A critical appraisal of committee utilization in a naval industrial activity
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Authors
McCormick, Gordon H.
Subjects
Advisors
Balyeat, R.E.
Date of Issue
1954
Date
Publisher
Purdue University
Language
en_US
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation is to appraise the utilization of committees in a naval industrial establishment with the objective of arriving at conclusions which would apply specifically to the activity investigated and in general to all naval industrial activities. The activity investigated was the Naval Ordinance Plant Indianapolis. It was not intended to justify any of the committees in use at this activity or to propose any additional ones. A criteria for use in the investigation was developed from the literature outlining the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of committees, as well as the responsibilities of the executive to whom the committee reports and the responsibilities of the chairman and members. It was stressed in the criteria that committees should function as a supplement to some individual in the organization. The information pertaining to the committees at the Naval Ordnance Plant Indianapolis was obtained by interviewing management personnel and those individuals serving on the various committees. From the interviews it was endeavored to determine, for each committee, information relating to purpose, duties, membership, preparation of minutes, frequency of meetings, executive to whom the committee reports, staff assistance, follow up, and accomplishment of purpose. The committees investigated were the Counsel and Policy Committee, the Operations Committee, committees for employee services, the awards Committee, various technical committees, training committees, safety committees, and performance appraisal committees. It was concluded that particular committees were necessary in all naval industrial activities due to certain broad policies relating to performance appraisal and employee services. Other committees were applicable to most naval industrial activities and could be used as desired, in lieu of other means. Weaknesses in the utilization of individual committees were related to meetings too infrequent to justify standing committees, committees assigned work to perform, lack of staff assistance, lack of clear definition as to whom the committee is responsible, and committees requiring a redefinition of duties. It was also concluded that safety committees were not a requirement of a good safety organization. In addition it was felt that a systematic procedure should be used for setting up a committee in order to insure the best organization for committee performance.
Type
Thesis