Business Commons^™

Can Corporate Repositioning, The Turn Around Prescription Of The 1990s, Assist Dimac Direct In Regaining The Number One Position Of Direct Response Agencies?, Krista M. Mackin

Theses

This thesis will focus on corporate repositioning within the industry of direct marketing - what is it, what it does, why it is necessary and how to develop and maintain it.

The term "corporate repositioning" is the latest on the world's number one business strategy that was first studied and developed by Al Ries and Jack Trout in their book Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind. Corporate repositioning entails more than changing a company's logo, creating images through advertising and generating hype for a company's products or services. Rather, repositioning means that a company must create a "position" in the …

Characteristics And Qualities Of The Successful Entrepreneur: An Empirical Study, Pearl Farer Raskin

Theses

Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important phenomenon for researchers and policy makers to understand. It is important for job growth, accounting for 80% of new jobs created in the United States. It is a key factor in enhancing technological innovation, productivity growth and per capita income in industrialized nations. Furthermore, it is an important career choice, accounting for roughly one tenth of the labor force at any point in time, and about one fifth of the labor force for some part of their careers (Birley 156).

Many individuals have difficulty bringing their ideas to the market and creating a new …

Improving Police Officer Performance Appraisal, Leslie D. Simpson

Theses

This thesis will examine the development of American police management practices and organizational structure from its inception during the eighteenth century to the present. The organizational structure and management philosophy will be discussed concerning the influence they have on police officer performance appraisal.

Private sector business organizations have undergone monumental changes in management philosophy during the past twenty years. Most successful enterprises have shifted to a form of quality management that recognizes the benefits of employee participation in management programs. With emphasis on customer service, quality, process improvement, and human resource management American businesses are regaining their leadership role in …

The Usar Company Command Handbook: A Study Of Potential Benefit And Impact On Effective Performance By Army Reserve Leadership, David Winston Fielder

Theses

This thesis will focus on a newly-created leadership manual and the likelihood of increased effectiveness in job performance and perceived benefit among company-level leaders in the United States Army Reserve who use it. In this thesis, this handbook or leaders' manual - which summarizes and highlights applicable military regulations, policies, guidances and code as well as provides helpful hints for the company commander - was reviewed by subject matter experts who rated the manual on the basis of accuracy, utility and potential for use among Army Reserve leadership. Specifically, it was hypothesized that these experts would view the handbook as …

The Wage Gap Between Men And Women Is Narrowing: Fact Or Fiction, Tabatha A. White

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of how "traditionally female" and "traditionally male" occupations impact the wage gap between men and women. It will also touch on how the wage gap has been decreasing throughout the years.

There has been considerable debate and controversy regarding the issue of wage discrimination between men and women particularly with regard to women working in male dominated occupations. Some researchers believe that the wage gap between men and women has been declining because of an increase in women's education and experience, whereas, some researchers believe it has been declining because of the decrease …

The Impact Of The Visual Advertising On Today's Consumer, Gissel M. Pimentel

Theses

Advertising has grown and developed new ideas throughout the years. Since its beginning . advertising has experienced many changes trying to exert influence on potential consumers and to remain in their minds in a positive way.

This culminating project is about the influence of the visual elements used in advertising on consumer perception . Advertising ' s purpose is to sell . A good ad should cause a good impression in the consumer and lead him or her to purchase the product or service advertised .

The main idea that will be developed and demonstrated in this culminating project is …

Identification Of Critical Elements That Deter Tqm Program Success, Rex F. Osborn

Theses

This thesis reviews the Total Quality Management (TQM) program initially developed in Japan after World War II and its entry into the United States during the early Eighties.

TQM was incubated in Japan and matured into a viable program. TQM offered those who implemented the program improved quality products and improved cooperation between management and the workers for accomplishing common goals and objectives . The program focused on product quality and the belief that customer satisfaction is of key importance.

