In this paper, the three principal control effects found in present controllers are examined and practical names and units of measurement are proposed for each effect. Corresponding units are proposed for a classification of industrial processes in terms of the two principal characteristics affecting their controllability. Formulas are given which enable the controller settings to be determined from the experimental or calculated values of the lag and unit reaction rate of the process to be controlled. These units form the basis of a quick method for adjusting a controller on the job. The effect of varying each controller setting is shown in a series of chart records. It is believed that the conceptions of control presented in this paper will be of assistance in the adjustment of existing controller applications and in the design of new installations.

No abstract

In response to user concerns regarding segment reporting, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, Reporting Disaggregated Information about a Business Enterprise, in 1997. SFAS No. 131 became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 1998. This research examines the segment disclosures of U.S. Global 1000 companies for both 1997 and 1998 to ascertain the impact and effectiveness of SFAS No. 131 in practice. Specifically, this research considers whether the new requirements have resulted in (1) a greater number of line-of-business (LOB) segments for some enterprises, particularly those who claimed to operate in one LOB under SFAS No. 14, (2) enterprises reporting more items of information about each segment, and (3) improved consistency of segment information with other parts of the annual report. The research also addresses whether restructuring by some firms might limit the provision of additional segment information under SFAS No. 131. The findings indicate significant changes from reporting under SFAS No. 14 including increased consistency with information in the MD&A and other annual report disclosures. However, the practices of a significant minority of companies continue to give some cause for concern.

This paper evaluates the impact of adopting the management approach for segment reporting. We review studies of the effect of the application of SFAS 131 and IFRS 8 on the number of reported operating segments and items of disclosure, segment reporting gaps and reconciliations, entitywide geographic disclosures, and competitive harm and decision usefulness of segment information. We report on the advantages and disadvantages of the management approach and explore whether the concerns of critics of adopting the management approach in IFRS 8 have been realized. We also identify opportunities for important and policy-relevant research in the area of segment reporting based on IFRS 8.

In this paper, the three principal control effects found in present controllers are examined and practical names and units of measurement are proposed for each effect. Corresponding units are proposed for a classification of industrial processes in terms of the two principal characteristics affecting their controllability. Formulas are given which enable the controller settings to be determined from the experimental or calculated values of the lag and unit reaction rate of the process to be controlled. These units form the basis of a quick method for adjusting a controller on the job. The effect of varying each controller setting is shown in a series of chart records. It is believed that the conceptions of control presented in this paper will be of assistance in the adjustment of existing controller applications and in the design of new installations.