Digital Commons Network^™

The Abcs Of Modified Bond Duration And Wxyzs Of Bond Convexity, Tom Arnold, Andrew C. Szakmary

Finance Faculty Publications

By breaking the mathematical derivation of Macaulay Duration, Modified Duration, and Bond Convexity into smaller easily calculated component parts, a more manageable means of calculation for these bond measures emerges for the student. Further, an Excel spreadsheet or an algorithm within a programming language can also be implemented using these smaller component calculations. The Excel template provided can be made into an assignment or used as a resource for the student.

Invisible Inequalities: Barriers, Challenges, And Opportunities, Hari Bapuji, Gokhan Ertug, Vivek Soundarajan, Jason D. Shaw

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Inequality is a grand challenge of our times, and management researchers have responded by examining the relationship between business and societal economic inequalities. This research has enhanced our understanding of the nature, sources, and consequences of inequalities, as well as identified actions to address them. However, this effort has predominantly revolved around visible inequalities. We seek to direct greater scholarly attention to invisible inequalities – uneven possession of and access to resources and opportunities to engage in value creation, appropriation, and distribution based on attributes and characteristics that are not readily apparent or noticeable. Expanding the scope of investigations to …

Demystifying The Link Between Social Media Addiction And Sharing Without Verification: The Role Of Absentmindedness And Wellbeing, Murad Moqbel, Khaled A. Alshare, Michael A. Erskine

Information Systems Faculty Publications

We use salience and dual-system theories as the lens to investigate how (via which intervening mechanism) and when (under what condition(s)) social media addiction impacts unverified information sharing. Based on results from analyzing data from 234 social media users, we found that social media addiction augments unverified information sharing, and that absentmindedness partially mediates this relationship. Furthermore, we establish that wellbeing status buffers the harmful impact of social media addiction on unverified information sharing and absentmindedness.

The Effect Of Internet Firms’ Data Analytics Capability On Their Innovation Speed And Innovation Quality: A Dynamic Capability Perspective, Yeyu Hua

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the advent of big data era, data plays a pivotal role in sustainingfirms’ competitive advantages. Although a few studies have shown that data analytics capability contributes to firms’ innovative performance, these studies either focus on general innovative performance or specific types of innovation, such as incremental innovation, radical innovation, and supply chaininnovation. In this thesis, I enrich this stream of literature by conducting twostudies to further examine the relationship between data analytics capabilityand innovation speed as well as innovation quality. This thesis consists of twostudies. Study 1 is a survey study, in which I investigate the relationshipbetween data analytics …

A Framework For Eradicating Women Discrimination In Architectural Design Firms In Egypt And Gcc Countries, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Rodayna Ehab Hegazy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – This research aims to develop and validate a framework for eradicating women’s discrimination in architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt and propose strategies for prospective adoption in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to increase the transformational impact of women on the architectural and urban developments of the Gulf region.

Design/methodology/approach – Acombined qualitative and quantitative research approach was designed to accomplish four objectives. Firstly, to investigate the nature of business in ADFs, women’s discrimination and policies for gender equity (PGE) in architecture. Secondly, to analyse three case studies to validate the identified causes and impacts of women’s …

On The Effects Of Information Asymmetry In Digital Currency Trading, Kwansoo Kim, Robert John Kauffman

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We report on two studies that examine how social sentiment influences information asymmetry in digital currency markets. We also assess whether cryptocurrency can be an investment vehicle, as opposed to only an instrument for asset speculation. Using a dataset on transactions from an exchange in South Korea and sentiment from Korean social media in 2018, we conducted a study of different trading behavior under two cryptocurrency trading market microstructures: a bid-ask spread dealer's market and a continuous trading buy-sell, immediate trade execution market. Our results highlight the impacts of positive and negative trader social sentiment valences on the effects of …

Interrelationships Among The Rice Export Prices Of Major Exporting Countries: In Search Of The Leader And Followers, Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb, Alvaro Durand-Morat

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

By examining the econometric interrelationships of rice export prices of India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, this study examines the most influential rice-exporting countries in the international rice export market. The sampled countries are the source of more than 80% of the global rice exports. In the process, this study relies on online data portals of the United Nations and country-level sources for aromatic and non-aromatic rice export price information from India, Pakistan, and Thailand. This study employed the Prais-Winsten and Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) estimation processes with the error correction procedure. Combining the findings from …

A Comparative Study Of The Business Models Used In The U.S. And Saudi Arabia Firms In Relation To Venture Capital, Abdulmajeed Ali Alkthiri

Theses and Dissertations

While venture capital (VC) has expanded globally, challenges in comparing international VC strategies remain due to data limitations and theoretical variability. This study contrasts VC investment philosophies, support mechanisms, and exit strategies in mature US firms with those in developing Saudi Arabia from 2016-2021. Analyzing fundraising, sector focus, deal volume, and exit outcomes, it finds significant differences attributed to ecosystem maturity, with some convergence in contracting and mentoring. The findings highlight the need for US VC models to adapt strategically in Islamic markets, suggesting regulatory reforms for market development. This research provides guidelines for effective cross-border VC strategy adaptation.

