Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing The Recycling Rate In Clark County, Nevada, Emerald Laija

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate policies that could increase the amount of municipal solid waste recycled in Clark County, Nevada. Clark County has not met the Nevada State goal of a 25% recycling rate since it was established by the Nevada Legislature in 1991. Using the system dynamics problem solving approach, a model for Clark County was adapted from a model developed by Stave (2008) to test policy options. There was no feedback in the model due to the long lifespan of the landfill servicing Clark County and the relatively shorter time horizon of the …

The Environmental And Economic Benefits Of Highway Access Management: A Multivariate Analysis Using System Dynamics, Dan Andersen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Better management of highway operations can be achieved, in part, by controlling vehicular access to adjacent properties and cross streets. This tactic, referred to as access management, has proven safety and operational benefits. However, doubts remain regarding its environmental and economic benefits.

I hypothesize that one environmental indicator, carbon emissions, will decrease with proper access management. Controlling access increases the speed at which vehicles travel, improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. My hypothesis relative to financial impacts is that access management will neither help nor harm businesses. Controlling access can reduce travel time which has the effect of increasing …

Road To The Green Seal, Milos Cerovic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Green Seal is one of the most recognized non profit organizations that work closely with companies from all over the country to provide certification of environmentally friendly products used by employees. There are many reasons for product certification process. The most obvious one is to preserve the environment and energy efficiency. Another important reason is to reduce the cost and increase the profit by using products with higher durability and less expensive packaging. Of equal importance is participation in green initiatives which allows hotels and other organizations to capture additional businesses, media exposure etc. InterContinental Chicago is the largest and …

Managing Cultural Diversity In Hospitality Industry, Yi Gong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cultural diversity has become a major issue in the hospitality industry of the United States. This paper focuses on analyzing the change faces and current status of the cultural diversity in the hospitality workplaces, discussing the opportunities, benefits and challenges from the culturally diverse workforce, and providing practical recommendations that might help human resource managers to successfully dear with cultural diversity issues. Based on the analysis of cultural diversity, this paper creates a cultural diversity training module for a graduate human resource course or a hospitality company training program that aims at facilitating trainees to increase cultural diversity awareness and …

An Observational Tool For Measuring The Dealer's Emotional Labor In A Casino, Alfred Sukwon Jang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The hotel industry has been interested in friendliness as a means of improving the relationships with customers. Upon how to operationally measure the employee’s friendliness, emerging studies have mentioned emotional labor at work. This study developed an observational tool for measuring the dealer's emotional labor in a casino by observing the smiling, eye contact, collecting in a gentle manner, greeting, thanking, and apologizing.

The Relationship Between High Risk Athletes Risk Perception Of Adventurous Activities, Their Travel Destinations And Their Vacation Travel Patterns, Tanir Magen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adventure tourism is a growing market segment in the US; the decision to participate in adventurous activities and the selection of risky destinations while on vacation involves ones risk perception about the physical risks that can lead to fatal results from these activities. Existing literature suggest that risk perception is a determinate in choosing a leisure activity and destination while on vacation and that level of tolerance to uncertainty can determine travel behavior (Floyd & Gibson, 2004; Fuchs & Reichel, 2006; Hofstede, 2001; Iso- Ahola, 1980, 1982; Money & Crotts, 2003; Reisinger & Mavondo, 2005). People who have high tolerance …

Camping: A Positive Developmental Context For Youth With Disabilities/Serious Illness, Christopher T. Troxell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The paper will examine how elements of youth development can enhance the camp experience, so that new camps for youth with disabilities and/or serious illness, such as Flying Horse Farms, can start with a solid knowledge base of what works and why it works. Also, even though the paper is geared toward these specific types of camps, part of its recommendation could be modified to fit the purpose of any camp.

