- Email: [email protected]
Applications of management science
2(15
Book Ret~iew,~
analyses them in a particularly suggestive and elegant way. G. K R E W E R A S Universitb Pierre at Marie Curie Paris, France Hamed Kamal BEHESHTI
ELDIN
and
Hooshang
M.
Management Science Applications: Computing and Systems Analysis North-Holland, New York, 1981, xii + 316 pages, $41.50 The publishers of this book, North-Holland, are also responsible for EJOR. It seems bad-mannered to use this journal to berate a volume from the same house, but objectivity must prevail. According to the dust cover, the book "... provides the reader with a broad working knowledge.., gives thorough treatment.., reviews the current state of the art" of Management Science, Computing and Systems Analysis. Nothing could be further from the truth. A few extracts from the text, offered without comment, should explain the reviewer's mounting disillusion as he ploughed through the pages: "A microcomputer has all that is needed for a computer on one chip except a power supply"..., "BASIC has been implemented on most computers manufactured by the General Electric Company"... "Recall the transportation model of Section II.D.l.a in Chapter6"... "The computer wastes no time or space on uneconomical considerations since they are bypassed by the static optimiser". A reader unfamiliar with the numerous mathematical modelling techniques and programming languages mentioned in the book is unlikely to be any wiser at the end than when he began. Although 19 languages each merit a section, the only example of a computer program on display is the FORTRAN atgorithm (sic): A = 1.0 B = 3.0 C = A + B. The use of LP in connection with blending problems is exhaustively described by the single sentence, "Linear Programming is used to determine what ingredients should be used and in what proportions in order to meet the demand for specific products (e.g. oil, gasoline, alloys)". The book fails miserably at all levels, being of
no potential value to a professional management or computer scientist, or the managers he serves. It should be avoided at all costs, even by generously funded academic libraries with money to burn. The authors are both university teachers in the U.S.A. Lewis J. CORNER University of Sussex Brighton, United Kingdom
Randall L. SCHULTZ (Ed.)
Applications of Management Science JAI Press, Greenwich, 1981, xii + 388 pages, $39.50 The first volume of a continuing series for "original research in management science" has appeared as volume !, 1981. The statement "A Research Annual" leaves one to expect a next volume in 1982. According to the Editor's preface it is "essentially a research anthology of papers that are substantive and may exceed the length limitations of traditional articles". It "includes both theoretical and methodological papers so long as they are extended toward application, and in addition, comprehensive review articles". This does not appear to exclude much, but the Editor gives a welcome example: "strictly thecwetical or methodological developments, such as w~rk ~,n efficient algorithms". This volume contains eleven articles, from twenty ~to fifty-odd pages, on topics as diverse as portfolio problems, simulation gaming, transportation service planning and socia! decision analysis. The two longest articles are review articles, on "forward algorithms", and "descriptive decision making". These eleven articles, which normally make for a journal, make for a book--at least something that looks, feels and smells like a book, and consumes the shelfspace of a book. Yet, there is no index, the footnotes still are at end of chapter, and there is a complete lack of focus--no focus on topics, or level of exposition, or 'seminal-ness'. The contents are not conveniently on the cover and only by title (not: Section headings) inside. The contributors are of acknowledged competence, and the articles prove their reputations deserved--but
Book Reviews
206
the need for this new medium, an annual journal in bookshape, is far from evident.
J. C. G. BOOT State University of New York Buffalo, U.S.A. Sumner N. LEVINE (Ed.)
The Investment Manager's Handbook Dow Jones-lrwin, Homewood, 1980, xvii + 1037 pages, $37.50 As it states in the 'preface, this handbook is intended for programming investment managers. As such, I believe it serves them extremely well. The book is a collection of surveys written by 41 expertsmacademics and practitioners in about equal proportions and covering virtually every aspect of portfolio management one might desire, i.e (1) Fundamentals of theory, (2) Management strategy, (3) Measuring and monitoring performance, (4) Legal and regulatory matters, (5) Management of specific portfolios, e.g., pensions, insurances, money market, etc., (6) Available computer services. Like any collection, there are peaks and troughs but I found those aspects I am most familiar with well and clearly written, albeit with a high degree of autoreference. There is also a total American bias which does require filtering out by the European reader, especially on the legal aspects, but then we are used to doing this anyway. Certainly I made use of the book on the first day I received it and had numerous requests from my colleagues, so far resisted! At the price I think it is extremely good value, either for individuals or libraries, and would positively recommend it.
