Business Commons^™

Assessing The Efficacy Of Cites Restrictions On Malagasy Rosewood, Nicholas Cargill

Honors Theses

This paper seeks to determine whether the CITES trade restrictions on rosewood have been effective. Effectiveness will be measured by the amount of illegal logging the restrictions reduce. The Matt Hansen Global Deforestation dataset, which measures deforestation from year to year, will be analyzed in the Google Earth Engine Code Editor to determine the yearly amount of deforestation in Madagascar. This output will then be loaded into R and assessed using OLS estimation techniques to determine whether the ban had a significant impact on the amount of illegal logging occurring in Madagascar. Because CITES restrictions are lifted and restored with …

A Land Development Financial Model, Bruce Saunders

Master's Theses

Often the term "real estate industry" is casually used as if sufficient in accurately describing a well defined segment contributing to the GNP. In actuality, real estate is a very large complex industry, involving a variety of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals with different functions and objectives. A comprehensive profile of the industry would include investors, lenders, and government regulators. These players may be involved with a vast array of projects such as undeveloped land, single family and multifamily housing, office building, shopping centers, industrial buildings, hotels and motels, mobile home parks, resorts or recreational complexes. This variety illustrates the …

Core Component Choices In Single-User Computer Systems : A Home Office User's Perspective, James W. Violette

Master's Theses

The home office is a rapidly growing segment of the business environment. The trend toward two-income families and concerns over quality of life have made the office at home increasingly attractive alternative business style. The evolution of technology during the past ten years has opened up a broad array of choices.

The introduction of the IBM personal computer in the fall of 1981 provided the technological nucleus. Other office products aimed at the individual user such as personal copiers, facsimile machines, smart typewriters, and multi-function telecommunications products have grown around it.

The evolution of personal computer technology has been accelerating …

Evaluating Direct-Mail Effectiveness In Building Sales And Attracting New Customers, Carol Beth Spivey

Master's Theses

This independent research project describes the direct-marketing efforts of Ukrop's Super Markets through its Ukrop's Valued Customer® Program, with special emphasis on the "zip code test" conducted in August, 1989. The purpose of this test was to acquire new Ukrop's Valued Customers from a population of non-Ukrop's customers.

While the test did yield a positive net present value, in evaluating the post-test shopping behavior of the two test groups and the control group, the author determined that there were no long-term benefits from these test mailings. Recommendations for improvements (if Ukrop's undertakes a similar campaign in the future) include additional …

A Retail Branch Profitability Measurement Model For The Thrift Industry, Rex L. Smith Iii

Master's Theses

Deregulation of the financial services industry has created a need for management to adapt a different approach to operations. Drastic regulatory and environmental changes have forced thrifts and banks to concentrate on increasing efficiency and core profitability from the retail branch network. Once considered to be highly bureaucratic, financial institutions are trimming back off ice review and focusing on a more decentralized leaner operation. Expensive mergers and large conglomerate financial powerhouses have created a need for increased management controls and reasonable methods of measuring the true profitability of the individual business units within a financial services company.

Trends In Solid-Waste Management And The Implications For The Aluminum Beverage Can, Phil Whitehouse

Master's Theses

The aluminum beverage can market is extremely important for Reynolds Metals Company and other aluminum producers being the single largest end-use market for aluminum in the United States. Shipments of 77.9 billion cans in 1988 accounted for 96% of total beverage can shipments, equivalent to 3.6 billion pounds of input canstock or 21% of the estimated 16.9 billion pounds of U .S. aluminum industry shipments. It is also one of the few aluminum markets that has exhibited consistent growth this decade, with canstock shipments increasing 4.6%/yr.versus 1.8% for all other products. Its success can largely be linked to its recyclability …

Thrift Competition And Its Impact On Financial Institution Mergers And Acquisitions In The Richmond, Virginia Rma, Kenneth W. Vance

Master's Theses

Commercial banking has been subject to antitrust review for only a few decades. In 1948, the Transamerica Corporation was charged by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System with a violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act when it acquired controlling interest in several independent banks in California ⁽¹⁾. At the time of the acquisitions, the banks in question were in direct competition with one or more oof the banks already controlled by Transamerica Corporation. Moreover, Transamerica Corporation held a major interest in Bank of America. This unique case ignited a fear of probable banking concentration …

Diversification In The Cigarette Industry In The 1980'S, Hector Alonso

Master's Theses

This study is a comparative analysis of the diversification strategies of the six domestic cigarette manufacturers in the 1980' s. It uses financial analysis to look at how the different cigarette manufacturers have invested the cash generated by the tobacco businesses, and how the companies rank in terms of their ability to generate profits and stockholder wealth in non-tobacco businesses.

