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Articles 1 - 30 of 39
Full-Text Articles in Business
The Effects Of International Defense Sales On Aerospace Prime Contractor Profitability, Gregory T. Sanders
The Effects Of International Defense Sales On Aerospace Prime Contractor Profitability, Gregory T. Sanders
Theses and Dissertations
Faced with declining defense budgets following the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, US defense contractors needed to explore other sources of revenue outside of typical domestic defense sales to survive. Expansion into the international defense sales market was one of the avenues pursued by defense contractors attempting to capture profits (Deutch, 2001). However, not many studies have been found assessing the relationship between international defense sales and profitability since then. This research examines the relationship between international defense sales and profitability using data collected on the top five US defense contractors from 1994-2021. Time-series analysis is …
An Analysis Of Escalation Forecasting For Ppi3364, Jacob T. Smith
An Analysis Of Escalation Forecasting For Ppi3364, Jacob T. Smith
Theses and Dissertations
The accurate forecasting of escalation is vital to generating useful cost estimates. This research investigates various methods for their accuracy in forecasting an index, PPI3364, which measures price changes in aerospace product and parts. This is done over two different spans of time: fiscal years and FYDP (five out years). Also, this study of methods for forecasting was conducted from the perspective of the practitioner in the PPBE process. Global Insight is the current source for forecasting escalation for the aerospace products and parts industry, but there are concerns, expressed by the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency, regarding the accuracy …
Aligning Dod Cost Analysis Competencies To Third Party Standards, Helga D. Leite-Evora
Aligning Dod Cost Analysis Competencies To Third Party Standards, Helga D. Leite-Evora
Theses and Dissertations
In an attempt to improve certification training programs, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2020 mandated changes to certification requirements for all acquisition related career fields directing the implementation of certification programs based on nationally or internationally accredited third-party standards (NDAA, 2019). This research focused on DoD’s Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) Business Cost Estimating (BUS-CE) Program’s compliance with the NDAA. The study has one major research question that focuses on determining how well aligned the Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) BUS-CE certification program’s competency model is to its relevant third-party standard, the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association's (ICEAA) Cost …
Time-Phasing Rdt&E In Air Force Acquisitions, Trevor A. Bills
Time-Phasing Rdt&E In Air Force Acquisitions, Trevor A. Bills
Theses and Dissertations
Time-phasing describes the process of estimating expenditure profiles for multi-year RDT&E acquisition programs. The AFCAH states that one approach to producing a time-phased estimate is with the use of S-curve distributions. These S-curves are most typically modeled as Weibull, Rayleigh, or Beta distributions. Many prior studies have been completed to better understand which of the three distributions is best suited to time-phasing RDT&E programs, and what program characteristics significantly explain variance in the distributional parameters. Those prior studies utilized either contractor-supplied data or SARs, and typically found the Weibull to be the best performing distribution. This paper makes novel use …
Determinants Of Small Business Innovation Research Performance, Ethan E. Blake
Determinants Of Small Business Innovation Research Performance, Ethan E. Blake
Theses and Dissertations
This analysis shows that the Air Force SBIR Program has seen a high rate of failure (over 91%) in Phase II efforts that have completed funding within the last three Fiscal Years. The Joint Capability Area assignment process and subsequent analysis identified several high and low performing groups. Force Integration, Battlespace Awareness, and Protection JCAs were top performers while Command/Control, Logistics, and Force Application were low performers. Additional analysis showed that small businesses have more than double the commercialization rate of large businesses. The commercialization rates for businesses with 150 employees or fewer is 9% while the rate for businesses …
An Investigation Into Subject Matter Expert Elicitation In Cost Risk Analysis, Christopher W. Miller
An Investigation Into Subject Matter Expert Elicitation In Cost Risk Analysis, Christopher W. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
This research compares the efficacy of subject matter expert (SME) elicitation methods to other cost estimation methods using a development and production dataset provided by AFLCMC/FZC. First, by using descriptive statistics to evaluate low versus high amount of the respective cost estimation methods by analyzing the means of percent cost growth for both groups. Next, this research involved using a statistics-based approach to investigate whether SME based cost estimating methods have an associated relationship to percent change of Program Acquisition Unit Costs (PAUC), which will be our proxy variable to cost growth. Using a pooled cross-sectional OLS regression analysis model …
