Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Gender, National Origin, Purpose Of Travel, Length Of Stay And Seasonality On Guest's Satisfaction Levels, Brenda Cruz Valentin

Theses

This study focuses on identifying the effects of customer's gender, national origin, purpose of travel, length of stay, and seasonality on their perception of service at an international hotel in the Caribbean.

Assessing customer's expectations through collection and analysis of comment cards are critical to assure a high quality delivery of service. Therefore, the problem is that statistical analysis and effective use of customer comment cards, which are designed to identify potential complaining patterns in order to improve service for an international hotel, does not occur.

This study involved an analysis of a sample of 57.2% out of a total …

Availability And Use Of Food Resources By Two Species Of Automolus (Aves, Furnariidae), Grace Patricia Servat-Valenzuela

Theses

Foraging specialization is one mechanism that has been hypothesized to promote species coexistence and, thus, higher bird species diversity in tropical forests. Dead-leaves suspended in vegetation above the forest floor constitute a focal substrate that may promote specialization (Rosenberg 1990a, b). In a study locality in Amazonia, Remsen and Parker (1984) reported 16 species of birds closely associated with this system. Therefore, it represents a microcosm of high diversity in tropical forests. As such, one natural question is how this substrate can support so many coexisting species, and at what level does specialization occur? In the present study, I address …

Food Research And Product Development And Packaging Practices, Issues And Strategies In Thailand, Grit Thangsupanich

Theses

This thesis examines some of the institutions and organizations that play an important role in food research and product development. Packaging practices, issues and strategies in both the public and private sectors in evidence throughout Thailand are also explored. To gain a better perspective of packaging strategies in Thailand, political and economic considerations in the Asia Pacific region are taken into account. Since packaging and packaging materials are vital to growing and newly emerging economies, just as they are to mature economies, issues pertaining to seafoods, pineapples and other fruits, packaged drinks, beer, the packaging of processed chicken and duck …

Leadership: Changes Necessary To Remain Globally Competitive In The Twenty-First Century, Donna M. Ludewig

Theses

Ibis thesis will focus on the study of leadership, and modifications a leader must make in leadership direction so that corporations' leaders will empower their employees to perform each task successfully.

Research has suggested many people do not understand the meaning of the term leadership, because it is difficult to measure objectively and define. Leaders normally are not born with leadership skills, but leadership is learned through classroom studies and monitors who possess excellent leadership talent. Organizations must develop new leaders who enhance new ideas. Leaders must communicate effectively, manage the performance of others, analyze situations and use good judgement. …

Empowering The Survivors Of Downsizing, Marian W. Guidry

Theses

Downsizing, a term relatively new to the business world just a few years ago, has now become a house-hold name. In an effort to trim the budget, companies are reducing their personnel at an alarming rate.

The recent downsizing is having a devastating effect on employee morale. Downsizing threatens the security and self-esteem of survivors and victims. It causes turmoil and shatters the morale inside of organizations.

Survivors of downsizing are faced with the challenge of remaining loyal to the organization, even when feelings of insecurity and cynicism are dominating. Fear is permeating the workplace. Lack of mobility and advancement …

The Impact Of Year-Round School On Stress In Elementary School Teachers, Henriette Ingeborg Baker

Theses

In an effort to assess the impact of year-round school on teacher stress, a sample of 39 elementary school teachers from a year-round school was compared with a sample of 35 teachers from an elementary school in an adjacent district that is on a traditional schedule. A measure of teacher stress, the Teacher stress Inventory (TSI), was administered to the teachers after they had completed one-half of the school year. Analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference in stress levels between the year-round teachers and the teachers on the traditional schedule. Stress levels were in the …

The Eden Alternative, Jennifer Ellen Gettman

Theses

The purpose of this study and program implementation was to integrate animal, plants, and teamwork philosophy into the nursing home environment. The focus of measurement was to identify the therapeutic value of the Eden Alternative in nursing home residents.

