ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.1

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThis paper is based on the winning entry in the Operational Research Competition for Schools 1979. It examines the winter feed costs for dairy cattle on a Devon farm. The present feed is investigated using computer assisted optimisation techniques. The paper then examines whether silage should be introduced; the possible savings and necessary capital costs are calculated. In conclusion it proposes that the present feed be reduced and silage introduced as the main constituent, giving an initial annual saving of£13,000. The proposals are being seriously considered by the farmer and may be implemented in the near future.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.2

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractMany of the arguments that are found in the literature on the theme "O.R./M.S. in crisis" stem not just from alternative definitions of O.R./M.S., but from differences in strongly held views about its scope and role in organisations, and these are then reflected in the vehemence with which certain definitions are defended or criticised. It is when the hopes and aspirations of O.R./M.S. are compared with what is being achieved in practice, that we realise the degree to which O.R./M.S. has failed to live up to its original promise. In most organisations, O.R. analysts are expected and are happy to act as technicians and not as advisers, so that technique orientation and concern with tactical problems are constantly reinforced. In addition, managers in various functions have become aware of the potential contribution of analytical modelling in their own spheres and have begun to recruit analysts direct, resulting in the possible fragmentation of O.R. and the loss of its unique identity. The responsibilities of O.R./M.S. obviously relate not only to its organisational status, but also to an examination of and an identification with organisational goals. Many O.R. analysts are plainly more comfortable when these goals are clearly defined for them, an attitude which people from other professions will readily endorse, but if O.R./M.S. has any aspirations to get involved in strategic problems, it will have to pose questions about the validity and appropriateness of organisational goals and try to influence the formulation of problems accordingly.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.3

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThere is some agreement between government sponsored committees and teachers in further and higher education that some improvement is required in teaching in educational institutions. Other reports have focused on a similar need in the area of management education. This article describes some research carried out by the Centre for the Development of Management Teachers and Trainers at the University of Lancaster which sheds some light on the nature of these needs as seen by serving management teachers and heads of management departments in Universities, Polytechnics and Further Education Colleges. The final part of the article describes some of the programmes which have been designed and run by this Centre to meet these needs, and reveals the principles underlying these designs. One expectation is that these programmes will encourage teachers to initiate and manage their own self development in the long term.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.4

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractThis paper suggests that a "fair" compensation plan (i.e. a compensation plan which remunerates salesmen proportionally to their efforts and competence) should include commissions on sales and bonuses pending on sales increases over a reference period. It also shows that under general conditions, a straight commission plan is not a fair compensation structure to the salesmen. Finally, it discusses the conditions under which the proposed fair compensation structure can lead to a jointly optimal allocation of a salesman's time among selling activities.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.5

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractIn computer simulation experiments, when applying the method of control variates, it is useful to know the covariance matrix as well as the means of the control variates. Most control variates suggested in the literature are sample means whose true mean is known but whose covariance matrix is not. Such variates are shown not to be the best, and that by the use of standardised sums rather than sample means, control variates are obtained with known covariances as well as means. Linear combinations of these variates are shown to be best in that more complicated functions of these variates do not achieve additional increase in estimate accuracy. Numerical illustrations are given.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.6

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractApproximate formulae are developed and evaluated in this paper for the equilibrium queue-size and queueing-time distributions in the multi-server system with hyper-exponential inter-arrival and exponential service times. The derivation of the formulae is based on a combination of heuristic arguments, analytical considerations and sensitivity analyses on numerical results. The degree of approximation achieved depends on the particular formula used and on the values of the various parameters involved. The relative percentage errors incurred seem, however, to be reasonably small for most practical purposes.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.7

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractA firm that uses an aggregate operations planning model faces an important problem. Because it is multiperiod, solutions of a model with different horizon lengths can result in significantly different decisions, especially if aggregate shortages are allowed. This study illustrates methods of reducing the horizon length effects of a general linear programming model used by a plastic product manufacturer. As shown, that model originally had solutions of dubious value because of horizon effects. These effects were greatly reduced by eliminating aggregate shortages, but that precluded their use during peak seasonal demands. A more effective method was to penalize shortages during only the last period of a horizon. This improved the model's solutions without increasing its complexity, and also made it acceptable to responsible managers. Similar benefits should occur to users of analogous operations models which allow aggregate inventory shortages.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.8

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

AbstractManagers' estimates of sales forecast uncertainty for a new product are critical to an effective risk analysis. This research utilizes discriminant analysis to analyze sales forecast errors in past new-product ventures. Using the past ventures, a linear discriminant function is established from relevant market variables by which future ventures may be allocated to one of two populations depending on the probabilities that their sales forecast uncertainty will be low or high.

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.9

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0160-5682    

DOI:10.1057/jors.1980.10

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1980

数据来源: Taylor