Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Strategies To Reduce The Impact Of Disruptions In Manufacturing Transportation Supply Chains, John Enyabe Ndone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Supply chain managers in the manufacturing transportation industry grapple with reducing the impact of disruptions in transportation supply chains since 50% of U.S. companies have experienced between six to 20 disruptions per year. Ineffective transportation disruption strategies negatively impact the performance and profitability of manufacturing organizations resulting in losses and business failure. Grounded in Goldratt’s philosophy and thinking process of the Theory of Constraints (TOC), the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore successful strategies supply chain managers in the manufacturing transportation industry used to reduce the impact of disruptions in transportation supply chains. The participants …

Strategies For Catalyzing Supply Chain Innovation In Midsized Manufacturing Firms, Matthew J. Szukalowski Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain inflexibility results in reduced efficiency and profitability. Without supply chain flexibility, supply chain managers in manufacturing firms risk the loss of competitive advantage due to reduced efficiency and profitability. Grounded in business process engineering conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies supply chain leaders in manufacturing organizations use to achieve supply chain flexibility. The participants were five supply chain leaders in the manufacturing industry in the midwestern United States and successfully implemented innovative solutions to achieve supply chain flexibility. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents …

Successful Recruitment And Retention Strategies Used By Logistics Hiring Managers, Anna Ouattara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover results in increased employers’ costs and a decrease in profitability. Transportation hiring managers who lack strategies to recruit and retain employees risk higher employee turnover, resulting in reduced profitability. Grounded in Herzberg’s two factory theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies transportation hiring managers use to recruit and retain employees to reduce employee turnover and improve profitability. The participants were three transportation hiring managers from three transportation companies in Eagan, Minnesota, who successfully implemented strategies resulting in employee retention. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a review of company documents. Data …

Parents' And Caregivers' Attitudes About Child Passenger Safety, Latoya Wider

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of childhood injury and death in the United States. Many car seats are installed incorrectly, and many children under the age of 6 are seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age of child, age of parent/caregiver, attitudes, and behaviors of child passenger safety among parents and caregivers in South Carolina. The influence of age and attitude on consistent car seat use was also examined. The study was based on the theory of planned behavior. A survey design featuring questions …

Forward-Looking Strategies For Safely Adopting Digital Transformation In Aviation, Melissa King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aviation leaders in the U.S. federal government face challenges in adopting technical evolution and advancing modernization while adhering to the rigor of a deeply entrenched safety culture. The purpose of this qualitative modified Delphi study was to determine how a panel of 21 aerospace experts based in Washington, DC viewed strategies for adopting to new technologies while ensuring safety. The management concepts that framed the study were safety culture and digital transformation. The study addressed the research question of how a panel of aviation experts viewed the desirability, feasibility, and importance of forward-looking strategies for adopting digital transformation while adhering …

Technology Innovation Strategies Supply Chain Managers Adopt To Improve Product Marketing And Profitability, George Richard Rapciewicz Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improperly planned capital investments in new technologies could result in lost productivity for e-procurement and supply chain managers in the e-commerce industries. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the qualitative multiple case study design was used to explore strategies business managers use to adopt technology innovations to improve product marketing and profitability. Participants were five supply chain business managers and owners from five separate organizations in the southwestern region of the United States. Data were collected via responses submitted through Google Forms and emails, written logs, telephone calls, and recorded audio. Thematic analysis resulted in two key themes: perceived ease …

Strategies For Catalyzing Supply Chain Innovation In Midsized Manufacturing Firms, Matthew J. Szukalowski Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain inflexibility results in reduced efficiency and profitability. Without supply chain flexibility, supply chain managers in manufacturing firms risk the loss of competitive advantage due to reduced efficiency and profitability. Grounded in business process engineering conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies supply chain leaders in manufacturing organizations use to achieve supply chain flexibility. The participants were five supply chain leaders in the manufacturing industry in the midwestern United States and successfully implemented innovative solutions to achieve supply chain flexibility. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents …

Strategies To Reduce Flight Attendant Voluntary Turnover, Jorge Tobar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Flight attendant voluntary turnover can lead to staffing shortages that can cause severe disruptions to flight schedules, damage the airlines’ reputations, and negatively affect revenues, which are significant challenges for airline leaders. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies airline leaders use to reduce flight attendant voluntary turnover. Data were collected from four leaders from four U.S. airlines in the southwestern United States using semistructured interviews and reviews of organizational documents. Five themes emerged from thematic analysis: improving compensation and benefits packages, implementing rewards and recognition programs, increasing supervisory support, expanding …

