Theory of constraints (TOC) production and manufacturing performance

This paper is based on an empirical study of the relationship between Theory of Constraints (TOC) production and operational performance in manufacturing plants. The study uses a survey questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 61 European firms which have implemented the TOC approach. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique and regression models have been employed to test the research hypotheses. The results detect many differences and similarities in adoption of TOC practices across the countries and suggest that manufacturing managers should consider adopting some TOC practices instead of others. In particular the Drum-buffer-rope methodology, the development of a Master Production Schedule based on constraints and the use of Non-constraint resources with excess capacity are among the most important practices to enhance competitive performance of manufacturing plants

Corporate Social and Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from American Companies

The objective of this study is to address the issue of the relationship between corporate social and financial performance by moderating company size and financial leverage.with the use of type of industry as control variable. The Corporate social performance (CSP/CSR) is measured using seven item developed initially by Michael Jantzi Research Associate, Inc and used by Mahoney and Robert (2007). To attaint main research objective, the measure of CSP composite is used. Furthermore, company size, financial leverage, and type ofindustry are measured by total asset, degree of intermal and external source to finance the company’s assets, and dummy variable (0 for non manufacture and 1 for manufacture), respectively. A moderated multiple regression model is used in the present study. Four models are developed in the study basedon the theory of slack resiurce and good management. The result of the present study is that corporate social performance (CSP/CSR) has no effect on corporate financial performance (CFP) under slack resource and good management theory it is also shown that only financial leverage could moderate the interaction between CSP/CSR and financial performance (CSP). However, based on the overall analysis, it may be reasonable to come to conclusion that the relationship between CSP and financial performance is spurious as Orlitzki (2000) concluded. Key Words: Corporate social performance, corporate social responsibility, financial performance, good management theory, stakeholder, and slack resource theory

The Determinants of the Relationship of Corporate Social Performance and Financial Performance: Conceptual Framework

The objective of this paper is to investigate relationship between CSP and CFP using contingency perspective derived from the strategic management domain. The investigation will be done using lens of slack resource and good management theory. This study is expected to provide a new insight on the link between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance using contingency perspective as suggested in the strategic management and accounting literature, an area has not been examined in the prior studies. The result of this study can resolve the existing conflict in the literatures by developing an integrated model of the link between CSP and CFP and the notion of corporate performance which, in strategic management, is highly affected by four factors: business environment, strategy, organization structure, and control system. The model will explain in what condition the relationship of CSP and CFP is valid Keywords: Corporate social performance, corporate financial performance, slack resource theory, good management theory, contingency theory, and moderating effect

HR: A System for Machine Discovery in Finite Algebras

We describe the HR concept formation program which invents mathematical definitions and conjectures in finite algebras such as group theory and ring theory. We give the methods behind and the reasons for the concept formation in HR, an evaluation of its performance in its training domain, group theory, and a look at HR in domains other than group theory

Strategic-decision quality in public organizations : an information processing perspective

This study draws on information processing theory to investigate predictors of strategic-decision quality in public organizations. Information processing theory argues that (a) rational planning practices contribute to strategic-decision quality by injecting information into decision-making and (b) decision-makers contribute to strategic-decision quality by exchanging information during decision-making. These assumptions are tested upon fifty-five Flemish pupil guidance centers. Rational planning practices are operationalized as strategic planning, performance measurement and performance management. Information exchange by decision-makers during decision-making is operationalized as procedural justice of the decision-making process. Results suggest that procedural justice, strategic planning and performance management contribute to strategic-decision quality while performance measurement does not

Performance-based optimization of structures: theory and applications

Performance-based Optimization of Structures introduces a method to bridge the gap between optimization theory and its practical applications to structural engineering. The performance-based optimization (PBO) method combines modern structural optimization theory with performance-based design concepts to produce a powerful technique for use in structural design. This book provides the latest PBO techniques for achieving optimal topologies and shapes of continuum structures with stress, displacement and mean compliance constraints. The emphasis is strongly placed on practical applications of automated PBO techniques to the strut-and-tie modeling of structural concrete, which includes reinforced and prestressed concrete structures. Basic concepts underlying the development of strut-and-tie models, design optimization procedure, and detailing of structural concrete are described in detail. The design optimization of lateral load resisting systems for multi-story steel and steel-concrete composite buildings is also presented. Numerous practical design examples are given which illustrate the nature of the load transfer mechanisms of structures

IT service management: towards a contingency theory of performance measurement

Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) focuses on IT service creation, design, delivery and maintenance. Measurement is one of the basic underlying elements of service science and this paper contributes to service science by focussing on the selection of performance metrics for ITSM. Contingency theory is used to provide a theoretical foundation for the study. Content analysis of interviews of ITSM managers at six organisations revealed that selection of metrics is influenced by a discrete set of factors. Three categories of factors were identified: external environment, parent organisationand IS organisation. For individual cases, selection of metrics was contingent on factors such as organisation culture, management philosophy and perspectives, legislation, industry sector, and customers, although a common set of four factors influenced selection of metrics across all organisations. A strong link was identified between the use of a corporate performance framework and clearly articulated ITSM metrics