An Examination of Hospitality Corporation Takeovers Using Earnings and Cash Flow Measurements

This study evaluates the ability of cash flow and earnings-based measures of return in the hospitality industry to assess the differences between target companies and their industries and to explain target companies’ abnormal returns during takeover periods. Target company abnormal returns observed during takeover periods are significantly related to both the difference between target company and average industry earnings to total assets and the difference in cash flow to total assets. Abnormal returns are negatively related to the difference in earnings to total assets, suggesting that target company assets are underutilized. The difference between target company and target industry cash flow to total assets is positively related to target company abnormal returns, indicating that acquiring companies value the near-term cash flow of target companies

An empirical investigation of the adoption and usage of electronic data interchange in the hotel industry

This dissertation examines the application of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) adoption and use in the hotel industry. EDI is a type of interorganizational information system that facilitates the exchange of business documents in structured, machine processable form. The research model links EDI adoption to four usages: purchasing, accounting, financing and strategic. Based on relevant literature, six theories were selected from which, nineteen hypotheses were proposed for the relationships between EDI adoption and usage; The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was mailed out to 1200 hotel manager with the title of purchasing managers, controllers, and management information systems managers. The managers had the option of mailing in the questionnaire or go to the following Web Site: http://www.unlv.edu/faculty/ramdeen/EDIsurvey.htm and fill out the questionnaire then submit. The usable responses were 287 (23.92 rate); The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The analysis supports the following hypothesis: (1) EDI purchasing and financing usage is positively related to property size, (2) trading status is positively related to purchasing use, (3) business presence/feedback and quality is positively related to strategic use, (4) uncertainty is positively related to purchases and strategic use, (5) analyzability is positively related to strategic use, and (6) interdependence is positively related to purchase and strategic use; EDI is one of the many ways hotels may exchange information. This study shows that EDI can be use by hotels for purchasing, financing and strategic purposes. For hotels to improve their internal usages of EDI two conditions must be accomplish. First, hotels must improve the information flow between their trading partners. Second, the information flow must be sufficient to stimulate intraorganizational usages. It is anticipated that the role of EDI in hotels will continue to grow in the future. Presently, EDI in hotels are more confine to purchasing (purchase or purchase order processing), and strategic use (long-term procurement contracts and linkages to electronic funds). In the future, EDI could become an important tool for hotels to use in conducting business in both an interorganizational and intraorganizational way; Research on EDI is still in a growth stage. By identifying and testing relevant intraorganizational variables, this study offers insights to practitioners managing internal activities within hotels that are currently using or planning to use EDI. Further, the dissertation provides avenues for future research aimed at understanding the applications of EDI technology and its administrative capabilities that could benefit both practitioners and academics

The Roles of Casino Controllers

The purpose of this research was to examine the managerial and finance roles of casino controllers. Controllers were surveyed and interviewed about the current state of their role within their companies. A survey was given to 60 casino controllers attending the casino controllers\u27 conference at the Monte Carlo Resort in Las Vegas on March 16, 2000. Interviews were conducted with five casino controllers to obtain qualitative information that could not be obtained through the questionnaire. The results provide detailed information on the role behavior of casino controllers and their contribution to organizational goal attainment

Information seeking behavior of geologists when searching for physical samples

Information seeking is “a conscious effort to acquire information in response to a need or gap” in your knowledge (Case, 2007, p. 5). In the geosciences, physical samples such as cores, cuttings, fossils, and rocks are primary sources of information; they represent “the foundation of basic and applied geoscience research and education, and underpin industry programs to discover and develop domestic natural resources” (National Research Council, 2002, p.8). This dissertation investigates the information seeking behavior of geologists when searching for physical samples. It takes a unique approach by looking at physical objects as information sources, as opposed to past studies which focused on print literature (Bichteler & Ward, 1989; Joseph, 2001). Data collection was twofold. First I administered two questionnaires to state geological surveys. Thirty-five state geologists and 28 repository managers responded. The results capture an overview of these science data centers and their handling of collections of physical samples. State geological surveys were selected as they are a distinct type of facility which are similar to libraries. Like libraries, these institutions’ missions dictate maintaining a collection as well as providing access to their diverse data holdings. In the second stage, I interviewed 15 geologists, primarily users of state geological survey collections. Responses highlighted various search behaviors which were used to develop a model of their information seeking behavior. Some behaviors were dependent on one’s role within an organization, suggesting a division of labor in the research team. Many behaviors related to a researcher’s knowledge of the domain, e.g., knowing where to look, who to talk to, and how to determine the quality of the information found. The most frequently used search process by interview participants was relying on their social network to recommend or locate samples. The results of this study suggest a number of recommendations and research opportunities for science data centers, including: 1) developing infrastructure which supports discovery and access, 2) further exploring the nature of task and role in searching, 3) developing training for searchers and curators, 4) developing standards for metadata creation related to physical samples, and 5) developing tools to aid in the search process.Doctor of Philosoph