Taxonomy Of Knowedge Management Research In Hospitality And Tourism, Henner Nehles

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The hospitality industry is operating in an ever increasing knowledge-based economy, where hotels have to increase customer satisfaction and retention levels, lower employees turnover rates and operating expenses, maximize profits and strive to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. “Knowledge management caters to the critical issues of organizational adaptation, survival, and competence in the face of increasingly discontinuous environmental change. Essentially, it embodies organizational processes that seek synergistic combinations of data and information processing capacity of information technologies, and the creative and innovative capacity of human beings” (Civi, 2000, p.166). Knowledge Management (KM) is not a new concept. It has its …

Rebranding: A Case Study Of A Business Hotel In Singapore, Guat Loo Ooi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper examined the process of service rebranding through various studies of corporate rebranding and service branding. This paper used exploratory case study to gain insight of an actual service rebranding of a business luxury class hotel, Royal Plaza on Scotts. Information from in-dept interviews with the Marketing and Brand Director was used to understand the various elements of the service rebranding process. The study showed that the actual service brand revitalisation of the hotel involved a combination of elements in the corporate rebranding and service branding processes. The study showed that the process of making changes to service brand …

Surface Water Interaction With The Flood Plain In The Lower Virgin River, Clark County, Nevada, Jeffrie L. Pompeo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Development of existing surface water rights on the Virgin River would decrease Southern Nevada's dependency on the Colorado River. Three monitoring sites were established to examine the relationship between Virgin River surface water flows and the floodplain aquifer. Automated water level measuring devices were installed in piezometers and wells to continuously track water levels and flow direction. Pump tests were conducted to establish the hydraulic parameters of the floodplain aquifer. Water chemistry data was analyzed to help determine the correlation between the floodplain aquifer and Virgin River water. Precipitation, recharge, streamflow and ET estimates were used to discuss water budgets. …

Modeling Natural Resources Scarcity And Proverty Effects On Fertility In Honduras, Nepal, And Tanzania, Ayoub Shaban Ayoub

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation examines whether the vicious circle theory applies in three developing countries characterized by high population growth. According to the vicious circle theory, natural resource scarcity coupled with poverty leads to population growth via positive effects on fertility particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Population growth then leads to a further increase in natural resource scarcity, creating a "feedback loop." This is the first study to use micro-level data to test and control for endogeneity using a two-stage Probit model (IVPROBIT). The existing literature has largely failed to address endogeneity in the relationship between natural resource scarcity and …

Proposing Additional Questions To Understand A Destination’S Image And Its Relationship With A Business Travelers’ Socio-Economic And Demographic Profile: Specifically, The Case Of Las Vegas, Yohan Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Based on reviewed results of visitor profile reports from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and other related literature, this study concentrated on developing additional and helpful questions to measure Las Vegas business travelers’ leisure needs and their perceived image of LVCVA. These questions mainly covered the areas, which were not covered by LVCVA survey questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized to create these additional questions. Thirty seven leisure attributes were used to measure business travelers’ general travel experiences. Thirty eight leisure attributes were used to measure business travelers’ perceived overall image of Las Vegas. Three open-ended …

Life History And Population Dynamics Of Daphnia In Seven Ephemeral Pools In Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, Priscilla Kathleen Bowman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Seven ephemeral rock pools in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada were visited bimonthly over twelve months and sampled for resident zooplankton species. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of two Daphnia species, D. pulex and D. obtusa were analyzed with incidental attention given to an additional cladoceran, Moina sp. Aspects of the physical, chemical and biological environment were measured and evaluated. The behavior of these daphnid populations appears to be driven by the extreme seasonality of rock pool ecosystems between episodic disturbances of drought and deluge. No causal relationships between Daphnia population size or patterns of temporal change and abiotic factors …

Customization Vs. Standardization In Global Hotel Expansion, Nenad Praporski

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There are numerous challenges that an international hotel chain faces when opening a property in a foreign country. The company’s response to those challenges will determine the new hotel’s overall success rate. This will in turn directly affect the corporation’s profit levels. The critical issue of this project is to define to what extent the world’s largest hotel chains utilize the theories of customization and standardization when designing a business strategy for a new property. In order to truly grasp the concept, it is essential for one to value the importance of brand standard in regards to globalization in the …

Customer Loyalty Program Integration In A Restaurant: Pos System Tracking, Raegan D. Ashcraft

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Restaurants today have a high failure rate for several reasons. Heavy competition is one reason that leads to the necessity of customer loyalty. Loyal customers represent not only “stable revenues”, but they are also “six times less expensive to plan marketing. Restaurants are challenged with applying the personability to each individual customer that enters the front door in order to gain a return visit. This can be attained through “a greeting by name or simply a reference to a favorite dessert” (Liddle, 1999 ). Currently there are numerous customer loyalty programs implemented in other areas of hospitality: gaming and hotel …

