...Dirt Bikes USA Running Case Study Bryan Gaine Melissa Kelly Brad Michels Erica Riley Table of Contents Management Analysis of a Business .....................................................................................4 Analyzing Financial Performance..........................................................................................5 Competitive Analysis .............................................................................................................7 Analyzing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Desktop Software Assets .......................8 New Customer Database Design ...........................................................................................9 Using Internet Tools to Increase Efficiency and Productivity ...............................................10 -2- Table of Charts Table 1: Dirt Bikes USA Sales History from 2001 to 2005 .................................................. 5 Table 2: Domestic vs. International Sales from 2001 to 2005 ...............................................6 Table 3: Statement of Income ................................................................................................6 Table 4: Software Suites ........................................................................................................8 Table 5: Customer Database ..................................................................................................9 Table 6: Internet Tools Matrix .............
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...WOMEN’S HIGH HEEL DISCOMFORT ANALYSIS AND PROTOTYPE SOLUTION A Senior Project submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in General Engineering And Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo by Kevin Blakley and Annamarie Kepple February 2013 Graded by: ______________ Date of Submission__________________________ Checked by: _____________ Approved by: _____________________________ Page 1 of 76 ABSTRACT WOMEN’S HIGH HEEL DISCOMFORT ANALYSIS AND SOLUTION Kevin Blakley and Annamarie Kepple Women love high heeled shoes, but this love comes at the cost of comfort. Wearing high heels causes a lot of pain and, in the long term, health complications. This project tries to overcome the problem by ultimately making high heels more comfortable. In order to do this, one must first understand the reasons that high heels are uncomfortable, such as arch angle, heel height, and the changes in walking motion. Once there is a true understanding of the factors that contribute to high heel discomfort, the design stage can begin. The design selected for this project was a wedge heel that contained compressive material. This design would improve user comfort in four different criteria. These criteria were arch angle, compression of the shoe, foot rotation, and ground contact surface area of the heel. After the working prototype was created, it was performance...
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...Health Status Experienced by Women with Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorders CATHERINE KIM, M.D., M.P.H..1 PHYLLIS BRAWARSKY, M.P.H.,2 REBECCA A. JACKSON, M.D.,3 ELENA FUENTES-AFFLICK, M.D., M.P.H.,4 and JENNIFER S. HAAS, M.D., M.S.P.H.2 ABSTRACT Objective: To examine changes in health status among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Methods: We examined perceived health status changes from the prepregnancy, as recalled at 12–20 weeks gestation, to the postpartum period in women with GDM (n 64) vs. unaffected gravidas (n 1233) and women diagnosed with PIH (n 148) vs. unaffected gravidas. We used patient survey and medical record data from a prospective cohort study. Health status measures included the Short Form-36 scales for physical function, vitality, and self-rated health and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Multivariate logistic regression models controlled for age, parity, race, education, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and exercise levels, food insufficiency, and GDM or PIH during a prior pregnancy. Results: Women with PIH more often reported a significant decline in vitality (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.23) and self-rated health (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.193.77) and an increase in depressive symptoms from prepregnancy to postpartum compared with unaffected women (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.11-3.05). Decline in self-rated health was partially...
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...Communications of the Association for Information Systems (Volume 15, 2004)713-729 713 INTRODUCING e-GOV: HISTORY, DEFINITIONS, AND ISSUES Åke Grönlund Örebro University, ake.gronlund@esi.oru.se Thomas A. Horan Claremont Graduate University, ABSTRACT The e-Gov field (also called Electronic Government, Digital Government, Electronic Governance, and similar names) emerged in the late 1990´s. Since then it spurred several scientific conferences and journals. Because the field grew considerably in size, both its contents and position with respect to other research fields and disciplines need to be explained and discussed. What is e-Gov? What is e-Gov research? What does it mean for the field of Information Systems? This paper briefly sketches the short eGov history and current status, and discusses the content of the field as it appears in current research. We conclude with a discussion of e-Gov as a research field of interest both as a new application area for IS theories and methods and as a source of new insight. Keywords: electronic government, governance I. INTRODUCTION The e-Gov (Electronic Government or Electronic Governance) field1 emerged in the late 1990´s as a context within which to share experiences among practitioners. Over the past few years eGov gave rise to several conferences with more and more scientific content. Some specialized journals now appear. Because the field grew to considerable size, both its contents and position with respect to other research fields...
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...there are some branding tasks which are specifically accomplished by marketing and branding departments or branding companies. One of these tasks is brand communications consisting of the selection and design of brand elements, advertising and online branding. This thesis focuses on a qualitative review of different aspects of brand communications, while discussing their role in branding. The main questions in this thesis are the role and considerations of brand elements, advertising and online activities in building brand equity. The findings of this thesis indicate that the selection of brand elements and advertising play a key role in building brand equity via three mediators: name awareness, brand perceptions and brand associations. In case of online activities, beside these three mediators, loyalty is the fourth mediator....