R. FLA VELL Imperial College London, United Kingdom
This book is said to be directed at all those who work in organizations, a category which must include most O.R. people. The content is a quite extensive, but not deep, description of what is, or might well be, included in the personnel functions of an organization. This book may therefore [~e of some interest to those who are just getting started in personnel work, although its relaxed, anecdotal style may discourage those seeking a quick introduction to the subject. For European readers, the book has the additional drawback that it deals with American practice, which is now regulated by much modern legislation. Those wishing for an easy laugh at the entanglements of the present American position will find much of value here. For example, it seems that the following items may attract charges of illegal discrimination and should therefore no longer be asked of potential recruits: marital status; height and weight; hair and eye colour; child care and demographics; availability for Saturday and Sunday work; credits, garnishments or home ownership; age; and education. The day of the blind, deaf and dumb interviewer will soon be with us. It should be said that the book is directed also at individuals, to tell them what they should expect of the personnel departments with which they have to deal. The aim here seems to be to enhance the status of the personnel profession, as well as to improve practice. The dissatisfied employee may find something of interest in this aspect. For the O.R. worker as a professional, however, the book will serve only the limited function of an introduction to personnel work.
L.H. CAMPBELL Durham University Business School Durham, United Kingdom
H.T. SMITH and T.R.G. GREEN (Eds.)
Human Interaction with Computers Academic Press, London, 1980, x + 369 pages, £6.40
Randall S. SCHULER
Personnel and Human Resource Management West Publishing, St. Paul, 1981, xii+558 pages, £12.35
There have been a number of books on mancomputer interaction published recently reflecting a growing awareness that the usefulness of computer technology is dependent upon the quality oi'
Book Ret~iew,~
analyses them in a particularly suggestive and elegant way. G. K R E W E R A S Universitb Pierre at Marie Curie Paris, France Hamed Kamal BEHESHTI
ELDIN
and
Hooshang
M.
Management Science Applications: Computing and Systems Analysis North-Holland, New York, 1981, xii + 316 pages, $41.50 The publishers of this book, North-Holland, are also responsible for EJOR. It seems bad-mannered to use this journal to berate a volume from the same house, but objectivity must prevail. According to the dust cover, the book "... provides the reader with a broad working knowledge.., gives thorough treatment.., reviews the current state of the art" of Management Science, Computing and Systems Analysis. Nothing could be further from the truth. A few extracts from the text, offered without comment, should explain the reviewer's mounting disillusion as he ploughed through the pages: "A microcomputer has all that is needed for a computer on one chip except a power supply"..., "BASIC has been implemented on most computers manufactured by the General Electric Company"... "Recall the transportation model of Section II.D.l.a in Chapter6"... "The computer wastes no time or space on uneconomical considerations since they are bypassed by the static optimiser". A reader unfamiliar with the numerous mathematical modelling techniques and programming languages mentioned in the book is unlikely to be any wiser at the end than when he began. Although 19 languages each merit a section, the only example of a computer program on display is the FORTRAN atgorithm (sic): A = 1.0 B = 3.0 C = A + B. The use of LP in connection with blending problems is exhaustively described by the single sentence, "Linear Programming is used to determine what ingredients should be used and in what proportions in order to meet the demand for specific products (e.g. oil, gasoline, alloys)". The book fails miserably at all levels, being of
no potential value to a professional management or computer scientist, or the managers he serves. It should be avoided at all costs, even by generously funded academic libraries with money to burn. The authors are both university teachers in the U.S.A. Lewis J. CORNER University of Sussex Brighton, United Kingdom
Randall L. SCHULTZ (Ed.)
