Business Commons^™

Managerial Competencies And Exemplary Leadership In The Lodging Industry: An Empirical Study, Fadila Maraouch

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

In facing the rising demand for improved quality, reduced costs, and constant innovation, the need to continuously upgrade knowledge, skills, and abilities is essential for all leadership roles including those held by executives, managers, and supervisors (Kay & Russette, 2000; Mirabile, 1997; Okeiyi, Finley, & Postel, 1994; Sandwith, 1993; Tas, 1988; Tas, LaBreque, & Clayton, 1996). With management scholars racing to meet this demand, competency modeling has become one of the most frequently used techniques to help organizations profile jobs, select, as well as prepare the right person for the right leadership position (Katz, 1955; Sandwith, 1993).

Under the …

The Gavrilovic Meat Company: Surviving And Thriving Through Years Of Chaos In Croatia, Andrew Anthony Vuksic

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Business leaders throughout the world have suffered through very difficult times within the past several years. A global financial crisis has swept through the business community with such unspeakable force that countless businesses throughout the world have been destroyed.

Yet, is it possible that many of these failed businesses could have survived this recent financial storm? Is there a company today that could be considered a shining example of what it takes to survive and thrive in the turbulent world of business?

The purpose of this business history study was to examine key distinctive qualities of a Croatian meat company, …

The Relationship Between Foreign Direct Investment And Exports From The Technology Sector In Costa Rica, Rodolfo Santamaria

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The research examined the relationship between FDI, imports and exports of the technology sector in Costa Rica. A three-stage procedure was used to examine this relationship: Testing Time Series Properties, Cointegration and Granger to estimate FDI significance and effects of FDI on technology sector exports. The results suggest an export-platform for FDI supporting that the finding may be important for Costa Rica. Also, examined were links between FDI and imports, which may show the significance effects of FDI and imports.

The study followed a causal correlational approach to analyze the relationship between FDI, imports and exports, and respective regression equations. …

Impact Of Offshore Outsourcing On Competitive Advantage Of U.S. Multinational Corporations, Yoram Benit

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Offshore outsourcing became a common business practice by most U.S. and Western businesses after the Internet became viable. It is expected that by 2015 the U.S. market will outsource 3.3 million employment opportunities and will pay an estimated $136 billion in salaries to Asian countries (Hemphill, 2004). Outsourcing became a necessity for corporations to reduce cost and maintain competitiveness in the marketplace, but its effectiveness in achieving superior performance and competitive advantage needs to be explored.

The relationship among offshore outsourcing, market freedom, and competitive advantage is an important issue for multinational corporations to conduct business and gain competitive advantage. …

Personal Characteristics, Job Characteristics, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Commitment Of Taiwanese Expatriates Working In Mainland China, Sheng Wen Liu

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

With a population of 1.2 billion, mainland China has become a major target country for many foreign companies looking to expand their businesses because of its inexpensive labor and its large market. Since 1987, many manufacturers in Taiwan have moved to mainland China to reduce labor costs. In 2006, there were 70,256 companies from Taiwan operating in mainland China with fiscal expenditures exceeding US $42.8 1 billion dollars (Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, 2006). If Taiwan's foreign direct investment (FDI) and offshore investment expenditures were included, Taiwan would have had the second largest FDI in mainland …

Impact Of Culture On International Business Negotiation: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Taiwan, Hong Kong, And Mainland China, Jung-Tsung Tu

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Each year international business amounts to more than $1 trillion U.S. dollars (WTO, 2005). Both foreign investment and international trade are growing substantially, causing increasing interdependence of national economies as well as furthering the globalization of companies. Presently, Greater China's economy holds an increasingly large influence on the world. Despite the enthusiasm for increased economic exchange, many people have found that cultural differences have hindered their ability to efficiently conduct business due to their lack of understanding of the cultural differences among Chinese citizens living in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China. People engaged in the negotiations of agreements in …

Leadership Style, Leader-Member Exchange, And Performance For A Family-Run Taiwanese Multinational Enterprise, Yintsuo Huang

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

During Taiwan's modem surge in economic development, family businesses became one of the most important organizational units in the society. Taiwanese family operated enterprises combine traditional values with Japanese and Western business practices; this influences organizational leadership styles. Most leadership theories focus on leader development; however, the relationship between supervisor-leaders and subordinate-managers is important in the leadership process. To be competitive, multinational enterprises are challenged to develop effective global management and leadership relationships and practices when conducting operations between headquarters and subsidiaries that extend across nations and cultures.

