Digital Commons Network^™

Information Requirements For The Air Force Institute Of Technology Under A Fee-For-Service Concept, Jerry A. Cole, Patricia C. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the current shift in national defense strategy, the DoD is going to have to perform new roles and missions with major reductions in resources. One of the major initiatives committed to achieving savings is Corporate Information Management, a broad program designed to help the DoD operate more efficiently by application of successful private sector business practices and better application of information technology. To meet the challenge of operating in a business-like environment AFIT must be able to maximize its competitiveness to provide customers with the quality and types of services they desire. To accomplish this task, information technology …

Plan For Implementation Of Total Quality Management In The Republic Of China Air Force, Meng-Chun Chao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to build a plan for implementation of Total Quality Management in the Republic of China Air Force. The primary TQM elements are reviewed through definitions, advantages, principles, tools and techniques, education and training, and continuous improvement. In order to establish a TQM plan, the related experience of quality improvement in the U.S. DOD are referenced. The characteristics of ROCAF related to TQM are analyzed and related culture issues are mentioned. The implementation plan includes four parts, top management orientation, TQM structure establishment, empowerment, and continuous improvement. A Chinese view of TQM continuous improvement models …

Local Area Network Implementation At The 4950th Test Wing: A Study Of The Relationship Between Individual Factors And The Effectiveness Of A Local Area Network, Doyle F. Cone, David J. Donahoo

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the individual factors which directly impacted the effectiveness of the 4950th Test Wing local area network (LAN). Areas of interest included the relationships between demographic and user attitude factors and LAN effectiveness. A literature review provided the basis for: 1) operationally defining effectiveness as a subjective measure of user satisfaction; 2) identifying specific factors which impact information system effectiveness; and 3) developing a research instrument to measure user attitudes and user satisfaction. A questionnaire was administered to 342 LAN users 173 were returned (a response rate of 51 percent). Sixteen factors (eight demographic factors and eight attitude …

Empowerment: Dimensions And Strategies In The U.S Air Force, Karen M. Corrente, Adelaida Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop an instrument capable of measuring empowerment, and provide recommended general strategies on how to create an empowered organization. This goal was accomplished by developing a pilot questionnaire based on seven dimensions of empowerment discussed in Major Wayne G. Stone's unpublished article Empowerment: Keeping the Promise of the Total Quality Revolution. Each dimension of empowerment was subdivided into measurement parameters, with behavioral statements developed to describe these parameters. The pilot questionnaire was completed by 278 Air Force-related personnel with mainly acquisition-oriented backgrounds. Results indicated six factors of empowerment exist which were translated into …

An Evaluation Of Individual Empowerment And Self-Efficacy On Sexual Harrassment In The Work Environment, Rebecca A. Gebhard, Edgar J. Labenne

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to develop an instrument that would measure an individual's ability to define sexual harassment and address gender discrimination. In addition, the thesis determines the relationship of empowerment, self-efficacy, and training as it affects the awareness of harassment. Extensive statistical analysis was performed on the instrument and sample data. The importance of developing this instrument is evident in its ability to create regression models to predict the existence of empowerment and self-efficacy which could be useful to improve morale and productivity. This thesis provides a history of sexual harassment from the difficulty in defining terminology, …

A Test Of The Theory Of Reasoned Action At The Group Level Of Analysis, Thomas A. Fitch, Edward A. Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations

A vast array of studies exist which have sought to explore the relationships between behavioral intentions, job satisfaction, turnover and performance at the individual level of analysis. Recent efforts to move to the group level of analysis have shown some promise, but few exist. The crux of the issue under consideration here was whether or not there was utility in treating attitude-intention-behavior linkages as group level phenomena. Both Schneider (1987) and George (1990' contend that, while individual analysis cannot be discounted as a means of understanding behavior, there is also value in examining group-level phenomena. The purpose of this study …

A Case Study Of Factors Affecting Continuous Improvement In Dod Activities Operating Under Total Quality Management, Mark E. Gabriel, Theodore E. Manis

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at factors affecting the success or failure of continuous improvement initiatives in Department of Defense (DOD) activities to determine whether these activities were continuously improving and to identify factors effecting their efforts. Initially a list of relevant factors was compiled from the criteria for various quality awards and from factors cited in the literature. This list was synthesized into seven factors mentioned most often as critical to quality management and continuous improvement. Interviews were then conducted with representatives of the three commands included in the study. Each command provided information on a successful initiative and on an …

