Back when markets hinged on local contacts, product standardization wasn't a concern. When higher education was thought to be mainly about educating citizens, standardization wasn't much of a concern, either. Standardization has come later to higher education than to other commodities markets, but it has arrived. As with other commodities, unit…

One of the simplest definitions of cost-benefit analysis states "ultimately, it is nothing more than a logical attempt to weigh the pros and cons of a decision" (Gramlich 1981). This definition highlights two issues: practitioners should be clear about what decisions will be made as a result of this analysis, and they need to decide how…

The field of machine learning has developed a wide array of techniques for improving the effectiveness of performance elements. Ideally, a learning system would adapt its commitments to the demands of a particular learning situation, rather than relying on fixed commitments that impose tradeoffs between the efficiency and utility of a learning…

Implicitly repeating categories by presenting words not present in the original categorized list but logically members of previously studied categories significantly increased acquisition and retention relative to repeating category labels, repeating members of categories, and repeating neither labels nor members. The efficiency of repetition…

Emphasizing the importance of economy and efficiency in the production of computer animation, this master's thesis outlines methodologies that can be used to develop animated sequences with the highest quality images for the least expenditure. It is assumed that if computer animators are to be able to fully exploit the available resources, they…

Although technology is affecting the way organizations conduct business, there still remains a need to pay attention to good business meeting practices. Based on observations of the meeting practices of a business firm, a consultant found several areas in which meetings can be made more productive. The purpose of the meeting should be defined.…

Examines several distinct strategies for enhancing school productivity; identifies major barriers which militate against each strategy; and evaluates prospects for improvements in productivity. (Author/JF)

This article focuses on the environmental benefits of recycling mainly iron and steel, as well as the current status of such recycling processes. It also examines some of the economic constraints working against recycling, and offers suggestions for correcting the problem. (Author/MA)

Children, ages 6, 8, and 10, were exposed to three types of training procedures aimed at increasing their use of constraint-seeking questions and enhancing their problem-solving efficiency. Effects of the different procedures on each age group were examined. (JMB)

Educational productivity offers a perspective but not a solution for many of the problems in American education. Because education produces several different products, several kinds of educational policy outcomes can be defined as productivity increases. These include improving classroom methods, curriculum structure, curriculum content,…

The management audit is described for possible application as an extension of the mission of the Office of Manpower Utilization (OMU) of the U.S. Marine Corps. The present mission of OMU is viewed as a manpower research program to conduct task analysis of Marine Corps occupational fields. Purpose of the analyses is to improve the functional areas…

Recognizing the need for all college officials to make better use of their time, the president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College sent a two-item questionnaire to all 55 administrators and non-teaching professionals at the college. He asked them to list in priority order: (1) the three activities or problems that diverted their time from…

Institutional research is an adaptive tool. It aids decisionmakers in assessing an institution's efficiency, and in determining the appropriateness of the institution's goals in relation to social needs. However, given the limited resources available for planning, choices must at times be made as to whether to concentrate analytical studies on…

Ways suggested for principals to categorize tasks according to importance in order to allocate time more effectively. (Author/MLF)

Describes two factors affecting the results of manual and online information retrieval: the manner by which classification codes and key words are chosen, and the degree to which papers with comparable contents are accorded similar keywords. Of 14 alternative search strategies selected, the best consisted of using classification codes coupled with…