Abstract
In this chapter a soft model of the human resources management function is developed. This model is then interfaced with a conventional hard production planning model with the resulting overall model then used to develop ‘best practice’ using a soft heuristic solution algorithm explicitly incorporating Management per se. This approach constitutes mixed-mode modelling which aims at producing more holistic and thus realistic representations of, in this paper’s context, business processes. Additionally, this modelling concept aims to expand the usual limited thinking associated with the development of, in this instance, a production plan using the traditional hard operations research type models. The human resources management function has been used to illustrate the approach, however, in reality other functions would be incorporated as well. An illustration of the ultimate determination of best practice is given.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Goldratt, E. M. What is this thing called the Theory of Constraints? North River press, Croton-on-Hudson, New York, 1990.
Lehaney, B. Mixed-mode modelling. In Operations Research Keynote Papers, Eds., Johnson, D and O’Brien, F, pp 150–157, 1996.
Lehaney, B. and Clarke, S. Soft Systems Methodology (and Simulation) for Mixed-mode modelling? In Operations Research Keynote Papers, Eds., Obrien, F and Orman, A., pp 16–33,1997.
Mingers, J. and Brocklesby, J. Multimethodology: Towards a Framework for Mixing Methodologies, Systemist,18, pp 101–131, 1996.
Enright, M and Nicholls, M. G. The Use of Mixed-mode modelling in Production Scheduling to Incorporate the Marketing Function and Human Resources Considerations. Proceedings of the OR40 Annual Conference, University of Lancaster, United Kingdom, 8th - l0th September, pp 125, 1998.
Nicholls, M. G., Enright, M., Cargill, B. and Dhir, K. S. The Application of Mixed-mode modelling to the Holistic Solution of Business Planning Problems. Proceedings of the 29 th Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute,Eds., Bartkus, K., Parent, M., and Jenson, R., Las Vegas, USA, 21st - 24th November, pp 344, 1998.
Nicholls, M. G and Cargill, B. J. The Development of a Soft Human Resources Management Model and its Interfacing with a Holistic Production Planning Model. Proceedings of the 30 th Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute, Eds, Chaney, B. E., Jones, T. W. S and Douglas, D. E., New Orleans, USA, 20th - 23rd November, pp 903 - 906, 1999.
Nicholls, M. G and Cargill, B. J. The Development of a Solution Heuristic for a Mixed Mode Incorporating Human Resources Management and Production Planning with a View to Yield Best Pratice. Proceedings of the 30 th Annual Meeting of the Western Decision Sciences Institute, Eds, xx, April 3rd - 7th, Vancouver, Canada, 2001.
Nicholls, M. G. An Integer Progranuning Approach to Short-term Production Scheduling in a Tobacco Plant, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 49, No. 11,pp 1117–1129, 1998.
Gardener, J. C., Huefner, R. J and Loffi, H. A Multiperiod Audit Staff Planning Model using Multiple Objectives: Development and Evaluation, Decision Sciences, 21, No. 1 pp 154–170, 1990.
Liang, T and Thompson, T. J. A Large-scale Personnel Assignment Model for the Navy, Decision Sciences, 18, No. 2, pp 234–249, 1987.
Bergmann, T. J and Martin, G. E. Optimal Large-scale Manpower Recruitment Policies. Human Resource Planning, 10, pp 93–101, 1987.
Gatewood, R. D and Rockmore, B. W. Combining Organizational Manpower and Career Development Needs: An Operational Human Resource Planning Model, Human Resource Planning, 9, pp 81–96, 1986.
Bums, R. N and Carter, M. W. Work Force Size and Single Shift Schedules with Variable Demands, Management Science, 31, No. 5, pp 599–607, 1985.
Tyson, S. Human Resource Strategy - Towards a General Theory of Human Resource Management, Pitman, London, 1995.
Schiller, R. S., Dowling, P.J., Smart, J. P. and Huber, V. L Human Resource Management in Australia (Second Edition), Harper Educational/West Publishing, Sydney, 1992.
Patrickson, M., Bamber, V. and Bamber, G. (Eds), Organisational Change Strategies - Case Studies of Human Resource and Industrial Relations Issues, Longman, Melbourne, 1995.
Dhir, K.S. Formulating policies for faculty promotion and tenure, Academic Chaitpersons: In search of Academic Quality. Kansas State University: Centre for Faculty Evaluation and Development, 1988.
Dhir, K.S. Analysis of human judgement in the valuation of resources. In Handbook of Behcrvioural Economics, Behavioural Decision Making. Eds., Frantz, R., Singh, H and Gerber, J. Volume 2B, JAI Press Inc., Greenwich, Connecticut, 1991.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nicholls, M.G., Cargill, B.J. (2001). The Use of Mixed-Mode Modelling in Determining Best Practice for a Business. In: Nicholls, M.G., Clarke, S., Lehaney, B. (eds) Mixed-Mode Modelling: Mixing Methodologies For Organisational Intervention. Applied Optimization, vol 58. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0289-6_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0289-6_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7980-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0289-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive