Christian Madu – författare

Despite an avalanche of literature over the last 30 years there has been relatively little written on the role played by strategic planning in the transfer of technology, particularly from developed to less developed countries. Technology transfer, which involves the acquisition of inventive activity by secondary users, is conceded vital to socio-economic growth, but usually it is looked at internationally from a micro perspective. Unlike other books, Madu's volume looks at technology transfer holistically. It examines the advantages of technology transfer and its limitations by viewing recipient nations as systems, in which social, economic, behavioral, and political influences converge to help shape technological decisions. Only when a systems perspective like this is adopted and technology seen as a strategic variable can technology transfer be understood and successfully implemented, says Madu.Madu thus identifies the failures of technology transfer as the result of malfunctions in three components of the system: technology, structure, and behavior. He analyzes these malfunctions, offers ways to repair them, and considers technology from the viewpoints of both transferrer and receiver, whose missions, goals, and objectives are often not only disparate but sometimes in conflict. He then offers what he calls prescriptive frameworks and guidelines to help implement transfer, and to see it as a variable that must be integrated into national development planning. Throughout, Madu makes it clear that the objective of technology transfer is the maximizing of social welfare. Using this overarching premise he is able to evaluate both the benefits and the social costs associated with technology transfer and to develop his prescriptive, integrative models. Intended for specialists in international finance and development and international business management, Madu's book will be of special value to teachers of graduate courses in socio-economic development, public policy, and economics, and to policymakers throughout government.

This unique book develops the application of experimental statistical designs and analysis to discrete-event simulation modeling. It takes a practical perspective and orients the reader with examples of the role of simulation in modeling a system. The stages and steps for applying simulation are discussed by focusing on the important role of statistics. Examples are given about how to design an experiment using techniques such as classical designs, group screening, polynomial decomposition, and Taguchi designs. Using the statistical techniques discussed, a sound simulation model can be built and adequately tested before implementation.The book also shows how simulation results can be generalized by discussing in full the growing emphasis on simulation metamodeling. Examples of this approach are presented to show that reliable and simple models could be easily obtained. Furthermore, such models are applied within a decision framework to optimize the system of interest. This expands the power of simulation from being purely descriptive of the system to being a prescriptive model. The reader is exposed to potential problems and how such problems may be harnessed. Although the book discusses statistical techniques, it is written so as to be comprehensible to anyone with a basic background in statistics. The book is a good resource for consultants and simulation practitioners; it can also be used as a textbook for classes in simulation.

Management of new technologies is a critical factor in achieving global competitiveness. A recent survey of managers in the United States revealed that the implementation of new and advanced technologies is the most popular strategy in achieving global competitiveness. This book explores the role of technology in that context. The book identifies the role of new technologies in improving quality and shows that adopting a strategic total quality management will, in fact, lead to improved productivity and survivability of the firm. A thorough comparison of the Japanese and American production management practices is presented. This in-depth analysis helps to identify the problems of managing new technologies and shows that human resources management is a critical factor that should not be overlooked. Other strategies for improving global competitiveness are presented. Each of the five sections of the book deals with a major thrust that confronts management of new technologies. The book also discusses information system management and product design. The book uses real-life cases, models, and conceptual frameworks to support the views presented.Productivity, quality, and competitiveness are all related to technology. The success of Japanese corporations in achieving quality management has impelled the U.S. executives to listen and re-evaluate their management practices. Increasingly, many managers believe that new, advanced technologies can contribute to improving the productivity, quality, and competitiveness of a firm. However, simply adopting a new technology will not put an end to productivity and/or quality problems. This fact is most apparent in the case of computer-integrated manufacturing. The islands of automation that have resulted convinced many that effective management of new technologies is necessary in order to exploit any potential benefits. This book focuses on efficient management techniques and looks at the critical areas that can enhance the performance of a firm as a result of the adoption of new technologies.The book is divided into five sections: The total quality management section contains four chapters that present a comparison between the Japanese and American production practices. This section also presents a new way to measure the performance of a firm---not just by the direct quality of the product or service produced, but also by the sensitivity and responsibility of the firm to environmental and greening issues. The selection and implementation of new technologies section discusses the problems associated with the cost-accounting techniques in justifying new technologies and uses a multicriteria decision framework to show how this decision could be made. The strategic management section presents issues on production innovation and performance; The knowledge-based techniques section investigates the role of artificial intelligence and expert systems in the management of new technologies. Finally, the product design and inventory management section discusses the role of product design and reduced lot sizes in achieving a competitive advantage.

Strategic Total Quality Management is a new way of looking at quality. It views quality from corporate performance and product quality. Corporate performance is measured by the response of the firm to the emerging changes in its business environment. Increasingly, issues concerning the environment, business ethics and integrity are important and do affect the competitiveness and survivability of the firm. Quality must, therefore, take a more systemic or holistic definition. Also, with the increasing focus on product quality and many companies targeting six sigma or zero defect, product quality alone will not be enough of a competitive weapon for any one firm. Strategic Total Quality Management is based on a measure of quality as the overall performance of the firm.The book discusses all aspects of quality management from a strategic total quality management perspective. It starts with an introduction of this new philosophy of quality, and presents guidelines for its implementation and strategic framework to guide the practice of strategic total quality management. The importance of environmental quality planning is discussed and a chapter is presented on the role of statistics in strategic total quality management. The book then discusses leadership and paradigm innovation and how they influence visionary management and quality practice. An examination of the works of Deming and Juran is synthesized in the context of strategic total quality management. The book will be useful to quality practitioners who need to know of alternative views of quality, students who are constantly challenged by the emerging quality management philosophies, and researchers who need to explore in depth some of these concepts of quality.