Thesis (M.S. in Management of Technology)--Vanderbilt University, May 2006. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

This study demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge by providing a deeper understanding of management accounting practices in the context of service organisations. It explores a number of traditional and contemporary tools and their relationship to service organisations. The study focuses on the extent to which both traditional and contemporary tools are utilised in practice and also the underlying reasons why some tools become embedded in practice and the barriers and enablers of management accounting change in a service sector context. The study is explanatory in nature and uses a cross sectional survey to provide an understanding of what tools are used by service sector organisations and five in depth case studies to explore the nature of how the tools are used and the factors influencing the diffusion of new tools and the replication of existing tools. The analysis of the cases is done using Stones (2005) quadripartite framework which allows a sensitising of the data to provide insights into the external and internal structures which govern and are governed by the actions of the accountants. From the empirical research it was concluded that the management accounting practices of service sector organisations are similar to those of other organisational sectors and mainly rely upon the use of the traditional tools with limited use of the more contemporary tools. The exploration of the tools used in the case studies showed the internal structures in place which allowed the traditional tools to be embedded and replicated over time and also the external structures which when coupled with the internal structures resulted in barriers and enablers of change to the management accounting tools used. This thesis contributes to knowledge by providing a greater understanding of service sector management accounting and by the development of the strong structuration model to provide valuable insights into management accounting change and to demonstrate the continued theory practice gap in management accounting.

The aim of this dissertation, undertaken between 2012 and 2017, is to contribute towards the improvement of international joint venture (“IJV”) management in real estate development projects by analysing performance and factors, critical for the success of real estate IJVs. The assumption is that a real estate capital investor acts as the international partner of the IJV-construct, while local developers, operators and/or real estate professionals represent the local partner. The thesis focuses on the perspective of the real estate capital investor as a key actor in an IJV. The thesis adopts a systems approach in identifying and discussing the critical success factors of IJVs in the literature review, followed by the development of an integrated, theory-based framework that offers a theoretical conceptualisation of the research problem and key research questions. The methodology and research design were compiled using quantitative (questionnaire survey) and qualitative (focus group and semi-structured interviews) approaches. Data were collected from international capital providers investing as IJV-partners in real estate development using a mixed method approach, the thesis proposes and elaborates on a performance model for IJVs in real estate development, with an aim to ensure empirically valid performance measurement. The focus was to identify and justify determinants and their relationships. The empirical investigation in the thesis supports the notion that the investment process and the selection of the partner are particularly important for a project’s success in real estate development IJVs. In addition, aspects related to the structural and organisational dimension are relevant to the overall IJV performance. Moreover, the model has shown significant relationships between the (1) structural, organisational and investment dimensions on the one hand, and the (2) external, organisational and investment dimensions, on the other hand, for the overall success in the formation-stage. With respect to the post-formation stage, relationships between (1) partner and organisational dimension, (2) partner and investment dimension and (3) investment and organisational dimensions have been proven relevant to improve IJV performance in the context of real estate development IJVs.

This thesis investigates the impact of an EU-directive (directive 2011/61/EU) regarding the administration of alternative investments by fund managers (AIFMs) on the business models of AIFMs which became effective on June 22, 2013. This new fund regulation is expected to affect the business models of traditional AIFMs that were not previously subject to regulation but now have to comply with these rules. The potential effect of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive (AIFMD) has been subject to contentious debate in the past. However, the outcomes of the AIFMD have not previously been considered post implementation and so will be investigated for the first time by this research thesis. This thesis explores the changes already driven by the AIFMD to understand its impact on traditional business models. These changes are currently initiated by fund managers in order to ensure a sustainable business. This thesis also investigates how the marketplace in which fund managers operate will change as a result of the AIFMD and how this change will impact traditional business models. Since the AIFMD only recently became effective, no quantitative data is available. Therefore, this research is based on exploratory research starting with an online survey sent to 200 fund managers managing different types of small, medium and large Alternative Investment Funds. The online survey asks general questions about the fund manager’s business, such as size, jurisdictions, investment types, etc. It also reveals the extent to which business models have been adapted to the requirements, in particular the operating conditions of the AIFMD and which requirements still need to be employed by the respective fund manager. Based on the results of the online survey, a small number of fund managers were chosen for personal interviews representing different types and size of managed funds as well as a variety of country locations. The samples were chosen in that way to allow generalization of the research findings for a broad range of different fund managers with different business models. The personal interviews enable confirmation of the findings achieved by the online survey as well as providing a deeper understanding of how fund managers perceive the impact of the AIFMD on their business model. The form of the interviews is flexible with open and spontaneous questions appropriate to the specific interview situation. This enables a more complex and sophisticated view of the change of traditional business models. Since the AIFMD was only recently realized and currently several AIFMD documents, such as specific guidance, is still outstanding, additional research is needed. Additional research could consider more quantitative data that is not yet available.

