Business Commons^™

Chinese Petroleum Industry Analysis And Entry Strategies, Xu Zhaoxian

Theses Digitization Project

This comprehensive project introduces the past and present of the Chinese petroleum industry, conducts industry analysis using Michael Porter's Five forces model, and discusses the changes made in recent years and the business oppurtunities for foreign companies. In order to effectively enter the chinese petroleum market, four commonly used entry strategies are introduced. Key issues, weaknesses and strengths, as well as implications of each entry strategy are discussed in detail.

Impact Of Corporate Casual Wear On Productivity In The Workplace, Joe Luis Hernandez

Theses Digitization Project

In today's workplace there are many reasons why businesses are encouraging their workforce to dress in a more casual manner. Personnel within the workforce who dress casually report improvements ranging from morale to customer relations after the implementation of more relaxed dress codes. It will also be necessary to consider whether or not business casual dress facilitates the tearing down of social and communication barriers.

Case Study On Costs And Efficiency Of Urgent Care Center Desert Valley Medical Group, Victorville, Hari Mallam Reddy

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this research project is to report on a comprehensive organizational audit of the Urgent Care Service of Desert Valley Medical Group in Victorville, California.

A Quest For Sales, Daniel Lynn Goehring

Theses Digitization Project

This paper is to evaluate the sales program at Arrowhead Credit Union, and make recommendations for enhancing and improving it. This paper provide guidance and direction to assist the Arrowhead Credit Unions transition to a sales focused organization.

Education, Training And The Role Of Logistic Managers In Ireland, John Mangan, Orla Gregory

Articles

The paper is based on the analysis of the responses of a questionnaire survey of logistics managers working in manufacturing firms in Ireland. The objectives of the survey were to establish the educational and training needs of the practicing logistics manager. The questionnaire was designed to address issues including the various logistics practices undertaken by the respondents' company and the time spent by respondents on these activities; the skills currently required by logistics managers; the attitude to logistics in respondents' companies; the qualifications held and nature of training received by logistics managers; the effectiveness of training received; future training requirements …

Selecting International Modes Of Entry And Expansion, Gregory E. Osland, Charles R. Taylor, Shaoming Zou

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

Selecting a mode for entering or expanding in a foreign market is a crucial strategic decision for an international firm. This article identifies and compares the most influential factors that affect the international modes of entry and expansion decisions of US and Japanese firms. Using mail surveys, this is one of the first studies on this subject to collect data from top executives in both Japan and the USA. Findings reveal that the Japanese are particularly sensitive to external risk and other target market factors. For Americans, company factors, such as international experience, appear to be most important when selecting …

Annual Report 2000-2001, Imsa Fund

IMSA Fund Reports

How will the state, nation and world we know change in this new century? How will we produce our food, travel from place to place, care for our fellow human beings and sustain the energy to power it all? How will nations communicate and citizens receive news? What medical, ecological or informational challenges are on the horizon? Who will initiate life-changing innovations, and how will the next generation learn to do the same? The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy asks these questions of its students and teachers, other Illinois students and teachers, and the public at large - and in …

Identification Of Linkage Between Strategic Group And Performance Of Indian Commercial Banks: A Combined Approach Using Dea And Co-Plot, Prithwiraj Nath, Avinandan Mukherjee, Manabendra Nath

Marketing Faculty Research

This paper explores the linkage between strategic grouping and performance of the Indian banking sector. Strategic grouping and performance were identified using published financial information for all public sector banks. Grouping of Indian public sector banks following comparable financial strategy – with similar asset quality, operational efficiency and profitability was operationalized using the graphical display method of Co-plot.

From their position in the two dimensional conceptual map, banks with identical financial performance formed strategic groups with significant positive linkage between better groups and their superior financial performance, which showed their inherent homogeneity in business policy decisions. Relative performance of the …

Cationic Surfactant Mediated Hybridization And Hydrophobization Of Dna Molecules At The Liquid/Liquid Interface And Their Phase Transfer, Murali Sastry, Ashavani Kumar, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Vidya Ramakrishnan, Krishna N. Ganesh

Faculty Works

Hybridization of complementary oligonucleotides mediated by a cationic surfactant at the water/hexane interface leads to hydrophobic, double-helical DNA which may be readily phase transferred to the organic phase and cast into thin films on solid substrates.