Applications of Management Science JAI Press, Greenwich, 1981, xii + 388 pages, $39.50 The first volume of a continuing series for "original research in management science" has appeared as volume !, 1981. The statement "A Research Annual" leaves one to expect a next volume in 1982. According to the Editor's preface it is "essentially a research anthology of papers that are substantive and may exceed the length limitations of traditional articles". It "includes both theoretical and methodological papers so long as they are extended toward application, and in addition, comprehensive review articles". This does not appear to exclude much, but the Editor gives a welcome example: "strictly thecwetical or methodological developments, such as w~rk ~,n efficient algorithms". This volume contains eleven articles, from twenty ~to fifty-odd pages, on topics as diverse as portfolio problems, simulation gaming, transportation service planning and socia! decision analysis. The two longest articles are review articles, on "forward algorithms", and "descriptive decision making". These eleven articles, which normally make for a journal, make for a book--at least something that looks, feels and smells like a book, and consumes the shelfspace of a book. Yet, there is no index, the footnotes still are at end of chapter, and there is a complete lack of focus--no focus on topics, or level of exposition, or 'seminal-ness'. The contents are not conveniently on the cover and only by title (not: Section headings) inside. The contributors are of acknowledged competence, and the articles prove their reputations deserved--but
Book Reviews
206
the need for this new medium, an annual journal in bookshape, is far from evident.
J. C. G. BOOT State University of New York Buffalo, U.S.A. Sumner N. LEVINE (Ed.)
The Investment Manager's Handbook Dow Jones-lrwin, Homewood, 1980, xvii + 1037 pages, $37.50 As it states in the 'preface, this handbook is intended for programming investment managers. As such, I believe it serves them extremely well. The book is a collection of surveys written by 41 expertsmacademics and practitioners in about equal proportions and covering virtually every aspect of portfolio management one might desire, i.e (1) Fundamentals of theory, (2) Management strategy, (3) Measuring and monitoring performance, (4) Legal and regulatory matters, (5) Management of specific portfolios, e.g., pensions, insurances, money market, etc., (6) Available computer services. Like any collection, there are peaks and troughs but I found those aspects I am most familiar with well and clearly written, albeit with a high degree of autoreference. There is also a total American bias which does require filtering out by the European reader, especially on the legal aspects, but then we are used to doing this anyway. Certainly I made use of the book on the first day I received it and had numerous requests from my colleagues, so far resisted! At the price I think it is extremely good value, either for individuals or libraries, and would positively recommend it.
R. FLA VELL Imperial College London, United Kingdom
This book is said to be directed at all those who work in organizations, a category which must include most O.R. people. The content is a quite extensive, but not deep, description of what is, or might well be, included in the personnel functions of an organization. This book may therefore [~e of some interest to those who are just getting started in personnel work, although its relaxed, anecdotal style may discourage those seeking a quick introduction to the subject. For European readers, the book has the additional drawback that it deals with American practice, which is now regulated by much modern legislation. Those wishing for an easy laugh at the entanglements of the present American position will find much of value here. For example, it seems that the following items may attract charges of illegal discrimination and should therefore no longer be asked of potential recruits: marital status; height and weight; hair and eye colour; child care and demographics; availability for Saturday and Sunday work; credits, garnishments or home ownership; age; and education. The day of the blind, deaf and dumb interviewer will soon be with us. It should be said that the book is directed also at individuals, to tell them what they should expect of the personnel departments with which they have to deal. The aim here seems to be to enhance the status of the personnel profession, as well as to improve practice. The dissatisfied employee may find something of interest in this aspect. For the O.R. worker as a professional, however, the book will serve only the limited function of an introduction to personnel work.
L.H. CAMPBELL Durham University Business School Durham, United Kingdom
H.T. SMITH and T.R.G. GREEN (Eds.)
Human Interaction with Computers Academic Press, London, 1980, x + 369 pages, £6.40
Randall S. SCHULER
Personnel and Human Resource Management West Publishing, St. Paul, 1981, xii+558 pages, £12.35
There have been a number of books on mancomputer interaction published recently reflecting a growing awareness that the usefulness of computer technology is dependent upon the quality oi'