Business Commons^™

Why Didn’T You Tell Me?: Toward Building A Model Of Why Information Is Not Shared Well In Organizations, Robert C. Kitchen

Theses and Dissertations

The effective use of information in an organization is vital to its success. One of the biggest investments being made today by companies is in their information infrastructures. However, with all of the resources being dedicated to improving information flows, evidence shows that organizations still do not share information as widely as they could or should be. Many studies have been conducted to learn the reasons why people in organizations do not share information as well as would be good. However, no study was found that reported the relative frequency of reported reasons for not sharing information. This paper gathers …

An Analysis Of Training Adequacy And Additional Training Requirements As Perceived By Communications And Information Officers, Rex W. Little

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores requirements for additional training Communications and Information officers. This research also looks at the best time to provide training/education in the identified training deficient areas. Training areas and categories were established by two previous theses and were modified by a group of field experts for this research. The following questions were posed in an effort to obtain the perception of officers in the field: (1) What training areas do Communications and information officers feel are deficient? (2) At what point during a Communications and Information officer's career would it be most appropriate to receive training in necessary …

An Assessment Of Mentoring Functions And Barriers To Mentoring, Kristopher A. Singer

Theses and Dissertations

A study of 91 Coast Guard junior officers and their mentors established the construct validity for mentoring functions and barriers to mentoring. The Air Force relies on supervisors to provide mentoring to their subordinates. The key predictors of whether junior officers report their supervisors as mentors were similarity between mentor and mentee and the quality of the supervisory relationship in terms of LMX and psychosocial and career development mentoring functions. The results demonstrated evidence for a compensatory theory of mentoring. Multiple mentors do not have a synergistic effect on mentoring relationships. The key predictors of reporting an additional mentor (other …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Leasing Versus Buying Air Force General Purpose Vehicles In The Continental United States, Robert J. Neal Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increasingly aging vehicle fleet and declining vehicle budget, this research performed a cost-benefit analysis of leasing versus buying various Air Force general purpose vehicles for the entire continental United States (CONUS). In contrast to previous analyses, which have examined the leasing versus buying issue on a base-by-base basis, this analysis studies the issue from an Air Force-wide perspective using a cost-buying model. Costs and benefits are calculated for three purchasing options (Air Force ownership, GSA leasing, and commercial leasing) to determine and recommend the best alternative for the Air Force. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is to test the …

The Adequacy Of The Fourteen General Systems Characteristics As Function Point Adjustment Factors, Michael D. Prater, Joseph C. Willoughby

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to assess the perceived adequacy of the 14 general systems characteristics (GSCs) in deriving a value adjustment factor (VAF) for calculating final function point counts. Two self-administered surveys were used to collect data. Based on the survey results, it is clear that the 14 GSCs currently do not adequately represent the applications complexity required to adjust function point counts. The current GSCs remain controversial and while this research can not conclusively state that one factor is more accurate than any other, it is evident that certain GSCs are perceived to he more useful for …

The Challenge Of Maintaining Or Replacing An Aging Airlift Fleet: A Cost/Capability Analysis For The Brazilian Air Force Mobility System, Julio C. Messias

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the high Operational and Support costs incurred, the Brazilian Air Force's (BAF) declining budget has led to the establishment of conservative policies that favor short run solutions for a critical BAF airlift problem of operating an aging fleet. As a result of this policy, service life extensions of older airlift aircraft are the preferred solution. Using an equal airlift capacity approach to examine the Brazilian Air Force mobility system, this research performs a cost comparison analysis between two aircraft currently in operation at Brazilian's airlift command: C-130 Hercules and C-95 Bandeirante. To accomplish the cost analysis, this research develops …

The Development Of Laser Cost Estimating Relationships (Cers) From Commercial Data, Michael J. Nolette, Steven L. Seeley

Theses and Dissertations

The Post Cold War acquisition environment has been marked by significant budget reductions and the greater use of commercial practices. In this austere and rapidly changing acquisition environment, accurate cost estimates are paramount to maximize the use of the DoD's critical resources. The advancement of laser technology has spawned a large variety of military laser applications such as the Airborne Laser (ABL), Space Based Laser (SBL) and a host of other smaller programs. Furthermore, the Air Force Laboratory's Directed Energy Applications for Tactical Airborne Combat (DEATAC) Study (the sponsoring activity of this thesis research) is considering a host of airborne …

