Hundreds and perhaps thousands of decisions are made each day that a company operates and none is more complex than the effective reduction of manpower. These reductions must be accomplished on a selective basis so that the functional areas of the company may remain in balance as business conditions change. An objective analysis of the nature of the manpower reduction problem may be made through the use of regression equations. Results should be tempered through good business judgement, with "complexity factors" introduced to temper the decisions made. The technique is illustrated with an actual case study in order to make a more realistic presentation.
Work-measurement techniques generally are based upon the objective categorization of work activity. Several troublesome characteristics arise when applying the concept to professional people: antagonisms may develop between the observer and the professional being observed, and the importance of the qualitative aspect of the activity may say that the reason for doing something is as important as the fact that it is being done. This paper describes a project where these issues were faced in a constructive way by using subjective appraisal on the part of the professional being observed without unduly jeopardizing the principles of systematic scientific investigation.
Issues in measuring ambulatory care are discussed in terms of the work of radiologists. The method employed is described and the results are presented. Applicability to other facets of medical care and to a total medical care system are noted.
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