Leave Management System (Lms), Yim Khim Chan

Student Works (2000-2009)

This project attempts to further enhance and develop new features and functionalities for the existing Leave Management System (LMS) in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT). The existing LMS is a web-based application designed to automate leave processing system in the faculty. Briefly, this project strives to test the efficiency of the system, to ease the process of leave application, to make the system user-friendlier, and to enhance the integrated system with the Attendance Management System (AMS). Its significance includes higher quality of the system in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, faster processing time, and having …

E-Expense Claims System, Chee Fui Chong

Student Works (2000-2009)

This Project paper is prepared as to partially fulfill the requirement of the Bachelor of Computer Science. The development of e-Expense Claims System is highlighted in this document The e-Expense Claims System is to provide computerized and useful system for faculty administrators, lecturers and students in managing information more efficiently and effectively. It has to point out that the e-Expense Claims System will not be developed specific for small and medium size commercial companies. This is to ensure that the system can easily adapt to changes and can be customized for other organization with similar needs. The main purpose of …

Export Performance Of Malaysian Frozen Shrimp Industry Against Selected Asean Countries, Chai Fong Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

The recent liberalisation of trade in A SEAN has promoted more regional trade in shrimp among the ASEAN countries as well as trade with countries outside the region. An important issue arising from the liberalisation of trade concerns the increased pressure of competition and direct rivalry among Malaysia and the other ASEAN countries for the export of shrimps in the international markets. This paper analyses the export performance and competitiveness of Malaysian frozen shrimp against three other ASEAN countries, that is Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, in the Japanese market. Four different methods, namely constant­ market-share analysis, shift-share analysis, revealed …

Umpjj- Wcs (Wages Claims System) Through Web, Min Tat Ong

Student Works (2000-2009)

The final year thesis paper has divided into 2 major parts which are the WXET 3181 Latihan Ilmiah I and WXET 3182 Latihan Ilmiah II. The division of these 2 thesis paper is based on the 7 major stages in SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) context which WXET 3181 Latiban Ilmiah I covers 3 major stages in SDLC whereas WXET 3182 Latihan Ilmiah II covers the remaining 4 major stages in SDLC. The WXET 3181 Latihan Ilmiah I is a special 4 credit hours thesis paper which does not involve any lecture or tutorial classes but to let the FSKTM …

Sales, Purchases And Stock System, Chee Hoe Mok

Student Works (2000-2009)

Like any other general accounting software, Sales & Purchases Recording System is designed in such a way that it fir into use of different types of organizations. It consists of an accounting database which stores all information regarding the organization’s trading status. Since it should fit to any types of organization, Sales & Purchases Recording System has the capability of allowing multiple users to create their own database files and gain access to them. The software is one of dynamic file allocation in which users can specify and create their own database files. Records inside those files are also of …

The Strategic Response Of Dublin's Traditional Department Stores To Intensifying Competition, Edmund O'Callaghan, Mary Wilcox

Articles

In Dublin city competition within the retail sector is intensifying and city-centre department stores, in common with other traders, face many challenges. Indigenous retailers must contend not only with each other, but also with an on-going invasion of international retailers who have been attracted by Ireland’s booming economy. UK multiples have made major in-roads into Dublin's retail scene and the city centre's latest shopping mall, The Jervis Centre, is so dominated by UK retailers that it has been christened 'Little Britain' In the past fifty years, many of Dublin's once dominant department stores have succumbed to the vagaries of retailing. …

Ham-Tmc Facts And Figures 2000-2001, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Library Statistics

No abstract provided.

Fitting Loss Distributions In The Presence Of Rating Variables, Farrokh Guiahi

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper focuses on issues and methodologies for fitting alternative statistical models-parametric probability distributions-to samples of insurance loss data. The interactions of loss distributions, deductibles, policy limits, and rating variables in the context of fitting distributions to losses are discussed. Fitted loss distributions serve an important function in pricing insurance products. The methodology developed in this paper is applied to a sample of insurance loss data that has the lognormal as the underlying loss distribution.

Linear Empirical Bayes Estimation Of Survival Probabilities With Partial Data, Mostafa Mashayekhi

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

In this paper we consider linear empirical Bayes estimation of survival probabilities with partial data from right-censored and possibly left-truncated observations. Such data are produced by studies in which the exact times of death are not recorded and the length of time that each subject may be under observation cannot exceed one unit of time. We obtain asymptotically optimal linear empirical Bayes estimators, with respect to the squared error loss function, under the assumption that the probability of death under observation in a unit time interval is proportional to the length of observation. This assumption is sometimes implied by Balducci's …

A Sensitivity Analysis Of The Premiums For A Permanent Health Insurance (Phi) Model, Ben D. Rickayzen

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper presents an analysis of the parameters used in a multi-state model for permanent health insurance (PHI). The model is a simplification of that used in the United Kingdom. To avoid using duration dependent probabilities, the model splits the sick state into several sub-states to act as a proxy for duration spent in a particular state. This enables a Markov approach to be adopted. Lapses are incorporated within the model, and the net premium for a particular policy is tested for sensitivity to the various parameters used, including their interaction with the lapse rate. One of our conclusions is …

Controlling The Solvency Interaction Among A Group Of Insurance Companies, Alexandros Zimbidis, Steven Haberman

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

Pooling of risks is an efficient risk management technique used by large employee benefit schemes of multinational companies to self-insure their retirement and other benefit obligations. This technique forms a basis for formulating a general control theoretic model for the interaction between insurance companies within a pooling network. The objective of these insurance companies is to avoid insolvency yet maintain stable premium and surplus processes. A general control system of equations that is used as a model for the interaction of m insurance companies within the network is first analyzed. An analytic solution is provided. Questions concerning the stability and …

Exponential Bonus-Malus Systems Integrating A Priori Risk Classification, Llufs Bermudez, Michel Denuit, Jan Dhaene

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper examines an integrated ratemaking scheme including a priori risk classification and a posteriori experience rating. In order to avoid the high penalties implied by the quadratic loss function, the symmetry between the overcharges and the undercharges is broken by introducing parametric loss functions of exponential type.

