Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986. / Also available in print.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.89).

No description available.

M.Ing. / This study proposed to evaluate decision methods for R&D projects to assist managers to choose the appropriate type of model for their organization. In order to enhance the understanding of selection of R&D projects, general characteristics of project selection models have been explained with their advantages and disadvantages. For this purpose, model groups, criteria for models and usage of models have been addressed in detail. For better understanding of project selection models, the general characteristics of R&D projects, which are uncertainty, sequentiality and project interactions have been explained. It has been found by literature survey that the most used models are scoring models, economic models and optimization models. Among these models scoring models have more advantages than the others. However, there is not a perfect model for all types of projects and organizations. The criteria for selection of projects and models have been introduced. It has been found that criteria for selection of projects differ according to the type of projects under consideration, to the managers' view of project selection and to the size of the organizations. Research projects are often selected by using scoring models, which allow subjective estimation. On the other hand development or new product projects are selected mostly by using economic models. It has also been found that realism, flexibility, cost, ease of use, and capability were the most accepted criteria for selection of models. In order to make the discussed subjects clearer the project selection practice of Premet R&D has been explained in a step by step fashion. The model used by Premet R&D in the project selection process has also been addressed. Premet R&D's model has been compared with other models and weighted factor scoring model, which is a better version of their model, has been recommended for Premet R&D.

This thesis explores the practice of strategic planning and its effect on the performance of small engineering firms in Bangladesh. Small businesses play an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Despite substantial efforts on the part of the government, such as provision of hardware and software support and many promotional incentives, the growth and performance of small industry in general and engineering industry in particular, appears to be unsatisfactory. Although the research findings are inconclusive the literature in the developed industrialised countries generally recommends that small firms need to use strategic planning as an essential tool for improving their performance. It was therefore hypothesised that the lack of strategic planning is one of the major factors responsible for under-performance of small engineering firms in Bangladesh. To address the research issues about strategic planning practice and its link with performance, a conceptual framework was developed incorporating certain characteristics of firms, the personal backgrounds of owner-managers and of the environment that could influence the relationship. Adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches this study has examined the research issues based on the data collected through interviews with 141 owner-managers of small engineering firms in the Dhaka city, where most of the engineering firms are located. Overall, the findings of the study indicate that even though strategic planning in a formal sense is unlikely to exist in small firms, owner-managers of successful firms are well aware of opportunities and threats in their environment, their strengths and weaknesses as well as the implications (strategic awareness) of their project. Small firms can improve their performance through strategic planning, but only if it is based on an understanding of the opportunities and threats in the environment, and of their own strengths and weaknesses which enable them to assess both the short and long-term implications (strategic awareness) of the project. The present findings highlight the dangers of assuming that the process of strategic planning (normative/formalisation) will, by itself, lead to improvements in performance. Researchers who have concluded that strategic planning does not generally benefit the performance of small firms appear to have been incorrect. It can be said that conceptual and methodological differences across studies have been largely responsible for the debates concerning the value of strategic planning in small business. The present study thus highlights the importance of heightening the awareness of small firms about the environment, and of triggering their portfolio of ideas, and in doing so, seeking also to encourage effective exploitation of ideas by heightening the strategic awareness of the firms. This strategy emphasises the importance of 'software' support such as provision of information, counselling, training, and education. For providing such services the implications of the research are that this should be as proactive as possible, maximising personal contact with the owner-managers, possibly by setting up agencies on regional basis and manned by experienced staff, particularly in the provision of market and other environmental information.

Project and Report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. M.S. 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-102). Also available via the Internet.

D.Ing. / This study documents the process whereby a practical and relevant industry-wide strategic management information system (SMIS) was developed for the South African consulting engineering industry. The SMIS was designed to provide South African consulting engineers with an improved understanding of the business environment in which they operate and to provide some advance warning of new trends in order to extend the strategic planning horizons of management and owners of consulting engineering firms. This was done against a background of very limited availability of current industry statistics. A literature survey of available historical or secondary data relating to the South African consulting engineering, building and construction industries was conducted in order to determine the relevance and usefulness of such data for the purposes of developing the SMIS. This survey provided background information on the consulting engineering industry, relevant aspects of the South African business environment and the impact of changes in this environment on the local consulting engineering industry. The importance and principles of strategic planning and strategic management are discussed, with specific reference to the nature of environmental scanning. The use of management information systems in the business environment is reviewed with specific emphasis on the application of management information systems in consulting engineering enterprises. The quantitative secondary data collected in the literature survey was used as a benchmark or reference databank to calibrate and/ or evaluate the accuracy of the information collected through ten regular industry surveys that were conducted to collect statistically representative primary data. The secondary and primary data were used to construct a number of time series for each of three key indicators of the health of the South African consulting engineering industry, namely employment, salaries and fee income. The SMIS developed, consists of: • A system to identify new key issues in the business environment and to decide on issues that no longer require further monitoring, • a system of industry surveys at fixed intervals, using both quantitative and qualitative survey techniques, • a system to capture and interpret survey data, • updating time series for key business indicators with latest survey data, and • producing reports on the state of the industry, including limited short term forecasts for business conditions. The SMIS has proved itself useful and provides information to assist strategic management in the South African consulting engineering industry, especially in decision situations regarding large strategic management issues. The system also manages to address the needs of other current and potential users of the system, such as operational managers, industry lobbyists, media liaison and public relations managers, human resources managers, construction contractors etc. The SMIS furthermore complies with all the specific criteria that were set at the commencement of this study, such as confidential handling of source data, affordability and sustainability and, by improving general understanding of the business of consulting engineering in South Africa, contributes to the previously existing knowledge base.