Restructuring Public Transit Systems: Evidence on Cost Properties from Medium and Large-Sized Companies

This paper analyses the cost structure of a sample of local public transport companies operating in medium and large urban centres in Italy in order to identify the proper network configuration for the service. Technological characteristics of public transit systems are analysed by estimating both variable and total cost function models. The evidence shows the presence of short-run and long-run economies of scale, as well as of economies of network density. This suggests that a suitable network design should at least include a large urban centre, while a regulatory policy aimed at fragmenting the served area would imply an efficiency loss.      

Automatic production control applying control theory

A new dynamic production model for the planning level will be presented in this paper. The model is based on methods of control theory, which provide a large variety of appropriate tools for analysing and controlling dynamic systems. With the help of the funnel model and the theory of the logistic operating curve, a continuous flow model of a single work centre has been designed. For the control task a backlog controller and a WIP controller have been developed. The controllers interact to adjust the capacity and the input rate of the work centre so as to eliminate the backlog as soon as possible and to set the WIP to a defined level. By means of envelope curves of capacity flexibility, which are easily applicable to industry, the individual range of capacity adjustments at a single work centre can be modelled. Simulation experiments confirm that this concept ensures the synchronisation of capacity and work. The objective is to develop a closed-loop control for PPC with defined control and reference variables based on the logistical objectives.     

Lessons from a low-budget innovation centre

In the two years from November 1983 to September 1985, an experimental innovation centre was set up at the University of Calgary to offer services to community ventures by using the existing resources to serve those people developing new ventures in the community. A conservative estimate of $250, 000 worth of resources was leveraged out of an initial operating grant of $20, 000. Outcomes from the first year's operations included $ 1.75 million value added to 50 of 65 community businesses receiving support.
This article places the strategy used at the University of Calgary's Low Budget Innovation Centre with the context of related strategies for supporting new innovative ventures. The history of the centre is reviewed, some lessons drawn, and an operational model formulated.     

悬挂器验漏技术研制与应用

井口悬挂器串漏作为作业技术监督管理由于没有什么标准来验证井口悬挂器的密封性，致使很多作业井恢复生产时，出现井口悬挂器刺漏，给气井正常管理造成很大影响。成功研制出井口悬挂器的验漏技术工艺，实用性很强，具有推广价值。     

潍柴凶猛

凭借一条国内商用车最优质的黄金产业链和在资本市场的一系列完美运作,谭旭光期待在中国商用车版图中打造一个令人生畏的重磅武器。     

A multi-grid size dynamic programming approach for the production control of a random-speed machine

The operator of a random-speed production system is given T time units to produce D units of a product. The machine has M nominal production speeds (rates of production), though the actual production speed is confounded by random noises. The operator counts products at adjustment epochs and changes the production speed according to the amount accumulated and time left. He wants to minimize (maximize) the expected cost (profit) subject to the adjustment, operating, inventory, shortage cost, and over production costs. Such a problem has been tackled by various heuristic methods. We formulate the problem as a continuous-time, continuous-state dynamic program and solve it by the multi-grid discretization approach. Our approach is very versatile, solving problems more general than those solved in literature. The approach allows the selection of grid sizes based on the accuracy of the approximation. When compared to existing heuristics through simulation, our approach is quicker and has better objective values.     

Tackling the paradox: can attaining global research excellence be compatible with local technology development?

This paper uses the case of the IMEC (microelectronics research centre) to examine the compatibility between strategic IPR management of large independent research centres, and regional industrial policy missions given to such centres in return for government funding. In particular, the issue of whether a balance can be found between a necessary drive for international recognition and critical mass of funding, and a policy of IPR valorization towards regional firms is examined.
The first section sets out the mission of IMEC and the evolution over time of its strategic approach to building global industrial partnerships based on a sophisticated model of IPR management. Drawing on a recent evaluation, the subject of the second section is the extent to which the results of the industrial and exploratory research activities of IMEC are then commercialized in local Flemish industry.
The concluding section offers policy conclusions in terms of the instruments and objectives which public policy makers can apply to maximize the local impact of large globally operating research centres.     

