Skills supply strategy in large high technology organisations

This thesis pursued three objectives: (1) to identify policies and practices which are related to the retention of professionals and managers with critical skills; (2) to document why and how these policies and practices have changed in relation to the business strategy; and (3) to assess whether the organisation's skill supply patterns constitute a strategy, that is, explicit, consistent and coordinated efforts supporting the business strategy. Guided by a contextual theoretical framework and methodology, the researcher undertook a pilot stuay of two Canadian high technology firms, and followed with three case studies of large UK-based high technology organisations with an R&D Division. The findings indicated the importance of hard benefits (compensation) as a necessary condition for recruitment and retention, and the complementary impact of twelve soft benefits (job characteristics and other factors tied to the work, organisational and social environments) with special relevance for retention. Lifetime employment as a policy and as the dominant skills supply pattern proved to be resistant to change. The HRM context (comprising the history of the organisation, managerial and professional cultures, the personnel function, and workforce planning) was found to inhibit skill initiatives, but certain features became less negative over time. In particular, the cumulative effect of recruitment of new skills over several years altered the internal labour market such that many employees supported new ways of doing business. Skills were found to be solidly embedded in the work and social organisation, and high levels of energy were required to modify the organisation-wide skillbase. Both single lever and multiple lever SKISSs were identified. b1iddle managers proved to be potential key actors in obtaining skill advantages for the entire R&D Division. Top management paid attention to skill issues under extreme circumstances such as a shift from the public to private sector, and a change of mission. The thesis leads to a number of policy recommendations and avenues for future research

Analysis of existing decision support systems to provide current baseline applications, implementation methodologies, problem areas, hardware and communication complexities

Issued as Monthly report and Final report, Project no. G-36-66

Integrating legacy mainframe systems: architectural issues and solutions

For more than 30 years, mainframe computers have been the backbone of computing systems throughout the world. Even today it is estimated that some 80% of the worlds' data is held on such machines. However, new business requirements and pressure from evolving technologies, such as the Internet is pushing these existing systems to their limits and they are reaching breaking point. The Banking and Financial Sectors in particular have been relying on mainframes for the longest time to do their business and as a result it is they that feel these pressures the most. In recent years there have been various solutions for enabling a re-engineering of these legacy systems. It quickly became clear that to completely rewrite them was not possible so various integration strategies emerged. Out of these new integration strategies, the CORBA standard by the Object Management Group emerged as the strongest, providing a standards based solution that enabled the mainframe applications become a peer in a distributed computing environment. However, the requirements did not stop there. The mainframe systems were reliable, secure, scalable and fast, so any integration strategy had to ensure that the new distributed systems did not lose any of these benefits. Various patterns or general solutions to the problem of meeting these requirements have arisen and this research looks at applying some of these patterns to mainframe based CORBA applications. The purpose of this research is to examine some of the issues involved with making mainframebased legacy applications inter-operate with newer Object Oriented Technologies

A conceptual model for megaprogramming

Megaprogramming is component-based software engineering and life-cycle management. Magaprogramming and its relationship to other research initiatives (common prototyping system/common prototyping language, domain specific software architectures, and software understanding) are analyzed. The desirable attributes of megaprogramming software components are identified and a software development model and resulting prototype megaprogramming system (library interconnection language extended by annotated Ada) are described

Methodologies for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing

This thesis is concerned with identifying the problems and constraints faced by small batch manufacturing companies during the implementation of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). The main aim of this work is to recommend generic solutions to these problems with particular regard to those constraints arising because of the need for ClM systems integration involving both new and existing systems and procedures. The work has involved the application of modern computer technologies, including suitable hardware and software tools, in an industrial environment. Since the research has been undertaken with particular emphasis on the industrial implementor's viewpoint, it is supported by the results of a two phased implementation of computer based control systems within the machine shop of a manufacturing company. This involved the specific implementation of a Distributed Numerical Control system on a single machine in a group technology cell of machines followed by the evolution of this system into Cell and Machine Management Systems to provide a comprehensive decision support and information distribution facility for the foremen and uperators within the cell. The work also required the integration of these systems with existing Factory level manufacturing control and CADCAM functions. Alternative approaches have been investigated which may have been applicable under differing conditions and the implications that this specific work has for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing companies evaluated with regard not only to the users within an industrial company but also the systems suppliers external to the company. The work has resulted in certain generic contributions to knowledge by complementing ClM systems integration research with regard to problems encountered; cost implications; the use of appropriate methodologies including the role of emerging international standard methods, tools and technologies and also the importance of 'human integration' when implementing CIM systems in a real industrial situation