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...July 2002 • NREL/TP-550-30769 A Literature Review of the Effects of Natural Light on Building Occupants L. Edwards and P. Torcellini National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 July 2002 • NREL/TP-550-30769 A Literature Review of the Effects of Natural Light on Building Occupants L. Edwards and P. Torcellini Prepared under Task No. BEC2.4002 National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States...
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...Statements on Management Accounting PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING TITLE Value Chain Analysis for Assessing Competitive Advantage CREDITS This statement was approved for issuance as a Statement on Management Accounting by the Management Accounting Committee (MAC) of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). IMA appreciates the support of The Society of Management Accountants of Canada (SMAC) in helping create this SMA and extends appreciation to Joseph G. San Miguel, of the Naval Postgraduate School, who drafted the manuscript. Published by Institute of Management Accountants 10 Paragon Drive Montvale, NJ 07645-1760 www.imanet.org Special thanks are due to Randoif Holst, SMAC Manager, Management Accounting Guidelines, for his continuing project supervision and to the members of the focus group (including MAC members Dennis Daly and Thomas Huff) for contributing to the improvement of the final document. Copyright © 1996 Institute of Management Accountants All rights reserved Statements on Management Accounting PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING Value Chain Analysis for Assessing Competitive Advantage TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. III. IV. Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Value Chain Defined . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Competitive Advantage and Customer Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 V. The Role of the Management Accountant...
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... International Telecommunications Society • Sydney TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary1-5 1.1 Methodology / Economic Analysis 1-2 1.2 Reasons for Under-Investment in the Telecommunications Sector 1.3 Conclusions 1-3 2 Overview 2-1 2.1 Introduction 2-1 2.2 Purpose of this Paper 2-1 3 Methodology 3-1 3.1 Literature Review 3-1 3.1.1 Macroeconomic statistical studies 3.1.2 Policy Implications 3-6 3-3 4 Data 4-1 4.1 Data Deficiencies for Southern Africa 4-1 4.2 Data Problems 4-2 4.3 Limited data 4-2 5 Results 5-1 5.1 GDP and Telephone penetration 5-2 6 Conclusions Error! Bookmark not defined. 7 Selected Bibliography and References 7-1 1-2 4 International Telecommunications Society • Sydney "... telecommunications policies affect not only telecommunications..., but also the economic development... and social, cultural and political growth." Pekka Tarjanne1 1 Executive Summary 2 Many countries in the developing world must decide how to best allocate scarce resources for improved economic development. An ITU study of telecommunications and development, The Missing Link, concluded that "telecommunications can increase the efficiency of economic, commercial, and administrative activities, improve the effectiveness of social and emergency services and distribute the social, cultural and economic benefits of the process of development more equitably throughout the country." Although it is recognized...
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...Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training A Case Study of Scotland. Geno Trapaidze The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management University of Strathclyde A thesis submitted in part of the requirements for the degree of MSc in International Hospitality Management September, 2007. ABSTRACT 1 The purpose of this study is to examine the role of education and training and its impact on labour supply to the Scotland hospitality and tourism industry; what are the current issues are there? And how those issues can be minimised? Its also seeks to identify the relation between the customer satisfaction and the service employees via service quality for maintain the growth of the hospitality and tourism industry. It also tries to identify the current labour market issues of the hospitality and tourism sector in Scotland, and how these issues can be minimised. Research will be conducted through five individual interviews. This research should help the hospitality and tourism managers/employers understand the importance of retaining staff. Also it will aim to make educational institutions aware of the gap between the content and the design of their hospitality and tourism courses/degree programmes in relation to industry demand, as highlighted in relation to current labour market issues such as staff turnover rate, retention problems, and the image of the hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland. Key words: Service quality, staff turnover, poor image...
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...(pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Osteopathic medicine—United States—History. [DNLM: 1. Osteopathic Medicine—history—United States. WB 940 G396d 2004] I. Gevitz, Norman. D.O.’s. II. Title. RZ325.U6G48 2004 615.5′33′0973—dc21 2003012874 A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Frontispiece courtesy of the Still National Osteopathic Museum, Kirksville, Missouri. For Kathryn Gevitz This page intentionally left blank CONTENTS Preface & Acknowledgments ix Chapter 1 Andrew Taylor Still THE MISSOURI MECCA IN THE FIELD 39 1 22 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 STRUCTURE & FUNCTION EXPANDING THE SCOPE 54 69 85 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 THE PUSH FOR HIGHER STANDARDS A QUESTION OF IDENTITY The California Merger 101 115 135 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 REAFFIRMATION & EXPANSION In a Sea of Change 155 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 THE CHALLENGE OF DISTINCTIVENESS 171 Notes 193 Index 237 This page intentionally left blank PREFACE & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I first became aware of the existence of the osteopathic medical profession during the summer of 1974. I was meeting my friend David,...
