In light of the limitations of cost and profit centers, this research attempts to explore how enterprise N integrates managerial information and thus transforms into the concept of an investment center. The BCG matrix (Boston Consulting Group¡A1970) is adopted as the major analytical tool in this study. With this tool we are able to acquire the market attractiveness and profitability of enterprise N, its business units, and its subsidiaries, so as to facilitate business resource allocation. The FCF analysis reveals the balance of funds between individual business units, subsidiaries, and the enterprise as a whole. Calculation of EVA reveals the contribution that each business unit and subsidiary makes to the enterprise. We furthermore interview executives in order to verify the preliminary result of the BCG model. We also adopt SWOT analysis to investigate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each business unit located in the respective quadrant of the BCG model. Thus, we may be lead to understand the fund allocation and strategic intention of respective business units and subsidiaries. Finally, we conclude and make suggestions for enterprise N, both regarding financial and strategic aspects. This study aims to find out the key success factors regarding how enterprise N makes and executes business resource allocation and synergy development. We hope that this case study may provide valuable information and serve as a refined tool of business analysis for enterprise N.

Univ., Diss.--St. Gallen, 2006. / Zsfassung in engl. Sprache.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Industrial and Systems Engineering." Includes bibliographical references (p. 216-220).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed Apr. 5, 2004). "December 2003." "ADA420489"--URL. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-69). Also issued in paper format.

Not available / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Real Estate and Construction / Master / Master of Science in Real Estate and Construction

No description available.

The organization I work in has 13 subsidiary businesses operating in the branded footwear and apparel industry. The industry currently faces significant macroeconomic and industry challenges. One of our biggest challenges is how to avoid excessive and wasteful new product development whilst still building an attractive range of products for the customer. So the focus of my research is on the management control and governance of the New Product Development (NPD) process to solve a pressing business problem. However, there is a gap in the literature. Many authors have claimed that our knowledge of the governance of NPD processes is incomplete and there is a dearth of actual studies in this area. My literature review looked at management control and in particular at the enduring problem of the need to generate control without stifling creativity. The literature led me to focus on the use of feedforward controls to influence NPD management teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment whilst simultaneously encouraging NPD experimentation. During this research I developed the concept of Feedforward Anticipatory Control (FAC), which encompasses the combination of feedforward control and double-loop learning. From this start my research question became “How does the use of FAC influence NPD management teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment?” From theory and my initial case study research I developed, tested and refined a tool for ascertaining the level of FAC sophistication in use by NPD teams in their development process. The tool was then used in action research interventions to help the teams develop their sophistication in the use of FAC. The tool was found to be useable, useful and have value. The action research case studies were embedded in a case study protocol to ensure the rigour of my research. This involved developing a framework to investigate the consequences of my interventions, in terms of both hard performance metrics and softer team perceptions. The contribution is in the use of management controls in NPD. The findings show that different levels of FAC sophistication can be applied in NPD and that the use of higher levels of FAC influences NPD teams to improve portfolio value and strategic alignment. The contribution to practice is an intervention “toolkit” that can influence NPD teams to develop higher levels of FAC sophistication and generate improvements in NPD portfolio performance.

This thesis examines the degree to which alternative funds deviate from their style-benchmark and how this is related to past performance and fund size, and how it impacts future risk and returns. Additionally the thesis examines how security selection and market timing skills differ across varying degrees of deviation from the benchmark. The thesis uses data for hedge funds, funds of funds, and CTA funds from the Center for International Securities and Derivatives Markets and employs fund???s tracking error relative to their style-benchmark to estimate the level of drift. The style-benchmarks used are the median return for all reporting funds that follow a particular style and funds are assigned a benchmark based on their self-reported style. First, this thesis documents statistically significant differences in the tracking errors of portfolios of funds with the highest tracking error versus funds with the lowest tracking error, implying that some managers drift from their self-reported style-benchmarks. Second, funds??? benchmark-inconsistency is less severe in the case of funds that have a regulatory obligation to disclose their performance, suggesting that the absence of regulation fosters an environment where managers can be more flexible with their investment approach. Third, the tendency to drift from the benchmark is most prevalent amongst funds with superior past performance as well as small funds. Fourth, future total portfolio risk increases as funds display more benchmarkinconsistency, suggesting that managers adopt riskier strategies as they attempt to enhance returns. Fifth, the thesis demonstrates that CTA funds that display drift from their benchmark produce higher absolute and relative returns in subsequent periods regardless of the direction of the general market. In contrast, the findings show for hedge funds and funds of funds, benchmark-inconsistent funds are likely to outperform in bull markets and underperform in bear markets. Finally, this thesis shows that more benchmark-consistent managers have better security selection skill. The main contribution of this thesis is in identifying the group of hedge funds, funds of funds, and CTA funds that are likely to deviate from their self-reported style-benchmark and the risk-return consequences of such deviations. The findings have implications for investors and regulators.