An Evaluation Of Aircraft Maintenance Performance Factors In The Objective Wing, Mark A. Gray, Margaret M. Ranalli

Theses and Dissertations

Prior to 1992, organizational maintenance was aligned under a - separate maintenance organization. In 1992, the Air Force restructured into Objective Wings with organizational maintenance aligned under the flying squadrons. This study looks at the impact of this reorganization on maintenance performance factors. The researchers developed maintenance performance models using regression and principal component analysis. Mission Capable Rate and Total Not Mission Capable Maintenance Rate are used as dependent variables. A comparison of key maintenance performance indicators and model predictions before and after the reorganization is accomplished. Based on the results of this analysis, the researchers conclude that there is …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Effects Of Organizational Change To Integrated Product Teams (Ipts) On Employee Attitudes, Joseph A. Paul, Roger D. Stull

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines what effect an organizational change to Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within a System Program Office (SPO) has on employ attitudes. Chapter One of this study presents the general research problem/issue, pertinent background information, definitions of important terms, investigative questions, limitations of the research, and a general overview of the thesis. Chapter Two describes the IPT (matrix) organizational environment, presents literature establishing the relationship between individual attitudes, motivation, performance, and explores the relationship between IPTs and employee attitudes. Chapter Three presents the methodology used to analyze the SPO's survey data collected before and after implementation of IPTs. Finally, …

A Study Of Theoretical Models For Managing Technology Change And A Comparison To A Radio Frequency Identification Implementation, Mark S. Reboulet, Phillip L. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed an aggregate model for technological implementation in organizations. The aggregate model drew information from various theoretical models and aggregated those elements that were common to several of the models. Those elements included: information availability, anticipated profitability, probability of success, user attitudes, political attitudes, external pressure, teamwork, strategic planning, resource availability, and training. Individuals involved at various organizational levels of a Radio Frequency Identification implementation were interviewed to see if the aggregate model could be useful to managers. The researchers found evidence that each of the elements of the aggregate model could be beneficial to managers considering implementing …

A Study Of The Development Of Planning, Programming And Budgeting System (Ppbs) In The United States Department Of Defense, Sakir S. Kantik

Theses and Dissertations

Having served as the United States Defense Department (DoD)'s primary resource allocation and decision-making process for more than 30 years, Planning-Programming-Budgeting System (PPBS) has kept going its evolution since it was first introduced in 1961. Accordingly, this study examined the development of PPBS in the U.S. DoD from its beginning to the recent past, that is to 1986, focusing on its basic purposes, how it has been modified and to assess the various expert observations made about the system. As originally conceived, the budget process was divided into three phases: Planning, Programming and Budgeting. The Planning phase was concerned with …

Perception Of Leadership Style And Job Satisfaction, Carlos Holgado

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between the perception of leadership behaviors, self-perception (managers and supervisors) vs. perception of others (staff members), and the level of job satisfaction of those staff members will be analyzed.

The main focus of the present study is to determine what the relationship is among the four basic leadership behaviors - Telling, Selling, Participating, and Delegating- based on the Situational Leadership theory (Hersey and Blanchard, 1974, 1982) perceived by staff members, and job satisfaction in terms of work, pay, opportunities for promotion, supervision style, relationship with coworkers-workers-workers-workers, and job in general according to the Job Satisfaction theory developed by …

Perceptions About Strategies And Processes Necessary In Minnesota To Integrate Systems To Increase Services To Children And Families, Harold King Larson

Theses and Dissertations

This Minnesota study was intended to obtain, describe, and analyze legislator, state commissioner, and local service providing agency director perceptions of the change strategies and processes which might permit integrated delivery systems and services to increase and improve services to children and families. The specific research questions asked were (1) How do the policymakers and stakeholders perceive the issues which led to the 1990 legislative initiative in Minnesota? (2) Are there consensual perceptions among the policymakers regarding these issues? (3) What are the policymaker and stakeholder perceptions regarding the efficacy of certain (a) change strategies and (b) change processes? Are …

Corporate Information Management And Business Process Improvement Under The Unit Cost Program: An Analysis Of A System For The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Kevin D. Kettell, Fredrick T. Ziegler Ii

Theses and Dissertations

DOD has been undergoing changes toward a competitive business-type environment as a result of the Packard Commission and -the Goldwater-Nichols Act. As a result of the Goldwater-Nichols Act, two programs directly affect the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT): Defense Management Report Decision 971, better known as the Defense Business Operations Fund (DBOF); and, the Corporate Information Management (CIM) initiative. DBOF requires that organizations provide unit cost per output figures as the basis for organizational funding. Unit cost resourcing changes the way federal managers manage and allocate resources, and promotes quality management and continuous improvement principles. Defense Information Management recognizes …