This thesis deals with small dance company's business plan process options focusing on effectiveness and simplicity. The thesis offers views on two approaches of strategic planning. The classic one by Michael Kaiser and the second one - Business Model Canvas tool - not so developed in this particular domain. This tool is used in other fields all around the world for creating, reviewing, innovating and presenting business models. The aim of this thesis is to describe and compare this two approaches. A case study is also included in the thesis, verifying implementation of Business Model Canvas for independent dance company special needs.  The thesis is based on premise that the business plans of independent dace companies are often inadequate and for gaining strong partners or donors the ability to form and present an intelligible and confident vision is crucial.

This diploma thesis is focused on analysis of company internal processes and their management; analysis of a chosen process of a company RWE. The selected processes can represent a threat for the company from the point of inappropriate cyclic setting and ineffective management. This diploma thesis aims to streamline the functioning of key processes maintenance of gas facilities. The theoretical part of this thesis is focused on a problematics connected to the definition of the entrepreneurship, production process, of the company. The thesis also looks at the characteristics of process management, the corporate and production strategy, defines processes and describes analytics, which specialize in topics related to business and the business. The practical part, after specifications of the paticular company, analyzes the external environment, focused on business competitors. Considering the inner environment of the company, the dissertation thesis analyzes selected processes, leadership, procedures of cooperation with analytical method of architecture of a program ARIS by IDS Scheer Consulting company. The results are concluded in a specific proposal of management of the company RWE, which is reconfiguration process of maintenance and management.

Many companies use mergers to achieve their growth goals or target technology position. To realise synergies that justify the merger transaction, an integration of the merged companies is often necessary. Such integartion takes place across company business areas (such as finance or sales) and across the layers of management consideration, which are strategy, human resources, organisation, processes, and information technology. In merger integration techniques, there is a significant gap regarding the management of operational level issues. Yet, especially for the finance business area, an integration of processes and information technology is of high importance and often required swiftly after the merger. The author therefore presents an approach designed for managing the operational level merger in the finance business area. To close the gap in considering operational level issues, the author has developed a model for integraring finance processes and information technology of merging companies. For such model development, literature resources have been used along with merger experiences of the author, and interviews with merger experts. Validation of the developed model has been conducted by using in-depth case studies for showing the effects of applying the model. Further validation interviews have been conducted to support the generality of the approach. Accommodating the significant increase of task complexity during mergers compared to normal business operation, the presented approach focuses on managing interdependencies instead of project detail. Features of this approach comprise: An organisational proposal to settinmg up merger programme management; An interdependency model, vertically interconnecting the finance business area with strategic and organisational merger decisions, and horizontally interconnecting the finance business area with other business areas. It could be shown that the presented model improves merger integration quality by reducing complexity of merger management. The model is most applicable for larger companies, and can be used in any merger phase.