Daylighting Strategies For U.S. Air Force Office Facilities: Economic Analysis Of Building Energy Performance And Life-Cycle Cost Modeling With Monte Carlo Method, Sang M. Lee
Theses and Dissertations
The U.S. federal government maintains more than 500,000 facilities in the United States and around the world, most of which are heavily dependent on fossil fuels to produce electricity. Within the federal government, the Department of Defense (DOD) spends over $2.5 billion per year on facility energy consumption which makes them the largest single energy consumer in the United States. Therefore, federal energy conservation goals focus on aggressively reducing energy consumption by reducing the energy demand at the facility level within the next 20 years. Daylighting is a passive solar energy strategy at the facility level that leverages load avoidance …
Balanced Scoredcard: Evaluation Of Air Force Material Command's Implementation And Use, Aaron J. Hepler
Balanced Scoredcard: Evaluation Of Air Force Material Command's Implementation And Use, Aaron J. Hepler
Theses and Dissertations
Managing in a contemporary world has become increasingly more complex. It has evolved from a manufacturing setting with little to steer managers but a single, financial indicator to managing a greater percentage of intangible assets through numerous leading and lagging indicators. The industry has also evolved from centrally located and managed to decentralized, multi-national companies. In response to these changes, a new strategic management tool was developed called the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). This management tool has proved successful throughout the last decade. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the implementation and use of Air Force Materiel Command's (AFMC's) …
Predicting The Effects Of Longitudinal Variables On Cost Schedule Performance, James D. Foreman
Predicting The Effects Of Longitudinal Variables On Cost Schedule Performance, James D. Foreman
Theses and Dissertations
Determining accurate cost and schedule is a crucial step to planning acquisition expenditures but history has shown that estimates are routinely low. Several researchers have attempted to forecast cost and schedule growth; we pick up this stream of research with a new approach. Our data collection and analysis focused on bringing in new data sources and added longitudinal variables to account for changes that took place over time. We assessed cost and schedule parameters for 37 major acquisition programs between Milestones II and III, resulting in 172 input variables and 5 regression models, 2 for schedule slippage and 3 for …
Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (Ceai): Systematic Validation Of A Measure, Tassika M. Davis
Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (Ceai): Systematic Validation Of A Measure, Tassika M. Davis
Theses and Dissertations
The implementation of corporate entrepreneurship is becoming an important activity for private- and public-sector organizations. Organizational factors have been linked to successful corporate entrepreneurship. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) is an instrument that attempts to measure the effectiveness of the key internal organizational factors, or climate, that influence innovative activities and behaviors. This study attempted to assess the content validity and factor structure of the CEAI and thus add weight to the psychometric soundness of the instrument. In sum, the effectiveness of the instrument was tested using the framework for scale development presented by Hinkin (1998). Overall, the CEAI …
Examining The Impact Of Quality Assurance Manning Practices In Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Units, Terry D. Moore
Examining The Impact Of Quality Assurance Manning Practices In Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Units, Terry D. Moore
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to examine the impact that current USAF Quality Assurance (QA) manning practices has on key aircraft wing- and unit-level metrics. Interviews and surveys culminated in development of a QA Manning Effectiveness Matrix. We then used the matrix to calculate historical QA manning effectiveness at 16 ACC bases. Effectiveness scores were regressed with associated historical data for 26 metrics derived from a Delphi survey. Nine metrics were deemed statistically significant, including break rates, cannibalization rates, flying schedule effectiveness rates, key task list pass rates, maintenance scheduling effectiveness rates, quality verification inspection pass rates, repeat rates, …
Forecasting Readiness: Using Regression To Predict The Mission Capability Of Air Force F-16 Fighter Aircraft, Steven A. Oliver
Forecasting Readiness: Using Regression To Predict The Mission Capability Of Air Force F-16 Fighter Aircraft, Steven A. Oliver
Theses and Dissertations
