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Articles 1 - 30 of 124
Full-Text Articles in Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Innovation Challenges In The Air Force Sbir Program: From The Small Businesses’ Perspective, Hart J. Holt, Amy M. Cox, Scott Drylie, David S. Long, Alfred E. Thal Jr., R. David Fass
Innovation Challenges In The Air Force Sbir Program: From The Small Businesses’ Perspective, Hart J. Holt, Amy M. Cox, Scott Drylie, David S. Long, Alfred E. Thal Jr., R. David Fass
Faculty Publications
Every year the United States invests $3.2 billion in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to promote innovation among the nation’s small businesses. Half of this investment is from the DoD. This research considers the challenges faced by small businesses innovating with the DoD, particularly those awarded SBIR contracts with the United States Air Force. The authors surveyed 286 unique small businesses that were previously awarded an Air Force SBIR contract. By asking the survey respondents open-ended questions and categorizing their responses, they pinpoint unaddressed challenges from the small business perspective. By categorizing survey responses through Qualitative Content Analysis, …
Performance-Based Contracts: Discovering The Role Of Pbc In Resilience, Justin P. D'Agostino
Performance-Based Contracts: Discovering The Role Of Pbc In Resilience, Justin P. D'Agostino
Theses and Dissertations
The lifecycle sustainment costs for complex and expensive systems (e.g., aircraft, ships, or manufacturing equipment) often exceed their purchase costs. Reducing sustainment costs, even by a fraction, can create competitive advantages for the system owner. The operations and supply chain management (O&SCM) field asserts that this competitive advantage in life cycle sustainment operations is achievable through performance-based contracts. However, empirical validation of this assertion is required. This research investigates performance-based contracts to validate their asserted impact on sustainment operations and develops a branch of research to understand their role in organizational and supply chain resilience. This research consists of three …
A Comparative Study Of The Business Models Used In The U.S. And Saudi Arabia Firms In Relation To Venture Capital, Abdulmajeed Ali Alkthiri
A Comparative Study Of The Business Models Used In The U.S. And Saudi Arabia Firms In Relation To Venture Capital, Abdulmajeed Ali Alkthiri
Theses and Dissertations
While venture capital (VC) has expanded globally, challenges in comparing international VC strategies remain due to data limitations and theoretical variability. This study contrasts VC investment philosophies, support mechanisms, and exit strategies in mature US firms with those in developing Saudi Arabia from 2016-2021. Analyzing fundraising, sector focus, deal volume, and exit outcomes, it finds significant differences attributed to ecosystem maturity, with some convergence in contracting and mentoring. The findings highlight the need for US VC models to adapt strategically in Islamic markets, suggesting regulatory reforms for market development. This research provides guidelines for effective cross-border VC strategy adaptation.
Public-Private Partnerships (Ppps) In The Defense-Critical Semiconductor Industry: A History And Firm Level Analysis, Holden J. Holt
Public-Private Partnerships (Ppps) In The Defense-Critical Semiconductor Industry: A History And Firm Level Analysis, Holden J. Holt
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis provides 3 contributions to the literature of semiconductor industry industrial policy. The thesis (1) provides a historical overview of industrial policy within the U.S. semiconductor industry, (2) measures semiconductor public-private partnership (PPP) participation and (3) measures firm functions’ impact on firm level performance. PPP participation data was gathered from a sample of 10 semiconductor PPPs. Firm level performance data was collected from 66 public, U.S., SIC 3674 “Semiconductor and Related Devices” firms from 2014 to 2022, and a random effects, fixed effects, and pooled ordinary least squares regression was conducted on an unbalanced panel data set of 524 …
End-User Device Management In The Air And Space Forces, Joshua Bonvissuto
End-User Device Management In The Air And Space Forces, Joshua Bonvissuto
Theses and Dissertations
When achieving technical superiority is a matter a national security, it is critical that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) employs a robust Information Technology Asset Management (ITAM) strategy that maximizes mission effectiveness. Since 2022, the Office of the Chief Information Officer (SAF/CN) has been developing a plan to transform the Air Force’s ITAM strategy, primarily intending to centralize End User Device (EUD) procurement to the DAF level. For this study, a Delphi study was conducted to gather expert opinions on key aspects of SAF/CN’s new ITAM strategy to identify strengths, weaknesses, and implementation challenges. This research provides valuable …
Level 2 Work Breakdown Structure Cost Growth Analysis, Kyle P. Marquis
Level 2 Work Breakdown Structure Cost Growth Analysis, Kyle P. Marquis
