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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Full-Text Articles in Business

An Examination Of Business Process Reengineering Techniques And Their Contribution To Process Improvement, Thomas M. Mcdonnell Dec 1995

An Examination Of Business Process Reengineering Techniques And Their Contribution To Process Improvement, Thomas M. Mcdonnell

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense's Corporate Information Management Initiative is part of an effort to achieve savings through specified programs focused on business process improvement A major process improvement methodology being used by the DoD is Business Process Reengineering (BPR). BPR offers the possibility for a fundamental rethinking and radical redesigning of DoD business processes, but there has been little systematic study of the effectiveness of the various techniques used in BPR projects. This study evaluates whether organizations conducting BPR efforts using five specific techniques (strategic planning, activity modeling, activity based costing, benchmarking, and simulation) achieve improvement in critical process performance …


Building A Framework For Information Doctrine: A Significant Factor In Managing Air Force Information Resources, Kimberly C. Ullmann Dec 1995

Building A Framework For Information Doctrine: A Significant Factor In Managing Air Force Information Resources, Kimberly C. Ullmann

Theses and Dissertations

The information revolution is sweeping through the mIlitary. At the same time, the Air Force has not fully addressed legal requirements to develop an agency-wide framework for managing information resources. This lack of foundation creates a void for Air Force information resources management practitioners. Since the Department of Defense and the Air Force are engaged in doctrinal revolution, the opportunity exists to consider developing Information Doctrine.This thesis explores the definition and role of doctrine in the Air Force, the doctrine development process, and practical examples of doctrine's use in the Air Force and Department of Defense. It also examines the …


Re-Engineering The Acquisition Process Of Manufactured On-Demand Only Spares, Mark E. Koesters Dec 1995

Re-Engineering The Acquisition Process Of Manufactured On-Demand Only Spares, Mark E. Koesters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore potential alternatives to the current Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition process for low demand, high dollar value, not commercially stocked, spare parts in order to better utilize diminishing resources, reduce cycle costs, and sustain the defense industrial base. Demand for these items is insufficient to justify maintaining inventory, while the buy on-demand alternative results in long lead- times and increased costs due to the labor intensiveness of the current process, lack of willing manufacturing sources, and higher prices paid for small quantities of material. An exploratory case study method was used to …


An Evaluation Of Cost Metrics Used Within Aeronautical Systems Center, Kevin M. Byrne Sep 1995

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 …


Why Schedules Slip: Actual Reasons For Schedule Problems Across Large Air Force System Development Efforts, William M. Cashman Sep 1995

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 Investigation Into Aircraft Availability, Michael S. Kapitzke Sep 1995

An Investigation Into Aircraft Availability, Michael S. Kapitzke

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force currently uses an expected value model in the Aircraft Availability Model (AAM) to calculate aircraft availability. However, even with the application of Lean Logistics, the failure-demand rate and the depot repair time are not fixed and the mean value is still used in the model. This research looks at the effect of the magnitude of the variance of the distributions of failure-demand rate and depot repair time. Also, this research evaluates the effect of variable mean failure-demand rates on the variability of aircraft availability. A simulation model was developed which applied the variable failure-demand rates and depot …


A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi Sep 1995

A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi

Theses and Dissertations

A consistent scheduling rule is one which will ensure a job's priority (relative to all other job's) will remain constant as it moves from queue to queue in a production system. Previous research concerning flow shop priority scheduling rules focused on comparison of either consistent or inconsistent rules. Conversely, this study sought to provide additional insight by comprising consistent and inconsistent rules in a flow shop environment The Air Force uses both types of rules in maintenance and logistics scheduling. Time and money can be saved if the scheduling managers can better understand the effect of consistency on a system. …


Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski Sep 1995

Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research into morale, cohesion, and motivation as determinants of performance during combat concentrates primarily on front-line ground troops. This research focuses on determinants of high performance involving United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft maintenance personnel in rear-echelon contingency bases during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The significant amount of combat force projected from USAF contingency bases and the likely continued use of such force justifies analysis of determinants of performance for this environment. Basic situational factors (information, food, living conditions, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities, mail and phone service, and entertainment) are potentially influential in motivating maintenance personnel …


Schedule Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Jeffrey F. Brown Sep 1995

Schedule Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Jeffrey F. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

With ongoing public scrutiny of defense system acquisitions, due to numerous program failures resulting from cost and schedule overruns, now, more than ever, cost and schedule-management competencies are critical to program success. This research examined the schedule-management competencies required of defense program managers. A schedule-management competency model was developed from a foundation of past research. The model was evaluated through a mail survey of 484 intermediate and senior level military program managers assigned to Air Force Materiel Command. The results provided by 243 respondents indicate that 25 of the 28 competencies in the model were valuable to program managers and …


Assessing The Impacts Of Lean Logistics Infrastructures On Strategic Airlift Capability, Russ C. Major Sep 1995

Assessing The Impacts Of Lean Logistics Infrastructures On Strategic Airlift Capability, Russ C. Major

