Business Commons^™

Management By Objectives: A Cost/Benefits Analysis Toward Achieving Organizational Goals, John J. Mueller

Theses

This thesis will focus on the management process commonly known as Management by Objectives in an attempt to determine if this type of management is a viable option for companies to employ.

In its simplest form management by objectives has been around for hundreds of years. The modern day version of this management technique developed in the early 1950's due in large part to the writings of Peter Drucker . MBO's popularity grew slowly at first, but by the late 1960's and early seventies this management technique took hold in the United States and spread to corporations both large and …

Time, Temperament, And Talent: The Dynamics Of Sustainable Organizational Commitment, Charlotte A. Sullentrup

Theses

Organizational commitment is one of many linkages between employees and employing organizations. It cannot be established as the cause of, or demonstrated to be caused by, other dependent or independent variable constructs, and it cannot be uniformly or conclusively correlated with them, singly or in combination.

Rather, organizational commitment exists in a dynamic and shifting matrix of other employee/organization linkages such as job satisfaction, job performance, work experiences, productivity, etc. The relative strengths, perceived priorities, and consequences of these variables in the matrix are, in turn, functions of the continuously changing characteristics of time, temperament, and talent of both the …

The Impact Of Decision Style On Decision Quality, William E. Niedringhaus

Theses

This thesis focuses on the study of decision style and the effects each styles characteristics has on decision quality.

Each personality style exhibits specific characteristics unique to t hat particular style . These characteristics in conjunction with the decision makers cognitive abilities form a unique problem solving or decision style. Characteristics of each style have been operationalized by the Myers-Biggs Type Indicator.

Decision quality is measured, for purposes of this paper, in terms of the impact the decision maker's style has on the decision outcome . Decision quality is measured separately from decision success since successful decisions require more than …

Research And Analysis Of A 19th Century Portrait Of George Washington, Marbeth A. Erickson

Theses

The subject of this research project is a half length portrait of George Washington, oil on canvas, 30" in length and 25" in width . The painting is owned by Mr. Maurice Silverman of Silverman Galleries, Alexandria, Virginia.

When Mr. Silverman acquired the painting in 1962, the canvas was damaged so a restorer cleaned it, relined it, and inpainted the bare spots . After the restoration, Mr. Silverman researched the painting to discover who painted the portrait . Mr. Silverman felt strongly that it might be an original painting by Gilbert Stuart as there was a painting very similar to …

The Examination And Identification Of A Valley Of Virginia Chest Of Drawers And Its Conservation And Restoration, William A. Fones Jr.

Theses

This thesis examines the appraiser's considerations as a consultant in exploring options for the conservation and restoration of a Valley of Virginia walnut chest of drawers. circa 1800-1810. The physical characteristics of the chest of drawers and its "backcountry" styling are explored , and the chest's approximate age and place of origin are determined. Emphasis is placed on combining the personal property valuator's broad understanding of connoisseurship with a knowledge of the physical characteristics present in a specific object.

Development of a monetary value for the chest of drawers under consideration is not a primary function of this project and …

How Cultural Values Affect Valuation, Joel Jon Forman

Theses

The purpose of this study is to describe the factors which affect numismatic appraisals, particularly from a valuation perspective. One of the most important considerations is the role culture played in helping determine value. Much of our knowledge of the ancient world (China, Babylon, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, Persia, India and other civilizations) is derived from the surviving coinage. The coins from these bygone eras reveal the cultural, religious and moral values which played an incredible role in shaping our modern high technological society. Some of these ancient values are reflected in present day coinage.

This study will carefully examine …

A Telemarketing Supervisor's Reference Manual To Humanistic Skills, Andrea K. Gubitz

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of telemarketing management and the need for a telemarketing management guide. A reference manual will be developed to help a supervisor understand the skills needed to be an effective supervisor. This manual will also be a reference to help the supervisor evaluate their skills and give them the information needed to increase their skills as well as develop new skills.

