Business Commons^™

The Impact Of Social Capital On Innovation Intermediaries, Songphon Munkongsujarit

Dissertations and Theses

In today's open business environments, innovation happens in globally dispersed organizations that exchange technological knowledge across increasingly permeable boundaries. Innovation intermediaries play an important role in these technology transfer processes. They operate as middle-men between solution seekers (companies seeking technological knowledge for solving their problems) and problem solvers (experts with specialized knowledge and solutions) and thus help to connect suppliers and customers of technological knowledge. Currently, clients that select an intermediary organization and managers of intermediary organizations that assign agents to a project have very little guidance as to what type of an intermediary they should select to guarantee that …

How Disruptive Is Information Technology Really?, Judith A. Ramaley

Public Administration Faculty Publications and Presentations

How disruptive is this technology revolution, and what does this expansion of the world of knowledge portend for higher education?

About the author: Judith A. Ramaley is President Emerita and Distinguished Professor of Public Service at Portland State University, President Emerita of Winona State University, and a Senior Scholar with the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). She also served as President of the University of Vermont and as Assistant Director, Education and Human Resources Directorate, at the National Science Foundation.

Oit Online Web Presence, Ali Alsahaf, Ryan Menze, Farzad Moshfegh, Jerrod Thomas

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) at Portland State University (PSU) migrated its website to a centrally provided Drupal content management system in the summer of 2012, leaving out a significant amount of content from the previous website in exchange for a quick implementation timeline based on an executive order to unify departmental branding across the division of Finance and Administration. This initial migration focused on public facing information and excluded large swaths of support articles that were broadly used by faculty, staff, students, and technology professionals. In early 2013, a new project was launched to reevaluate the design decisions …

Digital Media Battleground, Fahad Alhajri, James Bowen, Brian Brewer, Meles Hagos, Farzad Moshfegh, Srujana Penmetsa, Jerrod Thomas

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Current digital media distribution platforms continue their march towards streaming service-based infrastructures, delivering content to users when and where they want it: laptops, set top boxes, home entertainment systems, and the new ubiquity: mobile devices. This model was first demonstrated by utilizing the multicast backbone technology in the early 1990s and took the better part of a decade to make inroads in changing the way individuals consume broadcast, mainstream, and syndicated video media. It took the advent of streaming technology, high-speed internet adoption, and a willingness from content owners to license their treasured content with upstart streaming media platform companies. …

Dynamics Capabilities, Caroline Mudavadi, Farshad Madani, Garrett Gilliland, Corey White

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Slides from a presentation based on Teece, D. J. (January 01, 2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28, 13, 1319.

Discusses capabilities that enable business enterprises to create, deploy, and protect the intangible assets that support superior long-run business performance.

Technology Assessment And Attractive Analysis Of A New Concrete Modifier, Asem Alluhibi, Farshad Madani, Pinprapa Pakdeekasem

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

MB, a new concrete modifier containing Silica Fume (FS), has fantastic performance based on the claims of a Russian Company. Iran’s government decided to invest to produce this new concrete modifier. Iran concrete Institute (ICI) is dedicated to do this task. Technology assessment (TA), attractiveness analysis (AA), and business modeling are three main phases to study this investment. Applying TA and AA helps decision makers to make their mind based on technological facts and realities of the market. This paper covers the results of phases 1 and 2. At the end, MB is introduced a superior technology and appropriate strategies …

Case Study: The Optimization Of Information Flow & Organization In Software Development, Farshad Madani, Bing Wang, Xiaowen Wang, Corey White, Liying Wang

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Trial and error are inevitable in the process of software development; the redesign is wasteful when unfocused communication occurs within the development process. To speed up this development process, we optimized the information flow and redesigned the development organization into chunks. First, we investigated the information flow between tasks and coupled tasks into phases utilizing the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) so that the information exchange among chunks of tasks is as few as possible. In this way, the redundant iterations of tasks are eliminated. Meanwhile, we also grouped the engineers into groups according to the tasks, in this; we eliminated …

Technology Roadmap For Tesla Motors Sedan Ev, Abrahim Abdulsater, Aparna Balasubramanian, Bing Wang, Farshad Madani, Mohammad Mansour, Rajasree Talla

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

In order for the United States, as well as other nations, to decrease their dependency and reliance on imported fossil fuel, to control and reduce the largest source of their carbon emission, and to secure their national transportation system, a faster transition from the Internal Combustion Engine to the Electric Vehicle has to be promoted. The public and private sectors will have to work hand in hand to ensure reaching such a national goal.

