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Article
Publication date: 12 April 2011

W. Warner Burke

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history and perspective on the influence of McGregor's Theory Y on research about and practice of management and leadership…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history and perspective on the influence of McGregor's Theory Y on research about and practice of management and leadership. Although best known for Theory X and Y, Douglas McGregor involved himself in more than theory. He was for a time President of Antioch College, a builder of a strong academic program of management and organizational behavior in the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology , and a pioneer in the origination of organization development.

Design/methodology/approach

The legacy of Theory Y can be characterized as a set of beliefs that are antecedents to participative and involvement modes of management, that these modes are associated with success backed by considerable evidence, yet are not practiced by the majority of people in management and leadership positions. Moreover, the track record of management and leadership in the USA is not exactly exemplary, for example, at least half of those in management fail, and more than 70 percent of employees surveyed in a variety of contexts state that the main cause of stress for them at work is their boss.

Findings

With respect to Theory Y, McGregor's intent was to show the relativity of authority, and that participative management was consistent with Y, but these assumptions did not necessarily lead to a specific style of management.

Originality/value

This apparent paradox of evidence that involvement forms of management pays off yet few practice participation begs the question of why. Among many reasons the following stand out: executives do not trust the evidence at least not for their levels (It is okay for first line supervisors), and besides participative forms of management require a particular set of skills and competence time (too much one suspects), and patience. Many executives do not have the requisite skills nor do they have the patience to take the time that such forms of management and leadership require.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2018

Eystein Gullbekk and Katriina Byström

The purpose of this paper is to analyse scholarly subjectivity in the context of citation practices in interdisciplinary PhD research.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse scholarly subjectivity in the context of citation practices in interdisciplinary PhD research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an analysis of longitudinal series of qualitative interviews with PhD students who write scholarly articles as dissertation components. Conceptualizations of subjectivity within practice theories form the basis for the analysis.

Findings

Scholarly argumentation entails a rhetorical paradox of “bringing something new” to the communication while at the same time “establishing a common ground” with an audience. By enacting this paradox through citing in an emerging interdisciplinary setting, the informants negotiate subject positions in different modes of identification across the involved disciplines. In an emerging interdisciplinary field, the articulation of scholarly subjectivity is a joint open-ended achievement demanding knowledgeability in multiple disciplinary understandings and conducts. However, identifications that are expressible within the informants’ local site, i.e. interactions with supervisors, other seniors and peers, are not always expressible when negotiating subject positions with journals.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on citation practices in emerging interdisciplinary fields. By linking the enactment of citing in scholarly writing to the negotiation of subject positions, the paper provides new insights about the complexities involved in becoming a scholar.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 75 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1915

At a recent meeting of the Glasgow Grocers' and Provision Merchants' Association, it was alleged that there are provision merchants in Glasgow who are doing a large business in…

Abstract

At a recent meeting of the Glasgow Grocers' and Provision Merchants' Association, it was alleged that there are provision merchants in Glasgow who are doing a large business in selling margarine as butter at 1s. 2d. per pound. In commenting upon this statement The Grocer very properly urges that the officials of the Association referred to should take prompt steps to place the facts in their possession before the Glasgow authorities and their officers, and observes that in certain cities and towns—Birmingham, for example—the grocers' associations have co‐operated with the authorities in their efforts to suppress illegal trading, particularly in regard to the sale of margarine as butter. It appears that one of the members of the Glasgow Association expressed the opinion that the Margarine Act has been a failure and that shopkeepers who sell margarine as butter should be charged with obtaining money under false pretences.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 17 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 24 September 2021

Abhinav Kumar Sharma, Indrajit Mukherjee, Sasadhar Bera and Raghu Nandan Sengupta

The primary objective of this study is to propose a robust multiobjective solution search approach for a mean-variance multiple correlated quality characteristics optimisation…

Abstract

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to propose a robust multiobjective solution search approach for a mean-variance multiple correlated quality characteristics optimisation problem, so-called “multiple response optimisation (MRO) problem”. The solution approach needs to consider response surface (RS) model parameter uncertainties, response uncertainties, process setting sensitivity and response correlation strength to derive the robust solutions iteratively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a new multiobjective solution search approach to determine robust solutions for a typical mean-variance MRO formulation. A fine-tuned, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is used to derive efficient multiobjective solutions for varied mean-variance MRO problems. The iterative search considers RS model uncertainties, process setting uncertainties and response correlation structure to derive efficient fronts. The final solutions are ranked based on two different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques.

Findings

Five different mean-variance MRO cases are selected from the literature to verify the efficacy of the proposed solution approach. Results derived from the proposed solution approach are compared and contrasted with the best solution(s) derived from other approaches suggested in the literature. Comparative results indicate significant superiorities of the top-ranked predicted robust solutions in nondominated frequency, closeness-to-target and response variabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The solution approach depends on RS modelling and considers continuous search space.

Practical implications

In this study, promising robust solutions are expected to be more suitable for implementation than point estimate-based MOO solutions for a real-life MRO problem.

Originality/value

No evidence of earlier research demonstrates the superiority of a MOO-based iterative solution search approach for mean-variance MRO problems by simultaneously considering model uncertainties, response correlation and process setting sensitivity.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 39 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1988

Franco F. Ferrario

‐ One of the consequences of the present long period of economic depression, which has been felt with particular severity by most Third World countries, has been a necessary…

Abstract

‐ One of the consequences of the present long period of economic depression, which has been felt with particular severity by most Third World countries, has been a necessary critical reassessement of many development strategies. Especially in Africa, the balance sheet between efforts and results has not been very encouraging. The massive industrialization programmes and the large projects of the last three decades have neither helped to achieve a more competitive production nor have introduced widespread prosperity, as hoped. Gradually the accent is now shifting toward new “soft options”, one of which is tourism. We remember that only 15–20 years ago many African governments or international development agencies were still considering tourism as a marginal economic activity, to be left to poor nations without much prospects for industrialization. Since then much has changed and ‐ especially in the present post‐industrial economies ‐ tourism and the whole gamut of other leisure industries have become one of the most dynamic fields of expansion, even in the developing world.

