Digital Commons Network^™

Urban Corruption Policy Analysis, Michael Buttars, John Devaney, Jared Gerber, Kevin Sansom

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Corruption has been an issue in municipal government since the inception of government. The purpose of this research and paper is to explore the topic of urban corruption in the United States a sit pertains to city development. A review of the literature on this topic shows that this has been a neglected area of research in public administration. The literature review contained in this paper will look at both the research that has been done in the area of urban corruption and the way in which this type of research has been conducted over the years.

Understanding The Motivations Of Rock Climbers: A Social Worlds Study, Amy Miller Ansari

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Rock climbing affects public lands through erosion, destruction of vegetation, and disturbance to historical sites. Minimum impact messages can help reduce impacts but requires understanding characteristics of the message recipient. The purpose of this study was to understand the motivations of rock climbers to help land managers design more effective minimum impact messages. This study assesses the motivations of rock climbers using a social worlds approach, focusing on the sub-worlds of. traditional climbers, sport climbers, and boulderers. I found that traditional climbers are most motivated to pursue a wilderness experience, climb in a natural wilderness setting, and climb in quiet …

Service Dimensions Of Service Quality Impacting Customer Satisfaction Of Fine Dining Restaurants In Singapore, Ko King Lily Harr

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper is an exploratory study of customer satisfaction of fine dining restaurants in Singapore. Since there is a causal relationship between customer satisfaction and service quality and services literature and studies have shown that service quality is an antecedent of customer satisfaction, this paper seeks to find out the service dimensions of service quality, which lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction. This study suggested that the service dimensions of assurance, empathy and tangibles are the most important to customers’ evaluation of service quality, and thus, may have a positive influence customer satisfaction. The service aspects of each of …

Online Leisure Hotel Selection Criteria And Booking Behavior Of Young Middle-Income Singaporeans, Kin Wai Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Internet has changed the face of purchasing and customer behaviour over the last decade or so. Traditional concepts of marketing must be reviewed and businesses must be ready to fully embrace the online marketplace. The hotel industry is no different and evidently, has much to gain from this new medium with online sales figures climbing annually (Carroll & Sileo, 2007; PhoCusWright, 2006).

Studies have shown that more and more consumers are moving towards the Internet to find their products and services and ultimately making the purchase online (Starkov & Price, 2003). Singaporeans make for interesting subjects in this area, …

Proposing Measures For Assessing Systems Thinking Interventions, Megan Aline Hopper

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper presents an analysis of systems thinking interventions in educational settings. Although these interventions have been implemented in K-12 classrooms since the mid 1980s, there is still no clear definition of systems thinking or identification of the best method to test the effectiveness of interventions or methods for teaching systems thinking The goal of this paper is to answer the question: how do we assess the effectiveness of systems thinking interventions in education? In order to answer this question, I had to address the following sub questions: (1) what is systems thinking, (2) what systems thinking interventions are being …

Technology And Social Anxieties, Attitudes And Behavioral Intentions Of Singaporeans Towards Using Self-Service Technology (Sst), Mukesh Kumar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The interactions between customers and service organizations, known as service encounters, have generally been between front-liner and consumers. Gradually however, these encounters are changing with the introduction of self-service facilities that are quickly replacing service staff. The use of self-service technology has seen an incredible amount of growth globally over the last few years. Self-service technologies are currently being used in more diverse ways for new services than once thought possible. The expenditure on self-service kiosks is expected to rise by 88% and the dollar value of transactions taking place through self-service technology should exceed 1.3 trillion by 2007 (Avery, …

Expatriate Training For The Hotel And Gaming Workforce: Don't Leave Home Without It, Chien Chien Serene Lim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Globalization is fast becoming the new trend of the hospitality industry. It remains as a highly complex and controversial concept that is not a new phenomenon. Researchers have suggested that globalization is likely an irreversible forceful process that will change the face of businesses (Mrak, 2000). In the recent Global Relocation Trends Survey conducted annually by GMAC Global Relocation Services (2007), it was reported that more than two-thirds (69%) of the multinational corporations surveyed reported an increase to the number of international assignments. This is the highest percentage that was ever reported, with more companies (65%) indicating their intent in …

