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The present study attempted to replicate the findings of Kolb's research identifying two groups of mediators, which she labeled “Dealmakers” and “Orchestrators.” Seventy‐seven mediators were presented with a written dispute and asked to react the likelihood that they would use each of nine different mediation techniques. The techniques corresponded to Sheppard's taxonomy of Process Control, Content Control, and Motivational Control techniques. They also rated the perceived effectiveness of each of these three types of control with the dispute. Based upon their responses, the mediators were separated into groups using average‐link cluster analysis. The results suggested four clusters: Cluster 1 members corresponded to Kolb's “Dealmakers,” relying upon Process, Content, and Motivational Control techniques. Cluster 2 members did not correspond to either of Kolb's classifications, choosing to use Content and Motivational Control strategies. Cluster 3 members were similar to Kolb's “Orchestrators;” members of this cluster relied upon Process and Content Control techniques only. Cluster 4 members were reluctant to use any of the control strategies. These findings suggest a partial replication and extension of Kolb's initial work. Implications for future research are discussed.

This paper aims to identify and analyse the factors affecting the selection of effective cost control techniques in the UK construction industry and assess their importance. The study examines these key areas; the factors that have significant impacts on cost overruns, the most effective cost control techniques and the factors for selecting cost control techniques for a project.

The study relies on a mixed-method research approach; a qualitative exploration of the most effective cost control techniques and the factors affecting the selection of cost control techniques, followed by a questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews. Relative importance index (RII) is used for ranking the factors.

The budgeting technique is ranked first with-0.821RII, followed by cost forecasting-0.800RII and cashflow monitoring-00.733RII, as the most effective cost control techniques. On factors that influenced the choice of the techniques used, cost information/cost-related factors are ranked first with-0.611RII, followed by the size of the company-0.509RII and the effectiveness of the technique-0.572RII.

Although the scope of the study was limited to the UK construction industry, the results could be interpreted for critical learning in other developed/developing countries.

Identifying and ranking the factors affecting the selection of effective cost control techniques in the UK construction industry has been the focal point of this study. The study also proposes a simple but effective model which can be used for critical learning on mitigating cost overruns and the effective use of cost control techniques in the construction industry.

The purpose of this paper is to compare the implementation of short‐run (i.e., small lot‐size) statistical process control (SPC) techniques for manufacturing between the U.S. and Japan. Using U.S. and Japanese questionnaires, this research focuses on the use of several manufacturing management elements such as setup time, stability of process, and quality improvement. These elements are compared in terms of their respective countries’ short‐run SPC techniques implementation. Barriers to the implementation of short‐run SPC techniques are also examined. In addition, this research identifies current process control techniques used to support short‐run SPC in both countries. Results show how the significantly different short‐run SPC techniques are utilized in the U.S. and Japan.

The work described in this paper is part of a large study of the barriers to acceptance of production management techniques in UK manufacturing industry. The first part of this study is described, it:(i) establishes the use being made of proven traditional techniques of production management and operational research/statistical techiques by British production managers; and (ii) begins to investigate the barriers to acceptance of the techniques. The results reveal that in industry in the UK there is low usage of many of the techniques, particularly the highly quantitative techniques. The major barrier preventing usage of the techniques is lack of knowledge; training in production management has been found to be an extremely important factor in the usage of all the techniques examined.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and simulate the control techniques that can be used to control the on-board conductive battery chargers (OCBCs) for electric vehicles applications. This paper also provides a comparative study of these control techniques.

Battery chargers would play an important role in the development of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The control techniques of these OCBCs can significantly influence the BEV performance during the charging mode from the ac grid. In addition, the proper selection of control systems of the OCBCs has a great impact on the power quality of the AC grid during the charging period. Therefore, this paper presents the analysis of different control techniques that are commonly used to control the battery chargers. In addition, a comparative study of different control techniques of the OCBCs for BEVs is provided.

The results have demonstrated that it is possible to significantly improve the efficiency, power factor and total harmonic distortion by using proportional-integral control and proportional-resonant control. The digital control can be used to validate the selected control technique.

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the different control methods that can be used to control the OCBCs during charging mode from the ac grid. In addition, this paper presents a comparative analysis between these control methods. In this paper, a digital control based on TMS320F2808 DSP is used to implement the proper control method for OCBCs.

A systems perspective of waste management allows an integrated approach not only to the five basic functional elements of waste management itself (generation, reduction, collection, recycling, disposal), but to the problems arising at the interfaces with the management of energy, nature conservation, environmental protection, economic factors like unemployment and productivity, etc. This monograph separately describes present practices and the problems to be solved in each of the functional areas of waste management and at the important interfaces. Strategies for more efficient control are then proposed from a systems perspective. Systematic and objective means of solving problems become possible leading to optimal management and a positive contribution to economic development, not least through resource conservation. India is the particular context within which waste generation and management are discussed. In considering waste disposal techniques, special attention is given to sewage and radioactive wastes.

THE profession served by this journal lost an outstanding personality when Dr. Lillian Moller Gilbreth died at the age of 93 on January 2nd. As wife and business partner to her husband, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, she was one of the pioneers of motion study. It required rare courage for a shy and retiring person like herself to take over the responsibilities of her husband when he died suddenly in 1924. Yet within three days of that event, after a family conference about the future, she sailed for Europe to fulfil an engagement of her husband to speak at the First Congress of Scientific Management in Prague.

Discusses the selection of distribution control techniques for a manufacturer of exhaust systems. A method for this selection process is proposed and worked out for the case study company. Argues that selecting one control technique for a complete company is not advisable. Distribution control should be differentiated to clusters of products that have a similar set of product, process and market characteristics. Shows, furthermore, that the question as to whether central stock should be kept depends to a large extent on the production frequency. Also discusses selection of distribution control techniques and states that it is important to take account of the fact that an ABC classification of an item on a European level may differ from the classification of the item on country level. Finally, argues that the use of appropriate control techniques may significantly reduce handling costs.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential of cyber-testing techniques in assessing the effectiveness of cyber-security controls and obtaining audit evidence.

The paper starts with an identification of the applicable cyber-testing techniques and evaluates their applicability to generally accepted assurance schemes and cyber-security guidelines.

Cyber-testing techniques are providing insight in the effectiveness of the actual implementation of cyber-security controls, which may significantly deviate from the conceptual designs of these controls. Furthermore, cyber-testing techniques could provide concise input for cyber-risk management and improvement recommendations.

The presented cyber-testing techniques could complement traditional process-oriented assurance techniques with specialized technical analyses of real-world implementations that focus on the adversaries’ viewpoint.

RARELY can organization and methods techniques have received a bigger boost than has come to them through the publicity attending the latest issue of the O & M Bulletin. Some work study people are already aware of this publication; those who are not can easily become acquainted with it by sending a crossed cheque or postal order for twelve shillings to the editor. This covers a year's subscription and HM Stationery Office, in whose favour the remittance should be crossed, will attend to renewals.