NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

20040070860 Digital Equipment Corp., Maynard, MA, USA
Counteracting the Stipling Effects of a Large Organization
Weiss, Harvey; Hill, Richard L.; NASA Symposium on Productivity and Quality: Strategies for Improving Operations in
Government and Industry; [1984], pp. 103-109; In English; See also 20040070839; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02,
Hardcopy
In recent years, organizational behaviorists have written literally millions of words concerning the "large "
organization, its behavior, and techniques to manage and renew its effectiveness. This paper carries a basic premise: that
organizations, whatever their size, should exist and be configured to enhance the effectiveness of the individuals in that
organization. Three specific concepts are explored, with actual examples shown, and a call to action in each area is defined:
1. Think differently; the way you did it last Year may not be the best way to do it this year. 2. Invest in people; capital invested
in "people" may produce larger returns than you ever thought possible. 3. Keep focus on the mission; we may
mistakenly encourage people to stray from the desired "mission" of the enterprise through the structure, the
measurement system or the reward system we put in place.
Author
Organizations; Effectiveness; Management Methods
20040070861 Dana Corp., Toledo, OH, USA
The Dana Style: Participation Builds the Climate for Productivity
Hirsch, Carl H.; NASA Symposium on Productivity and Quality: Strategies for Improving Operations in Government and
Industry; [1984], pp. 135-141; In English; See also 20040070839; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
The Dana Corporation is a manufacturer of traditional vehicular and industrial products. Yet Dana is also widely
recognized as having one of the most innovative programs in American business for building productivity through people.
Called "The Dana Style," this program emphasizes that any person is the best authority on how to do his or her
job. Two key elements of The Dana Style are productivity through people, and autonomy & entrepreneurship. The former
works through an employee stock purchase plan, quality circles, productivity gain sharing activities, continuous
communication, and similar efforts to tap the skills of all Dana people as the company’s most productive resource. The latter
defines an organization in which management is reduced through regionalization, task forces, councils, and committees. Each
element is intended to remove the management barriers to the productivity gains of which every person is capable.
Author
Commerce; Productivity; Autonomy; Industrial Management
20040070862 Honeywell, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA
Why Wrestle with Jellyfish?
Boyle, Richard J.; NASA Symposium on Productivity and Quality: Strategies for Improving Operations in Government and
Industry; [1984], pp. 179-184; In English; See also 20040070839; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
Based on experience with stimulating organizational change, the author suggests that executives should make sure they
are devoting their attention to the right things -- culture, quality and management systems. Eight pitfalls that accompany
dealing with change are noted, and eight corollary lessons are offered.
Author
Productivity; Organizations; Project Management; Economics
20040070863 NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
Contractor and Government: Teamwork and Commitment
Griffin, Gerald D.; NASA Symposium on Productivity and Quality: Strategies for Improving Operations in Government and
Industry; [1984], pp. 23-29; In English; See also 20040070839; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
The assigned topic, "Contractor and Government: Teamwork and Commitment," is a subject about vitally
interested. The successes of the U.S. space program were built on such teamwork and commitment. It seems only a short time
ago that man’s role in space was an unknown quantity. In rapid succession, however, the flights of Shepard, Glenn, and
Armstrong demonstrated man’s capability to live and travel in space. Consequently, we no longer live with the same awe of
space. The success of these joint industry-NASA efforts in achieving our Nation’s space goals testifies to the validity of our
team’s past commitment, management expertise, communications techniques, and teamwork over a period of 25 years. Today,
however, We are at the beginning of a new era in space.
Derived from text
Contractors; Management Methods; Governments
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