Competition alters equation for industry

Article Abstract:

Monopsony denotes a market with a single buyer. That is how US defense contractors perceive the Department of Defense and its increased burden of procurement regulations. Since 1984, the defense contractors have been required to adhere to a whole raft of new regulations that have resulted from contractor abuses exposed by the media and Congress. Greater financial outlays are now required of contractors at a time when the defense budget is expected to decline to $275 billion by 1993. A survey of defense contractors showed that they would be encouraged to manufacture better quality and less expensive defense products if there was more research funding, flexible contracting specifications, multiyear procurement schedules, and less oversight. The new contracting environment has brought about industry consolidations. Bigger companies are acquiring smaller subsystem suppliers, especially in the area of electronics. Contractors would like to see improved communication and more trust between them and the Pentagon.

Laws, regulations and rules, Contracts, United States. Department of Defense, Purchasing Systems, Competition, Government Regulation, Defense Contract

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'Digitized sunshine' aids architects

Article Abstract:

Architects have coined the word 'daylighting', referring to working out the flux and density of window light on interior surfaces before construction of a building starts. Daylighting's aims are to minimize energy usage and to minimize the need for harsh, expensive electric lighting. Architects employ 'sky simulators', as well as digitized images and computer models, taking into account how both daylight and electric lighting affect temperature. Daytime artificial lighting can substantially increase a building's energy consumption; the energy crisis of the mid-1970s prompted support for research into daylighting. For example, The US Department of Energy set up a program at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, which is affiliated with the University of California, to explore energy savings that might be achieved using daylighting. New methods and technologies are the result.

Architectural services, Architecture, Computer aided design, United States. Department of Energy, Lighting, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Simulation, Energy Management, Computer-Aided Design, California, University of (Berkeley)

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At Motorola: new alliances, new management

Article Abstract:

Motorola Corp is a diversified electronics manufacturer that is the largest supplier of land-mobile radio products in the world, a major owner of mobile-radio trunking systems, and the fourth largest semiconductor producer. Motorola profits from mature technologies and has been successful in competing with Japanese rivals. The company's grand strategy to enter the information industry has had mixed results, with systems manufacturing yet to bear fruit while the data communications products perform well. The company's 1987 net profit increased 59 percent to $308 million on revenue of $6.7 billion, up 14 percent. Profits for the 1st qtr of 1988 more than doubled to $114 million, while sales were up to $1.9 billion.

Semiconductors and related devices, Computer integrated systems design, Management, Semiconductor devices, Electronic components, Motorola Inc., Company Profile, Semiconductor Device, MOTC

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