Strategies For Reducing Occupational Stress On Cabin Crewmembers In The Airline Industry, Wendy N. Lindsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Occupational stress threatens airline cabin crew and passengers’ health and safety. Airline leaders who lack strategies to address occupational stress may experience adverse impacts on cabin crew health, organizational efficiency, and overall aviation safety. Grounded in the job demands-resources theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that upper-level airline leaders used to reduce occupational stress on cabin crewmembers. The participants were five upper-level airline leaders with more than 10 years of airline experience. Data were collected via semistructured interviews, organizational documents, and company records. Three themes emerged from Yin’s five-step approach: inflight training for generating …

Disenfranchised Residents’ Perceptions Of The Public Transportation Accessibility-Job Opportunity Mismatch In San Bernardino, California, Maggi Elgeziry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPeople access employment opportunities at a more affordable rate by using public transportation. In San Bernardino, California, poverty, minority populations, and low-skilled individuals all exceed national rates. This research explored how a cheap and reliable means of transportation would facilitate access to job opportunities that would otherwise be relatively expensive for this disadvantaged population to access. Research has documented the benefit of public transportation in communities where public transportation is pivotal in helping disadvantaged populations access job opportunities. Common good theory (CGT) was used to explain the shared benefit that communities reap when working together for a common socioeconomic purpose. …

Strategies To Decrease Disorder And Diminishing Transit Ridership Through Fare Enforcement, Stephen Matthew Boehm

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractUrban rail transit systems are experiencing a decrease in ridership in part due to the perception of increased crime and disorder. To ensure passengers continue riding rail transportation, agency leaders must develop strategies to decrease crime and disorder caused by fare evasion. Grounded in the Kano model and Lean Six Sigma, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies urban rail transit leaders use to reduce declining ridership associated with a perceived disorder caused by fare evasion. Data were collected using semistructured interviews of six urban rail transit leaders who manage fare enforcement efforts and a review …

Strategies For Retaining Employees In The Trucking Industry, Dionne Bell- Pursley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover is a recurring problem in organizations, affecting performance and productivity while depleting organizational resources. High driver turnover rates raise a company’s operating costs and reduce driver productivity, service quality, and highway safety in the trucking industry. When trucking industry leaders understand such factors, they can develop and implement strategies to increase truck driver retention. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory and supported by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies trucking company leaders use to increase truck driver retention. The participants included eight executives from trucking companies in the southeast …

Transnational Threats To Maritime Systems And Seaport Security, Eric L. Hampton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An assessment of a 16-year period since the 9/11 attacks indicated that more than 14,000 security breaches in which security measures at seaports were circumvented due to vulnerabilities occurred and more than 24,000 suspicious activity reports were made. The susceptibility of United States’ seaports to groups engaged in criminal activities, including drug trafficking, cargo theft, and smuggling of contraband and people undermines security practices and renders the nation vulnerable to acts of terrorism. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore seaport security measures to identify and understand internal and external factors that may impact protection practices at U.S. …

Social Exclusion And Community Severance In Impoverished Neighborhoods, Melissa Kerry Stickel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transportation infrastructure, such as highways and interstates, creates a barrier that can physically limit access to those living in adjacent neighborhoods, a phenomenon known as community severance. In addition to creating a physical disconnect, these infrastructures can leave residents feeling socially isolated and excluded from the rest of the community. This qualitative single-case study focused on social exclusion and community severance and problems arising from the U.S. transportation network, addressing the development of the interstate system and its possible impacts on communities. The exclusionary effects of transportation-related severance were well supported in the literature. However, most of research had been …

Achieving Profitability In Global Small Business Supply Chain Management, Cheryl A. Mccloud

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain managers of small and medium-sized enterprises face cost inefficiencies in meeting human, physical, and technology capital requirements. Small and medium-sized enterprise supply chain managers who fail to implement cost-efficiency strategies risk jeopardizing profitability. Grounded in the chaos theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the successful strategies SME supply chain managers used to create cost efficiencies to remain profitable. Participants were 3 corporate supply chain managers of a small and medium-sized international enterprise located in central Florida who were successful at creating cost efficiencies to remain profitable. The data collection process included face-to-face …