Managing Halal Quality In Food Service Industry, Siew Fun Vivienne Soong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Muslim world population survey conducted in 2005 found that Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth, both through birth and adoption. There were 2 billion Muslims scatted around 148 countries and the figures are rising each day. It is estimated that by 2010, the Muslim population will exceed 3 billion (Evans, 2005). The recorded growth rate for Muslim population is as follows: the Europe Muslim population of around 25 million increased at a rate of 140% over the past 10 years, America’s by 25%, Australia’s by 250% and Asia’s increased by 12% over the same period. The healthy …

A Comparative Analysis Of Mice Destinations Between Macau And Singapore, Cheong Su Richard Tan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Macau is probably best known worldwide for its gaming industry which has always been a staple of its economy and has surpassed Las Vegas as the world’s biggest gambling market in 2006 (Cheung, 2007). After its return to Chinese rule in 1999, the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) government decided to diversify its economy and liberalized the gaming market with an aim to transform the territory into a centre of gaming, cultural events, conference and exhibition (Pao, 2004). Recognizing the economic benefits of MICE, the SAR government aims to nurture the city into a prominent MICE destination (Macau Government Tourist …

Effects Of An Upbeat And Positive Attitude In Customer Service Interactions, Brent Pritchett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In an extension of research demonstrating the effects of an upbeat and positive attitude in customer service interactions, the experiment and case studies examined in this paper identified evidence in support of displaying a positive behavior during customer service interactions. In the experiment, casino table game dealers were identified that exuded a consistent upbeat and positive attitude. These dealers were compared to other dealers who were inconsistent in their behavior. The experiment revealed that dealers, who engaged customers with a positive attitude, earned more in tipped income. In a series of case studies, service surveys were taken from customers that …

The Relationship Between International Expansion And Firm Performance: An Investigation Of U.S.-Based Restaurants And Firms, Soyeon Jung

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study has three objectives. First, based on the above argument, this study aims to examine whether there is an association between international expansion and U.S.-based restaurants performance in terms of accounting-based measures. Second, this study intends to examine how the performance of service firms will indeed change within an observed time frame of international expansion. Finally, the research hopes to provide insights and assistance both to academics and to company strategists who are in charge of the international operations of service firms.

An Analysis Of The Environmental Content Of Las Vegas Strip Hotels, Andrew M. Levey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines the environmental content of hotel properties websites. The central question of this study is whether Las Vegas Strip properties have gone green, or plan to go green. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the frequency of the environmental content of twenty-three Las Vegas Strip hotels’ websites as well as five upcoming hotel projects and one hotel expansion project on the Strip. The twenty-eight hotels are all located along Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as the Strip. All properties examined have over two thousand rooms each. The goal is to determine how prevalent and important …

High Occupancy Strategy At Thehotel: Is It Worth The Negative Impacts?, Joe Tidwell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

THEhotel in Las Vegas, Nevada operates on a high occupancy throughout the year. Taking advantage of traffic flow through other areas of the property while maintaining a high reputation for customer service on the rooms side is the most efficient way to produce profit that will please the executive team, the guests, the employees and the shareholders of MGM Mirage.

Cherokee Nation Long-Range Communication Plan, Mike Miller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Cherokee Nation is the second largest Indian tribe in the United States. It has the rights of a sovereign nation, though those rights are somewhat limited by Congress. Because Congress can take away a tribe’s sovereignty, it is important for tribes to maintain a strong public image among the dominant culture, because politicians do not attack popular entities. This paper proposes a long-term plan to keep Cherokee Nation in good favor with the general public, and more specifically the opinion leaders and elected officials who can impact the Nation’s future. The plan will include budgets, staffing plans and major …

The Waiting Game, Dennis Moore

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A study of wait times in the hospitality industry, and the guest satisfaction as related to those waits. When faced with waiting, what are the perceptions of the customer, and what can be done to help shorten the perception to help guest satisfaction. Finally, to look into the technology that is available today and in the near future, and what some industries have done to help alleviate the wait time to satisfy their customers’ needs.

