Israel Borovits

Commonalities in motivating environments for programmer/analysts in Austria, Israel, Singapore, and the U.S.A.

Abstract A comparison was made of perceptions of programmer/analysts on factors relating to motivation and goal setting/feedback in Austria, Israel, Singapore, and the United States of America. The JDS/DP, a modification of the Job Diagnostic Survey instrument, was used to collect data in these locations. The results indicated significant commonalities in the four populations. Not only were individual characteristics of growth need and social-need similar, but their perception of job-related variables were also quite similar. With this information, I.S. managers in the four countries can use proven universal techniques, such as job characteristics theory, for improving motivation of programmer/analysts.

Group processes and the development of information systems: a social psychological perspective

Abstract This article discusses the influence of intra-group processes on the development of information systems. Two alternative models of the Trinity Concept were compared in terms of the influence of communication patterns and group working procedures on productivity and intra-group relations. The first model has been characterized by individual work and circular communication, and the second by collaborative group work and multi-directional communication. Predictions are been made in favour of the latter over the former.

Cost/utilization: a measure of system performance

A method is presented for evaluating computer system performance in terms of a cost/utilization factor and a measure of imbalance. These coefficients indicate the extent to which the total system cost is effectively utilized. The method includes a technique for the visual representation of system performance.

Two issues in the evaluation of job-shop schedules

Two issues are examined concerning the evaluation of job-shop schedules. First, machine and labor cost/utilization are suggested as alternatives to physical utilization criteria. Secondly, an exploration is made of the use of Kiviat Charts as a means of integrating multidimensional criteria for the overall evaluation of the quality of job shop schedules.

Evaluating cost/utilization of organizations' information systems and users

Abstract The cost/utilization evaluation model of Borovits and Ein-Dor [6] is extended to include the users of the information system, thus enabling all overall organizational viewpoint of cost/utilization. The utilization evaluation process is segmented vertically and horizontally: three levels of utilization evaluation are defined vertically — the computer system, the information system, and the organization — and three major components of the information system are recognized horizontally — hardware, software, and users. The users are further subdivided into “peopleware” and endusers. Adopting this segmentation allows the use of numerical indices and graphical representations that make it easy to identify insufficient use of resources, bottlenecks, and suboptimized resource sharing from an overall organizational viewpoint.

Selecting a job mix for running a benchmark by using an integer programming model

Abstract A brief review of computer selection methods indicates that benchmark testing is the most common technique for computer selection. A model for selecting a set of programs comprising a benchmark is then constructed step-by-step up to a “basic model”. The “basic” model is altered and expanded up to a “global” model. The paper summarizes advantages of the model and cites some experimental results.

Airline Management Information System at Arikia Israeli Airlines

This paper presents an approach to developing and implementing a management information system for small airlines. The system presented is a new, comprehensive, real-time sales support and reservation system based on stateof-the-art computer technology, advanced concepts in software design, and practical experience in the travel industry. The system represents a departure from the philosophy underlying most existing airline reservation systems. It is an important strategic asset and a valuable weapon in an increasingly competitive market.

Computer-family selection methodology for organizational information systems

Abstract Many organizations with computerized information systems have to contend with the problem of selecting the computer system that best fits their needs. This paper addresses the subject, and focuses upon a specific aspect of the problem: the selection of a computer-family for the entire organization. The practice of selection is briefly described and the term “computer-family” defined. A structured methodology and the process associated with it are then developed and discussed. The outlined methodology is then validated through a detailed description of its implementation in a large organization.

International comparison of industrial structures using input—output analysis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of comparing the industrial structures of different nations to learn if the relatively less successful economies might benefit by attempting to emulate the more successful. If the industrial structure of the wealthier nations or the nations whose economies were growing more rapidly, display certain patterns, then they might serve as models for the other nations. For reasons to be made clear, Input—Output Analysis was selected as the basic analytical tool for comparing industrial structures. † To the extent that I/O matrices of the more economically successful nations (as indicated for example by their Gross National Products, or GNP per capita, or rate of growth in these) revealed consistent patterns, then the use of these nations as models would be strongly suggestive. More narrowly, it might prove that the only nations with certain characteristics, as natural resource endowments, showed consistency in industrial structures. That too, would serve as aid in planning for the less successful economies, depending on their own particular characteristics. Indeed, what is unique in the present study is the large number of nations investigated, thus allowing for the type of comparisons just discussed.