Strategies Road Freight Transport Leaders Use To Increase Driver Retention, Johnny Mumphrey Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The turnover of skilled over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers in the road freight transportation (RFT) industry results in significant yearly financial losses to organizations across the United States. Leaders in the industry continue to struggle to develop successful strategies for retaining these drivers. Grounded in the motivation hygiene theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies 5 transformational leaders from two RFT firms in North Texas used to improve OTR driver retention. Data collection included semi structured face-to-face interviews, a review of company webpages, and an assessment of company documents (e.g., employee handbooks, training manuals, and vision …

Supply Chain Managers' Reverse Logistics Strategies To Control Cost Through Risk Mitigation, Lawrence A. Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain managers in the food and beverage industry face significant challenges regarding the use of effective reverse logistics strategies to reduce supply chain disruptions, control risk, and reduce costs. Through the lens of resource dependence theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore reverse logistics strategies used by supply chain managers in the United States to control cost through risk mitigation. Participants in this study included 5 supply chain managers in the food and beverage distribution industry in the state of Georgia who implemented successful reverse logistics strategies to control cost through risk mitigation. Data were …

Strategies To Increase Profitability And Longevity Of Small Trucking Businesses, Derrick Olando Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Typically, small businesses have encountered issues with sustaining their enterprise for longer than 5 years after inception, which can adversely affect the prosperity of the communities in which the businesses operate. The purpose of this multiple case study was to identify and explore strategies some owners of small business trucking companies used to achieve profitability and longevity for longer than 5 years. The population of the study consisted of owners of 4 small business trucking companies located in Northern Virginia, who demonstrated profitability and longevity for longer than 5 years of operation. The conceptual framework for this study was systems …

Recruiting Strategies For Increasing The Number Of Emergency Medical Technician Personnel, Carolyn Denise Mack

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Demand for the emergency medical technician (EMT) is 2 times greater than that of all other occupations. Sustainability of ambulance services (AS) personnel is dependent upon the recruitment of EMTs into the industry. The purpose of this multiple case study was the exploration of the recruiting strategies that AS administrators used to increase the number of EMTs. Herzberg's 2 factor theory of motivation was the conceptual framework for this study. The data collection instrument included semistructured interviews with 6 AS company executives in southeastern New Mexico and southwestern Texas. Secondary data and document from each state's emergency medical services personnel …

The Adoption And Diffusion Of The Air Taxi/Air Charter Travel Innovation, Joseph Paul Leader

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inefficient use and knowledge of direct, on-demand air taxi/air charter flights in the United States was the topic of this dissertation. The general problem studied was the inefficient use of air transportation options by business travelers in the United States. The specific problem was how business travelers in the United States learn of and thereby elect to embrace a newer air travel option. Using Rogers's diffusion of innovations theory as the framework, the dissemination of air travel choices made by business travelers using ImagineAir air taxi service in the United States was explored via a qualitative case study research …

Retention Strategies For Millennial Long-Haul Truck Drivers, Debra A. Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A persistent truck driver shortage and high driver turnover at common carriers limit the effectiveness of some U.S. supply chains. Most driver vacancies result from job hopping, especially among younger drivers. A multiple case study was conducted to explore strategies that some leaders of U.S. common carriers have used to retain millennial-age long-haul truck drivers. Data sources consisted of semistructured, in-person and phone/videoconference interviews; participant observations; and company documents. The sample population was 9 leaders from 6 different common carriers with operations in the southwestern region of the United States who successfully retained millennial long-haul drivers. The conceptual framework was …

Relationship Between Airline Category, Geographical Region, And Safety Performance, Peter Simpson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Passengers rank safety as a key factor in airline choice. Thus, safety performance impacts an airline's ability to attract customers. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship and difference between airline category low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service carriers (FSCs), geographical region, and safety performance measured by accident rates. The target population comprised all airlines in all countries that had an accident during the 14-year period 2004 to 2017. Data consisted of archival data of all global airline accidents and airline departure frequencies for the 14-year period. The theory of organizational accidents in complex sociotechnical systems explains …

Contributing Factors Of Obesity Among Over-The-Road Truckers, Shari Weiss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity among over-the-road truckers (OTRs) is an epidemic creating significant public health issues among this population. The consequences of obesity (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) put both truckers' health and their medical clearance at significant risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender, physical activity, diet, and sleep on obesity among OTRs. Through a socioecological lens, this study examined whether obesity is significantly impacted by gender, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. This study also examined the impact of the trucking environment on obesity. The study used a quantitative research design and data were collected through a …

