Public Administration ETDs

Publication Date

5-20-1971

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze difficulties during the transfer of aero space management concepts to the resolution of people/environmental problems for the benefit of mankind and the quality of life. Based on this analysis, a significant change is recommended for NASA headquarters, field centers and project organizations in the applied space age. In addition, key aero space management concepts for the resolution of value conflicts between professionals have been defined and evaluated. Scope is limited to management concepts developed by Project Apollo and to concept transfer by the Space Agency to problems of the Earth's ecosystem. To insure responsible space technology in the decade of the seventies, it is proposed that NASA establish an Office of Technology Assessment at the headquarters level. This office would be responsible for environmental impact studies of current and future applied space programs. The office would also integrate congressional, international, intergovernmental, university, public and private interests in responsible applications of space technology. Professional technology assessment personnel should work at all levels of Space Agency project management to provide a timely, effective and positive approach to project evaluation. Basic requirements, project benefits and program priorities would all be major concerns of technology assessment. The most important and perhaps most difficult task for the technology assessment professional would be to insure that the inputs from social scientists and interested groups are productive and not disfunctional. The following management concept transfer problems were evaluated in a critical analysis of the application of space technology to the Earth's environmental problems.

1. Changeable Operational Goals - intangible quality goals must be operationalized for efficient management and specific operational goals must be changeable for responsible technology.

2. From Technical to Social - techno-scientific alternatives must be related to potential social, ecological and political impacts.

3. Pragmatism Versus Intangibles - pragmatic values of specialized interests compete with intangible benefits for society and the quality of life to determine if we must survive as something less than human or if technology can serve man.

4. A New Clientele - space applications to people's problems here on Earth will involve the highly fragmented interests of a broad, directly involved clientele.

Analysis of project management studies by Syracuse University revealed the following key aero space management concepts for the resolution of value conflicts.

1. In-House Technical Competence - the establishment and maintenance of an environment within the agency conducive to scientific and technical creativity.

2. Project Management Through Persuasion – personal influence over the actions of others based on the power of personal expertise, recognition and rejection, and professional support.

3. Multi-Level Decision Making - a combination of formal, semi-formal and informal procedures at all levels of management for effective action.

4. Matrix Organization - the overlay of program lines of responsibility, authority, control and communication across functional lines.

5. Purposeful Conflict - creative tensions to maintain cohesive support within an intellectually combative atmosphere responsive to change.

6. Interdisciplinary Approach - the integration of a wide variety of professionally conflicting specialists to define and achieve a common goal.

Future aero space programs with a focus on the ecology of this planet will highlight Apollo management concepts in a different milieu. The Space Agency should be organized to meet the challenge of the applied space age.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

John Mace Hunger

Second Committee Member

Daniel U. Henning

Third Committee Member

Richard N. Hein, Fourth Committee Member: David R. Jones

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Download

Share

COinS