The purpose of this study was determine if a basic Revenue Management (RM) concept training program can successfully teach hotel front desk employees and managers RM fundamentals. The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate the reaction or satisfaction level of hotel front desk employees and managers in reference to the training program, and (b) to examine the training program’s effectiveness in teaching basic RM concepts. A basic revenue management training program and examination was utilized in a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design model with a treatment and control group to examine if learning had taken place. The study consisted of 49 participants from eight hotels. Hypotheses one, two, and four were supported by the results. Based on the findings, the basic RM concept training program did successfully teach front desk employees and hotel managers RM fundamentals. The researcher suggests that future RM training programs for both the front desk employees and hotel managers to continue to focus on basic RM concepts. The researcher further suggests the RM training programs include more advanced RM concepts for the hotel managers.

This study was designed to gain a better understanding and conceptualization of the term smart shopping. The specific research objectives were to: (a) investigate consumers‟ perceptions of the term smart shopping; (b) develop a measure of smart shopping; and (c) validate the measure of smart shopping. A comprehensive literature review was used to identify existing smart shopping theories and to identify opportunities for expanding on the existing meanings of the term. To obtain consumers‟ perceptions of the term smart shopping, two focus group interviews and fifteen face-to-face in-depth interviews were employed for initial item generation and instrument development. Scale development consisted of a pilot test on a convenience sample of undergraduate students for initial scale refinement (n = 100), and a pretest (n = 237) and main study (n = 1474) from a consumer panel member list through a market research company for scale purification and validation. The statistical analyses were conducted separately for the purchase stages (i.e., pre-purchase, purchase, post-purchase) and product categories (i.e., clothing, grocery, electronics). Significant differences were found in each stage among the three product categories. To compete in today‟s changing retail environment with shifting consumer socioeconomic patterns and preferences, retailers must decide on unique positioning strategies. This study conceptualized and tested the term smart shopping from a broader perspective than previous studies. Gaining a better understanding of the smart shopper will enable retailers to segment this consumer group more accurately. Managerial implications and directions for future research based on the findings are provided.

The aspects of the learning environment have the potential to be an important influence in the career decision-making process of students. Teacher effectiveness was also a revealed as a component of student success. However, the connection between teachers’ effectiveness and student’s career development exhibited a gap in the literature. The idea that a teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom can have a direct impact on a students’ decision to choose a vocation, particularly hospitality, as a post secondary career path has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this study was to explore possible relationships between student perception of teacher effectiveness and student attitudes toward hospitality as a career path. This study had three objectives. First, the study explored whether teachers attitude towards a career had an influence on their effectiveness in teaching. Second, the study explored if a student’s attitude towards the career area influenced their perception of the teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom. Third, the study looked at student’s intent to choose hospitality as a post secondary career choice. The participants for this study were teachers and students involved with the Distributive Education Clubs of America. Membership in the high school division of DECA is restricted to students with a career interest in hospitality, finance, sales, service, management and entrepreneurship. Analysis of the results indicated there is a significant relationship between the variables of teacher perception of effectiveness, student perception of teacher effectiveness, attitude towards hospitality as a career and intent to select hospitality as a career.

This study was designed to examine the phenomenon of “massclusivity” of luxury (i.e., increased accessibility and affordability of luxury) in the current luxury market. To do so, this study introduced the concept of “Luxe-Bargain Shopping,” which referred to purchasing a luxury brand at a bargain, and developed an empirical framework that portrayed both luxury consumption and the bargain process. The specific research objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate whether luxury-related consumer orientations (i.e., prestige sensitivity and fashion leadership) influence perceived product values (i.e., social, emotional, and quality values); (2) investigate whether bargain-related consumer orientations (i.e., price mavenism and sale proneness) influence perceived process values (i.e., transaction value); (3) investigate whether perceived product and process values predict satisfaction with Luxe-Bargain Shopping; (4) examine whether satisfaction with Luxe-Bargain Shopping influences future intentions to buy the luxury brand at a bargain; (5) examine whether perceived product and process values influence future intentions to buy the luxury brand at a bargain; (6) examine whether perceived product and process values influence future intentions to buy the luxury brand at full price; and (7) examine the moderating role of shopper type in the relationship between perceived values and future intentions. This study was conducted in the context of luxury apparel or accessories. An online survey methodology was employed to collect the data and 500 completed responses were used for the data analyses. Both the luxury-related consumer orientations and bargain-related consumer orientations were found to be important consumer characteristics that predict perceived values generated in Luxe-Bargain Shopping. The perceived value influenced future intention to purchase the luxury at a bargain indirectly through satisfaction. However, the direct links between perceived values and future intention to buy the luxury brand at a bargain were not supported in this study. The relationships between perceived values and future intentions to buy the luxury brand at full price were found to be significant. The shopper type was not a significant moderator between perceived values and future intentions. Research implications, managerial implications, and suggestions for future research based on the findings were provided.

