Human Systems Management - Volume 26, issue 1

Authors: Liao, Chin-Nung

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper takes an integrated view of Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) in order to study the design of incentive compensation plans in salesforces and develops a framework of incentive compensation match to organizational life cycle. In essence, this article argues different incentive strategy, such as outcome, behavior and clan incentive control, can create different effort effect for salesforce in each stage of organizational life cycle. Three types of incentive compensation based, output, process and socialization, are proposed respectively in each stage of organizational processes. Implementing different types of incentive compensation criterion to motive salesforce to execute the corresponding strategy of …organization can be built. Show more

Keywords: Transaction cost, salesforce control, organization life cycle, incentive compensation

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26101

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2007

Authors: Trietsch, Dan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In a companion paper I argued that Management by Constraints (MBC) should be improved by replacing Step 4 (elevate the constraint) by a revised version that seeks to match the criticality of each constraint (defined as the probability it will be the binding constraint in any period) with its economic value. The result is Management by Criticalities (MBC II). In this paper I show how the principles of MBC II can be pursued in hierarchical systems. Instead of asking subsystems to meet rigid objectives (as in Management by Objectives or Policy Deployment), we ask them to meet the demand placed …on them with a specified service level, defined as the complement of the criticality. In effect, the result is a combination of MBC and of policy deployment aimed to improve both. Show more

Keywords: Focusing, policy deployment, stochastic balance, theory of constraints

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26102

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 11-21, 2007

Authors: Hwang, Ming-Hon | Rau, Hsin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study attempts to solve problems encountered in traditional supply chain design, including: products not being designed or manufactured according to customer needs; low profit or over-crowded competitors in the chosen target market, and conflicts between the objectives for each member of the supply chain. Moreover, this study recommends a model for calculating the objectives for the overall demand chain and for each member. This model maximizes the overall demand chain performance by satisfying customer needs. It not only gives demand chain members for value adding direction, but also monitors the members during execution. The proposed model provides immediate corrective …action if any members of the demand chain deviate from the objectives. Show more

Keywords: Demand chain management, customer-oriented, supply chain management, target market

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26103

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 23-33, 2007

Authors: Whalen, Thomas | Pollack, Daniel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Millions of children worldwide need permanent families. But traditional paper based methods, disagreements between agencies, and excessive nationalistic restrictions keep many children apart from potential parents able and eager to nurture them. This paper focuses on the use of Weighted Ordered Weighted Averages and linear assignment programming for matching orphaned or abandoned children with adoptive families. Traditional paper based, one-child-at-a-time approaches are slow, and speed matters, because of the well documented harm done when children spend too much time waiting. Our focus is on simultaneous matching in which a pool of potential families is viewed as a resource to …be used of the benefit for a pool of children in a global way rather than one at a time. A special case of the Weighted Ordered Weighted Average, designed to be transparent to social workers with little or no mathematical training or inclination, is used to aggregate criteria. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that over 500,000 children are in foster care with 130,000 available for adoption [6]. In sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, a joint report by the UN/AIDS/UNICEF/USAID estimates that in 2003 there were 143 million orphans [24]. Negative experiences with the foster care system also lead to more children available for adoption [8,10,15,16]. Furthermore, with the rapid increase in drug dependency, AIDS, child maltreatment, and homelessness, the number of children available for adoption increases concomitantly [1]. It is universally agreed that a more efficient and swifter system needs to be developed in order to place these children in permanent homes [2,14,17]. This paper focuses on the use of Weighted Ordered Weighted Averages [21] and linear assignment programming for matching orphaned or abandoned children with adoptive families. We begin by reviewing traditional paper based, one-child-at-a-time approaches using unaided human judgment or human judgment aided by semi-automated systems for preliminary screening and short-listing. The primary focus is on simultaneous matching in which a pool of potential families is viewed as a resource to be used for the benefit of a pool of children in a global way rather than one at a time. A special case of the Weighted Ordered Weighted Average, designed to be transparent to social workers with little or no mathematical training or inclination, is used to aggregate criteria. Show more

Keywords: Ordered weighted average, aggregation, MCDM, adoption

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26104

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 35-45, 2007

Authors: Hsieh, Yao-Hung | Lin, Chiuhsiang Joe | Chen, James C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In the modern industrial environment, Quality is a necessary condition for enterprises to gain survives. The expectant quality of consumers is not only the tangible part but extending the perceived service quality in process of purchasing. Many organizations started to search for Quality and Customer Satisfaction due to the long-term competition advantage. This study tries to search for the perceived gap between Quality and Customer Satisfaction of customers. We test these proposed gaps using survey data collected from a group of Taiwan logistic enterprises and find support for the gaps based on the results of the artificial neural network. We …can find the aspects for logistics businesses to strengthen their competitive ability. Managers can also erase the gap among senior management, operational staff and customers in the significant items of the aspects and cut costs and increase running efficiency by these efforts. Show more

Keywords: Customer satisfaction, artificial neural network, logistics

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26105

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 47-52, 2007

Authors: Fei, Qi | Olson, David L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper reviews how Web services composition can provide flexible on-demand computing services in an enterprise system environment. The evolution of enterprise systems (ERP) is reviewed, and systemic features considered. Open source developments are highlighted, including commercial initiatives such as service oriented architecture and on demand computing. The composition strategy of bundling is analyzed, finding that vendors can improve total profit in open systems for non-core components. A model is presented that demonstrates how such open source architecture can be of value in an enterprise system domain.

Keywords: Enterprise system, ERP, service oriented architecture, on demand computing, Web services, composition

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26106

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 53-61, 2007

Authors: Singer, Alan E.

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2007-26107

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 63-68, 2007