Some applications of statistical method to the solution of factory management problems, with special reference to Texas

Business decisions, to be made intelligently, must be based upon numerical facts. This fact was repeatedly brought home to the writer during some six years of work in production engineering, time study, and payroll administration in the nineteen-thirties. This work preceded his finishing college, and the interest in the possibilities of numerical controls engendered in this period caused the writer to major in accounting and statistics in his college work later on. In the post-war period, the organization and presentation of a course in internal statistics was assigned to the writer in the course of his teaching at The University of Texas. When fully developed, it became a course in statistical method applied to internal data, or industrial statistics. In this way, the earlier interest was brought to a focus in the field of industrial control by means of statistics. The dissertation stems from the study and research so begun. lt has two main purposes. These are (1) a determination of the nature and scope of the applications of statistics to the solution of problems confronting the manufacturer, and (2) a determination of the degree to which Texas manufacturers actually are using such statistical control techniques. The first of these purposes when carried out will disclose the opportunities for the improvement of management. It should be emphasized that many of these statistical control techniques are relatively new applications and that much of the work done in their development is little known to business managements. Hence, fulfillment of the first purpose is important in itself. Carrying out of the second purpose will disclose the degree of reliance upon, and use of, these statistical techniques in Texas. Thus, it measures the degree of realization upon the opportunities availableBusiness Administratio