Includes bibliography, index.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how resources are controlled in environments with ill-defined technology and output. Of interest is whether such profit and nonprofit organizations have similar control structures and processes. Organizations in three different industries were investigated: child care, information services, and fire protection. The study provides a basis to develop and understand control processes in the specific environments studied. Keywords: Control systems; Management; Fire department; Child care; Information services, Theses. (sdw).

The Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES) was designed to provide timely and accurate information on Marine Corps operating units ability to carry out their assigned combat missions using 'expert' evaluators to observe and grade simulated combat operations. This study examines the MCCRES for bias susceptibility which would cause inaccurate evaluation by addressing two questions: (1) Can evaluator factors subject to bias be identified, and (2) how can these factors be controlled or accommodate?