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This paper presents the results of a case study analysis of total productivity trends within a typical British batch production company. Two models of corporate productivity are tested using historical data for 1975-79 and the results are interpreted and discussed. The paper also demonstrates how the results could be extended to produce simple predictive models of company productivity and total unit cost. The authors conclude that measures of total company productivity offer a valuable aid to decision-making for production engineers and mangers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note presents some findings from the early stages of research into the effectiveness of company pay structures.(n1) The use of the Lorenz curve as a measure of inequality of distribution of a firm's payroll is described. Values for L, the Lorenz coefficient, are presented for the total payroll of a chemical processing firm and for the earnings of manual workers in a medium-heavy engineering company. The use of the Pareto distribution for management salary structuring is demonstrated. Values for a, the Pareto coefficient, are presented for two chemical companies and two engineering firms. Some possible practical uses for such Lorenz and Pareto values are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the practical value of a number of quantitative models of management pay structures at the level of the firm. The aim is to identify the practical, operational value of these models to salary administrators. Models developed in the last twenty years by Roberts (1956),(n1) Pearson (1967),(n2) Simon (1957),(n3) Lydall (1959),(n4) Thorelli (1965)(n5) and Paterson (1972)(n6) are reviewed and their practical weaknesses highlighted. It is concluded that models of this nature are of considerable conceptual value in relating some of the economic and organizational factors involved in management pay. Most quantitative models appear to have mainly academic value. However, the paper demonstrates how an approach using a mixed Pearson(n7) and Paterson(n8) model can be applied in a practical fashion to yield useful salary administration guidelines. The Pearson model is based on a Pareto distribution of managerial salaries within the firm, while Paterson's model provides definitions of authority levels associated with management jobs. The combined Pearson/Paterson approach provides the administrator with a helpful framework which allows comparison of his firm's salary structure with those of companies in similar industries as well as measurement of changes within his salary structure over a selected time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the application of three productivity measurement techniques--added value, productivity costing and total factor productivity. It takes the form of a case study within a British engineering firm producing high precision products in medium/large batches. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed and the empirical results for a five year period analysed. The main conclusion reached is that no single measurement technique is sufficiently comprehensive to meet all requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment plays an important role in the movement of individuals and their associated genes among populations, which facilitates gene flow. Gene flow can help maintain the genetic diversity both within and between populations and counter the negative impact of genetic drift, which can decrease the fitness of individuals. Sympatric species can have different habitat preferences, and thus can exhibit different patterns of genetic variability and population structure. The specialist-generalist variation hypothesis (SGVH) predicts that specialists will have lower genetic diversity, lower effective population sizes (Ne), and less gene flow among populations. In this study, we used spatially explicit, individual-based comparative approaches to test SGVH predictions in two sympatric cottontail species and identify environmental variables that influence their gene flow. New England cottontail ( Sylvilagus transitionalis ) is the only native cottontail in the Northeast US, an early successional habitat specialist, and a species of conservation concern. Eastern cottontail ( S. floridanus ) is an invasive species in the Northeast US and a habitat generalist. We characterized each species' genomic variation by developing double-digest Restriction-site Associated DNA sequence single nucleotide polymorphism markers, quantified their habitat with Geographic Information System environmental variables, and conducted our analyses at multiple scales. Surprisingly, both species had similar levels of genetic diversity and eastern cottontail's Ne was only higher than New England cottontail in one of three subregions. At a regional level, the population clusters of New England cottontail were more distinct than eastern cottontail, but the subregional levels showed more geographic areas of restricted gene flow for eastern cottontail than New England cottontail. In general, the environmental variables had the predicted effect on each species' gene flow. However, the most important environmental variable varied by subregion and species, which shows that location and species matter. Our results provide partial support for the SGVH and the identification of environmental variables that facilitate or impede gene flow can be used to help inform management decisions to conserve New England cottontail., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 McGreevy, Michaelides, Djan, Sullivan, Beltrán, Buffum and Husband.)