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Business Process Reengineering: Issues for Research and Practice

Michael A. Eierman, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Hilbert K. Schultz, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is the radical, cross-functional redesign of the standard operating practices used by organizations to produce or achieve certain outcomes. BPR has received considerable attention from practitioners and consultants. However, the academic literature is relatively quiet on the subject. The objective of this study is to identify the issues and questions associated with BPR that need to be addressed through […]

A Dynamic Model of Quality Cost Expenditures

Sameer Prasad, University of Texas-Pan American
Thomas Tyson, St. John Fisher College

Traditional, single time-period models of quality cost expenditures assume static conditions and ignore the impact of the learning curve effect on a firm’s product quality, and that of quality improvement efforts by the competitors. In this paper we incorporate both factors in a dynamic model of quality cost expenditures. The interactions not only show how firms can remain competitive, but also how […]

Total Quality Service and the Business College

James Perotti, Ohio University

Moving a business college to commit to a total quality service approach is much more difficult than the literature suggests. The commitment to customer satisfaction is the essential focus of total quality service. It is unlikely to occur in business colleges. While small incremental change is readily possible, the values and culture of the […]

Attitudes of African American Accounting Students Toward Graduate Education

Brenda S. Birkett, Southern University
Mark Kiel, North Carolina A&T State University

To increase the number of African Americans in the accounting profession in the 21st century, more accounting majors must be recruited into graduate programs so that they will meet the 150 hour education requirement of the AICPA and a large number of states. Effective graduate program recruitment strategies should consider the influences and perceived benefits that motivate African Americans to pursue advanced […]

The Role of Hispanic Acculturation on Media Exposure, Coupon Use, and Brand Loyalty

Susan M. Petroshius, Bowling Green State University
Stephen J. Newell, Bowling Green State University
Steven J. Ross, NFO Research

The Hispanic population in the United States is rapidly increasing and is expected to be the largest minority group within the next decade. Consequently, a better understanding of this group of consumers is of great importance to marketers. This study investigates the role that acculturation plays on a number of consumer-related attitudes and behaviors. The results indicate that as acculturation increases, Hispanic […]

Changes in Working Capital of Small Firms in Relation to Changes in Economic Activity

Morris Lamberson, University of Central Arkansas

This paper studies how the working capital position of small firms responds to changes in the level of economic activity. Fifty small firms were studied for the time period 1980-1991. The findings from this study showed that liquidity increased slightly for these firms during economic expansion with no noticeable change in liquidity during economic slowdowns. Their investment in working capital, as measured […]

Answers to Questions About First Jobs in International Business

Henry W. Vanderleest, Ball State University
Sang T. Choe, University of Southern Indiana

Undergraduate students contemplating a career in international business often ask questions such as: Are certain majors preferred? What about language training requirements, on-the-job training programs, and new job responsibilities? Experience indicates that academic advisors and faculty frequently cannot provide students with appropriate information regarding these topics. Thus the above questions and others were posed to top level executives at 100 large U.S. multinational […]

Intercultural Preparation for Managers Going to Japan

Judy C. Nixon, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Judy F. West, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Today’s manager must be knowledgeable of the Japanese culture. Understanding the differences between the Japanese and American cultures’ nonverbal communication systems is necessary for successful friendships and thus successful business transactions. Americans must learn how to comprehend the significance of important Japanese traditions; e.g., the bow, business card exchange, different meanings of eye contact, facial expressions, typical body gestures, tactile aspects, and time concepts. […]