Details

The Tourist Review, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0251-3102

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2022

Debiao Meng, Shiyuan Yang, Chao He, Hongtao Wang, Zhiyuan Lv, Yipeng Guo and Peng Nie

As an advanced calculation methodology, reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization (RBMDO) has been widely acknowledged for the design problems of modern complex…

Abstract

Purpose

As an advanced calculation methodology, reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization (RBMDO) has been widely acknowledged for the design problems of modern complex engineering systems, not only because of the accurate evaluation of the impact of uncertain factors but also the relatively good balance between economy and safety of performance. However, with the increasing complexity of engineering technology, the proposed RBMDO method gradually cannot effectively solve the higher nonlinear coupled multidisciplinary uncertainty design optimization problems, which limits the engineering application of RBMDO. Many valuable works have been done in the RBMDO field in recent decades to tackle the above challenges. This study is to review these studies systematically, highlight the research opportunities and challenges, and attempt to guide future research efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a comprehensive review of the RBMDO theory, mainly including the reliability analysis methods of different uncertainties and the decoupling strategies of RBMDO.

Findings

First, the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) preliminaries are given. The basic MDO concepts and the corresponding mathematical formulas are illustrated. Then, the procedures of three RBMDO methods with different reliability analysis strategies are introduced in detail. These RBMDO methods were proposed for the design optimization problems under different uncertainty types. Furtherly, an optimization problem for a certain operating condition of a turbine runner blade is introduced to illustrate the engineering application of the above method. Finally, three aspects of future challenges for RBMDO, namely, time-varying uncertainty analysis; high-precision surrogate models, and verification, validation and accreditation (VVA) for the model, are discussed followed by the conclusion.

Originality/value

The scope of this study is to introduce the RBMDO theory systematically. Three commonly used RBMDO-SORA methods are reviewed comprehensively, including the methods' general procedures and mathematical models.

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1984

Philip Gould and Rosemary Gould

This article describes the “effects feedback” training method which employs the prin‐ciple that if you want to improve your performance you need to know your results and how you…

Abstract

This article describes the “effects feedback” training method which employs the prin‐ciple that if you want to improve your performance you need to know your results and how you attained them. The authors indicate some of its applications and make a case for using it as an antidote to organisational inertia.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2020

Taki Eddine Lechekhab, Stojadin Manojlovic, Momir Stankovic, Rafal Madonski and Slobodan Simic

The control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a challenging problem because of its highly nonlinear dynamics, under-actuated nature and strong cross-couplings. To…

Abstract

Purpose

The control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a challenging problem because of its highly nonlinear dynamics, under-actuated nature and strong cross-couplings. To solve this problem, this paper aims to propose a robust control strategy, based on a concept of active disturbance rejection control (ADRC).

Design/methodology/approach

The altitude/attitude dynamics of a quadrotor is reformulated into the ADRC framework. Three distinct variations of the error-based ADRC algorithms, with different structures of generalized extended state observers (GESO), are derived for the altitude/attitude trajectory-following task. The convergence of the observation part is proved based on the singular perturbation theory. Through a frequency analysis and a quantitative comparison in a simulated environment, each design is shown to have certain advantages and disadvantages in terms of tracking accuracy and robustness. The digital prototypes of the proposed controllers for quadrotor altitude and attitude control channels are designed and validated through real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) co-simulation, with field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware.

Findings

The effects of unavailable reference time-derivatives can be estimated by the ESO and rejected through the outer control loop. The higher order ESOs demonstrate better performances, but with reductions of stability margins. Time-domain simulation analysis reveals the benefits of the proposed control structure related to classical control approach. Real-time FPGA-based HIL co-simulations validated the performances of the considered digital controllers in typical quadrotor flight scenarios.

Practical implications

The conducted study forms a set of practical guidelines for end-users for selecting specific ADRC design for quadrotor control depending on the given control objective and work conditions. Furthermore, the paper presents detailed procedure for the design, simulation and validation of the embedded FPGA-based quadrotor control unit.

Originality/value

In light of the currently available literature on error-based ADRC, a comprehensive approach is applied here, which includes the design of error-based ADRC with different GESOs, its frequency-domain and time-domain analyses using different simulation of UAV flight scenarios, as well as its FPGA-based implementation and testing on the real hardware.

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1935

AFTER‐CONFERENCE time is the period of reflection, and this year one involving several interests. There was uttered on the platform a warning that the question of the government…

Abstract

AFTER‐CONFERENCE time is the period of reflection, and this year one involving several interests. There was uttered on the platform a warning that the question of the government control of public libraries was in the air; and Mr. Jast rigidly deprecated the discussion of the matter as a bye‐product of another subject then being debated. Library authorities and librarians, however, are asking for a lead from the Library Association, the only body competent or authorized to give it, and no doubt this will form the cardinal “policy” question of the winter.

Details

New Library World, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1997

Keith Rapley

Successful Knowledge Management programmes can demonstrate clearly defined links to the value proposition ‐ its bottom line being a contribution to business benefits. This is…

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Abstract

Successful Knowledge Management programmes can demonstrate clearly defined links to the value proposition ‐ its bottom line being a contribution to business benefits. This is apparent at British Airways where a programme of external intelligence about information technology (IT) developments is being converted into useful IT applications. This paper explains British Airways’ approach to innovation and examines the difficulty in assigning a specific measure to this intangible asset. It also sets out ways in which innovation can produce improvements in business performance.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

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