Technological Advancements in E-Commerce and Customer Relationship Management

In the recent past, for any business to be successful it is essential to acquire, serve and retain customers. The number of users of commercial purposes has led to increased demand for E-Commerce in the global market. There has been a remarkable progress in E-Commerce due to globalization and technological advancements which led to sustainable quantum of business at affordable price. Technologies used in E-Commerce includes: Augmented Reality: The Future of E-Commerce Stores, Artificial Intelligence: Improving E-Commerce services and Optimizing Customer Experience, Voice Search, Chatbot, Blockchain Technology: A Faster, Safer and More Transparent used as E-Commerce Payment System, Security and Supply chain management. This paper focuses on the evolution of E-Commerce, development of CRM initiatives, leading E-Commerce companies, technological advancement in E-Commerce: E-Commerce platforms and service providers; software and tools used in E-Commerce and recent trends in E-Commerce and CRM in streamlining the CRM process thereby minimizing the cost of CRM

CASE product evaluation & application in H.K.

by Chu Lung Yan, Cliff, Sung Sai Kit, Edmond.Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991.Bibliography: leaf 74.Chapter I. --- OVERVIEW OF STRUCTURED METHODOLOGY & CASE SOFTWARE --- p.1Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1Chapter 1.1.1 --- Driving Force behind the CASE evolution --- p.1Chapter 1.1.2 --- Short Review of the CASE technology --- p.2Chapter 1.1.3 --- Benefits of CASE tools --- p.2Chapter 1.1.4 --- CASE Products --- p.5Chapter 1.2 --- Structured Methodology --- p.5Chapter 1.2.1 --- Software System Life Cycle --- p.5Chapter 1.2.2 --- Structured Analysis Methodology --- p.6Chapter 1.3 --- CASE Software Products --- p.9Chapter II. --- PROJECT FRAMEWORK & CASE EVALUATION FRAMEWORK --- p.11Chapter 2.1 --- Project objectives --- p.11Chapter 2.2 --- Methodology --- p.11Chapter 2.2.1 --- Literature Survey --- p.11Chapter 2.2.2 --- Questionnaire --- p.11Chapter 2.2.3 --- In-depth Interview --- p.11Chapter 2.2.4 --- Product Demonstration --- p.11Chapter 2.3 --- CASE Evaluation Framework --- p.12Chapter 2.4 --- Introducing CASE into the organization --- p.14Chapter III. --- PRODUCT EVALUATION --- p.17Chapter 3.1 --- Functional Evaluation of AD/Cycle --- p.19Chapter 3.1.1 --- Functional Overview --- p.19Chapter 3.1.2 --- Functional Description of Selected Products of AD/Cycle --- p.23Chapter 3.1.3 --- How well does AD/Cycle fit in the system development cycle --- p.25Chapter 3.2 --- Technological evaluation of AD/Cycle --- p.35Chapter 3.3 --- Functional evaluation of COHESION --- p.42Chapter 3.3.1 --- Digital's CASE Integration Framework --- p.42Chapter 3.3.2 --- Development Life Cycle Support --- p.44Chapter 3.3.3 --- Function Description on Selected Products --- p.47Chapter 3.4 --- Feature Comparison - Excelerator & DECdesign --- p.52Chapter 3.4.1 --- DECdesign under COHESION --- p.52Chapter 3.4.2 --- Excelerator under AD/Cycle --- p.58Chapter 3.4.3 --- Comparison summary --- p.63Chapter IV. --- APPLICATION OF CASE TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG --- p.64Chapter 4.1 --- Mailing Survey - Result summary --- p.64Chapter 4.1.1 --- Survey Result summary --- p.64Chapter 4.2 --- Interview result summaryChapter 4.2.1 --- "Interview IBM, as a CASE user" --- p.66Chapter 4.2.2 --- "Interview DEC, as a CASE user" --- p.68Chapter 4.2.3 --- Interview HongKong Bank --- p.69Chapter 4.2.4 --- Interview IBM CASE consultant --- p.72Chapter 4.3 --- Conclusion --- p.73BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.74APPENDIX:Chapter A. --- Functional Description on selected products of AD/CycleChapter B. --- Survey resultsChapter C. --- Interview reportsChapter C.1 --- Interview IBM CASE consultantChapter C.2 --- Interview DEC in-house MIS consultantChapter C.3 --- Interview IBM - as a userChapter C.4 --- Interview HongKong BankChapter D. --- Details of Interviewee