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis analyzes first and second level WBS elements of 59 historical USAF Acquisition Category I RDT&E programs for accuracy and influence on the overall program cost growth. For the accuracy analysis portion, the mean, 15th, and 85th percentiles of common practice estimates at completion are compared with the same percentiles for distributions generated using the data. The results reveal a trend of substantial underestimation of risks associated with cost overruns. For the influence portion, this thesis analyzes the effect that cost growth trends of different second level WBS elements have on cost growth of the overall program through regression …
Human Capital Impacts In Military Acquisition, David K. Smith
Human Capital Impacts In Military Acquisition, David K. Smith
Theses and Dissertations
The Department of Defense has historically struggled to control both cost and schedule growth within acquisitions programs. Many studies have investigated these issues, but very few have explored the impact of human capital in improving performance outcomes. This study provides a description of current acquisition team manning and performs contingency table analysis to evaluate the impact of personnel, base, and ACAT on cost and schedule performance. The results of the study suggest that personnel has little to no impact on performance metrics of any kind, indicating that teams are allocated effectively. The study also suggests that ACAT 3 programs are …
Applying Digital Engineering To Defense Acquisitions Through Model-Based Systems Engineering And Discrete Event Simulation, Michael T. Shutlock
Applying Digital Engineering To Defense Acquisitions Through Model-Based Systems Engineering And Discrete Event Simulation, Michael T. Shutlock
Theses and Dissertations
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) faces a critical challenge as acquisition professionals strive to grasp the intricacies of the acquisition process. This study proposes an innovative approach to cultivate a more informed and capable acquisition workforce through the integration of digital engineering, specifically Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) toolsets. Embracing digital transformation with MBSE provides a comprehensive understanding, implementing step-by-step procedures with an interface designed to handle vast amounts of information differently. The merging of MBSE's visual modeling with DES's dynamic simulation offers a holistic view, empowering acquisition professionals with robust planning and risk management …
Analyzing Earned Value Management For Long Duration Development Efforts, Bradley L. Vuu
Analyzing Earned Value Management For Long Duration Development Efforts, Bradley L. Vuu
Theses and Dissertations
Earned Value Management (EVM) is an integral tool for the success of many programs by allowing the assessment of cost and schedule performance via its metrics. However, the accuracy of these metrics depends on programspecific factors such as phase and contract type. The purpose of this research is to analyze the stability of Estimates at Completion (EACs) for long duration development efforts. Prior research by Christensen in 1996 on EAC stability for development and production contracts was replicated by Kim, White, Ritschel, and Millette in 2019 and found differing results using modern data. This research found that for development efforts …
A Computer And Processor Analysis: Developing Cost Relationships And Factors Of Satellite Subsystems, Dawson J. Vasconi
A Computer And Processor Analysis: Developing Cost Relationships And Factors Of Satellite Subsystems, Dawson J. Vasconi
Theses and Dissertations
By establishing the United States Space Force in 2019, the United States recognized the space domain as a primary focus and prioritized the rapid fielding, amplification, and development of their space enterprise. One step to dominate the domain is to efficiently manage costs within the USSF space satellite portfolio. To achieve this step, it is paramount to understand the importance of lower-level cost driving components, like microelectronics, within the work breakdown structure (WBS) of each space satellite program. In this thesis, one area of cost-driving microelectronic is investigated within the lower-level of the WBS: computers and processors. These components on …
Analyzing Cost Risk In Department Of Defense Program Office Estimates, Todd L. Millard
Analyzing Cost Risk In Department Of Defense Program Office Estimates, Todd L. Millard
Theses and Dissertations
This research studies cost risk for Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs during development and has three overarching objectives: 1) analyze the degree of change in cost risk (quantified as risk dollars) as programs mature, 2) analyze the accuracy of cost risk estimates (quantified as risk error) as programs progress, and 3) adopt risk analysis techniques common in the commercial banking industry to analyze cost risk in DoD programs. For the first objective, some evidence of significant positive trends in relative risk dollars is found for ACAT 1, 2, and 3 programs. For the second objective, there is no strong …
Qualitative Insights From Dod's Cost Community: Data Visualization Challenges And Recommendations, Izel N. Reyes
Qualitative Insights From Dod's Cost Community: Data Visualization Challenges And Recommendations, Izel N. Reyes
Theses and Dissertations