Telemarketing Supervisor training usually consists of how to give evaluations and explaining company goals. Supervisors are not usually given an overview of the proactive humanistic skills needed; communication, interpersonal leadership, etc. The humanistic, …

The Design And Implementation Of A Business Plan For A Neighborhood Inn, Edward L. Beck

Theses

This project will focus on the study of the eating and drinking establishment industry. Information was gathered for the purpose of constructing a business plan for The Haven.

Research has indicated that the owner of an inn must be concerned with several factors associated with the successful operation of an inn, those being: industry data, specific company data, financial data, and marketing data. The Haven inn's business plan was formed by utilizing information from each of these areas.

Once The Haven's business plan was completed, two members of the eating and drinking establishment industry were chosen to judge the plan's …

The Impact That An Aging American Population Has On Financial Institutions, Jerry M. Bladdick

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of America's aging population and the impact this population has upon financial institutions and the services and products these institutions provide.

Research has shown that real estate and cash are the primary sources of wealth for the majority of older adults. Banking institutions realize that with the ever-increasing size of this _population. special programs, incentives, and services may need to be provided in order to maintain the loyalty of older clients.

In recent years, financial institutions have hired management consulting firms to confirm that the older banking consumer of the 1990s will dramatically …

An Investigation Into The Validity Of John Holland's Theory Of Vocational Choice And The Accuracy Of His Self-Directed Search Model As A Means Of Career Guidance, Paula Sandbothe-Swope

Theses

This study tested two hypotheses derived from John L. Holland's theory of vocational choice. The first hypothesis was that there should be some correlation between congruence, as measured by Holland's Self-Directed Search instrument, and an individual's expressed job satisfaction. The second hypothesis was that individuals will tend to seek out congruent occupations over time. The Self-Directed Search instrument was administered to 112 individuals working in a variety of occupations in order to measure job congruency. A questionnaire relating to job tenure and job satisfaction was also given to each individual. The information garnered from the SDS and the questionnaire was …

A Successful Penetration, Troy M. Rybicki

Theses

Many new products fail due to poor data or inadequate planning. The purpose of this thesis was to develop and outline a marketing plan that would effectively coordinate the marketing mix elements: price, product, promotion, and distribution into a focused strategy, reducing the risk of failure for Emerson Motor Division's new recreational pump motor line. The following plan was determined to be an effective strategy to successfully penetrate the Nema 56 Recreational Pump motor market by two experts with Fractional Horsepower Motor Industry experience. Accordingly, this project provides a thorough, accurate analysis of the relevant data from which an effective …

The Changing Work Environment: A Challenge For Corporate America, Angela D. Hamilton

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of change in the work environment, and the impact change has on American corporations and workers. Predictions foretold a changing workplace, workforce, and global economy. As a result, there are specific challenges to corporations, workers, and the country.

Research has attributed the lack of worker training and development to a decline in the importance of training. Most human resources planning in American corporations has played second fiddle to other business decisions; judgments are made and human resources follow. So it becomes necessary to focus more clearly on the American business environment and the …

Condemnation And 'Just Compensation' For Business, Timothy F. Hogan

Theses

Since the beginning of time man has always searched for justification in the acquiring of private property to serve some public need. In this endeavor, three explanations for this justification have evolved. They are 'higher law', 'sovereignty' and 'eminent domain', and each of these explanations has been used to forcefully take land from private individuals.

In the beginning land was taken without compensation, and this was justified by the concept of 'divine rule' and the inherent power of the state. Later in man's development, compensation was a stipend paid to the owner of the land in accordance with the prevailing …

The Development Of The Business Plan For Baker Accounting And Tax Service, Marsha P. Baker

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of developing a business plan for a small home-based accounting and tax service .

Statistics indicate that the failure rate for new businesses is high. Research indicates that the main reason for the high rate of new business failures is lack of planning . Specifically, many entrepreneurs feel that preparing a formal business plan is not necessary and thus fail to plan for significant factors that impact their businesses.

The purpose of this study is to research all aspects of beginning a home- based accounting and tax service in preparation for writing a …

An Investigation Into The Design And Implementation Of A Policies And Procedures Manual For Collegiate Financial Aid, Pam Jones Williams

Theses

This expository study will focus on the development of a Policies and Procedures Manual for Collegiate Financial Aid.

