Motivation of the Study CIM is an abbreviation for Computer Integrated Manufacturing (see Sec- tion 1. 4, Chapter 1). It is an acronym that has become fairly weIl known in recent years in manufacturing and related engineering circles, although most laymen have never heard the term. The question naturaIly arises: why should a multinational, multidisciplinary organization like IIASA under- take a major study of such a seemingly arcane topic at this time of glasnost, perestroika, nuclear disarmament, and concern with global climate change, among other issues of global significance competing for...