Business Commons^™

Improving Minuteman Iii Maintenance Concepts, Daniel W. Crouch

Theses and Dissertations

Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force has sought out efficiencies across multiple processes to transform into a cost-effective force. However, processes applicable to the Minuteman III (MM III) weapon system have only recently seen efforts to increase effectiveness. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the use of third generation maintenance concepts could benefit the sustainment of the MM III through its planned retirement around 2030. Primary and secondary sources outlining the history of the strategic missile force and its current state were collected. Themes from each era were analyzed using Prospect Theory as …

A Condition Based Maintenance Approach To Forecasting B-1 Aircraft Parts, Joshua D. Defrank

Theses and Dissertations

United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft parts forecasting techniques have remained archaic despite new advancements in data analysis. This approach resulted in a 57% accuracy rate in fiscal year 2016 for USAF managed items. Those errors combine for $5.5 billion worth of inventory that could have been spent on other critical spare parts. This research effort explores advancements in condition based maintenance (CBM) and its application in the realm of forecasting. It then evaluates the applicability of CBM forecast methods within current USAF data structures. This study found large gaps in data availability that would be necessary in a robust …

The Use Of Lng As A Marine Fuel: Civil Liability Considerations From An International Perspective, Jingjing Xu, David Testa, Proshanto K. Mukherjee

Plymouth Business School

Recent regulations in the maritime domain have placed increasing pressure on the shipping industry to reduce exhaust emissions from ships. Using LNG, which produces virtually 0% sulphur dioxide emissions, as an alternative fuel has thus become an attractive option to shipowners. However, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework in this regard is noteworthy, particularly in view of the fact that the issue of liability for pollution damage and the corresponding issue of compensation is a lacuna in the domain of international maritime law. This article examines this issue in detail and proposes that there is an urgent need to …

Why Physicians Switch Electronic Health Record Vendors, Pete Andresen, Michelle Shussler, Kyle Sowards, Alberto Coustasse Dr.Ph. Md

Management Faculty Research

There are many factors involved when a physician chooses to switch Electronic Health Record [EHR.] vendors including system functionality, cost, poor customer service, company reputation, platform of software, meaningful use certification, and various others. The purpose of this research study was to locate the various reasons that lead to switching vendors and the barriers and benefits associated with doing so. System functionality and cost were the two largest deciding factors in switching vendors. Shifting regulatory standards require additional functionality to fulfill quality reporting measures including the Meaningful Use and Physician Quality Reporting Systems standards and many physicians and health systems …

Big Data: Harnessing The Beast!!, Rebecca Hovemeyer, Debra Stinson, Beteseb Gebremariam, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

The healthcare industry’s growing use of health information technology has contributed to the enormous accumulation of health care data, leading to active use of the term big data. Although there has been large amounts and varieties of complex data captured during patient care, this data has remained vastly underutilized. The purpose of this study was to assess the variety of benefits and barriers of obtaining meaningful information from big data in healthcare.

The methodology utilized was a qualitative literature review that referenced 17 sources published between 2005 and 2016.Findings suggest that applied big data analytics within the healthcare arena can …

Icd-10 Implementation: Is The Workforce Ready?, David P. Paul Iii, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ph.D, Patricia A. Sacconi, Pamela Ann Glover, Robert Marriot, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

After many delays, the U.S. finally implemented ICD-10-CM/PCS on October 1, 2015, bringing the U.S. into line with other industrialized nations, most of which have been using ICD-10 for many years. We outline the benefits and challenges to the preparatory activities of the ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation for the U.S. healthcare industry. To ease the transition, CMS allowed healthcare facilities to submit test claims prior to the implementation date, and delivered feedback on the acceptability of those claims. Early results indicated a relatively smooth transition, although some questions regarding the available data remain. Additional data, especially data concerning outcomes, is required.