Utilizing the Yesavage Geriatric depression scale, 196 residents of a St. Louis based nursing home were studied. Fifty-five percent of the residents were identified of having some depression. Utilizing the long form of the Yesavage tool, residents were questioned to establish a base level of minimal, moderate, and severe depression. In a six-month follow-up, 22% of the severely depressed were reassessed. …

The Surveillance And Control Of Foodborne Diseases, Donal J. Daly

Theses

There is great variation in the extent of surveillance of foodbome disease throughout the world. Some countries contribute important epidemiological and microbiological data to the WHO Surveillance Programme for Foodbome Diseases in Europe. While the UK is a major contributor to this programme, data from Eire has been non-existent. Trends in the incidence of foodbome disease in the UK may have particular relevance to Eire given the similarity of culture. Microbiological and epidemiological data in relation to foodbome pathogens, foods most frequently incriminated in outbreaks, places where outbreaks occur, together witli the main contributory factors are discussed. The broader area …

An Investigation Into The Development, Design, And Feasibility Of A Comprehensive Breast Diagnostic Center, Kelly W. Emrick

Theses

This thesis will focus on the feasibility of implementing, operating, and managing a free standing comprehensive breast diagnostic center for the detection of breast disease.

The important concern for diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer in women is no new theory to the health care industry. Current public awareness of breast cancer is at an all time high. Every day the American public hears some aspect on the subject, whether it is on the evening news, TIME magazine, or just by word of mouth at the office.

This business plan will provide an all encompassing prospectus for potential investors …

Suicide In The Elderly: A Study Of Physicians Education, Training, And Resources, Garrett Glen Wood

Theses

In the United States, the suicide rate is highest among the elderly community. Moreover, studies have concluded that elderly individuals who commit suicide see a physician 75% of the time within a month of committing the act. Therefore, it is important for physicians to be aware of the high rate of suicide among this age group.

A questionnaire developed by the researcher was sent to 200 practicing physicians associated with a health center located in a moderate sized midwestern suburb 30 miles from a large metropolitan city. The questionnaire was based on a Rockwell and O'Brien (1973) study. Therefore, the …

Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: Selling Lifelong Learning To Adults, Suzanne Walton

Theses

As St. Charles County continues to grow, more businesses and industries are locating here. Companies often require specialized training for their employees. When companies train their employees, firms will often utilize outside services or consulting firms. With many companies downsizing, many individuals face a mid-life career change. They need to learn new skills, but do not have the time or capital to return to school full time.

Both companies and individuals desire to gain knowledge of new technologies, but not necessarily in the traditional classroom setting with the pressure of homework assignments and tests. While St. Charles County Community College …

The Clinton Health Care Proposal: A Good Idea With Good Intentions, But Will This Dream Ever Come True?, Herbert Joel Segall

Theses

This thesis will focus on the past, present and future status of health care in the United States. Much of the discussion will be centered around the controversial Health Care Reform Bill that was proposed by President Bill Clinton in October, 1993.

During the past century, researchers, scientists, chemists, and physicians have all made great strides regarding their knowledge of the human body. Many of their studies have provided valuable information of how people can live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Additionally, technological advancements have played a large role in medicine. These machines and devices haYe aided physicians in …

Achieving Complete Customer Satisfaction, Marilyn K. Haag

Theses

The term customer service has changed in meaning over the years. There was a time when it suggested an unpleasant experience for both the customer and the business. Employees tried to avoid complaints because they weren't educated in how to handle them. Over time, customer service evolved into a much broader meaning as companies noticed that the leaders in their industry provided service as part of the sale. When companies began to change their own way of doing business, they began to see profits associated with offering service with the sale, and they found that it can be the "secret …

Chained To The Night: An Examination Of The Vampire, All That Remain, Jeffrey Richard Stone

Theses

It is the intent of this project to form an evaluation of the myth and legend of the vampire. It is the intent of the author to use this evaluation to develop an original screenplay.

This project provides a historical foundation by discussing the vampire's legendary existence in different cultures , including the possible birthplace of the vampire myth, Eastern Europe. The author examines works of literature and other mass media to provide a wide spectrum of examples of the myths and legends of the vampire.

The vampire is a mysteriously alluring creature that has evolved from the common myths …

House Bill 564, The School Health Initiative: An Implementation Manual For St. Charles County, Anne F. Zerr

Theses

This thesis project will be an Applied Learning Expository Study, creating an Implementation Manual for the provisions set forth in House Bill 564, the School Health Initiative.

