Suleiman K. Kassicieh

Training, performance evaluation, rewards, and TQM implementation success

Abstract TQM has met with very mixed reviews from organizations that have attempted to understand and to implement this strategy for organizational improvement. Succesful implementation of TQM requires that all critical factors for success be addressed effectively. Several factors are thought to be crucial to the success of TQM. Among these factors are training in support of the transition to TQM, performance evaluation process and content aligned witht the nature of a TQM organization, and rewards for quality improvements. This paper examines the effects of training, performance evaluation, and rewards on TQM implementation success. TQM implementation success was measured by cost reduction, profit increases and higher morale. A survey of 111 New Mexico service and manufacturing firms is utilized to study the effects of TQM training, performance evaluation, and rewards on TQM implementation success. The results of this survey are analyzed through factor analysis and regression analysis. The results are discussed and integrated with the literature on training, performance evaluation, and TQM.

Strategic alliances as a source of early-stage seed capital in new technology-based firms

Abstract A significant gap exists in early-stage seed capital for technology-based new ventures. This article reports the results of a survey of embryonic firms in the southwestern United States that received significant amounts of their initial capital from strategic partners. Through this survey of firms, we have examined various characteristics of the partnerships. The firms were identified through extensive research of multiple sources (at least 30) such as universities, federal laboratories, state and local economic development agencies, incubator centers, technology parks, venture capital funds, NASA Regional Technology Transfer Centers, corporate alliance partners, entrepreneurial networking organizations and by word-of-mouth from other entrepreneurs. Our empirical research findings identified the following key issues as salient to small-firm/large-firm, technology-driven strategic alliances formed for seed capital investment purposes: (a) Processes of strategic alliance formation; (b) Benefits accruing from strategic alliance formation; (c) Alternative market roles to forming a strategic alliance; (d) Governance processes of strategic alliances; (e) Alternative sources of funding to forming a strategic alliance; (f) Critical success/failure factors in strategic alliance formation.

Investment decisions using genetic algorithms

We examine the performance of genetic algorithms as a method for deciding on a strategy to invest in different financial instruments. We discuss the literature, pointing out the different methods for making investment decisions. We then describe genetic algorithms, linking them to the procedure used in this study. We then report on the results obtained in our experiments.

Strategic challenges and proposed responses to competitiveness through public sector technology

An important priority of contemporary public policy is to strengthen U. S. industrial competitiveness through the transfer and commercialization of public-sector technology. However, the evolving collaboration between federal technology sources and private organizations presents critical strategic challenges. To avoid disappointment, it is imperative that all parties (federal agencies, contractors, and laboratories as well as potential private partners) understand the scope and complexity of these challenges, and that each partner know the constraints, resources, methods, and culture of the other.

Proposed design of a DSS for the justification of advanced manufacturing technologies

The design of a decision support system (DSS) that helps the strategic planner evaluate the effect of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) on the performance of an organization and determine the parameters which affect the costs and benefits of such a system is introduced. The DSS involves analysis and quantification of costs and benefits through the use of interacting accounting, simulation, and optimization modules. It enables the decision maker to perform sensitivity analyses by allowing consideration of various scenarios and different levels of various inputs. In this DSS, the decision maker is able to combine either traditional accounting techniques or activity-based costing with simulation and optimization in order to arrive at a decision as to the level of investment to make in an AMT system. >

Decision support systems in academic planning: important considerations and issues

Abstract Academic planning is becoming a very complex problem due to a variety of changes that have impacted the availability of funds for education. Some of these changes such as demographic shifts, social pressures and technological advances are external to the academic institution affected. These factors make planning increasingly important. This paper describes the use of technologically available tools to combat the problems faced in the planning activities at universities. It proposes the use of mathematical models and forecasting techniques to predict and therefore plan for change with enough leadtime so as to make these changes effective. This paper describes how administrators can allocate limited resources to where they are most effective. A model-based decision support system which is used by the decision-maker in planning and responding quickly to changes is presented. The system includes a number of alternative quantitative techniques that vary in complexity to suit the decision-makers needs of forecasting change before it happens so as to plan for it. The changes insure the requisite quality of graduates. The system also identifies popular software packages referred to as spreadsheets to evaluate “what if” scenarios of budgets and enrollments.

Design and implementation of a decision support system for academic scheduling

The task of scheduling, especially when it affects the performance of people, is a very complex endeavor. Satisfying a variety of needs and requirements while maintaining standards for efficiency and effectiveness is difficult due to political pressures exerted by those who are scheduled. The assignment of courses to professors, timeblocks, and classrooms impacts strategic planning issues such as the need for new buildings, expansion of course offerings and admission policies. This paper describes an interactive computer system made of three interrelated subsystems: the database which stores the course, professor, and classroom information; the modeling subsystem which includes all of the mathematical models used to produce the schedules, and the dialog subsystem which is designed to allow the user to change the database, execute the models to change assignments at any time, and input priorities or other subjective inputs to produce schedules. This paper also describes analysis, design, and implementation issues that arose during the creation of a Decision Support System (DSS) to aid administrators in course scheduling activities. The constraining effects of the political environment upon decision-making and DSSs are treated through the discussion of policies and their effect on DSS design. Examples from the Spring 1985 schedule of the Anderson Schools are used to expound on the issues.

Data transformation methods for genetic-algorithm-based investment decisions

In an earlier work, we examined the performance of genetic algorithms as a method for determining a strategy to invest in different financial instruments every month (S.K. Kassicieh et al., 1997). The inputs in the earlier work were differenced time series of 10 economic indicators where the genetic algorithm used the best three of these series to make the timing (or equivalently switching) decision. We use the same genetic algorithm with different data transformation methods applied to economic data series. These methods are the singular value decomposition (SVD) and principal component artificial neural network (PCANN) with 3, 4, 5 and 10 nodes. We report the result of a large number of runs to determine which of these methods works best. We find that the non standardized SVD of economic data yields the highest terminal wealth for the time period examined. The terminal accumulation is 78.75% of the dollar accumulation given by a perfect timing strategy.

Decision support flexible manufacturing systems

The justification of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) is a topic that has gained a lot of attention due to the strategic effect it has on the competitive stature of industrial firms. The decision to convert to FMS should follow a pattern of feasibility assessments, cost/benefit analysis where consideration of issues such as increased quality, productivity and capability as well as tangible benefits takes place. Difficulties, however, arise in the modeling of the behavior of the proposed FMS. This paper introduces the design of a decision support framework that aids the strategic planner in simulating the performance of proposed FMS and in determining the parameters that affect the costs and benefits, tangible and intangible, of such a system. The decision support system (DSS) allows the user to use subjective evaluations of benefits accruing from intangible considerations of new product design, faster turnaround on design-to-market cycles and new marketing strategies in fragmented markets. The DSS enhances the examination of issues such as changing demand, varied tasks and routings, job and machine flexibility, etc. which affect costs and benefits. It performs these important functions by allowing for the development of scenarios that aid in the evaluation of the effect of the conversion from non-flexible to flexible manufacturing on the organizations financial position.

Strategic alliances as a source of early-stage seed capital in technology-based, entrepreneurial firms

A significant gap exists in early stage seed capital for technology based new ventures. The article reports the results of a survey of embryonic firms which received significant amounts of their initial capital from strategic partners. High levels of satisfaction with the alliance were reported by the capital recipients and the alliances tended to evolve into long term relationships. The prescriptions from the normative literature on alliance formation and operation appear mostly valid in the experiences of the surveyed firms.