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare two lean logistics infrastructures to See which one would provide better support for the C-5 aircraft. The level of support was defined as the average number of mission capable parts (MICAPs) created by system operation. One infrastructure had the central storage facility (CSF) located at the depot and the other had a geographically separate CSF. A computer simulation model developed by the Air Force Logistics Management Agency was run for a period of twelve years and the average number of MICAPs for each system was collected. The data was then analyzed using …


An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum Sep 1995

An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum

Theses and Dissertations

Team structures are used extensively in civilian, government, and military organizations to accomplish modem task demands that almost always exceed the capabilities of single individuals. As team structures became larger and more complex, managers realized the need for formal team building education. Team building programs serve to facilitate an environment for productive teamwork. However, despite the apparent importance of teams, most organizations overlook the implementation of formal team building programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research is two-fold. First, this thesis examines the evolution and importance of teams, and the subsequent need for the development of formal team building programs. …


A Comparative Study Of Linear And Nonlinear Estimate At Completion Methods, Todd D. Nystrom Sep 1995

A Comparative Study Of Linear And Nonlinear Estimate At Completion Methods, Todd D. Nystrom

Theses and Dissertations

Controlling costs in the acquisition of new defense systems is a major challenge in today's environment of declining budgets and rapidly changing technology. One of the challenges faced by program managers and cost analysts is selecting the most appropriate Estimate at Completion (EAC) method for their program. This study compares the performance of the popular index-based EAC methods with several newer nonlinear, regression based EAC methods to determine whether the complex nonlinear methods perform better than the simpler index-based methods. In addition, the sensitivity of the results to stage of contract completion, system type, program phase, contract type, Department of …


An Analysis Of The Purpose And Development Of Management Reserve, Kevin T. Gould Sep 1995

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 Price S Software Cost Model, James C. Galonsky Sep 1995

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 …


Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler Sep 1995

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 …


Calibration Of The Software Life Cycle Model (Slim) To The Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc) Software Database (Swdb), Robert K. Kressin Sep 1995

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 …


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 …


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 …


A Preliminary Analysis Of The Theoretical Parameters Of Organizational Learning, Jeffery D. Loyd Sep 1995

A Preliminary Analysis Of The Theoretical Parameters Of Organizational Learning, Jeffery D. Loyd

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop an instrument capable of measuring the theoretical parameters of organizational learning that could be used as a diagnostic tool to measure an organization's learning potential. This goal was accomplished by developing a pilot questionnaire based on 27 potential learning parameters. The potential parameters of learning were extracted from the literature. A scale of behavioral statements was developed for each potential parameter. The pilot questionnaire was completed by 108 Air Force personnel in Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) graduate education programs. The results confirmed 85% of the original scales. Ten refined scales …


A Calibration Of The Revic Software Cost Estimating Model, Betty G. Weber Sep 1995

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 …


The Effect Of A Self-Care Education Program On A Military Medical Beneficiary Population, Christopher S. Svehlak Sep 1995

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 …


An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian Sep 1995

An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the way four Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) single manager organizations operationalized the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) concept of "seamless processes." In this thesis, the IWSM concept of "seamless processes" refers to the degree of integration between acquisition and sustainment organizations. Four SPO organizations were involved in six case studies. This research focused on the way "seamless processes" affect the shifting of the organizational "center of gravity" within or between single manager organizations. An interview questionnaire was administered to 13 Product Center managers and 6 Logistics Center managers. The interview questions focused on IWSM in general, …


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. …


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 …


An Evaluation Of The Appropriateness Of The Defense Logistics Agency's Model Requirements Model, Harry A. Berry, Edward E. Tatge Sep 1995

An Evaluation Of The Appropriateness Of The Defense Logistics Agency's Model Requirements Model, Harry A. Berry, Edward E. Tatge

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the appropriateness of the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) requirements model in managing consumable support for Air Force peculiar items. Currently, DLA uses a lot sizing technique referred to as the classic Economic Order Quantity, (EOQ) model. One of the key assumptions of this model is that demand is constant and continuous. Yet with Air Force bases using a lot sizing technique to place their demands for consumable items to DLA, it is apparent that the demand pattern that DLA faces, at least for Air Force peculiar items, is not constant and continuous. This study looks at the …


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 …


Calibration Of The Software Architecture Sizing And Estimation Tool (Saset), Carl D. Vegas Sep 1995

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 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 …


The Impact Of Priority Consistency On The Performance Of A Job Shop, Kenneth W. Bailey Sep 1995

The Impact Of Priority Consistency On The Performance Of A Job Shop, Kenneth W. Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

This study introduces the construct of consistency to production operations management research. As a job passes through a job shop, its priority may or may not remain consistent relative to other jobs in the system. A new classification of priority rules is introduced. Consistent priority rules maintain a jobs priority relative to other jobs throughout the system. Inconsistent priority rules allow a job's relative priority to change as it moves through the system. This study is an initial investigation into the effect of consistency on performance. A simulation experiment was conducted using a full two- factorial repeated measures design with …


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) …