Herbert Simon's major contribution to decision‐making theory is the concept of “satisficing”. This was first posited in Administrative Behavior, published in 1947, and the book…
Abstract
Herbert Simon's major contribution to decision‐making theory is the concept of “satisficing”. This was first posited in Administrative Behavior, published in 1947, and the book, concerned as it was with establishing a scientific approach to administrative theory, puts forward an adjustment of then‐current economic theory, which viewed administrative choice as a process of maximising. While, over the ensuing decades, Simon adjusted his definitions of both “economic man” and of “satisficing” in several subsequent publications, the original exposition of these was a major contribution to the area of administrative theory. An attempt has been made here to explore what circumstances might have led Simon into putting forward the concept of “satisficing”.
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Economists are divided about population growth: the pessimism ofneo‐Malthusians contrasts strongly with the optimism of cornucopians.Despite their differences, however, both…
Abstract
Economists are divided about population growth: the pessimism of neo‐Malthusians contrasts strongly with the optimism of cornucopians. Despite their differences, however, both schools of thought reject economic orthodoxy and prefer evolutionary forms of theory. Their interpretations of evolution are different: the neo‐Malthusians appeal to the entropy law, whereas the cornucopians emphasize human creativity expressed through markets. Argues that both schools are right to adopt an evolutionary outlook, but that they are too restrictive in their conception of evolution. A more complete evolutionary view, which allows properly for social institutions, could give a more balanced account of population growth.
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Amr Mohamed Said Abdel-Halim and Mirghani N. Ahmed
This paper aims to evaluate the usefulness of two conceptual frameworks: levers of control (LOC) (Simons, 1995) and performance management systems (PMSs) (Ferreira and Otley…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the usefulness of two conceptual frameworks: levers of control (LOC) (Simons, 1995) and performance management systems (PMSs) (Ferreira and Otley, 2009) for studying PM practices using a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study method is used whereby data are collected through semi-structured interviews, examination of the group’s annual reports and internal documents.
Findings
A key finding of this study is the use of a PMS at the case company which is formally structured and with objectives, mechanisms and processes designed beyond a mere “performance measurement system.” While the case analysis indicates that most of the key components of the two frameworks are featured in the company’s PMS design, the uses of Simons’ (1995) LOC, however, are not consistent with the notion of “balance” as advocated by the model.
Research limitations/implications
The evidence presented in this study is based on one large manufacturing company, and hence the findings cannot be generalized.
Practical implications
The findings of this study can be used in enriching the design of current proposed theoretical frameworks and also in encouraging management accounting researchers to continue the efforts of studying performance management (PM) practices.
Originality/value
A deeper understanding of PM practices using holistic frameworks has yet to receive more contested efforts from management accounting researchers. This paper attempts to contribute to this endeavor and fill in the gap in this area of research.
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Oluyemi Theophilus Adeosun and Oluwaseyi Omowunmi Popogbe
Population growth has remained a key issue facing developing economies in the world. While developed countries are experiencing diminished or negative population growth, many…
Abstract
Purpose
Population growth has remained a key issue facing developing economies in the world. While developed countries are experiencing diminished or negative population growth, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria are having population growth above the economic growth rate. With the deadline for the sustainable development goals approaching, attention is increasingly being focused on population growth and human capital development. Extant literature focused on population growth, human resource utilization and economic growth but this study aims to examine the effect of population growth on human resource utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
Using secondary data for the period 1990-2018, the study conducted unit root test and co-integration analyses to determine the stationarity and correlation in the long-run in the variables. The study used the error correction model to ascertain the speed at which shocks can be corrected in the long-run. Granger causality test was also carried out to ascertain the direction of causality among the variables.
Findings
The empirical results revealed that population growth has a negative and significant effect on human resource utilization. The study also revealed that unidirectional causality runs from employment rate to population growth rate and a unidirectional causality runs from employment growth rate to expected years of schooling. The Nigerian Government needs to not only control population growth but also focus on the quality of education.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights into the relationship between population growth and human capital utilization in Nigeria focusing on the 1986-2018 period.
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“Financial services” is a shroud which seems to unify a number of activities which are in reality quite diverse. Statistics of advertising are one indication of marketing activity…
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“Financial services” is a shroud which seems to unify a number of activities which are in reality quite diverse. Statistics of advertising are one indication of marketing activity in this sector. They include categories as diverse as “boroughs and corporations” advertising loans to the public, “credit cards” offering at one and the same time credit facilities and a means of payment, and “prospectuses” which are invitations to invest, usually in quoted securities, while “insurance and assurance companies” could include anything from life offices advertising their reversionary bonuses to insurance brokers commending their services as risk management consultants. The common factor throughout is money; usually money changing hands for a monetary return, but the market may be consumers, industry, or banks and other financial institutions worldwide.
CHAPLIN'S Modern Times depicted a harassed little worker who spent his days making a simple movement with a spanner on an assembly line. In any reshowing we laugh at him as the…
Abstract
CHAPLIN'S Modern Times depicted a harassed little worker who spent his days making a simple movement with a spanner on an assembly line. In any reshowing we laugh at him as the archetype of an outmoded era because many sections of industry know him no more. His descendants have escaped such drudgery and in the process ushered in a quiet revolution.
Nazanin Eftekhari and Peyman Akhavan
The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant IT tools in each phase of the methodology, both approaches (clean slate and analysis of existing processes on details), and failure analysis for diminishing the risk of the BPR project.
Design/methodology/approach
In today's world, corporations need to adjust with the environment changes in order to stay stable in facing market changes. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology in which by considering different aspects for implementing BPR project including IT tools, both BPR approaches, and failure analysis can facilitate BPR project. The proposed methodology's validation was tested by getting the 50 experts' ideas in each phase of the methodology and in a case study at organization and planning department in an IT company.
Findings
The structured methodology developed in this paper contain the two debatable approaches of BPR (clean slate approach as well as analysis of existing processes on details approach). This methodology enables the organization to derive a proper way to implement BPR project in order to its situation. In every phase of this methodology, based on their applications in each specific phase, required softwares and IT tools are proposed. The applicability of methodology was analyzed and confirmed thoroughly by the 50 BPR experts and in a case study at an IT company.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive methodology to consider the gap of the BPR methodologies in their comprehensiveness, use IT tools and softwares and lower the risk of the BPR implementation. In developing the CITM the challenging approaches are considered, the related softwares and IT tools are proposed and failure analysis is done and considered in each phase of the CITM in order to decrease the risk of its implementation.
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This paper argues that there is a tendency towards over simplification in community safety planning, which currently presents inadequate models to respond to the complexity of…
Abstract
This paper argues that there is a tendency towards over simplification in community safety planning, which currently presents inadequate models to respond to the complexity of change in dynamic urban environments with naturally transient populations. Drawing upon environmental and health planning models, a responsive, flexible impact assessment approach is described and proposed.
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David Farrington and Anna Baldry
This article reviews individual risk factors for bullying, especially gender, age, aggressiveness, low intelligence and achievement, hyperactivity‐impulsiveness, low empathy, low…
Abstract
This article reviews individual risk factors for bullying, especially gender, age, aggressiveness, low intelligence and achievement, hyperactivity‐impulsiveness, low empathy, low self‐esteem, depression, unpopularity, and physical and biological features. It also reports individual, family and socio‐economic predictors and correlates of bullying discovered in a longitudinal survey of 411 London boys. The most important individual risk factors are low impulsiveness and low empathy, and they could be targeted in cognitive‐behavioural skills training programmes.