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...An analysis of the repositioning of the “BMW Mini” brand C. Simms and P Trott . Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK Downloaded by Myongji University At 05:37 14 May 2015 (PT) Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to adopt a consumer behaviour perspective and investigate the extent to which BMW has repositioned the new “Mini”. It builds on a previous paper that explored perceptions of the “Mini” brand. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a two-stage approach to data collection, consisting of 66 in-depth interviews with a cross section of important stakeholders with high brand awareness and knowledge. The paper develops a conceptual framework and offers a novel way for firms to consider the effects of their repositioning strategies on consumers perceptions of a brand. Findings – The findings reveal a substantial repositioning of the brand’s functional appeal, moving away from the car’s price as an appeal towards product build quality. Furthermore, the Mini’s symbolic appeal, which is based on its fun and sporty image, has largely remained in place. Practical implications – Firms need to recognise the importance of repositioning at both the symbolic and functional level. Originality/value – The paper presents a novel conceptual framework for viewing repositioning strategies and presents evidence of repositioning at both the functional and symbolic level. Keywords Brands, Consumer behaviour, Cars, Brand image Paper type Research paper ...
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...The Collapse of Sensemaking in Organizations: The Mann Gulch Disaster Karl E. Weick . Reprinted from The Collapse of Sensemaking in Organizations: The Mann Gulch Disaster by Karl E. Weick published in Administrative Science Quarterly Volume 38 (1993): 628652 by permission of Administrative Science Quarterly. © 1993 by Cornell University 00018392/93/3804-0628. This is a revised version of the Katz- Newcomb lecture presented at the University of Michigan, April 23-24, 1993. The 1993 lecture celebrated the life of Rensis Likert, the founding director of the Institute for Social Relations. All three people honored at the lecture-Dan Katz, Ted Newcomb, and Ren Likert-were born in 1903, which meant this lecture also celebrated their 90th birthdays. I am grateful to Lance Sandelands, Debra Meyerson, Robert Sutton, Doug Cowherd, and Karen Weick for their help in revising early drafts of this material. I also want to thank John Van Maanen, J. Richard Hackman, Linda Pike, and the anonymous ASQ reviewers for their he lp with later drafts. The death of 13 men in the Mann Gulch fire disaster, made famous in Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire, is analyzed as the interactive disintegration of role structure and sensemaking in a minimal organization. Four potential sources of resilience that make groups less vulnerable to disruptions of sensemaking are proposed to forestall disintegration, including improvisation, virtual role systems, the attitude of wisdom, and norms of respectful interaction...
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...Strategy and Brand Communication Contribute to Build Brand Equity THE CASE OF NAVIGATOR Student: Daniela Yasenova Baeva Supervisor: Professor Doctor Arnaldo Fernandes Matos Coelho May, 2011 Master Thesis in Marketing STRONG BRANDS – How Brand Strategy and Brand Communication Contribute to Build Brand Equity: THE CASE OF NAVIGATOR 1 ABSTRACT In a world of global competition that we are living nowadays, brands are each time more used by companies as a strategy to create value and differentiation and this way to be one step ahead of their rivals. A "brand" is the result of the recognition and the personal attachment that forms in the hearts and minds of the customers through their accumulated experience with that “brand”. These experiences contribute to increased consumer trust and loyalty and allow building strong relationships with the “brand”. By this way, “brands” promote the increase of shareholder value and establish a long-term advantage in the marketplace for organisations. Companies recognise that strong brands are and have been historically associated with accelerated revenue growth and improved returns to shareholders. That is why, each time more organisations focus their strategies on building powerful brands as they represent competitive advantage and they are a key success factor in creating value to the customer and at the same time value to the company. In this regard, this study intends to show how effective brand strategy and brand communication contribute...
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...THE “BLOG” EXPERIENCE: WHEN FREEDOM BECOMES INVASION INTRODUCTION Francois Voltaire, one of France’s most famous philosophers became well-known for this often quoted phrase: “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it.” The phrase summarizes the spirit of the freedom of speech – one of the inventions of the 18th century Enlightenment, a time when discussions among the upper class were construed as constituting the public sphere. Although they belonged to the sophisticated members of society, their conversations highlighted social equality and everyone was given the chance to speak and be demanded to listen. With free and frank conversations, people became acquainted with points of view that were not familiar; they discovered strengths and weaknesses in their personal arguments, and subsequently became moderate in the expression of their views taking into consideration the arguments of others. With this small light ignited in the intellectual realm, the idealism of free communication of thoughts and opinions spread and became one of the trademarks of democratic societies. During the next century, John Stuart Mill affirmed that societies progress when people freely express themselves because errors and misconceptions are exposed, and alternatives were proposed. These sentiments became the backbone of the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948...
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...LOJACK CORP (Form: 10-K, Received: 03/15/2013 14:17:34) Page 1 of 179 Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 10-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 or Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission File No. 001-08439 LOJACK CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Massachusetts (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 04-2664794 (IRS Employer Identification No.) 40 Pequot Way Canton, Massachusetts (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 02021 (Zip Code) (781) 302-4200 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on Which Registered Common Stock, $.01 par value Preferred Share Purchase Rights NASDAQ Global Select Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes Yes No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange...
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