Business Commons^™

Measuring The Quality Of Service Within Challenge Bank, George M. Gilchrist

Theses : Honours

This research project looks at how the management and counter staff of four branches of the Challenge Bank define quality of service and asks them to judge if they deliver that quality. lt also examines the climate for service in which staff operate. The project simultaneously explores the customers' idea of what constitutes quality service, and whether or not customers consider they receive it consistently. A review of the most recent literature on customer service from Australia and overseas, has provided a theoretical framework for the interpretation of the data. It was necessary to first define quality of service then …

Costing Employee Absenteeism At Three Local Organisations, Justin Ponton

Theses : Honours

This thesis looks at a methodology that can be used to cost a specific human resource activity - absenteeism. It applies the costing framework established by Cascio (1991) to three local organisations, with differing results and reactions. The cost of absenteeism ranged from $461 per employee up to $1,454 per employee per annum. Other costing techniques for Human Resource Departments are also looked at, but the main thrust of this thesis is the costing of absenteeism. Absenteeism is studied in terms of its causes, costs, and possible solutions. Each of three organisations studied, is discussed in terms of the cost …

A Financial Study Of The Mt. Auburn School District, Robert H. Sample

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to determine the financial condition of the Mt. Auburn Community Unit School District Number 5, Christian County, State of Illinois, from the 1986-87 school year through the 1990-91 school year. The financial condition of the district during 1991-92 school year was reviewed from July, 1991 through April, 1992. The education fund, operations, building, and maintenance fund, bond and interest fund, transportation fund, and retirement fund were all reviewed for stated time period. Tables were prepared for these major accounting funds to clarify the developing financial trend. Revenues received during 1986 through 1991 from …

The Impact Of Desktop Color Imaging On Prepress Personnel Skills, Iva Elaine Fowke

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

No abstract provided.

A Model For Comparative Analysis Of Business Community Expectations Of Printing Companies And Printer Perceptions Of Those Expectations, Kevin Lloyd Hudson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

The problem of this study was to compare the Statesboro, Georgia business community's expectations of printing companies to the expectations printers perceive the businesses have. All of the local printers, and a sample of the local Chamber of Commerce corporate members (non-printers) were given identical survey forms which measured their expectations and perceptions. The forms were hand-delivered, picked-up the next day and tabulated to put the data in graphical form. A comparison of the two groups revealed some agreement and some disagreement in expectations and perceptions. After completing the study, it was determined that the research method is valid and …

A Pretension Of Place: The Industrialization Of Corn Belt Agriculture, 1940-1965, Philip Jeffrey Nelson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study concerns both the causes and effects of the industrialization of Corn Belt agriculture during and after World War II. Although industrialization is certainly a fully cultural phenomenon, with a multiplicity of competing and augmenting causal agents involved in its genesis, industrial processes are the most salient and identifiable bases of modern economies. In their application to the Corn Belt's agricultural structure, techniques of industrial farming revolutionized almost every aspect of the agricultural experience. Farm size, machinery, power sources, capitalization, supplies, and populations have all changed in response to an almost single-minded adherence and adoption of a mechanicalchemical based …

The Relationships Between Technical Operator Turnover Rate And Selected Working Condition Factors In Taiwan's Printing Industry, Ling-Hsiao Lee

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine how technical operator turnover rate related to selected working condition factors in Taiwan's printing industry. These factors, as defined in this study, included wages, employee benefits, alternative work schedules, training programs, and gainsharings. If the results of this study showed that technical operator turnover rate was related to these selected factors, then the findings of this study would be helpful to a manager making decisions on turnover management.

The data for this study were collected by using three sets of questionnaires: (a) one designed for personnel directors, (b) one targeted at financial …

Effects Of Electronic Mail On Staff Communication Satisfaction And Computer Anxiety, Donald D. Luck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research indicates teacher isolation and computer anxiety are significant problems effecting teachers. This study examined the influence of electronic mail on these two problems. The research hypotheses questioned whether electronic mail installation positively effected a staff's level of communication satisfaction and/or lowered their level of computer anxiety.

Three sites were used in the study. Site One had electronic mail at the time of both measurements, Site Two implemented electronic mail immediately following the first measurement, and Site Three never used electronic mail. Ten months separated the measurements.