Medicare Fraud, Waste And Abuse, Jamie Bush, Leslie Sandridge, Cierra Treadway, Kimberly Vance, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

In 2014, the U.S. spent approximately $3 trillion on health care. Medicare accounted for $554 billion of these costs and around $60 billion were squandered due to incorrect billing methods, abuse, and fraud. Types of fraud included: kickbacks, up coding, and organized fraudulent crimes. To reduce the financial burden associated with these activities, the U.S. has created various fraud prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to identify methods of Medicare fraud, examine the various programs implemented by the U.S. government to combat fraud and abuse, and determine the effectiveness of these programs. While fraud prevention strategies have proven …

The Trends In Dtca And Effects Of Dtca By Pharmaceutical Firms In The United States, Sathorn Preechavuthinant, William K. Willis Drph, Alberto Coustasse Drph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

The Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of pharmaceutical firms has been defined as an attempt of pharmaceutical companies to advertise products directly to patients (comsumers). Pharmaceutical DTCA has been criticized due to its inappropriateness and some urged the need to strengthen regulations. The DTCA has an impact on the public from both a benefit and harm concern. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current trend of pharmaceutical DTCA in the US and its effect on patients, physicians, and drug utilization. The methodology used in the research is literature review and semi-structured interview. The pharmaceutical DTCA showed reduction in total …

2017-March-22-Building Higher Ed, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

Status Spillovers, Brian P. Reschke, Pierre Azoulay, Toby E. Stuart

Faculty Publications

When an actor experiences a sudden gain in status—for example, when a scientist wins a Nobel Prize, or a film director wins an Oscar—what does this increase do to the fates of that actor’s many ‘neighbors’? Do they bask in the reflected glory of the prize recipient, and therefore gain with her? Or, does competition for attention ensue, attenuating the recognition neighbors otherwise would have received? We investigate these questions in science. Using expert-assigned article keywords, we identify papers that are topically related to publications of future appointees to the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). In difference-in-difference specifications we …

How Online Reviews Influence Consumer Restaurant Selection, Nefike Gunden

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since social media has been growing rapidly, the restaurant industry has been exploring this area extensively. Given that social media provides restaurant consumers with an opportunity to share their dining experiences, several studies have examined the impact of social media on consumer restaurant selection (Tran, 2015). As a part of the social media umbrella, online reviews are significant factors that influence consumer restaurant selection (Park & Nicolau, 2015; Yang, Hlee, Lee, Koo, 2017). However, there is a lack of understanding with regard to which attributes of restaurant online reviews are the most influential when it comes to customer decision making. …

Evaluating The Relative Importance Of Influencing Factors On Cruise Vacations: A Conjoint Analysis, Frida Bahja

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on exploring the relative importance of six influential factors in cruise customers’ decision-making process such as: cruise vacation price, cruise duration, distance from the cruise port, itineraries, environmental friendliness of cruise line and cruise online reviews. The decision on which influencing factors to select was made based on the review of literature.

The complexity of cruise customers’ decision-making process for these six attributes with several levels was examined with Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) Analysis. CBC was selected due to its realistic approach to purchase decisions, in the form of trade-offs. The online survey collected data anonymously. The survey …

Provider Reimbursement Following The Affordable Care Act, Brandon Bowling, David Newman, Craig White, Ashley Wood, Alberto Coustasse Dr. Ph, Md, Mba

Management Faculty Research

Decreasing healthcare expenditure has been one of the main objectives of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To achieve this goal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been tasked with experimenting with provider reimbursement methods in an attempt to increase quality, while decreasing costs. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of the ACA on physician reimbursement rates from CMS to determine the most cost effective method of delivering healthcare services. CMS has experimented with payment methods in an attempt to increase cost effectiveness. Medicare has offered shared cost savings incentives to reward quality care …

Long-Term Care Policy: What The United States Can Learn From Denmark, Sweden, And The Netherlands, David P. Paul Iii, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ph.D, K. Chad Schaeffer

Management Faculty Research

Paying for long-term care consumes a substantial, and growing, part of the spending on healthcare in the U.S. We examine the components and payment systems for long-term care systems in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands to determine what policy makers in the U.S. can learn from these countries about how to improve long-term care provision and financing in the U.S.

