Business Commons^™

Schedule Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Jeffrey F. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

With ongoing public scrutiny of defense system acquisitions, due to numerous program failures resulting from cost and schedule overruns, now, more than ever, cost and schedule-management competencies are critical to program success. This research examined the schedule-management competencies required of defense program managers. A schedule-management competency model was developed from a foundation of past research. The model was evaluated through a mail survey of 484 intermediate and senior level military program managers assigned to Air Force Materiel Command. The results provided by 243 respondents indicate that 25 of the 28 competencies in the model were valuable to program managers and …

Aggregating Organizational Performance Metrics Using The Analytic Hierarchy Process, Bret L. Indermill

Theses and Dissertations

Measurement provides factual information which is necessary for effective control of business processes. Implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy is a common process in many organizations today. The United States Air Force is using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria to measure organizational performance in implementing the Quality Air Force (QAF) initiative. Unfortunately, the Baldrige-based unit self-assessment (USA) process is an inconsistent measure due to its subjectivity, and is also time consuming to use. This study determined that a new USA method based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was not a significant improvement over the existing QAF-USA …

Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, And The Government Performance And Results Act Of 1993: An Exploratory Study Of Aeronautical Systems Center, Miro Skrodzki

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates strategic planning and performance measurement within Aeronautical Systems Center (AS C) to determine if these processes are conducive to effective implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (OPRA). OPRA is a law that will soon affect every federal government agency, and is intended to redirect government attention from internal activities, processes, and products to external outcomes and results. A review of literature allowed the researcher to identify two elements of strategic planning and performance measurement that are critical to effective implementation of OPRA: measurable strategic goals and objectives related to outcomes; and measurement of …

A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi

Theses and Dissertations

A consistent scheduling rule is one which will ensure a job's priority (relative to all other job's) will remain constant as it moves from queue to queue in a production system. Previous research concerning flow shop priority scheduling rules focused on comparison of either consistent or inconsistent rules. Conversely, this study sought to provide additional insight by comprising consistent and inconsistent rules in a flow shop environment The Air Force uses both types of rules in maintenance and logistics scheduling. Time and money can be saved if the scheduling managers can better understand the effect of consistency on a system. …

Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research into morale, cohesion, and motivation as determinants of performance during combat concentrates primarily on front-line ground troops. This research focuses on determinants of high performance involving United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft maintenance personnel in rear-echelon contingency bases during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The significant amount of combat force projected from USAF contingency bases and the likely continued use of such force justifies analysis of determinants of performance for this environment. Basic situational factors (information, food, living conditions, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities, mail and phone service, and entertainment) are potentially influential in motivating maintenance personnel …

An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the way four Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) single manager organizations operationalized the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) concept of "seamless processes." In this thesis, the IWSM concept of "seamless processes" refers to the degree of integration between acquisition and sustainment organizations. Four SPO organizations were involved in six case studies. This research focused on the way "seamless processes" affect the shifting of the organizational "center of gravity" within or between single manager organizations. An interview questionnaire was administered to 13 Product Center managers and 6 Logistics Center managers. The interview questions focused on IWSM in general, …

Calibration Of The Price S Software Cost Model, James C. Galonsky

Theses and Dissertations

As more Department of Defense resources are being allocated toward software development, the necessity to accurately plan for software costs has become critical. Obtaining reliable estimates from software cost models, like PRICE S, can be a problem when input parameters are not precisely defined or calibrated. This research effort centered on refining Productivity Factor (PROFAC) values for defense industry applications. The Space and Missile Systems Center Database was used to calibrate PROFAC values for eleven stratified data sets: military ground, military mobile, missile, unmanned space, Ada, Assembly, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, JOVIAL, and PASCAL. The accuracy of the calibrations was determined …

Cost Management Competencies: The Importance And Frequency As Seen By The Financial Analyst, Diana E. Pry

Theses and Dissertations

This research studied the application of cost management competencies in the financial management career field. The purpose was to determine how frequently these competencies are used by the financial analysts and how important they are in the analysts' work environment. To accomplish this research a mail survey was sent to 978 financial analysts across Air Force Materiel Command. Out of the 978 survey instruments sent 535 were returned with useful data, for a response rate of 54.7%. From these surveys, 24 of the 49 competencies were identified as being valuable to financial analysts. The 24 competencies provide a framework for …

Using Customer Satisfaction For Measuring The Effectiveness Of Integrated Product Teams, Charles H. Embs, James N. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