The study used the Computer Satisfaction Questionnaire to measure eight components of communication …

The Effectiveness Of Port Marketing, Muhammad Muctaru Carew

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study To Improve The Brazilian Air Force's Material Management System, Nelson R. Farias, Pedro R. Boareto

Theses and Dissertations

The first objective of this study was to identify all the common supply items currently being managed separately in the inventory of the various types of aircraft employed by the Brazilian Air Force, and to show how the system could be reorganized to consider the compatibility among these items. DBASE III programs were used to examine a file with 30103 registers containing part numbers occurring more than once in different aircraft's inventory, and to classify them in groups of identical items likely to be centrally managed. In addition, it was demonstrated that the system's structure would support the proposed reorganization …

Software Cost Estimating Models: A Calibration, Validation, And Comparison, Gerald L. Ourada

Theses and Dissertations

This study was a calibration, validation and comparison of four software effort estimation models. The four models evaluated were REVIC, SASET, SEER, and COSTMODL. A historical database was obtained from Space Systems Division, in Los Angeles, and used as the input data. Two software environments were selected, one used to calibrate and validate the models outside their environment of calibration. REVIC and COSTMODL are COCOMO derivatives and were calibrated using Dr. Boehm's procedure. SASET and SEER were found to be un-calibratable for this effort. Accuracy of all the models was significantly low; none of the models performed better against the …

A Study Of The Adoption And Effectiveness Of Electronic Mail At The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Douglas D. White

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the relationship between the adoption and effectiveness of electronic mail at the Air Force institute of Technology's School of Systems and Logistics (LS). In this research, theories concerning innovation adoption and measurement of system effectiveness are discussed. Survey instruments from both areas were selected, tested, and used to collect data from the LS faculty and staff. Correlation analysis was performed using the data collected. Findings indicate a correlation does exist between the adoption of electronic mail and the effectiveness surrogate measurement, user satisfaction. There was a significantly strong negative correlation between electronic mail complexity and user satisfaction.

Possible Application Of Quality Function Deployment In Software Systems Development In The United States Air Force, Craig R. Lamb

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of the thesis were to determine whether the methods of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) could be used in the software development environment within the USAF, and whether or not this area should be researched further. The research was limited to the requirements analysis and definition phase. The different areas of study included a brief review of the structured analysis methodology, a detailed review of the QFD models currently being used in the product industries, a review of how QFD fits into the software development cycle, and specific software modifications to the QFD methodology. A review of some applications …

An Expert System For Measuring, Interpreting, And Managing System Performance Factors For The Work Information Management System, Billy J. C. Irwin

Theses and Dissertations

This study develops an expert system for measuring, interpreting, and managing the Wang VS operating system performance factors for the Work Information Management System. The system's performance concerns least known to system administrators are identified. Of these, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache are identified as factors that can significantly impact system performance with little effort. A six step process is used in developing the expert system. Concept maps representing the structure of the Wang VS Disk Input/Output problem domain are provided. The expert system provides information about the system parameters, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache, and recommends main memory allocations. …

Investigative Search Of Quality Historical Software Support Cost Data And Software Support Cost-Related Data, Brent L. Barber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine what software support cost data and software support cost-related data should and can be collected by the Air Force. In addition, the study was to determine how the subject data should be collected. The collection of this data is necessary in order to measure the accuracy and calibration requirements of the software support cost models used by the Air Force. The study found there was no standard set of data items, and no standard procedures in place for the collection of this data. In most cases data were available or easily accessible, …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Two Individual Monetary Incentive Systems On Work Productivity: Piece-Work Pay Versus Base Pay Plus Incentives, Kirk L. Gillette

Masters Theses

This study compared the effectiveness of a piece-rate pay system in which 100% of the subject's pay was incentive-based with a base pay plus incentive system in which approximately 30% of the subject's pay was incentive-based. Two experiments were conducted. In each experiment, six subjects were exposed to both pay systems using a within-subject reversal design. Subjects participated in 6 to 9 three-hour sessions (Experiment 1) or 9 to 14 four-hour sessions (Experiment 2). Simulated bank checks with differing cash values were presented on a computer screen, and subjects entered the cash values using the computer keyboard. The dependent variable …

