This research and development study created an item pool for the TMGT 698 graduate research methods course taught by the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management at Indiana State University. The Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management at Indiana State University can use the item pool created in this research and development study to evaluate the dissemination of knowledge to graduate students from the course materials provided to them. The Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management at Indiana State University can use the item pool in conjunction with the written assessments and discussion response assessments to evaluate ABET student outcomes and the course objective. A total population of 100 items was created, based on ten items for each of ten objective assessments (quizzes). The study consisted of presenting individuals with ten quizzes selecting items from each assignment’s item pool. Statistical item analysis was then performed on the results to verify internal consistency and reliability, initial assumptions of difficulty, and to determine item discrimination. The results of the study indicate that the majority of items in the item pool are acceptable to use in conjunction with the writing assessments and discussion response assessments to determine student retention of knowledge and attainment of the ABET student outcomes and the course objective.

An Environmental Value Engineering (EVE) analysis was used to conduct an environmental life cycle assessment of transportation alternatives consisting of high-speed passenger rail and interstate passenger car transportation. This analysis was formulated on the EMERGY inputs of environment, fuel energy, goods, and services (labor). EMERGY input tables were calculated based on subsystem inputs for each mode of transportation. Areas of commonality were identified for analysis exclusion while aspects that showed differentiation were included as viable inputs into the calculation of the total EMERGY for each system. The summation of inputs resulted in an overall EMERGY calculation of the alternatives. Subsequently, the system with the lowest aggregate EMERGY per passenger mile was identified as the one having the least impact on the environment while meeting the need of transporting people. In an effort to further determine if a significant difference existed between these transportation alternatives, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted utilizing aggregate EMERGY values of environment, fuel energy, goods, and services. The following results are specific to this analysis such that the conclusions cannot be extrapolated without a specific evaluation of those conditions. An analysis of the EMERGY per passenger mile results determined that the interstate passenger car alternative met the need of transporting people while having the least impact on the environment. A review of the MANOVA results indicated that there was not a significant difference between the transportation alternatives impact on the environment. Additional environmental variables such as vehicle and locomotive material composition analysis, greenhouse gas emission, ecological footprint and ecological economics were identified as areas of consideration for future research. The variables of interest could be included in the EVE analysis and result in a modified EVE and be defined as a composite environmental return on investment (CE-ROI).

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Globalization has often been perceived as the culprit in the decline of employment in several manufacturing industries in the United States. The purpose of this research was to investigate how globalization affected the gas engine manufacturing and parts industry in Indiana during the period of 1998 – 2008, in order to assess the perception of industry professionals as to the characteristics that could, or have, led to globalization through offshoring and outsourcing. Additionally factors for the employment decline experienced in this industry were identified and assessed. For this study an anonymous online survey was conducted targeting individuals directly associated with this industry and holding positions in the areas of engineering and management. The survey addressed the areas of technology, education, globalization/competition and employment. The survey results identified factors such as the influx of foreign goods, quality, workforce skill sets, and automation as competitive deficiencies present in this industry. These results are in contrast to the common perception that offshoring is the main factor for the dislocation of workers related to this sector. Further research in these areas could be conducted to ascertain the interrelated connections, as well as the level of their impact on these manufacturers.

Introduction: countries all over the world have competed to develop their economies through different methods. One of the ways is enhancing Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM). The Jordanian government is one of the governments that found out that if it needs to improve the Jordanian economy it has to improve the supply chain management (SCM) in almost every aspect of life. Problem: The current status of the use of information systems for LSCM at Al-Hassan Industrial Estate (AIE), and the current enterprises’ policies for LSCM were not known. Purpose: The study aimed to answer the following questions: What are the major challenges and developments with the use of information systems for LSCM? What is the actual level of satisfaction of current AIE enterprises’ policies regarding LSCM? Finally, what is the actual need of enterprises at AIE for the effective use of information systems for LSCM? Method: The questionnaire helped in gathering data from enterprises on issues related to challenges, benefits, and development on the use of information systems for LSCM in AIE. The researcher used all the 49 companies as the study population at Al-Hassan Industrial Estate in Jordan. The SPSS program helped in the analysis of the collected data. The descriptive analysis was used to represent the results. Conclusions: This study provides a first overview of the Jordanian companies regarding the LSCM. This study aimed to explore the state of logistics and supply chain management and the use of information systems to support LSCM at AIE. Current companies’ policies are focusing on suppliers more than customers. Also, the companies have to spend more effort to develop their LSCM planning by using techniques such as employee training. In addition, they are using the standard package systems more than customized systems. Also, most of the companies benefit more than average by using LSCM systems. Finally, the majority of these companies are not satisfied with the current policies.

The purpose of the study were (1) to ascertain for Literature major, Mathematics-Physics major, and General Pedagogy major, the significance of the relationship between the school's performance in each required course and their overall performance in the State Examinations; (2) to investigate for each major the significance of the relationship between the school's performance in all the required courses and their overall performance in the State Examinitations; (3) to develop for each major, a prediction equation to be used to predict school's performance in the State Examinitations; and (4) to analyze the degree of concordance, across teh three majors, in the ways courses common to them correlated with the State Examinations. A total of 58 rural and urban schools from Shaba Province were used in this study. Twelve offered Literature major and presented 275 candidates, sixteen offered Mathematics-Physics major and had 300 candidates, and twenty-eight offeredd General-Pedagogy major with 935 candidates. All these schools participated in the State Examinations in June 1976. A correlation matrix was developed for each major, using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (S.P.S.S). In this matrix each variable was compared singly with the other variables. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were completed for each major, in order to identify courses contributing significantly to the school's performance in the State Examinations. The results of these analyses were used to develop, for each major, an equation to be used to predit school's performance in the State Examinations. A multiple correlation coefficient was computed for each major, to test for the signigicance of the relationship between the school's performance in all the required coursed and their overall performance in the State Examinations. A kendall's coefficient of concordance was computed and its significance tested. The following findings were established from the analyses: 1. In each major, certain required courses contributed significantly to school's performance in the State Examinations. 2. The overall correlation in each major, between the school's performance in all the required courses and their performance in the State Examinations was significant. 3. A prediction equation was developed for each major. 4. The courses common to the three majors did not contribut to the school's performance, in the same way, across the three majors.