Effects Of Ceo Changes On Senior Management Leadership Teams Of U.S. Airports, Gale Larine Laroche

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Changes in the top leadership position in U.S. airports occur frequently. The purpose of the present phenomenological study was to understand the shared, lived experiences of senior managers who work in a U.S. airport and who have undergone a change in the top leadership position. Airports are of critical importance to their local regions and communities and are economic engines for their respective regions. The results of the study may provide positive social change for airport staff and the surrounding community by drawing attention to the complexity in leadership transition. The study was grounded in organizational stress, uncertainty theory of …

Environmental Factors Associated With Body Mass Index Among Long Haul Truck Drivers, Charlotte Hughes Huntley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2009–2010, the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults was 40%, and the prevalence was 69% among long haul truck drivers. Researchers have not established a clear relationship between working environment and weight among truck drivers. This quantitative cross-sectional study, using an ecological framework, evaluated the relationship between the working environment (sleep performance, food choices, driving environment, and activity level) and weight severity (e.g., body mass index [BMI]) among long haul truck drivers. One hundred and twenty six adults (46 + 10, years of age), including both genders (male = 97 and females = 29) completed an online questionnaire evaluating …

Airline Pilots In Recovery From Alcoholism: A Quantitative Study Of Cognitive Change, Heather Christina Hamilton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In order to perform their duties, airline pilots must have no clinical diagnosis of mental illness or any substance use disorder. However, provisions have been in place since the 1970s that provide for a return to work for airline pilots with alcohol problems. To date, over 5,000 airline pilots have undergone rehabilitation for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and successfully returned to work. An important gap in the literature remains with regard to what extent improvements in cognitive performance may be experienced by airline pilots who complete treatment and to what extent age influences the amount of change. This study examined …

European Airport Concessions: Retail Strategies To Improve Commercial Revenue From Leisure Travelers, René W. B. Puls

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aeronautical revenue from landing and handling charges to carriers is falling significantly below 60% of total revenue and will not persist as the main source of income for airports. Airports in Europe cannot continue to rely on profits from airlines; operating companies need to improve the competitiveness through commercial income from different traveler types. The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand the elements of successful sales strategies by concessionaires (retailers) at the metropolitan airport system of Zurich and Basel in hopes of improving the nonaeronautical revenue from leisure travelers, a price-sensitive customer segment. The conceptual framework was …

Interagency Coordination Of Security Operations In A Large U.S. Seaport, Edmund Levy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Protecting U.S. transportation hubs against a wide variety of security threats, while avoiding undue interference with the normal operations of the hubs, is one of the greatest challenges facing security agencies. The problem addressed in this study was the limited information on the contributing factors to seaport security. The purpose of this case study was to explore issues that can inhibit efficiency of security agency operation and collaboration and to identify actions that have enhanced collaboration. Based on theories of organizational development, leadership, and security tradecraft, this study examined the activities related to maintenance of security at a large California …

Risks Of Driving While Talking On Mobile Devices: Soccer Parents' Perceptions, Tonisha Dawn Joyner-Bagby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of motor vehicle accidents that occur as a result of driving while talking on

mobile devices increases each year. Distracted driving is dangerous; however, policy

researchers have not focused on adults who talk on mobile devices as they drive children

to and from daily events. This study focused on the experiences of soccer parents, an

important focus because of soccer's year-long duration that requires a large amount of

driving in addition to the other daily tasks of parenting. The purpose of this

phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions of parents of child soccer

players regarding the motivations …

Business Strategies To Improve On-Time Deliveries And Profits In Southcentral Alaska, Donald Richard Leaver Ii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traffic congestion can cause late deliveries, decreased profits from vehicle fuel idling in traffic, and delayed distribution in tight delivery windows. The focus of this study was on developing strategies that business leaders could use to increase on-time deliveries. The conceptual frameworks for this case study were systems theory, traffic equilibrium theory, bathtub theory, and kinematic wave theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 6 delivery service leaders from 3 delivery businesses in Southcentral Alaska. In addition, secondary data were collected from government information. Interview responses were coded to identify trends including delivery time, business activity, and amount of …