Master of Business Administration (MBA) Professional Reports

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Master of Business Administration (MBA) Professional Reports

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Degree-Earning Works

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Department of Defense Management (DDM)

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 932

ADVANCED SOLUTIONS FOR LAST-TACTICAL-MILE LOGISTICS IN SUPPORT OF EXPEDITIONARY ADVANCED BASE OPERATIONS (EABO)
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2023-06) Lamm, Erich; Yoder, E. Cory; Apte, Aruna U.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
This study answers questions regarding whether advanced agreements could be used to solve multiple last-tactical-mile logistics issues for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) in a contested environment. The research uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis to investigate the challenges of last-tactical-mile logistics supporting EABO in disaggregated and high-threat environments where units cannot expect to have responsive and reliable supply chains. The analysis and findings suggest that EABO is best supported by using advanced contracts and pre-established agreements that are coordinated during phase zero of the joint planning process. In addition, the Marine Corps can create a network of EABO locations with the ability to rapidly activate by coupling these pre-established support packages with pre-staged equipment sets throughout the Pacific.
NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE – A COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF HARD-KILL VERSUS SOFT-KILL FOR SHIP SELF DEFENSE
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2022-12) Mander, Galen T.; Enix, Zachary P.; Deraoui, Antoine E.; Sullivan, Ryan S.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
This project is relevant to military acquisition, U.S. Navy financial management, and Naval Surface Warfare. It examines the cost-effectiveness analysis of potential Navy Surface Ship Electronic Warfare (EW) and vertical launch missile systems (VLS). Our intent is that the research informs the Program Executive Office Information Warfare Systems (PEO/IWS) and OPNAV N96/N2N6 by illustrating the capabilities and costs of EW and missile systems. We examined the effectiveness of Navy systems against a myriad of threat missiles, using estimated percent kill (Pk) calculations that encompassed the underlying sensors consisting of command and control, communications, detection, engagement, and tracking. Our results indicate that the electronic warfare systems, specifically the SLQ-32 (v)7, is the most cost-effective system to deter threat missiles, because of the re-load cost associated with missile systems, specifically the SM-6, SM-2, and ESSM. While the SLQ-32 is the most cost-effective system, we understand the need for redundancy, and we cannot completely disregard defensive missile systems. It is our hope that this research will ultimately aid in strategic decision-making for long-term employment weapons load outs on various ship classes. With more money invested in electronic warfare defense systems, the load out on surface assets can theoretically shift to a more offensive mindset, while still maintaining defensive missiles for the applicable threat environment.
BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS OF JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM 5G INITIATIVE: NAVAL INFORMATION WARFARE CENTER PACIFIC BUILDING 992 AND BUILDING 998
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2023-06) Staples, Jacob L.; Tidball, Haydn T.; Dew, Nicholas; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific Building 992 (B992) and Building 998 (B998) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) currently rely on costly and outdated time division multiplexing (TDM) switches, and this technology must be replaced to comply with Department of Defense (DOD) requirements. 5G technology offers the potential to improve service speed, quality, and security and decrease long-term maintenance costs for the DOD. This thesis uses NIWC Pacific B992 and B998 as a hypothetical test site to conduct a business case analysis (BCA) comparing the costs of the current telecommunications infrastructure with four different 5G-enabled modernization alternatives. After performing a 10-year net present value (NPV) analysis, the results of this study indicate that adopting 5G technology can enhance performance and produce significant long-term cost savings. This thesis provides a BCA spreadsheet tool that is intended to be used to evaluate similar 5G initiatives at other facilities or DOD installations.
ANALYSIS OF MARINE CORPS CANCELED ACCOUNT PAYMENTS