Variable Check-In Time: Raising Room Revenue With Multiple Daily Check-In Times, Matthew Kaplan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

An exploration of a new theory of hotel room valuation and pricing called “Variable Check-In Time”. The theory holds that hotels could increase room revenue by instituting multiple daily check-in times, rather than the typical, universal 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. room-day. In doing so, hotels could accommodate guests for more hours per day, thus raising the room night’s salable value. The paper presents the concept of the room-hour and of room-hour utility, making a quantitative case for increased room revenue on utility-maximization grounds. A model for the optimization of room-hour utility is presented, as well as a demonstration of …

Integrated Marketing Communications Strategy: An Examination Of Harrah’S Entertainment, Inc., Michael Mehling

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This professional paper is going to examine marketing communications, specifically the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) strategy. The paper will look at how to develop an IMC strategy, discussing the necessary components. The author will then apply Harrah’s current strategy of their Total Rewards program to the IMC model discussed in the literature review.

Developing A Managerial Plan To Guide The Planning Process For Charity Events, Nicole Molina

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper was to develop a managerial plan to guide the planning process for charity events. A guideline was developed, tested and refined based on a case study of the Prostate Cancer Foundation charity held in October, 2007 at Wynn Las Vegas. A strategy arose from an adaptation of the standard business plans outlined by the Small Business Administration. The resulting business plan, detailed event checklist and timeline will be a guiding tool when planning other charity events.

Nevada's Textbook Adoption Process: The State Perspective, Mitch Bishop, Katie Bliven, Scott Hess

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The process in Nevada used to select textbooks, the main tools for classroom instruction, is a complex web of various stakeholders and interactions. Ensuring that quality textbooks get into the hands of Nevada's teachers and students is the goal of the selection process. The main impediments affecting the selection process may be found in the structure of the process and how the stakeholders interact. In most cases, these interactions and responsibilities are dictated by state law and were established gradually over several years. While the current process functions to place textbooks in schools, it also shows great potential for improvement …

Nevada's Textbook Adoption Policy: The Role And Influence Of Parents And Interest Groups, Brady Dehn, David Hood, Barry Michaels, Harry Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The textbook adoption process in the State of Nevada has its share of flaws, bureaucracy red tape, and "legal E's" however; its intentions are meant to benefit all instructors and students in the state. Textbooks are as integral to education as school buildings and teachers, and they should be part of the free, public education provided by the state and school districts (New Sentinel Editorial, 2006). In the complexity of this process, legislators have deemed it important to have parents involved to assist with providing appropriate material for students. What appears to be justifiable and logical thinking has created basic …

The Textbook Adoption Process In The State Of Nevada: The Teacher's Perspective, Dwight Bellard, Rebecca Coates, Tamara Hicks

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The textbook adoption process for the State of Nevada is outlined in Chapter 390 of Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) and Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). When a teacher is interested in purchasing a textbook for use in the classroom, he or she must check the eligibility list of adopted books on file with the Department of Education. If the book is not on the list, they must begin the process of having the book adopted before being able to purchase it.

City Of Boulder City Parks And Recreation Department Revenue Policy And User Fee Analysis, Karla Fritchman, Jayne Harkins, Cheryl Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Recreation user fees and facility rental fees provide sources of revenue for the City that comes directly from the beneficiary of the service instead of from the general fund. The term user fee will be used in this analysis and will refer to all types of fees and use charges paid by participants using recreation services or facilities.

There were four objectives for this analysis. The first was to determine if any Parks and Recreation Departments in the Las Vegas Valley had current revenue policies and to collect and compare user fees in the Las Vegas Valley against Boulder City …

City Of Las Vegas Municipal Court House Arrest Program Evaluation, Karen Coyne, Michele Hornstein, Timothy Shattler

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The City of Las Vegas operates a municipal detention facility, primarily housing offenders who have committed misdemeanor crimes within the 130 square miles of the Las Vegas City limits. Similar to many jurisdictions, within the State of Nevada, but also across the Country, the offender population is on the rise. The City’s inmate population has grown steadily at a rate of 10%, annually, for five years. This trend, when calculated as a future projection, suggests the City must be prepared for the misdemeanant population to swell from its current daily average of 1144 to more than 3000 inmates by the …

