Alan Arthurs

The judge, the model of the judge, and the model of the judged as judge: Analyses of the UK 1992 research assessment exercise data for business and management studies

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.

Personnel specialists’ advanced use of information technology Evidence and explanations

A national survey shows that personnel specialists are still failing to exploit fully the benefits of information technology (IT) in their own work. In seeking to explain this, looks at the IT skills and knowledge of personnel specialists and their attitudes towards the use of IT. While these provide part of the explanation for the under‐utilization of IT, argues that more important inhibitions derive from the professional values of personnel specialists and their political power within organizations.

Citation as effortful voting: A reply to ones, Brinn and Pendlebury

This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].

Grade inflation in the UK's 1996 research assessment exercise?

We examined the publishing of UK academics in the list of 20 prestigious business/management journals given by Doyle and Arthur (Omega, 1995, 23, 257-270). Comparisons were made between 1988-92 (RAE-92) and 1992-96 (RAE-96). We found that the UK increased its share of publications by about 20%. There were also 26% more staff in departments which were judged in RAE to be internationally excellent. Since these figures are in balance, at the top end of the RAE rating scale there is no evidence of grade inflation from RAE-92 to RAE-96. But because they are no better than in balance, Doyle and Arthurs argument, that the 1992 grades were already inflated, may still apply. Non-business schools in the UK also increased their share in these journals, though by only 9%. The UK seems to maintain niche positions in particular journals.

Managerial Trade Unionism

The development of trade unionism amongst managers poses a challenge to traditional conceptions of industrial relations. This paper discusses government policies towards managerial unionism and the justifications which have been put forward for restricting the trade union activity of managers. It argues that concern about managerial unionism is built upon three main assumptions: (a) managers will be faced with conflicting loyalties and placed in the impossible position of attempting to satisfy the contradictory demands of employer and union; (b) the unionisation of managers will lead to an unacceptable shift in the balance of power from employers towards trade unions; (c) the presence of managers will compromise the independence of trade unions. The conclusion is reached that the limitations which many governments place upon managerial unionism are based upon assumptions which, although not entirely without foundation, are generally incorrect.

Citation as effortful voting: A reply

This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].

Feedback sectionCitation as effortful voting: A reply to ones, Brinn and Pendlebury

This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].This note rehearses and develops the arguments of an earlier paper by Doyle and Arthurs [Omega, 23, 257–270 (1995)] in response to comments by Jones et al. [Omega 24, 597–602].