Reports1, 2 were the major formal mechanism by which managers and executives at all levels acquired information about what went on at lower levels, information on the basis of which they made decisions for the future. Reports were of two basic types: ro

Reports^{1, 2} were the major formal mechanism by which managers and executives at all levels acquired information about what went on at lower levels, information on the basis of which they made decisions for the future. Reports were of two basic types: routine or periodic reports, which were issued at regular intervals to provide information on normal operations; and special reports, which analyzed (usually in response to a special request) a specific problem, opportunity, idea, or physical entity.