Enhancing Port Efficiency And Lead Time Reduction Through Predictive Analysis: A Case Study Of Container Management At Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Abdulaziz A. Aljalahma

Theses and Dissertations

Khalifa bin Salman Port (KBSP), a key pillar in Bahrain's maritime infrastructure, is the focal point of this study, highlighting the significant role of predictive analytics in optimizing port operations. This thesis analyzes container throughput data from 2017 to 2022, provided by Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation database. This data forms the basis for forecasting the 2023 throughput. The study thoroughly compares these predictions with the actual 2023 data, assessing the predictive model's accuracy. The findings underscore the importance of predictive analytics in strategic decision-making for port management, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing lead times. This research offers a …

Modeling & Engineering Of Usmepcom Business Intelligence Data, Merrick A. Bedford

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the USMEPCOM’s issue of modeling and engineering Business Intelligence data centralized around the MEPS of Excellence (MOE) program. MEPS around the US conduct military personnel in-processing and in doing so have a vested interest in the standardization and application of the data associated with such processes. There are currently 65 MEPS stations and one RPS that handle military personnel onboarding paperwork and make determinations for military eligibility. This topic is important due to the MEPS cloud data processing system modernization efforts requiring data processing adaptation to ensure relevant and meaningful usage of current data.

Examining The Effect Of Contractor Logistics Support On The Reliability Of Military Aircraft, Rodrigo S. Campos De Moura

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilizes survival analysis for examining the effect of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) on the reliability of military aircraft before and after implementing CLS. The provider of CLS in this study is the original equipment manufacturer that designed and produced the target aircraft of this study, the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano.

Systematic Review Of Supply Chain Control Tower Critical Success Factors And Resilience Effects, Clay H. Chaffin

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chain control towers (SCCTs) are emerging as a vital component of modern supply chain management (SCM); however, research on SCCTs is limited and disjointed. This paper aims to uncover the critical success factors (CSFs) necessary for high-performing SCCTs, their relationship to the enablers and phases of supply chain resilience (SCRES), and the underlying theoretical framework of this relationship.

Cost Estimating Relationships For Avionics Recurring Production Box Costs, Carla J. Cisneros

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates a dataset of 286 Department of Defense (DoD) avionics boxes, employing regression methods to establish seven cost estimation relationships (CERs) for predicting avionics recurring production box costs. Not confined to T100 costs, three baseline models use Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) T100 cost, explaining 83%, 86%, and 83% of dataset variation. Additionally, four robust models depict mean and median, T100 OLS, and T100 non-linear learning curves, explaining 67%, 65%, 97%, and 87% of the variation. These models strike a balance between simple baseline and overly complex computational models. Identified cost drivers include weight, year of first flight, volume, …

An Assignment Model For Lateral Transfers Matching Base Repair Facilities To Xf3 Coded Nsns Requiring Repair, George D. Valaika

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses challenges in efficiently distributing reparable National Stock Numbers (NSNs) to base-level repair facilities, aiming to ease strain on depot resources. It establishes a network integrating bases with similar repair capabilities for NSNs and allocates NSNs to balance repair capacities. Drawing from USAF reparable inventory modeling and inventory management theory, it generates data mimicking historical data to maximize total expected part repairs by assigning NSNs based on the best percentage of base repair (PBR).

Development Of Cost Factors For Satellite Rechargeable Batteries, Katelyn A. Clements

Theses and Dissertations

Factors are often used by the cost estimating profession to predict costs of future projects or project components. Cost factors can be useful when little to no cost data is available from which to build an initial estimate or as an easy-to-use cross check of a primary estimate. Specific to satellites, previous studies have examined cost factors at higher Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) levels (e.g., Level 2 or Level 3), while this research analyzes cost factors developed using data specific to rechargeable batteries at USCM WBS Level 4 and its parent, the Electrical Power System (EPS) at Level 3. Within …

An Introduction Of Adaptive Training Aid Concepts And Its Application To Accelerated Training For Air Battle Managers, John C. Gillispie

Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enable autonomous systems has undergone transformative shifts in the Department of Defense (DoD), revolutionizing capabilities and strategic approaches. To further optimize these advancements, varying levels of autonomy have been introduced across critical military applications, spanning intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), air battle management, and offensive/defensive air operations. As the technological landscape expands, so do the opportunities for autonomy to augment operations through human-agent teaming. Within the Air Force, one notably cognitively demanding role that stands to benefit from these strides is that of the Air Battle Manager (ABM). In support of …

Discerning Satellite Subsystem Costs To Improve Cost Estimation, Ryan A. Candella

Theses and Dissertations

The race for supremacy in the space environment is accelerating, with the United States taking a significant step by establishing its dedicated military branch for space operations. Achieving dominance in this realm relies on efficiently managing costs and securing rapid funding to initiate new programs. One step towards accomplishing this goal is to comprehend the cost distribution across the primary components of a Space Vehicle Bus and to delve into lower-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements for more precise and expeditious cost estimations. To achieve this, descriptive statistics for a variety of Bus subsystem WBS elements are provided in this …

Cloud One Migration Schedule Drivers And Schedule Growth, Ryan J. Jansen

Theses and Dissertations

Cloud One, chartered in 2017 under the guidance of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) leadership, continues to serve as the USAF’s leading cloud services and hosting platform by providing secure computing environments, application migration assistance, and data management. Prior research has yielded qualitative insights regarding Cloud One’s personnel requirements, application of technical performance, requirements fulfillment, security risks, and various other cost metrics, but schedule improvement recommendations based on the quantitative analysis of migration schedule data has yet to be provided. This research identifies trends within migration sprint schedules and completed schedule data for Cloud One’s completed application migrations. …

Level 2 Work Breakdown Structure Cost Growth Analysis, Kyle P. Marquis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes first and second level WBS elements of 59 historical USAF Acquisition Category I RDT&E programs for accuracy and influence on the overall program cost growth. For the accuracy analysis portion, the mean, 15th, and 85th percentiles of common practice estimates at completion are compared with the same percentiles for distributions generated using the data. The results reveal a trend of substantial underestimation of risks associated with cost overruns. For the influence portion, this thesis analyzes the effect that cost growth trends of different second level WBS elements have on cost growth of the overall program through regression …

Analyzing Cost Risk In Department Of Defense Program Office Estimates, Todd L. Millard

Theses and Dissertations

This research studies cost risk for Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs during development and has three overarching objectives: 1) analyze the degree of change in cost risk (quantified as risk dollars) as programs mature, 2) analyze the accuracy of cost risk estimates (quantified as risk error) as programs progress, and 3) adopt risk analysis techniques common in the commercial banking industry to analyze cost risk in DoD programs. For the first objective, some evidence of significant positive trends in relative risk dollars is found for ACAT 1, 2, and 3 programs. For the second objective, there is no strong …

Qualitative Insights From Dod's Cost Community: Data Visualization Challenges And Recommendations, Izel N. Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

Data visualization plays a significant role in decision-making for military leadership. Cost organizations create and utilize data visualizations to reap cost-saving benefits, boost productivity, and expedite task processes. Our research aims to support the development of such tools and provide insights from cost leadership. To do this, we conducted semi-structured interviews with cost professionals to learn how cost professionals manage and view their data, as well as what day-to-day challenges they face while working in the cost community. We used grounded theory for the interview process to detect common trends and attempted to generate new theory from the interview data. …

Applying Digital Engineering To Defense Acquisitions Through Model-Based Systems Engineering And Discrete Event Simulation, Michael T. Shutlock

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) faces a critical challenge as acquisition professionals strive to grasp the intricacies of the acquisition process. This study proposes an innovative approach to cultivate a more informed and capable acquisition workforce through the integration of digital engineering, specifically Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) toolsets. Embracing digital transformation with MBSE provides a comprehensive understanding, implementing step-by-step procedures with an interface designed to handle vast amounts of information differently. The merging of MBSE's visual modeling with DES's dynamic simulation offers a holistic view, empowering acquisition professionals with robust planning and risk management …

A Computer And Processor Analysis: Developing Cost Relationships And Factors Of Satellite Subsystems, Dawson J. Vasconi

Theses and Dissertations

By establishing the United States Space Force in 2019, the United States recognized the space domain as a primary focus and prioritized the rapid fielding, amplification, and development of their space enterprise. One step to dominate the domain is to efficiently manage costs within the USSF space satellite portfolio. To achieve this step, it is paramount to understand the importance of lower-level cost driving components, like microelectronics, within the work breakdown structure (WBS) of each space satellite program. In this thesis, one area of cost-driving microelectronic is investigated within the lower-level of the WBS: computers and processors. These components on …

Analyzing Earned Value Management For Long Duration Development Efforts, Bradley L. Vuu

