Abstract
An increasingly common phrase being bandied about today is ?reverse engineering.? The U.S. Supreme Court has defined reverse engineering as starting with the known product and working backward to divine the process that aided in its development or manufacture. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of precisely what reverse engineering is, how it is being used today, and what the implications of the technique may be for the future. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"According to McGonagle and Vella (1996), in reverse engineering, a company takes apart a product and examines how it was assembled, what it cost, and what the entire package and its components tell us about the competition and its activities. "Typically, the customers of reverse engineering are those in product development and engineering. The time horizon is always retrospective, since the company is looking at what has already been done, and the targets are competitors, direct and sometimes indirect" (McGonagle & Vella, 1996, p. 17)."

Tags:act, agreement, aspects, cad, computer, intellectual, manufacture, property, related, rights, secrets, trade, trips, uniform, wto

Abstract
This paper explains that manufacturing is a very complex operation with numerous components and with many individuals working together to ensure that the end-product meets the required quality control and time schedule. The author points out that engineering plays a central position within the production organization. The paper relates that the most widely used production planning and control systems in the U.S. are variations of MRP, or Material Requirements Planning, and MRPII, or Manufacturing Resource Planning.

From the Paper
"Production planning occurs in several steps. The first is to identify the end goals that are necessary to achieve and to establish an inventory strategy for quoting delivery of parts required. The production plan provides the primary communication link between management and manufacturing and becomes the basis for focusing the manufacturing resources in a way that will achieve the objectives of the company. The next several steps break down the production process into the required tasks and determine when each one has to start. At times, one task can be completed with any of several different resources equipment and/or employees. In this case, the assignment of tasks to resources can occur at planning or execution time. If a number of tasks need to be accomplished at the same time with the same resources, the plan should provide workers with a means to know which comes first."

Tags:jit, sequence, mrp, computer, quality

Abstract
The conversion of energy into power has progressed to this day as large corporations comply with governmental regulations that seek to ensure that enough electricity is provided to meet customer demand at a fair price. Energy service and delivery companies have provided shareholder growth through acquisitions and mergers and by cutting costs and integrating systems. This paper shows that the federal government intervenes to protect customers and investors through several commissions and agencies, primarily through the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and the more recent Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The states' Public Service Commissions regulate and monitor utility prices, service quantity and quality and can prosecute firms guilty of price discrimination. The paper shows that local governments are mainly concerned with the taking of property through eminent domain, pollution control and regional resources. Although government continues in the direction of deregulating the industry, the regulatory reporting requirements have created numerous jobs in the areas of accounting, reporting, and compliance. The paper explains that computer systems, applications, and products in data processing (SAP) help to maximize resources and assist greatly in data management and government reporting compliance.

Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Brief History of the Utilities Industry
Service and Delivery Territorial Boundaries
Welcome to Energy East
Energy East's Territory
A recent report on Energy East
Government Intervention in the Energy Services & Delivery Industry
Brief History
Federal Government Intervention
The Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission (FERC)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Regulations Regarding Stocks, Bonds and Derivatives
State & Local Government Intervention
Key Government Legislation Affecting the Industry
Public Holding Company Act of 1935
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Reporting Requirements
Establishing and Maintaining Effective Reporting Systems
Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing (SAP)
Communicating with SEC Officials
Conclusion
Career Opportunities
References

From the Paper
"Federal, state and regional governments collaborate in controlling electricity prices and the supply of electricity because a price or demand increase in one regional area affects electricity costs and supply of nearby regional areas. One region's energy crisis can have a spill over effect into other states and may spread across the country. This became apparent in California when there was not enough supply to meet the demand during California's deregulation of public utilities as California turned to neighboring regional areas to purchase additional power. When other states refused to sell electricity to California in their crisis because of risk factors, a government emergency order saved them by requiring out-of-state companies to sell power to that region (Bonsor, 2001). Power outages can spread as they too can have spill over effects onto other regions. This happened in the summer of 2003 when New York City up through Canada experienced a massive black out."

Tags:deregulation, puhca, FERC, public, utility

Abstract
This paper uses an example of a manufacturer of engineering products to highlight the functions of production management. It discusses the role of and abilities needed in a production manager. The paper also explores, by example, the production line and its problems. The author expands on the Japanese system of "kanban".