Evaluation Of A Computer Simulation Of The Radiant Heat Curing Process For Primary Urd Electrical Cable, Grover L. Stell

Master's Theses

It is the intent of this paper to compare the predictions of an in-house developed computer model, of the radiant heat curing process for plastic insulated electrical cable, with data gathered both from trials in a pilot facility and from actual production in a full scale manufacturing plant. First, background explanations of the product and the manufacturing process are given. Then the thermodynamic and chemical basis of the computer model are discussed in some detail. The model predictions of product temperatures during processing are then compared to the results obtained during trials at the pilot facility. Next, degree of cure …

Sovran Financial Corporation Competitive Analysis, Don Kierson

Master's Theses

Competitive theories attempt to describe, analyze, rationalize and predict behaviors when two or more people want the same thing. Competition appears to come naturally to humans. We have evolved over vast number of generations in response to changes in our environment. Our early struggle for existence led to a highly developed tendency toward aggressive behavior. The process of natural selection depended on this trait to ensure that the strongest members of our species flourished. If unchecked, however, aggression would have eventually destroyed mankind. V.C. Wynne-Edwards²⁹ theorized that societies of higher animals have developed "conventional competitions" which encourage aggression while …

How To Organize A New Bank In The State Of Virginia, Andrew J. Callahan

Master's Theses

The purpos'E of comprehensive, this paper is to provide the user with a step-by-step procedures manual for the organization and opening of a state-chartered, Federal Reserve member community bank in the Commonwealth of Virginia 1 • This paper is written under the assumption that the organizers of a new bank have limited experience in the processes of organizing an effective Board of Directors, assembling a management team, selling stock in a new venture, gaining regulatory approval and opening the doors of a new commercial bank. This manual will attempt to address the strategic issues such as market analysis and financial …

Urban Economic Development And Small Business In Virginia, Muriel Johnson Murray

Master's Theses

This study explores, by a survey of available published materials, the role of city economies in the national economy, the role of entrepreneurial small business in the economy of the city in which it is located, and the means available for promotion of small business in urban economic development initiatives undertaken by government and private sector organizations. In addition to a survey of the literature, investigation included interviews with key personnel concerning efforts being made, both in the past and in the present, in the private sector and by various local, state, and federal government instrumentalities to foster the development …

A Justification For Implementing A Monetary Incentive Plan For All Salaried Employees, Peter N. Pastore Jr.

Master's Theses

The current organizational status of the hunan resource has undergone significant changes. Recent technological advances and increased global competition are causing a shift from labor intensive to capital intensive production in the industrialized nations, with an accompanying emphasis on product quality. Concomitantly, (1) the quality of the machinery depends on the hunan variable in the producing company; and (2) while machines can be sped up to increase the quantity produced, the calibration of that equipment, for example, is left up to the human factor. Since these technological advances are projected to continue, more and more emphasis will be placed on …

A Strategic Plan For Mis At James River Corporation Of Virginia, Kent C. Bowling

Master's Theses

The objectives of this paper are (1) to present a methodology for developing an M.I.S. strategic plan, and (2) to recommend a M.I.S. organizational structure for James River Corporation of Virginia. The paper begins by describing the five businesses of James River and then describes a process for developing a strategic plan for a M.I.S. function. The next two sections define a desired future state for M.I.S. in James River and present guidelines for implementing this future state. The fifth section defines a method of implementing the strategy across the five diverse businesses of the corporation.

Preliminary Urban Land Use Planning, Robert H. Harris Jr.

Master's Theses

The purpose of this report is to create a primer of basic real estate development principles and practices pertaining to preliminary urban land use planning. The report is directed toward the decision maker who is oftentimes not a sophisticated real estate professional. Normally, the decision maker is the owner of the property or a small developer who selects the land use based upon his limited experience.

A methodology is developed for performing a preliminary site plan analysis, and rules of thumb for development are embodied in a use compatibility analysis to aid the decision maker in seiecting the feasible alternatives …

The Assessment And Application Of Patient Satisfaction Variables In Marketing A Psychiatric Practice, Donald E. Christensen

Master's Theses

As the health care industry becomes increasingly more competitive, marketing functions will take en increasingly more importance. At the core of the marketing concept is the pursuit of customer satisfaction, or, for medical services, patient satisfaction. This study reports en the administration of a 33- item patient satisfactien questionnaire to the consumers of services in four outpatient offices of a large, group private psychiatric practice. Data are analyzed descriptively and recommendations are made for improvements of service delivery based on the findings of the survey.

An Empirical Investigation Of The Perceptions Of The Successful Woman In Management, John P. Gavin

Master's Theses

This research paper is an empirical study of the perceptual differences of male management and the female professional employee population at Philip Morris U.S.A. Operations. The female professional employee population has been further categorized into two groups, "successful" (grade 10 and above) and all other exempt females (those who have yet to attain the stated level to be considered successful).

The perceptual differences between the three groups was determined by responses to a survey administered to a statistically valid representative sample of the male management and female populations (2).

The data from the survey was examined for significant differences from …

An Evaluation Of The Examination Process Of State Chartered Credit Unions In Virginia, George H. Latham

Master's Theses

State chartered credit unions in Virginia are by Statute incorporated and regulated by the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth. Part of the regulatory process is a periodic examination of the books and records of each credit union to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations as well as the safety and soundness of depositors' funds. The quality and effectiveness of this examination process has never been measured, nor has it been empirically evaluated to determine its strengths and weaknesses. This study identifies areas of the examination report which can be improved in order to make it a more useful …

The Valuation Of Closely Held Stocks For Federal Estate Taxes, Carroll Lee Saine

Master's Theses

The purpose of the thesis, stated simply, is to give some insight into the problem of intelligent valuation and attempt to show that no rigid formulas can be developed to solve the unsatisfactory situation that now exists in taxing closely held stocks.

