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Attempting to introduce a numerical sales forecasting system into a firm which has previously relied entirely on judgement and inspired guesswork invites problems. This article, by R A Lomas and D Bell, discusses the difficulties and the learning process that the firm must follow if a practicable system is to be established, used and relied upon.

Determines that factor analysis is a data reduction technique, which takes a number of different variables and tries to note any underlying relationships which may be present. Posits that the factor analysis technique was originally pioneered by a psychologist named Spearman to aid his understanding of human abilities, he postulated that a basic factor of intelligence underlies each person's ability to perform various skills. Adumbrates that the applications of factor analysis in marketing are in two main categories, to: attempt to understand behavioural processes by trying to identify and give descriptive definitions to underlying factors; reduce large groups of descriptive variables into a smaller but more manageable representative subset. Closes by giving a table, with sorted rotated factor loadings which are useful in naming factors, from the pharmaceutical industry. Concludes that factor analysis is useful when the researcher is primarily concerned with degree of association among variables.

Provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of work done in the field of industrial diffusion, adoption and communication. Suggests that work done in the diffusion of industrial markets is a slow process, and highlights the problems of conditional and causal‐factors in its examination. Presents a summary of those firms thought to be likely to be innovators.

Examines the processes of cluster analysis and describes them using an example of benefit segmentation, and also discusses other applications suggesting new directions of research in related fields. Bases an example study with 200 early respondents to a survey into sixth formers' choice of degree course, in which students were given 23 criteria which related to their course choice. Comparisons of likeness using Euclidean distance measures were employed. Uses also importance ratings given by three drivers to characteristics of new cars. Proposes that hierarchical clustering can be criticised when used to cluster data that is not naturally hierarchical, but other procedures have similar failings. Posits that clumping and optimisation in conjunction with hierarchical clustering offer the greater potential. Concludes that cluster analysis is a flexible tool, which provides a number of opportunities for marketing, and it is an appealing and simple idea ‐ but there are many technical questions that a researcher must ask before it is used.

LAST month we commented on a recent report, “Measurement of Productivity—Work Study Application and Training”, issued by the Joint Committee of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants and the Institute of Production Engineers. Since then we have had the opportunity of making a closer study of the Report and feel that some of the recommendations are of such importance that they are worthy of further comment.

INSUFFICIENT use is made of work study in industry. A more widespread application of work study depends on full recognition by management and on the efforts of properly trained work study engineers. Better facilities for training and a commonly accepted system of training leading to a recognised standard of competence are, therefore, essential.

Films Aid Machine Design. A Scottish firm of laundry engineers has perfected a system of film records as the basis on which machine design can be considered, and reports that the policy has been fully justified by results. Film records are made of a competent operator using a machine in her own manner using her own technique; this record is analysed and used as the basis of criticism from which to start building an improved unit. Slow‐motion projection allows time and motion analysis over a period of weeks when potential alterations in the technique and layout are considered.

Adopts a firm‐level approach and attempts to develop our understanding of the means through which different types of firm compete. Addresses specifically, a lacuna in existing knowledge by investigating a fundamental research question: “How do firms pursuing a prospector mode of market strategy differ from those pursuing a defender, analyzer or reactor strategy in terms of the product‐market positioning attributes they exhibit?“ Miles and Snow provide the basis for the assessment of strategy types, while “strategic market positioning” is characterised as the product‐market positions established by the firm. Conceptualises strategic market positioning as the ways in which firm‐specific resources and assets are deployed to build positional advantages in product‐markets. Presents analyses of data generated from high technology, medium and large, industrial manufacturing firms and discusses these results in the light of previous findings. Places particular emphasis on the distinguishing characteristics of prospector‐type firms. Identifies a number of potential research avenues from this study and discusses several implications for executives.

The purpose of the paper is to examine the monitoring of electrical energy consumption, measures adopted for reducing energy consumption, barriers to energy efficiency improvement and driving forces for energy efficiency improvement in three industrial clusters. It is intends to capture the managerial perspectives on energy saving practices and to identify the possible energy saving opportunities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Three industrial clusters were identified for the study. Research instrument based in-person survey was conducted in which the authors directly administered the questionnaire to all the 181 organisations. This was thought of to facilitate not so well-educated respondents. The survey took about six months in which 110 units responded. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and path analysis were used to draw inferences.

There is ample scope for energy savings in the studied clusters. Energy efficiency in many organisations has deteriorated. Their attitude to embrace new or modern technology is shunning. Management’s belief that prevailing technology is efficient, lack of skilled labour, lack of accessibility to updated or modern technology, and lack of compatibility of new technology are found to be the barriers to energy efficiency improvement. Benchmarking by appropriate governments and publicly financed energy auditing act as the driving forces.

The SMEs must use simple yet powerful energy auditing practices on regular basis to reduce energy consumption. This will not only result in lesser energy costs but also lessen the burden on environment. As these are predominantly small enterprises, appropriate governments interventions are essential to bring the desired change.

The results of a pilot project between the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College, Dublin, and the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) demonstrate that collaboration between professionals, students and parents can enable those of social disadvantage with significant behavioural problems participate better in school. This chapter describes the development of this service for students in two disadvantaged second-level schools, the processes of identifying need, interventions delivered and the collaborative workings of the partnership. The broad view of the Person–Environment–Occupation (Law et al., 1996) and a client-centred approach (Law & Mills, 1998) guided the intervention. An understanding of the social and situational influences in the school and classroom as experienced by each student was sought, as was the impact of possible sensory processing and attention difficulties on satisfactory participation in school. Students were perceived as having individual social and self-management learning needs and each class group and school was acknowledged as a unique culture. Engagement in fun-focused group processes supported the experience of inter-subjectivity and peer group learning was actively fostered. Thus, social action and co-construction of shared learning brought students to better connect with themselves and each other resulting in better engagement in school. However, each school staff and management team had its own culture and metaphor for explaining their students’ behaviours. This influenced their response to the occupational therapy perspective applied in this project. Following on from the success of this project, it is recommended that the collaborative approach between student, parents, teachers and therapist should be further developed in schools to benefit those with complex challenging behaviours. A national agency such as the NBSS is central to delivering this collaboration and partnership.