This dissertation evaluates and elevates the perception of the strategic use of design for airlines, especially a Silent Design airline like Saudia Airlines. Saudia Airlines is an international airline located in the Gulf region in the Middle East. In comparison to some other Gulf state airlines, Saudia Airlines benefits from its large geographical coverage, and is considered to be one of the richest and longest established carriers in the industry. However, the rapid growth during the past few years of other Gulf carriers (e.g. Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways) highlights the necessity for improvements to be made by Saudia Airlines so that it can sustain its position in the global market. These three mega Gulf airlines have shown major developments in their strategic use of design in delivering innovative and differentiated design touch points in their customer journeys. The purpose of this research is to ‘create a design management conceptual framework (DMCF) to assist Saudia Airlines in evaluating and elevating the perception of the strategic value of design.’ To date, airlines adopting a Silent Design approach have rarely been addressed in empirical studies. To achieve this, secondary research investigated several topics, mainly the perception of the strategic use of design, the operational use of design and how design was managed based on design management evolution. Furthermore, design outcomes are presented after implementing the strategic use of design, to deliver innovative and differentiated results. Moreover, the case studies of several companies are presented that use design at a strategic level, especially in the airline industry. The primary research investigated key stakeholders’ views (customers, design experts and Saudia Airlines’ employees and design consultants). The findings from these investigations, and emergent key themes and sub-themes created the prototypes that led to the formulation of the DMCF, which is the main contribution of this study. The DMCF was developed and tested with experts in the field. The proposed framework is considered a significant starting point for airlines that want to evaluate and elevate their perception of the strategic use of design. The DMCF addresses the significant results of this study and key points are made, as follows: 1) Four key dimensions are identified: a) organisational mind-set, b) structure and design capabilities, c) design process and communication, and d) customer experience, which could evaluate and elevate the strategic use of design. 2) The Silent Design culture is identified as pertaining to Saudia Airlines in this study. This culture emphasises the moderate ambition of the strategic use of design by using it at an operational level. It also includes an ill-defined structure for managing design and a lack of design capabilities. In addition, it has an unclear design process and ad hoc cross-departmental collaboration. The overall result is that the Silent Design organisations’ customer experiences are characterised by undifferentiated products and services. 3) The Strategic Design culture is identified and addresses the airlines that make good use of design. This culture emphasises the strong ambition of the strategic use of design by using it at a strategic level. It also includes a systematic and clear structure for managing design. It has a clear design process and clear cross-departmental collaboration. The overall result is that Strategic Design organisations maintain their position as innovators and differentiators within the airline industry. 4) Some recommendations are made that target how to bridge the gap between these two cultures, including appointing a design leader within a Silent Design culture airline. This would elevate the airlines’ perceptions of the strategic use of design.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the growth of the economy and have become a major concern for government and policy makers in developed, as well as in developing countries. Given the stated importance of SMEs in generating economic growth in Kuwait, it is essential that SMEs have access to sources of finance. However, access to finance is one of the major constraints to SME development, and is frequently mentioned in the entrepreneurship literature. This study aims to evaluate how Islamic financial institutions can support SMEs in Kuwait. The study adopts a qualitative approach that was articulated through a case study design. The case here is the phenomenon of SME financing as enacted by two organisational forms. This research uses two comparative cases; the cases are formed around the nature of the financing organisations in Kuwait and the interaction of SME owners with these organisations. Twenty face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of three different groups: SME owner-managers, managers of financial institutions, and Sharia board members to explore their opinions and perceptions with regard to the role of Islamic finance for SMEs. The main findings indicate that, in Kuwait, access to finance remains a principal challenge for SMEs. Furthermore, collateral is one of the main problems they face when obtaining finance from Islamic banks. The findings suggested that without government support, the banks would not be able to finance SMEs, and therefore, specialised SME finance institutions were more compatible than other Islamic banks with small and medium enterprises. In addition, the study showed that Islamic finance instruments were more suitable than commercial instruments. It also showed that integrating zakat, charity, waqf, and qard hassan would be helpful to the SME sector in Kuwait. The findings add to the understanding of the role of Islamic finance and contribute to knowledge about SME development, using Islamic finance methods, in Kuwait. This could encourage the government to adopt related policies in order to improve access to finance for SMEs.

<p>Abstract The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore how department chairs described the influence of recent corporate ethics scandals on content and availability of ethics education in postsecondary business schools in Arizona. The following research questions guided this study: RQ1: How do department chairs describe the influence of recent corporate ethics scandals on the content of ethics education in postsecondary business schools in Arizona? RQ2: How do department chairs describe the influence of recent corporate ethics scandals on the availability of ethics education in postsecondary business schools in Arizona? RQ3: How do department chairs feel that ethics education can be improved in postsecondary business schools in Arizona? R4: How have postsecondary business schools in the state of Arizona changed their ethics curriculum in response to recent corporate ethics scandals? The sample for this study was 9 department chairs out of 40 in postsecondary schools in Arizona that offer business degrees. It was important for the purpose of this study to focus on department chairs, because of their direct involvement in the management of their business degree programs (i.e., design and accreditation of required curriculum), faculty, and business schools. The Hosmer and Kiewitz managerial ethics theory provided the foundation of this research. The data analysis procedure chosen was the thematic analysis from the triangulation of three data sources. The results found that a higher number of participants perceived that recent corporate ethics scandals did have an influence on content and availability of ethics education. Keywords: ethics, education, business, management, Arizona, scandal, corporate, social responsibility, post-secondary education