information, and an inference engine, which is a sophisticated simulation model. TEDSS employs graphic displays and system control capabilities to keep it user-friendly, flexible, quick to maintain, and easy to expand and modify.
Development of a Quality-Assurance System for a Wine Producer in Greece
Authors: Tagaras George , Georgiadis Patroklos , Psoinos Dimitris
Published: October 2008

All industries realize the need for careful and systematic quality management, even those that traditionally considered their work partly an art, as did the wine-making industry. In addition, increased international competition and standardization requirements, natural consequences of the European Common Market, have sent a clear message to companies throughout Europe that quality is not just a competitive priority but a prerequisite for survival. We developed and implemented a quality-assurance system for J. Boutaris and Son, a major wine producer in Greece, as part of the company's plan to maintain and enhance its strong position in the international marketplace. We employed techniques ranging from simple graphical tools to state-of-the-art statistical procedures, putting emphasis on training and the human factor.
TREMEC Revisited: An Update on “Developing a Production System in Mexico”
Authors: Plenert Gerhard
Published: October 2008

In 1990, TREMEC, a transmission manufacturer in Mexico controlled by Clark Equipment, had many problems [Plenert 1990]. Since my previous article, many changes have taken place. These changes, many of which were brought about by the new Mexican-dominated ownership, have taken TREMEC out of the red and into the black.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: October 2008

Whybark, D. Clay and Vastag, Gyula, eds. 1993, Global Manufacturing Practices, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 464 pp., $168.50—reviewed by Ram Rachamadugu

Christopher, William F. and Thor, Carl G., eds. 1992, Handbook for Productivity Measurement and Improvement, Productivity Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1,344 pp., $90.00—reviewed by Per Nikolaj D. Bukh

Bertsekas, Dimitri P. 1991, Linear Network Optimization Algorithms and Codes, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 359 pp., $42.50—reviewed by Yahia Zare

Rust, Roland T.; Zahorik, Anthony J.; and Keiningham, Timothy L. 1994, Return on Quality: Measuring the Financial Impact of Your Company's Quest for Quality, Probus Publishing Company, Chicago, 225 pp., $27.50—reviewed by Mark A. Vonderembse

Bhat, U. Narayan and Basawa, Ishwar V., eds. 1992, Queueing and Related Models, Clarendon Press, Oxford, England, 348 pp., $89.00—reviewed by Y. Narahari

Coffman, E. G., Jr.; Lenstra, J. K.; and Rinnooy Kan, A. H. G., eds. 1992, Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, Vol. 3: Computing, North-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 682 + xvi pp., $120.00—reviewed by Hari Titan

Payne, J. W.; Bettman, J. R.; and Johnson, E. J. 1993, The Adaptive Decision Maker, Cambridge University Press, New York, 343 pp., $59.95—reviewed by Paula A. Dasilva
The Fifth Column: On Underground Storage Tanks, Cops, Nameless Departments, and City Politics
Authors: Woolsey Gene
Published: October 2008

An essay about a study that compares supplying police cars with fuel from scattered underground fuel tanks owned by the city with the supply coming from a commercial vendor.
An Analytical Approach to Reshaping the United States Army
Authors: Durso Anthony , Donahue Scott F.
Published: October 2008

The Total Army Personnel Life Cycle Model (TAPLIM) was developed to study the impacts on the US Army’s enlisted force of key personnel management policies to meet congressional requirements and support a changing national military strategy. The model was used to determine the downsizing strategy that guaranteed optimal manning of the active army and to analyze active and reserve component force-mix alternatives. Its versatility and flexibility enhanced a strategic personnel planning process designed to reshape the US Army as it moves into the 21st century. The decisions made using the model and its supporting multiple-criteria decision-making protocol will save the army millions of dollars through the end of this century.
Editorial: Two New Features at Interfaces
Authors: Rothkopf Michael H.
Published: October 2008

In order to further its primary mission of serving those interested in MS/OR practice, Interfaces is undertaking two significant initiatives. Each of these involve new kinds of participation by the practice community and thus are worthy of special discussion. One of these is an Internet complement to the printed Interfaces. The other is a new feature in the printed Interfaces that I hope will make reports of significant actual practice available years sooner than they are currently. I will discuss each of these innovations in some detail and how you can participate in it.
Oglethorpe Power Corporation Decides about Investing in a Major Transmission System
Authors: Borison Adam
Published: October 2008

Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC) provides wholesale power to consumer-owned distribution cooperatives in Georgia. Late in 1990, OPC managers learned that Florida Power Corporation wanted to expand its connections to Georgia with another transmission line. To decide whether to build this line, OPC worked with Applied Decision Analysis, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive decision analysis in less than two weeks. The results of the analysis helped persuade OPC to shift from a joint venture strategy with Georgia Power to an independent strategy of direct negotiations with Florida Power. These negotiations would serve as a first step towards building the transmission line, and would keep other options open as information regarding the competitive situation was gathered.
The Fifth Column: On the Proper Training of Future Management II
Authors: Woolsey Robert E. D. , Maurer Ruth A.
Published: October 2008

In 1981, Interfaces published “On the proper training of future management” (Woolsey [Woolsey, Gene. 1981. The fifth column: On the proper training of future management. Interfaces 11(4, August) 11–17.]), which described the MS/OR program here at the Colorado School of Mines. To our considerable surprise, many people have asked for an update on the program described in that article. This article is that update. The MS/OR program here at Mines is generally considered the most relentlessly applied program of any in the world. We expect all students in the program to do one or more projects for companies or government agencies before graduation. We further expect that these projects and dissertations will, with rare exceptions, address a real problem of interest to either a nearby firm or a governmental agency.
Introduction: Service-Sector Productivity—The MS/OR Challenge
Authors: Harker Patrick T.
Published: October 2008

The popular press is awash these days with news of the recent worldwide recession and the impact of manufacturing on economic development. However, a few enlightened articles (for example, The Economist [The Economist. 1992. More than meets the eye. (December 26) 91.]) have appeared that challenge the conventional wisdom that only manufacturing matters, an idea popularized in the book Made in America (Dertouzos, Lester, and Solow [Dertouzos, M. L., Lester, R. K., Solow, R. M. 1989. Made in America-Regaining the Productive Edge. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.]). All developed economies are service-based economies. The movement toward service-based economies is not a crisis! The true crisis lies in the low productivity that plagues many service operations. Our goal in this special issue is to show how management science and operations research (MS/OR) can and will be a vital force in addressing this crisis.
20/30 Hindsight: Managers Must Commit to TQM
Authors: Cordeiro William P. , Turner Robert H.
Published: October 2008

The key TQM implementation lesson is that TQM is only a philosophy and approach. It is not a replacement for effective management. If managers are short-sighted, closed to environmental changes, and closed to new ideas, nothing, including TQM, will solve their business problem (Fuchsberg [Fuchsberg, Gilbert. 1992. Total quality is termed only partial success. Wall Street Journal (October 1) Sec. B, 1.]).
Class Scheduling to Maximize Participant Satisfaction
Authors: Sampson Scott E. , Freeland James R. , Weiss Elliott N.
Published: October 2008

In 1990, the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration of the University of Virginia undertook a major revision of its MBA curriculum and instituted a new system for course selection. The administration determined that one component of education quality was allowing students to enroll in their preferred courses. Under the new system, no class times are assigned until all students have made their requests for classes. A schedule needed to be constructed that simultaneously met class-size and facility constraints, satisfied faculty time preferences, and maximized the satisfaction of student course requests. The solution technique needed to be quick and flexible, allowing the registrar to test the effects of various scheduling constraints. Integer programming was found to be impractical. We developed a local-search heuristic procedure to effectively and efficiently solve this scheduling problem.
The Teachers’ Forum: Teaching the Art of Modeling to MBA Students
Authors: Powell Stephen G.
Published: October 2008

For the past six years I have taught a second-year elective course on the art of modeling to MBA students at the Tuck School. This course has met with some success, and since my experience challenges the accepted wisdom that MBA students are not receptive to quantitative methods, I would like to share some of my experiences here. I want to describe the philosophy behind the course and the manner in which it is delivered, to attempt to account for its acceptance, and to encourage you to experiment with similar pedagogical approaches.