An Overview Of Change Management In The Hospitality Industry, Jennifer Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

An organization operates based on shifting circumstances, both internal and external. Such a dynamic environment demands adaptability within the organization and consequently, capabilities to absorb inevitable change. Such focus requires the commitment of an organization’s staff. In the hospitality industry, this is especially so, considering the labor-intensive operations that respond to the volatile sales and the seasonality of a perishable good. This paper considers critical issues in change management that are relevant to the hospitality industry. Research studies in change management over the last several years will be identified and analyzed. In addition, case studies which support common findings will …

Developing A Comprehensive Training Guide For Dealers In The Gaming Sector Of The Hospitality Industry In Las Vegas, David Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Given that repeat business is at the core of profitable operations, particularly in the service industry, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive training guide for dealers in the gaming sector of the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. The comprehensive training guide will focus on customer service satisfaction to increase loyalty and add value to the Service Profit Chain (SPC). The efforts to develop and then implement this comprehensive training manual is to produce higher rates of repeat business, reflected in higher returns and overall profits. Therefore upon implementation, this comprehensive training manual will be the cornerstone …

Meeting Planning Basics: A Guide For Administrative Professionals, Larissa J. Schultz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Planning meetings and events is a job function that requires skills and knowledge of the meeting management industry. In today’s economy and within many organizations across the globe, both corporate and association meeting planning is a job function that is frequently being seen as a task that an administrative professional can take on in addition to their other workload. While in many instances this may seem like the most efficient and cost-effective route for organizations to undertake, in the long-run it can actually cost the organization more – in both time and money. In addition, it can lead to poorly …

An Economic Development Plan For Boulder City, Mel Barosay, Amber Z. Cunningham, Dollinda Fields, Silas Prince

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Boulder City is rich with natural resources such as abundant land, 50% of Hoover Dam's power generation at cheap rates, and a high priority right of Colorado River Water. In addition to low utility rates, Boulder City residents have the lowest property taxes by far compared to other cities in southern Nevada. Unfortunately due to needed infrastructure replacement and new expenses facing Boulder City, such as paying for a portion of the third intake at Lake Mead, revenue is no longer covering the city's expenses.

Through the previous group's (grad students of the Spring 2008 Semester) research, we combined both …

Last Minute Travel: Anomaly Or Opportunity? A Case Study Of An Online Travel Agency’S Product Evolution, Cady Wolf

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

According to Jupiter Research, Online Travel is expected to reach $128 billion by the year 2011. It is estimated that sales of online packages will reach $7.6 billion by 2011; with one segment of this market, last minute travel, estimated to reach $1.8 billion during the same period. The growth potential of the last minute market segment is substantial, as the number of consumers who purchase travel online will grow from 34 million in 2005 to 55 million in 2011 (Cannizzaro, Carrol, Offutt, and Quinby, 2007).

Beverage Operations Pricing Strategies, Jeffrey M. Yedlin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A study of pricing strategies implemented in food and beverage operations that are focused on beverage operations. This is conducted through literature review and then a real time study of operations for the Luxor Casino and Hotel. Data over a period of three months is then analyzed to ascertain practical and realistic pricing strategies facing Las Vegas in the current economy.

The Logic Of Movement: Consumption Logistics On The Las Vegas Strip, Robert Dean

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The omnipresence of consumption in advanced societies is indisputable; spaces designed to facilitate consumption (or means of consumption) are one aspect of that presence. On the surface, these spaces appear to be quite harmless dreamworlds full of possibilities, but at another level they are highly instrumental, composed of various mechanisms that work to sell commodities through the manipulation of consumer behavior. I argue that consumption spaces express a logic of movement, and a consumption logistics, that is based on the commodity form and relatable to warfare that works to domesticate consumers into the commodity system. I engage in an exploratory …

The Mayan Ice Cap: Glacial Geology And Paleoclimate Of The Northern Guatemalan Highlands, Alex Joseph Roy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Sierra de los Cuchumatanes region of the northern Guatemalan highlands supported a large plateau ice cap with an area of -40 km2 along with a group of 5 cirque glaciers -1 to 2 km2 during the local last glacial maximum (LLGM). A comprehensive mapping reconstruction of the northern Guatemalan highlands is presented here, including glacial geology and an estimate of maximum ice limits from physical evidence and computer modeling. The glacial geologic map was produced via field mapping with global positioning system (GPS) surveying combined with aerial stereo photographic and topographic map analysis. This new field work on moraine …