United States managers were searching for improved management programs to motivate workers, improve production and increase sales and profits . …

Managing Diversity In The Global Economy, Kathia G. Arjona

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the diversity management in businesses today, since the 2Ist century is around the comer. It seeks to study and highlight the importance and benefits of having a diverse workforce in today's organizations. Each day more and more companies are doing business globally, and that is why this thesis attempts to find a balance among the similarities and differences employees might encounter in any organization.

The advantages of a diverse workforce for successfully penetrating global, ethnic minority, and other group markets are many. Yet, making diversity work while simultaneously ensuring a stable and …

An Understanding And A Quest For Excellence In Human Resources At An Urban Public School District, Juliette E. Douglas

Theses

This thesis will focus on how to transition the Human Resource Division at St. Louis Public Schools into a customer focused, responsive service organization. Like many other industries, urban education has some uniqueness but there are also some common issues. To better understand the management style traditionally used in urban education, this project started with conducting extensive research on the history of management in education.

History is only important in understanding the past. Good management must focus on the present and create the future. To better plan to create a changed human resource function, two basic management concepts were also …

An In-Depth Look At Demographics And Psychographics To Show How Data About Consumers Have Changed To Meet The Need Of Marketers, Susan L. Sebacher

Theses

Consumers are constantly changing. The generations are aging, causing their wants and needs to change. Products are also changing. They have gone from standardized to specialized. The market for consumer goods has gone from a mass market to niche markets. As consumers' sophistication grows so does their skepticism about advertising and claims advertisers make about their products. This creates a tough environment for marketers.

Demographic information provides marketers with a profile of their customers. Demographic information includes: gender, race, age, education, income, marital status, and number of children Demographic information groups consumers into generational groups. Generational groups are designated by …

An Examination Of The Correlation Between Financial Ratio Analysis And Stock Price, Janet S. Hawn

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of financial ratio analysis and its correlation to stock prices .

Research has used various methods to determine the value of a stock . Examples of these stock valuation models include the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), the dividend discount model, and the free cash flows and the free cash flows to equity models.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between financial ratio analysis and stock prices and to explore the possibility that financial ratio analysis has a value in determining the price of a stock. Both financial data …

A Study To Determine Market Acceptability Of A Skin Replacement Therapy For The Treatment Of Chronic Wounds, Henry A. Holzapfel

Theses

This thesis will focus on factors that would determine the market acceptability of a skin replacement therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Because chronic wounds will probably become much more prevalent as the population ages, the best method to treat these wounds needs to be developed . In just the last couple of decades , the treatment of chronic wounds has been changing as new technologies are introduced into the marketplace.

The main purpose of this thesis is to evaluate some of the various therapies from traditional wound treatment to modern wound therapy to the more advanced therapies that …

Effects Of Training And Development On Job Satisfaction, Lora Applebury

Theses

This thesis will focus on the effect training and development in the workplace on employees job satisfaction.

Research has stated that with the proper kinds of training and development employees will be more satisfied with their jobs overall. Researchers believe that the kinds of training and development given to employees will also improve the overall quality and productivity of the work environment.

With companies trying to move into the global job market training and development has come to the for front of all companies improvement programs. Most of the large companies CEO believe that training and development is the only …

The Impact Of Minimum Wage Legislation On The Working Class Poor, Mary Ching

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the working class poor minimum wage and the impact it has had on their income. The study begins with the historical background of the minimum wage from early colonial times until the changes of the minimum wage law of 1993. It analyses the reasoning of creation of minimum wage legislation and the economic principles of the period.

Chief Justice Hughes said in in West Coast Hotel Co v. Parrish 300 U.S. 399:

The exploitation of a class of workers who are in an unequal position with respect to bargaining power and are …

Managing Innovation And Creativity, Dan Wilbanks

Theses

As businesses become more lean in the future they will have to do everything to gain a competitive advantage. People are the biggest resource and many times the biggest expense in an organization. Many experts are of the opinion that the single most effective way to insure a companies longevity is by having high output employees. There are many proven techniques in workforce motivation. Most managers and educators think higher production is the result of better motivation techniques. A normal motivation plan is designed to increase production in the employees ' current job under the same set of rules and …

An Empirical Study On The Differences Of Task-Orientation Skills And People-Orientation Skills Of Upper And Lower Management In An Organization, Michelle A. Heppermann

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of communication between upper and lower management levels in a company and the impact that genders has upon it.

