Business Commons^™

An Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Total Quality Management In A Service Organization, Charles Stanford Stevens

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research consists of a formative evaluation designed to identify the steps necessary to revitalize a formerly successful Total Quality Management (TQM) process at a U.S. Navy engineering and logistics support organization. The research also developed a methodology to account for the fact that the investigator is a well-informed insider who served as one of the principle change agents for the TQM implementation.

The research is based on the researcher's observation that the major cause for the waning implementation was due to senior management and leadership issues and the organization-wide processes with which they interface. The investigation consisted of an …

A Cipp Evaluation Of The Administrative Associate Training Program Through Sentara, Patricia A. Criswell

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Hospitals are facing change in today's environment. In order to meet these growing challenges, they are responding by providing value added services. Value added services have been defined as reducing inefficiencies and improving quality and service. Operational restructuring in the form of a new concept called patient-focused care has become the paradigm shift and structural revamping at several hospitals across the nation. Sentara Hospitals have adopted this program to improve the clinical and service quality delivered to the patient. An integral component of this new approach is the multiskilling of staff to reduce duplication, inefficiencies, and improve the quality provided …

Materialism And The Self, Kathleen Shirley Micken

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Materialism has been called the most significant macro development in modern consumer behavior. Despite its importance, research about the construct is rather new. Two scales have been developed to measure materialism, one proposed by Belk, the other by Richins and Dawson.

The purpose of this dissertation is threefold. First, it extends the materialism research program by investigating the relationship between materialism and one's self concept. Hypotheses which drive the research posit that people who are more materialistic have lower self-esteem, are less likely to be self-actualized, are extrinsically rather than intrinsically motivated, and are likely to be high self-monitors. The …

A Preliminary Study Of A Job Analytic Inventory Derived From A Behavioral Consistency Method For Assessing Intrinsic Motivation, William John Banis

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The research question for this study asked if the Job Specifications Inventory (JSI) had acceptable internal reliability and an ability to differentiate among occupational groups. The JSI was designed to have subject matter experts rate the importance of skill, content, context, relationship and work focus requirements of jobs or occupations. The JSI used a taxonomy of 268 behavioral elements derived from the content analyses of satisfying achievements reported by a large, diverse clientele. A clinical-type behavioral consistency method was used to extract performance dimensions from clients' achievements to build the taxonomy. The achievement-based taxonomy was seen as potentially enhancing productivity …

Managerial Roles And Entrepreneurship In Non-Profit Urban Arts Agencies In Virginia, Beth Joan Novitch Rossheim

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The future of the arts in Virginia depends on knowing how arts agencies are functioning and surviving at a time of resource decline. What roles do managers play in administering agencies? What business and management skills do managers use to maintain an agency and to relate to the community? How do managers handle cutbacks? Does entrepreneurship create more viable arts agencies?

Bivariate data analysis separated managers into four role groups: entrepreneur, administrator, artist, and caretaker, according to their perceived degree of programmatic creativity and documented access to organizational resources. Managerial role types were compared with management behaviors to discern significant …

Cross-Cultural Issues In The Management Of German-Owned Business Subsidiaries In Hampton Roads, Teja Ulrich

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

'Culture' can be described as patterns of thinking, feeling and acting that distinguish one cultural group from another. Cultural diversity is therefore likely to introduce variety to organizations in which individuals from different national backgrounds are working together. Although this variety bears the potential for an improvement of the cognitive development in the organizations, managers of multicultural business organizations tend to perceive cultural diversity as a disadvantage. This thesis attempts to identify the impact of cultural differences between Germans and Americans on organizations in which German managers work with American employees. German managers of eight business subsidiaries in the Hampton …

The Influence Of Cohesive Groups On The Ethical Behavior Of Public Employees: An Analysis Of An Urban University, Patricia Bellin Strait

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

Ethics problems permeate all aspects of public agencies. This is especially true in urban areas where public workers have frequent interactions with large numbers of civilians. The results of unethical behavior often have very tangible effects with perhaps the most serious consequences being the deterioration of public services and the destruction of public trust.

This dissertation explores Milton Fisk's Group Ethics Theory which states that ethical behavior varies according to cohesive group membership. In order to investigate Fisk's theory, an ex post facto study was performed within a single urban university. The primary independent variable was group membership. Data was …

Export Marketing Development Program Selection, Albert Phillip Bianchi Jr.

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an arrangement of export development programs which could be utilized by state agencies to best serve the economic and social policy goals of states.

Quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed in conducting this research. Descriptive information was gathered from surveys of state export development agencies. A Delphi methodology was used to gain consensus from public managers about program goals and program effectiveness.

The research demonstrates that there are primary goals which states pursue, such as employment generation and providing exporter assistance, for which certain export promotion activities are considered …

Cultural Transposition: Exploring Meanings Of And Strategies For Cross-Cultural Transfer Of Organizational Practices, Yongming Tang

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The research objective is to study the phenomenon of transferring organizational practices which are conceptualized in one culture to another different culture. The purpose of the study is (1) to understand how cultural values and beliefs are manifested in behavior; (2) to explore how the Western organizational practices are interpreted and assimilated into an organization in an Eastern culture; and (3) to explore strategies for the fit between local cultural orientations and imported organizational practices. A qualitative, interpretive, and reflexive research methodology was developed to conduct this study.

The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was designed …

Diffusion Of Total Quality Management: An Organizational Self-Production Perspective, Baizhong Zhao

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

American industries are in the process of a quality revolution. Most companies are busy implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) programs. However, the experience of both Japanese and American companies indicates that successful TQM implementation depends on an understanding of implementation processes, which itself relies on an understanding of organizational self-organizing, for it is through this process that TQM gets diffused and becomes a core component of an organization's culture. Self-organizing is a so-called process-oriented approach, based on theory from cybernetics (Ashby, 1962; Steier & Smith, 1985; von Foerster, 1960), dissipative structure theory (Prigogine & Stengers, 1984), and chaos theory (Gleick, …

The Perceived Role Of High-Level Black Urban Managers In Virginia, Karen Ann Johnson

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

Focusing on sixteen cities in Virginia, the researcher studied the perceived managerial and career roles that high level black urban managers play in local government. From June to August 1991, black managers in the study completed self-assessments in the following areas: (1) socio-demographics, (2) perceived managerial and career role, (3) behaviors associated with managerial activism, pursuing the needs of the black community and career development, and (4) characteristics of their work environment. Based on their responses, the managers were assigned to role groups. Differences among the groups were noted. The entrepreneurs reported a higher degree of organizational support, role norm …

Computer Use In The Scientific Office, Douglas L. Miller

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Over the past two decades computers in research and development organizations have become a complex and integral part of the work process. Yet to date only a handful of systematic investigations have addressed issues involving scientists' or other professionals' use of computers, and very little is known about factors influencing use (Bikson and Gutek, 1983; Blacker and Brown, 1986; Collopy, 1988; Gasser, 1986; Helander, 1985; Nickolson, 1985; Pope, 1985). As a result, this research was designed to address four objectives. The first was to develop and evaluate a descriptive model of variables influencing scientists' computer use. The second objective was …

The Effects Of Training And Feedback Format On Reactions To In-Basket Feedback And On In-Basket Performance, Michael G. Fedorko

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of training and feedback format on reactions to in-basket feedback and on in-basket performance. Performance was evaluated with a 2 (Training) x 3 (Feedback) x 2 (In-Basket) x 5 (Dimension) repeated measures factorial design. Reactions were evaluated with a 2 (Training) x 3 (Feedback) x 2 (Questionnaire) repeated measures factorial design. The Training factor was comprised of frame-of-reference training (designed to prepare the recipient to receive the feedback) and a control condition (a lecture on Mintzberg's managerial role classification system). The Feedback factor was comprised of written feedback, oral feedback, …

A Comparative Analysis Of Pediatric And General Hospital Nurse Recruitment Practices, Rebecca Parsons Scott

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The focus of this study is a comparison of the National Association of Health Care Recruiter's annual recruitment survey with a duplicate survey that was sent to pediatriconly acute care hospitals. The goal was to determine differences between the recruitment and retention statistics found in all hospitals compared to those found in pediatriconly hospitals. Also, a major consideration was to find correlations among the variables in nurse recruitment and retention that might lead to a better understanding of what influences the recruitment budgeting process and how recruitment dollars might be spent most efficiently.

There was no significant difference found between …

Head Nurse Leadership Behavior And Head Nurse And Staff Nurse Job Satisfaction And Burnout In The Intensive Care Setting, Dianne Vick Benton

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between head nurse (HN) leadership behavior and head nurse and staff nurse (SN) job satisfaction and burnout in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The two target populations for this study were: ICU HNs and ICU SNs. A sample of 10 HNs and 65 SNs completed four questionnaires. This study was conducted in eight community hospitals ranging in bed size between 150 to 700. Four research questions were tested. Utilizing t-tests. a significant difference was found between ICU HNs' and SNs' perceptions of the HN leader behavior of high task - …

A Case Study In The Development Of A Cost Reduction Methodology In The Public Sector, Ross Cooper Haines

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Intense fiscal pressures have caused the Department of Defense (DoD) to explore new ways of reducing operating expenses. The primary technique used to achieve this objective is the use of competition - recently for maintenance requirements not previously subjected to competition. One such maintenance requirement is the periodic overhaul of one of the Navy's front line fighter aircraft - the F-14A Tomcat. This case study documents the cost reduction methodology developed by the DoD's incumbent overhaul facility in preparation for competition. The methodology discusses task time estimation, cost center structure, labor rate development and analysis, internal cost transfers as well …

Marketing Higher Education To Mexican-Americans: Identification Of Successful Marketing Strategies And Tactics, Cynthia Gale Coiner

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

In this study, a comprehensive set of successful marketing strategies and tactics for the recruitment of Mexican-Americans into four-year colleges and universities was identified. A taxonomy of findings ranging from very successful to not successful was developed. The methodology included focus groups conducted in Los Angeles, California and San Antonio, Texas to aid in the creation of survey instrument items. The resulting survey was mailed to admissions directors of four-year colleges and universities located in the six southwestern states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.

The responses were analyzed by computing frequencies and crosstabulations. Subsequently, factor analysis …

Productivity Measurement For Home Health Care Registered Nurses, Lazelle Emminizer Benefield

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The purpose of this study is to develop a productivity measurement applicable to home health registered nurses (RNs) by identifying and quantifying the knowledge and ability variables that define productive nurse practice.

A preliminary set of knowledge and ability variables was identified based on content analysis of interviews with local nurse managers and round I of a three round Delphi procedure, using a purposive sample of nurse managers from nationally preeminent agencies. A randomized national sample of 337 nurse managers was then surveyed to determine the relative value and rank of the knowledge and ability variables. These variables were refined …

Sojourn: A Time In Egypt, Deborah L. Miller

Institute for the Humanities Theses

This work is a chronicle of events and ideas experienced by the author while traveling in the Arab Republic of Egypt in December, 1986 and January, 1987. The illustrations at each chapter head were drawn to help the reader understand the nature of the story of each chapter.

Motivation And Job Satisfaction Of Direct Care Mental Health Practitioners In A Residential Treatment Center, Joann Zitt

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the general Job satisfaction level of direct care mental health employees and to determine any significant differences in Job satisfaction levels between fulltime and part-time employees. The sample consisted of 60 direct care mental health employees In a residential treatment center in Virginia. There were 28 respondents for a 47% response rate.

The 20 item Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Short Form> and a demographic questionnaire were the survey instruments used. Respondents were satisfied with 13 Instrument items and undecided about seven of the items. Statistically significant differences occurred in relation to demographic variables …

Preferred Provider Organizations: Developmental Indicators, Marcia Anne Guida

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine what factors, if any, led to the development of a preferred provider organization and if these factors were related to sponsorship. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to a random sampling of 90 existing preferred provider organizations' executive directors for their completion. A Two-Factor Contingency Table Analysis was compiled. Chi-square, and the Contingency factor, C, were computed and tested at the .05 level of significance. First and second preference analyses were done on the responses to developmental indicators. Mean percentages were tallied for: sponsorship, tax status, alternative delivery systems in the …

A Perception Based Integrative Theory Of Individual Behavior In Organizations, John Edward Mathieu

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop an integrative theoretical approach to the study of individuals' behavior in organizations, and to present an application of the approach to understanding the performance of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. Individuals' perceptions of the environment were proposed to exist at three levels of analysis: (1) psychological climate (i.e., individual); (2) group climate; and organizational climate. Further, climate perceptions were proposed to result from the simultaneous influence of objective (i.e., actual) situational characteristics, and individuals' needs and characteristics. The underlying dimensions that linked climate perceptions operationalized at the three levels of analysis …

Laity Expectations Of Ministers In The Black Urban Church: A Study Of Political And Social Expectations In The Context Of Ministry To Community And World, James Henry Harris

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The study examined the Black church laity's expectations of the urban minister regarding his involvement in specific social and political issues that confront inhabitants of urban areas. A survey was administered to individuals in Black churches of different protestant denominations in a Southeastern Virginia City in order to determine the degree of the laity's expectations. Specifically, the survey sought answers to the questions: Do Black church laity expect the minister to deal with socio-economic and political problems in urban areas? and, What particular urban problems do the laity expect the minister to offer leadership in facing or solving?

While this …

Foreign Demand For United States Higher Education: A Study Of Developing Countries In The Eastern Hemisphere, Vinod B. Agarwal, Donald R. Winkler

Economics Faculty Publications

(First Paragraph) Foreign student enrollments in the United States have increased rapidly over the past 25 years. The total number increased from 36,494 in 1954 to 336,990 in 1982. While foreign students still represent less than 2% of all higher education enrollments in the United States, this proportion is likely to grow over the next decade as enrollments of American citizens decline. One consequence of the growth to date has been that many colleges and universities depend on foreign students for an important part of their tuition revenue or enrollment-determined budget, and this dependence is also likely to grow over …

Economics Of The Pacific Whiting, Merluccius Productus, Fishery, Eric Anderson

Economics Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Interest in the economics of Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus, production and consumption has been simulated in recent years by expanding U.S. participation in the fishery formerly dominated by foreign fishing and processing. This has raised several questions within the U.S. fishing industry: 1) Will it be profitable for additional U.S. fisherman and processors to enter the fishery? 2) What configuration will the U.S. Pacific whiting industry take? and 3) What will be the nature of markets for Pacific whiting products? This paper summarizes the conclusions of several reports and studies which bear on these questions.

The Effects Of Person-Job Environment Congruency On Individual And Organizational Outcomes, Eileen J. Mcdonald

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to ascertain the effects of person-job environment congruency on outcomes important to individuals and organizations, so that new personnel decision making strategies can be developed. To accomplish these aims, the research had two objectives: (1) to develop an operational model of person-job environment congruency based on an integration of available research evidence and (2) to investigate the effectiveness of the concepts and methods proposed by the model on individual and organizational criteria of success.

Within a person-job environment congruency model framework, there are essentially two matching systems. In the first, the work experiences of …

The Concept And Theory Of Value-Added Taxation, Stacy R. Barnes

Economics Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Portsmouth, Virginia: The Growth And Burdens Of Property Taxes 1952-1967, Nicholas C. Kyriakides

Economics Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Empirical Test Of Linder's Trade Hypothesis, James Norman Carnes

Economics Theses & Dissertations

Attempts have been made recently to empirically test several theories of the basis of international trade. These efforts have been concentrated mainly on the empirical testing of the Heckscher-Ohlin and the classical international trade theorems. The results so obtained are both complementary and conflicting. Although a greater degree of empirical relevance has been observed in the Ricardian model than in the Heckscher-Ohlin theorem, so far no sophisticated effort appears to have been made at the empirical testing of Linder's trade hypothesis.

Linder's thesis is that a country cannot achieve comparative cost advantage in that line of production for which there …

An Analysis In Terms Of Trade, Nobuhiro Hayashi

Economics Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.