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First View (May 8-9, 1998), Lindenwood College

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Lindenwood fashion show: First View.

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. …

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 …

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 …

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. …

Partnering With Profs, Patrick J. Cooney

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of corporate universities and the development of a business plan for the implementation of Bi-State University.

Research presented will cause the reader \O consider alternatives 10 accomplish strategic organizational training and development objectives. The reader should keep in mind their organizational culture and the developmental needs of their organization's human resources.

The purpose of this commentary is to identify the various options available beyond traditional training methods to develop a corporate university for Bi-State Development Agency. The best way to research approaches to human development is to ask the subject matter experts. Several …

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. …

The Entrepreneurially-Minded Employee's Guide To Career Management, Linda Y. Brown

Theses

This thesis will explore the concept of the employee as entrepreneur and how the importance of this concept may ensure employability among managers currently working within Corporate America.

In an era of constant change, corporate employees, particularly those that are mid- career and middle age, continue to find themselves caught off-guard when a downsizing , reorganization or spin-off occurs in their workplace. Although they realize these events can affect them any moment , many do not proactively take the responsibility for their own careers.

According to author Gareth S. Gardiner, in his book, 21st Century Manager, the employee as entrepreneur …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Valuation Of Family Limited Partnership Interests, Steven J. Krekeler

Theses

The focus of this report is on using family limited partnerships to reduce wealth transfer taxes. This report will explain how valuation discounts applicable to family limited partnership interests enable wealth to be transferred which avoids gift and estate tax. Furthermore, the report will discuss why some family partnership valuation discounts are accepted by the IRS and others are rejected, including steps taxpayers and their professional advisors can take to increase their chances of success.

Senior family members throughout the U.S. have a growing interest in preserving their wealth for the next generation. Many are not aware that 55% or …

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 …

Innovative Business Communication And Its Effect On The Bottom Line, Jane M. Lloyd

Theses

This thesis will examine a variety of business communication styles and show how various forms of communication can have an impact on a company's profitability.

Although a number of variables have been known to contribute to a company's bottom line - sales volume, cost of production, quality of products, etc. - only in the last ten to fifteen years have companies begun to look at the impact their business communication techniques have on productivity.

In these times of downsizing, rightsizing, and reengineering, it is more important than ever to maintain open lines of communication among all levels of employees. It …

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 …

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 …

A Business Plan For A Case Management And Home Health Agency, Zeporah A. Dunbar

Theses

This thesis will focus on the changes in health care delivery in the United States and how case management and home health care agencies have impacted upon it. The quality and cost-effectiveness of case management and home health care delivery will also be explored.

As we approach the twenty-first century, the focus of health care delivery is changing rapidly. The health care delivery system has undergone major changes and has had a tremendous impact on the development of case management and home health care agencies. These changes are affecting, and will affect health care consumers and the delivery of home …

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 …

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 …

Baby Boomers' Feelings On The Relationship Between Price And Quality, Rebecca A. Hudzik-Presson

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of Baby Boomers and the impact their particular generation has upon the type of products they purchase.

Marketing research has indicated that generational data can be very helpful. Generational factors provide a framework for understanding the marketplace. Many marketers who want to appeal to Baby Boomers attempt to recognize what interests Boomers. A fundamental truth is that marketers who take into account age group have an important competitive advantage over those who do not.

Research has also indicated that Baby Boomers show some loyalty to brand names. They look at quality as a …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Developing Institutional Communications Plan For Supporting International Students, Aura Z. Castrellon Acedo

Theses

This thesis will focus on the on the study of developing an institutional communication plan for supporting international students .

Communications demand comprehension and a wide diversity of communications skills . Cross-cultural communications involves understanding the impact of cultural factors, which could be verbal and nonverbal.

International exchange programs are growing fast . The number of international students has increased to almost 500,000 students disperse around the United States. When these students come to study and learn to another country they require the most accurate and honest service.

In the Chapter IV of this culminating project is provided a plan …

Business Plan For The Startup And Subsequent Operation Of A Truss Manufacturing Plant, Timothy M. Liescheidt

Theses

This thesis is intended to present a thorough business plan for a truss manufacturing plant. The thesis will give the reader a complete understanding of the purpose of a truss in the building industry. The thesis also presents research on existing truss manufacturing plants and determined how the companies in this field currently operate. Once the research was completed, the business plan was prepared. The completed business plan was presented to three individuals who, by their experience, can be considered subject matter experts. These three individuals were then asked to give input about the completed business plan.

The input from …

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 …

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 …

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 . …