Willmer has suggested earlier to use the information function or a combination of information functions as an alternative measure for the detective performance to replace the…
Abstract
Willmer has suggested earlier to use the information function or a combination of information functions as an alternative measure for the detective performance to replace the traditional measure, the clear‐up rate. This note gives a justification for the new measure.
M.A.P. Willmer and Kevin Gaston
Recent changes in the environment within which the police operateshave placed even more pressure on the need for the service to be led byhigh‐calibre officers, and increased…
Abstract
Recent changes in the environment within which the police operates have placed even more pressure on the need for the service to be led by high‐calibre officers, and increased emphasis has been placed on the efficient and effective use of resources. A computer simulation is described which is designed to reflect a possible simplified future scenario. It highlights the issues involved in the use of crime statistics in leading, motivating and controlling personnel.
Details
Keywords
The traditional measure of detective performance is the clear‐up rate. Though this has the merit of being easy to calculate, it is not without certain disadvantages. At present, a…
Abstract
The traditional measure of detective performance is the clear‐up rate. Though this has the merit of being easy to calculate, it is not without certain disadvantages. At present, a detective may take great pains with work generally considered to be of a high standard only to find that his efforts are reflected by no change in the clear‐up rate—or even by a decrease in the clear‐up rate. This paper shows how concepts drawn from information theory may be used as the basis of a measure that does not suffer from such inconsistencies.
This paper explores, using information theoretic concepts, the problem of how organizations should be structured in order to minimize the loss and distortion of information…
Abstract
This paper explores, using information theoretic concepts, the problem of how organizations should be structured in order to minimize the loss and distortion of information. Account is taken of the fact that the objectives of the collectors of information may be different from those who need the information to help them make decisions. The benefits to be obtained from such innovations as liaison roles, task forces, etc., have been explained and the advantages and disadvantages of a product‐based organization over a functional‐based organization examined.
The article is concerned with how objective data (production, sales, raw material shortages, etc) and subjective data about the capabilities and weaknesses of the directors as…
Abstract
The article is concerned with how objective data (production, sales, raw material shortages, etc) and subjective data about the capabilities and weaknesses of the directors as managers and entrepreneurs, may be integrated to provide an estimate of future cash flows and hence the value of the firm.
Details
Keywords
To the Western businessman, negotiating with the Japanese seems fraught with difficulties. So a computer simulation was designed to capture some of the main dimensions of the…
Abstract
To the Western businessman, negotiating with the Japanese seems fraught with difficulties. So a computer simulation was designed to capture some of the main dimensions of the negotiation process, and used to explore the reactions of Western managers to a typical Anglo‐Japanese negotiation situation. The imaginary scenario is described, and then the simulation itself in some detail. At the end, the “communication competence” of each participant is assessed.
Details
Keywords
Barrie O. Pettman and Richard Dobbins
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
Abstract
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
Details
Keywords
The task of the librarian is to achieve his library's objectives. A simplistic statement, perhaps, but it is rare that a library's objectives are defined in any terms other than…
Abstract
The task of the librarian is to achieve his library's objectives. A simplistic statement, perhaps, but it is rare that a library's objectives are defined in any terms other than the broadest—for example, ‘to meet the needs of its users’. In fact, the definition of objectives in any service organization is likely to be an iterative process, but the explicit commitment to users‘ needs (however mystical this concept may be) requires the librarian to examine users’ behaviour as a first step to determining policy. Since a complete state‐of‐the‐art in user behaviour would fill a substantial book, this survey is restricted to drawing together some threads of research of potential application in university libraries. Methodological problems are not discussed here, since these are adequately reviewed elsewhere.
Redundancy, although viewed by many as a social evil, is also seen by some people as a lime of opportunity. It is after all the first time a large proportion of the population has…
Abstract
Redundancy, although viewed by many as a social evil, is also seen by some people as a lime of opportunity. It is after all the first time a large proportion of the population has received such substantial amounts of money. In some cases this is spent on expensive imported goods and luxury holidays: in others it is the chance to fulfil some life‐long dream of running their own business — a village store, a pub in the country, a boarding house at the seaside. Thus, when there is a call for volunteers to be made redundant, those with a strong inner urge to be their own boss are quick to apply. Amongst these applicants of course are many of the firm's best workers and sadly as John Wellens noted in the October edition of Industrial and Commercial Training: “In a way, it has its pathetic side, because many of those who feel the urge the strongest are the very people who actually need the security of permanent and assured employment in a safe job with a guaranteed wage.” In other words the volunteers will include many whom the company cannot afford to lose and who are not suited to going into business on their own. There is therefore a clear need for personnel officers to be able not only to identify such workers but also to have the means to persuade them that they should remain as employees. Unless special care is taken such persuasion attempts can lead to discontent. Ideally the learning process should be one of self‐realisation in which workers can find out for themselves whether or not they have the necessary qualities to go it alone. It was to give people such an experience, to help them learn what it is like to be their own boss before they put their own resources on the line, that the business simulation VENTURE FORTH was developed. It is a computer experience designed to give participants insights into their entrepreneurial attitudes and capabilities and explores such questions as: • have you the right temperament to be your own boss? • can you strike a good bargain or are you taken for a sucker? • can you cope with the taxman? • can you forecast consumers' needs? • can you cope with the unexpected? • can you establish commercial credibility? • can you gather reliable commercial intelligence, appreciate its full significance and make sound commercial judgements? In order that company trainers can have a brief insight into this new type of learning experience, we present, in the following section some extracts from this training pack.
THE paper by Thompson, Wadsworth and Louat on ‘The Origin of Fatigue Fracture in Copper’ contains much valuable information which, together with other recent work of the same…
Abstract
THE paper by Thompson, Wadsworth and Louat on ‘The Origin of Fatigue Fracture in Copper’ contains much valuable information which, together with other recent work of the same nature, affords a basis for reviewing various theories concerning the mechanism of fatigue. In the light of recent information, it appears probable that the greatest road‐blocks in our progress toward understanding fatigue have been mental or semantic in nature. It is remarkable that a phenomenon of such importance has resisted solution for over 100 years, in spite of the tremendous amount of testing, papers and conferences that have been devoted to solving the problem.