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When using data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a benchmarking technique for nursing homes, it is essential to include measures of the quality of care. We survey applications where quality has been incorporated into DEA models and consider the concerns that arise when the results show that quality measures have been effectively ignored. Three modeling techniques are identified that address these concerns. Each of these techniques requires some input from management as to the proper emphasis to be placed on the quality aspect of performance. We report the results of a case study in which we apply these techniques to a DEA model of nursing home performance. We examine in depth not only the resulting efficiency scores, but also the benchmark sets and the weights given to the input and output measures. We find that two of the techniques are effective in insuring that DEA results discriminate between high and low quality performance.

Based on the decision-making process that actually happens in most organizations, a management support system (MSS) or an integrated decision support systems (DSS) is defined as a network of subsystem interfaces, as opposed to management information system (MIS) being a network of information flows. Three modes for subsystem interfaces are discussed. To help the operationalization of the (computerized) support system, we also propose a design architecture which consists of the continuum of conceptual constructs, operational constructs and implementational constructs.

This paper explores a number of different theoretical positions concerned with the methodology, philosophy, process and practice of OR. These are presented in order to air some of the debates relevant to the theory of (or the role of theory in) OR, but not to provide any definitive resolution to the debates. In part, and in particular in terms of the style in which it is written, the paper is a response to Burrell's 1989 call for postmodernizing OR. The concluding section explores these links.

Experience with small group production systems has shown that mere change of layout and introduction of groups on the shop floor do not achieve the main objectives and possible advantages of groups, unless they are accompanied by certain changes in supporting services. Probably the most important changes are those required in production control. It is absolutely vital that the requirements and characteristics of the manufacturing system are taken into account when designing the production control system and vice versa. This paper outlines the problems and important factors affecting production control in a Group Technology (GT) environment, together with case studies which describe the operation of production planning and control systems used in two different organisations.

A relative value of a management information system (MIS) is defined in this paper by a ratio u1/u0, where u0 is a value of a utility function of an enterprise whose management information system is perfect, and u1 is its value when it is not perfect and may produce inaccurate or out-of-date data among correct information. Our simulation model contains beuristics which describe the operational and strategic information system of an enterprise. The environment of the enterprise may be stable or dynamic. A mathematical formula, based on simulations, is developed. This formula describes how the relative value of an MIS depends on such factors as the accuracy of an operational information system, delays in information flow, the quality of a strategic information system, a reinvestment ratio used in the enterprise, and a number of investment periods. This formula has been found suitable in an enterprise with a strategically stable environment, but not with a turbulent environment.

The paper describes the aims and applications of energy analysis, emphasising its role as a complement to conventional financial analysis. It is shown to provide useful insights in applications such as forecasting price rises due to a fuel price rise, calculating the net costs of fuel obtained from unconventional sources, forecasting energy demand and evaluating energy conservation schemes. Although the field is still young, and most activity is in compiling reliable data bases, its systems approach and methods promise to make it a useful tool for evaluating patterns of resource uses.

The economic evaluation of Management Information Systems may be based on the following theories and techniques: Control Theory, System Dynamics, (discrete-event) simulation, and gaming. Applications of these approaches are summarized. Advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches are presented.

The value that is placed on information by managers, who are the users of information systems, is an important construct in all aspects of systems design, development and evaluation. This study uses a multidimensional attribute approach to assess the value of information and reports on tests of hypotheses related to differences that have been assumed to exist among managers in various functional areas and at various hierarchical levels in a business firm. The results generally fail to confirm the existence of such differences.

A variety of approaches to the design and use of on-line group decision support systems have been described and tested. This paper describes an on-line system to aid groups to identify rapidly and then explore their differences of opinion in debate in order to reach decisions. The approach involves a specially designed group decision support system, called TEAMWORKER. Case-studies describing uses of the system in varied contexts are presented. The experiences of these applications are linked with existing theoretically orientated literature from a number of associated fields in order to construct a process framework as a guide to users of this type of approach.