Data visualization plays a significant role in decision-making for military leadership. Cost organizations create and utilize data visualizations to reap cost-saving benefits, boost productivity, and expedite task processes. Our research aims to support the development of such tools and provide insights from cost leadership. To do this, we conducted semi-structured interviews with cost professionals to learn how cost professionals manage and view their data, as well as what day-to-day challenges they face while working in the cost community. We used grounded theory for the interview process to detect common trends and attempted to generate new theory from the interview data. …
Refining Contract Management: Essays On Relational Contracting, Transaction Costs, And Text Analysis, Timothy E. Landucci
Refining Contract Management: Essays On Relational Contracting, Transaction Costs, And Text Analysis, Timothy E. Landucci
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation refines defense contracting by addressing aspects of managing contractual relationships. While the setting and data relate to defense contracts, the lessons can be expanded to nonprofit contracting beyond defense and even to contract management in general. First it presents a game theoretic model of a relational contract between a for-profit supplier and a non-profit buyer and explores how the model could be used to promote stability, manage costs, enhance cooperation, and encourage long-term capacity. The dissertation then explores governance alignment using transaction cost economics (TCE) and Department of the Air Force contracting data. One analysis uses data from …
A Case For An Independent Cyber Force, Ian C. Heffron, Mark Reith, James W. Dean
A Case For An Independent Cyber Force, Ian C. Heffron, Mark Reith, James W. Dean
Faculty Publications
Although cyberspace is considered the newest warfighting domain, military analysts and scholars have opined the United States remains woefully behind its peers in cyberspace and have called for the creation of a separate cyber service component. Yet a cohesive and robust discussion on this topic has yet to emerge. This article proposes a general framework that builds on the Joint doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) analysis to address questions of sufficiency and necessity. Such analysis reveals DoD cyber operations do not maximize the United States’ ability to fight a cyber war, especially when …
A Learning Curve Model Accounting For The Flattening Effect In Production Cycles, Evan R. Boone, John J. Elshaw, Clay M. Koschnick, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Adedeji B. Badiru
A Learning Curve Model Accounting For The Flattening Effect In Production Cycles, Evan R. Boone, John J. Elshaw, Clay M. Koschnick, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Adedeji B. Badiru
Faculty Publications
We investigate production cost estimates to identify and model modifications to a prescribed learning curve. Our new model examines the learning rate as a decreasing function over time as opposed to a constant rate that is frequently used. The purpose of this research is to determine whether a new learning curve model could be implemented to reduce the error in cost estimates for production processes. A new model was created that mathematically allows for a “flattening effect,” which typically occurs later in the production process. This model was then compared to Wright’s learning curve, which is a popular method used …
Use Of Factors In Development Estimates: Improving The Cost Analysis Toolkit, Matthew R. Markman, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Edward D. White
Use Of Factors In Development Estimates: Improving The Cost Analysis Toolkit, Matthew R. Markman, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Edward D. White
Faculty Publications
Factor Estimating is a technique commonly used by defense acquisition analysts to develop cost estimations. However, previous studies developing factors for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the life cycle are limited. This research expands the current toolkit for cost analysts by developing cost factors in previously unexplored areas. More specifically, over 400 cost reports are utilized to create new standard cost factors that are delineated by five categories: commodity type, contract type, contractor type, development type, and Service. The factors are developed for those elements that are common in a wide array of projects such as program …
Agile Software Development: Creating A Cost Of Delay Framework For Air Force Software Factories, J. Goljan, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Scott Drylie, Edward D. White
Agile Software Development: Creating A Cost Of Delay Framework For Air Force Software Factories, J. Goljan, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Scott Drylie, Edward D. White
Faculty Publications
The Air Force software development environment is experiencing a paradigm shift. The 2019 Defense Innovation Board concluded that speed and cycle time must become the most important software metrics if the US military is to maintain its advantage over adversaries.1 This article proposes utilizing a cost-of-delay (CoD) framework to prioritize projects toward optimizing readiness. Cost-of-delay is defined as the economic impact resulting from a delaying product delivery or, said another way, opportunity cost. In principle, CoD assesses the negative impacts resulting from changes to the priority of a project.