From the Paper
"The organization that we are talking about is a manufacturer of engineering products, and the major part of the work seems to be assembling different items into a final product. The function concerned is called in management terms as production management. The most important part of the capacity of a production manager is the ability to balance risks and costs. The duty of the production manager is to keep a track of the involved costs on a regular basis. (Production Management) In this relevant case we have to prepare the job schedules in a detailed manner and for that purpose nowadays there are many different varieties of computer programs which are being available for use. Yet even before finally deciding upon which program or method need to be utilized for the purpose, one has to study about the entire procedure in a most detailed manner."

Tags:engineer, line, Japan, Kanban, manufacture

Abstract
This paper explains the technical aspects and managerial issues of the Challenger disaster. The author states that behavioral issues don't apply, but rather NASA proved to be seriously deficient in their organizational theory.

Abstract
This paper presents process improvement and analysis plus quality management interactive simulation. It focuses on the process management problem at First Health Clinics. Additionally, the paper identifies the external and internal customers, and the quality management tools.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is three-faceted The facets of the purpose are as follows: Identify a process management problem that affects product quality at First Health Clinics; Analyze the process management problem through the application of quality tools; Recommend a solution to the process management problem based in quality improvement. The findings of the investigation and analysis are presented in seven components..."

Tags:Control Charts, interactive simulation, Pareto Charts, management

From the Paper
"Introduction
Costs associated with inventory make up one of the most critical cost areas within an organization. Whether the company manufactures goods or sells finished products, inventory carrying costs and their component parts can represent a significant portion of the company's cost structure. In addition, having the wrong amount of inventory on hand can result in severe difficulties. This research examines a particular type of inventory management, just-in-time (JIT), and examines how JIT was implemented at Dell Computer, a leading multinational personal computer manufacturer.


JIT
Reduction of inventories is the main reason that companies have sought alternative inventory management methods. The use of smaller batches leads to..."

Abstract
The functions of management and operations management go hand in hand. This paper defines the four functions of management - planning, organizing, leading (motivating) and controlling, together with the operations management theory. It then provides an analysis of how the functions of management affect the operations management.

Outline
Abstract
The Four Functions of Management
Operations Management Theory
Impact of Management Function on Operations Management
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As the goal of organizing is to produce better results, similarly leading or motivating is necessary for an organization to extract maximum performance out of the workers. With appealing incentives, workers would work honestly and put in their best. This in turn would save the company time and there would be a complete control of the managerial department over things like production control and quality control. When an employee is rewarded for work hard done, then it is only natural that they would put in the most effort. An employee would by nature be well-organized thus bringing the load off the managerial department as far as quality control is concerned. It would also give a higher rate of production and an organization can comply with increasing demands."

Tags:controlling, motiviation, planning, performance, organizing

Abstract
This paper examines how the various forecasting methods have their differences and similarities. Some are based on hard data, such as past sales figures and surveys, while another may simply use assumptions. It looks at how, with the ever changing market trends careful considerations must be given to any style of forecasting that is used and how the type of forecast method used depends on which area of the market a company is in.
Outline
Time Series
Causal Forecasting
Delphi Method
Forecast Comparisons
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The clothing industry utilizes forecasting methods that contain both assumptions and past data. Clothing styles change on a regular basis and rely on one constant, what is pleasing to the public's eye. Over the past few decades clothing styles focus on the amount of skin that is reviled and how the cloths show off the body's figure. Many people feel that wearing a certain outfit they saw in a magazine or commercial will look just as good on themselves. In other words: the clothes make the person. Some people believe that people who are obese or have very bad skin should not be wearing garments such as mini-skirts, plunging neck lines, shorts or mid-drifts. "

Tags:time, series, causal, delphi

Abstract
This paper discusses the Comet jet airplane accidents of the early 1950's, and the profound effects they had on certain aspects of our society. The author examines the various effects a technological disaster has on our lives and the world around us, as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered after a technological disaster.

From the Paper:

"By examining the jet aircraft industry, but in particular the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents, we are able to gain insight into what people's conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. With any technological disaster, trust in the product is often lost very quickly, and various actions are often taken to try and restore this trust. By examining these actions we can better understand how many people felt about the technology after the disasters. Lastly, not all technological disasters have purely negative connotations. Much can be learned from technological accidents that eventually lead to important improvements in the technology. By examining one major technological failure and its various effects we can gain a better understanding of how we are affected by technology as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered."

Tags:airplane, disaster, effects, history, social, technology, aircraft, industry