I examine how managerial reputation affects the quality of non-GAAP earnings disclosures and how the market reacts to non-GAAP earnings disclosures associated with managerial reputation. Although there was an initial dip in the frequency of non-GAAP earnings disclosures after SOX and Regulation G, the frequency of non-GAAP earnings disclosures has increased in recent years (Brown, Christensen, Elliott and Mergenthaler 2012). Motivated by the efficient contracting theory and managerial reputation incentives, I investigate whether reputable managers are associated with higher quality non-GAAP earnings disclosures. I also investigate whether the market is more responsive to non-GAAP earnings disclosed by reputable managers. Using empirical models modified from prior research, I find that reputable managers are less likely to disclose non-GAAP earnings, which is consistent with the efficient contracting explanation. I also find that reputable managers exclude more recurring items that are related to future operating earnings when they disclose non-GAAP earnings, which is consistent with the rent extraction explanation in prior research. Finally, I find that managerial reputation has an incremental effect on the market reaction and that the market is more responsive to non-GAAP earnings disclosed by reputable managers if the unexpected earnings are positive. The study contributes to both non-GAAP earnings disclosures literature and managerial reputation incentives literature. It also has implications for investors, managers, and regulators. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A hierarchical procedure is developed to determine maximum overall yield of a process and optimize process changes to achieve such a yield. First, a targeting procedure is developed to identify an upper bound of the overall yield ahead of detailed design. Several mass integration strategies are proposed to attain maximum yield. These strategies include rerouting of raw materials, optimization of reaction yield, rerouting of product from undesirable outlets to desirable outlets, and recycling of unreacted raw materials. Path equations are tailored to provide the appropriate level of detail for modeling process performance as a function of the optimization variables pertaining to design and operating variables. Interval analysis is used as an inclusion technique that provides rigorous bounds regardless of the process nonlinearities and without enumeration. Then, a new approach for identification of cost-effective implementation of maximum attainable targets for yield is presented. In this approach, a mathematical program was developed to identify the maximum feasible yield using a combination of iterative additions of constraints and problem reformulation. Next, cost objectives were employed to identify a cost-effective solution with the details of design and operating variables. Constraint convexification was used to improve the quality of the solution towards globability. A trade-off procedure between the saving and expenses for yield maximization problem is presented. The proposed procedure is systematic, rigorous, and computationally efficient. A case study was solved to demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of the developed procedure.

With South Korea as the case study, this thesis analyzes the role, allocation, and productivity of foreign capital. We evaluate hypotheses based on the Harrod-Domar, Solow-Swan, and dual-gap growth models with foreign savings. An econometric growth-with-foreign debt model (consisting of forty three equations) is estimated to test hypotheses and to quantify theoretical conclusions. The econometrics include tests of (a) the Griffin-Enos substitution hypothesis, and (b) the Please hypothesis or effect. We also include South Korea's internal and external economic adjustments in response to the oil-with-recessionary shocks in 1974-1975, and 1979-1980. The econometric model is tested to ensure that its dynamic and system characteristics are economically and statistically sound to support simulation experiments. As a supplement to the economic analysis, the final chapter includes essential non-economic considerations.

Theme of this thesis is capital structure of the company and capital productivity. The aim is evaluation of relationship between capital structure of the company and capital productivity followed by recommended suggestions to optimize capital structure of the company from the perspective of increasing the capital productivity. The first part of this thesis clarifies theoretical knowledge from Czech and foreign literature. In the practical part, the analyzed company is presented and the analysis evaluating capital structure of the company are made. Afterwards capital produktivity and its relationship to capital structure is evaluated. Bases for practical part were gained from financial statements of selected company. In conclusion, there are presented recommendations to optimize the capital structure in terms of capital productivity for analyzed company.

The goal of this thesis is to find out if there is a relationship between company capital productivity and investment activity. Evaluation is done on a single sector of the national economy steel construction and steel goods manufacturing, with the exception of machines. In the first half of the practical part of this thesis, an analysis of capital productivity, investing activity, structure of long-time owned property and value added is done. After this, by using correlation and regression analysis, the relationship between variables capital productivity and investment activity is tested. For evaluation, the data from database Albertina, a database that collects data about companies in Czech Republic and Slovakia, are used. All tests are made in the Microsoft Excel and Statistica 12. This paper is supported by the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia GAJU 053/2016/S: Management of Innovations and Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Companies.

No description available.

For business firms to continue as going concerns, productivity is a primary goal. In order for the firms to remain productive, it is imperative that managers continuously explore ways of improving productivity and employee performance. Employee productivity, in particular, is the measurement of performance and competitiveness in any business firm. A competitive advantage enables a business firm to, amongst others, survive financially, expand its operations and grow its market share. Creativity and innovation are fundamental sources of competitive advantage. In order for a business to retain its competitive edge, it must effectively enhance employee productivity, creativity and innovation. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate a creativity model that could contribute to the enhancement of employee productivity. More specifically, the study investigated how employee productivity (the dependent variable) was influenced by the independent variables rewards, a climate conducive for creativity and innovation, employee creativity, self-esteem and performance intent. The sample consisted of 82 blue-collar employees from various manufacturing firms in Port Elizabeth. The empirical results revealed that the firms’ rewards for performance and their climates for creativity and innovation were positively related to the creativity of their employees. The creativity and self-esteem of their employees were positively related to their employees’ performance intentions, while collectively these three variables were positively related to their employees’ productivity. The managerial implications of these and other findings are discussed in the study.

This treatise investigates the underlying factors influencing productivity at Ford Struandale Engine Plant.

No description available.

Rework is an insidious problem in the construction industry. According to the Construction Industry Institute (CII) Source Document 29, the cost of rework is 12.4% of the total project cost. However, these costs are just the tip of the iceberg, because they do not represent schedule delays, litigation cost, and other intangible costs of poor quality. Therefore, the complete cost of rework is estimated to be much greater than 12.4%. To effectively reduce the cost of rework, it is necessary to not only study the causes of rework, but also to study the effectiveness of activities designed to reduce rework. This research studied the relationships between rework activities and prevention and appraisal activities on four construction projects. This research addressed two questions: 1) What is the effect of prevention and appraisal activities on the reduction of rework, and 2) What is the effect of prevention activities occurring in the design phase on rework due to design errors in the construction phase? Based on the project data collect by the Quality Performance Management System (QPMS), this research concluded there was a slight relationship between increasing prevention and appraisal activities and the reduction of rework. There was a direct relationship between the increase of prevention activities in design and the reduction of rework due to design errors in the construction phase. The relationships were stronger for both questions at the project level than at the discipline level. At the project level, the aggregation of all the disciplines appears to negate the biases created within the specific disciplines. This research helps to provide real-world data to emphasize the importance of prevention activity in the design phase of a construction project. / Master of Science