This paper lays out a technology roadmap for a private company ‘Tesla Motors’, proposing a balanced mixed basket of Technology Push and market Pull strategy in …

Managing Knowledge-Based Projects, Farshad Madani

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

In knowledge-based projects, many risks can be resulted due to lack of knowledge applied in the project. To avoid these risks, project based companies need to implement a convenient mechanism to develop knowledge management strategies. In this article, this mechanism is addressed as a KM strategic planning model, which is inherently a process model. This model helps to build a bridge between PMBOK processes and knowledge management strategy development. The foundation of this bridge is made on two pillars. First, the spiral of knowledge introduced by Nonaka [1] and, second, PMBOK processes. To develop the KM strategic planning model, the …

Patent Analysis For Smart Grid Development In The U.S, Abrahim Abdulsater, Bahareh Saatchi, Farshad Madani

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

By increasing demand for energy among nations the rate of fossil fuel consumption is boosting. The raise of fossil fuel consumption has motivated nations to gain some capabilities for the purpose of dealing with some consequences; the more fossil fuel consumption, the higher price for energy, and the higher rate of GHG as well. Recently smart grid technology has been introduced as a healing approach in terms of using energy more efficiently. This study made an effort to have some discussions around smart grid technology development in the United States by patent analysis and forecasting. The outcomes in both technology …

Application Of Reference Models In Technology Management, Farshad Madani

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Reference models, sometimes called with other different words, prepare a general model from a specific view of the related environment. Reference models are considered as a basic foundation to create: 1) a common language among specialists 2) a reference for the entities such as processes 3) relationships among entities 4) tools and decision making procedures for the real world.

In this report, it's tried the definitions of reference model in the selected papers have been reviewed. It's noticeable that in many papers the term of framework is used instead of reference model. Also, applications of reference models are reviewed and …

Samsung Oled Tv Marketing Plan, Baraa Abudawod, Christophe Perrenoud, Chris David, Farshad Madani

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The evolution of television has substantially evolved within the last 2 decades to introduce revolutionary modern technology seen in Plasma, LCD, and LED backlight TV. The changes of television technology will offer thinner, clearer, brighter TV, and reduce energy consumption. After a brief transition of corporate strategy, Samsung has grown into the market as the leading innovative television manufacturer and currently holds 97% market share of AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED) currently seen in mobile devices.

In January of 2012, Samsung introduced a high definition 55 inch prototype OLED TV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that seemingly will revolutionize the …

Gender And The Social Structure Of Collaboration, Kjersten Bunker Whittington

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Previous research demonstrates that individuals’ network positions in their surrounding social structure of relations influence the extent of their output and performance. The unique situation of minority groups complicates the relationship, however, as issues of status, legitimacy, and marginality influence the flow and interpretation of information and resources. While several scholars have addressed differences in male and female networks in the workplace, the association between macro-level work arrangements and the micro-level interaction mechanisms of minority groups is unclear. Greater insight into stratification processes can be gained by studying how organizational forms affect the way men’s and women’s networks are structured …

Vehicle Routing Problems In Congested Urban Areas, Miguel Figliozzi

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

This talk will discuss vehicle routing problems in congested urban areas. Modeling approaches, data collection issues, and solution algorithms to solve real-world problems will be described and analyzed.

Reviewing The Role Of Systems Analysis In Data Networks And The Possible Role For System Theories Going Forward, Grant Kirby

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Data networks have been a very important catalyst in the growth of business in the US. As data networks became more complex in the 1970s and 1980s it was necessary to implement system analysis methodologies for the more complex networks. Over the last three decades data networks have become increasingly more complex and organizations and governments are increasingly more dependent on their services. The new applications and services being ushered in this next decade may well render current methodologies ineffective. The goal of this talk is to begin the dialogue about how system theories might make significant contributions to the …

Boeing Dreamliner:A Project Management Study, Fahad Aldhaban, Chris Mcginnis, Wendy Peterman, Noah Third, Tom Torres

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The 787 Dreamliner aircraft project required not only the application and integration of new construction materials, it also required new project management techniques for Boeing. By outsourcing most of the aircraft fabrication, Boeing’s primary role changed from designer and manufacturer to system integrator. Hindsight shows that more preparation and planning was needed for this transition. This case study review of the Boeing Dreamliner examines the project management techniques actually employed during the initiation and execution phases of the project. Techniques evolved from the start of the project to what is used currently. Best practices and recommendations for how a large-scale …

Using An Agility Scorecard, Greg Rosenberg

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

My research paper seeks to clarify when is it most advantageous to apply an Agile development method to the new service development process, and how to create a decision model to assist managers in selecting the correct method for each phase of the new product development life cycle.