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for discussion and examination of the functions of work. The evolution of work is explored briefly, and the functions of work discussed under five main headings; income, regulating of life activity, identification, association and meaningful life experience. Some of the major literature relating to each area is reviewed in an effort to provide a further understanding of this complex area.

Existing world models are criticized for the omission of feedback effects. Modifications to existing models are considered implausible, and a very simple structure representing the system by stocks and flows of energy is proposed. The planning implications of such simple models are explored in terms of risk evaluation. The analysis of a possible risk situation yields a dimensionless quantity relating capital investment, depletion rate, investment fraction and efficiency. This quantity is shown to be critical in determining the existence of discontinuities in the growth curve, independent of the desired level of growth.

This article discusses a number of common interpretations of ‘implementation’ in the literature, and how these have been confused. Various different levels of implementation are then discussed, including the concept of model effectiveness. This is concerned with both the operational effectiveness of the model, as shown by a tangible improvement in the system modelled, and the personal effectiveness in helping users learn more about the system itself. Research is then described to explore various aspects of model usage and effectiveness. The research took place in the context of a business game used by a large number of practising managers. An unusual feature of the game was the fact that participants were offered the use of a number of models to aid their decisions. The usage of the models, and their effects, were measured objectively. Results showed that models were used extensively, and their effects were advantageous in a number of ways. The implications of this work are discussed.

This article describes the EC-EFOM 12C model in general and refers where possible to existing documentation. It also reports on the first completed experimental case study and on planned future analysis. This model was developed in one of the research programs undertaken by the European Commission aimed primarily at multinational studies. Data are obtained from research carried out by an interactive network of national implementation teams working with a central group at the Commission. The energy system used is an oriented network carrying the primary energy over intermediate stages till finally meeting consumers' demand. The numerical information, constituting the attributes that characterise the various energy transformation processes, is stored in the European energy data base. About 225 transformation processes distributed over 17 subsystems characterised for six time periods up till 2020 for all EC countries are involved. The management of the data base is performed by an interactive software and this data base is designed for use in simulation studies and for linear programming optimisation with various objective functions. The model has been used in a parallel case study to explore substitution possibilities between an investment policy reducing the primary energy imports and one where these investments are restrained at the cost of having to import more primary energy. Results are shown and briefly discussed. Finally the relationship of this EFOM 12C model with the other EC models developed in the same research subprogram is outlined.

Environmental issues have become critical concerns of businesses in recent years. The Singapore Environment Ministry is urging organizations to consider adopting the ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards. The main purpose of this study was to investigate and identify a number of variables which would be able to predict the motivation of organizations in adopting the ISO 14000 Standards. Through extensive literature search eight possible predictive variables/factors (cost savings, top management concern, employee welfare, meeting environmental regulations, meeting customer expectations, concern over trade barriers, following head office environmental practices, and gaining competitive advantages) were identified. In total, 300 pre-tested survey questionnaires were mailed out to companies from the Electronic and Chemical industries in Singapore. A response rate of about 20% was obtained. The survey instrument was tested for reliability and validity. Using stepwise discriminant analysis, a predictive discriminant function was developed. Only four out of the originally identified eight variables were included in the model. Possible benefits of such a model for Singapore and other industrializing countries are highlighted.

The historical patterns of the entry and exit of makes in the automobile industries of France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States are examined. The findings, covering over 3000 makes of passenger vehicle, show great similarities in these patterns, despite the substantial inter-country differences in market size, economic conditions and institutional arrangements. The results justify the conclusion that the evolution of basic technologies, as described in a number of theoretical and empirical studies, is the most important force in shaping the long-term development of industries and markets.

