An Epistemic Analysis of (Un)Sustainable Business

Michel Foucault famously analysed orders of knowledge, ‘epistemes’, in past European ages. In this study, his analytical method is fruitfully applied to gaining a better understanding of business sustainability within and beyond the Modern episteme. After an introduction to the contextual background for the study, this article provides (i) a justification for the use of a Foucauldian epistemic analytical method, (ii) an outline of the method, (iii) an application of the method to identify four sets of questions (morality, specialisation, anthropologization and mathematicization) that are both direct derivatives of the Modern episteme and problematic for sustainable development, and finally (iv) an application of the method to consider evidence for the emergence of a new episteme. Conclusions are also provided.     

A note on interactions-driven business cycles

Within the standard Keynesian multiplier framework, extended by a micro-model of interactive formation of individual consumption propensities, we demonstrate that socioeconomic interactions can lead to cyclical fluctuations in aggregate economic activity. The underlying micro-model of direct interactions is a version of Alan Kirman’s generic opinion formation model, with an additional feedback effect from macroscopic variables on the transition probabilities. Our model engenders cyclical fluctuations of economic variables, despite the fact that neither the Keynesian multiplier model nor Kirman’s model does so on its own.     

TECHNOLOGY AND SPAN OF CONTROL: WOODWARD REVISITED

This study of production operations in 95 New Jersey manufacturing firms explains the widely replicated curvilinear relationship between first line supervisory span of control and Woodward's technological complexity scale. Revisiting Woodward led to the initial proposition that the relationship was a by-product of the differing degree of task variability among the major types of production operations. A subsequent literature review of administrative requirements suggested the importance of size, complexity and automaticity on supervisory span of control. Our data indicate that variations in the span of control of production operations classified according to Woodward's scale are attributable to the underlying effects of size and task complexity. Technology, whether operationalized as Woodward's production types or automaticity of machinery explained little variation in the span of control of first line supervisors.     

Henry George's Theory of State's Agenda: The Origins of His Ideas on Economic Policy in Adam Smith's Moral Theory

Abstract . The tension between Henry George's reformism and his laissezfaire liberalism was resolved through a system of natural liberty George derived from the relation between Adam Smith's ethics and economics. Crucial for George's nonutilitarian philosophy of government was the interdependence between the moral sense (sympathy) and the prevailing socioeconomic order. In the appropriate institutional environment, the role of the government was diminished since the pervasive moral sense insured justice by monitoring the individual's pursuit of economic self-interest. In contrast, a defective socio economic order required government intervention. For example, land monopoly and the maldistribution of income undermined the role of sympathy, promoted excessive self interest and the breakdown of the system of natural liberty. Government action through the single tax eliminated the “fear of want,” restored an operative moral sense and guaranteed justice in society. Under these conditions, government can provide additional services for a growing society without being susceptible to “corrupt and tyrannous” behavior.     

AN EXAMINATION OF THE UNDERLYING DYNAMICS OF STRATEGIC DECISIONS SUBJECT TO UPWARD INFLUENCE ACTIVITY

This study examines the underlying dynamics of strategic decisions that are subject to upward influence activity. The results suggest that the strategymaking process deviates considerably from typical rational comprehensive approaches in that strategies are affected by: initial sense-making activity, perceptions of risk and return, and power and negotiation skills. Differences due to functional area of the manager involved in the influence activity are discussed.     

A new interpretation of the “normalizing” or “balancing” factors of gravity-type spatial models

As the title implies, this paper provides a new way of viewing the so-called “normalizing” or “balancing” factors of generalized gravity-type spatial models. This new interpretation—a more precise version of an earlier interpretation offered by Wilson—is made in terms of the notions of origin and destination accessibilities which are shown to implicitly underly the model.The first part of the paper discusses several previous interpretations of balancing factors. The notions of origin and destination accessibilities are presented in the second section. The third section provides new interpretations of balancing factors in terms of these accessibility notions. The fourth section presents some new modeling results which are made possible by this new interpretation of balancing factors. The fifth and final section of the paper discusses a potentially fruitful direction for further research.     

A 'Basic Needs' Strategy for Development of Technology in Low Income Countries.

Abstract . The ‘basic needs’ strategy in development planning calls for giving priority to meeting minimum human needs and providing certain essential public services. This investigations studies its relevancy for developing technology and change in low income countries. It advances the case for an operationally-oriented basic needs concept for technology in such countries. It outlines a simplified planning model incorporating such a strategy. Eight equations are developed to yield an illustrative preliminary function showing the basic needs technology interacting with a structure of production, consumption and accumulation.     

Disseminating knowledge to build a learning organization

In recent years the learning organization has become popular in the management literature but the extent to which staff typically obtain access to the information they need for enhanced learning is not well understood. This paper examines the access to information experienced by staff within a New Zealand company in terms of the topics on which information is received and the sources from which information comes. The results show significant divisions within the company on status grounds for information that is currently received. Nevertheless, no such divisions were found for the information that is sought. Limitations appeared more obviously with regard to formal information sources (for which the company is responsible) than for the informal sources (which the individual finds it easier to access). Implications for companies aspiring to strengthen their capacity to learn are briefly discussed.     

Queueing with reneging

Summary In this paper we consider a queue in which a person, having joined, may decide to leave and give up service if it appears that the time consumed will exceed some maximum which he has available. Specifically, three problems are treated: a) How to make a rational (sequential) decision while waiting in the queue, b) the probable effect of this decision, and c) the behavior of a queue in which all persons are employing such a procedure.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Bericht behandelt eine “Schlange”, in der ein sich dieser “Schlange” angeschlossener Mensch entschlie?t, seinen Platz und die Bedienung aufzugeben wenn es ihm scheint, da? die notwendige Zeit ein ihm zur Verfügung stehendes Maximum überschreiten wird. Insbesondere werden drei Probleme diskutiert: a) Wie man eine rationale (sequentielle) Entscheidung trifft, w?hrend man in einer “Schlange” wartet, b) der wahrscheinliche Effekt einer solchen Entscheidung, c) das Benehmen einer “Schlange”, in dem alle Menschen ein solches Verfahren gebrauchen würden.