Space-Available Transportation: An Analysis Of The Cost Of Providing 'Free' Travel, Frank J. Long

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to estimate the costs borne by the government for providing space-available travel to eligible uniformed services personnel and their dependents. As the primary provider of the space-available privilege, it is important that the Air Force have an estimate of the burden that the administration of that privilege places on the budget. In January 1993, the Air Force discontinued its 15-year-old practice of charging a fee for space-available travel aboard AMC-owned or controlled aircraft. The fee had been set at $10 in 1978 and was collected to recover a portion of the costs associated with …

Pollution Prevention Cost Savings Using Supply Chain Reengineering, Gregory S. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Supply chain management was explored as a tool to prevent hazardous waste and reduce operating costs. Previous research had shown that pollution prevention measures were often costly and no expectation of cost savings could be realized. The reengineering of the Air Force hazardous material supply chain brought about by the Hazardous Material Pharmacy Program was tested to evaluate if hazardous waste had been precluded in this effort and if costs had also been avoided. To date, no research had explored the use of supply chain management as a source reducer of hazardous waste. Consequently, little was known or understood of …

Workplace Violence: Exploring The Dangers For Air Force Leadership, Shawn R. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The repeated occurrences of workplace violence throughout society today require the Air Force to evaluate its own workplaces and determine if a threat exists. This research explored violence in the workplace and established the possibility that workplace violence can affect the Air Force. Additionally, Air Force Climate Assessment Surveys were evaluated to find information that could be useful in detecting early warning signs of potential workplace violence. A number of examples of violence that occurred within Air Force workplaces highlighted the threat for Air Force leadership. With over 1,680 incidents of workplace violence reported to the AFOSI in a 5-year …

Before And After: Is Outsourcing A Better Value Than Organic Support: A Case Study Comparing Organic Vs. Contractor Controlled Depot-Level Maintenance Of The F-117, Harry T. Loughran, John Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not outsourcing of the depot-level maintenance of the F-117 was a better value than maintaining the capability in house. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three questions: (1) Are the contract performance metrics good indicators of "better value"; (2) Has the decision to outsource F-117 depot-level maintenance provided a better value to the Air Force? (3) if outsourcing F-117 depot maintenance is an equal or better value, do we still want to give up the potential core capability? The research questions were answered through an extensive literature review, triangulation of …

A Statistical Analysis Of The Variability Experienced In Dla Administrative And Production Lead Time, Kieran F. Keelty

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the variability experienced in the administrative and production lead times of consumable items managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Assets were categorized based on an item manager's determination that an asset was a problem part, and whether the asset was purchased for stock replenishment or direct vendor delivery. The methodology was a two-sample t-test of aggregated data to determine if significant differences existed between the mean deviations from the system lead times of various combinations of categories. The study produced results indicating that a significant difference did not exist between the mean deviations of problem parts …

A Methodology For The Analysis And Prediction Of Air Force Enlisted Aircraft Maintenance Personnel Retention Rates Using Economic Statistics, Peter D. Lommen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of certain national economic indicators on enlisted aircraft maintenance personnel retention rates. To fulfill this purpose, this study builds a linear regression equation that can predict the retention rate using the civilian unemployment rate and the index of 11 leading economic indicators as the independent variables. Journal literature and economic texts were reviewed to identify the indicators as good predictors for changes in employee turnover. The method of linear regression was used to build the model needed to predict the changes in the retention rate. The equation developed with this …

A Comparison Of Department Of Defense And Private Sector Fraternization Policies, Jeffrey L. Frye

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how the new Department of Defense fraternization policy compares with fraternization policies in use in the private sector. To examine this issue, a detailed discussion of the military and non-military position on fraternization is provided, specifically the non-military position towards workplace romances or dating between co-workers. This thesis then looks at the findings of several studies, surveys, and inquiries to determine how fraternization is currently regulated in the private sector. The results of this study show a majority of commercial organizations do not have written policies prohibiting employee relationships, whether they are peer-peer or supervisor-subordinate relationships. Results …

Logistic Regression Modeling Of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources For Integrated Circuits, Michael J. Gravier

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) afflicts the Air Force and other armed services in a way unforeseen in the past. The costs of DMSMS manifest themselves both in terms of monetary expense and diminished mission readiness. The current environment of limited defense spending and high operations tempo exacerbates this problem. This thesis draws on available data from the electronics integrated circuit industry to attempt to assess whether statistical modeling offers a viable method for predicting the presence of DMSMS. The research identified logistic regression as a powerful tool for analysis of DMSMS and further developed …