The purpose of this explanatory (correlational) and exploratory (comparative) research survey was …

Relationships Between Goal Setting, Innovation, Project Management, Quality, Speed To Market And New Product Success, Ying-Chieh Yang

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Successful new products and services are critical for business success in the global economy. Many companies, however, continue to find successful new product development (NPD) difficult. Few studies have investigated the impact of organizational culture on NPD. The literature suggests that environmental conditions intervene in NPD, but little research has been conducted on relationships between organizational culture, environmental conditions, and NPD success.

This dissertation develops a theoretical framework based on Nakata and Sivakumar's (1996) culture-NPD model which integrates four cultural values, environmental uncertainty, and firm size as keys to NPD success. Research questions and hypotheses originate from this theoretical framework. …

Pay Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment And Turnover Intention In Taiwan Banking: Structural Equation Modeling, Chin-Chih Wang

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Various investigators have researched voluntary employee turnover intention within both the private and public sectors. However, little is known about employee turnover intention within the domestic private banking industry in Taiwan. This study examined the fundamental theoretical literature and empirical studies related to employee turnover intention among Taiwanese domestic private banking employees.

The relationship among pay satisfaction, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and voluntary employee turnover is an important issue for any organization. Employee turnover as the result of practices within the fields of economics, human resource management, organizational behavior, psychology, and ethics have been examined in this study. This research …

Number Of Independent Board Directors And Training Hours And Financial Performance Of Tsec [Taiwan Securities Exchange Corporation] Electronic Companies, Fu-Huei Yang

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

In February 2002, the regulation of appointing independent directors in the boardroom was set forth in "Corporate Governance Best-Practice Principles for TSEC/GTSM Listed Companies" (CGBPP). Since the enactment of the amended "Security and Exchange Act" in 2006, all listed companies are required to appoint independent directors, not less than two in number and not less than one-fifth of the total number of directors.

In addition to implementing the independent directors system, in order to enhance director competencies and director behavior, the TSEC announced the "Guideline for Promotion of Advanced Study by Directors and Supervisors of TSEC/GTSM Listed Companies." In this …

Effects Of Financial Information Transparency On Investor Behavior In Taiwan Stock Market, Hsiu-Jen Fu

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Corporate governance is not a new issue in today's world. Nevertheless, addressing the impact of financial information transparency on investor behavior in the stock market should be explored. With the large number of incidents of accounting fraud and misstatements revealed in the past five to six years, the integrity of business financial information becomes an increasingly important issue for investors and the general public. To provide greater definition of the roles and responsibilities of publicly-owned company executives and members of their boards of directors, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) into law on July 30, 2002. …

Transformational Leadership Of Sales Managers And Job Satisfaction Of Sales Associates In The Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry In Taiwan, Yu-Jia Hu

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Literature review in sales content supported the theory that sales manager's transformational leadership has a vital influence on the job satisfaction of sales associates, while job satisfaction has significant influence on the sales associates' work behaviors. Very limited studies have extensively examined the relationship between sales managers' transformational leadership and sales associates' job satisfaction, while recent research has focused on how transformational leadership applies to sales management situations.

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between transformational leadership of sales managers and job satisfaction of sales associates in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in Taiwan. …

Perceived Service Quality, Emphasizing Empathy Of Service Providers And Retention Of Customers In A Commercial Bank In Bangkok, Thailand, Chaiyaset Promsri

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Using emotional intelligence of service providers in the service industry has increasingly been considered as a strategy to satisfy and retain customers (Lynn, 2004). However, the research in this area is scant. This study is the fist to examine and explore the relationship between service quality emphasizing empathy as emotional intelligence competence and customer retention in a commercial bank in Bangkok, Thailand.

The specific purposes of this explanatory quantitative study were (a) to describe banking customers of the specific commercial bank headquarters in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, their perceptions of service quality of service providers, and customer retention (behavioral intentions …

The Influence Of Training Evaluations On The Training Transfer: An Experience In A Multinational Venezuelan - American Corporation, Nerza Rey De Polanco

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Literature in the area recognizes that one of the best ways to reach training effectiveness is by increasing the rate of training transfer. However, people often are not able to successfully apply what they learn in training back to their work. This study proposes that to achieve a positive training transfer rate it is necessary to develop and implement a formal evaluation training system, which is able to track all factors individual and organizational- affecting transfer effectiveness before and after training occurs. In order to empirically demonstrate the influence of the pre and post- training evaluations on the transfer rate, …

Japanese Manufacturing Monopolies - What U.S. Enterprises Must Do To Maintain Global Competitiveness, Gary Grayson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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How A Service Company Expanded From A Regional Into An International Operation?, Hannah Alper

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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The Path To Globalizing Procurement Operations: Organizational, Cultural & Strategic Change For World Class Effectiveness Case Study: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, Boca Raton, Florida, Charles S. Maltrotti

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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The Impact On The U.S. Of The General Agreement On Tariffs And Trade, Sean-Stephan Pfaff

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Thailand's Investment And Economy, Vichai Hanvivatpong

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Thailand's economy seems generally strong but faces some important challenges in the medium to long term. The Thai way has produced a confident and dynamic private sector, despite numerous coup and government transitions, but the lack of central planning may cause the problems such as traffic, income distribution.