The Yale Blocks, Brad Smith, Courtney Koehler, Kerry Hughes, Matt Stein, Pat Monaghan, Staci Beck

Real Estate Development Workshop Projects

Students from Portland State University's Center for Real Estate produce a development plan for a property site in Seattle's South Lake Union District.

Their task was to produce an original development plan, including the development concept, market analysis, conceptual design, economic analysis, capital and operations budget, and management plan.

Innovation In Logistics Services, Carlos Mena, Martin Christopher, Mark Johnson, Fu Jia

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

The logistics industry manages the flows of products, services and information across customers and suppliers, allowing the integration of supply chains. Innovations in logistics can therefore help improve efficiency and effectiveness across many sectors of the economy. Furthermore, innovation can also have a major impact in reducing the environmental burden of this industry, particularly in terms of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

This overall aim of this report is to understand how the government can encourage and facilitate innovation in the logistics industry. The study focuses mainly on the UK and on the role of third party logistics providers (3PLs). …

India’S Rise As A Software Power: Governmental Policy Factors, Tad Drozdowski, Hai Huynh, Brian Lininger, Yicheng Peng, Naruedom Sakulyong

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The Indian government’s policies toward an open, global market, support of educational institutions, and enhancement of appropriate infrastructure helped enable their software industry to become critical components of India’s economic growth in the 1990s. The Technical, Organizational, and Personal perspective (T, O, and P) model is utilized to examine different affects that each perspective, inclusive of government policies, has on a socio-technical system (Software development in India). The Indian government has provided substantial economic liberalization to support their software industries, though continued reform is necessary to ensure that they remain a software superpower.

Human Genomics Of Biotechnology, Brian Bluelake, Bob Wang, Serin Hudson, Fatih Ersan, Aaron Freier

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Biotechnology is the term for the techniques of managing biological systems for human benefit. A biological system can range from a single cell organism to different types of plants, animals, and to the very complicated human being. Biotechnology includes a great range of scientific and technological disciplines and has a great variety of important applications in biology, medicine, agriculture, and various industries. In our report, we shall only focus on one of the most active frontiers of today's biotechnology-human genomics.

Ebay Strategic Analysis And Recommendation, Jerry Compton, Aaron Freier, Archie Patdu, Nantachai Phuvasate, Farhad Rostami

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The Internet has seen its share of success and failures as businesses try to understand how this new medium is going to be used in the 21st century. The eBay corporation has defined itself as not only a player on the Internet but as founders of a new business concept: online bidding and selling for the masses.

Being first to market gives eBay some of the key strengths to make the most of this new medium. The key success factors such as a large customer base and a compelling environment online are allowing eBay to be profitable and be seen …

Software Engineering And Tqm, Fernando E. Rivera

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Quality cost, quality management, quality assurance, quality control, quality improvement, personnel for quality, employee involvement, and statistical process control are all issues in TQM that can be implemented in Software Engineering Organizations. In this research, the author tries to show different techniques, methodologies and tools that today are in use by many organizations to address the necessity of excellence in software development. In order to organize the work, the author has divided it in three sections. The section Team Building presents a framework to help Information System Managers ISM) to build a software team. The second is a series of …

Cost And Benefit Elements Of A Tailored Application Versus An Off-The-Shelf Package And The Manager's Role., Fernando E. Rivera

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The author of the paper performs a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether to make or buy a software package. If a program is developed in house, whatever the organizational Software Department could have accomplished during the time it spent developing the system is determined. However, adoption of an off-the shelf package means that the benefits of having a "perfect" package will be lost. The opportunity cost would be an estimate of those benefits lost over the period the software packaging is to be used, minus the additional expenses involved in developing a "perfect" package.

The Knowledge Systems Transfer Project: A Multiple Perspective Investigation Into The Integration Of A New Technology Within A Business Unit, Steven Craig Tarr

Dissertations and Theses

Many organizations have been attempting to build a conceptual framework for managing technology, with varying degrees of success. Most begin by consulting leading technology authorities, borrowing elements of their thinking, and adapting these elements to their organizational and personal situations. This dissertation extends this process by using the formal research methodology of multiple perspectives (technical, organizational, personal, and cross-cuing) to build a case-based model of the technology integration process. The research and the model construction benefits from a solid foundation established through a review of technology management and knowledge systems literature. The significant aspects of the research are tied to …

"What Changes? A View Of 1984", Gregory Baker Wolfe

Special Collections: Oregon Public Speakers

Recorded by radio stations KOAC and KOAP, March 1969.