A Delphi Forecast Of 1996 Roles: Air Force Institute Of Technology Information Resource Management Graduates Assigned To Base Level, David O. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Graduates of the Air Force Institute of Technology's Information Resource Management master's degree program who are subsequently assigned to base-level positions believe their IRM expertise is wasted in base administration roles that preclude the use of their up-to-date technical educations in managing automated information resources. This research forecasts the role AFIT IRM graduates assigned to base-level positions will need to fill by the year 1996. The research further determined what changes are necessary to resolve the perceived differences between current and forecast roles for these graduates. The Delphi survey method of forecasting was selected as an effective method of discovering …

An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the information requirements of Air Force Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. It had three basic objectives: (1) identify the critical success factors that they monitor on a continuous basis, (2) identify similarities in those requirements for all DGMs and across major commands, and (3) determine if the application of information technology would enhance their decision making. Surveys were sent to all CONUS based Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. The study found that there were nine critical success factors that were used by a majority of all respondents. In addition, nine command-specific critical success factors …

A Comparative Study Of Dod And Civilian Hospital Inventory Management Systems, Karen A. Lemay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if one method of inventory management would standardize procedures and minimize costs for Department of Defense and civilian hospitals. This was accomplished by conducting a comparative analysis of inventory management systems, used at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio; Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio; and Evans US Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson, Colorado. The literature review examined various inventory management methods used for both general and hospital specific inventories. The thesis concluded that, although different automated systems were used at the three hospitals studied, the basis of each inventory …

Improving Royal Australian Air Force Strategic Airlift Planning By Application Of A Computer Based Management Information System, Neil A. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to propose a MIS to assist RAAF strategic operational airlift planning. The present manual approach suffers deficiencies in flexibility, consistency and timeliness. Airlift planning was first analysed and found to comprise activities of investigation, detailed static planning, implementation and dynamic planning, and review. Planning performance is measured by the effectiveness and efficiency of resulting airlift. Automation of planning functions was investigated, especially the routing and scheduling of airlift. USAF systems, including ADANS, were reviewed and applicability to the RAAF evaluated. Automation of planning functions was investigated, especially the routing and scheduling of airlift. USAF …

Effective Design Of Strategic Control Systems For Air Force Information Management: A Program Evaluation, B. Bruce Cowser

Theses and Dissertations

Strategic planning and implementation and strategic controls offer organizations powerful and essential tools for proactive management. In Information Management (IM), they hold the key to successfully navigating the current turbulent environment. This study was conducted in order to evaluate strategic controls in Air Force Information Management, and to recommend ways to improve them. A model for strategic controls was developed from the literature to serve as a standard for evaluating current programs. Interviews were conducted at three major commands to gather data on the current state of strategic controls. A qualitative analysis methodology was selected, and recommendations include the following …

The Effects Of Perceived Consequences On Ethical Decisions, Eldean Gwen Cornish

Honors Theses

Increasing public awareness of ethics in business, or a lack thereof, has inspired an abundance of study, research and a variety of theories regarding ethics and has encouraged many firms and associations to establish corporate and professional codes of ethics. This thesis begins with a literature review surrounding the definition of ethics and ethical decision-making behavior. The Theory of Reasoned Action model designed by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) proposed a linkage of external variables and an individual's behavioral intention (Randall, 1989), the theory being that change is ultimately a result of changes in beliefs. Tests to predict behavior suffer from …

An Experimental Sequence Examining The Effect Of Task Type, Memory Condition, And Display Presentation Type On Performance Time And Error Rate, Using Columnar Table Versus Vertical Bar Graph Versus Line Graph, Suparna Das

Theses

A total of 126 subjects at various levels of school and a health related manufacturing firm participated in three experiments that compared Tables, Line graphs and Bar graphs forms of data presentation. The experiments were performed each consisting of a training task followed by answering some questions based on the presented material. The experimental series were presented to six groups. Group 1, 3, 5 viewed Line graphs, Tables or Bar graphs respectively while answering the questions while the other three groups answered questions based on memory of either Line graphs, Table or Bar graph presentation.