This research project examined the structure of Thai economy from the past which has helped Thailand in the global economy. The research also discussed the future of Thailand by interviewing the business people, professors, columnists, and Thai people about their opinion on Thai economy.

Why Invest In The Venezuelan Petroleum And Petrochemical Industries In 1996?, Emilio Jose Abouhamad

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

OBJECTIVES: This research examines the question "Why Invest in the Venezuelan Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries in 1996?" It has been prepared for the assistance of investors interested in participating with or assisting Petroleos de Venezuela in the creation of opportunities for expansion, both domestically and internationally, for the Venezuelan petroleum industry.

METHODS: A literature review on "Why Invest in the Venezuelan Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries in 1996?" is done to cover Venezuela's vast petroleum and mineral resources, recent actions by the government to eliminate restrictions on and promoting foreign investments, and the bidding process (1995 - 1996). There will also …

Is The Caribbean Losing Its Advantage As The Leader In Drawing International Tourists To The Western Hemisphere?, Ronald G. Schwartz

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Is Peru A Great Place For A&W?, Miguel Atala

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Statement of the problem. "Peru has the ideal market for A&W restaurants."

Methods. The literature review would be done with the help of a questionnaire that had three different sections and with an interview with the president of A&W Mr. Feltenstein. The questionnaire proved that Peruvians want the presence of A&W, an American fast food restaurant in Lima, the capital of Peru. This researcher reviewed the literature concerning Peru. Results. The final results have been very positive, Peru has economic stabilization and is recognized internationally as a star. It was bankrupt five years ago and now is growing very fast. …

How Does One Start A Business In Jamaica?, Mary-Ann Natale

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Objective:

To provide a company with a comprehensive overview of the governmental as well as social process as it relates to the formulation of a business entity in Jamaica.

Methodology:

1) Literature review of magazine articles and books.

Conclusions:

The results of this project gives a company an easily understandable and executable document, with which one could form and operate a business entity within the Jamaican governmental guidelines. This document also shows that the hospitality industry (i.e. Hotels/Restaurants) is quite a predominant field to be entering in at this time in Jamaica. Throughout this exposition one could conclude that in …

Is Iso 9000 Required For Global Competitiveness?, Coreen F. Panusky

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Global competition has become of an issue of survival , companies have been forced into re-evaluating how they do business . Quality is a focal point of IS09000 certification as well as global standardization . This project examines and assesses the impact of IS09000 and if it will be a viable means of entry into the European market in the 21st century . The paper will examine other quality standards and if they alone will be adequate to compete globally.

Feletti And The U.S., Cristina Sirianni

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Will A Women's Manufacturing Clothing Operation Be Feasible In La Paz, Bolivia?, Linda Mercado

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

More and more foreign companies have been looking to Bolivia, located in the heart of South America, as the ideal offshore production location to reduce operating costs. Investors are impressed to find very competitive labor rates, high productivity, low turnover and low absenteeism. The average wage for a factory worker is about 100 dollars per month.' Although the literacy rate is low, the work force has a tradition of manual dexterity, train ability and high work ethics.

The country's attractiveness as a manufacturing location is further increased because Bolivia does not have apparel quotas. In addition, special treaties and agreements …

Ibm's Os/2 Warp And Its International Strategy, Manuel A. Matienzo

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

It is my intention, through the research in this thesis to present problems and solutions to normal business and marketing decisions that take place on a day-to-day basis in IBM Corporation. Also, OS/2 new version named Warp will be studied to an extent. OS/2 version 3 is not only a multitasking, multiprocessing operating system, but is also is IBM's most recent and advance piece of software they have ever produce.

It is a world of choices. Just as IBM hopes OS/2 warp will fulfill users operating systems needs, I will try to fulfill the needs of IBM to release a …

How The Rapid Changes In The International Telecommunications Industry Are Impacting The Market For Callback Systems, E.K. Morice

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Free Trade: The Way Of The Future, Kathleen Hanley

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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A Study On [The] Cons Of An Independent Quebec, Genevieve Laverdure

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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