The paper investigates excesses and deficits in Chinese industrial productivity for the years (1953–1990), by combining data envelopment analysis (DEA) with other management science approaches. Improvement factors are examined with the incorporation of a priori information through Delphi, AHP and assurance region (AR) techniques. Various multiple input and multiple output sets are selected to study overall performance, industrial development, and product-related efficiency of Chinese industry. The application also identifies factors that affect the productivity of China’s industry in a positive or negative way, i.e., simultaneously identifies both excesses and deficits. Furthermore, the impact of economic reforms and five-year plans is discussed. The current study demonstrates that DEA can be combined with other methods to yield more valid results, insights and recommendations such as: (1) Chinese industrial productivity increased as a result of the five-year plans; (2) the economic reforms changed the behaviour of the enterprises; (3) efficient and effective targets within the industrial development plans can be set, and corrections and revisions can be made; and (4) enterprises should be given more decision-making autonomy in production as well as investment.

The subject considered in this paper is the building of an econometric model of the demand for alcoholic beverages in Finland. The aim is to develop a model which satisfies various theoretical, statistical and prognostic criteria and which is easy to interpret. Comparisons are made with the models made for the UK by McGuinness, Walsh and Duffy and attention is drawn to their shortcomings. The final model is a semilogarithmic model in a difference form which has good prognostic properties.

Changes in the occupational structure could arise from different rates of output, and hence employment, growth in sectors of engineering or from changes in the occupational mix of the sectors. Almost all the change arises from the latter and, more importantly, the rate of change is not constant. Changes in the sector occupational mix will follow from investment and an understanding of this relationship is crucial to progress in manpower demand forecasting.

This paper is concerned with the financial objectives of mergers and acquisitions and the way in which considerations in the merger transaction, such as the price paid and the method of payment used, may affect such objectives subsequent to the merger. The analysis is based on a sample of 65 mergers during the years 1968-70 inclusive [2].

Fossil fuels are an important source of energy for Ontario Hydro and purchases exceed $100 million per year. This paper describes a computer simulation of the inventory situation over an eight-year period, which is being used to assess the relationship between order flexibility and the target carry-over stocks at the beginning of each shipping season. A simple way of presenting the results for management evaluation is illustrated. Variations of the model are used to assess random influences, such as strikes, and to determine the economic balance between holding costs and stock-outs.

The paper proposes a framework to map the development of management science (MS) and uses it to survey the MS literature published in Omega, the International Journal of Management Science. The management science discourse over the last 35 years is mapped in four paradigms: (1) optimisation/normative; (2) interpretative/learning; (3) critical; and (4) a post-modern management science approach. Using a set of keywords and authors' names associated with the main features of each MS discourse, articles published between 1973 and 2008 are grouped. Results seem to suggest that Omega, a US-based journal, has been mainly developing publications under the optimisation paradigm; only very few papers adhering to the interpretative/learning and critical paradigms have been given space in Omega. The handful of papers from the interpretative paradigm are seen as attempts of UK-based academics to open some space for 'soft' operational research (OR) or 'problem structuring methods' in a positivistic outlook that seems to pervade US management science practice. Results of the survey and features of MS literature published in Omega are discussed. The paper aims to raise awareness amongst management scientist, systems and operational researchers of the differences between the MS/OR practice in both countries.

This article briefly surveys the changes in taxation and capital investment allowances introduced in the 1984 Finance Act and discusses their likely impact on the role of investment and also the practical problems faced by investment decision-makers during the transition period. The authors present an investment appraisal model supported by a computer programme, designed to evaluate projects under a régime of varying tax rates and capital allowances. The model is applied to a 'standard project' to demonstrate the impact of the recent taxation changes on the profitability of investment in plant and machinery. Generally, the impact is to reduce the post-tax profitability of such investment save for exceptionally attractive ventures.

This paper examines the judgments (part of a multi-million pound government-sponsored resource allocation exercise) made by a panel of experts about the research rating of UK business schools during 1988–1992. We use policy capture to determine, and critically evaluate, how business schools were judged. We suggest methods to improve the process of judgment-principally, using DEA as an idealized model whereby the judged institutions judge themselves, consistent with policy constraints.