Finance made by the nationalised banks

<p> The purpose of this study was to determine the key factors involved in operating a successful independent management consulting business. For those working in the independent management consulting industry or looking to begin, this study aimed to provide information to help define what success means and identify the most important contributors to achieving that success. The study gathered data via online survey and semi-structured interviews from people who have owned an independent management consulting business. Trends in the data were identified and compared with current research to determine the key factors in operating a successful independent management consulting business.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of smart device's interactivity on customer value co-creation in the sports industry through bridging social capital and collective efficacy. A total of 262 students participated in the study, and a structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out to measures the relationship between variables in the conceptual model. The results revealed that interactivity consisting of user control, responsiveness, and synchronicity had a significant impact on bridging social capital. In addition, both technological interactivity and bridging social capital were positively associated with collective efficacy. Lastly, collective efficacy had a positive influence on co-creation value, but bridging social capital did not appear to directly affect co-creation value. Based on these results, this study suggests the need to take advantage of new platforms that can build value co-creation with customers in the rapidly changing marketing environment. </p>

<p> Government funding shortages are changing the financial landscape of collegiate athletic programs. Athletic administrators struggling to discover alternative financial sources have frequently focused their efforts on increasing home game attendance, which leads to increased concession and licensing revenues. The problem is that schools sporting programs will continue to lose funds if schools do not attract and maintain a larger fan base at athletic events. The purpose of this multiple case study is to identify and explore the factors that motivate fans attendance at NCAA Division II football games using both a survey and interviews at four universities within the Great American Conference, the Lone Star Conference, and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The research study that is employed is based on multiple case study and triangulated data collected from a small sample group at four universities: Northeastern State, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, and West Texas A &amp; M. Data collection methods included the administration of a Sport Fan Motivation Scale survey to fans at a home game for each university, individual interviews of the sample group athletic directors, and review of online sources. Key results of the study yielded significant insight into optimal methodologies athletic administrators can employ to increase program revenues by increasing home game attendance. The findings were evaluated based upon the data collected utilizing four research questions. Economic factors were most likely to affect motivation of fans to attend home football games. Game attractiveness factors have a positive effect on fans at home football games. Demographic factors affect the motivation of fans to attend home football games. Residual factors affect the motivation of fans to attend football games. Many commonalities were found in the collected data that helped to identify themes and connect this information to previous research described in the literature review. A review of economic, team oriented, demographic, and ancillary factors yielded results indicating that integration of promotional activities, ensuring ample parking space for non-tailgaters, and a feeling of commitment or identification with the team are means to increase attendance. </p>

<p> This study purposely examined the types of extrinsic rewards in male youth soccer programs and measures those that are most preferred by players to influence their participation motivation. It also checked if young soccer players skew towards programs that provide more reward opportunities. For this reason, 1000 teenage soccer players were randomized in an online survey administered by a community-based organization. 800 chose programs that provided extrinsic rewards and identified fame, trophies, travel, scholarship, exposure opportunities and money as the six main rewards that influenced their decision to join soccer programs.</p><p> A Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ) was then modified using the identified factors and issued to 400 participants between ages 14-18 years, randomly selected from 20 Las Vegas soccer clubs in another survey to rank extrinsic rewards according to importance. Data was collected and entered into the SPSS 17.0 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Cronbach alpha was applied to measure internal consistencies based on the demographics and attitudes towards participation motivation. One way ANOVA sought to determine the extent to which the identified extrinsic rewards affected participation motivation, and regression analysis examined the relationships across all factors.</p><p> Results from data analysis revealed that, exposure opportunities constituted the most important extrinsic reward that influenced young male soccer players' decision to join soccer programs. Scholarship, travel, fame, money and trophies followed suit. One-way ANOVA showed that race had a significant effect on scholarship, exposure opportunities, and fame. Multivariate regressions revealed that young players that are more motivated by scholarship, fame and travel tended to have higher ability levels. These effects were held even after adjusting for grade and age.</p><p> Results from the online survey also concluded that more young players tend to be attracted to soccer programs that provide extrinsic reward opportunities. Thus, extrinsic rewards should be considered and included in programs to enhance motivation.</p>

Thesis (M.S. in Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 1990. / Thesis Advisor: Doyle, Richard B. Second Reader: Moses, Doug. "December 1990." Description based on title screen as viewed on April 1, 2010. DTIC Identifier(s): Naval budgets, Naval procurement, Navy, public administration, defense buildup, Congress. Author(s) subject terms: DON procurements, Navy procurement budgeting, aircraft procurement, weapons procurement, shipbuilding and conversion procurement, procurement, Marine Corps. Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-54). Also available in print.