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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR PRACTICES ON CLIENT PERFORMANCE
Title
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR PRACTICES ON CLIENT PERFORMANCE.
Creator
O'Neal, Thomas, Kulonda, Dennis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This research is designed to distinguish and describe or explain incubator practices that affect the performance of incubator clients of university technology incubator programs. The research focuses on understanding which practices significantly contribute to increasing job creation for the firms located in university based technology incubators. An increasing number of communities are embracing economic development strategies that target the high tech sector with high wage, high value jobs...
Show moreThis research is designed to distinguish and describe or explain incubator practices that affect the performance of incubator clients of university technology incubator programs. The research focuses on understanding which practices significantly contribute to increasing job creation for the firms located in university based technology incubators. An increasing number of communities are embracing economic development strategies that target the high tech sector with high wage, high value jobs as a way to diversify their economies and boost local and regional economies. New economic development strategies include the notion of a creation strategy or "growing your own" instead of relying on recruiting of existing companies from other regions. In 1999-2000 (according to the most recent data), small businesses created three-quarters of U.S. net new jobs (2.5 million of the 3.4 million total). The small business percentage varies from year to year and reflects economic trends. Over the decade of the 1990s, small business net job creation fluctuated between 60 and 80 percent. Moreover, according to a Bureau of the Census working paper, start-ups in the first two years of operation accounted for virtually all of the net new jobs in the economy. The study is broken into three parts: (1) a review of the literature on incubation, focusing on its history, best practices, technology incubation, networking theory, and previous empirical studies (2) a review of previous data collected in a recent national survey and (3) case studies of the top performing incubators in the country based on employment growth of client firms contracted with case studies from non-top ten programs. The literature suggests that the study of incubation must be considered in the context of a larger enterprise development system of which the incubator will fill gaps in the larger regional enterprise development system. This notion is explored. In general, there is a great need for more empirical research into best practice of incubation. It is a non trivial task however as the nature of the industry limits the ability to obtain traditional, statistically defendable, measures.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000434, ucf:46404
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000434
The Challenges and Barriers to Employment for Female in Riyadh and Tabuk
Title
The Challenges and Barriers to Employment for Female in Riyadh and Tabuk.
Creator
Almutairi, Sultan, O'Neal, Thomas, Garibay, Ivan, Keathley, Heather, Jahani, Shiva, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Women labor force participation plays an important role in economic. The developing in economy in Saudi Arabia depends on men rather than women, more than 50 years the Saudi women participation in the labor force extremely is low, this dissertation seeks to identify the challenges and barriers to employment for women in Riyadh and Tabuk. This study examines three research questions. The first question explored the difference between the rate of women unemployment in Tabuk and the rate of...
Show moreWomen labor force participation plays an important role in economic. The developing in economy in Saudi Arabia depends on men rather than women, more than 50 years the Saudi women participation in the labor force extremely is low, this dissertation seeks to identify the challenges and barriers to employment for women in Riyadh and Tabuk. This study examines three research questions. The first question explored the difference between the rate of women unemployment in Tabuk and the rate of women unemployment in Riyadh. The second question investigated ways in which a logistic regression using demographics data could be used to predict the women unemployment rates in two cities. The third question investigated the challenges faced by unemployed women in two cites. An online survey was administrated to both groups. The survey included demographic information and Women Labor Force Participation Instrument. A Chi-Square test was developed from the data to test the differences of the unemployed women in two cites. In order to analyze the second question, the researcher utilized two statistical analysis tests. A logistic regression equation was developed from the data to predict unemployment rates in two cites. Additionally, Partial least squares structural equation modeling were used to analyze the exploratory research question. Content analysis was also used to analyze the challenges faced by unemployed women.
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Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007597, ucf:52561
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007597
An Integrated Framework for Automated Data Collection and Processing for Discrete Event Simulation Models
Title
An Integrated Framework for Automated Data Collection and Processing for Discrete Event Simulation Models.
