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Article
Publication date: 1 June 1997

James L. Price

Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to…

15915

Abstract

Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to improve measurement in the study of work organizations and to facilitate the teaching of introductory courses in this subject. Focuses solely on work organizations, that is, social systems in which members work for money. Defines measurement and distinguishes four levels: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. Selects specific measures on the basis of quality, diversity, simplicity and availability and evaluates each measure for its validity and reliability. Employs a set of 38 concepts ‐ ranging from “absenteeism” to “turnover” as the handbook’s frame of reference. Concludes by reviewing organizational measurement over the past 30 years and recommending future measurement reseach.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 18 no. 4/5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 19 July 2014

Laura Berardi and Michele A. Rea

There are different types of non-profit organisations (NPOs) characterised by the different extents of their volunteer management practices. In addition, the use of volunteer work

Abstract

Background and Purpose

There are different types of non-profit organisations (NPOs) characterised by the different extents of their volunteer management practices. In addition, the use of volunteer work measurement tools is infrequent among these organisations, especially in contexts where NPOs face no obligations or standard practices in this area, such as in Italy. The literature has stated that volunteer programmes and activities are effective if a NPO is highly structured and employs good volunteer management practices and that the measurement of volunteer work may increase the effectiveness of such programmes; this is frequent, for instance, in US NPOs. However, what would occur if a NPO introduces the measurement of volunteer work in a context where volunteer management is not highly structured, such as in Italy?

Design/Methodology/Approach

To study this topic, we adopt the quasi-experimental approach to examine six Italian voluntary organisations (VOs) based in Abruzzo. The treatment consists of the gradual introduction of volunteer work measurement tools to the managers and volunteers who work for the selected organisations, as well as the observation of the early impact of this treatment on the effectiveness of volunteer programmes and activities. This paper aims to discuss the issue of the implementation of measurement tools for effectively managing volunteer services in two different contexts: Italian and US NPOs.

Findings and Implication

Our findings have practical implications, especially with regard to the management of relatively unstructured volunteer organisations that would like to introduce new tools of measurement but do not have the necessary skills to do so. We also wish to show in this work how some organisations are implementing these tools and highlight the initial effects produced by this implementation process.

Originality/Value

This study is innovative, particularly for contexts in which there are no obligations and customs with regard to the measurement of volunteer work.

Details

Mechanisms, Roles and Consequences of Governance: Emerging Issues
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78350-706-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1995

Anna Baines

In these days of total quality management, business processre‐engineering, etc. it is easy to forget tried and tested approaches toproductivity and performance measurement and…

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Abstract

In these days of total quality management, business process re‐engineering, etc. it is easy to forget tried and tested approaches to productivity and performance measurement and improvement. Work measurement, for example, has been around for many years but still can be extremely effective in informing us of the working times, and delays, inherent in different ways of carrying out work.

Details

Work Study, vol. 44 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 January 2014

Avital Bechar and Moshe Eben-Chaime

Labor is the largest single cost contributor in agriculture. Accurate estimation of labor requirements is, thus, a key to cost reduction. Work measurement is the professional…

Abstract

Purpose

Labor is the largest single cost contributor in agriculture. Accurate estimation of labor requirements is, thus, a key to cost reduction. Work measurement is the professional discipline for this type of estimations, in the industrial engineering domain. Horticulture, however, lays a substantial barrier to work and, thus, to work measurement. Till harvesting, its products – fruits/flowers, are in fixed positions, and for all tasks the workers have to arrive at the plant. The purpose of this paper is to develop, test and analyze a system to perform horticultural work study in agricultural environments in order to accurately estimate the required amount of labor for each activity and to improve productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the development of an advanced system for work study on a hand-held computer (HHC) platform for horticultural work measurement is presented and an experimental study was conducted. The methodology consists of characteristics of the system platform including hardware, interface and software, development of a dedicated measuring software, a controlled experiment in agricultural environment and a statistical analysis.

Findings

The study shows that a single surveyor who uses traditional tools is subject to measurement errors, which can be reduced only with the assistance of a second surveyor. The study further shows that the HHC platform enables to avoid this second surveyor – a single surveyor who uses the HHC platform performs as accurate as two surveyors who use traditional tools. Of course, being computers, the HHC platform maintains the advantage of error free data transfer, in practically negligible time.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique approach to perform work study in agricultural environment and contributes to minimize the errors accumulated in the process and the manpower required to perform the measurements.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 63 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1973

RARELY has its sense of timing and pragmatic approach to current problems been better employed by the Industrial Society than in organizing a two‐day conference within four days…

Abstract

RARELY has its sense of timing and pragmatic approach to current problems been better employed by the Industrial Society than in organizing a two‐day conference within four days of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community. The aim behind ‘Into Europe—People at Work’ was badly needed. No major policy has been so bedevilled by confusion and uncertainty as our entry, greeted with a fanfare by some and lamented by a dirge from others.

Details

Work Study, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2019

Pedro Jácome de Moura Jr and Carlo Gabriel Porto Bellini

The purpose of this paper is to review three decades of the literature on flow measurement and propose issues to advance research on the measurement of social flow at work.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review three decades of the literature on flow measurement and propose issues to advance research on the measurement of social flow at work.

