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doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.155pmid: N/A
AbstractThe paper uses a case study to illustrate a number of points in relation to strategy development and strategic control. A group decision support system — ‘Strategic Options Development and Analysis’ (SODA) — was used. The method focuses on the ‘linkages’ between strategic issues rather than on the issues themselves. The paper focuses upon the strategy review process. Three related elements of strategy' are considered as a part of the review: an evaluation of the extent to which the strategy has been implemented and is embedded in the organization; an evaluation of the assumptions underpinning the strategy; and an evaluation of the influence the strategy has on those at the ‘coal-face’.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.156pmid: N/A
AbstractPostmodernism and poststructuralism have only been mentioned in passing within this journal. There is much more to be said, and this paper aims to open up the debate, to begin to explore the vast terrain and to present one/some agenda/s for the future, introducing some of the ideas that have inspired O(u)R practice. The paper is in four episodes. We begin by exploring the differences between modernism and postmodernism and introducing some of our sources (episode 1), moving on to the study of language through structuralism and into poststructuralism (episode 2). This section introduces some key concepts and approaches which we illustrate in a short case study (episode 3) of the language of OR. The final section (episode 4) sketches in the outlines of our future agenda. A warning is in order for people unfamiliar with postmodernism: the terminologies and style may seem unusual and untraditional for the journal.
Belton, Valerie; Vickers, Stephen P.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.157pmid: N/A
AbstractBoth Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA) can be used to assess the efficiency with which units perform similar tasks. This paper describes an approach derived from the integration of data envelopment analysis and a multi-attribute value function. This approach is implemented as a visual interactive decision support system, the use of which is illustrated by a practical application. The authors feel that this approach overcomes some of the limitations of the original DEA approach and, in particular, increases users' understanding of DEA. The approach is particularly well suited to the analysis of the efficiency of a small number of units.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.158pmid: N/A
AbstractThis paper presents an outline of two introductory undergraduate courses in OR which specifically aim to emphasize aspects of Operational Research (OR) other than just the mathematical tools involved. The courses were developed independently, but have many similarities and both address the same problem — how to present the broad and somewhat elusive nature of practical OR to undergraduate students encountering the subject for the first time. It is the authors' belief that, although difficult, this is both desirable and possible within the resource constraints which naturally apply to undergraduate level teaching. A basic understanding of the general nature and philosophy of OR at an early stage can do much to stimulate and motivate students to get the most out of their further studies, not only in OR, but also in statistics, computing, applied mathematics and related fields. Both of the courses described include elements such as special lectures, case studies, group working, report writing and management games — ideas which may be able to be adapted and improved to be of use in a variety of introductory OR courses.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.159pmid: N/A
AbstractA survey is given of the concept of capability and the usual underlying assumption of Normality. The extension to non-Normal and multivariate situations is explored. The capability behaviour of systems is illustrated. A number of extensions to the idea of capability are suggested.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.160pmid: N/A
AbstractThis paper uses a recent application of System Dynamics in community care to contribute to a clarification of the role of System Dynamics as a framework for strategic debate. A revised framework for System Dynamics within a philosophy of ‘modelling as learning’ is summarized. This framework is now referred to as Systems Thinking and combines knowledge acquisition and both qualitative and quantitative modelling, supported by microworlds and archetypes to aid dissemination of insights. The emphasis of the paper is on using qualitative models interactively with different groups of participants in the problem domain. The purpose is to assist the development of a shared understanding of how culture, power and politics combine to affect the behaviour of a process, when subjected to externally superimposed changes in responsibility.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.161pmid: N/A
AbstractIn this paper, a mathematical model of the entire operations of a national glass manufacturer is developed. This includes the float glass manufacture, distribution, storage operations and the technical considerations dictated by the plant as well as the operating procedures. The model is initially for a planning year, and is generated from a ‘monthly model’. This monthly model interconnects with other monthly models primarily via stock flows. The mathematical model is formulated in a unique way that allows certain production aspects to be modelled using a ‘pseudo-continuous’ time frame, rather than a discrete one. The generation of the overall model (as a mixed integer linear programming problem) and its solution is also discussed.
Kornbluth, Jonathan S. H.; Meade, Nigel; Salkin, Gerald R.
doi: 10.1057/jors.1993.162pmid: N/A
AbstractIndex funds can be used by investment managers as a method of ensuring that their portfolio performs as well as the general market. Methods have been proposed for creating index funds for the stock market, and in this paper a method for creating an index fund for a sector of the bond market is suggested. The underlying indexing mechanism uses the duration moments of the portfolio to capture the various aspects of the sector and its response to changes in the yield curve. The initial results suggest that a relatively small basic set of bonds can be used to model the movements of a particular market segment.
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