Communication can be divided into two sections: task-orientation and people-orientation. Task-orientation refers to a person's behavior in delineating the relationship between himself/herself and staff members and in endeavoring to establish well-defined patterns of organization, communication, and procedures. People-orientation refers to a person's behavior indicative of friendship, mutual trust, respect, and warmth in the relationship between leader and his/her subordinates.

Over the years research has suggested that women are prone to be more people-oriented while …

An Evaluation Of The Competency Modeling Method Used By A Major Telecommunications Company, Sharon K. Kramer

Theses

This thesis focuses on competency model development methods and evaluating an actual competency model development method used by a consulting company on behalf of its client.

As HRD professionals get down to actually measuring human performance against the model they set forth to specify competency and its associated behaviors, they often find behavioral measurements to be subjective and relative, rather than objective and criterion-based.

The purpose of this study is to review competency model definitions and development methods, as well as the implications for using competency models to improve human performance, business results and competitive advantage.

The competency model development …

Volunteers From The Business Community Give High Marks To Quality Of Junior Achievement's Middle Grades Program, Lori A. Jacob

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of business volunteers' perceptions of quality of Junior Achievement's Middle Grades Program. Areas of emphasis will include teaching material provided to the volunteer, support from the Junior Achievement staff, and volunteer orientation.

Business people from the St. Louis metropolitan area teach Junior Achievement programs to students in schools, during the school day. Business people, whom JA calls consultants, volunteer one hour per week for eight to fifteen weeks to share their business experience with Middle Grade students. Educators set aside valuable classroom time for Junior Achievement consultants to present activities. In the St. …

Examining The Usefulness Of Amerinet's Valusource 3.0 Software, Theresa A. Jarus

Theses

The main focus of this research is to provide AmeriNet, Inc., a group purchasing organization of medical and healthcare supplies, with a statistical and realistic perspective regarding user training requirements and effectiveness of their latest software release, ValuSource 3.0.

This electronic catalog was developed for AmeriNet members to provide contract pricing information. The software release took over a year to design and implemented most of the functionality required/requested by AmeriNet shareholders and members.

The purpose of the software is to give members access to up-to-date contract information such as pricing, contract terms, commitment levels, etc. ValuSource 3.0 is capable of …

Empowerment Of A Uaw Workforce, Paula L. Hughel

Theses

This thesis will investigate whether empowerment of a workforce has a positive correlation on employee job satisfaction.

Research supports that the automotive industry is continuously focusing on the reduction of structural costs. One area that is commonly focused on is the reduction of manpower, specifically management. As the number of managers are reduced some of the work is being redistributed to the employees. Along with the additional work comes decision making responsibilities.

Although research supports that empowerment has a positive correlation on business results and working environments, it is inconclusive that empowerment has a positive correlation relative to job satisfaction. …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of The Virtual Office, Danielle C. Haines

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Role And Impact Of Leaders' Mental Models In Effecting Planned Transformational Change, Stephen C. Rathmill

Educational Studies Dissertations

Presidents and CEOs play a critical role in leading their organizations through planned transformational change (PTC) and generally, do not do it very well. This may, in part, be a result of leaders not closely examining and challenging their thinking about PTC and their role in leading it. Leaders' mental models determine what and how they think about their organizations, employees, transformational change and what their leadership means and how their mental models determine their actions and behaviors in planning and implementing PTC. By examining and challenging their mental models, leaders may gain insights into alternative ways of leading and …

The Effect Of A Flat Tax On The Individual Taxpayer, Sarah Allen

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The 1996 presidential election brought the subject of the U.S. tax system up for debate. Politicians and citizens alike disagree over whether our tax system should be restructured, and if so whether a flat tax is the policy to impose. This paper examines our tax structure, explains the components of a flat tax, and presents support and opposition for a flat tax policy.