I Kanban, Can You? A Librarian’S Introduction To Kanbanflow, Rachel S. Evans

Presentations

Introduces the concept of Kanban (Japanese for "sign" or "billboard"), an important tool for managing workflow and measuring improvement and outcomes that was first popularized by the manufacturing industry. Today Kanban is utilized by software development teams, marketing units, human resource offices, people in strategy and leadership, and for organizing personal tasks and achieving goals.

Also introduces KanbanFlow, a free online project management tool that digitizes the Kanban method. This tool supports real-time collaboration between team members and weaves in the Pomodoro method of time-tracking. Features a live demo of KanbanFlow, its various features, and real-life examples of how it …

Ego Depletion And Internal Controls: How Controls Can Deplete Self-Control Resources, Drew Allen, David Wood

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to ensure accurate financial reporting, deter fraud, and safeguard assets, companies implement internal controls throughout their organization. Internal controls can be something as simple as requiring a manager to sign off on all expenses or having two people present to handle and count cash receipts. Without these controls, companies would have to rely solely on the competency and morality of their employees or use costly and restrictive supervision and monitoring to prevent intentional and unintentional errors. While internal controls serve an important role in reducing many types of risk, controls may also have unintended consequences that can negatively …

Judging Juror Judgments: Reactions To The Discovery Of Reduced Audit Quality Acts, Hannah Whipple, Bryan Stewart

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As watchdogs of public companies’ financial reporting, auditors have the responsibility to attest whether a firm’s financial statements fairly represent its finances. As such, auditors are subject to professional standards to ensure high-quality audits. At times, however, auditors fail to meet these standards with their actions. Such actions, “which reduce evidence-gathering effectiveness inappropriately” (Malone and Roberts 1996), are referred to in the academic research literature as reduced audit quality acts (RAQAs). RAQAs increase the risk of inappropriate or misleading audit opinions, which can harm investors, lenders, and other parties, and which often lead to litigation. We seek to determine how …

Fitness Tracker Technology Motivating Healthy Living, Andrew Petersen, William Tayler

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to test whether wearing a fitness tracker, such as a Fitbit, induces wearers to increase their physical activity. We believe that when wearers know that their physical activity is being measured, they will accelerate their physical activity. To test this hypothesis, we needed a control group where we could record participants’ physical activity when the participants were unaware they were being measured. This was accomplished by using the iPhone pedometer which is automatically activated upon purchase, and relatively unknown by iPhone users. The treatment groups were given a MiFit band, which is a less …

The Effect Of Behavioral Skills Training On Shot Performance In Field Hockey, Kelsey O'Neill

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Behavior analysis procedures have been used to improve sports performance and enhance player safety across a wide variety of sports. The current study evaluated the effects of behavioral skills training on three common field hockey hits, a slap shot, drive, and sweep for young field hockey players. The procedures were evaluated in a multiple baseline across behaviors for three players. Results showed increases in each type of shot once intervention was implemented.

Earnings Yield As A Predictor Of Return On Assets, Return On Equity, Economic Value Added And The Equity Multiplier, Rebecca Abraham, Judith Harris, Joel Auerbach

HCBE Faculty Presentations

This study identifies earnings yield as a measure of financial performance that is based on a firm’s ability to sell profitable goods. It excludes the irrationality that can confound market-based measures of financial performance by emphasizing a firm’s ability to earn profits as the indicator of superior performance. For the full sample, the differential effects of earnings yield on return on assets, return on equity, stock returns, economic value added and the equity multiplier are determined for firms of different size and volatility. The analysis is conducted both across industries and within the oil and gas, computer software, biotechnology and …

Ada News - 03/20/2017, American Dental Association, Publishing Division

ADA News

Established in 1970 as the official newspaper of the American Dental Association, the ADA News serves practicing dentists and others allied to the dental profession in the U.S. and internationally. It is the No. 1 source of news and information about the many benefits and services the ADA delivers to members daily as well as timely information on scientific, social, political and economic developments affecting dentistry and health care.

