Message-ID: <2886349.1075848249025.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 11:24:00 -0700 (PDT) From: steven.kean@enron.com To: schuler@rice.edu Subject: Re: my work situation Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Steven J Kean X-To: Doug Schuler X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Steven_Kean_June2001_5\Notes Folders\Sent X-Origin: KEAN-S X-FileName: skean.nsf This is an issue we have long struggled with. We have conducted several comprehensive reviews in the past and on an ongoing basis we go through a resource allocation process which enables subjective criteria to be considered in the prioritization and resource allocation process. I think the project is a good idea. Your sources would be John, Jim Steffes, and Rick Shapiro (for the RCR, or resource commitment process). Doug Schuler on 05/01/2001 10:59:10 AM To: skean@enron.com cc: Subject: my work situation Dear Steve, Jim, and Rick: I just wanted to give you a quick update on my situation at Rice and to inquire as to a future project with your group at Enron. First, I apologize for my prolonged recent absences. I have had two long-standing academic projects: one was due 4/19 (it was on "final review" - a paper about corporate political strategy - and just was accepted for publication at our top academic journal) and another is due 5/31. The 5/31 paper was commissioned long ago but is a key paper in a June conference (topic is methods to study corporate political activities and the public affairs function). In order to get it done properly, I need to forego any work at Enron until later in the month. A project of interest to me at Enron - and I hope one that you also have interest - is assessing the effectiveness of governmental affairs. John told me that he conducted such a study for the group last year. One of the methodological challenges is to calculate the benefits that government affairs brings - especially in a system where, for example, on the legislative side, much of the "work" of government affairs is to block legislation at very early stages. I suspect that govt. affairs needs to justify its existence for internal budgets at Enron and thus the benefits of the function are important to quantify. I'd like to review any of the previous work and make suggestions as necessary. At some point, let me know how you would like to proceed. Otherwise, I hope all is well with you all. Cordially, Doug Doug Schuler Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management P.O. Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892 (713) 285-5472 tel. (713) 285-5251 fax. schuler@rice.edu