Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Theses and Dissertations

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 63391 - 63420 of 74327

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Cost Management Competencies: The Importance And Frequency As Seen By The Financial Analyst, Diana E. Pry Sep 1995

Cost Management Competencies: The Importance And Frequency As Seen By The Financial Analyst, Diana E. Pry

Theses and Dissertations

This research studied the application of cost management competencies in the financial management career field. The purpose was to determine how frequently these competencies are used by the financial analysts and how important they are in the analysts' work environment. To accomplish this research a mail survey was sent to 978 financial analysts across Air Force Materiel Command. Out of the 978 survey instruments sent 535 were returned with useful data, for a response rate of 54.7%. From these surveys, 24 of the 49 competencies were identified as being valuable to financial analysts. The 24 competencies provide a framework for …

Go to article

A Study Of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Of The Upper Extremities And Occupation In Wright-Patterson Adir Force Base Civilian Personnel, Scott T. Hillstead Sep 1995

A Study Of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Of The Upper Extremities And Occupation In Wright-Patterson Adir Force Base Civilian Personnel, Scott T. Hillstead

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a case-control methodology to describe and analyze the 115 cases of occupational illnesses reported by civilian employees of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) between 1990 and 1995. Determining if a statistically significant association existed between age and duration of employment risk factors and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) was a primary objective. The frequency of CTDs among the various organizations at Wright-Patterson AFB are also described. The research could not prove the existence of a significant association for the 44 subjects and 176 controls matched on occupational group. However, the demographic and other descriptive results may form a …

Go to article

An Air Force Guide For Effective Meeting Management, Zackery S. Belcher Sep 1995

An Air Force Guide For Effective Meeting Management, Zackery S. Belcher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to improve the effectiveness of organizational meetings thereby reducing the waste from ineffective meetings. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three research questions addressing the essential elements for effective meetings, the benefits from productive meetings, and the information and skills critical to conducting meetings. The research questions were essentially answered through a comprehensive literature review and the use of the Delphi Technique. However, the solicitation of meeting materials from 16 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award winners and 90 Fortune 1,000 firms provided additional information. Seven experts, representing Air Force and industry, participated in two …

Go to article

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Cross Sectional Examination Of Incentivization, Jennifer A. Block Sep 1995

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Cross Sectional Examination Of Incentivization, Jennifer A. Block

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined corporate social responsibility and the most effective ways to incentivize environmentally proactive behavior among federal production contractors. The goal was to isolate factors which have the greatest potential for encouraging corporate environmental responsibility and to use the knowledge gained to construct incentives which can be incorporated into federal contracts. Relying on the concepts developed in organizational theory, four theories were presented to provide support that organizational behavior can be influenced. Previous incentive techniques used by the government were also investigated. From the initial research, a model was developed to describe the relationship between incentives and environmental responsibility. …

Go to article

An Investigation Of Problems In Analyzing Prices Of State-Of-The-Art Commercial Items, Vicki A. Fry Sep 1995

An Investigation Of Problems In Analyzing Prices Of State-Of-The-Art Commercial Items, Vicki A. Fry

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored whether techniques described in the Armed Services Pricing Manual are sufficient for evaluating prices of leading-edge and modified commercial items. The research was sparked by the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act Of 1994, which encourages contracting officers to rely on information other than certified cost or pricing data when buying commercial products. Pricing techniques used in five recent acquisitions were investigated through a case-study methodology. The research concludes that current guidance is sufficiently broad to enable the contracting officer to tailor the tools to an acquisition at hand. Research findings, however, indicate that the Department of Defense should …

Go to article

Developing An Integrated Model For Measuring Organizational Effectiveness In Light Of The Government Performance And Results Acts Of 1993, Thomas A. Miller Sep 1995

Developing An Integrated Model For Measuring Organizational Effectiveness In Light Of The Government Performance And Results Acts Of 1993, Thomas A. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to review current Systems Program Office (SPO) effectiveness measures in light of the recently implemented Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), and to develop an integrated model of organizational effectiveness SPOs can use to comply with GPRA. Specifically, this thesis attempted to answer three research propositions addressing whether or not: (1) Current effectiveness measures used within SPOs are strictly output goal measures; (2) GPRA, while emphasizing the need for a more 'holistic' approach has not provided a good model to accomplish this; and (3) An integrated model can be developed to meet …

Go to article

A Study Of The Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer And Their Applicability To Air Force Technology Transfers, James B. Rose Sep 1995