The manual will be specific to St. Charles County. It will take into consideration the needs of the St. Charles community relative to the health of its school children.

Passed by the Missouri legislature and signed into law by Governor Mel Carnahan in the summer of 1994, House Bill 564 aims to improve health care access for Missouri's children by creating an innovative infrastructure for primary care delivery. It is a multi-faceted bill …

Violence In The Womb, Violence In The World: The Effects Of Fetal Exposure To Alcohol, Drugs, And Nicotine, Aileen R. Wynne

Theses

This project will focus on prenatal substance abuse and the long term adverse effects of birth defects in the offspring of these women. The focus will discuss a relationship between the drug exposed fetus as a predictor of later development of behavior problems , running along the continuum from antisocial behavior to aggression and violence.

Research will show that of the three leading contributors to birth defects , Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is number one, greater than Downs Syndrome and Spina Bifida. The risk factors of prenatal substance abuse will be described as use of alcohol , other drugs , and …

The Use Of The Federal Concept On The Before And After Techniques In Partial Takings For Privatization, James Lamantia

Theses

The concept of valuation is legally supported in the Constitution of the United States. The federal area of Eminent Domain has created a field of use through case law and federal administrative policies and requirements. The federal case law and court decisions have created a whole field of legal terminology. The areas of Eminent Domain and its Just Compensation requirements have developed legally accepted methodology. One of the required methodologies for partial federal takings is the "Before and After" concept. The "Before and After" methodology is used to measure the difference between two sets of valuation facts. This concept when …

Rational Bias And Its Relationship To The Glass Ceiling, Kelly A. Levengood

Theses

This thesis will focus on the affect of rational bias to the "glass ceiling." Research has suggested that a "glass ceiling" exists in corporate America . It attributes the lack of women in middle and upper management to the "glass ceiling."

Some theorists acknowledge that not all women want to be at the top in management due to the "mommy track" or general lack of interest for that position. However, for those women who desire a position in upper management, some theorists believe women are blocked from upper management positions by the "old boys network" . . . the "glass …

Stress Levels In Seminarians And Spouses Of Seminarians, Martha C. Lintvedt

Theses

Clients frequently present for therapy reporting high levels of stress. While an overview of the literature indicates that clergy are particularly vulnerable to the impact of negative stress, little is written on the evidence of stress among those preparing for the ministry.

This study examines levels of stress in seminarians and spouses of seminarians. The Osipow and Spokane Stress Inventory (Osipow & Spokane , 1988) was utilized to determine stress levels, the degree to which occupational roles match an individual's training, and the coping resources among a sampling of 13 male students preparing for the ministry at Concordia Seminary. The …

Effects Of Eeg Biofeedback Treatment On Attention-Deficit Disorders And Learning Disabilities, Kathleen M. Randazzo

Theses

The goal of this study was to measure the effects of EEG biofeedback treatment on attention-deficit disordered and learning disabled subjects. The study was conducted in a private psychologist's office, located in St . Louis County, a suburban section of the mid-West. Subjects for the study were chosen from children and adolescents who had been referred for academic and behavioral problems . The treatment group was composed of thirty eight subjects, who had been diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder and/or a learning disability . A one-group pretest-posttest research design was used. The dependent variables were : theta to beta …

Breast Cancer: New Cause For Concern, Karen L. Prideaux

Theses

This thesis will focus on the results of eight randomized studies and how these results were utilized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to change their guidelines for breast cancer screening mammography in women 40-49 years of age.

The incidence of breast cancer has been steadily on the rise since the 1970s. This increase in the number of new cases has caused some individuals to view breast cancer as an epidemic.

To date, research has not answered the question of what causes breast cancer, although their are many theories. Therefore, since the disease can not be prevented, women must rely …

The Impact Of Corporate Training Programs And Business/Education Partnerships On The Skills Gap Of The American Workforce, Clare G. Romeo

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the impact of corporate training programs and business education partnerships on the skills gap of the American workforce.

