The project is a one‐time complex event involving many functional organisation elements that must deliver an end item within very specific cost and schedule constraints. The project manager's responsibilities are to plan, control the organisation of manpower, control the basic technical...

Understanding the Japanese culture is important to an understanding of Japanese management styles. Management practices in the automotive industry — just‐in‐time techniques — are examined. The Japanese economy, evolution of the work ethic and its problems and effects on the family are...

There appears to be no one best method of performance appraisal but there are certain common elements in all effective methods — clear performance goals, quantified levels of performance must be clear, personal rewards should be tied to organisational performance, supervisor and employee...

Practical means are provided of integrating a new team member into an effective team. To be effective, teams must manage goals, roles, processes and relationships. Goals need to be held in common and be quantifiable. Roles of members need to be clearly stated for the process to be managed. The...

It is argued that there are no simple means of giving orders and instructions, but there are considerations which can make orders and instructions more effective: consistency, clear communication and obtainability.

Microcomputers, with the right software, provide a powerful tool for managers to accumulate, sort and analyse information. The necessity for managers to understand and use microcomputers is discussed and, more importantly, managers need to realise that the “right” software used with a...

Computer literacy is a nebulous term which defies a clear and concise definition. The inability to define this term properly makes it difficult for managers to gain a clear understanding of their roles as they apply to computer literacy. Presents concepts which will enable managers to understand...

Headlines on all levels of government speak of the pending crisis in public sector services: expect to pay more for less. Budget deficit, once only a concern of the federal level, is a worry in state capitals and municipalities. Additionally, an ever‐looming question at this time of economic...

The conventional wisdom of managers in the US dictates that improving product quality will increase the cost of making the product which will either increase the price or reduce the profits. Shows that improving the quality of a product or service will not necessarily increase its manufacturing...