随机需求下横向并购供应链网络整合优化策略研究

本文从系统优化视角,针对增设集散中心的横向并购供应链网络整合策略,利用变分不等式建立了随机需求下的整合优化模型。以市场链为主线,以供应链网络均衡理论为基 础,构建了以横向并购供应链网络活动总成本最小为目标的数学模型,通过转换成变分不等式采用改进的欧拉算法进行模型求解。通过数值算例进一步说明了模型的适用性和灵活性,得出了增设集散中心的并购整合策略能够降低供应链网络的平均运营成本的结论,通过对比不同市场紧密程度下产生的供应链网络平均成本协同效应,发现随着市场紧密程度的增加其协同效应更明显,为横向并购供应链网络整合优化提供理论依据与方法。     

斗轮式取料机瞬时取料量自动控制技术的研究及其节能应用

秦皇岛港是目前全球最大的煤炭输出港,它以"悬臂式斗轮取料机-皮带机输送机-装船机"为主要转运设备进行煤炭装船作业。本文旨在探索高效的取料机作业方式来实现装船作业效率的最大化,降低作业能耗。分析了斗轮取料机的特点及其取料操作方式,并在此基础上引入了闭环自动控制方法,构建了以恒定瞬时取料量为控制目标的闭环控制系统。该系统以PLC为控制核心,基于变频驱动的回转系统作为执行部分控制斗轮取料机的悬臂回转速度进行取料作业,同时通过皮带秤实时检测输送带瞬时取料量并结合即时的斗轮驱动电机电流数据作为作业实时数据反馈,由此构建了一种基于Profibus-DP现场总线的斗轮取料机自动作业控制系统。该系统试运行于河北港口集团秦皇岛港股份有限公司第六港务分公司,提高了取料作业效率,减少了人为因素造成的超载作业,节能效果显著。     

基于S3C2410X的城市污水处理系统的研究

设计的城市污水处理控制系统以ARM920T处理器S3C2410X为核心,并根据污水实时处理的性能要求,设计硬件电路模块,完成了模数转换电路,串行接口、用户接口,存储系统设计和基本的外围电路硬件电路系统的设计。并对实时嵌入式操作系统μCOS-Ⅱ进行移植,使系统具备了执行多任务的能力。利用嵌入式实时系统的优势,实现了多任务间通信,解决了系统的不断开发、维护困难这一弊病。同时,还在μCOS-Ⅱ系统的基础上,移植了嵌入式图形界面μC/GUI并设计用户界面。     

Management of capabilities and situations in R&D centres: the matrix of competences

The paper presents the first results of research carried out by the authors in the research centre of an important Italian industrial group. The management of the centre is strongly interested in new methodological approaches to identify and to represent individual competences. To satisfy this specific need, the authors suggest a method based on the matrix of competences that is the set of relationships between capabilities and situations. The situations and the capabilities are identified by analysing the judgements that other subjects, internal or external to the organization, express on an individual's behaviour.
A sample of fifteen individuals has been investigated in order to identify their individual competences and the most significant situations within the centre. For each individual a network of subjects, the supervisor and some clients and collaborators, has been considered. On the basis of the results, the implications for management are discussed, with particular regard to the design of new procedures for personnel evaluation.     

Taylorism, targets and the pursuit of quantity and quality by call centre management

The paper locates the rise of the call centre within the context of the development of Taylorist methods and technological change in office work in general. Managerial utilisation of targets to impose and measure employees' quantitative and qualitative performance is analysed in four case–study organisations. The paper concludes that call centre work reflects a pardigmic re–configuration of customer servicing operations, and that the continuing application of Taylorist methods appears likely.     

Entrapped by the ‘electronic panopticon’? Worker resistance in the call centre

This article presents a thoroughgoing critique of Fernie and Metcalf's perspective, that the call centre is characterised by the operation of an 'electronic panopticon' in which supervisory power has been 'rendered perfect'. Drawing on evidence from a telecommunications call centre the authors analyse the significance of emerging forms of employee resistance.     

我国"油井管工程"标准化进展

阐述了“油井管工程”的概念和内涵,对中国“油井管工程”标准化的现状、进展和发展方向作了概述、指出．“油井管工程”是合理使用油井管的系统工程,“油井管工程”标准化是以标准来规范管柱设计验证、选择和评价、采购、检验、使用和维修等过程,以保证;由井管使用的安全可靠性;现场作业标准是“油井管工程”的重要内容,目前国内油井管等同、等效采用API．ISO标准,产品标准较齐全,但仍存在新型管材标准缺乏等一些问题、发展我国“油井管工程”标准化．应以等同采用API．ISO油井管标准、发展特殊螺纹产品标准为重点,制定并不断完善我国“油井管工程”标准体系、为此．要跟踪研究国内外油井管工程技术现状和发展,结合现场实际工况条件制定附加技术条件的规范或标准,使标准体系适应油田开发发展。     