A Study Of Organizational Downsizing And Information Management Strategies, Terry L. Brown, Dale J. Long

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational downsizing and strategic information management are two important trends that have developed in the business world over the last 10 years. This study was conducted to identify possible links between these two trends. It also tries to identify some potential benefits and pitfalls associated with simultaneously restructuring an organization and upgrading its information management systems. This study is initial, descriptive research in this area. Interviews were conducted with six organizations of varying size and type that had both downsized and upgraded information systems within the past five years. While the small size of the sample and time constraints on …

An Analysis Of Acquisition Logistics Within The National Aeronautics And Space Administration, Brian J. Babin, Roger W. Jerney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to review past actions and assess current plans for establishing more integrated logistics management in NASA. The focus of this study was acquisition logistics, the beginning of the ILS process. This study includes a historical review of acquisition logistics in NASA's major space programs as well as a review of numerous acquisition logistics models. Logistics managers from the Space Shuttle and Space Station Freedom programs were interviewed, surveyed, and observed to provide evidence of the degree to which these two programs are meeting or have met the objectives of the acquisition logistics model selected …

An Investigation Of Integrated Weapon System Management Implementation Issues, Scott A. Dalrymple, Lester F. Pietraszuk

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated Integrated Weapon System Management implementation issues. Five functional areas were examined: Contracting, Engineering, Financial management, Program Management, and Test Management. Data was collected through interviews. The most significant lessons learned were to establish a direct chain of command and to use TQM principles. Program business practices were changed by increasing Product Center/ALC interaction and implementing a single joint CCB. Program personnel obtained useful guidance from other IWSM programs and from the information products distributed by HQ AFMC. Communication improvements included increased teleconference capability and establishment of a Local Area Network. Cultural differences between centers, insufficient initial guidance, …

The Development Of A Performance Measurement Concept For The Royal Australian Air Force, David R. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

he Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) needed to develop performance measurements (PMs) to support its Program Management and Budgeting (PMB) System. This research assessed the use of the concepts of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to develop those PMs. The literature indicated that: traditional accounting PMs were not always suitable in an environment of continuous improvement; Activity Based Costing did not provide the required measures; and non-financial PMs were supplanting the older measures. Further, governments faced unique problems in developing PMs, particularly in defining the outcomes to be measured. Using the Critical Theory and Action Research methodologies, and a case …

Factors Affecting Educational Change: Perspectives Of Two Elementary Teachers, Carol E. Marxen

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on factors which affected two elementary teachers' change during the implementation of a curricular innovation. The curricular approach through which the change was explored and described was an integrative curriculum. Although integrative curriculum is not new to education, it was considered an innovation by the participants and their district.

Interviewing and observing were the major data gathering procedures used to inquire into the complex interrelationship required in understanding the factors affecting teachers' change. Final analysis was completed by developing a coding system to categorize the patterns that emerged.

The findings from the study identified external (factors over …

Principal And Teacher Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Implementation Of Site Based Participatory Decision Making In A Small School District, D. Guy Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship of principals' and teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward a site based participatory decision making model that was implemented in a small school district. The main variables were the teachers' and principals' attitudes regarding the process, their attitudes regarding how the process was functioning in their schools, and their perceptions regarding areas for teacher involvement in the process.

The study incorporated quantitative and qualitative features. The quantitative design included a forty question survey. Thirty questions incorporated a Likert like scale, six questions were demographic in character, and four questions were open-ended by design.

The study was …

An Outline For A Manufacturing Planning And Control System For A Repair/ Overhaul/Rebuilding Environment, Peter H. Miyares

Theses and Dissertations

This study outlines a structure for a manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system for a repair/overhaul/rebuilding environment. Included an examination of the organizational components that must be incorporated into the system and the planning functions for which the system can be used. The study compares and contrasts the differences between an MPC system for a maintenance organization and a manufacturing organization and concludes that the MPC system for a maintenance organization must account for the greater degree of variability that occurs within the process. The proposed system is composed of an information system which collects data from throughout an organization …

The Relationship Of Female Students In Electronics Course Work To Bsri, Recruitment, And Academic Support, Lillian MartíNez Mack

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Structured Hypermedia Application Development Model (Shadm): A Structured Model For Technical Documentation Application Design, Peter W. Cassell