Three Views For Explaining And Resolving The Recruitment And Retention Challenges Of The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Eod) Career Field, John A. Johnson
Three Views For Explaining And Resolving The Recruitment And Retention Challenges Of The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Eod) Career Field, John A. Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
Retention among the Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) career field has been a concern since the start of the war on terror. Now, as recruiting quotas are not being met, that concern is growing for senior leaders. In the coming years, retention and recruitment will be of the utmost importance to ensure full mission capability. This research analyzes two streams of data, 15 years of manpower information and the results of a survey administered to first-term Airmen, to identify the variables that have the greatest impact on turnover. An additional dataset, personnel data from more than 2,000 EOD candidates, …
A Comparison Of Sbir Investment Methods: Afwerx Vs Legacy, Evan A. Gist
A Comparison Of Sbir Investment Methods: Afwerx Vs Legacy, Evan A. Gist
Theses and Dissertations
The AFWERX Open Topic (AOT) program uses funding from the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) budget to adapt commercial technology to USAF needs. The AOT approach to small business investment is markedly different from that of legacy SBIR investment methods. This research is a comparison of processes and outcomes for AOT and legacy SBIR. The first axis of comparison is on commercialization rates. Applying a legacy definition of commercialization on a sample of AOT contracts, we found AOT’s commercialization to be 37% (compared to an 8.8% for legacy SBIR). We caveat this finding by …
Commercialization Analysis Of Sbir Funded Technologies, Theodore A. Rask
Commercialization Analysis Of Sbir Funded Technologies, Theodore A. Rask
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program invests $2.2 billion annually into domestic innovation stimulation. The Department of Defense (DoD) contributes almost $1 billion of that investment; of which the Air Force accounts for 25%. Commercialization, either the transfer to programs of record or further industrial investment, is the program’s objective. Data from this research indicates that Air Force programs have a 7.6% commercialization rate; representing an opportunity to improve. Leveraging best practices from industry; this research provides a method to align investments with needed capabilities. This method exploits established user need taxonomies, the DoD Joint Capability Area …
Investigating Schedule Length Of Space And Missile Systems Center Contracts, Loyd A. Bradley Jr.
Investigating Schedule Length Of Space And Missile Systems Center Contracts, Loyd A. Bradley Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
Acquisition reform has long been the goal of the Department of Defense to save, recover and redistribute funds in an efficient manner. The Space and Missile Systems Center Program Management and Integration Directorate (SMC/PI) and Acquisitions Center of Excellence (ACE) have shared the same effort and have made strides to better their acquisition processes. Many different angles have been examined to try to discover cost and schedule growth however, little research has been done to find the drivers of schedule length. This research is aimed at finding contributing factors to the length of schedule of the pre-acquisition process. By using …
An Analysis Of Defense Contractor Profit Margin Percentages, Sara K. O'Connor
An Analysis Of Defense Contractor Profit Margin Percentages, Sara K. O'Connor
Theses and Dissertations
Profit earned by defense contractors is a controversial issue among government officials and the defense industry. It is recognized that profits earned by defense contractors are not strictly the product of the dynamics of a competitive market, but of federal profit statutes, contractual incentive schemes, the quality of government oversight, and in a market of less than full competition. As such, there is always concern of whether contractors are earning “excessive" profit -- through policy or failed oversight. The purpose of this research is to investigate the question of reasonable profits from one particular angle -- whether profit margins differ …
An Assessment Of The Air Force’S Return On Investment For Product Support Business Case Analysis Processes, Robert E. Tyson Jr.
