UTILIZING LATERAL ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS IN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION - MISSION PLANNING FOR MANNED SPACEFLIGHT

Sep 2, 2026

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Innovative management techniques developed for the Apollo Program are assessed as a significant contribution to national capabilities alongside technical achievements. The thesis investigates a key organizational structure within Apollo: spaceflight mission planning, characterized by distinct lateral patterns of organization. Three working hypotheses examine the structure as an example of Likert’s multiple overlapping group concept, the role of line supervisors in integrating cross-functional group activities, and the coordination value of multiple overlapping groups. Data collection uses literature review, analysis of mission planning structure, and questionnaire information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages221

Reading Time9 h 17 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract of Thesis

Key management concept and thesis focus

Working hypotheses

Data collection methods

Literature findings on lateral coordination

General Disclaimer One or more of the Following Statements may affect this Document ·This document has been reproduced from the best copy furnished by theorganizational source.It is being released in the interest of making available asmuch information as possible. ·This document may contain data,which exceeds the sheet parameters.It wasfurnished in this condition by the organizational source and is the best copyavailable. ·This document may contain tone-on-tone or color graphs,charts and/or pictures,which have been reproduced in black and white. ·This document is paginated as submitted by the original source. ·Portions of this document are not fully legible due to the historical nature of someof the material.However,it is the best reproduction available from the originalsubmission. FACILITY FORM 602 This thesis,directed and approved by the candidate's com-mittee,has been accepted by the Graduate Committee of TheUniversity of New Mexico in partial fulfllment of the require-ments for the degree of Master of Arts in Public Adninistration UTILIZING LATERAL ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNSTite!N A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION:MISSION PLANNING FOR MANNED SPACEFLIGHT Leslie James Sullivan Candidate Division of Public AdministrationDepartmentYDeana 22, 1a DateCommittea wd0 培Chairman2 e7- -32883(ACCESsION NUMEER)220(THRJ35(NASACR OR TMX OR AD NUMBER)33 UTILIZING LATERAL ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNSIN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION:MISSION PLANNING FOR MANNED SPACEFLIGHT BY LESLIE JAMES SULLIVAN B.S.,Marquette University,1952 THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of theRequirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Public Administrationin the Graduate School ofThe University of New MexicoAlbuquerque,New Mexico June,1970 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis was prepared by the writer as an In-serviceFellow in the Program for Advanced Study in Public Science Policyand Administration,University of New Mexico. My thanks and appreciation are extended to the follow-ing individuals for their support. 1.To the personnel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the University of New Mexico,whose leader-ship was instrumental in establishing this Program, 2.To my superiors at Manned Spacecraft Center who provided methis opportunity for advanced study, 3.To Albert H.Rosenthal,Director,Program for Advanced Studyin Public Science Policy and Administration,who not onlyimplemented the Program,but who through seminar,consistent1ystressed not only the requirement for high standards and goals,but also the administrative necessity of "getting on"with thetask at hand, 4.To the faculty and Fellows in the Program who provided astimulating and meaningful environment, 5. To the personnel at Manned Spacecraft Center who assisted mein developing the data necessary for this study, 6.And,especially,to my wife,Helen,who typed and otherwisehelped me in the preparation of this thesis--not out of necessity,but rather in the spirit of working together.Also to mychildren,Claire,Chris,and Timmy,who had to bear with a father whowas "getting on"with a thesis. iv # UTILTZTNG LATERAL ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS IN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOFMENT FUNCTION: MISSION PLANNING FOR MANNED SFACEFLIGHT BY Leslie James Sullivan ABSTRACT OF THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Public Administration in the Graduate School of The University of New Mexico Albuquerque,New Mexico June,1970 # UTILIZING LATERAL ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNSIN A RESEARCH AND DEVEOPMENT FUNCTION:MISSION PLANNING FOR MANNED SPACEFLIGHT Leslie James Sullivan,M.A.Division of Public AdministrationThe University of New Mexico,1970 Innovative management techniques developed for the ApolloProgram may constitute as significant a contribution to our country'scapabilities as the technical achievements--this concept is advancedby certain authorities,

FAQs

What organizational structure does the thesis focus on within the Apollo Program?

The thesis focuses on spaceflight mission planning, described as an organizational structure exhibiting lateral patterns of coordination.

What are the three working hypotheses?

They propose that mission planning reflects Likert’s multiple overlapping group concept, that line supervisors integrate cross-functional group activities, and that multiple overlapping groups are valuable for coordination.

How does the thesis collect data to evaluate the evaluation criteria?

It uses three techniques: a survey of organizational literature, analysis of the mission planning structure using agency sources, and questionnaire information from members of cross-functional groups.

Sep 2, 2026

Uploaded by Eden