Collegiate financial aid is a complex, ever-changing field. As such, there is a pressing need for financial aid offices to develop, and adhere to, a set of financial aid policies and procedures which can be uniformly applied and consistently referred to by all staff members.

The total dollars involved in the financial aid process can be staggering: each year billions of dollars are awarded to students in the form of federal, state, and institutional scholarships, grants, and loans. It is no wonder …

Strategic Planning: The Long And Short Of It, Linda Ann Flynn

Theses

This thesis will focus on corporate strategic planning, its stages and the impact that the planning process has on organizations.

Over the yea.rs corporate America has deemed it necessary that not-for-profit organizations should include time for planning in their management efforts. Research has shown that the management of any not-for-profit can be at best difficult. With the help of strategic planning, however, even not-for-profits can be better off in the future with time well spent today.

Time taken to understand the planning process and to follow the steps will help top management to solicit the commitment from both board members …

Grueby, Newcomb, Teco, And Ohr: Market Trends And Connoisseurship Implications For American Art Pottery, Carolyn K. Sellers

Theses

This thesis examines market trends and connoisseurship implications for four prominent American art potteries—Grueby, Newcomb, Teco, and George Ohr—within the context of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Focusing on high-end auction sales from 1980 to 1991, the study identifies approximately 15 top-selling pieces from each pottery to explore intrinsic and extrinsic qualities that contribute to their value. Sellers provides historical background on the potteries, analyzes auction data, and outlines criteria that appraisers and collectors use to evaluate quality, such as form, glaze, rarity, and maker attribution. The research situates these ceramics within the broader cultural and philosophical ideals of the …

A Marketing Plan For The Institutionalization Of Telecommunications-Related Expert System Software And Database Libraries, Charles T. Morris

Theses

This thesis will focus on the development o f a marketing plan for a specific Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (SWBT) software product and the impact the plan has upon the course of action that the company takes in the marketplace with regard to the product.

Due to general economic conditions, which are described in the conventional literature as ranging from a slowdown to a stall to a recession, depending on the authority's particular perspective, and an unprecedented event in the telecommunications industry, SWBT found itself with reduced resources, the loss of a previously targeted customer base, and no marketing plan …

A Business Proposal For The Design And Implementation Of A Long-Term Health Care Facility, Laura E. Metzger

Theses

This thesis will focus on the possibility of starting a new residential care facility in O'Fallon, Missouri.

In the United States the elderly population is increasing at a faster rate than ever before. It is expected that by the 21st century various forms of elderly health care services will be in high demand.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the revenues and expenses associated with a residential care facility for the elderly. The issues of funding, design, marketing and implementation of this type of business were examined.

Three subjects participated in the study based on their education …

The Foodland International Employee Service Award And Image Marketing Plan, Vesper L. Mcdonald

Theses

This expository applied learning study evaluated The Foodland International Corporation's role in the food chain, industry and retailer competition and needs. The research was used to design a Foodland marketing support program, with a flyer as the primary sales aide. The program was designed and implemented to offer a combination of The Foodland International Corporation's employee service award and image items to licensed Foodland affiliates.

The Foodland International Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wetterau Incorporated, a major U.S. food wholesaler, headquartered in Hazelwood, MO. Its licensed affiliates consist of other Wetterau-owned corporations (known as divisions), and outside corporations …

An Investigation Into Price, Quality And Value, And Their Effects On Sales And Profits, John W. Fries

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of promoting price, quality, and value and the effect they have on sales and profits.

Research reveals that promotion of products with price alone has varied short and long-term effects. Most managers and marketers are only concerned with the short-term effect price promotion has on increasing sales. Long-term effects of pricing should be considered because of t heir possible harmful effect on sales and profits. Marketers and managers need to better understand how price promotion affects consumers and their buying habits.

The purpose of this present study is to investigate how companies have …

Sexual Harrassment: No Longer The Perfect Crime (Informational Guide), Daniel K. Fee

Theses

This "applied learning" study will focus on sexual harassment, its many perspectives, and how to prevent it from occurring. Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination that was initially covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1964, and is now also covered under the civil Rights Act of 1991.

Title VII of the CRA of 1964 and the CRA of 1991 make it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against any individual with respect to terms and conditions of employment because of that person's race, color, religion, sex or national origin .

The CRA of …

Managing New Product Development: A Project Management Manual, Ronald A. Hoormann

Theses

The purpose of this study is to develop a new product development project management manual for a typical firm. It will also investigate many of the problems companies have had managing the development of new products, as well how these companies have addressed the problems. The manual is intended to define a project management system by describing the goals of project management; the project management organization for the firm; job descriptions as they pertain to project management; the product development cycle; the project management process; and the procedures that will be used to plan, monitor, and control a project. It …

The Effect Of Cultural Differences On International Marketing, Lena M. Jones

Theses

This thesis will l focus on the influence that culture and environmental differences have on international marketing.

The world has gone through some major changes within the past several years, especially in the area of marketing. It has become an open marketplace . Even the very concept behind marketing has a different meaning today. For example , marketing was once viewed a s simply selling a product or service. In today's business environment, marketing is more customer oriented . Customer satisfaction is the key element.

Today many companies have ventured into t he foreign markets . Some have gone international …

A Guide To State Appraiser Certification, Wayne Keith Wight

Theses

In August of 1989, President George Bush, signed into law the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. This legislation in response to a pervasive crises in the thrift industry contains a number of legislative reforms. Within this legislation, Title XI, the appraisal reform amendment, requires the use of licensed or certified real property appraisers for all real property appraisals involving federally related transactions or federal funds if the value of the property exceeds a specified limit.

All states, under this legislation, are required to pass appraisal licensing and certification legislation that provides appraiser qualification requirements and standards …

The Controversy Of Sex In Advertising, Tammy Bankhead Wright

Theses

Advertising has been highly criticized due to its power to influence people's attitudes and actions. Advertising is the nonpersonal communication of information, usually paid for and persuasive in nature, about products, services or ideas of identified sponsors through various media.

The main idea that will be developed in this culminating project is the fact that although sex in advertising is a part of our culture and society, as a communications device, the use of sex in advertising is not always effective and does not sell most products.

There will be no actual debate to determine what amount of sex in …

The Valuation Of Antique Silver Using A Weight Valuation Methodology, Anthony Peter Kelson Iii

Theses

Unavailable.

The Effects Of Railroad Deregulation, Patrick H. Murphy

Theses

This thesis focuses on the hypothetical question: Would American railroads meet their obligation to provide freight service at reasonable cost if no regulation restrictions were imposed?

Railroads were originally regarded as great industrial giants spearheading the development of this country . Wild West movies depicted men driving a golden spike where the railroad from the West met the railroad from the East. This was pictured as a very exciting and romantic time in our history.

However, there were too many abuses. In 1887, the Congress decided to control special rates, the pass system, rebates and discrimination, and passed into law …

Quality Circles: "Teaming Up" At The Electric Utilities, Steven W. Mistler

Theses

The :focus of this project is the hypothesis that productivity of employees of utilities will improve in terms of increasing quality of their service, while controlling operating costs if they participate in teams involved in the decision-making process.

With the government taking steps to deregulate the sale of electrical energy, electric utilities will be thrown into a competitive market for the first time. Managers will find it necessary to keep quality high, while keeping rates low.

As American industry faced competition from Japan, management began to adapt the programs used by Japan to fit their own organizations. One successful program …

Spectrum Communications: The Beginning Of A Two-Way Radio Service Company, Joseph A. Voyles

Theses

The purpose of this study is to investigate the revenue and expense associated with a two-way communication company called Spectrum Communications. This study will examine the issues of planning, organization, funding and marketing, which are essential to a business plan.

The planning and controlling functions often get very little attention from owners of small businesses. The way to strengthen both of these functions is through an effective business plan. Only through an effective business plan can long range goals be established for sales, profits, competitive position and industrial relations. The information gleaned from this study will be used to compile …