Fostering Chinese firms through entrepreneurship, globalisation and international finance

The success of ventures that have pursued non traditional marketing approaches may be attributed to a range of forward thinking practices which it is argued here, should be the starting and finishing points for Chinese companies. Chinese multinationals need to develop entrepreneurial ability more compatible with their growth in the international markets. Chinas educational framework is still largely based on rote learning, which is a method typically seen as ill suited to modern needs. Many Chinese high tech sectors are still dominated by overseas know-how and the ongoing strength of wholly foreign- owned enterprises

THE EFFECTS OF ERROR NOTIFICATION TIMING ON ERROR CORRETION IN ROUTINE DATA ENTRY

Experienced data entry operators participated in an experiment to evaluate the effects of the error notification timing on error correction performance irt the data entry task. Three timing strategies were studied: immediate error notification, notification at the end of a field, and notification at the end of a physical line. Based on a model of data entry and a model of the correction process hypotheses were developed to predict operator performance. It was conjectured that operators treat individual fields as separate units tasks and that interrupting within a task would be more disruptive than interrupting between tasks. The results of the study indicated that the error rates during correction were smaller for the end of line treatment although the time to complete the correction was longer for this treatment than the other two. Performance was essentially the same for those operators interrupted who were interrupted immediately and those who were interrupted at the end of a field.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

STRUCTURED ANALYSIS REPRESENTATIONS AS PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: AN INTERPRETATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Much of transaction processing involves classification, that is, the categorization of inputs into outputs based on various tests. In Artificial Intelligence (Al), classification systems are generally represented in terms of AND/OR graphs. Such graphs are collections of production rules that capture declaratively the logic of an application domain. If one views a transaction processing system as a classification system, it becomes natural to represent it in terms of an AND/OR graph. In this paper, we present an interpretation of dataflow diagrams used in Structured Analysis as AND/OR graphs. By examining the dataflow diagrams, production rules capturing application-specific knowledge can be constructed. This interpretation has two implications: 1) production rules can be used to unify analysis and design since the same data structure (the rule) is used for both purposes, and 2) the resulting design can be simulated for purposes of explanation and what-if analysis. We also discuss some of the general pros and cons of production systems as they pertain to systems analysis and design.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

ERRORS IN SPREADSHEET USE

Fourteen experienced users of two commercial spreadsheet packages, Lotus 123 and Multiplan, performed four tasks - two of entering spreadsheets and two of modifying those same spreadsheets. Their actions were videotaped and analyzed for incidents of errors. Over 450 errors were made, the majority of them centered around the visual properties of the spreadsheet packages. A classification of the errors is presented with an analysis of the causes governing the production of the errors. A discussion of the choices in the design of the interface which facilitated the production of these errors is also presented.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

OFFICE AUTOMATION: A MANAGEMENT BY CONSTRAINTS APPROACH

Information Systems Working Papers Serie

A METHOD FOR EVALUATING WORK GROUP PRODUCTIVITY PRODUCTS

Numerous software products claiming to improve work group productivity are making their way into the marketplace. How is a manager to decide whether or not to invest in these products? This paper proposes a suitable method of formulating the evaluation problem for work group application products. The issue of normal software evaluation is considered first. Then group work is described and contrasted with individual work activities. A two-level evaluation strategy consisting of broad coverage and detailed analysis is introduced. Detailed analysis consists of functional performance, administration, and fit applied across task, group and communications domains. Examples, drawn from some of the products demonstrated at this Symposium, are used to illustrate how this methodology may be applied.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

China and international ownership: exploring consumer perceptions of brand equity and a new country of origin

Exploring perceptions of brand in country of origin. Many A2 Business Studies and Economics courses now have aspects of international business as part of the specification content. This article is a summary of work being conducted on the effects of changes in brand ownership on consumer perceptions. Emerging economies are not only developing their own businesses but also acquiring brand names and businesses from around the world. Will this have effects on the way consumers perceive these businesses and brands? Will it necessitate a change in global marketing strategies? This article outlines some of the thinking on these important issues. Some questions are provided to enable teachers to use the article with students in the classroom to promote thinking in this important are

Should we be worried about the increasing foreign ownership of UK industries?

Should we be more concerned about the foreign ownership of UK Brands? Is Britain making the most of its industrial brands? Much has been made of these questions and the recent contracting out of nuclear energy to China. This is only one of several examples of recent contracting out of activity. Indeed most rail franchises are now foreign owned and most electricity providers are also from mainland Europe. The process of selling off much industry has been taking place in the UK for many years and it has now gone much further than merely selling off the family silver. Recently in the House of Commons mention was made of the time that has now arrived to sell the fixtures and fittings. This paper sets out to explain the reasons why the UK has been willing to sell off many historic firms and assesses the consequences of this for future generations. The paper draws on theories of international marketing, corporate strategy and production to help explain the relevant thinking behind current policies. It also draws on case examples, relevant theory and data, in order to provide further evidence for future policy making, arguing that it still vitally important for the UK to undertake the strategic stewardship of its remaining brands