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-12) Combs, Clinton L.; Sullivan, Ryan S.; Kaczorowski, David W.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Over $1.2 million remains unpaid in United States Marine Corps canceled account payments due to a failure to properly closeout over-aged contracts used for the procurement of goods and services. The authority of government agencies to make further expenditures and payments against these contracts cancels at the end of the appropriation’s five-year period of availability. Pursuant to 31 U.S. Code § 1553, current year funds must then be utilized to pay those closed account invoices in addition to any interest accrued over time. This presents an issue within constrained budgets, already insufficient in meeting Force Design initiatives. While an effort has been made by Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Programs and Resources (P&R) to streamline the reconciliation and payment of these invoices, both internal and external factors continue to undermine the Marine Corps’ funds execution credibility. My research examined findings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and data from HQMC, P&R and found that labor shortfalls within the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) along with internal visibility issues impede the closeout of canceled account payments. To address this impact, the implementation of a tiger team within DCAA is recommended. Additionally, the promulgation of official payment and policy guidance should be provided to applicable commands, including Marine Corps Systems Command, which accounts for nearly half of all Marine Corps canceled account payments.
FEMALE RETENTION IN THE U.S. NAVY SUPPLY CORPS
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2022-06) Garrett, Jami; Fuentes, Madeleine; Hartmann, Latika; Helzer, Erik; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Our research uses a quantitative and survey-based approach to study gender disparities in retention among Navy Supply Corps officers. Our work offers a clear assessment of retention and separation rates over the course of one officer life cycle, from the end of their first term of service to the last promotion milestone (15 years) before retirement eligibility to help provide a focal point for retention efforts. Using individual data from the Defense Manpower Data Center on Navy officers who commissioned from 2006 to 2021, we find that the female Supply Corps officers separate at higher rates than males and are less likely to be married or have children. These gender differences are statistically significant. Supply Corps female retention and separation patterns, across gender and children, align to Medical Corps. Married female Supply Corps officers' retention and separation patterns fall between SW and Medical Corps, but align more closely to SW. Our survey respondents noted family support, work-life balance, and career-enhancing opportunities as retention incentives. In comparison, they noted a lack of family support and work-life balance as primary separation drivers. Bonuses and lack of transparency around detailing were also mentioned as additional separation drivers.
SYSTEMIC DELAY IN DEFENSE CONTRACTING: A CASE STUDY OF THE DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY’S CONTRACT CLOSEOUT BACKLOG FROM FY2015 TO FY2020
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2023-12) Rawls, Darius D.; Stone, Arthur L., Jr.; Woods, Justin B.; Schwartz, Brett M.; Tick, Simona L.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
In this study, we analyze the Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA) actions, from FY2015 to FY2020, to reduce a backlog of more than 72,000 overage flexibly priced contracts (FPC) that awaited administrative closeout. By working directly with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) to align organizational priorities and deconflict internal procedures, the DCMA identified systemic delays in its closeout process and reduced the FPC backlog. Using historical data generated during the DCMA’s Material Weakness Initiative (MWI), our analysis focuses on the DCMA’s overall effectiveness in closing FPCs. The goal of our research is to provide defense contracting activities a roadmap to prevent future backlogs and reduce current backlogs. One main takeaway is the importance of aligning organizational priorities and deconflicting internal procedures between interconnected contract administration participants to close FPCs on time and efficiently. Three primary recommendations that stem from our findings are that defense contracting organizations should: (1) set organizational FPC closeout goals and use metrics to track closeout progress, (2) when multiple entities are involved, establish a process to track queued FPCs awaiting administrative action by all organizations, and (3) consider adding contract clauses that enable administrative contracting officers to efficiently close FPCs during the post-award phase. Additional recommendations for further research are also provided.
THE EFFECT OF UNREPORTED DEMAND ON THE F/A-18’S SUPPLY CHAIN
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-12) Delehanty, Kory T.; Morales, Edward; Rudolf, Keith Q.; Ferrer, Geraldo; Hauser, Margaret M.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
