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Abstract

The objectives of the research on which this thesis is based are to ascertain:
(a) the state of the art of corporate modelling in the UK;

(b) the determinants of cost variations among models;

(c) the extent to which the conditions for success culled from the literature are applicable in the UK;

(a) the types of computer packages available for corporate modelling, and the extent of their
use in practice.

To achieve these objectives three surveys have been undertaken:

(i) The main survey which resulted in usable questionnaires from 65 UK organisations to provide empirical evidence on research objectives (a) to (c).

(ii) A random survey of 100 of 'The Times 1,000' to ascertain whether there was a significant
element of bias present in the main 'non-random' survey.

(aii) A survey of packages available from time-sharing bureaux, consultants and computer manufacturers. All the larger organisations were visited to obtain the information to satisfy objective (d).

Subsequently, the survey results have been extensively analysed using Kendall's rank-order correlation and factor analysis. Because much of the information was of a qualitative nature it has not been possible to use product moment correlation. Also because factor analysis is not widely accepted as a rigorous analytical technique it has not been used in the main text of the thesis.

This analysis reveals 18 trends over time and some useful relationships between independent variables and cost. However, only a few significant relationships were found between measures of success and other variables. This in itself is useful for it suggests that modellers should not place too much reliance on the conditions for success given in the literature, which appears to be biased in favour of modelling. Rather surprisingly the only statistically significant indicator to would-be modellers is the correlation between failure and the use of automatic forecasting techniques.

The research on the cost of corporate models is thought to be the most intensive yet done. Even so further research on this and other areas is suggested.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Departments:	Bayes Business School > Bayes Business School Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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