The independent variables were:

1. Memory …

The Geography Of Tourist Hotels In Beijing, China, Hongshen Zhao

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis, utilizing data obtained through the author's working experience and on extensive academic investigation, aims to establish and analyze the locational deficiency of some 100 foreign tourist hotels in Beijing and its origin. To do so, an optimal hotel location is first determined by analysis of social, economic, cultural and environmental features of Beijing in relation to the tourism industry.

Specifically, a standard package tour program of Beijing is established and then analyzed in spatial and temporal terms, the result of which is further mapped by using a weighted mean center technique. The international tourists and the hotels in …

An Investigation Of Project Management Techniques For Scheduling Raaf Depot Level Maintenance, Kerry M. Bayley

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates scheduling performances of commercial project management software. It is based on difficulties that the Royal Australian Air Force experienced in evaluating microcomputer-based packages in maintenance task scheduling of aircraft undergoing Depot Level Maintenance. A literature review found only one paper quantifying commercial software performances. No standard performance metrics or test data were found. Several packages were evaluated using a common set of 110 single-project resource- constrained networks. The performance measure used was closeness to optimally minimum Total Durations. No package performed best on all problems. On average, the best produced schedules 5.2% longer than optimal, with 95 …

An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to identify which tactical airlifter characteristics most significantly affected tactical airlift capability in a given scenario. The Generalized Air Mobility model was used to simulate a tactical airlift system. Aircraft characteristics within the model were grouped into six variables. A 2(6) two level full factorial experimental design was used to assess the effect of changes in aircraft characteristics on the effectiveness of the tactical airlift system. Yates algorithm was used to identify significant terms based upon the results of the factorial experiment. These significant terms were used to develop a parsimonious regression model that represented …

A Model For Estimating Aircraft Recoverable Spares Annual Costs, Phillip L. Redding

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis covers three objectives: (1) develop a background reference document concerning recoverable spares cost estimating; (2) evaluate a representative sample of existing spares cost models; and (3) use aircraft physical and performance characteristics to develop a model for estimating annual replenishment spares cost. A condemnations cost estimating relationship (CER) was developed first and then both a CER and spreadsheet generated factors which related condemnations to replenishment spares costs were developed. For the condemnations CER, only logarithmic transformations provided statistically acceptable results, and even these models exhibited wide prediction intervals due to large amount of variability in the CER databases …

Estimate-At-Completion Research - A Review And Evaluation, John W. Mckinney

Theses and Dissertations

This research derives from the Performance Measurement discipline and consists of a comprehensive analysis of Estimate-At-Completion (EAC) studies published since 1973. The EAC studies consisted of models, comparison studies, and computer analysis programs. Each study was categorized by formula type and described in terms of methodology and conclusions. Each study was evaluated based on clarity, documentation, methodology, and source. After reviewing the studies some areas were found to be weak. The AFSC formula that uses weighted percentages of .2 SPI and .8 CPI, is not supported by a critical review of the literature. In the area of comparisons studies, different …

An Expert System Job Aid For Users Of The Automated Scheduling Module, Kevin A. Gore

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed an Expert System for novice aircraft maintenance schedulers (AFSC: 392XX) with little experience using the Automated Scheduling Module (ASM). First, an in-depth literature review was completed. Next, personal interviews were conducted with an ASM expert and other 392XX personnel. Prototypes using VP-Expert and KnowledgePro shells were created. The knowledgePro shell was selected to create the ASM Job Aid, combining the knowledge of the expert and AFM 66-279. The program was verified, validated, and favorably reviewed by 392XX personnel. Recommendations include: The Air Force Logistics Management Center (AFLMC) examine the ASM Job AId and develop a Performance Support …

An Evaluation Of Logistics Support For F-16 Aircraft Owned By Foreign Countries, Paul J. Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the logistics support provided by the United States Air Force (USAF) for F-16 aircraft owned by foreign countries. The research drew from historical trends and personal experiences to examine the ability of the U.S. to provide logistics support for F-16 aircraft owned by U.S. allies. The study found that timely, efficient support of FMS customers possessing F-16 aircraft does not appear to be a principal concern of the USAF logistics system. Complexity of processes, untimely responses, and failure to consider customer needs are common failings on the part of the USAF.