Industrial Management articles from November 1993

Industrial Management archives from November 1993

Human element critical in today's automated factory.
November 1, 1993... There were times when the human was an integral part of any human-machine system. Most of the machine tools were operated manually, including material loading, working the machine and unloading the completed product. Slowly, pure manual jobs were...

The impact of flexible manufacturing on competitive strategy.
November 1, 1993... The ability to rapidly alter the production of diverse products can provide manufacturers with a distinct competitive advantage. Companies adopting flexible manufacturing technology rather than conventional manufacturing technology can react more...

Management by protect-your-butt.
November 1, 1993... Do companies fail due to protect-your-butt (PYB) management, or do failing companies promote PYB management? Management books do not usually include management by PYB, but the management style not only exists, it often assures promotion and...

Employee monetary systems: the past or future in employee motivation.
November 1, 1993... I have been an industrial engineer for the past eight years. In the performance of my duties, I work closely with the floor worker and in essence, I relay his or her message to upper management. For the past three years, I have worked for a...

Developing computer-based instructional courses.
November 1, 1993... One definition of computer-based training (CBT) is that it is a method of presenting educational material to a student by way of a computer program. This program provides the opportunity for individual interaction. Computer-based training is...

Using volume and economies of scale to benefit long-term productivity.
November 1, 1993... While cost reduction efforts appear to be extremely popular among companies attempting to strengthen their competitive position, the effect of traditional cost reduction strategies on company productivity is less clear, and may in some cases be...

Why training usually fails and what can be done about it.
November 1, 1993... Training usually fails when it is based on an event or seminar taught by outside consultants or trainers. Why? Because after the program is finished and the trainer has disappeared, the knowledge fades. Participants retain and use learning only...

Total customer satisfaction: the next step.
November 1, 1993... We are in the midst of a major change in how we will manage business, and the worldwide consumer is at the heart of it. American business is under increasing pressure from foreign competition, as well as American customers, to provide better...

Upward appraisals for managers. (includes related article)
November 1, 1993... The first and foremost concern is with the quality of people. A company able to build quality into its people is already half-way toward producing quality products and services. Only after the "humanware" is squarely in place should the hardware...

Enterprise support systems: training and aiding people to plan and manage.
November 1, 1993... Globalization of markets and increased competitiveness are central concerns for all enterprises. Mature enterprises are attempting to enhance their competitive positions, while emerging enterprises are striving to enter the competition. All...

Enterprise agility: maneuverability and turbo power.
November 1, 1993... Driving a turbo-powered sports car is an exciting experience. Step on the gas pedal and go from zero to 60 m.p.h. in a few seconds. Traffic a problem? Just downshift, accelerate past others, upshift, and you are gone. Wouldn't it be great if...

How to establish the proper span of control for managers.
November 1, 1993... An important task in structuring organizations, especially large ones, is determining what the span of control of managers or supervisors should be. The span of control, or span of management, refers to the number of persons who report to one...

Engineering and science: complementary technology elements, but different disciplines.
November 1, 1993... I have been both a scientist and an engineer, as well as an engineering manager. I believe we have lost sight of some of the important substantive differences between science and engineering as professions and disciplines. This viewpoint has been...