In attempting to develop a performance measurement system for assessing the effectiveness of integrated Product Teams (iPTs), this research focused on the identification of those characteristics that were most important to the customers of Hyrs. Customer satisfaction was selected as the focal point because it is the foundation of the Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) philosophy which fostered the IPT approach to conducting business. The customer satisfaction data was gathered from the Quality Air Force self-assessments conducted by the B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-22, and C-17 System Program Offices, as well as interviews conducted by Brigadier General Kenne with several …

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Cross Sectional Examination Of Incentivization, Jennifer A. Block

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined corporate social responsibility and the most effective ways to incentivize environmentally proactive behavior among federal production contractors. The goal was to isolate factors which have the greatest potential for encouraging corporate environmental responsibility and to use the knowledge gained to construct incentives which can be incorporated into federal contracts. Relying on the concepts developed in organizational theory, four theories were presented to provide support that organizational behavior can be influenced. Previous incentive techniques used by the government were also investigated. From the initial research, a model was developed to describe the relationship between incentives and environmental responsibility. …

A Study Of The Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation Of The Government Performance And Results Act In Air Force Materiel Command Logistics, Darwina M. Liguori

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides an in-depth discussion of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. The GPRA is a new law that mandates strategic management be conducted in all federal government agencies. Soon all federal government agencies will be directed to comply with the requirements of the law and implement strategic management within their organizations. This study selected Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters (AFMC) logistics organizations and subordinate units as the test organization. Interviews were conducted with headquarters AFMC logistics and strategic planning personnel, as well as 88th Logistics Group personnel to evaluate several issues within their organization: (1) …

Free Trade: The Way Of The Future, Kathleen Hanley

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Brief Therapy: Theory And Practice, Maurice W. Carroll

Graduate Theses

The psychotherapeutic environment is changing. Pressure from outside the profession is motivating changes that are resulting in cost cutting and cost containment. Health management organizations and preferred provider organizations are beginning to control third party payment to mental health providers. This is counselling the profession to reevaluate and remodel how it performs therapy as numbers of sessions become more limited. Therapy is changing from a long lasting relationship with a therapist, in which personality transformation is sought for the client, to forms of brief therapy in which only problems and solutions, arising from the immediate issues, are focused on. This …

Values In Transition: The Case Of Modern Mexico, Howard Stanley Hart Iii

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the changes in the cultural values of individuals from one traditional society who have been exposed to socialization agents generated by a more modern, developed society. The country chosen for this study was Mexico. Mexico has recently experienced an increase in U.S. business, education, and media-based activities, partially as a result of NAFTA. It seems reasonable to expect that Mexicans may be shifting their individual values and perhaps modifying their consumption-related behavior as a consequence of this increase in cultural contact. Given that Mexico has individuals representing the very rich, the middle-class, …

New Paradigms For Evaluating Performance And Performance Persistency Of Domestic And Globally Diversified Portfolios, Larry Joseph Prather

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

This manuscript reexamines performance evaluation of managed portfolios. Past measures of portfolio evaluation such as the Sharpe, Treynor, and Jensen measures are subject either to the inability to rank performance based on statistical significance, or are dependent on both a single factor CAPM return generating process and the selected market portfolio. Recent studies show performance ranking is sensitive to the selection of the market proxy when the security market line is used to evaluate performance. Additionally, CAPM based measures that appeared to work well in the 1960's no longer appear to function effectively. Many anomalies to CAPM have been documented …

The Promotion Of Small And Micro Enterprises In Egypt: A Small Enterprise Development Project For El-Kassabgy Community In Giza, A Jonathan Belke

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Proposal For A Micro-Enterprise Development Initiative In Masr El Qadima, Brendan Sheehy

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Visual Pattern Recognition Using Neural Networks, Jenlong Moh

Dissertations

Neural networks have been widely studied in a number of fields, such as neural architectures, neurobiology, statistics of neural network and pattern classification. In the field of pattern classification, neural network models are applied on numerous applications, for instance, character recognition, speech recognition, and object recognition. Among these, character recognition is commonly used to illustrate the feature and classification characteristics of neural networks.

In this dissertation, the theoretical foundations of artificial neural networks are first reviewed and existing neural models are studied. The Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) model is improved to achieve more reasonable classification results. Experiments in applying the …

Teaching Ethics In Schools Of Business In Oklahoma Colleges And Universities, Shelsea Ellis

McCabe Thesis Collection

The research in this study seeks to establish the degree to which ethics is included in the business curriculum of four-year colleges and universities in Oklahoma. If ethics is taught as a separate course, the study inquires about the methodology used in that course. If there is not a separate ethics course, the study determines if ethics is included in several courses of the business curriculum. Clarification is also determined as to the percentage of time dedicated to the teaching of ethics and whether or not the dean of the School of Business believes this percentage to be appropriate.