Economic Effects Of An Industrial Plant Locating In A Rural County, Willie Calvin Rigsby

Master's Theses

Since the end of World War II, there has been a measurable tendency for new manufacturing plants to be built in rural areas in the South. The predominantly rural and agricultural counties of Virginia have a considerably higher proportion of the new plants than they had of the total number of manufacturing plants in 1950.1 In Virginia, this trend has been aided by the Division of Industrial Development and Planning, and industrial departments of railroads and electric utilities, which have used their influence to encourage the building of new manufacturing plants in low-income rural areas when economically feasible.

In the …

An Evaluation Of Materials Handling Equipment In General Merchandise Warehouses Richmond, Va., Donald Henderson Bowles

Master's Theses

Like most persons exploring a new and unknown field, the writer did not know, at the start, in which directions his research might take him, how far it might lead or what he would find.

The stated purpose of the study was to learn what methods and which types of equipment for handling materials were being used currently in general merchandise warehouses in Richmond. The stated objectives were to make a comparison between methods and equipment being used in Richmond and to evaluate them in light of these methods and types of equipment which were considered best by the authorities …

Real Estate Syndication For The Local Realtor, Harold Joseph Lawlor

Master's Theses

The great volume of real estate transactions which have been consumated through large-scale syndications during the past fifteen or twenty years runs into the billions of dollars. Most of these transactions were consumated by the 11 know-how11 syndicators of New York, Chicago, Miami and other progressive 11 smart-money11 centers.

The purpose of this paper is to present a complete, simple and concise report on the techniques and tools of real estate syndication so that the small real estate broker will realize that: (1) putting together a syndicate is not beyond his comprehension; (2) it is not necessary to depend on …

The Prospectus And Offering Circular As Sources Of Investment Information, Bernard L. Webb

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the adequacy and reliability of information contained in the prospectus or offering circular issued in connection with new issues of common stocks. The study will be limited to issues of corporations that are just "going public." That is, the first public offering of securities by corporations that have previously been privately owned.

The study will be made from the viewpoint of the purchaser or prospective purchaser of such securities. Since most of the firms concerned in such issues are relatively new and untried, most purchasers are seeking price appreciation rather than income. …

Principles Of Credit Extention : A Case Analysis, John W. Robinson

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of The Development, Installation And Operation Of A Standard Cost System For A Paper Converter, Ray Hall Havens

Master's Theses

It is the purpose of this paper to describe in detail the development, installation and operation of a standard co8t system for a paper converting operation and the utilization of the information gathered through the operation of the system. Beginning with the nature of the business organization and the physical operations performed, the general accounting records will be considered. Follow­ ing a brief description of various methods of cost account­ ing, several reasons will be given for selecting standard costs. The methods used in developing standards will be explained and the results will be interpreted. Various means of controlling the …

A Contemporary Analysis Of The Growth, Effects, And Adjustments To Automation, James G. Frazer

Master's Theses

The objective of this thesis is to compile and analyze information on automation, beginning with its background and origin and continuing through various contemporary issues, directly or indirectly related to its development; namely, the need for automation in advancing our present-day society, socially and economically; the present-day uses and future expectations; factors standing in the way or automatic development; effects, both good and bad, attributed to automation by management, labor, and business; beliefs of management, labor and business as to the methods of adjusting these effects for the benefit of all mankind; and the question concerning automation's being the primary …

Stock Ownership Plans For Employees, E. Elwood Ford

Master's Theses

The purpose ot this paper is to present a reasonably adequate presentation of some of the developments in Stock Ownership Plans for Employees.

Plans for employee stock ownership have developed into two categories, one more often relating to employees in general and the other more often relating to a restricted number of employees, usually executive.

A Critical Analysis Of The Uniform System Of Accounting For Motor Carriers As Prescribed By The Interstate Commerce Commission, Carroll E. Miles

Master's Theses

This paper will look to analyze the uniform system of accounting for motor carriers as prescribed by the Interstate Commerce Commission by critically examining the fundamental and quintessential foundations of the uniform system and what constructs its infrastructure.

Economics Of Defense Procurement And Small Business, Charles Sayre Karis

Master's Theses

Since the end of World War II and particularly since the Korean incident, military procurement has achieved a peacetime volume never before contemplated in our history. This high level of activity and the likelihood that it will continue for a long time gives defense spending a new importance in the national economy. It is therefore desirable that small business should seek participation in this new and large opportunity since it always has been in competition to serve other kinds of economic demands.

This thesis will examine the magnitude and nature of militacy procurement and the special commercial considerations involved. The …

An Assemble And Go Originator Of An Ibm 1401 Program With Branching And Variable Printing, Walter Bruce Bennett

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.