Strategies For Value Creation Through Sustainable Manufacturing, Fazleena Badurdeen, Ibrahim S. Jawahir

Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing Faculty Publications

Making the business case and establishing strategic directions for sustainable manufacturing requires a collaborative effort. Strategic capabilities that can help create sustainable value for all stakeholders must be identified. Technologies and methodologies to provide these capabilities for implementation must then be developed, through public-private partnerships. This paper presents major business imperatives and strategic capabilities necessary to enable value creation through sustainable manufacturing identified based on extensive engagement with business leaders and industry professionals as well as academic experts and government agency representatives. The paper also presents a future vision for sustainable products, processes and systems that can be derived from …

Investment Bank Expertise In Cross-Border Mergers And Acquisitions, Matteo P. Arena, Michael Dewally

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

We study the influence of country expertise of investment banks in facilitating cross‐border merger deals by analyzing a large international sample of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals. We provide evidence that the geographical proximity, cultural affinity, and local experience of investment banks advising bidding firms on cross‐border M&A deals significantly increase the probability of completion of the deal, significantly decrease the time required to complete the deal, and significantly increase the operating performance of the acquiring firm after the deal. Our results are robust to firm, deal, country‐specific factors, and endogeneity concerns.

Sustainable Manufacturing Performance Evaluation: Integrating Product And Process Metrics For Systems Level Assessment, Aihua Huang, Fazleena Badurdeen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper builds on the previously developed product sustainability index (ProdSI) and process sustainability index (ProcSI), and presents a framework for sustainable manufacturing performance evaluation at the systems level. The framework is then used to propose a comprehensive set of metrics for the enterprise level following a five-stage metrics hierarchy (individual metrics, sub-clusters, clusters, sub-index and index). The 6R concept (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, redesign and remanufacture), total life-cycle emphasis, and triple bottom line (TBL) are considered for selecting relevant metrics. Finally, the metrics are integrated to develop an index for enterprise level sustainability assessment and …

2017-March-20-Sga Civility Celebration, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

A Needs-Ictd Strategy Alignment Foundation For The Measurement Of Ictd Impact: Three Case Studies In South Africa, Gugulethu Q. Baduza, Caroline P. Khene

The African Journal of Information Systems

Access to ICTD projects has increased over the years; however, they have not significantly changed the lives of the targeted communities. This discrepancy relates to the gap that exists between the reality of the community, its needs and the ICTD strategy of the project. This research paper presents a Needs-ICTD strategy alignment framework to support the alignment of ICTD strategy, and the development and promotion of contextual needs of marginalized areas. The framework also contributes to the identification of preliminary impact indicators, which can support impact assessment. Through a multi-case study investigation of the Siyakhula Living Lab and the SAP …

It Services Offshoring To Africa: Assessing The Attractiveness And Readiness Of Nigeria, Joshua O. Omoju

The African Journal of Information Systems

This paper presents one of the first comprehensive analyses of Nigeria’s future readiness and attractiveness as a potential destination for IT-enabled services offshoring. The paper examines existing literature on IT services offshoring to Africa, and presents results from in-depth evaluation of seven important location selection criteria. The study indicates that while Nigeria appears to be making progress in many areas, the country is neither yet ready nor attractive as an offshoring destination. Nevertheless, the analysis suggests that Nigeria might already be on the path to attaining readiness in the future. However, significant hurdles will need to be surmounted if Nigeria …

Ict Infrastructure And It’S Impact On National Development: A Research Direction For Africa, Felix Bankole Dr, Lucas Mimbi

The African Journal of Information Systems

Discussions on Development that encompasses how ICTs can make a difference in climate, political, health disturbances and business environment require a multidisciplinary approach which demand contributions from IS community, the private sector, development agencies, practitioner and other academia. This would enable the development community to identify the objectives of technology for empowerment and how they should be achieved in the practice of national development. This study serves as a response to the call for more macro/micro level policy research on the role of ICT on national development. The paper reviews the previous research in this domain and proposes a research …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: March 17, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 2.08% during February of 2017. The indicator also rose rapidly in January. The two increases indicate that economic growth will be strong in Nebraska during the second half of 2017. Among the components of the indicator, business expectations were very strong during February. Further, initial claims for unemployment insurance declined during the month, a sign of a strengthening labor market. The value of the U.S. dollar also fell during February, which is a positive sign for Nebraska’s export-oriented businesses.

2017-March-17-Maternal And Child Health, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.