A Study Of The Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer And Their Applicability To Air Force Technology Transfers, James B. Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Although the United States is a world leader in scientific research, it lags behind some economic powers in the application of technologies. As quality and manufacturing excellence were critical to US competitiveness in the l98Os, so is commercializing technologies in the 199Os. With billion dollar budgets and exceptional scientific talent, the potential for fruitful technology transfer is abundant. By definition, federal-to-commercial technology transfer is the ability to leverage national investments in technology beyond their traditional customer base. The technology can be physical devices, processes, knowledge, or proprietary information. Unfortunately, and despite exhaustive legislative efforts, US industry has fallen behind its …

Go to article

An Examination Of Agreement Type, Firm Size And Other Factors Affecting The Commercialization Of Air Force Technology, Robert S. Widmann Sep 1995

An Examination Of Agreement Type, Firm Size And Other Factors Affecting The Commercialization Of Air Force Technology, Robert S. Widmann

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to determine if a significant difference in the innovative strength of businesses exists when factors such as firm size, agreement type and other firm attributes are considered. Sample data for this study was collected by a telephone survey from firms selected from the Air Force population of CRDAs and SBIRs for Fiscal Years 1991-1993. The design of this survey, based on one used by Dr. Robert Berger to study SBIR outcomes, determines the degree of commercialization of the firm's product resulting from its agreement with the Air Force. This determination is then employed as …

Go to article

Using Customer Satisfaction For Measuring The Effectiveness Of Integrated Product Teams, Charles H. Embs, James N. Anderson Sep 1995

Using Customer Satisfaction For Measuring The Effectiveness Of Integrated Product Teams, Charles H. Embs, James N. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

In attempting to develop a performance measurement system for assessing the effectiveness of integrated Product Teams (iPTs), this research focused on the identification of those characteristics that were most important to the customers of Hyrs. Customer satisfaction was selected as the focal point because it is the foundation of the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) philosophy which fostered the IPT approach to conducting business. The customer satisfaction data was gathered from the Quality Air Force self-assessments conducted by the B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-22, and C-17 System Program Offices, as well as interviews conducted by Brigadier General Kenne with several …

Go to article

The Process Of Providing Humanitarian Assistance: A Department Of Defense Perspective, Rhonda M. Smith, Barbara J. Stansfield Sep 1995

The Process Of Providing Humanitarian Assistance: A Department Of Defense Perspective, Rhonda M. Smith, Barbara J. Stansfield

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort was a qualitative study on the current process of how the DOD provides humanitarian assistance. Currently the process is not well defined and is situation dependent. Historical documents and current guidelines, policies, and regulations were researched for information on what types of humanitarian assistance the DOD provides, how the process is initiated, and who is involved in the process. Agencies outside of the military, both civilian and government, were researched to determine the extent of coordination necessary for the military to provide humanitarian assistance. A model was compiled to portray the current process and given to key …

Go to article

A Study Of The Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation Of The Government Performance And Results Act In Air Force Materiel Command Logistics, Darwina M. Liguori Sep 1995

A Study Of The Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation Of The Government Performance And Results Act In Air Force Materiel Command Logistics, Darwina M. Liguori

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides an in-depth discussion of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. The GPRA is a new law that mandates strategic management be conducted in all federal government agencies. Soon all federal government agencies will be directed to comply with the requirements of the law and implement strategic management within their organizations. This study selected Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters (AFMC) logistics organizations and subordinate units as the test organization. Interviews were conducted with headquarters AFMC logistics and strategic planning personnel, as well as 88th Logistics Group personnel to evaluate several issues within their organization: (1) …

Go to article

A Performance Analysis Of The Air Force War Time Lean Logistics Pipeline, Craig S. Gaddis, David A. Haase Sep 1995

A Performance Analysis Of The Air Force War Time Lean Logistics Pipeline, Craig S. Gaddis, David A. Haase

Theses and Dissertations

Lean Logistics is an innovative proposal designed to reduce the costs associated with reparable inventory management. The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether a wartime lean logistics pipeline can maintain acceptable aircraft availability rates in response to induced variations of order and ship time (OST) and flying hours for deployed forces. The Dyna-MEIRIC Version 6.4 simulation program was used to evaluate nine different factor-level combinations. The factors, OST and flying hours were varied at three different levels, low, medium, and high. Analysis of the results was accomplished using a two-factor ANOVA. The authors discovered that while increasing OST …

Go to article

Aligning Demand For Spare Parts With Their Underlying Failure Mode, Steven D. Kephart, Richard C. Roberts Sep 1995

