Harvey Kahalas

A Human Resource Planning and Valuation Model

The article presents a study which developed a model that can be applied in the areas of manpower planning and human resource valuation. Background information on the human resource valuation model...

Decision-making in the public sector- a logical model

Abstract The decision making process consists of three basic elements. These factors are goals and standards, personality, and environment. Given these three concepts, the decision maker in the public sector follows identifiable processes. Some of these processes are more valuable and yield better results than others. This work is an attempt to discuss this process after an overview of the subject and to identify a model which will facilitate the decision making procedure.

Water rights, conservation and recreation planning

Abstract Decision making for administrative planning is a particularly important factor. Additionally, water resource management is a major problem for public agencies. Therefore, a case study was developed on the Illinois water rights laws, their implications for planning, and the need to use a total system approach to water resource planning to prevent a massive chaotic situation. Many of the problems created in Illinois because of the lack of a coordinated approach to water rights laws and planning were identified, and suggestions were made to alleviate the situation. While the article relates to a specific environment and a particular set of laws, it raises questions which will be pertinent to water resource planners in many other locations.

Planning—Satisfaction and productivity

Abstract The areas of worker satisfaction and productivity have been of continual importance to managers of all types of organizations. Unfortunately, the analysis of these topics have usually been done in a segmented manner. This article attempts to develop a total conceptual scheme for planning to increase worker satisfaction and employee productivity. Both internal work and external environmental components are included in the models which examine social psychological, physical, and environmental components of the workers life in a total systems approach.

A look at major planning methods: Development, implementation, strengths and limitations

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to prepare an overview of planning as it is carried out in an organizational setting. The format utilized will be to examine the planning process in the context of three of the most popular planning models; management by objectives (MBO), program evaluation and review technique (PERT), and planning— programming—budgeting system (PPBS). Each of these models will be discussed in terms of the reasons for its development, the mechanics of implementing the model, the strengths of the model, and its basic limitations.

An environmental decision model for dynamic planning

Abstract In the complex, rapidly changing environment facing the modern business enterprise, it has become increasingly difficult to make meaningful predictions concerning future activities. As such, it is especially important for the decision maker to seek means of gathering and evaluating information. Due to the immense amounts of subjective data, the need arises for the development of valid techniques for identifying and quantifying relevant information. Writers in the area of organization theory have emphasized the importance of the relationship between and organization and processes occurring within its environment to the extent that these environmental processes and their impact are considered vital to the ultimate survival of the firm. The Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) is an analytical process upon which simulation models can be developed to examine the effect of more sophisticated information processing. The GERT technique serves as an input to decision making and for purposes of analysis will be studied under conditions of the disturbed reactive environment. The essential method upon which this study is based is the development of a model designed to capture the characteristics of the environment. The model in turn is tested under various conditions and changing sets of information to arrive at some idea of the possible implications for decision making under a situation affected by more and different information usage.

A manpower planning model for organizational effectiveness

Abstract In this article the author argues that micro-manpower planning is finally beginning to emerge as a process for helping individuals and firms to play an active role in developing integrated approaches and facilitating interrelationships within an organization. Additionally, that it is in a unique position where it can relate many of the foundations formulated by many segments of organizational theory and mathematical modeling into a cohesive and practical application format for practicing administrators. Naturally, the developed Markovian model is a stable process and assumes stable probabilities of movement with the system. Additionally, it assumes that movements between the states are dependent solely upon the previous state of location which is usually false in a business organization where movement is also dependent upon length of time in state, previous states occupied, and personal variables. But, the Markovian process can be viewed as a relevant modeling technique even with these constraints. These factors are combined to examine and discuss the organizations effectiveness and its bargaining position in terms of manpower resources. Additionally, policy decisions which would be made based upon the interrelationships of the personnel and industrial relations departments and the firms technical core are discussed.

Planning for research and development— the impact on society

Abstract This work upon which this article is based has been designed to identify only the most significant facets of future research and development (R & D) and planning in terms of their potential impact on the economic aspect of society. In order to see the impact in the United States, some contrasts have been drawn against the current and future R & D activities of other countries. In looking for overt directions in environmental developments, it is impossible to escape the realization that no other activity has the potential to affect the lives of all men to the extent of science and technology. Hopefully, by dealing briefly with many facets of R & D, the great scope of this activity may become more evident. The first part of this article provides the background against which future trends in R & D are examined. Next, separate considerations of the impact that R & D has on the economic elements of the environment are examined. These discussions form the basis for the hypothesis that R & D planning and decision making must not only consider the organizational viewpoint, but also must consider the environment. In this light, a hypothetical R & D planning model is presented in the last section which attempts to direct the selection of the ends in R & D planning toward some socially responsible goal.

The Business-Education Interface: A Problem of Competing Social Values?

Harvey Kahalas is Assistant Professor of Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Massachusetts and has published extensively in the areas of business and society, education, and manpower. The educational system of any society may be viewed in terms of its impact upon the development and maintenance of a culture. Additionally, it may be viewed as the subsystem of the society which must, and can, provide the population with the information needed to deal with a rapidly changing world. In either case, the educational factor of any society plays an important developmental role. _