Premium Earning Patterns For Multi-Year Policies With Aggregate Deductibles, Thomas Struppeck

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

MUlti-year policies with large aggregate deductibles or multiple triggers raise some interesting issues about the correct amount of unearned premium reserve that a company should carry. Examples in this paper illustrate some of the difficulties that arise when trying to establish such reserves. The basic approach taken here is that the pure premium portion of the unearned premium reserve should always be adequate to cover the remaining risk. This approach, however, can lead to some unusual and controversial earning patterns; there are even situations where a negative premium is earned. In addition, the earning pattern for a particular loss scenario …

Analyzing Management Fees Of Pension Funds: A Case Study Of Mexico, Tapen Sinha

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

Though the rates of return for public pension funds have been high over the past two decades, one critical aspect of the financing of this type of fund is often overlooked: high management fees. As a result, the rates of return for workers who have invested in these funds have not necessarily been high. Management fees charged on pension funds in Mexico result in a leakage of funds in the order of 20-30% of the fund. That is, the amount at retirement would have been 20-30% higher had there been no fees. A model is developed that includes all the …

Role Playing And Cooperative Learning In The Ais Course, Dennis F. Togo, Kristi Jane Yuthas

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

The accounting information systems course is often viewed as difficult to teach because it contains topics that are less quantifiable and structured in comparison to courses in financial or managerial!cost accounting. Yet, many AIS instructors have developed successful teaching techniques that are suited to the AIS course. A creative teaching approach for the AIS course is that of role-playing organizations and their operations, especially for transaction cycles. In addition, cooperative learning can be nicely coupled with role playing because of their common emphases on social interdependence and shared learning. The benefits and guidelines for cooperative learning and role playing are …

Journal Of Actuarial Practice, Volume 9 (2001), Colin Ramsay , Editor

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

(The complete issue, including) ARTICLES

Analyzing Management Fees of Pension Funds: A Case Study of Mexico • Tapen Sinha 5

Premium Earning Patterns for Multi-Year Policies with Aggregate Deductibles • Thomas Struppeck 45

Exponential Bonus-Malus Systems Integrating A Priori Risk Classification • Lluis Benmidez, Michel Denuit, and Jan Dhaene 67

Fitting Loss Distributions in the Presence of Rating Variables • Farrokh Guiahi 97

Linear Empirical Bayes Estimation of Survival Probabilities with Partial Data • Mostafa Mashayekhi 131

Controlling the Solvency Interaction Among a Group of Insurance Companies • Alexandros Zimbidis and Steven Haberman 151

A Sensitivity Analysis of the Premiums …

Annual Report 2001, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Annual Reports: 1943 - Present

The file contains the annual report for the library from 2000-2001.

2001 Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Florida Report To The Community And Blue Foundation Annual Report, Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Florida, Inc.

Florida Blue Archives Printed Materials

Annual company report to the community for 2001 detailing Blue Cross of Florida's The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida's charitable initiatives, community involvement, business operations, financial assets and expenditures, and executive leadership.

Advanced Information Systems: Impact On Organizational Reality, Rolf D. Dixon

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

Today, with the proliferation of increasingly advanced information technologies in organizations, a significant challenge can be made to the traditional assumptions regarding the non-rationality of organizational behavior. It is the purpose of this paper to consider the effects of advanced information technologies on the spatial, structural, social, and informational processes of the organization and to suggest how this could, in fact, signal a return to the “rational” organization. This paper will consider the issue of organizational rationality in a normative manner with several propositions offered.

Option-Based Management Of Technology Investment Risk, Michel Benaroch

Management - All Scholarship

Real operating (flexibility) options embedded in a technology investment are valuable because they allow management to take rational, value-adding actions that could favorably affect operational traits of the investment (timing, scale, scope, etc.). These options, however, are not inherent in technology investments. Rather, they usually must be carefully planned and designed to fit each investment differently. Building on concepts from the area of financial risk management, this paper presents a methodology for planning the creation of specific operating options designed to maximize the value of a technology investment in light of the risks underlying that investment. The paper also illustrates …

If It’S Wrong, It’S Wrong; And More Talk Won’T Make It Right, David J. Cherrington, Owen J. Cherrington

Faculty Publications

We find the moral relativism underlying postmodernism quite disturbing when it comes to discussions of truth and honesty. The following experience illustrates the benefit of a clear, universal standard regarding cheating.