Research Projects

As a believer in life-long-learning, I am constantly reading articles and books in order to continually grow both personally and professionally. Occasionally I come across a topic that intrigues me so much that I take it upon myself to perform some in-depth research. Here are the fruits of my labor:

Channel Conflict: Historical Perceptions & Management Implications
Channel conflict is not a new concept. It has been frustrating managers in the business world for many years. It has always accompanied the development of new marketing channels, such as the introduction of factory outlet and discount stores in the 1980s. Only recently, with the emergence of the Internet as a new and dynamic distribution channel, has this topic been more of a focal point in boardroom discussions. A recent survey of 50 manufacturers revealed that 66 percent believed that channel conflict was the biggest issue they faced in their online sales strategy. Channel conflicts in the e-commerce age are intensified by the unique channel characteristics of the Internet.

Knowledge Management and Organizational Operations
A study conducted by the Brookings Institute showed that, in 1978, approximately 80 percent of a firm’s value was associated by tangible assets. By 1998, however, approximately 70 percent of a firm’s value was associated with intangible assets.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss traditional and new knowledge management theories. The paper will also look at relevant case studies of companies that have successfully implemented knowledge management systems and processes and the positive affects of knowledge management.

Online Privacy: A Global Perspective
An analysis of the current state of global privacy practices, perceptions, laws and how if affects your organization.

Radio Frequency Identification: A primer on the technology causing buzz across the retail industry
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is not new to business. What is new, however, is the application of the technology being talked about—on an almost daily basis—in the business media. The reason for much of the attention being paid to the new use of an old technology: Wal-Mart. The world’s largest company has mandated that by 2006, all cases and pallets shipped to their distribution centers must be tagged with RFID labels where feasible.

What are Real Time Enterprises (RTE) and What Could it Mean for My Organization?
According to the Gartner Group, “[Real Time Enterprises] will become one of the most important mechanisms for leveraging business value from enterprise IT investments from 2003 onward…Enterprises should now set strategic targets for reducing end-to-end cycle time for the processes that are most critical to their various value disciplines and strategies. These may be the operational day-to-day processes (such as the order-to-cash cycle) or they may be in high-impact strategy areas, mergers and acquisitions, or new product development.” But what is a Real Time Enterprise? Again, according to the Gartner Group an RTE is “an enterprise that competes by using up-to-date information to progressively remove delays to the management and execution of its critical business processes.” Textbook definitions aside, why are many companies beginning to strategically plan to implement an RTE?

Wolverine World Wide: Company and Financial Analysis
An analysis (both strategic and financial) of the current state of Wolverine World Wide, a billion-dollar footwear and apparel company.

Featured Research

Knowledge Management and Organizational Operations

A study conducted by the Brookings Institute showed that, in 1978, approximately 80 percent of a firm’s value was associated by tangible assets. By 1998, however, approximately 70 percent of a firm’s value was associated with intangible assets.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss traditional and new knowledge management theories. The paper will also look at relevant case studies of companies that have successfully implemented knowledge management systems and processes and the positive affects of knowledge management.

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