This research is concerned with the question of performance in scientific research, and focusses on the potential of Adaption-Innovation theory (Kirton, 1976) for providing insights into individual innovativeness. Using empirical data from four large research organisations, a taxonomy of scientists is developed using the Kirton Adaption-Innovation (KAI) inventory. This taxonomy breaks new ground in its use of the sub-scales of KAI. It shows that the use of the total KAI scale, as in previous research in the literature, is a conflation which conceals important insights. The research also breaks new ground in its conceptualisation of research performance. Two dimensions of performance are hypothesised: creative performance and skills performance. The evidence suggests that the distinction is meaningful and that the two dimensions are essentially orthogonal. The taxonomy developed in this research identifies four types of scientists according to their location on the '0' and 'E' sub-scales of the KAI. It is in the distinction between two types possessing similar mid-range KAI scores that the research makes a notable contribution to the literature. These two types are shown to be very different in terms of their performance, job satisfaction and other characteristics. It is through these insights that the research offers the prospect of an instrument of value in the deployment of research scientists. Finally, concerns about the conceptual status of the KAI are developed. The KAI is critically reviewed, and the evidence presented seriously challenges the claim that the KAI is purely a measure of cognitive style. Criticism is focussed on the 0 sub-scale which, it is argued, contains items measuring level of cognitive ability. A refined KAI is developed and evaluated using a sample of post-graduate students of management. It is demonstrated that sub-scales can be derived which are more homogeneous conceptually and give nearly orthogonal measures.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The recent explosive growth in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) and continued development of sophisticated information technologies (IT) is expected to have a profound effect on the way we design and operate manufacturing businesses. Furthermore, the escalating capital requirements associated with these developments have significantly increased the level of risk associated with initial design, ongoing development and operation. This dissertation has examined the integration of two key sub-elements of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system, namely the manufacturing facility and the production control system. This research has concentrated on the interactions between production control (MRP) and an AMT based production facility. The disappointing performance of such systems has been discussed in the context of a number of potential technological and performance incompatibilities between these two elements. It was argued that the design and selection of operating policies for both is the key to successful integration. Furthermore, policy decisions are shown to play an important role in matching the performance of the total system to the demands of the marketplace. It is demonstrated that a holistic approach to policy design must be adopted if successful integration is to be achieved. It is shown that the complexity of the issues resulting from such an approach required the formulation of a structured design methodology. Such a methodology was subsequently developed and discussed. This combined a first principles approach to the behaviour of system elements with the specification of a detailed holistic model for use in the policy design environment. The methodology aimed to make full use of the `low inertia' characteristics of AMT, whilst adopting a JIT configuration of MRP and re-coupling the total system to the market demands. This dissertation discussed the application of the methodology to an industrial case study and the subsequent design of operational policies. Consequently a novel approach to production control resulted. A central feature of which was a move toward reduced manual intervention in the MRP processing and scheduling logic with increased human involvement and motivation in the management of work-flow on the shopfloor. Experimental results indicated that significant performance advantages would result from the adoption of the recommended policy set.

No description available.

Total productive maintenance is a programme for the fundamental improvement of maintenance functions within an organization involving its entire human resources. It can dramatically improve productivity and quality and reduce costs. This research aims to determine the critical success factors required for successfully implementing total productive maintenance. A review and survey will be conducted to fully investigate the elements of total productive maintenance, its benefits and drawbacks and also the data capture methodologies in industrial applications. The results will be statistically analyzed and data mining used to draw up a set of success factors related to both large and medium companies. Recommendations will be also be made on improving the implementation of total productive maintenance with particular regard to data capture and its analysis.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.