Theses and Dissertations

Earned Value Management (EVM) is an integral tool for the success of many programs by allowing the assessment of cost and schedule performance via its metrics. However, the accuracy of these metrics depends on programspecific factors such as phase and contract type. The purpose of this research is to analyze the stability of Estimates at Completion (EACs) for long duration development efforts. Prior research by Christensen in 1996 on EAC stability for development and production contracts was replicated by Kim, White, Ritschel, and Millette in 2019 and found differing results using modern data. This research found that for development efforts …

Root Cause Analysis For Troop Construction Schedule Delays And Cost Overruns, Richard H. Wilkens

Theses and Dissertations

Troop construction can be an effective tool when a project is simple enough to execute projects in a timely and cost effective manner. However, underlying variables plague these projects causing them to miss anticipated deadlines which in return could make them more costly. Significant variables that convey impact to cost and schedule are Equipment Operating Issues, Edits During Construction, Design Flaws, Lack of Communication, Poor User Coordination, Improper Documentation, Inaccurate Submittals, Low Quality Control, and Lack of Experience. Project engineers and project managers must provide effective continuity as well as improve their own competence and situational awareness to effectively mitigate …

Training Schedule For The 56th Maintenance Group, Samantha K. O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations

The 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron (56 EMS) provides equipment maintenance and back shop maintenance for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The squadron executes thousands of sorties and flight hours annually. This operations tempo requires maintenance to prevent equipment failures, minimization of aircraft downtime, insurance of safety and compliance, and training of maintenance personnel. The squadron incorporates periodic training sessions to train maintenance personnel skills needed by airmen. This research investigates the optimization of these training sessions employing mixed integer programming (MIP). A multi-objective MIP model is developed to address the complex needs of various training activities, such as: training regiments, …

Ranking Up The Social Media Factors On Purchasing Decision Of Malaysian Generation Y Customers, Yi Ling Chan, Rohaizan Ramlan

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

Social media platforms offer marketing, information dissemination, direct customer contact and optimised availability of product and service information, which influences consumer behaviour, especially among Generation Y. Therefore, this study ranking up the social media factors such as electronic word of mouth (e-WOM), customer engagement, trust, brand image and advertising on the purchasing decisions of Generation Y consumers in Malaysia. 193 data were collected using Google Forms and face-to-face questionnaires. The data was then analysed using the Best-Worst method, which ranks the most important factors according to respondents' gender, income, and education level. One response was rejected because the value of …

Unpacking Qalb Behavioral Traits Through The Lens Of Maqasid Al-Shariah: A Pathway To Foster Inclusive Entrepreneurial Intentions In The Muslim Community, Mhd Louai Sarhan, Kamarulzaman Ab Aziz

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

In Malaysia, a worrisome trend is emerging as an increasing number of individuals find themselves trapped within the poverty bracket and the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) socioeconomic groups. To address the economic and social challenges faced by these marginalized communities and to contribute significantly to poverty reduction and overall well-being, inclusive entrepreneurship has emerged as a pivotal strategy. This study delves into the critical imperative of inclusive entrepreneurship, which often eludes existing quantitative measurements of societal well-being. These measurements frequently overlook the fundamental dimensions of social and psychological well-being inherent to inclusive entrepreneurship. Drawing from the Islamic framework of …

Indirect Effect Of Customer Relations On Leadership/Top Management, Employee Relations And Process Management In Examining The Readiness Of Smes To Implement Lean Initiatives, Mohammed Inuwa

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

Before deployment of lean initiative, it is of great significance to examine the readiness of manufacturing SMEs to ensure they have the prerequisite for successful implementation. Consequently, in order to determine how prepared Nigerian manufacturing SMEs are to successfully adopt lean initiatives, the study measures the indirect effects of customer relations on leadership/top management, employee relations, and process management. Data for the study was collected from manufacturing SMEs and analyzed using Smart PLS-SEM 4.1. The study's conclusions demonstrate the substantial indirect effects that customer relationships have on employee relations, leadership/top management, and process management. Additionally, a positive correlation between employee …

Enhancing Conversions And Lead Scoring In Online Professional Education, Wen Yang Yim, Khai Wah Khaw, Shiuh Tong Lim, Xin Ying Chew

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

This study seeks to enhance lead conversion for online professional education providers by using supervised machine learning algorithms for lead conversion targeting and lead scoring, including Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machines, Naïve Bayes, Random Forst, Bagging, Boosting, and Stacking. A lead dataset was used to train and test the machine-learning models. The Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) is used to establish a precise lead profile. The performance of the trained lead conversion models was evaluated and compared using the 10-Folds cross-validation method based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The results show that Stacking is the best model with …