According to many, the readiness of America's forces deteriorated in the 1990s. In the Air Force, the combat readiness of its fighter aircraft has declined. One of its indicators of combat readiness, the mission capable rate, is used to identify the percentage of aircraft unable to perform their missions. From FY94-FY98, the aggregate total not mission capable rate for maintenance steadily increased from 14% to 18.2% while total not mission capable rate for supply increased from 5.5% to 17.5% between FY86 and FY00. The USAF uses the funding/Availability Multi-Method Allocator for Spares model to forecast these rates for its aircraft. …
Analysis Of The Next Generation Small Loader (Ngsl) In Reducing The Mobility Footprint, Victor A. Anaya
Analysis Of The Next Generation Small Loader (Ngsl) In Reducing The Mobility Footprint, Victor A. Anaya
Theses and Dissertations
The impact the Next Generation Small Loader (NGSL) will have on reducing the mobility footprint has not been thoroughly explored. The global mobility system cannot function without adequate Materiel Handling Equipment (MHE). MHE of the future must be multi-purpose in design and should able to support multiple weapon systems. In addition, it will require less maintenance and be easier to deploy thus making air mobility operations more responsive to customer needs. Current MHE is old and labor intensive. The Air Mobility Command's (AMC's) small loaders, especially 25K loaders, are in very poor condition and are incapable of servicing KC-1Os and …
An Investigation Of The Reliability Of The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (Cpars), John C. Odum
An Investigation Of The Reliability Of The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (Cpars), John C. Odum
Theses and Dissertations
An Industry trend is to establish long-term relationships with reliable suppliers. One of the criteria used to pick these "reliable suppliers" is past performance. The Department of Defense is also attempting to capitalize on this logical trend to the maximum extent possible by using past performance as an evaluation factor in source selections. Air Force Material Command (AFMC) employs the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). This thesis examines the reliability of the CPARS. This thesis found, despite the fact that policy mandates color ratings be based on period objective measures, the cost color ratings were more consistent with cumulative …
Why Schedules Slip: Actual Reasons For Schedule Problems Across Large Air Force System Development Efforts, William M. Cashman
Why Schedules Slip: Actual Reasons For Schedule Problems Across Large Air Force System Development Efforts, William M. Cashman
Theses and Dissertations
The three main objectives of this research were to identify the actual reasons for schedule problems across large Air Force system development efforts, to quantity the importance of each category of reasons in terms of frequency and severity, and to demonstrate that the reasons for schedule problems are not program unique, but are common across system development efforts. To this end, this thesis contains a categorization and analysis of 549 reasons for schedule difficulties on 22 large Air Force Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) programs from 1981 to 1994. These aircraft, missile, aircraft equipment, aircraft upgrade, and simulator programs had …
An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne
An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne
Theses and Dissertations
Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) system program offices rely on cost metrics to acquire information on program effectiveness and organizational improvement. This study was an attempt to determine the effectiveness of ASC’s cost metrics. The effectiveness of the metrics were determined by the desirability of the behaviors which are exhibited when individuals utilize the specific metrics. Using an expert panel to evaluate the metrics, data was collected using the Group Research Laboratory for Logistics located in Armstrong Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Metric diagnostic charts were utilized to arrange the data into a format which would provide effectiveness information. The …
Cost Management Competencies: The Importance And Frequency As Seen By The Financial Analyst, Diana E. Pry
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 …
A Calibration Of The Revic Software Cost Estimating Model, Betty G. Weber
A Calibration Of The Revic Software Cost Estimating Model, Betty G. Weber
Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the change in performance resulting from calibration of the REVIC software cost model and whether calibration improved the model's ability to estimate software development costs. Three calibrations were conducted on two operating environments using the SMC database. The calibrations consisted of one coefficient only and two coefficient and exponent calibrations, using different procedures. Analysis of the goodness of fit" was accomplished using MRE, MMRE, RMS, RRMS, and the prediction test to measure the model's improvement in predicting ability. The Wilcoxon and Wilk-Shapiro tests were used to test for normality of the sample data. The author concluded that …
Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler
Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler
Theses and Dissertations
Manufacturing planning and control systems play an important role in an organization's effectiveness. Over the past twenty to thirty years, U.S. manufacturing companies have faced increasing competition for market share from Japanese and other Pacific rim countries. This thesis will investigate the evolutionary path followed by manufacturing companies that have implemented various manufacturing planning and control systems. Specifically, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just In Time (JIT) production will be analyzed. MRP is a means of convening demand for the final product into a requirements schedule for the various components comprising that product. The JIT philosophy calls for continuously improving …
An Analysis Of The Purpose And Development Of Management Reserve, Kevin T. Gould
An Analysis Of The Purpose And Development Of Management Reserve, Kevin T. Gould
Theses and Dissertations
This study investigates both the purpose and development of management reserve budget as it pertains to the Cost-Schedule Control Systems Criteria outlined in DoD Instruction 5(X)O.2. With the Defense Department facing an environment of shrinking budgets, it is becoming increasingly critical for them to manage their acquisition programs as efficient and effective as possible. The objectives of this study were to gain insight, from both a government and commercial perspective, on both the purpose and the development of the contractor's management reserve budget. Contractor system descriptions and interviews of individuals associated with the government acquisition process were used to document …
Calibration Of The Software Life Cycle Model (Slim) To The Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc) Software Database (Swdb), Robert K. Kressin
Calibration Of The Software Life Cycle Model (Slim) To The Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc) Software Database (Swdb), Robert K. Kressin
Theses and Dissertations
Several sophisticated Department of Defense (DOD) weapon and space systems depend on a variety of mission-critical computer software applications. Because of the increasing costs to develop these applications, and today's austere defense budget, accurately estimating the costs to develop software is gaining a great deal of attention within the DOD. Unfortunately, software cost estimation models have been encountering difficulties in accurately estimating the costs of software development. However, research has shown that calibrating one's software cost estimation model can improve the predictive capability of that model. As such, this study focused on calibrating the SLIM cost model to sets of …
Calibration Of The Price S Software Cost Model, James C. Galonsky
Calibration Of The Price S Software Cost Model, James C. Galonsky
Theses and Dissertations
As more Department of Defense resources are being allocated toward software development, the necessity to accurately plan for software costs has become critical. Obtaining reliable estimates from software cost models, like PRICE S, can be a problem when input parameters are not precisely defined or calibrated. This research effort centered on refining Productivity Factor (PROFAC) values for defense industry applications. The Space and Missile Systems Center Database was used to calibrate PROFAC values for eleven stratified data sets: military ground, military mobile, missile, unmanned space, Ada, Assembly, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, JOVIAL, and PASCAL. The accuracy of the calibrations was determined …
A Study Of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Of The Upper Extremities And Occupation In Wright-Patterson Adir Force Base Civilian Personnel, Scott T. Hillstead
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 …
Calibration Of The System Evaluation And Estimation Of Resources Software Estimation Model (Seer-Sem) For The Air Force Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc), Kolin D. Rathmann
Calibration Of The System Evaluation And Estimation Of Resources Software Estimation Model (Seer-Sem) For The Air Force Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc), Kolin D. Rathmann
Theses and Dissertations
This study examined whether calibration of the SEER-SEM impacted the effort estimates generated by the model for software developments- A historical database was provided by the Space and Missile System's Center Los Angeles, and used as the model's input data. The data was stratified into four usable platforms, military ground command and-control, military ground signal processing, military specification avionics, and military mobile. Each platform's data sets were split, the majority of points for calibration of the model, and the rest for model validation. The accuracy of SEER to this particular data set is limited, yet the model did respond to …
The Effect Of A Self-Care Education Program On A Military Medical Beneficiary Population, Christopher S. Svehlak
The Effect Of A Self-Care Education Program On A Military Medical Beneficiary Population, Christopher S. Svehlak
Theses and Dissertations
