New Approaches to Business Process Redesign: A Case Study of Collaborative Group Technology and Service Mapping

Whether it is called reengineering, quality function deployment, quality circles, continuous improvement or total quality management, business process redesign (BPR) is occurring in many organizations. In the broadest sense, BPR includes nearly any kind of systematic effort by companies to realign their business processes so that they are more competitive. Successful business process redesign can lead to dramatic improvements in productivity and quality. But BPR typically requires vast amounts of time and money to implement, since extensive employee input is necessary during the redesign process. Group Decision Support Software (GDSS) provides a viable alternative to the traditional BPR approach. GDSS is defined as computer-based information systems used to support intelligent, collaborative work.This technology allows multiple users to meet and discuss topics simultaneously via a computer network, thus increasing employee commitment while decreasing time and cost.This paper describes a business process redesign project that was conducted for a division within a large government agency fall of 1993. The BPR was done using a type of Group Decision Support Software called Group Systems V. A services marketing tool called service mapping was also used to identify customer needs and interfaces. Data were collected throughout the project to measure employee attitudes about the redesign process and the GroupSystems technology. Time to complete tasks was also recorded. The results of the study showed that the business process redesign was accomplished more effectively in a shorter period of time than with traditional BPR methods previously used. Participants also indicated that the service mapping tool provided a perspective that is missing from many BPR approaches: an understanding of the service from the customer's perspective.     

Advertising effects on consumer welfare: Prices paid and liking for brands selected

The effect of advertising on consumer welfare has been the subject of dispute among economists, arising largely from disagreement among scholars regarding the persuasive versus the informative role of advertising. This paper reports two experiments that explore the welfare implications of advertising effects. Experiment 1 shows that the same advertisements can either increase or decrease prices paid for selected brands, depending on the degree to which the choice situation requires brands to be recalled in order to be considered. However, an increase in prices paid caused by advertising does not necessarily imply detrimental effects on consumer welfare. Experiment 2 shows that, even under circumstances in which differentiating advertising leads consumers to select brands with higher average prices, it can provide useful information to consumers that allows them to make purchases that are more in line with their personal tastes than are the choices of consumers not exposed to the advertisements.     

Relationship between flow experience and subjective vitality among older adults attending senior centres

ABSTRACT

This study examined relationships between leisure autonomy, leisure competence, leisure social support, and flow experience and subjective vitality among older adults. In total, 257 older adults attending senior centres from New Taipei City, Taiwan were recruited. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, during which leisure autonomy, leisure competence, leisure social support, flow experience, and subjective vitality were measured. The data were analysed using a hierarchical regression method. Results revealed that leisure autonomy, leisure competence, and leisure social support were significantly and positively correlated with subjective vitality and that flow experience was more significantly and positively correlated with subjective vitality than the three leisure needs were. Practical implications of results in terms of enhancing subjective vitality among older adults are discussed. Considering that flow experience is a strong predictor of subjective vitality among older adults, helping older adults experience flow should considerably enhance their subjective vitality. Flow is experienced when a balance is reached between high levels of challenges and skills. Therefore, leisure with such balance increases the likelihood that older adults can experience flow.     

中国百岁老人养老问题研究

利用"中国高龄老人健康长寿"课题1998年调查数据,对中国百岁老人老有所养、病有所医、老有所乐等养老问题进行了初步分析.研究表明,中国百岁老人基本上实现了老有所养、病有所医和老有所乐,家庭在百岁老人养老中占绝对主导地位,是百岁老人经济供养、病时生活照料和精神慰藉的主要承担者,社会所起作用甚微.百岁老人的经济自立状况、医疗需求满足程度及医疗照料资源的可获性因城乡、性别及居住方式而异,并直接影响到其对生活的评价.社会和政府应更多地关注独居百岁老人及靠社会救济的百岁老人.     

基于共生理论视角的创立期科技型中小企业融资问题研究

本文基于共生理论的分析框架,分析了创立期科技型中小企业融资支持体系的构成,在此基础上,分析了我国科技型中小企业融资支持体系存在的问题和不足,并据此提出了针对性的对策建议。     

兽医行业财政支持政策存在的问题与政策建议

本文通过对全国215个畜牧大县兽医管理体制改革情况的调查,发现2005年以来,我国在兽医机构改革、工作经费和基础设施建设投入、动物防疫补偿等方面成效显著,但仍然存在一些问题.今后要重点加快乡镇兽医机构改革、加强县乡基础设施建设、健全经费保障机制和完善防疫扑杀补偿政策.     

金融支持衢州四大产业集群绿色发展的路径研究

本文在衢州市近年来产业集群的现状以及金融支持产业集群发展已有经验的基础上,分析了金融支持过程中遭遇的主要瓶颈,并从五个方面对金融支持产业集群绿色发展的路径进行了研究.     

绿色中药产业初见成效 发展任重道远——对汉中市部分中药产业重点发展县的调查

近年来,汉中市实施＂发展绿色产业,建设绿色汉中＂的战略,中药产业逐渐成为汉中经济发展新的增长极。为了解汉中中药产业的发展情况以及银行业机构金融服务支持情况,笔者先后深入勉县、留坝、佛坪等中药材生产形成一定规模的县域,采取与当地政府部门、银行业机构座谈,深入农户中药材种植基地和实地察看加工企业等方式进行了专题调研,分析了其中问题并提出相关建议。     

Sources of support and expatriation: a multiple stakeholder perspective of expatriate adjustment and performance in Malaysia

This research tests the role of perceived support from multinational corporations and host-country nationals for the adjustment of expatriates and their spouses while on international assignments. The investigation is carried out with matched data from 134 expatriates and their spouses based in foreign multinationals in Malaysia. The results highlight the different reliance on support providers that expatriates and their accompanying spouses found beneficial for acclimatizing to the host-country environment. Improved adjustment in turn was found to have positive effects on expatriates' performance. The research findings have implications for both international human resource management researchers and practitioners.