Business Commons^™

A Comparison Of The Classification Accuracy Of Linear And Quadratic Statistical Discriminant Models Versus Linear And Quadratic Programming Discriminant Models, Jerry William Ferry

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare the classification accuracy of two mathematical programming models versus traditional statistical discriminant analysis. Monte Carlo techniques were used to compute population 1, population 2, and average misclassification rates for the linear discriminant function (LDF), the quadratic discriminant function (QDF), a linear programming discriminant model (LPDM), and a quadratic programming discriminant model (QPDM) for specific values of several parameters which affect discriminant analysis. This study was restricted to the two group, two variable discriminant problem.

A Study Of Standard Setting And Productivity Measurements Using Learning Curves, Don William Finn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Performance standards encompass information characteristics which decay over time. Consequently, it is worthwhile to identify factors affecting information decay. In Chapter I, the objectives of this study were discussed. They are restated: (1) determine if production worker performance has changed over time, (2) provide broad guidelines and recommendations for production type industries concerning performance evaluation of employees during training, (3) find evidence that standards and environmental factors for production workers can be linked and provide information to the firm for budgeting and planning purposes, and (4) provide a basis for further research associated with identifying variables related to improving worker …

An Investigation Of Social Class As A Criterion For Deriving Market Segments Among An Elderly Population, George Bernard Glisan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of social class as a basis for deriving target markets among elderly consumers. Using the retirement communities of Bella Vista and Hillcrest in Bentonville and Fayetteville, Arkansas, respectively, four social class groupings were derived. The social class groupings were obtained via the Hollingshead Three-Item Index of Social Position. Three of the hypotheses were developed in a manner to assess buyer behavior for prepurchase information acquisition, purchase decision choice criteria, and post-purchase degree of satisfaction for limited problem-solving types of purchases. In all instances the null hypotheses could not be rejected. …

An Analysis Of Employee Turnover In A Selected Multi-Unit Retail Institution, Stephen Coleman Garrott

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the problems of voluntary employee turnover of a major retailing organization. Studies related to employee turnover in manufacturing organizations dominate the literature.

A Managerial Planning Model: An Application To The Farm-Cultured Catfish Industry In Determining The Characteristics Of Processed Farm-Cultured Catfish Consumers In Little Rock And North Little Rock, Arkansas, Argus Kenneth Pippin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of the study were: (1) to evaluate the processed farm-cultured catfish business in its embryonic stage during 1968 in terms of a systematic managerial planning model (MPH); (2) to focus on the managerial strategy of market segmentation and determine the relationships between the number of processed farm-cultured catfish sales and selected economic and socio-economic determinants or consumer market behavior. From the evaluation of the processed farm-cultured catfish business as it existed in 1968, it was suggestive that the planning process was not implemented thoroughly. Several areas exhibited weaknesses or unfavorable influence that were deterrents to the success of …

The Future Of Credit Unions: Growth Or Stagnation?, Charles Paul Edmonds Iii

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The general purpose of this study was to evaluate the operation and problems of credit unions in the United States. More specifically, the study attempted to evaluate the contributions of credit unions, to reveal their major problems, to evaluate their competitive position among financial institutions, and to evaluate the influence of current and proposed credit union legislation. To accomplish the stated purposes, the credit union industry was surveyed at various levels. A questionnaire was sent to all credit union leagues in the United States. Another questionnaire was sent to selected credit unions in the fifth district of the Credit Union …

An Evaluation Of The Entity Theory As A Partial Solution To The Non-Comparability Enigma Of Inter-Firm Income Statement Analysis, Lester Lee Schmidt Jr.

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study has been to evaluate on deductive grounds the proposition that income as determined according to the entity theory would be more comparable among firms than income as determined under contemporary generally accepted accounting principles, and to investigate whether or not empirical support exists among two professional groups for the propositions inherently contained in the entity theory.

Some Laboratory Experiments To Test The Unity Of Command Principle, James Miller Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study reports on three separate laboratory experiments designed to test the validity of the principle of unity of command. This principle of classical organization theory had its popular beginning with Henri Fayol and is based on common sense and experience, but has apparently never been scientifically tested using objective measures of performance. The null hypothesis was stated as follows: "There is no significant difference in the performance or morale of individuals who work under conditions of unity of command and individuals who work under conditions of disunity of command".

Subjects in each experiment performed tasks under controlled conditions in …

A Theory Of Formal Organization And Its Acceptance By The Business Practitioner, Edgar Thomas Busch

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Formal organization theory has evolved from the traditional school of thought through the scientific management and behavioral schools and into what is currently called open system theory. In spite of voluminous writing by the academician, no school of thought or no theory has been universally accepted. This may be due to the failure to consult the businessman who interprets and applies theoretical concepts to the practical situation. The purpose of this study was to help clear the theory jungle by determining the extent to which a sample of business practitioners agreed with basic factors of a comprehensive theory of formal …

An Inquiry Into The Possible Relationship Between The Success Of A Social Fraternity And Its Adherence To Business Management Practices And Principles, William Van Muse

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research tested the hypothesis that the better managed are social fraternities, the more successful they will be. The stated purpose of the study was to provide information to answer the following questions: 1) To what extent are selected management practices and principles utilized by college social fraternities? 2) Is there any significant relationship between the adherence to these managerial principles and practices and the degree of success achieved by the fraternities studied? Research design. Success was measured in comparative terms—how well the fraternity being studied ranked when compared to the other groups with which it competed. Six criteria were …