第三代移动通信经营权角逐的背后

目前，全球对第三代移动通信（３Ｇ）经营权的争夺已硝烟四起，各国已拍卖或即将拍卖的每张３Ｇ的经营执照都达到几十亿美元之多。各大通信公司出重金购买３Ｇ经营执照主要基于：３Ｇ的技术性能优势、自身的生存需要和巨额的赢利预期。３Ｇ经营权的争夺说明全球电信市场的开放实际上只是对少数实力雄厚的大公司的开发，各国的移动通信市场不可避免地被少数几家垄断寡头所控制，中国以此必须作出积极的反应。     

Equipment selection and justification through total productivity model

Traditional methods of economic analysis to justify equipment selection and use are based on several methods such as the Net Present Value, Break-Even Analysis, Pay-Back Period, Return on Investment, among others. However, with the introduction of automation, Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), and Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems (CIMS), such economic analyses have often resulted in decisions that management did not like to support but did not have much choice to avoid on account of pressure from manufacturing engineers, design engineers and others in the operations areas. The real problem of equipment selection and justification lies in the methodologies used.

This paper presents a unique approach to equipment justification by applying Sumanth's TOTAL PRODUCTIVITY MODEL, whereby the anticipated impact of the proposed equipment on profitability is assessed from the point of total productivity and the five partial productivities. Then, only if the equipment increases the total productivity level beyond its break even point, the equipment is selected or justified.

This method offers a non-traditional approach to justifying and selecting equipment in all types of environment. A numerical example is presented by using LOTUS 1-2-3^TM on an IBM PC. Advantages and limitations to this approach are discussed to provide a balanced perspective on the important issue of equipment selection and justification.     

A micro computer decision support system for the total-productivity model (TPM)

The Total Productivity Model (TPM), developed by Sumanth in 1979, has been applied to a number of situations involving manufacturing as well as service-oriented operations. The diversity of applications on the one hand, and the flexibility of usage of the microcomputers on the other hand, have helped to focus the need for a micro-computer based Decision Support System (DSS). This paper presents such a system using the Macintosh Computer. This DSS is a highly interactive, menu-driven program that can provide on-the screen capabilities of individual operational units as well as the firm that comprises of them. The system has several convenient features to assess the “PRODUCTIVITY- ORIENTED PROFITABILITY” of any type companies/organizations. The system logic and flow chart, data input and output formats, and sensitivity analysis will be shown and discussed in the paper. A balanced critique will be offered to view the system in a proper perspective with respect to structural elements of the Decision Support System.