Creator
Rodriguez, Carlos, Kincaid, John, Karwowski, Waldemar, O'Neal, Thomas, Kaup, David, Mouloua, Mustapha, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Discrete Events Simulation (DES) is a powerful tool of modeling and analysis used in different disciplines. DES models require data in order to determine the different parameters that drive the simulations. The literature about DES input data management indicates that the preparation of necessary input data is often a highly manual process, which causes inefficiencies, significant time consumption and a negative user experience.The focus of this research investigation is addressing the manual...
Show moreDiscrete Events Simulation (DES) is a powerful tool of modeling and analysis used in different disciplines. DES models require data in order to determine the different parameters that drive the simulations. The literature about DES input data management indicates that the preparation of necessary input data is often a highly manual process, which causes inefficiencies, significant time consumption and a negative user experience.The focus of this research investigation is addressing the manual data collection and processing (MDCAP) problem prevalent in DES projects. This research investigation presents an integrated framework to solve the MDCAP problem by classifying the data needed for DES projects into three generic classes. Such classification permits automating and streamlining the preparation of the data, allowing DES modelers to collect, update, visualize, fit, validate, tally and test data in real-time, by performing intuitive actions. In addition to the proposed theoretical framework, this project introduces an innovative user interface that was programmed based on the ideas of the proposed framework. The interface is called DESI, which stands for Discrete Event Simulation Inputs.The proposed integrated framework to automate DES input data preparation was evaluated against benchmark measures presented in the literature in order to show its positive impact in DES input data management. This research investigation demonstrates that the proposed framework, instantiated by the DESI interface, addresses current gaps in the field, reduces the time devoted to input data management within DES projects and advances the state-of-the-art in DES input data management automation.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005878, ucf:50861
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005878
An SoS Conceptual Model, LVC Simulation Framework, and a Prototypical Implementation of Unmanned System Interventions for Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation
Title
An SoS Conceptual Model, LVC Simulation Framework, and a Prototypical Implementation of Unmanned System Interventions for Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation.
Creator
Davis, Matthew, Proctor, Michael, O'Neal, Thomas, Reilly, Charles, Sulfredge, C., Smith, Roger, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Nuclear power plant disasters can have severe and far-reaching consequences, thus emergency managers and first responders from utility owners to the DoD must be prepared to respond to and mitigate effects protecting the public and environment from further damage. Rapidly emerging unmanned systems promise significant improvement in response and mitigation of nuclear disasters. Models and simulations (M(&)S) may play a significant role in improving readiness and reducing risks through its use...
Show moreNuclear power plant disasters can have severe and far-reaching consequences, thus emergency managers and first responders from utility owners to the DoD must be prepared to respond to and mitigate effects protecting the public and environment from further damage. Rapidly emerging unmanned systems promise significant improvement in response and mitigation of nuclear disasters. Models and simulations (M(&)S) may play a significant role in improving readiness and reducing risks through its use in planning, analysis, preparation training, and mitigation rehearsal for a wide spectrum of derivate scenarios. Legacy nuclear reactor M(&)S lack interoperability between themselves and avatar or agent-based simulations of emergent unmanned systems. Bridging the gap between past and the evolving future, we propose a conceptual model (CM) using a System of System (SoS) approach, a simulation federation framework capable of supporting concurrent and interoperating live, virtual and constructive simulation (LVC), and demonstrate a prototypical implementation of an unmanned system intervention for nuclear power plant disaster using the constructive simulation component. The SoS CM, LVC simulation framework, and prototypical implementation are generalizable to other preparedness, response, and mitigation scenarios. The SoS CM broadens the current stovepipe reactor-based simulations to a system-of-system perspective. The framework enables distributed interoperating simulations with a network of legacy and emergent avatar and agent simulations. The unmanned system implementation demonstrates feasibility of the SoS CM and LVC framework through replication of selective Fukushima events. Further, the system-of-systems approach advances life cycle stages including concept exploration, system design, engineering, training, and mission rehearsal. Live, virtual, and constructive component subsystems of the CM are described along with an explanation of input/output requirements. Finally, applications to analysis and training, an evaluation of the SoS CM based on recently proposed criteria found in the literature, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued
2017
Identifier
CFE0006732, ucf:51879
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006732
A New Paradigm Integrating Business Process Modeling and Use Case Modeling
Title
A New Paradigm Integrating Business Process Modeling and Use Case Modeling.