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted to determine how a Royal Australian Air Force technical maintenance publication could be transformed into a task oriented hypermedia application and to develop a model that could be used for future similar transformations. The model was developed following in-depth analysis of the existing USAF F-15E maintenance publication set and validation was conducted using a prototype developed in HyperWriter, a commercial hypermedia product. The prototype model was based around the performance of three maintenance tasks on an aircraft sub-subsystem and incorporated online user access to the necessary support data for task completion. Publication managers, producers, and users …

A Professional Development Model For Planned Change In Arts Education., Francine Lee Morin

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation sought to explore the persisting problem of ineffective reform efforts in arts education. Library and interview data pertinent to the inquiry were collected, coded, and categorized according to an evolving thematic scheme. The qualitative data were subject to analytic induction procedures for the purpose of generating grounded theory which had the potential to explain the phenomenon under study.The procedures resulted in the gradual emergence of a three-component, professional development model for planned change in arts education which is based on knowledge of educational change, adult learning, and the experience of past professional development practice. The proposed model addresses …

An Analysis Of Base Level Environmental Organizations, John F. Akers Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to try and determine if there was one type of environmental organization which was truly so much more effective than the others that all bases should have it, or if the decision of which type of environmental organization to have should be left entirely to the bases. In addition, I hoped to discover the advantages and disadvantages of each type of organizational structure. I feel that knowing these advantages and disadvantages will greatly aid those individuals making the decisions on environmental organizational structure. In completing this study I turned to the only place the …

The Operation Of Military Family Housing As A Business Enterprise. A Case Study At Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Michael T. Ray

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to determine the feasibility of operating Military Family Housing (MFH) as a business enterprise, based on rental income. A case study of the Langley AFB Military Family Housing operation during FY 90 was used to determine if housing allowances forfeited by residents of base housing would provide sufficient rental income for the annual operations, maintenance and capital improvement of the MFH assets. It further compared the descriptive data from Langley AFB, Virginia, to USAF averages to determine if the findings at Langley were generalizable across the Air Force. The case study showed that Basic …

Desert Express: An Analysis On Improved Customer Service, Thomas C. Thalheim

Theses and Dissertations

Operation Desert Shield/Storm provided an opportunity to test the planning for U.S. forces to operate in a low intensity conflict. Both operations provided the opportunity for the logistics community to observe how the support forces provided the required supplies to the forward combat forces. In response to customers' requests, the U.S. Transportation Command created Desert Express, a daily package express flight from Charleston, SC to Saudi Arabia. The research question addresses the how and why Desert Express came about. Additional investigative questions cover the following: mission objectives, planners' and customers' expectations, system performance, and implications on the Defense Transportation System. …

Challenges To United States Tactical Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel: Past, Present And Future, Barbara L. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the challenges Tactical Air Force (TAF) aircraft maintenance personnel face as a result of the TAF reorganization. The goal was to provide aircraft maintenance managers a basis for evaluating and meeting those challenges. To accomplish this, emphasis was placed on documenting the concepts, events, and conditions which led to changes in military aircraft maintenance from the birth of aviation to the present. Current issues such as the proposed move to two-level maintenance and the formation of the TAF composite and Objective Wings were also addressed. Research was conducted through the review of available historical documents, complemented by …

Application Of Just-In-Time Production Methods In The Defense Industrial Base, Dominic J. Cirello

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the motivation for defense industrial base contractors to switch to Just-In-Time (JIT) production. Areas of interest included the original motivation for the contractor to change to JIT, how they implemented the change, which JIT methods they used, and what benefits they received from switching to JIT. A review of the current literature on the subject of JIT revealed that JIT is a philosophy of production based on inventory reduction, process improvement, and elimination of waste. This philosophy can be supported through the use of a number of different methods, and reductions in both cost and cycle time …

Job Satisfaction Of Nurse Anesthesia Faculty: A Preliminary Study, James Patrick Embrey

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how satisfied nurse anesthesia faculty are with their jobs. In addition, this study identified factors that influenced a nurse anesthesia faculty member's job satisfaction level.

A total of 304 nurse anesthesia educators from across the United States participated in this questionnaire survey study. A researcher developed personal data form (PDF) collected demographic information. The 1967 version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) provided job satisfaction measurements.

There was a statistically significant correlation between the general satisfaction scores measured by the PDF and MSQ. Analysis of demographic data provided a CRNA educator profIle. Job satisfaction data indicated that …