An application of problem solving methodologies for small, low-technology firms

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dc.contributor.author Sgro, Sergio
dc.contributor.department Industrial Education and Technology
dc.date 2020-08-05T05:04:23.000
dc.date.accessioned 2021-02-26T08:44:08Z
dc.date.available 2021-02-26T08:44:08Z
dc.date.copyright Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2003
dc.date.issued 2003-01-01
dc.description.abstract <p>This thesis focuses on problem solving methodologies in small, low technology firms using statistical thinking. It examines the different elements of statistical thinking and how owners and managers of small businesses can assess their performance using profit margin as a metric. The literature points to a lack of key parts of knowledge or experience on the part of the owner required to grow a business. On many levels, this is compounded by the attitudes and actions of the owner or manager. However, this research shows that with a tacit understanding of how all work is essentially a series of interconnected processes with variation within each process, one can: (1) categorically measure that variation, (2) identify areas of deficient performance, and (3) aim to improve those areas. The study uses a Split-Plot/Repeated Measures (SP/RM) design on contracted jobs of an East Coast fabrication and installation firm during the 2002 fiscal year. Data were collected on job type (fabrication/installation) and job scope (sheet metal/other). Every contract is estimated with labor and material estimates; therefore, each job submits two profit margins for evaluation: a labor profit margin and a material profit margin. Using the twenty jobs of 2002, only job type was found to be statistically significant. Statistical thinking is incorporated into this study by walking the reader through graphical analyses of the data and identifying possible sources and causes of variation. Each chapter has a section dedicated to the use or application of statistical thinking and how it is used in this study.</p>
dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
dc.identifier archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/20035/
dc.identifier.articleid 21034
dc.identifier.contextkey 18791807
dc.identifier.doi https://doi.org/10.31274/rtd-20200803-358
dc.identifier.s3bucket isulib-bepress-aws-west
dc.identifier.submissionpath rtd/20035
dc.identifier.uri https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/97402
dc.language.iso en
dc.source.bitstream archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/20035/Sgro_ISU_2003_S52.pdf|||Fri Jan 14 22:19:14 UTC 2022
dc.subject.keywords Industrial education and technology
dc.title An application of problem solving methodologies for small, low-technology firms
dc.type article
dc.type.genre thesis
dspace.entity.type Publication
thesis.degree.discipline Industrial Education and Technology
thesis.degree.level thesis
thesis.degree.name Master of Science
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