Implementation Of An Activity-Based Costing System In An Air Force Laboratory Environment, Jayson M. Wrona, Martin Memminger

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the initial implementation of an Activity Based Costing (ABC) system within the United States Air Force's Research Laboratories (AFRL). We were attempting to ascertain what the initial purposes for implementing ABC within AFRL were, then determine whether or not those goals were being attained. We also attempted to evaluate the current system's appropriateness for achieving those initial purposes. Finally, we provide suggested changes to the model and areas for future research. We noted problems with AFRL's current ABC system. We were able to condense the problem into two main categories. First, when …

Public-Public Partnerships: Development Of An Alternative Outsourcing Method Decision Model, Michael R. Hackman, Jack L. Nemceff Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of public-public outsourcing partnerships as it may be employed by the DoD from a Federal Government perspective. Current outsourcing methods, guidance, and models are discussed as well as outsourcing related theories. Based upon the literature reviewed, a conceptual public-public outsourcing decision model is presented. A case study of the Brooks AFB initiative is then used to analyze the conceptual model. As a result of our analysis, an analytical public-public outsourcing decision model is developed. The analytical model also depicts the overall process path along which a decision-maker will travel. The …

Exploring The Management Of Outsourcing And The Determination Of Civil Engineering Minimum Manning Numbers In Order To Optimize Air Force Benefits, David J. Anason

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the relationship between peacetime and wartime tasks for Air Force Civil Engineering career fields in regard to outsourcing. Relevant literature in civilian sector outsourcing techniques is then studied to determine how they decide on what to outsource and what to keep insourced. Peacetime tasks performed by individual career fields are correlated with the wartime tasks to determine if there is any valuable wartime training gained from the completion of peacetime work orders. Several interviews completed with Air Force Civil Engineer readiness experts to evaluate an importance factor for each career field wartime mission. This importance factor and …

Acquisition Logistics Guidelines For Improving The Argentine Air Force Weapon System Acquisition Process, Guillermo A. Piuzzi

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing costs, complexity and demanded endurance have been typical characteristics of new weapon systems during the last decades. Meanwhile, severe contraction of defense budgets makes cost effective and well-planned acquisition crucial to ensure weapon system whole life supportability. This qualitative research explores the role of acquisition logistics in the endeavor of purchasing effective, efficient, and supportable systems in four countries, namely the United States, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. Through a multiple case study, a set of concepts is extracted and adapted to be proposed as the basis of a prospective Argentine Air Force weapon system acquisition process review. Suggested improvements …

A Methodology To Apply Business Process Reengineering Within The Brazilian Aeronautical Ministry, Ricardo F. G. Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine Business Process Reengineering as a feasible methodology to be used to help reorganize the Brazilian Aeronautical Ministry. Using a qualitative approach, this research developed an analysis of BPR beginning with the concepts elaborated by Hammer and Champy. The research also investigated the laws and regulations used by the United States Government to apply BPR in all branches of its military. After establishing the framework, some methodologies and case studies were analyzed to obtain the big picture about the application of BPR as a managerial tool to reorganize organizations. The results of this …

The Evolving Role Of Marketing In Large And Mid Size Law Firms, Kathleen Sams Flippen

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the fact that attorneys face stringent ethical restrictions regarding claims they can make about their legal abilities, the culture of many law firms is probably the greatest barrier to effective legal marketing. Expectancy theories, which state that behavior follows rewards, support this hypothesis. Culture affects many facets of a law firm: (1) its attitude about profitability, (2) the attorneys' understanding of effective business procedures, (3) the definition of value — from the firm's perspective and the perspective of clients and prospects, (4) management structure, decision making, and accountability, and (5) attitudes about change. This thesis examines the role that …

A Model To Integrate Data Mining And On-Line Analytical Processing: With Application To Real Time Process Control, Rahul Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Since the widespread use of computers in business and industry, a lot of research has been done on the design of computer systems to support the decision making task. Decision support systems support decision makers in solving unstructured decision problems by providing tools to help understand and analyze decision problems to help make better decisions. Artificial intelligence is concerned with creating computer systems that perform tasks that would require intelligence if performed by humans. Much research has focused on using artificial intelligence to develop decision support systems to provide intelligent decision support.

Knowledge discovery from databases, centers around data mining …