An Assessment Of The Air Force’S Return On Investment For Product Support Business Case Analysis Processes, Robert E. Tyson Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
There have been many fiscal challenges over the years facing the Department of Defense (DOD). With these challenges, cost savings initiatives have become commonplace. To meet these fiscal challenges head-on, new policies to improve estimating and control costs have been implemented. Senior leaders within the cost analysis community are tasked with managing these changes while continuing to provide timely and accurate cost estimates. The purpose of this research is to focus on one of the more important cost savings initiatives -- Product Support Business Case Analyses (PS-BCA). Our research questions explore the current cost and impact of this DoD cost …
Selecting A Construction Contract Acquisition Strategy To Support Foreign Military Sales Facility Construction, Robert H. Shuler
Selecting A Construction Contract Acquisition Strategy To Support Foreign Military Sales Facility Construction, Robert H. Shuler
Theses and Dissertations
“Strengthening Alliances and Attracting New Partners” is one of the three Department of Defense’s primary lines of effort as outlined in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC) aides in the execution of this line of effort through the execution of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases. FMS cases vary in complexity depending on the type of end-item and the capabilities of the purchasing nation. AFSAC must balance multiple objectives and criteria to ensure the needs of the purchasing nation, the end-item, and U.S. government entities are met. A decision analysis model using …
U.S. Air Force Maintenance Group Aerial Ports: Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, And Threats, Parker H. Alford
U.S. Air Force Maintenance Group Aerial Ports: Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, And Threats, Parker H. Alford
Theses and Dissertations
In 2005 the Base Closure Realignment Commission and Secretary of Defense recommended joint basing; as an indirect result starting in 2009 and culminating the following year, Charleston, Dover, McChord, McGuire, and Travis maintenance groups (MXG) took command of aerial port squadrons (APS). Various entities have discussed at length the impact; however, there did not appear to be a documented hard look into the strengths, challenges, opportunities, and threats (SCOTs) which emerged. This study utilized the Delphi method to flesh out MXG APS SCOTs by anonymously surveying MXG and APS experts through three panel rounds. This study discovered and documented 24 …
A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Pilot Training Next, Talon M. Pope
A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Pilot Training Next, Talon M. Pope
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Air Force (USAF) is currently facing a 2,400-pilot shortage in an increasingly constrained budgetary environment. Without pilots to engage the enemy, deliver weapons, and provide logistics support for operations, the USAF could lose the ability to fly, fight, and win global engagements and defend the homeland. This study focused on Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) as a means of producing the USAF’s pilots to offset the current shortage. Specifically, this study compared UPT to the recently initiated Pilot Training-Next (PTN) program through a cost-benefit analysis. Like any new technology integration, PTN’s virtual reality training will require further study …
Analysis Of Cross-Cultural Training Efforts, Competencies And Implications, And How Cross-Cultural Competency Affects The Success Of Construction Projects On Air Force Installations Overseas, Katie L. Macgregor
Theses and Dissertations
US Air Force (AF) Civil Engineer (CE) Officers stationed at overseas bases lead and manage construction and engineering efforts for projects totaling billions of dollars annually. Budget overruns in the Department of Defense (DoD) and specifically the AF, have been under stringent investigation by government officials in recent years. 92% of CE Officers overseas work with local nationals (LN) and the host nation weekly or daily, but most receive less than 2 hours of formal cross-cultural training prior to arrival overseas. Host nation partners include foreign military, local contractors, LN workforce and local government agencies. Based on a previous Delphi …
Estimating Total Cost Of Ownership For United States Air Force Chiller Assets, William C. Berner
Estimating Total Cost Of Ownership For United States Air Force Chiller Assets, William C. Berner
Theses and Dissertations
In order to make the most cost-effective choice when purchasing high-value assets, organizations must be able to quantify and compare the costs associated with acquiring, maintaining and disposing the alternatives. Currently, the United States Air Force (USAF) Civil Engineer (CE) enterprise has no standardized model to accurately and efficiently predict the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the acquisition of new assets. As such, acquisition efforts throughout the enterprise are disjointed and performed without leveraging the considerable buying power wielded by an organization as large as the USAF. This research developed a TCO model using a standard, dollar-based approach that …
Evaluating The Air Force Inspection System, Luis D. Rosado-Medina
Evaluating The Air Force Inspection System, Luis D. Rosado-Medina
Theses and Dissertations
SAF/IG implemented the Air Force Inspection System (AFIS) in 2013 following a USAFE pilot study into its potential for implementation across the Air Force. Using responsive constructive evaluation and content analysis of interviews as a methodology, AFIS was evaluated against the objectives laid out in AFPAD13-01. 18 interviews were conducted on 4 stakeholder groups across the inspection enterprise, which resulted in 4 overarching themes: Culture Shifts, Self-Assessment, Higher Headquarters Relationships, and PAD Objectives. This research allows SAF/IG to implement changes to future versions of AFIS that incorporates views from the field.
A Study Of Military Health Care Costs: Direct Versus Purchased Care In A Geographical Region, Lindsey N. Mcevoy
A Study Of Military Health Care Costs: Direct Versus Purchased Care In A Geographical Region, Lindsey N. Mcevoy
Theses and Dissertations
Health care expenses are one of the largest contributing factors to increased personnel costs, the fastest-rising component of the Department of Defense's budget. This research examines the cost implications of developing a new military treatment facility in a specified geographical region, in an effort to reduce military health care spending. Care received at a military treatment facility is referred to as direct care, while care received in the private sector is referred to as purchased care. This research leverages existing information on direct and purchased medical care to gain insights into the workload costs for medical care in a geographical …