Previous research in the area of self-care has focused on medical beneficiaries in a wide range of settings, but the current or former members of the United States Armed Services have largely been ignored. This research concentrates on designing, implementing, and reporting on a study of the impact of a self-care education program on a military beneficiary population. Specifically, retired and active-duty households, whose medical records are maintained by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center, were systematically randomly sampled and invited to participate in the study. Those households who responded were given their choice of a self-care book, and …
Calibration Of The Software Architecture Sizing And Estimation Tool (Saset), Carl D. Vegas
Calibration Of The Software Architecture Sizing And Estimation Tool (Saset), Carl D. Vegas
Theses and Dissertations
This study attempted to analyze the effect of calibration on the performance of the SASET computer software cost estimating model. Data used for input into the model were drawn from the most current USAF SMC Software Database (SWDB). Once all the records to be used for analysis were identified, the DBMS-Calibration tool (which is part of SASET) was used to perform regression analysis on the relationship between program size (measured in SLOC) and the effort required to develop the program (measured in man-months). Productivity information reported from this tool was then input into equations used to calculate the Productivity Calibration …
Using Parametric Cost Models To Estimate Engineering And Installation Costs Of Selected Electronic Communications Systems, John L. Bosworth Ii, Ronald J. Wiechmann
Using Parametric Cost Models To Estimate Engineering And Installation Costs Of Selected Electronic Communications Systems, John L. Bosworth Ii, Ronald J. Wiechmann
Theses and Dissertations
This study developed a set of cost driver definitions for use by the Communications. Systems Center CSC, headquartered at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. CSC is responsible for the engineering and installation of a dozen types of ground-based electronic communication and navigation systems, ranging from mobile radio systems to base telephone switches and air traffic control systems. Under changes brought about by the implementation of the Defense Business Operating Fund DBOF, the Communications System Center is searching out new customers and new cost estimating methodologies to improve customer service. The definitions were used to gather historical data of equipment, engineering, and installation …
Cost-Schedule Control Systems Criteria Interpretation Differences Between The Dod And Its Contractors, Brian E. Hoffmann Ii, Johnny Wilson
Cost-Schedule Control Systems Criteria Interpretation Differences Between The Dod And Its Contractors, Brian E. Hoffmann Ii, Johnny Wilson
Theses and Dissertations
This study attempted to identify the major interpretive differences of the Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria (C/SCSC) between Department of Defense DoD and contractor performance management professionals, and to understand why these differences occurred. As the study progressed, its focus shifted to an evaluation of the Interpretive Guide, an Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT published document used to assist in the understanding of the criteria elements. The objective of the evaluation was to determine if the Interpretive Guide’s explanations of the criteria elements were in consonance with the intent of the criteria and with current practice in the field of …
An Automated Cost Uncertainty Program, Dale N. Fletcher
An Automated Cost Uncertainty Program, Dale N. Fletcher
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to develop a menu driven, computer program that implemented methodologies for cost uncertainty analysis. Cost uncertainties have been quantified using either simulation techniques or through heuristic means. Simulation techniques require time to run the required number of iterations. Current computer based heuristic methods do not check correlation matrices for consistency nor do they enable the analyst to perform queries. This research resulted in the development of an automated heuristic cost uncertainty program which alleviates the limitations of current computer programs. The program contains a file editor for creating and modifying data files, a cost …
An Assessment Of Forecasting Methods: Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement (Clssa) Investment Items, Jeffrey S. Grafton, Earl W. Sollmann
An Assessment Of Forecasting Methods: Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement (Clssa) Investment Items, Jeffrey S. Grafton, Earl W. Sollmann
Theses and Dissertations
The United States (US) promotes collective security in the Free World via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. FMS customers prefer to acquire weapon system logistic support through FMS rather than by direct commercial vendor support. Ninety-seven percent of the follow-on logistics requirements are submitted via a special program called Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement CLSSA. CLSSA, while sound in theory, has been a poor performer. The USAF must modify the CLSSA program or risk losing future FMS to competing nations. Modifying CLSSA to utilize an automated forecasting process will greatly improve customer service. Efficient and timely logistic support is …