Bettye B. Burkhalter

The evolution of a continuous quality improvement process in a university setting: a working model for consideration

This article describes how the Auburn University Economic Development Institute (EDI) designed, implemented and evaluated a continuous quality improvement process within a major university. In contrast to what many total quality management authorities advocate, this continuous quality improvement process was planned and initiated in one university-wide programme, not the total university. This case study reaffirmed findings and advice by numerous quality improvement authorities: do not circumvent the essential stages required to develop a systematic process. The first section of this article describes four essential stages, required to develop a quality improvement process within a traditional university environment: (1) preparing to initiate continuous quality improvement, (2) getting to know continuous quality improvement, (3) scheme for continuous improvement and (4) new initiatives and critical examination. The second section of the article discusses transformational leadership requirements which buil...

Auditing the Compensation Function for Race- and Sex-Based Salary Differences: Further Needed Refinements

Building on their previous research (reported in this journal), the authors determined that path analysis is a viable analytical tool that can help managers develop a legally defensible compensation program.

Mercury-Redstone: The first American man-rated space launch vehicle

Abstract This paper describes the development of the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle used by the U.S.A. in 1961 to project two manned spacecraft along suborbital ballistic trajectories. It shows that progress in ballistic missile technology dating from World War II contributed to the development of the Redstone missile, which itself was adapted for the Mercury spacecraft launch missions. Among other subjects, the proposal to use a modified Redstone as a manned launch vehicle in the proposed project Adam is recounted as is the role played by the Hermes C1. Particular attention is focused on the engineering adaptations and rigid reliability program of the Redstone missile to fulfill the requirements of launching man. The process of “man-rating” the Mercury-Redstone for this category of mission is explained. Also described are the design, development, and testing procedures developed for Mercury-Redstone. Key points in the design process and decisions made to insure mission success and astronaut safety are reviewed. Finally, the results of the flights of the Mercury Freedom 7 spacecraft piloted by Astronaut Alan B. Shepard on 6 May 1961 and the Mercury Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft piloted by Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom on 21 July 1961 are summarized.

Auditing the Compensation Function For Sex-Based Salary Differences: Some Needed Refinements

In using multiple-regression analysis to weed out any sex-based differences in the companys salary schedule, compensation managers must be alert to the factors that may skew the results.

Public school teachers in the U.S. evaluate the educational impact of student space experiments launched by expendable vehicles, aboard Skylab, and aboard Space Shuttle

Space education is a discipline that has evolved at an unprecedented rate over the past 25 years. Although program proceedings, research literature, and historical documentation have captured fragmented pieces of information about student space experiments, the field lacks a valid comprehensive study that measures the educational impact of sounding rockets, Skylab, Ariane, AMSAT, and Space Shuttle. The lack of this information is a problem for space educators worldwide which led to a national study with classroom teachers. Student flown experiments continue to offer a unique experiential approach to teach students thinking and reasoning skills that are imperative in the current international competitive environment in which they live and will work. Understanding the history as well as the current status and educational spin-offs of these experimental programs strengthens the teaching capacity of educators throughout the world to develop problem solving skills and various higher mental processes in the schools. These skills and processes enable students to use their knowledge more effectively and efficiently long after they leave the classroom. This paper focuses on student space experiments as a means of motivating students to meet this educational goal successfully.

An Experiential Career Exploration Program in Science and Technology.

Bettye B. Burkhalter is Special Assistant to the vice President for Research and Associate Professor, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL. James P. Curtis is Assistant Dean of the Bureau for Educational Services and Research and Professor; Anne Davis Toppins is Associate Professor ; and Mary Louise Mickler is Associate Professor, all of The University of Alabama, University, AL. Career education includes activities to help young people achieve a satisfactory place in society and a useful, productive work life (Scobey, 1976). Although the term career education first appeared in the popular vocabulary through the efforts of Marland (1971), he did not claim authorship for the basic ideas involved. Indeed, Drucker (1969) anticipated the career education movement in his book, The Age of Discontinuity.