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The Information Measurement Theory (IMT) is a revolutionary thinking paradigm. Its principles allow an individual to accurately perceive reality and simplify the complexities of life. To understand IMT, individuals start by first recognizing that everything must follow natural law and cause and effect, that there is no randomness, and that everyone changes at a certain rate. They then move on to understanding that individuals are described by certain characteristics that can be used to predict their future behavior. And finally, they discover that they must learn to understand, accept, and improve themselves while understanding and accepting others. The author, who has spent a considerable amount of time studying and utilizing IMT, believes that IMT can be used within the field of psychology. The extraordinary results that IMT has produced in the construction industry can potentially be produced in a similar fashion within the psychology field. One of the most important principles of IMT teaches that control or influence over others does not exist. This principle alone differentiates IMT from the traditional model of psychology, which is dedicated to changing an individual (through influence). Five case studies will be presented in which individuals have used the principles of IMT to overcome severe issues such as substance abuse and depression. Each case study is unique and exhibits a remarkable change within each individual.
ContributorsMalladi, Basavanth (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Committee member) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The purpose of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of the often-despised financial sector while exploring the parallels it reflects in our society. Information Measurement Theory was applied to several aspects of life apparent in both the financial sector and our society in order to discover parallels present in both. By analyzing the financial sector against our society as a whole, it becomes apparent that the financial sector's composition of individuals reflects that of our societies and is a close representation. Further, the financial sector is able to reflect the importance of information and how individuals react to and justify good and bad results from decision-making. In all our despise of the financial sector is nothing more than the loathe of inherent flaws in our society as a whole.
ContributorsHappe, John Nicholas (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Committee member) / Barlish, Kristen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
As construction and building methods advance so should their focus on reconstruction post-natural disasters. For the past 50 years there has been an average of 6.2 hurricanes making landfall, and several recent unfortunate occurrences in the past year that have caused immeasurable damage and taken priceless lives (Chris Landsea 2017). Damages could have been significantly reduced to residential homes and lives saved if proper, hurricane-resistant construction was used. It is important to continue advancement in efficient planning and reconstructive methods to restore individuals into their homes and ensure their safety in the future. Utilizing tested resilient building methods may increase construction costs but has a visible payoff through mitigation of economic losses in the future. This can also help develop response and mitigation plans based on the very specific conditions of each community or affected location. To do so, it is crucial to continue research and test various methods of construction and materials in residential homes. This study was a comparative analysis of the current roof systems implemented in residential homes, the role of hurricane testing facilities in maintaining building codes, and how damage incurred by hurricanes can be significantly reduced through a shift in the approach of homeowner insurance incentive. The purpose of this study was to provide a feasible and practicable solution for increasing implementation of hurricane resistant construction into homes. The results of this analysis concluded that there is a low percentage of homeowners investing in making their homes hurricane resilient. By re-inventing the incentive methods that insurance companies offer, this problem can step into the right direction in making more homes hurricane resilient consequently reducing damages, deaths, and economic loss.
ContributorsVarkalaite, Migle (Author) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Thesis director) / Ayer, Steven (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Del E. Webb Construction (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Services procured by government agencies are often ridden with delay and costly change orders. Government agencies may react to these failures by implementing restrictive terms and conditions intended to ensure that the service is delivered on time and within budget. While potentially helpful (and nearly always counterproductive), this approach often fails to recognize the cause of the procurement failure \u2014 inadequate request for proposal (RFP) draftsmanship. The RFP must provide the vendor, or service provider, with a comprehensive understanding of the client's motivations for soliciting the bid, the environment in which the materials and services will be utilized, and accurate specifications for those materials and services. In summary, the RFP must be a clean and concise roadmap of client expectations. This thesis describes, for the novice RFP drafter, a value-based approach to preparing a request for proposal.
ContributorsWheeler, Brynn Marie (Author) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Thesis director) / Savicky, John (Committee member) / Hurtado, Kristen (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
A public North American university needed a tool to automate their Vendor of Record rotation program. The goal was to give each vendor in the program fair opportunities and to be open and honest with how vendors were selected. This tool was created in Microsoft Excel with VBA to code macros. The three major Excel sheets are the Masters, the FM Interface, and the Executive Interface. The Masters act as a database and house data for each project. It is a plain Excel worksheet populated with tables. The FM Interface is a macro-enabled Excel workbook. It is distributed to every Facilities Manager in the program. The FM Interface communicates with the Masters in the background. The FMs use the various inputs and buttons to go through every step of procuring a project. They start by initializing a project, and are given a generated list of vendors who are qualified. This list is automatically rotated for every project. Then they fill in an RFQ and it is automatically emailed to the required vendors. When the Facilities Manager receives every quote, they input them into the program and they are saved to the database. When the project is complete, the manager must fill out a satisfaction survey to measure safety, cost, schedule, and quality of work. This is the main method of tracking vendor performance. The last sheet, the Executive Interface, is given only to the administrator of the program. It generates various reports, such as vendor performance, FM performance, and insurance status. It also has many administrative functions including insurance updating, vendor input, and delete project/vendor. The automated tool has been used without error on over 50 projects by 11 different Facilities Managers. The university's Facilities Management team is pleased with the automated process.
ContributorsSchneider, Steven Andrew (Author) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Thesis director) / Savicky, John (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
The efficiency of communication in the construction industry is crucial for the successful management of construction projects. Frontline Supervisors are construction professionals that have daily impact on physical construction. These supervisors have the unique challenge of managing various tasks, schedules, and people in order to complete their scope of work on time. With many methods of communication today, construction managers are searching for the most effective way to communicate with supervisors on all levels. This research project aims to study the quality of communication and quantity of communication methods among front line supervisors working on construction sites in Phoenix, Arizona. Findings may inform what types of communication, e.g., face-to-face individual conversations, in-person meeting, cell phone conversations, emails, etc., are most effective for frontline supervisors.
The results of this research paper will be used to aid general contractors in their communication decisions. This research will also serve as a jumping point for future research on construction communication. Researchers at Arizona State University will be able to use the information collected in this research paper to continue communication surveys in the Phoenix metro area. By continuing this project, researchers will be able to inform contractors to make decisions that benefit trade partners and contractors.
ContributorsBorgman, Harrison (Author) / Becker, Timothy (Thesis director) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Committee member) / Parrish, Kristen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Del E. Webb Construction (Contributor)
Created2024-05