Program Evaluation Report For: Nevada Child Seekers, Nori Evans, Raymond Keeler, Lisa Pletz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A program evaluation of the Nevada Child Seekers (NCS) organization was conducted from October 2006 through April 2007. The evaluation consisted of a qualitative assessment of the organization's volunteer recruitment and retention program. The evaluation was conducted by performing a series of interviews of staff and by conducting a web-based survey of available volunteers. Information gathered from the interviews and surveys was compared with benchmarking data from multiple scholarly and community sources.

Harry Reid Center Of Environmental Studies: Quality Assurance Program Evaluation, Michael G. Herenick, Stephanie C. Hill, Tya R. Mathis, Greg Troutman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Quality Assurance (QA) Program is critical in the licensing of the Yucca Mountain Repository because it helps ensure that the information used to demonstrate the safer)' of the repository is defensible and well documented. Through audits and surveillances the QA staff identifies areas of non-compliance within each task. The QA Program at the Harry Reid Center (HRC) for Environmental Studies can increase compliance with Quality /Assurance Procedures (QAPs) by improving the program's process.

Through qualitative and quantitative research it was determined that reasons for non-compliance revolved around three key areas; process, communication and training. Communication and training are key …

Manager Retention And The Steamboat Ski Resort, Michael D. Gumbiner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The material for this paper centers on the Steamboat Ski Resort Corp. The ski resort was chosen for this study because of its need for a management retention plan. Steamboat was ranked as a top 10 international ski resort in North America by Snow Country Magazine (“Top 50 ski resorts,” 1997). It has maintained this distinction for many years. It has been noted for its idealistic “champion power” and its unpopulated vast terrain. In particular, it has always scored high in the customer experience categories for exceptional down-home friendly people. A chart, prepared by Net promoters.com, on customer and employee …

Nuclear Waste Cooperative Agreement Collaborative Study For The Nevada System Of Higher Education, Betty Taylor, Renee Martinez, Rolanda Smith, Emmit Lamb

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this report is to present to the Harry Reid Center (HRC), the Nevada System of Higher Education and the Department of Energy an evaluation of collaborative effort within the Nuclear Waste Cooperative Agreement of 2003; this “financial assistance” award (as administered by the Harry Reid Center on behalf of the Nevada System of Higher Education) has commissioned this study to analyze its compliance with a stated mission objective of collaboration. The analysis was completed during the months of November 2006 thru April 2007.

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has a tremendous opportunity to establish the …

Exploring Revenue Management In Spas: Yield Management Concepts In The Spa Industry Today, Elaine M. Balkoulis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The primary goal of this paper is to further explore the applications of yield management in the spa industry and identify the techniques that are currently used by spa operators. The paper will also evaluate the most popular spa software systems utilized. Furthermore, the paper will investigate the existence of yield management features in the current spa software systems. In addition an effort will be carried out to examine the spa patrons’ perception on yield management strategies in the spa environment.

Developing A Dining Customer Satisfaction Measurement And Response Tool, Mike Distefano

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There are many customers and guests who depart a hotel or its dining and entertainment facilities with a "bad taste" in their mouths due to customer service situations that either went wrong completely, or simply did not meet those particular guests' expectations. This frequently results in the seeking by guests of better service experiences by going to the competition, which ultimately represents lost or foregone revenue. These are situations from which management could have actually benefited. It is merely a matter of construing them as opportunities to consummate long-term customer relationships. This misconception is often due to ignorance or oversight …

Hotel Energy Use Contributes To Global Warming, Christine Faja

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Before learning about the consequences of global warming and the efforts hotels are making to reverse the effects, it is important to get a better understanding of what exactly is the phenomenon that scientists call global warming. According to the EPA (2006), the earth’s climate has changed several times since the beginning of Earth’s existence. The earth is hotter than ever. NASA has reported that the earth’s average surface temperature has risen from 1.2 degrees to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900. They also found that the warmest years have occurred within the last 15 years, with 1998 and 2005 being …