Creator
Brown, Barclay, Karwowski, Waldemar, Thompson, William, Lee, Gene, O'Neal, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The goal of this research is to develop a new paradigm integrating the practices of business process modeling and use case modeling. These two modeling approaches describe the behavior of organizations and systems, and their interactions, but rest on different paradigms and serve different needs. The base of knowledge and information required for each approach is largely common, however, so an integrated approach has advantages in efficiency, consistency and completeness of the overall...
Show moreThe goal of this research is to develop a new paradigm integrating the practices of business process modeling and use case modeling. These two modeling approaches describe the behavior of organizations and systems, and their interactions, but rest on different paradigms and serve different needs. The base of knowledge and information required for each approach is largely common, however, so an integrated approach has advantages in efficiency, consistency and completeness of the overall behavioral model. Both modeling methods are familiar and widely used. Business process modeling is often employed as a precursor to the development of a system to be used in a business organization. Business process modeling teams and stakeholders may spend months or years developing detailed business process models, expecting that these models will provide a useful base of information for system designers. Unfortunately, as the business process model is analyzed by the system designers, it is found that information needed to specify the functionality of the system does not exist in the business process model. System designers may then employ use case modeling to specify the needed system functionality, again spending significant time with stakeholders to gather the needed input. Stakeholders find this two-pass process redundant and wasteful of time and money since the input they provide to both modeling teams is largely identical, with each team capturing only the aspects relevant to their form of modeling. Developing a new paradigm and modeling approach that achieves the objectives of both business process modeling and use case modeling in an integrated form, in one analysis pass, results in time savings, increased accuracy and improved communication among all participants in the systems development process.Analysis of several case studies will show that inefficiency, wasted time and overuse of stakeholder resource time results from the separate application of business process modeling and use case modeling. A review of existing literature on the subject shows that while the problem of modeling both business process and use case information in a coordinated fashion has been recognized before, there are few if any approaches that have been proposed to reconcile and integrate the two methods. Based on both literature review and good modeling practices, a list of goals for the new paradigm and modeling approach forms the basis for the paradigm to be created.A grounded theory study is then conducted to analyze existing modeling approaches for both business processes and use cases and to provide an underlying theory on which to base the new paradigm. The two main innovations developed for the new paradigm are the usage process and the timebox. Usage processes allow system usages (use cases) to be identified as the business process model is developed, and the two to be shown in a combined process flow. Timeboxes allow processes to be positioned in time-relation to each other without the need to combine processes into higher level processes using causal relations that may not exist. The combination of usage processes and timeboxes allows any level of complex behavior to be modeled in one pass, without the redundancy and waste of separate business process and use case modeling work.Several pilot projects are conducted to test the new modeling paradigm in differing modeling situations with participants and subject matter experts asked to compare the traditional models with the new paradigm formulations.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005583, ucf:50270
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005583
A Real Option Dynamic Decision (RODD) Framework for Operational Innovations
Title
A Real Option Dynamic Decision (RODD) Framework for Operational Innovations.
Creator
Onkham, Wilawan, Rabelo, Luis, O'Neal, Thomas, Pazour, Jennifer, Yazici, Hulya Julie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Changing the business operations and adopting new operational innovations, have become key features for a business solution approach. However, there are challenges for developing innovative operations due to a lack of the proper decision analysis tools, lack of understanding the impacts transition will have on operational models, and the time limits of the innovation life cycle. The cases of business failure in operational innovation (i.e. Eastman Kodak Company and Borders Group Inc.,)...
