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Describes an approach to maximizing team performance which integrates traditional business methods with those of the performing arts. Defines the ACE team as aligned, creative and exploring, and explains how the ACE Team Star Profile can be used to create a visual profile of a team′s strengths and development needs.

This study tests the premise that conflict between advertising agencies and clients has a cognitive basis — that is, each group weighs decision factors differently, and consequently evaluates campaigns differently. We identified five common decision factors in evaluating campaigns: market research, media planning, message/creativity, budget, and agency/client relationship. Based on these five variables, we used multiple regression‐based judgment analysis to create decision profiles for a group of 120 advertising agency professionals and clients. We compared agencies' and clients' judgments by six categories. Analysis affirmed that cognitive conflict differs by product type, longevity, and campaign purpose; but not by seniority or campaign budget. Clients had less cognitive disagreement with creatives than with agency management.

In recent years, many U.S. direct marketers have expanded their efforts into Asia. A few studies of consumers’ attitudes towards direct marketing were conducted outside of the United States in order to ascertain their attitudes towards direct marketing, privacy, environmental concerns, and trust issues. International direct marketers must take care to respect these issues before entering new countries, such as Taiwan and other emerging markets. The following article reports the results of a survey done in both the U.S. and Taiwan.

Examines a way to dramatically reduce the number of tests it takes to qualify a vision inspection system [VIS] which carries out attribute inspections by applying a statistical operation called a binomial distribution. Describes a binomial distribution and looks at its employment in manufacturing terms. Outlines how a conventional inspection system works and compares the two techniques. Concludes that the advantages of using a binomial distribution include a reduced number of tests, a reduction in equipment cost and the technique is simple to understand and perform.

Change and the information‐technology (IT) industry are now almost synonymous. From Moore’s law, which predicts that computing power doubles every 18 months, to mega mergers such as the coming together of Compaq and HP, the IT industry is always on the move. Hewlett Packard’s evolution from humble beginnings in a Silicon Valley garage, though, has been among the most dramatic. The founders’ ethos – the relentless pursuit of inventive decision making in an entrepreneurial and innovative environment – was relatively simple.

It is hard to picture the scene – a manager in a major manufacturing company with a background in chemical engineering, standing on stage in a tuxedo reading Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech. But 29‐year‐old John Petre, process and packaging‐development manager for soup, with responsibility for all of Batchelors’, Oxo and Campbell’s UK processing and packaging needs, was not the only one that day to let his hair down in pursuit of better leadership skills.

Briefly reviews 20 books concerned with all aspects of management including studying for a management qualification, as in S. Cameron′s The MBA Handbook, which offers practical advice on how to study for an MBA. Applies the relevance of such books to the concerns of the library manager and indicates how such publications could help the manager to provide a better library service, improve interpersonal skills and generally overcome most of the hurdles which managers have to surmount.

Briefly reviews 20 books concerned with all aspects of management including studying for a management qualification, as in S. Cameron′s The MBA Handbook, which offers practical advice on how to study for an MBA. Applies the relevance of such books to the concerns of the library manager and indicates how such publications could help the manager to provide a better library service, improve interpersonal skills and generally overcome most of the hurdles which managers have to surmount.

This essay charts an intellectual journey. Geoffrey M. Hodgson became an institutional economist in the 1980s. He explains how he discovered institutional economics and what strains of institutional thought were attractive for him. Another issue raised in this essay is how institutional researchers organize and move forward. Hodgson argues for an interdisciplinary approach, but this is not without its problems.

The case is based on a real supply chain outsourcing management decision at a major manufacturing company. The company has been disguised for confidentiality reasons. The case discusses different types of outsourcing, supply chain management, the benefits and risks of outsourcing, and various pricing models for outsourcing contracts. Students must make a management decision and answer these questions: Is supply chain outsourcing a viable option for DB Toys? What will the return on investment be? What is the best outsourcing model? What is the best pricing model?

Students learn the different types of outsourcing, supply chain management, the benefits and risks of outsourcing, and various pricing models for outsourcing contracts. Students also learn how to calculate the return on investment of supply chain outsourcing. Most important, the case enables students to understand the strategic context of outsourcing, and to decide which outsourcing model and pricing is appropriate.