Aligning Demand For Spare Parts With Their Underlying Failure Mode, Steven D. Kephart, Richard C. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Current Air Force demand forecasting systems, DO41 and REALM, assume reparable demand is solely flying hour driven. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between demands, flying hours, and number of sorties at the work unit code level and improve reparable demand forecasting. A three phase methodology is used to analyze the demand, flying hour, and sortie relationship. The first phase uses multiple regression to determine a relationship at various work unit code levels. Multiple regression provides limited correlation between demands, flying hours, and sorties. The second phase uses Poisson regression to evaluate the integer, count nature …

Go to article

The Effect Of Consolidating Two-Level Reparable Inventories On Aggregate Inventory Requirements And Mission Capability, Glenn R. Barney Sep 1995

The Effect Of Consolidating Two-Level Reparable Inventories On Aggregate Inventory Requirements And Mission Capability, Glenn R. Barney

Theses and Dissertations

One of the proposals of Lean Logistics is the relocation of many inventory assets to Intermediate Supply Points (ISPs). This research investigates the effect of consolidating Two Level Maintenance designated reparable asset inventories. The effects of interest are the potential reduction in aggregate inventory requirement and resulting savings and the effect of delayed issue of the assets on mission capability. The metric selected to measure the effect on mission capability for this study is the Not Mission Capable-Supply (NMCS) rate. A spreadsheet analysis of world-wide Two-Level Maintenance designated reparable asset demands over the study period is used to determine the …

Go to article

Tracking Air Force Pallets Using Rfid Technology: A Concept Study, Gary A. Gross Sep 1995

Tracking Air Force Pallets Using Rfid Technology: A Concept Study, Gary A. Gross

Theses and Dissertations

The lack of asset visibility experienced at Aerial Ports of Embarkation (APOEs) during Operation Desert Storm is a phenomenon that has occurred in every major conflict for the last 40 years. The costs associated with this lack of control directly relate to the combat readiness and capability of supported units. This study examined the possibility of installing a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) system to track Department of Defense 463L pallets worldwide. Performance characteristics of commercially available RF-ID systems were summarized, and a conceptual Air Mobility Command (AMC) tracking system was presented. For purposes of concept study, Amtech Corporation's Intellitag RT …

Go to article

The Implementation Of Federal Government Policy In The Reuse Planning Of Military Installations: A Case Study Of Gentile Air Force Station, John L. Hoover Sep 1995

The Implementation Of Federal Government Policy In The Reuse Planning Of Military Installations: A Case Study Of Gentile Air Force Station, John L. Hoover

Theses and Dissertations

Local communities affected by a base closure are uncertain as to their future and look to the federal government for guidance and economic assistance in rebuilding their local economy. The local communities want to close the base with as little federal government interference as possible and convert the base to civilian use with as much federal financial assistance as possible. During 1993-1994 two Air Force Institute of Technology research teams began longitudinal case studies of the base closure and rescue process at Gentile Air Force Station, Ohio to determine the effectiveness of the federal government's current approach. These research teams …

Go to article

A Review Of Fighter Aircraft Capability For Smart Bombs, David R. King Sep 1995

A Review Of Fighter Aircraft Capability For Smart Bombs, David R. King

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined potential alternatives and decision criteria for inclusion in a Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis to recommend an alternative for addressing existing DOD multi-role fighter capability to employ inertially guided smart bombs. A survey of literature and interviews with expens were used to collect required information. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (MIP) decision model was developed for two feasible alternatives and four relevant decision criteriL The two feasible alternatives included either developing the BRU-53 smart bomb rack, or modifying F-15E conformal fuel tanks with additional smart interface wiring. Data on quantitative and qualitative decision criteria were collected to evaluate …

Go to article

United States Security Assistance To Israel 1967-1979, Lance J. Newbold Sep 1995

United States Security Assistance To Israel 1967-1979, Lance J. Newbold

Theses and Dissertations

U.S.-Israeli relations are unique and unmatched by American relations with any other foreign country. This relationship has been especially important in the area of security assistance, however, it was not until after the Six Day War in 1967, that the United States became the main supplier of arms to Israel. The examination of U.S. foreign policy and its security assistance implications towards Israel from the Six Day War in 1967 through the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1979 are the focus of this study. As a historical study, this research relies on the review of substantial amounts of …

Go to article

Evaluation Of The Management Of The Department Of Defense's Wholesale Ammunition Stockpile, David J. Rega Sep 1995

