Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students.
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- Creators: Department of Supply Chain Management
Description
The objective of this case study is to understand the context for which process improvement is effective and the challenges of implementing change. In 2015, a major apparel retailer pioneered a value stream mapping project that addressed the order writing process between its merchandising team and an external vendor. This case follows the development and execution of the project and the challenge of sustaining the improvements rendered. Thorough analysis supports the recommendation for continued organizational support, a post-event auditing process, and specific metrics to indicate the project's success.
ContributorsMorell, Hannah Christine (Author) / Maltz, Arnold (Thesis director) / Ostrom, Amy (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Over a twelve-month period I completed industry research on women working in the financial industry. I then compiled a set of 17 qualitative questions with a focus on career development, leadership, compensation, and best practices for women working in the financial industry in order to complete my own study. I focused my time and energy on ten women working in the finance in Arizona. I completed one hour interviews with each woman in order to gain an understanding of the challenges women face in the workforce today. I have learned that gender bias is still very prevalent in the financial industry. Seven out of the ten women I spoke to labeled it as an obstacle during their career. The wage gap in finance continues to exist and I believe this is due to a culture of secrecy in the workforce and the discouragement of negotiation. The women I interviewed focused on communal leadership skills such as encouragement, empathy, and team success. This is a benefit today as the workplace culture changes these leadership strategies are extremely affective. Although gender discrimination is still prevalent, there are many promising signs for women entering the financial industry. Women as a whole are very satisfied with their careers and recommend the field to other young women starting off. Ten out of ten of the women I interviewed believe that being female in a male dominated workforce can be a benefit. If you work hard and demonstrate successful leadership abilities it can be easier to stand out. It is definitely possible to have a fulfilling career in the financial industry, but you have to define success in your own terms and make time for the activities and people you enjoy. I hope that my research will impact other young women to continue to pave the way of success for women in the financial industry.
ContributorsRuttledge, Florence Rose (Author) / Kalika, Dale (Thesis director) / Ostrom, Amy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
The healthcare industry is currently facing significant changes. One of the changes in the industry is a movement towards patient-focused care, which considers the patient as a person and the impact of care on the person. Patient experience is part of patient-focused care, and has similarities to the marketing term customer experience, which contributes to happier customers and long-term financial growth and success for businesses. This thesis defines current issues in patient experience as it relates to hospital manager decision making. Through secondary research, this thesis demonstrates what patient experience is, the role it plays in healthcare and hospital settings, the pressures on hospitals to increase patient experience performance, how patient experience performance is measured, and what strategies or action drive improvements under current performance measurements. Many studies and articles exist examining each of these issues individually. However, these sources do not comprehensively define patient experience in hospitals with perspective on how this influences hospital strategy and decision-making. Previous works on patient experience from the perspective of hospital strategy do not include considerations for recent industry shifts, most notably the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The collected definitions in this thesis provide guidance of relevant concerns hospital managers consider when formulating organization-wide strategy related to patient experience. This thesis explains how patient experience contributes to the success of hospitals in the short-term, medium-term, and long-term and how patient experience may shift its focus over time. Short-term concerns include specific regulations and definitions from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, responsible for over half of all payments to hospitals. Conforming to CMS standards is a matter of survival for most hospitals in the short-term. Hospitals are adjusting to rules and payment models not in existence just two years ago. First, hospitals will adapt, and then hospitals will strive to optimize under new standards as well as respond to adjustments in the rules over the next several years. After patient experience standards are well established, certain aspects of patient experience will be part of long-term differentiation and success for hospitals. Responding comprehensively to the shift towards improving patient experience is a critical aspect for hospitals to weather the many changes in the healthcare industry. Patient experience will provide better care to patients and better financial health to the hospitals that perform above patient experience standards.
ContributorsWilton, Kara Alexandra (Author) / Ketcham, Jonathan (Thesis director) / Ostrom, Amy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The Westward Ho is a historical landmark of Phoenix. Once an architectural experimental design redefining luxury accommodations in the 1920s, the Westward Ho attracted former Hollywood icons and political leaders for several decades until it closed its doors in the early 1970s. Now categorized as a low income subsidized living residence, many diverse yet high-risk groups of people currently call the establishment "home." While considered home to most, a Needs and Assets Assessment survey conducted by Arizona State University students and professionals exposed that the residents feel disconnected from each other as well as from the external greater Phoenix community. From the survey, it was discovered that 50% of interviewees have been clinically diagnosed with a mental illness and 50% have less than two friendly contacts outside the Westward Ho. Their health and social needs are not being met by the current conditions and operations of the Westward Ho. Results like these as well as other in-depth research of the city of Phoenix including demographics and local business feedback provided a supportive framework for the development of the recommendations. Two recommendations were proposed using a business model framework in order to describe a rationale for generating value to the consumers. One recommendation suggested renovating the Westward Ho in order to become a boutique hotel, which would attract consumers locally and nationally. While an opportunity to attract new interests to the city of Phoenix, it would be a great investment that could be adversely unfavorable to the residents considering their physical and mental vulnerabilities. Another recommendation is to use a currently unused but visually ornate room (Kachina Lounge) in the Westward Ho to start a community center. No other space in Phoenix competes with its historical charm and uniqueness. After conducting a cost/benefit analysis, the community center creates, delivers and captures the most value with less risk. The residents have the ability to build an internal community by working together to handle low skill operations of the community center, and the Phoenix community has the opportunity to breach the once unfamiliar doors of the Westward Ho. With community and city council support, the Westward Ho could become a center for social change while awaking cultural awareness.
ContributorsJohnson, Ashia Sydney (Author) / Peck, Sidnee (Thesis director) / Ostrom, Amy (Committee member) / Burgess, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
C.C. Silver & Gold Inc., a local precious metals and coin dealer, is introducing a new product line, Tooth Fairy Tokens. This one year marketing plan aims to clearly define the business goals of this new venture by outlining the company's current market position and providing it with a competitive marketing strategy that relies on niche market opportunities and established supplier relationships. By providing the firm with a solid foundation of research and direction, this marketing plan will help the company achieve its goals of gaining a market presence and increasing company revenue within the first three years of introduction.
ContributorsBlackmer, Courtney Lauren (Author) / Montoya, Detra (Thesis director) / Ostrom, Amy (Committee member) / Brown, Steven (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2013-05