The Tendency of Hotel Rooms Division Managers to Create Budgetary Slack

This study explores how the budgeting system impacts rooms department managers’ tendency to create budgetary slack. The results provide support for four hypotheses, specifically indicating that rooms department managers’ tendency to create budgetary slack does change with the setting and the way the budgeting system is implemented. The major practical implication of this study is that allowing rooms department managers to participate actively in the budgeting process seems to reduce their tendencies to create budgetary slack

The selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 2003.Industrial catalysts used in commercial processes for the production of maleic anhydride are mainly Vanadium Phosphorous Oxide (VPO) catalysts. The VPO catalyst used is Vanadyl Pyrophosphate (VO)2P207 made from its precursor Vanadium Phosphorous Hemi-Hydrate VOHP04.O.5H20 in an non-aqueous medium. In order for the VPO catalyst to perform optimally, a metal promoter, Ru, was selected as the doping agent in this study. Four catalysts of different metal doping concentrations (undoped, 0.2%, 0.6% and 1%) were subjected to the oxidation of n-butane. Promoters are added to facilitate the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. n-Butane gas is now being used in many industrial processes, in fixed bed reactors to convert the gas to maleic anhydride. Catalysts were calcined under high temperatures under a nitrogen atmosphere. It was found that with an increase in reaction temperature, there was an increase in conversion of n-butane to maleic anhydride. Selectivity of the product also showed an increase with an increase in temperature at a Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV) of 1960-2170hr-1. Catalysts were characterized using different techniques such as Electron Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform - Infra Red, Average Oxidation State, Brunauer Emmett and Teller (surface area), X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The 0.6% Ru promoted VPO catalyst showed to be most effective in terms of conversion, selectivity and yield, at a temperature of 450°C as compared to the other catalysts studied. The catalysts degenerated after being subjected to higher temperatures. The selectivity obtained by this catalyst was at 70.2% and the yield obtained was 37%. This study showed that with an increase in Ru up to a certain concentration (0.6%), an increase in selectivity and yield was observed, thereafter, with additional Ru doping, a decrease in selectivity and yield was obtained

Poverty reduction strategy papers : to what extent is the goal of national ownership being achieved?

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) process is an initiative by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) and various Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) deal with poverty. It is in some sense an updated and improved version of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) that were implemented in the 1980s. This study examines one of the central aspects of the PRS process which is national ownership that is expected to be achieved by means of the participation of various interested groups and individuals in the formulation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRS Paper). These would include: non – governmental organizations, civil society organizations, faith based organizations, academics, women’s groups, academics and members from the private sector. National ownership of the formulation of the RPS Paper is examined by looking at 4 country studies, namely, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia

Academic Research Interests Of Casino Resort Properties

This study surveyed department executives and chief executive officers from casino resort properties. The 52 respondents represented 22 percent of the total surveyed. These respondents were asked to indicate how much their company valued outside research, and the best vehicle for distributing outside research to casino resort properties. They were also asked to rate their relative degree of interest in specific research topic areas. The results indicate that most of the casino resort properties were interested in academic research. The analysis of specific research topics revealed that there was a significant level of interest in consumer behavior, competitive markets, and employee relations by casino resort properties\u27 top level management

Student life - Your first clinical placement : prepare well and ask for help

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Beverley Ramdeen, 'Student life - Your first clinical placement: prepare well and ask for help', Nursing Standard, Vol. 31 (16-18):35-35, December 2016. The Version of Record is available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.31.16-18.35.s41. Published by the Royal College of Nursing.Your first clinical placement as a nursing student will be an exciting experience, but it may also be somewhat overwhelming.Peer reviewe

Artificial Transitive Fatty Acid (TFA) Ban in Restaurants in US Cities: NYC-DOH TFA Ban as a Model for Proactive Public Health Policy

Today, restaurants, including all eateries that operate within New York City, as well as restaurants across the country, regularly use a rather large amount of an artery-clogging agent, commonly found within their vital ingredients. Artificial transitive fatty acid, or trans-fat as known to the consumer, is the target of the NYC Board of Health and Mental Hygiene, medical experts, and health conscious consumers, for permanent removal from all NYC restaurant menus by July 2008. Specifically, the NYC health code now requires that all establishments holding a NYC Health Department permit, including all restaurants, caterers, stationary hot and cold vendors, and mobile food establishments, limit their use of trans-fat to amount below 0.5 grams per serving