Evaluation Of The Management Of The Department Of Defense's Wholesale Ammunition Stockpile, David J. Rega

Theses and Dissertations

This research solicited expert opinions regarding how well the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (SMCA) manages the DoD wholesale ammunition stockpile. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as members of the SMCA, were surveyed twice. The first survey contained four statements, each referring to a different area of responsibility for the SMCA. These four areas of responsibility were SMCA storage of ammunition, SMCA demilitarization of ammunition, SMCA tiering program for depots, and SMCA customer support. The respondents were asked to provide positive and negative aspects for each area, as well as recommendations for improvements. …

Go to article

Security Assistance To Japan: Assessment Of Political, Military, And Economic Issues From 1947 To 1989, David W. Puvogel Sep 1995

Security Assistance To Japan: Assessment Of Political, Military, And Economic Issues From 1947 To 1989, David W. Puvogel

Theses and Dissertations

Japan is an important ally of the United States in part due to its strategic location at the intersection of China, Korea, and the Soviet Union. Japan is vital to the maintenance of regional stability and has been used by the United States in the East Asian balance of power. The relationship changed through time from the American occupation after World War II, to the rebuilding phase of Japan's economy, and finally a progression towards a more independent Japan capable of a larger portion of self defense. The rebuilding process of Japan was carried out largely by the United States …

Go to article

Evaluation Of The Vehicle Out-Of-Commission Standard For Air Force Vehicle Maintenance Units, Christopher K. Arzberger, Lawrence F. Audet Jr. Sep 1995

Evaluation Of The Vehicle Out-Of-Commission Standard For Air Force Vehicle Maintenance Units, Christopher K. Arzberger, Lawrence F. Audet Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Because the Department of Defense is facing budget and manpower reductions, the importance of productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness in daily operations is being stressed. Unfortunately, the VOC performance measure does not adequately apply these concepts. By examining the concepts of productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness, the inadequacy of the VOC measure is highlighted. A review of research into performance measurement is conducted, with emphasis on USAF transportation squadrons, to examine perceptions about the VOC measure. Because the VOC measure is viewed as inadequate, a review of performance measurement indicators throughout the government is analyzed to determine the type of performance measurement …

Go to article

Order And Ship Times Of Communication-Electronic Components Under Lean Logistics And Conventional Air Force Reparable Pipeline: A Comparative Study, Clifford G. Altizer Sep 1995

Order And Ship Times Of Communication-Electronic Components Under Lean Logistics And Conventional Air Force Reparable Pipeline: A Comparative Study, Clifford G. Altizer

Theses and Dissertations

Lean logistics (LL) is a new logistics system that applies state-of-art business practices utilized in private industry to Air Force logistics processes. Several LL demonstrations have been initiated to develop the best way to implement these new practices in the operational arena. This study focused on the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) lean logistics demonstration. The repairables in this demonstration differ from aircraft repairables in that they are highly reliable and high-value items. This research determines that the use of LL principles results in shorter order and ship times for the customer. As a follow-on to this finding the …

Go to article

Model Development For Forecasting Traffic Management Office Shipping And Budget Requirements, Luke E. Closson Iii Sep 1995

Model Development For Forecasting Traffic Management Office Shipping And Budget Requirements, Luke E. Closson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This research represents an attempt to develop a quantitative tool that could be used to forecast Traffic Management Office (IMO) budget requirements for freight movements at base level within Air Combat Command. Regression analysis, using aircraft flying hours, aircraft sorties, and wing manpower levels as independent variables to predict shipping costs, was used in this research project. Each of the independent variables was aggregated and disaggregated at various levels in an attempt to develop a simple but accurate model. The results seem to suggest that aircraft flying hours, aircraft sorties, and wing manpower levels are not accurate predictors of TMO …

Go to article

A Comparison Of The Standard Base Supply System And The Distribution And Repair In Variable Environments Models In Determining A Depot Working Level, Joseph M. Ferris Sep 1995

A Comparison Of The Standard Base Supply System And The Distribution And Repair In Variable Environments Models In Determining A Depot Working Level, Joseph M. Ferris

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force has adopted a philosophy of logistics operations directed toward improving the products, costs, and responsiveness of the Air Force's reparable pipeline. The philosophy was termed Lean Logistics. This research addressed one problem created through the implementation of Lean Logistics. The problem was determining a depot Working LeveL The Air Force Materiel Command needed to determine an appropriate method to use when determining the depot Working Level. To help determine the appropriate method, this research compared the Standard Base Supply System (SBSS) and the Distribution and Repair In Variable Environments (DRIVE) model. Both models were utilized in two …