Design/methodology/approach

In a systematic literature review, the authors analyzed 143 articles published in the first three decades (1983–2013) of scholarly publications on flow measurement, of which 84 articles used scales to measure flow and 16 articles used scales to measure flow at work.

Findings

The main findings are: flow is frequently measured in association with other constructs or by means of proxies; flow measurement is highly dependent on a study’s purposes and context; flow is mostly studied at the level of the individual and, when studied beyond the individual, the measurement of flow in groups is simplified as an aggregation of individual-level measures; and social flow at work is an underresearched construct that nevertheless impacts organizations in important ways, thus deserving a specific research agenda.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation refers to the databases included in the review. There is always the possibility that important works were ignored. Another limitation is that the coding procedure was highly dependent on the authors’ discretion, as it did not include independent coding and formal assessment of agreement among coders. But the greatest limitation may refer to our very perspectives on flow, flow measurement and social flow at work, as they are highly attached to current models instead of seeing the issues with different lenses. This limitation is also present in the literature.

Practical implications

Reviewing three decades of scholarly publications on how flow has been measured contributes to organizations in their planning for person-job fit. The measurement of flow can reveal if and when flow correlates with personal characteristics and organizational events, thus serving to inform initiatives on personnel development, acculturation and job design. However, considering that flow as a social phenomenon has been conceived in superficial terms, that a vast number of empirical studies were developed with non-professional subjects, and that flow measurement involves significant adaptations to each situation, organizations are thus advised to be careful in adopting extant instruments.

Originality/value

This study provides a rich account on how flow measurement has been addressed in the scholarly literature, and it calls attention to research opportunities on social flow at work.

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2007

Jussi Okkonen

The main purpose of the paper is to analyse how a performance measurement system constitutes a dialogue to enable manageability in knowledge work organisations.

1912

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of the paper is to analyse how a performance measurement system constitutes a dialogue to enable manageability in knowledge work organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an action research project aimed to study the use of performance measurement in a knowledge work context. The case study is applied. The results are derived in participative action research interventions that aimed to build an applicable performance measurement system in three individual organisations. The approach is constructive and normative.

Findings

The paper provides information about applications of performance measurement in knowledge work context. As a result there is discussion on applying performance measurement in the managerial system of knowledge worker organisations and description of using performance measurement in knowledge work context. The contribution consists of managerial norms for applying performance measurement in knowledge work context.

Research limitations/implications

The research, thus the results too, is delineated to small and medium size organisations.

Practical implications

In the paper there are several transferable results. As the aim was to have normative results, the degree of practicality is relatively high. Taking the restrictions of conceptuality of performance measurement into account, the paper provides useful information to practitioners.

Originality/value

The paper answers the research question set. Originality of the paper lies in the field applying performance measurement. It continues the discussion on the traditions of management and leadership.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1991

Jack Andin Wu and Nesa L'abbe Wu

During the past several decades, the rapid expansion of serviceindustry and the automation of manufacturing operations have graduallychanged the ratio between direct and indirect…

Abstract

During the past several decades, the rapid expansion of service industry and the automation of manufacturing operations have gradually changed the ratio between direct and indirect labour in favour of the latter and created the need for indirect work measurement and standards. Though a few indirect work measurement and standard systems exist, much still needs to be done to refine and promote indirect work measurement and control techniques. This article develops and applies a flexible procedure for setting indirect work standards. The procedure includes six steps: establishing an accurate information system for indirect manpower planning; defining appropriate allowances; developing effective methods for measuring various types of key tasks; generating a formal engineering report after indirect work standards are established; reviewing and updating indirect labour standards and their supporting data based on analysis of historical data; and setting up a point system and/or a statistical control system whenever possible.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 11 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1993

Ken Gregson

Considers the value of work measurement. Examines the process ofmanagement and identifies the tasks carried out in that process.Provides examples that each illustrate one facet of…

Abstract

Considers the value of work measurement. Examines the process of management and identifies the tasks carried out in that process. Provides examples that each illustrate one facet of the planning process that can be improved through the use of work measurement. Claims that decision making is dependent upon reliable information – the kinds of information provided by comprehensive programme of work measurement.

Details

Work Study, vol. 42 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 April 2012

Harri Laihonen, Aki Jääskeläinen, Antti Lönnqvist and Jenna Ruostela

“New ways of working” refers to non‐traditional work practices, settings and locations with information and communication technologies (ICT) to supplement or replace traditional…

4701

Abstract

Purpose

“New ways of working” refers to non‐traditional work practices, settings and locations with information and communication technologies (ICT) to supplement or replace traditional ways of working. They are being deployed in knowledge work context in order to increase employees working motivation, job satisfaction and productivity. However, these benefits are not self‐evident. This paper aims to examine the task of measuring the expected benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper synthesizes the existing literature on measurement of knowledge work productivity and identifies some key prerequisites and restrictions that should be taken into account when measuring the impacts of organizational change.

Findings

The paper proposes a measurement approach for evaluating the impacts of a new ways of working initiative in a knowledge work context.

Originality/value

Previous literature has focused on studying whether facilities and ICT solutions are appropriate from the viewpoint of an individual knowledge worker. However, there is a lack of studies focused on the actual business impacts of different working arrangements.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

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