Information Resource Management In Emergency Room Medicine: A Case Study, Karmen Seavey

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The emergency room is one of the fastest-paced, intense places a person can find. Because many of the cases in the ER involve life-or-death decisions, accurate data in a useful format is critical for immediate access of necessary information. Over the last several years, this simple fact has sparked major interest in emergency room information resource management. While traditional paper methods are still widely used, the electronic capabilities provided by information technology are revolutionizing the way emergency rooms and trauma centers function.

An ideal state-of-the-art emergency department is integrated with the rest of the healthcare enterprise for access to all …

The Effect Of Humorous Advertising On Viewer In Television Medium, Monica Del Carmen Carrera Vergara

Theses

This study will focus on the effects of humorous advertisements in the television medium and its impact on viewers.

Research has established to the humorous advertising in the business importance of world and the effect that it has on consumers' consciousness.

Humor in advertising is seen as an important factor in the purchaser's process . Also, it is a tool that companies use to create a positive attitude toward the brand .

At this time, humor in commercials is the heavy attribute that gives viewers often pleasures . However, some current uses of humor in commercials do not achieve this …

Sewing The Seeds Of Passion: A Study On Effectively Communicating Vision In A Volunteer Based Non Profit Organization, John R. Miller

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of modem nonprofit organization and the crucial role which leader hip and vision play in fueling these organizations.

Recent literature. written both specifically about nonprofit and about corporate culture in the general business world. suggests that there is a direct correlation between the strength of leadership al the executive and board levels, and the degree to which volunteers and paid staff will "buy-in" to the philosophy and work of the nonprofit . And because of the nature of the nonprofit business, that is, that it exists "for the public good" as opposed to …

The Effectiveness Of Cognitive Stress Management Intervention For Customer Contact Employees, Nancy M. Rickert

Theses

The relationship between cognitive stress management interventions and an improved stress level for customer contact employees was examined . Twenty- five (25) customer contact employees were volunteer subjects of this study. Twenty-five (25) completed the pretest and posttest questionnaire (the work stress inventory) . Six (6) of the twenty-five volunteer subjects completed the pretest , participated in the cognitive stress management workshop , and the posttest. Results revealed a significant difference in reported levels of stress between the two groups of customer contact employees .

The Effects Of Humorous Advertising On Viewer In Television Medium, Monica Del Carmen Carrera Vergara

Theses

This study will focus on the effects of humorous advertisements in the television medium and its impact on viewers.

Research has established to the importance of humorous advertising in the business world and the effect that it has on consumers ' consciousness.

Humor in advertising is seen as an important factor in the purchaser's process . Also, it is a tool that companies use to create a positive attitude toward the brand.

At this time, humor in commercials is the heavy attribute that gives viewers often pleasures . However, some current uses of humor in commercials do not achieve this …

Integrated Marketing Communication, Nareerat Kesaraphong

Theses

This thesis will focus on the Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) in the United States and Thailand.

The new world of IMC provides a radically different way for companies to promote themselves. Throughout marketing history companies promoted a product by advertising. Advertising stated the "reason" people should purchase the product. You advertise it heavily. Consumers buy it. Advertising was king.

Integrated Communication and integrated marketing is good to reach the same amount of consumers that had been reached in the past. The vast amount of media available, such as the World Wide Web, trade shows, television, periodicals and outdoor advertising, make …

Army Officer Evaluation Report: Past, Present, And Future, Jason Brownrigg

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of performance evaluations of Army officers and the type of evaluation most useful for the future.

The Army has been using performance appraisals to evaluate the performance of officers since its inception over 200 years ago. Since World War II has the Army provided a required format for these evaluations.

The fom1at of these evaluations has changed over the years due to operational requirements along with the expansion and contract ion of the total Army structure. Also influencing the content of the evaluation reports are the current moral beliefs of the nations that …