Go to article

Measuring Behaviors Of Air Force Officers As Indicators Of Effective Performance And Leadership, Linda S. Hurry Sep 1995

Measuring Behaviors Of Air Force Officers As Indicators Of Effective Performance And Leadership, Linda S. Hurry

Theses and Dissertations

It is clear that the officer corps will play a key role in improving the Air Force's efficiency, preserving its traditions, and ensuring it maintains the highest level of combat capability. Yet, surprisingly, there is little agreement about exactly which types of officer performance contribute the most to meeting the Air Force's objectives. Performance requirements for officers have not been defined in terms specific enough to guide training course development and performance evaluations. This study identified the types of performance behaviors Air Force supervisors view as most important for effective officership. It also tested a model of individual officer effectiveness …

Go to article

Establishing A Standardized Set Of Base-Level Transportation Metrics, Kyle D. Marsh Sep 1995

Establishing A Standardized Set Of Base-Level Transportation Metrics, Kyle D. Marsh

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research in transportation performance measures found current measures in the operations and maintenance functions inadequate by transportation officers Air Force wide. Past research forced on existing measures and only two transportation functions. Conversely, this research evaluates existing and proposed measures for all base-level transportation functions. The goal of this research is to establish a standardized set of transportation metrics. Metrics are a measuring tool and a component of strategic planning; metrics help organizations meet goals related to customer satisfaction. The research's goal was accomplished by surveying enlisted personnel, officers, and civilians serving in the Air Force. The sample consisted …

Go to article

Foreign Military Sales Policy Of The Kennedy Presidential Administration, Philip P. Nardi Sep 1995

Foreign Military Sales Policy Of The Kennedy Presidential Administration, Philip P. Nardi

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 'Truman Doctrine' was enunciated in 1947, the United States has pursued its foreign policy objectives using various forms of economic and military assistance. With the majority of this assistance aimed at containing communist expansionism, the United States' allies became increasingly dependent upon large amounts of grant military assistance. As President John F. Kennedy assumed office the economic burden of this grant assistance came under increasing scrutiny. This study analyzes the role of the Kennedy administration in the evolution of military assistance from grants to sales. An in-depth literature review focusing on historical reviews of this topic, and congressional …

Go to article

Pharmaceutical Inventory Forecasting At The Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Patrick J. Reymann Sep 1995

Pharmaceutical Inventory Forecasting At The Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Patrick J. Reymann

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted to determine the accuracy of statistical forecasting techniques forecasting the inventory of pharmaceutical items. Because pharmaceutical items are subject to a degree of seasonality of demand, the Director of Medical Logistics at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center believed that the use of such techniques may provide a more accurate forecast for the items stocked by the Outpatient Pharmacy. In addition to the technique used by the Outpatient Pharmacy (the 12 month simple moving average) three statistical forecasting methods were employed: the 6 month simple moving average, simple exponential smoothing, and the Winter's exponential smoothing. These techniques were …

Go to article

Optimal Inputs For System Identification, James M. Brown Ii Sep 1995

Optimal Inputs For System Identification, James M. Brown Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The derivation of the power spectral density of the optimal input for system identification is addressed in this research. Optimality is defined in information theoretic terms, with entropy quantifying the parameter information content of the input and output measurement sequences pertaining to a discrete time plant. The maximization of entropy is performed in the context of three different scenarios. First, the case in which the average output power of the plant is constrained is considered. Second, input average power is constrained. Finally, the optimization is carried out unconstrained, but with penalties applied to both the input and output powers. Although …

Go to article

Optical Characterization Of Indium Arsenide Antimonide Semiconductors Grown By Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Michael A. Marciniak Sep 1995

Optical Characterization Of Indium Arsenide Antimonide Semiconductors Grown By Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Michael A. Marciniak

Theses and Dissertations

The material parameters and crystalline quality of undoped, MBE-grown InAs1-xSbx nearly lattice-matched to (100) GaSb (-0.617% ≤ Δ a-a ≤ +0.708%) similar to material used for mid-infrared semiconductor lasers were determined by optical characterization. Absorption measurements at temperatures between 6-295 K determined the energy gap and wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient for each sample. The compositional dependence of the energy gap was anomalous when compared to previously reported data, suggesting phase separation existed in the material. The samples were also studied by temperature- and excitation-dependent photoluminescence (PL), which, for the majority of cases, showed only a single band-edge peak, …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last