摘要:

AbstractA general review is given of the development of ideas on quality and reliability, starting with Josiah Wedgwood in the late 18th century, through the intense activity of the 1930s, to the present, including a brief account and assessment of ideas associated with the names of Deming and Taguchi. While there is some mention of statistical aspects, no technical details are given. The second part of the paper contains comments on a number of general issues, ranging from the implications for methodological research to the potential special role of operational research and to the implications for education.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.16

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractRecent work on validation has demonstrated the paucity of validation in operational research projects. What little validation is done usually takes place when the modeller builds a model directly for a decision-maker. This paper begins by reviewing and exploring the processes of model-building and usage with different levels of separation between the model-builder and the ultimate user of the model outputs. The different types of validation that these levels of separation imply are then discussed, with emphasis on validation within linear programming. A checklist of validation questions is suggested. New modelling tools coming onto the market affect the levels at which mathematical modelling takes place and alter the ways in which this modelling should best be carried out in business.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.17

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractIt has previously been suggested that the effectiveness of strategic planning systems may be characterized in terms of a multi-attribute framework. This paper explores the possibility of reducing the postulated set of attributes to an‘irreducible core’by means of a factor analysis. In addition, the data set used in this analysis was explored to determine whether, in terms of their planning effectiveness, the organizations in the sample formed natural subgroups. Some interesting questions are generated by the analysis.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.18

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThis paper briefly describes the development and complexities of the offshore taxation system of the United Kingdom. Use of OR techniques in North Sea oil and gas field development is discussed. The economic effects of recent tragic events in the North Sea are highlighted. The economic future of offshore gas fields is analysed using an econometric model.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.19

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractAn earlier paper has put forward a methodology for measuring the‘need to spend’on education by local authorities. This paper examines the economic principles underlying the measurement of the need to spend, and finds some problems inherent in the earlier work. The measurement of spending need would nevertheless seem an essential step in the pursuit of territorial equity, particularly in the light of policy developments in the United Kingdom concerning local management of schools. The paper therefore identifies the areas where further clarification of key issues is required.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.20

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractIn this note we present computational experience with a linear programming code on two Cray super-computers (Cray-1S, Cray X-MP/48). Results are given for problems involving up to 640,000 variables (1600 constraints) and 10,000 constraints (99,969 variables).

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.21

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractA personal-computer-based algorithm to solve the non-guillotine-constrained two-dimensional cutting-stock problem is developed. The problem is constrained to single-sized rectangles placed orthogonally on a larger containing rectangle. The algorithm uses the linear combination of box lengths and widths that minimizes waste along the cutting stock's length and width to determine an optimal layout. The algorithm's performance is evaluated using two sets of test cases and compared to the results of other algorithms.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.22

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThe literature on setting optimal commission rates for decentralized controls over salespeople's time allocations has used the sales of various product lines as the relevant selling activities. When the time allocation is between calls to prospects versus customers, the problem should account for specific aspects, such as: (1) the conversion pattern of prospects for the various product lines; (2) the attrition rate in the sales force; (3) the salespeople's attitudes toward delayed income. These variables recognize that several calls over some period of time are typically needed for converting prospects, and that salespeople will be able to cash commissions only at the conversion time and provided they are still in charge of the same accounts. Using a simple Markovian structure, this paper shows that under typical conditions, commissions on sales to prospects during the conversion period should always be larger than commissions on sales to customers. Managerial implications and implementation issues are discussed.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.23

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractConsideration of bounds, discontinuities and the integrality of decision variables is often helpful for responding to many practical requirements. Using the case of quantity discounting as an example, it is shown why the above considerations add realism to a model, and how they may be incorporated in the solution procedure. The bounds on the order quantity are fulfilled by establishing suitable stopping rules, while gaps in order quantities are resolved by modifying the input data. As for integrality, a result is established which shows that the feasible points for the integer optimum can be obtained by suitably rounding those for the continuous optimum. A comprehensive algorithm containing these features is proposed, and analytical proofs of the results are included.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.24

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractA recent article in this journal employs the capital-asset pricing model for the analysis of the newsboy problem and shows how the covariance risk affects the optimal inventory policy. The purpose of this paper is to sharpen the optimality conditions given by the article and hence to provide a simple method for finding the solution. Under reasonable assumptions, this paper shows that the optimal ordering policy can be described by a single equation, regardless of the sign of the covariance term.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1990.25

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor