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Theses and Dissertations

Air Force Institute of Technology

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Full-Text Articles in Business

Investigating Supply Parts Delivery Delay From Supply Depot To King Khaled Air Base In Royal Saudi Air Force, Rashed S. Alkhathami Dec 2022

Investigating Supply Parts Delivery Delay From Supply Depot To King Khaled Air Base In Royal Saudi Air Force, Rashed S. Alkhathami

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft supply parts is an important factor in preparing the aircraft to do its mission. Due to delayed delivery of parts or inefficient delivery process, time may be lost waiting for aircraft supply parts, causing mission delay or failure. By tackling the delivery delay causes we can insure improvement on delivery process. In order to gather data for this thesis two different tools were used, aircraft parts data and an interview. Data was gathered from the F15 maintenance and supply squadrons in the Royal Saudi Air Force. Results of this research showed diverting in the main duty of supply depot …

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A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of Model-Based Requests For Information, Kyle J. Arruda Sep 2022

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of Model-Based Requests For Information, Kyle J. Arruda

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) has encouraged the transition to digital engineering, yet there are limited guides for how to transition and there is limited data to show where an organization like a program office can reap the most benefit from the transition. To identify areas where potential benefits may be realized, this thesis compares two Requests for Information (RFIs), one document-based and one model-based, from generation to response. A survey was developed and administered to 7 members of a single program office to grade the RFI responses. The survey was based on the 43 benefit categories identified in the …

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Evaluating Performance Competencies In The Royal Saudi Air Force Engineering Directorate And Squadrons, Faisal A. Al Dawood Sep 2022

Evaluating Performance Competencies In The Royal Saudi Air Force Engineering Directorate And Squadrons, Faisal A. Al Dawood

Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of tasks performed by the directorate of aeronautical engineering and squadrons in RSAF directly impacts flight safety, which in turn influences the organization either positively or negatively. Therefore, improving engineers' competencies will improve the overall performance of the organization. The study refined and reconstructed a model, namely a T-shape competency model, to assess the engineers' competencies which revealed some management and competency-related deficiencies and concluded with managerial recommendations.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis Of The Saudi Land Bridge Project, Faris J. Alotaibi Sep 2022

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of The Saudi Land Bridge Project, Faris J. Alotaibi

Theses and Dissertations

Projects are the backbone of economic thrive of nations, especially infrastructure projects. It’s counted as the base layer of allowing economic trade between beneficiaries. Railway projects have always been a huge element in increasing trade operations between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world, by providing an efficient and environmentally friendly way that is capable of hauling large loads of exports all the way to the seaports and from there to the rest of the world. The Saudi land bridge project will cost about $11 billion and will provide a new link between the existent railway in the eastern …

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Using Blockchain To Track Dod Funding And Auditing, Prithvi Prasanna Sep 2022

Using Blockchain To Track Dod Funding And Auditing, Prithvi Prasanna

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) currently faces a significant problem when it comes to auditing and tracking financial transactions. The DoD has failed every audit since 2017 although it is gradually improving its auditable rating year after year. Concurrently, Blockchain is an emerging technology that has typically been used for cryptocurrencies but has slowly been adapted by private enterprises for their auditing and invoicing problems. This study investigates the value proposition of blockchain technology to improve DoD financial tracking and auditing. To test the hypothesis that blockchain is the optimal option for the DoD, this paper employs an industry blockchain …

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Retention Prediction And Policy Optimization For United States Air Force Personnel Management, Joseph C. Hoecherl Sep 2022

Retention Prediction And Policy Optimization For United States Air Force Personnel Management, Joseph C. Hoecherl

Theses and Dissertations

Effective personnel management policies in the United States Air Force (USAF) require methods to predict the number of personnel who will remain in the USAF as well as to replenish personnel with different skillsets over time as they depart. To improve retention predictions, we develop and test traditional random forest models and feedforward neural networks as well as partially autoregressive forms of both, outperforming the benchmark on a test dataset by 62.8% and 34.8% for the neural network and the partially autoregressive neural network, respectively. We formulate the workforce replenishment problem as a Markov decision process for active duty enlisted …

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Developing A Model-Based Approach To Forecast A Competitor's System, Christopher A. Del Vecchio May 2022

Developing A Model-Based Approach To Forecast A Competitor's System, Christopher A. Del Vecchio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a model-based approach to intelligence forecasting of a competitor’s system. This analysis currently uses a document-based practice to capture all knowledge of the forecast and its development. A framework of antithesis processes, or Anti-Processes, were derived from the systems engineering technical processes. This was then combined with analytical tradecraft from the field of competitive technical intelligence to build a SysML reference model, which was then applied to a small case study to enhance and refine the model. The Anti-Process framework and SysML reference model provide a rigorous, model-based approach to intelligence forecasts …

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Measuring Seaport Performance And Congestion In The Republic Of Korea, Derrick J. Lohr Mar 2022

Measuring Seaport Performance And Congestion In The Republic Of Korea, Derrick J. Lohr

Theses and Dissertations

Companies continue to globalize their supply chain operations increasing cargo traffic and creating excessive shipping demand on ports across the globe resulting in port congestion. This increased congestion impacts USTRANSCOM’s cargo movement operations, which compete for use of the same port resources. While the DoD has organic transportation capabilities, most of the cargo is moved by commercial ocean liners. It is, therefore, necessary to understand port operations, identify excess capacity, and exploit it to avoid congestion at ports. The purpose of this study is to identify peak and idle periods by evaluating the comparative performance of seaports using data envelopment …

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Number Of Authorized Suppliers And Supplier Delivery Performance, Beau D. Messenger Mar 2022

Number Of Authorized Suppliers And Supplier Delivery Performance, Beau D. Messenger

Theses and Dissertations

Every year, federal agencies spend over $500 billion to buy a wide variety of products and services, ranging from cutting-edge military aircraft to common office supplies. Supplier performance and sourcing strategies within the Air Force are distinctively complex due to the wide array of weapon systems and limited number of suppliers available within the marketplace. Academics and industry experts agree that the foundation for strong buyer-supplier relationships is a means to achieving superior performance. However, this dynamic can yield varying results when there are a limited number of suppliers available. One of the problems which emerges from the critical need …

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The Effect Of Company Financial Health On The Likelihood Of Cost Overruns, Brady C. Weaver Mar 2022

The Effect Of Company Financial Health On The Likelihood Of Cost Overruns, Brady C. Weaver

Theses and Dissertations

Financial ratio analysis has long been used to determine the financial health of firms and project business performance. Despite the usefulness of financial ratio analysis, risk analysis in defense acquisitions largely ignores these indicators of company financial well-being. This research performs contingency table statistical analysis to determine if a relationship exists between company financial ratios and their future cost performance on Air Force contracts. The general findings are that poor financial ratios at the time of contract start are related to increased likelihood of cost overruns on that contract. Specifically, recent trends of a company’s current ratio in comparison to …

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A Reference Architecture For Augmented Reality Maintenance Support, Daniel A. Cuellar Mar 2022

A Reference Architecture For Augmented Reality Maintenance Support, Daniel A. Cuellar

Theses and Dissertations

The current method of preparing Airman to perform tasks in their designated Air Force Specialty is to provide coursework-based initial skills training and on-the job training (OJT) for that specialty. Full qualification for a single Air Force Specialty is estimated to average seven years with OJT consisting of seventy-five percent of that timeline. OJT primarily consists of mastering the use of the Technical Order (TO), a governing document that provides step-by-step task instruction that must be followed explicitly. Though TOs have transitioned to an electronic format, employment of the information has remained the same. A proven aid in instruction and …

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An Analysis Of Telework Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Patrick J. Lopez Mar 2022

An Analysis Of Telework Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Patrick J. Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many individuals to shift from an atmosphere of face-to-face work to the digital work environment known as telework. Telework is an effective mitigation tool that ensures the continuity of operations. However, maximized telework may not be effective for all individuals. Many individual, organizational, and group level factors influence one’s telework performance and this study examines four of the most influential antecedents. Using linear regression analysis, conscientiousness, overload, communication, and non-distractibility were found to be significant predictors that account for over half the variance explained in telework performance. Supported by self-regulation theories, both conscientiousness and non-distractibility contained …

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Air Force Specialty Code Assignment Optimization, Rebecca L. Reynolds Mar 2022

Air Force Specialty Code Assignment Optimization, Rebecca L. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, the Air Force Personnel Center determines which career field newly commissioned officers will serve under during their time in the Air Force. The career fields are assigned while considering five priorities, dictated by Headquarters Air Force, Manpower and Personnel: target number of cadets, education requirements, average cadet percentile, cadet source of commissioning, and cadet preference. A mixed-integer linear program with elasticized constraints is developed to generate cadet assignments according to these priorities. Each elasticized constraint carries an associated reward and penalty, which is used to dictate the importance of the constraint within the model. A subsequent analysis is …

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Improving Task-Operator Analysis For Training Through The Integration Of Human Learning Taxonomies And Systems Engineering Models, James M. Earley Mar 2022

Improving Task-Operator Analysis For Training Through The Integration Of Human Learning Taxonomies And Systems Engineering Models, James M. Earley

Theses and Dissertations

Training is a critical part of force sustainment, but the life-cycle cost of recurring training can be quite high. Further, the promotion of the Multi-Capable Airman (MCA) concept leads to questions on how best to train airmen on tasks outside of their core career field. The MCA concept, coupled with continued increase of technology effectiveness, incentivize the replacement of formerly in-residence-only training with distance training that enables Just-in-Time (JIT) learning. However, effective implementation of the MCA concept may also require adaptive training which considers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) developed by a trainee within their core career field when …

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Analysis Of Cost And Schedule Estimation Trends For Major Defense Acquisition Programs, Sammantha J. Jones Mar 2022

Analysis Of Cost And Schedule Estimation Trends For Major Defense Acquisition Programs, Sammantha J. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses both descriptive and inferential techniques to investigate trends in cost and schedule estimates created by the Department of Defense for their Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) throughout the last five decades. For schedule growth percentages, we did not identify any statistically significant trend regarding increasing or decreasing schedule changes or variances of schedule estimates throughout the five decades analyzed. Examining the overall cost growth of MDAPs, a statistically significant difference between the Cost Growth Factors (CGFs) calculated between the 1990s and the 2010s was found, with the 2010s exhibiting lower CGFs. A downward trend in the variances …

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The Application Of Virtual Reality In Firefighting Training, Dylan A. Gagnon Mar 2022

The Application Of Virtual Reality In Firefighting Training, Dylan A. Gagnon

Theses and Dissertations

Immersive simulations such as virtual reality is becoming more prevalent for use in training environments for many professions. United States Air Force firefighters may benefit from incorporating VR technology into their training program to increase organizational commitment, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and job performance. With implementing a new training platform, it is also important to understand the relationship between these variables and the perceived benefits and efficacy of the VR training, which has not yet been studied in previous research. This study addresses this issue by gathering data from fire departments currently fielding a VR fire training platform.

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Examining The Relationship Between An Aging Workforce And Logistics Performance Indicators, Daniel Parkhill Mar 2022

Examining The Relationship Between An Aging Workforce And Logistics Performance Indicators, Daniel Parkhill

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. The subsequent generation born between 1965 and 1976 is significantly smaller, referred to as the baby bust. As a result, this causes a talent shortage as Baby Boomers retire, leaving a workforce gap which the subsequent generation is not large enough to fill. This issue also has been recognized as a potential problem in the logistics community of the United States Air Force. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workers age on key logistics performance indicators (LPIs) such as aircraft availability, product flow days, …

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Emergency Logistics Stochastic Network Optimization With Prepositioning And Distribution Center Support, Christian Graves Mar 2022

Emergency Logistics Stochastic Network Optimization With Prepositioning And Distribution Center Support, Christian Graves

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the Air Force Medical Service War Reserve Materiel supply chain management through the use of the supply chain optimization software anyLogistix. The goal is to illuminate potential improvements to policies that effect inventory management and test the effects of specific inputs, such as an influx of network support and capacity expansion, into the models. Network optimization shows the cost benefit analysis of these factors and if demand is satisfied through all demand points. Through three unique wartime scenarios, this study looks at the supply chain management of five prehospital analgesic medications: ketamine, morphine, fentanyl intravenous, fentanyl oral …

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Understanding Logistics Airmen’S Risk Information Seeking And Processing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role Of Organizational Meetings In An Extended Prism Framework, Christopher T. Price Mar 2022

Understanding Logistics Airmen’S Risk Information Seeking And Processing During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role Of Organizational Meetings In An Extended Prism Framework, Christopher T. Price

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this survey-based research was to understand how organizational workplace meetings surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic impacted logistics Airmen across the United States Air Force and subsequently played a role into their risk seeking behavior on social media. Specifically, this research tested an expanded Planned Information Risk Seeking Model with organizational meetings as an antecedent to determine if current meetings influenced an Airman's perceived behavioral control, attitude toward seeking, subjective norms, knowledge sufficiency an intentions to seek information regarding COVID-19.

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Analysis Of Task Performance During Radiological Surveillance By Means Of Discrete Event Simulation, Michael H. Ames Mar 2022

Analysis Of Task Performance During Radiological Surveillance By Means Of Discrete Event Simulation, Michael H. Ames

Theses and Dissertations

The surveillance and detection of radioactive contamination on surfaces and in the environment are commonly investigated by surveyors utilizing portable detection equipment. The availability of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and Human Performance Modeling (HPM) allows for the analysis of physical and cognitive processes associated with these operations, as well as the effect that external environmental factors have on surveyor performance. This research uses the Improved Performance Research Integration Tool (IMPRINT) to approximate the performance of a radiological detection task informed by the observation of six surveyors. The effects of chemical Individual Protective Equipment (IPE) use is evaluated along with the …

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Exploring The Value Of Training System Alternatives Through Methods Technologies, And Relevant Attributes, Brian R. Novitsky Mar 2022

Exploring The Value Of Training System Alternatives Through Methods Technologies, And Relevant Attributes, Brian R. Novitsky

Theses and Dissertations

Skilled maintainers are being lost at a higher rate than average of all enlisted career fields within the Air Force. Although incentive programs can provide some retention, attrition rates may continue to vary, placing the readiness of the warfighter in jeopardy. Additionally, the technologies used to train maintainers have evolved substantially, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions, among others. These technologies have recently gained notoriety as novel ways to increase training effectiveness, providing avenues for maintainers to achieve greater skill levels at a faster rate than traditional platforms. Through semi-structured subject matter expert (SME) interviews, this qualitative …

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Performance Improvement Through Better Understanding Of Supply Chain Resilience, Amanda L. Femano Sep 2021

Performance Improvement Through Better Understanding Of Supply Chain Resilience, Amanda L. Femano

Theses and Dissertations

Businesses operate every day in a disruptive environment. Supply and demand uncertainty, natural disasters, global pandemics, and mishaps can all cause chaos to a supply chain’s flow. It is impossible to predict every disruption a supply chain may encounter. The best an organization can do to protect network performance is to build resilience in the supply chain and life-blood of its operations. Ensuring that a supply chain has the proper built-in mechanisms to resist and recover from disruptions is referred to as Supply Chain Resilience (SCR). While it is generally agreed that SCR can be improved through the implementation of …

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Examining The Influence Of Source Dependence On Supplier Performance In The Usaf Organic Supply Chain, Thomas A. Counter Jun 2021

Examining The Influence Of Source Dependence On Supplier Performance In The Usaf Organic Supply Chain, Thomas A. Counter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the U.S. Air Force's dependence toward sole sourcing and how that influences procurement outcomes in terms of supplier performance. This research used linear regression to explain the effect of source dependence and supplier size on performance categories for 326 suppliers. The five supplier performance categories in the study included timeliness, cost control, quality, business relations, and regulatory compliance. The research found that the USAFs dependence on sole sourcing had a small but statistically significant influence on all five aspects of supplier performance, with timeliness being the most adversely impacted.

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Developing A Basic Formal Supply Chain Ontology To Improve Communication And Interoperability, David Morrow Jun 2021

Developing A Basic Formal Supply Chain Ontology To Improve Communication And Interoperability, David Morrow

Theses and Dissertations

Information is crucial to supply chain performance because it is used to make decisions and trigger actions. Organizations across world-class supply chains increasingly use information technology to analyze and process supply chain data. However, supply chain management lacks a common language, making information exchange difficult. An ontology can provide a standardized framework that organizes a given knowledge domain. This research proposes a common language for developing a supply chain ontology that can be built into a basic formal ontology understood by both humans and computers. According to current research, an established and widely used supply chain framework is a good …

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Guidance For Building Motivation In Space Operator Training, Foster E. Davis Mar 2021

Guidance For Building Motivation In Space Operator Training, Foster E. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Services provided by spacecraft, including communications and global positioning, are integral to small businesses, multinational corporations, and the United States Department of Defense. United States rivals recognize the need to undermine the military advantage provided by the space domain and are exploring ways to degrade these services in their warfare doctrine. In response, the United States will need space systems suited to counter these threats and personnel who are trained to respond to the new reality of a contested space environment. This paper also reviews the academic literature and written guidelines for developing motivation in an interactive environment for improving …

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An Examination Into Retention Behavior Of Air Force Female Officers, Jessica M. Astudillo Mar 2021

An Examination Into Retention Behavior Of Air Force Female Officers, Jessica M. Astudillo

Theses and Dissertations

Female retention rates in the US military have been considerably lower than that of their male counterparts for numerous years. In the Air Force, women represent 14 percent of officer ranks from O-5 level and above. Comparatively, the overall rate of women officers in service is 20 percent. Understanding the negative factors associated with the attrition rate of this group can help the Air Force leverage positive change. It may also influence adjustments that will increase the number of women serving, and improve diversity throughout both the officer and enlisted ranks. In this study, logistic regression and survival analysis are …

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An Examination Of Civilian Retention In The United States Air Force, William F. Wilson Mar 2021

An Examination Of Civilian Retention In The United States Air Force, William F. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The backbone of the United States Air Force is undoubtedly the large civilian workforce that supplements the great work that is accomplished. Many research studies have been conducted on officer and enlisted personnel to ensure that the career fields are properly developed and managed to meet the ever growing demands of the military's varied missions, but no recent studies have focused on the civilian workforce. Striking a balance between new and experienced employees is paramount to success given the ever-changing economic and political landscapes where we find ourselves. The first part of the research uses logistic regression to determine the …

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Examining Military Cargo Pilots' Eco-Friendly Flying Intention, Ioan A. Gaitan Mar 2021

Examining Military Cargo Pilots' Eco-Friendly Flying Intention, Ioan A. Gaitan

Theses and Dissertations

The US Air Force is the largest operational energy consumer within the Department of Defense primarily due to aviation fuel use. Military pilots can play important roles in saving aviation fuel by flying aircraft in an eco-friendly manner. According to the theory of planned behavior (TPB), intention is the major predictor of behavior. This study tests two models based on TPB for understanding cargo pilots’ eco-friendly intentions when they conduct channel or logistics missions. The study found that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control were significant antecedents to intention in a multiple regression with aggregated scales.

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Dual Approach To Examining Success In The Air Force Small Business Innovation Program, Kaitlyn E. Ryan Mar 2021

Dual Approach To Examining Success In The Air Force Small Business Innovation Program, Kaitlyn E. Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

Innovation is critical enough to the Department of Defense (DoD) that it is called out in both the National Defense Strategy as well as the Air Force Vision. This research takes a dual approach to consider how to improve innovation in the Air Force Small Business Innovation (SBIR) program. An investigation will be conducted to assess the relationship between perspective, incentive, innovation type and innovation success. This will be followed by an investigation to determine company characteristics that influence innovation commercialization. This document is presented in the form of two articles drafted for publication. The first article investigates the definition …

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A Survey Of The Strategic Alternate Sourcing Program Offices Management Of United States Air Force Diminishing Manufacturing Sources And Material Shortages Subject Matter Experts, David E. Portée Mar 2021

A Survey Of The Strategic Alternate Sourcing Program Offices Management Of United States Air Force Diminishing Manufacturing Sources And Material Shortages Subject Matter Experts, David E. Portée

Theses and Dissertations

The office designated by the Air Force to be DMSMS subject expert program office is known as the Strategic Alternate Sourcing Program Office (SASPO). Aided by the USAF Program Offices and DMSMS Subject Matter Experts, the SASPO is responsible for sourcing DMSMS resolutions as well as the organizing, training, and equipping of the Program Offices DMSMS Programs. Using quantitative research, this study conducts a survey, with the USAF Program Offices as the unit of analysis, to gain insight as to where the SASPO is doing well and where gaps exist in their program management. The analysis and conclusion identify where …

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