The purpose of this paper is to describe the computer system implemented in the Library and Information Services Section of the Tropical Development and Research Institute (TDRI)…
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to describe the computer system implemented in the Library and Information Services Section of the Tropical Development and Research Institute (TDRI). The TDRI library serves staff at various locations and following several investigations of the library's requirements, and ways of satisfying these, a computer system using the CAIRS (Computer Assisted Information Retrieval System) software started to operate in 1984. The paper describes the structure of the TDRI records and ways in which the fields are indexed and provides several examples of output produced by the system.
K.V. Sambasivarao, S.G. Deshmukh and R.P. Mohanty
Globally, manufacturing facilities are constantly being upgraded inorder to provide competitive advantages. Parunndekar observes that Indian manufacturing firmshave recognized the…
Abstract
Globally, manufacturing facilities are constantly being upgraded in order to provide competitive advantages. Parunndekar observes that Indian manufacturing firms have recognized the importance of automating their production systems to meet the challenges posed by the pluralistic market. However, adoption of such automation projects involves large investments and a strategic management style. Meredith and Suresh state that any financial investment in economic activities requires a justification for the purpose of committing capital. The introduction of automation projects (AP) can, and many would say should, include changes in the prevailing management style and in the organizational culture of a firm. Thus, the decision‐making process with regard to the selection of AP is quite complex, because the commercial success of the firm is highly dependent on the mechanics of such a process. In addition to the obvious quantitative benefits accruing from the introduction of AP, they can offer a large number of qualitative (intangible) benefits. Datta et al. observed that these are generally difficult to quantify. Researchers have attempted to convert the relative importance of qualitative benefits into priority weights (PW) for procedures involving the selection and evaluation of AP. Mohanty states that project selection and evaluation involve decisions that are critical to the profitability, growth and survival of the manufacturing firm in the increasingly competitive global scenario. Such decisions are complex and require analysis of tangible and intangible attributes.
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A. Lumley, V.K. Datta and J.A. Wright
The Scientific Units of the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) were merged over recent years to form the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute which is now…
Abstract
The Scientific Units of the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) were merged over recent years to form the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute which is now called, after becoming an Executive Agency of the ODA, the Natural Resources Institute. The new unit was relocated from several separate sites to a refurbished site at Chatham, Kent. For the Library and Information Services these changes presented both challenges and opportunities. The paper reviews and discusses these from the library manager's point of view, covering planning, logistics, rationalisation of systems and services, user support, staff management and organisation of work.
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online…
Abstract
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:
The literature on mycotoxins and its spread into different subject disciplines has been examined using the card index of the Tropical Development and Research Institute Library…
Abstract
The literature on mycotoxins and its spread into different subject disciplines has been examined using the card index of the Tropical Development and Research Institute Library. The index has a total of 2,802 references on mycotoxins. The graph on the growth of the subject shows an initial flat, a steep climb, a small flat and then a rapid decline. The field of mycotoxins began life as part of agriculture and then moved into the disciplines of chemistry, food science, medicine, microbiology and veterinary science. The pattern of literature spread or scatter made it possible to divide the literature into four chronological sequences or stages of development: period of academic interest, period of high activity, period of peak activity and period of continued interest. It is suggested that such a study could be useful in the effective running of a documentation centre.
K.V. Sambasivarao and S.G. Deshmukh
The importance of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) has beenincreasing because of their competitive advantages. Adoption of AMTinvolves major investment, and large‐scale…
Abstract
The importance of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) has been increasing because of their competitive advantages. Adoption of AMT involves major investment, and large‐scale issues are involved in the selection and justification of these technologies. Researchers have identified a considerable number of issues and subattributes for implementing various projects. Reviews the literature and then classifies several of these implementation issues.
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Templeton College is a management education centre linked to Oxford University. In 1989 the existing micro‐CAIRS system was upgraded to the integrated CAIRS‐LMS system running…
Abstract
Templeton College is a management education centre linked to Oxford University. In 1989 the existing micro‐CAIRS system was upgraded to the integrated CAIRS‐LMS system running over a newly installed network linked to a VAX mainframe. This article outlines the reasons for this upgrade and describes how CAIRS‐LMS is operated in the context of a small academic library.
Intangible assets and reputation play a considerable and complex role in acquisitions. Targets with better reputations are more attractive, yet may fetch a premium. Though the…
Abstract
Intangible assets and reputation play a considerable and complex role in acquisitions. Targets with better reputations are more attractive, yet may fetch a premium. Though the intangibles drive many transactions, the ability of an acquirer to leverage intangibles and reputation specifically after the transaction is more problematic. Two characteristics of reputation – mobility and transferability – are introduced to reflect the degree to which a target’s positive reputation may accrue to the buyer following an acquisition. Acquirer experience, hubris and cultural differences between acquirer and target may moderate the relationships between these characteristics of reputation and acquisition outcomes. Implications for practitioners are offered, including when acquiring firms should look for reputation capture vs. spillover, and when employee retention and internal communication should be the focus vs. integration and external communication.
The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision tool to help managers make more informed decisions regarding their investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision tool to help managers make more informed decisions regarding their investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
Selection of a new technology is multidimensional in nature and interdependent relationships exist among various elements of the system. In addition, both quantitative and qualitative factors need to be considered in the evaluation process. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology satisfies these requirements by considering interdependencies among all the factors and by allowing transformation of qualitative judgments into quantitative values for the decision analysis. These capabilities of ANP make it a perfect methodology for use in the development of our decision tool. Once technology alternatives and selection criteria are identified by the decision maker, several pair‐wise comparisons are conducted to determine local priorities for the selection criteria and alternatives. These priorities are then used to determine the overall priorities for the alternatives. The technology alternative with the highest overall priority is chosen for adoption.
Findings
Allowing for interdependencies among selection criteria, as well as between alternatives and selection criteria, provides a more realistic evaluation process than other selection processes that ignore such interdependencies.
Practical implications
The model provides decision makers a tool for evaluating several competitive technology alternatives and selecting the most appropriate technology for adoption.
Originality/value
The paper discusses the inclusion of the subjective judgments of the decision maker in the evaluation process and use of ANP methodology for transforming these judgments into quantitative values for rankings of the alternatives.