Show moreChanging the business operations and adopting new operational innovations, have become key features for a business solution approach. However, there are challenges for developing innovative operations due to a lack of the proper decision analysis tools, lack of understanding the impacts transition will have on operational models, and the time limits of the innovation life cycle. The cases of business failure in operational innovation (i.e. Eastman Kodak Company and Borders Group Inc.,) support the need for an investment decision framework. This research aims to develop a Real Option Dynamic Decision (RODD) framework for decision making, to support decision makers for operational innovation investments. This development will help the business/organization to recognize the need for change in operations, and quickly respond to market threats and customer needs. The RODD framework is developed by integrating a strategic investment method (Real Options Analysis), management transition evaluation (Matrix of Change), competitiveness evaluation (Lotka-Volterra), and dynamic behavior modeling (System Dynamics Modeling) to analyze the feasibility of the transformation, and to assess return on investment of new operation schemes. Two case studies are used: United Parcel Service of America, Inc., and Firefighting Operations to validate the RODD framework. The results show that the benefits of this decision-making framework are (1) to provide increased flexibility, improved predictions, and more information to decision makers; (2) to assess the value alternative option with regards to uncertainty and competitiveness; (3) to reduce complexity; and (4) to gain a new understanding of operational innovations.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0005039, ucf:50002
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005039
Success in Technology Organizations
Title
Success in Technology Organizations.
Creator
Bass, Joseph, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, O'Neal, Thomas, Sivo, Stephen, Hosni, Yasser, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
In today's economic environment, it is advantageous for technology organizations to be cognizant of prevalent influences on success and failure and to incorporate this knowledge into their business and innovation strategies. Technology organizations were defined within this research as those in the business of created competence which is expressed in terms of entities consisting of devices, procedures, and acquired human skills (Clarke, 2005). Although, no organization contains the ideal mix...
Show moreIn today's economic environment, it is advantageous for technology organizations to be cognizant of prevalent influences on success and failure and to incorporate this knowledge into their business and innovation strategies. Technology organizations were defined within this research as those in the business of created competence which is expressed in terms of entities consisting of devices, procedures, and acquired human skills (Clarke, 2005). Although, no organization contains the ideal mix of culture and ideological emphases, some have amassed impressive track records of great success. A literature review was used to identify factors relevant within similar contexts such as influences on creativity, innovation, Research and Development (R(&)D), etcetera. The salient factors identified within the literature review were hypothesized as being very important to great success within technology organizations. A conceptual model was created that visually illustrated the interactions of those factors and their influence on technology organization success which was defined as average annual revenue growth and direct new job creation. An internet questionnaire was utilized to test the hypotheses among 15 very successful technology organizations according to their respective Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) or equivalents. These companies were randomly chosen from a population of the technology organizations included in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000, a list of the 5000 fastest growing companies in America. The questionnaire primarily consisted of Likert questions designed to test the hypotheses. The dependent variable in the statistical analyses, technology organization success, was ranked according to average annual revenue growth and direct new job creation relative to the other organizations within the sample set. The top category in typical questionnaire Likert questions included the adjective (")very(") that was interpreted to imply that the particular factor was exactly or precisely essential to affect that level of success, this in the collective opinion of the CTOs. Not meeting the threshold of exactly or precisely was interpreted that the factor may not be essential to that level of success. Rejection of the respective null hypotheses and subsequent acceptance of the alternative hypotheses were interpreted as evidence that particular factors were essential to great levels of technology organization success. And, the conceptual model was updated accordingly. Acceptance of null hypotheses demonstrated that the factors may not be essential; therefore, they were excluded from further discussion and the model. Seventeen key factors and/or categories were identified according to the Chief Technology Officers within the population of very successful technology organizations as having substantial influence on the success of those organizations. Recommendations were made to technology organizations aspiring towards prolific levels of success.As a check, three open-ended questions were included and used to verify that no consensus crucial elements were omitted within the Likert question section of the questionnaire. There were no consensus factors identified within those open-ended questions.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0004652, ucf:49903
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004652
Assessing the Impact of Multi-variate Steering-rate Vehicle Control on Driver Performance in a Simulation Framework
Title
Assessing the Impact of Multi-variate Steering-rate Vehicle Control on Driver Performance in a Simulation Framework.