Research indicates that there is an emerging crisis in the American workplace. Increased demand for highly skilled workers, combined with an aging workforce, has created shortages of skilled workers, shortages that are predicted to grow for many years to come. This shortage of skilled workers required by employers is defined as the skills gap.

Some of the causes of the skills gap are demographic trends, technological change and increased international competition. One major factor …

Special Care Units: Specialization In Long-Term Care, Marilynn Anne Schaus

Theses

i99SThere were two purposes of this study. The first was to conduct a literature review of the research findings on special care units. These units are segregated areas of a nursing home specializing in the care of Alzheimer's and dementia related patients. The purpose of the research was to determine what constitutes a special care unit, what is "special'' about the units and the units effectiveness in the treatment of dementia patients.

The second purpose of the study was to compare existing special care units in the St. Louis Metropolitan area with the research findings. Eight nursing facilities with a …

Spiritual Awakenings, Saundra Annette Austin

Theses

Not available.

Empirical Research Study Of Rates Of Return On Earnings And Cash Flow, Joseph A. Agiato

Theses

Business valuation texts and reference sources all seem to indicate that the rate of return on cash flow should be between 300 and 600 basis points lower than the rate of return for earnings. Thus, when using a build-up approach to determine the rate of return on cash flow, an addition of between 3 percent and 6 percent is necessary to arrive at a rate of return on earnings. This thesis analyzes the relationship between earnings and cash flow (as dividends) over a two year period from 1993 to 1994.

The purpose of this study was to study the relationship …

The Importance Of Utilizing Older Workers As They Become A More Significant Factor In America's Work Force, Marilyn K. Brown

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of how America's companies are beginning to realize what a valuable asset their older employees have become. These people bring years of experience, knowledge , skill and loyalty to the work place. Contrary to stereotypes of older workers being slow, inflexible, unproductive, costly, uncreative and not adaptable , organizations are discovering that these people in general do not fit this "mold."

Throughout history there has been a change in attitudes toward older individuals. During colonial America, age represented authority, power , arrogance and greed. Around the time of the American Revolution, equality among …

A Study Of The Internal Restructuring Of A Major Organization, Cynthia Diane Birkner

Theses

This project deals with a study of the internal restructuring of a major organization. It looks at customer service as a whole and how it is effected if internal communication is not at its very best.

Chapter one covers the basics of good customer service and establishes that, if done correctly, good customer service positions a company for success. A key point is that good customer service stems from a positive self image within the company, among all segments of the work force; and that this self image depends on good internal communications dynamics.

Chapter two reviews the literature of …

The Clinton Health Care Proposal: A Good Idea With Good Intentions, But Will This Dream Ever Come True?, Herbert Joel Segall

Theses

This thesis will focus on the past, present and future status of health care in the United States. Much of the discussion will be centered around the controversial Health Care Reform Bill that v. as proposed by President Bill Clinton in October,1993.

During the past century, researchers, scientists, chemists, and physicians have all made great strides regarding their knowledge of the human body. Many of their studies have provided valuable information of how people can live longer, healthier, and more productive lives, Additionally, technological advancements have played a large role in medicine. These machines and devices have aided physicians in …

The Making Of A New Product Development Process, William Scott Robertson

Theses

The core process that almost all manufacturing organizations are built on is new product development. It is the new product development process that determines how the Technical Operations, i.e., Engineering, Manufacturing, etc., of a particular company will be organized.

In 1993, Michael Hammer and James Champy wrote a revolutionary book entitled 11Reengineering the Corporation." In this book, they tell businesses to forget most of what they know about how business should run -- because it is all wrong.

They say that businesses must learn to reinvent themselves in order to compete in the ever-changing business climate of the 1990s and …

Corporate Image: The Role Of Communications In Development And Maintenance, Michelle L. Warner

Theses

This thesis will focus on corporate image - what it is, what it does, why it is necessary and how to develop and maintain it.

The term "corporate identity'' was first coined in the 1960's by Walter Margulies. Corporate identity is the term most commonly used to define a corporation's "sense of self." Corporate image is a direct offshoot of identity. Corporate image is the picture that an audience has of an organization through the accumulation of all received messages.

The bridge between corporate identity and corporate image is corporate communications. The most effective way to manage corporate image is …