This research investigates the causes of unreported demand associated with F/A-18 aircraft components during the execution of cannibalization and the issuance of repairable parts from the Stricken Aircraft Reclamation and Disposal Program (SARDIP). The current transition to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter across the entire Marine Corps F/A-18 Type Model Series (TMS) platform provides an opportunity to research and analyze various aspects of the divestiture process. During the divestiture period of the F/A-18 platform, missing demand signals lead to inaccuracies in demand forecasting. This inaccurate demand capture increases stress on the supply system and future funding requirements within the organization. This study analyzes five years of demand data gathered from the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in order to identify causes and sources of lost demand associated with cannibalization and SARDIP issues. In addition, this study presents an analysis of current Marine Corps aviation supply policies and cannibalization actions to identify shortfalls in demand reporting. The data gathered suggest that unreported demand leads to increases in demand variability and the ability to allocate funds for F/A-18 components. Although the impacts of unreported demand for the F/A-18 will disappear once the platform is no longer in service, unreported demand will continue to affect all aircraft remaining in service.
COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF FIRE CONTROLMAN AEGIS REGULAR MILITARY COMPENSATION VERSUS CIVILIAN WAGES
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2023-06) Pichardo, Jeffrey A.; Cunha, Jesse; Menichini, Amilcar A.; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
Retention initiatives play a crucial role in maintaining combat-ready forces. Retention has become a pressing issue due to the declining interest among individuals to join the military, the low unemployment rate, and the current labor market’s attractive compensation packages for critical skills. This thesis compares military and civilian pay within similar occupations, explicitly focusing on servicemembers specializing in highly technical fields like U.S. Navy Fire Controlman Aegis (FCA). In particular, this thesis uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to calculate the net present value (NPV) of Regular Military Compensation (RMC) in conjunction with Selective Reenlistment Bonuses (SRB) to assess the comparability of compensation packages with civilian wages. Military compensation, even for specialized roles like FCA, offers a higher net present value than civilian compensation. This underscores the significance of acknowledging and preserving compensation differentials to ensure the retention of skilled military personnel.
INCREASING DEFENSE CONTRACTOR COMPETITION IN A PREDOMINANTLY SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACTING ENVIRONMENT
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-12) Adjei, Samuel O.; Hendricks, Crette O., II; Rendon, Rene G.; Ferrer, Geraldo; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
This research was derived from a Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons System Support (NAVSUP-WSS) problem statement that identified that more than 80% of WSS contracts occur in a sole-source environment. Operating in this environment presents supply chain constraints, cost, and readiness risks for the Navy. The purpose of this research is to analyze the NAVSUP-WSS sole-source contracting environment to determine methods for increasing competition. We utilized the resource dependency theory as our foundational framework and employed a mixed-method approach involving both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for our research. We analyzed more than 62,000 contracting actions and conducted spend analysis on WSS procurements for FY19-FY20 and we reviewed NAVSUP’s supply chain and contracting operation following Kraljic’s supply matrix. Our results identified the top four items frequently procured under sole-source conditions, the percentage of awards and dollar amount awarded to the top WSS contractors, and the policy and operational conditions that contribute to the WSS sole-source environment. Lastly, we developed a NAVSUP-WSS supply matrix to apply methods for increasing defense contractor competition for selected items that were identified as a result of our spend analysis.
BIAS IN THE AIR FORCE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS PROGRAM
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-12) Stark, Patrick L.; Lester, Paul; Helzer, Erik; Department of Defense Management (DDM)
The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of implicit bias against women and minority active-duty members within the Air Force awards and decorations program. Data provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center is utilized in performing a statistical analysis of awards and decorations proffered to individuals by the Air Force from September 2006 to September 2020. The data includes twenty-three different awards for heroism and performance. The analysis compares active-duty Air Force members by rank and cross-references those individuals based on gender and race to analyze the disparity in number of awards proffered to females and non-Caucasian males compared to their male Caucasian counterparts. The analysis shows that Black officers and enlisted members received far fewer awards than expected, as did female and Asian officers. This study results in initial insights into implicit bias taking place specifically in the Air Force and recommendations for prevention and correction in the active-duty environment.