Kinematics And Timing Of Orogen-Parallel Flow, Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah, Tonia Gail Arriola

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alternating contractional and extensional events in orogenic belts play a significant role in dynamically adjusting crustal thickness during regional contraction. Distinguishing between these two contrasting kinematic regimes is not only important for understanding the tectonic setting but also provides insights into the dynamics of evolving orogenic wedges. The earliest pervasive fabric, D ₁ , in the Grouse Creek Mountains of northwest Utah is interpreted to have played an integral role in accommodating such a dynamic adjustment. It is interpreted that focused crustal thickening led to differences in gravitational potential energy along strike, facilitating an episode of mid-Cretaceous synconvergent orogen-parallel extension. …

Clark County Town Advisory Boards And Citizens Advisory Councils: Participation Rates, Lucy Greger, Jason Hafen, Aaron Mueller, Heather Rosich, Rebecca Saoud

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Citizen participation rates in Clark County Town Advisory Boards (TABs) and Citizens Advisory Councils (CACs) were assessed. We measured citizen participation by analyzing attendance at TAB and CAC meetings over a two-month period. We designed a survey and distributed it to TAB and CAC meetings to profile volume of attendees, demographic characteristics, and other relevant data. Each member of our group also personally attended two TAB and CAC meetings to collect observations and conducted an interview with the Clark County liaison for that group. We also examined the Clark County website to determine if it could be better used to …

Policy Analysis: Compressed Workweek, Rick Crosby, Matt Richardson, Stephen Nowicki, Ly Doan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Today the economy has slowed down and inflation has risen to near record highs. Corporations, governments, and agencies are looking at ways to save costs. Budget expenditures on payroll are addressed as well as the cost of utilities, resources, and the costs of doing business. One implicated method to help solve these problems is for the use of compressed workweeks. Compressed workweeks are both beneficial to the agencies and the employees. The employee can have more time for home life while putting in the same amount of hours at work, and save money on commuting to work. Additionally the agency …

Recruit Training Academy Las Vegas Fire And Rescue, Kristin Cooper, Christine Dudas, Torrell Huber, Stephanie Jordan, Darryl Martin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

After the retirement of Fire Chief Washington, the Las Vegas City Manager, Doug Selby and the Deputy City Manager, Betsy Fretwell sought input from Fire Department personnel on what qualities they would like to see in a new fire chief. Selby and Fretwell visited all fire department personnel, whether located in a fire station (called "the floor") or in administration. While Selby and Fretwell did learn about the leadership qualities the fire fighting personnel expected in a new chief, they also heard serious concerns expressed about the Recruit Training Academy (the Academy) and the quality of the rookies it was …

City Of Las Vegas Human Resources Promotional Selection Process Program Evaluation, Rik Holman, Cecil Johnson, April Thomas, Steve Weber

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The City of Las Vegas Human Resources Department requested the evaluation team examine the perception of fairness in the promotional selection process as demonstrated by the results of the 2007 Diversity and Inclusion Survey and related complaints from some of the employees. Based on discussions with the Human Resources department and subsequent interviews with other stakeholders, the main focus of the evaluation team covered the strengths and weaknesses of the promotional process and determining the reasons for the perceived preferential treatment in the promotional process as expressed by city employees who responded to the 2007 Diversity and Inclusion Survey. While …

Development Of A Student Ambassador Program, Heather James

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The need for colleges to explore alternative methods of increasing enrollment provides new opportunities and challenges in the quest to attract students. These challenges and opportunities can be addressed with the development of a Student Ambassador Program. This work presents the creation of an ambassador program consisting of current and former students who reach out to local high schools, career seminars, and industry related venues in order to both increase awareness of the program while also answering questions and being a point of contact for potential students. The implementation of the program involves a targeted recruitment strategy, coupled with training …

Ecotourism Sustainability, Lori W. Hedrick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Ecotourism is defined by the Ecotourism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people”. The effect of this type of tourism poses both negative and positive impacts on the tourist and society. The importance of true ecotourism is to conserve and improve the environment, but the sustainability of this type of tourism can face ecological and economic challenges.