The Differentiations Between Certified Public Accountants And Certified Management Accountants, Tamieka L. Crump

McCabe Thesis Collection

The Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant programs are just two of many programs that have been established since the development of accounting societies in 1854. These programs have a common goal of helping accountants improve themselves, but they have different purposes in the actual field of accounting.

The purpose of this study is to detail the histories, differences, and qualifications of Certified Public Accountants and Certified Management Accountants. The information provided will give an in-depth view of both certifications. It will also give the answers to these questions:

1. What are the histories of both Certified Public and Management …

Enhancement Of An Organization's Capacity To Carry Out Certain Functions On A Self-Sustainable Basis, Michael Abat Elikana

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Nonconsumptive Outdoor Recreation Expenditures In Louisiana: An Economic Analysis, Jorge Arturo Rojas Orlich

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Public Announcement Of Analyst Recommendations And The Impact On The Common Stock Market, Kenneth Allen Zerbe

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Between 1985 and 1987, R. Foster Winans, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, received convictions for violating section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities and Exchange Act as well as engaging in mail fraud.¹

A Study On [The] Cons Of An Independent Quebec, Genevieve Laverdure

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Quality Lighting's Landscape Lighting Plan To Guide The Sales Force Into Successful Sales, Christy Mazzola

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Opportunities To Invest In China, Kwanchanok Visestarn

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

As a result of the economic reform in china, the Chinese government needs a huge influx of foreign investments to modernize its market. This creates opportunities for foreigners to invest in this country. There are several factors affecting foreign companies' decisions in investing in China. Such factors are characteristics of market, distribution system, government restrictions on foreign trade and foreign investments, competition policy, price controls, and preferential treatment offered by government to foreign investors. Investments in many particular industries are encouraged by the government, especially infrastructure and telecommunication projects, since these industries have not yet been developed enough for the …

Hong Kong: The Best Destination For Foreign Investment, Somkiat Larptanunchaiwong

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. It is already wealthier than most of the industrialized countries, measured by per capita gross domestic product. In addition, it is growing at least twice as fast as the industrialized countries. Not only the geographic good luck give it benefit, but also do its free market policies. With no tariff nor non-tariff barrier, the colony attracts foreign investors to invest in the country. Government policies and trade and investment restrictions are discussed in detail.

Countertrade: Can We Afford To Ignore The Impact On The World Market?, Peter J. Gallo

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

In recent years the issue of countertrade has received more and more attention. In this examination of countertrade it is the aim to create first, an understanding of what countertrade is and how the particular forms are used. The reader will understand that essentially there are five forms I of countertrade, barter; counterpurchase; compensation; t offset; and switch. Upon this comprehension an analysis of the buyer and seller's perspective is discussed. When a firm or country contemplates the use of countertrade it is necessary to understand which form of countertrade to use and how other parties will view the form …

The Relationship Between Machiavellianism, Self-Monitoring, And Adaptiveness To The Performance Of Real Estate Sales Professionals, Dianne Broman Eppler

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

The focus of sales management is on insuring the success of the corporation by selling its goods or services. The most significant impact on the firm's success is the ability of the sales force to perform. Research to determine what makes a successful salesperson is extensive; however, the results are inconsistent and disappointing. In light of the significant financial impact the sales force has on the firm, additional research that identifies determinants of sales success is necessary.

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationships between personal characteristics and sales performance. Specifically, Machiavellianism, self-monitoring, and adaptiveness were hypothesized …

A Study Of Russia And The Opportunities It Offers Foreign Investors: Bleak Statistics, Bleak Politics, Prithvi Raj Urs

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Russia has experienced two momentous revolutions during the twentieth century. The overthrow of the czar in 1917 began the first. After a brief attempt at democratic rule, Lenin's Bolshevik Communists seized power in 1918 and established a totalitarian government, naming the remade Russian empire as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The seeds of the second revolution were sown with the elevation in 1985 of the reform minded Mikhail Gorbachev to the leadership of the Soviet Communist Party. His reforms, including perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness, including limited democracy) unleashed strong forces within the Soviet Union. The revolution that Gorbachev's …