Examining critical and near-critical paths: an Excel-based classroom exercise

The author’s goals in this exercise were to use an Excel project to teach students about the effects of changing states of nature on critical path emergence as well as compare the impact of the PERT beta and triangular distributions on project completion times. Previous research into the PERT (program evaluation and review technique) beta distribution indicated a tendency for this distribution to overstate the impact of the dominant critical path on project completion times. The author used a Monte Carlo simulation and a new Excel function to explore the effects of random variation on critical path emergence. He used both the triangular distribution and the PERT beta distribution to calculate project completion times. The author found that three of the possible five paths became critical in both the PERT beta and triangular distributions. However, the triangular distribution moderated the PERT beta distribution’s tendency toward the dominate critical path.     

The performance appraisal: A critique and an alternative

Performance appraisals are a standard ingredient in the employer-employee relationship. How else is a manager to deal honestly with a subordinate regarding his shortcomings and his strengths, its adherents would ask. Most would agree, nonetheless, that undue anxiety is generated-both for the manager and the employee-by the appraisal interview. Is this anxiety constructive or destructive? The author describes the dynamics of the evaluation system. Beginning with some studies which conclude that the appraisal system is counterproductive of its stated goals, he illustrates how man's fundamental psychological processes operate against this procedure. He recommends, instead, management by objectives as a technique which releases each individual's potential and emphasizes his contribution to the working environment.     

Marketing Strategy Development Styles,Implementation Capability,and Firm Performance: Investigating the Curvilinear Impact of Multiple Strategy-Making Styles

There is growing interest in the process by which marketing strategy is developed. This article reports on a study in which we investigate the performance implications of using multiple organizational approaches to the development of marketing strategy. Specifically, we test a model in which implementation capability mediates the relationship between number of marketing strategy development (MSD) styles used and firm performance. Based on data collected from manufacturers, the results indicate that: (1) the relationship between the number of MSD styles used and implementation capability is curvilinear (an inverse U-shaped relationship), (2) implementation capability positively impacts firm performance, and (3) implementation capability mediates the relationship between number of MSD styles used and firm performance.     

A framework for conducting a services marketing audit

The marketing audit literature does not adequately reflect the development of the services marketing field in recent years. This article makes a case for a servives marketing audit, presents a framework for conducting such an audit, and discusses the lessons learned from a field test of the framework.     

Success-producer and failure-preventer marketing skills: A social learning theory interpretation

This study examines organizations that emphasize differing types of marketing skills. It is based on a national survey of Health Maintenance Organizations. The organizations are first classified into groups based on their distinctive marketing skill configurations. Six groups were identified. Next, differences between these organization types are examined with respect to organization strategy, characteristics of the chief marketing executive, organizational environment, and performance. These results suggest that more successful organizations develop particular constellations of marketing skills. The results generally appear consistent with a social learning theory perspective on marketing skill development.