Uses data-envelopment analysis to investigate UK university economics departments' technical efficiency as producers of research, highlighting the role of external funding. The data set is an extended version of that employed by the 1989 Universities Funding Council peer review. DEA contributes positively to developing meaningful indicators of…

Johnes and Johnes demonstrate use of data-envelopment analysis to construct an efficiency frontier comparing different UK university economics departments' efficiency without having to assign uniform weights to inputs and outputs. Since desirability of departmental goals cannot be compared, DEA's usefulness is limited to comparing relative…

Staff communication patterns were observed during 13 open-heart surgeries to identify the transfusion decision makers. It was determined that targeting decision makers for continuing medical education would improve the quality of transfusion practice and increase the efficiency of continuing education. (SK)

Literacy efforts in China have the following characteristics: (1) awareness of the necessity to eliminate illiteracy; (2) active participation of all levels; (3) combination of literacy education with skills acquisition; (4) emphasis on efficiency; and (5) compulsory schooling and prevention and follow-up efforts among the young. (SK)

The most common time-wasters for principals (poor filing system, priorities, open-door policy, untrained secretaries, numerous meetings, telephone interruptions, and delegation problems) are easily corrected. Negative working environment, heavy staff turnover, and student discipline problems present greater obstacles. (seven references) (MLH)

New postal rates are structured in such a way that colleges can save money on both individual letters and large mailings if they do some planning and some extra work. Letter size, accurate addresses, ZIP+4 codes, prebarcoding, and presorting are important components of a cost-effective mailing system. (MSE)

Argues that instructors may mislead students when they credit efficient performance as flowing entirely from competition. Distinguishes between competitive behavior and market structure; refines the implications of opportunity cost and profit; and derives useful conclusions about the nature and sources of productive and allocative efficiency. (DB)

Focuses on the methods being used to examine processes of innovation development that pertain to the selection of cases and concepts, observing change, coding and analyzing event data to identify process patterns, and developing theories to explain observed innovation processes. (42 references) (MLF)

Key adult education management functions (planning, directing personnel, organizing work, staffing, and evaluating) can be enhanced through appropriate technologies. Of particular interest to administrators are computer-based communications, management information systems, and desktop application software such as spreadsheets, groupware, and…

School districts are constantly seeking alternative purchasing methods to ease paperwork, lost time, storage problems, and overstocking. A study showed that in large districts, fast-track electronic requisition and online purchasing were most commonly used alternative electronic purchasing methods. Most common nonelectronic methods were direct and…

Clearly established procedures for sending, receiving, and responding to e-mail begin with planning and scheduling its use. Administrators should make appropriate choices of communication methods; use the address-book feature for individual and group e-mail addresses; use word-processing software to prepare lengthy documents and the attachment…

Faced by a tax revolt, Kingston (New York) City Schools reduced subsequent tax levies and maintained small budget increases while adding several programs. They returned money to taxpayers, settled outstanding contracts, tightened operations, froze hiring, controlled budgets, invested and spent wisely, sought grants, and got feedback. (MLH)

Offers hints for managing a classroom: (1) think about yourself as well as the students; (2) set the stage to start the class; (3) start on time; (4) help--do not enable; (5) make things easier for you and your students; (6) make the students responsible for turning in their work; and (7) share the schedule with students. (JOW)

Considers benefits of distance learning for various organizations including educational institutions, corporations, and government agencies. Topics include usefulness; measurable value added; the organizational elements model (OEM); an evaluation of distance education, from conventional instruction to future possibilities; and guidelines for…

Describes new theories of teacher professional development, identifies known costs of conventional professional development, discusses how new approaches (like collaborative problem solving and mentoring relationships) affect costs (for teacher time and supportive infrastructure), examines efficiency considerations, and highlights fiscal and…