Creator
Xynidis, Michael, Morrow, Patricia Bockelman, Karwowski, Waldemar, Martin, Glenn, O'Neal, Thomas, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Mouloua, Mustapha, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
When a driver turns a steering-wheel, he or she normally expects the vehicle's steering system to communicate an equivalent amount of signal to the road-wheels. This relationship is linear and occurs regardless of the steering-wheel's position within its rotational travel. The linear steering paradigm in passenger vehicles has gone largely unchanged since mass production of passenger vehicles began in 1901. However, as more electronically-controlled steering systems appear in conjunction with...
Show moreWhen a driver turns a steering-wheel, he or she normally expects the vehicle's steering system to communicate an equivalent amount of signal to the road-wheels. This relationship is linear and occurs regardless of the steering-wheel's position within its rotational travel. The linear steering paradigm in passenger vehicles has gone largely unchanged since mass production of passenger vehicles began in 1901. However, as more electronically-controlled steering systems appear in conjunction with development of autonomous steering functions in vehicles, an opportunity to advance the existing steering paradigms arises. The following framework takes a human-factors approach toward examining and evaluating alternative steering systems by using Modeling and Simulation methods to track and score human performance.Present conventional steering systems apply a linear relationship between the steering-wheel and the road wheels of a vehicle. The rotational travel of the steering-wheel is 900(&)deg; and requires two-and-a-half revolutions to travel from end-stop to opposite end-stop. The experimental steering system modeled and employed in this study applies a dynamic curve response to the steering input within a shorter, 225(&)deg; rotational travel. Accommodation variances, based on vehicle speed and steering-wheel rotational position and acceleration, moderate the apparent steering input to augment a more-practical, effective steering rate. This novel model follows a paradigm supporting the full range of steering-wheel actuation without necessitating hand repositioning or the removal of the driver's hands from the steering-wheel during steering maneuvers.In order to study human performance disparities between novel and conventional steering models, a custom simulator was constructed and programmed to render representative models in a test scenario. Twenty-seven males and twenty-seven females, ranging from the ages of eighteen to sixty-five were tested and scored using the driving simulator that presented two successive driving test vignettes: One vignette using conventional 900(&)deg; steering with linear response and the other employing the augmented 225(&)deg; multivariate, non-linear steering.The results from simulator testing suggest that both males and females perform better with the novel system, supporting the hypothesis that drivers of either gender perform better with a system augmented with 225(&)deg; multivariate, non-linear steering than with a conventional steering system. Further analysis of the simulated-driving scores indicates performance parity between male and female participants, supporting the hypothesis positing no significant difference in driver performance between male and female drivers using the augmented steering system. Finally, composite data from written questionnaires support the hypothesis that drivers will prefer driving the augmented system over conventional steering.These collective findings support justification for testing and refining novel steering systems using Modeling and Simulation methods. As a product of this particular study, a tested and open-sourced simulation framework now exists such that researchers and automotive designers can develop, as well as evaluate their own steering-oriented products within a valid human-factors construct. The open-source nature of this framework implies a commonality by which otherwise disparate research and development work can be associated.Extending this framework beyond basic investigation to reach applications requiring more-specialized parameters may even impact drivers having special needs. For example, steering-system functional characteristics could be comparatively optimized to accommodate individuals afflicted with upper-body deficits or limited use of either or both arms. Moreover, the combined human-factors and open-source approaches distinguish the products of this research as a common and extensible platform by which purposeful automotive-industry improvements can be realized(-)contrasted with arbitrary improvements that might be brought about predominantly to showcase technological advancements.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007420, ucf:52706
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007420