Sourcing decisions of project tasks with exponential completion times: Impact on operating profits

When managing a project, a firm must evaluate multiple strategic factors and operational issues before deciding which tasks to keep in-house and which to outsource. We focus on one operational aspect of this evaluation process by examining the impact of different sourcing decisions of project tasks with exponential completion times on operating profits. As an initial attempt, we present two stylized models that capture two simplest types of projects: (a) a project with two “parallel” tasks that can be performed simultaneously and (b) a project with two “serial” tasks that must be performed sequentially. For each model, we determine the optimal operating profit for the case when the firm outsources zero task, one task, or two tasks. These operating profits can be informative for making sourcing decisions of different project tasks.     

Acquisition Motives and the Distribution of Acquisition Performance

Research summary: I examine how acquisition motives relate to the distribution of post‐acquisition performance. I argue that acquisitions motivated by operating synergies have the potential to experience greater gains than acquisitions driven by financial synergies but are harder to value and implement, making them more uncertain. Using SEC filings, conference calls and press releases to capture acquisition motives, I find that acquirers pursuing operating synergies are more likely to experience highly positive and highly negative long‐term returns than acquirers pursuing financial synergies. I also find that acquisition experience and geographic proximity to targets soften acquirers' extreme downside outcomes in operating synergy acquisitions. My theory and results suggest that approaches that emphasize average outcomes for acquirers and use industry classifications to capture acquisition motives may be incomplete. Managerial summary: Managers engage in acquisitions for various reasons. In this study, I find that reasons related to operating synergies (e.g., revenue growth through new product offerings or cost savings through economies of scale) are more likely to result in extreme high and low performance outcomes for the acquiring firm compared to reasons related to financial synergies (e.g., diversification of cash flow streams). In addition, I find that the acquirer's prior acquisition experience and the geographic proximity between the target and acquirer help soften the extreme low performance outcomes related to operating synergies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

One Monopoly Is Better Than Two: Antitrust Policy and Microsoft

The Department of Justice recent case against Microsoft is that it should not be allowed to aggressively maintain control over the internet browser market with the objective of preventing the internet from becoming the platform that could ultimately destroy Microsoft's operating system market. The aim of this paper is not to attack the Department of Justice case. Rather, it is to argue that for consumers one monopoly dominating both the operating system and applications is better than two separate monopolies. In our model we integrate Cournot's theory of two goods that are jointly used in the production of a third composite good with the fixed-proportion model. Utilizing our model we develop a possible explanation for Microsoft's actions – protection of its monopoly profits in the operating systems package market. Additionally we show that the price of the final product is lower if one firm monopolizes all markets. Consequently, the ordered split-up of Microsoft by Judge Thomas P. Jackson, aiming at creating two separate companies, one that will produce the windows and the other the operating systems, will harm consumers.     

New technology and changing organisational forms: implications for managerial control and skills

Changes in organisational forms are central to the way new technologies impact on the future of work and employment. Drawing on case–study evidence of a call centre and its client relations and a multinational IT firm and its partnership with a government department, this paper explores the implications for skill and managerial control.     

Problem–solving and idea-generation in R&D: the role of informal communication

This paper is a part of the study on the pattern and role of communication in small R&D projects which was carried out on two ongoing projects in one of the national laboratories of C.S.I.R. Here an attempt has been made: (i) to examine the types of problems solved and ideas generated by the scientists; (ii) to investigate the role of formal and informal communication channels actually used for problem-solving and idea-generation and the association, if any, between the type of channel used and the type of problem solved or idea generated; and (iii) to study the role of technological gatekeepers in the processes of idea-generation and problem-solving.     

Voices from higher up the ladder: exploring the team leader role in call centres

This paper focuses on an under‐researched employee category in the call centre literature—the team leader. The paper, drawing on data from nine Australian call centres, finds that the team leader role is integral to the effectiveness of call centres, yet it is a role that consists of considerable complexity and contradictions. The research demonstrates the critical role performed by team leaders: coach, mentor, trainer, performance evaluator, communicator and supervisor. It also shows team leaders as being far more positive about many of the features of the call centre work environment compared with those on the front line. However, there does appear to be a need for greater acknowledgement of their challenging role, the contradictions that are inherent in the job and the need, in many cases, for increased support being made available to assist.