The Department of Applied Engineering and Technology Management prepares students for professional careers in management, supervision, education, training, and applied engineering in a variety of technical disciplines. Students may choose from among several baccalaureate degree majors that offer a balance of classroom study and experience in modern laboratories responsive to change and the needs of industry and technology & engineering education. Baccalaureate degree programs are offered in adult and career education, advanced manufacturing management, automotive engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, packaging engineering technology, technology and engineering education, and technology management. Graduates from these degree programs are employed in various industrial companies, educational agencies, and government branches.

Recent Submissions

  • THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSESSMENT ITEM POOL FOR A GRADUATE RESEARCH METHODS COURSE

    Muller, Heidi M. (Indiana State University, 2021-05)
    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.
  • EVALUATION OF THE GNPV METHOD FOR DECISION-MAKING IN NON-CONVENTIONAL PROJECTS

    Song, Ningning (Indiana State University, 2014-08)
    Engineering economic analysis techniques are used to evaluate projects and make appropriate decision in capital budgeting. Conventional projects can be solved by the traditional methods such as the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) methods. These methods may not work in evaluating non-conventional projects. Kulakov and Kulakova (2012) have presented the generalized net present value (GNPV) method for such projects. They have illustrated the method with three examples: a project of 2-year life with multiple IRRs, a project of 2-year life without IRR, and a project of 3-year life with a unique real-valued IRR which is not the rate of return. The purpose of the present study was to test the validity and feasibility of the GNPV method in evaluating other non-conventional projects with longer life. The method was used to evaluate five scenarios or problems with up to 10-year life. First problem was a project for 5-year life with multiple IRRs. Second was a project for 7-year life with multiple realvalued IRRs, which were not the rate of return. Third was a project for 10-year life with a positive and a negative IRR meaning the positive value was the unique IRR. Fourth was a project for 7-year life with a salvage value and a unique IRR. Fifth was a staged expansion project for 10-year life with a unique IRR. It was concluded that the GNPV method worked in all the five cases considered. Advantages of the GNPV method were noticed in agreement with Kulakov and Kulakova (2012) that i) the minimum attractive rate of return (MARR) was not required to find a solution of the problem; ii) the internal (financing) rate may be different from the external (reinvestment) rate as happens in real world; and iii) internal and external rates are not necessarily required for solution, but are required for evaluation of the projects. One disadvantage was observed that the computational work in some cases may be overwhelming.
  • AN ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE ENGINEERING (EVE) EMERGY ANALYSIS RUBRIC TO COMPARE HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL AND INTERSTATE PASSENGER CAR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES THROUGH A FIXED DISTANCE

    Threadcraft, Joseph (Indiana State University, 2014-12)
    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).
  • The Impact of Cooperative Video Games on Team Cohesion

    Anderson, Greg (2010-07-20)
    In today’s economy, productivity and efficiency require collaboration between employees. In order to improve collaboration the factors affecting teamwork must be examined to identify where changes can be made in order to increase performance. One factor contributing to teamwork is team cohesion and represents a process whereby members are joined by a common bond in the pursuit of a common objective. A popular social bonding activity sweeping the world is playing cooperative video games. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of playing cooperative video games on team cohesion. Subjects (N=56) were randomly placed into 15 teams of three to four members. A modified Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) pretest was administered to determine the initial degree of cohesiveness between team members and to examine a wide cross-section of correlates and cohesiveness. Each team was randomly assigned to a specific intervention length of either one or three weeks with the one week groups playing for one hour and the three week groups playing for six hours. After the randomly assigned length of game play was completed, team members completed the modified GEQ posttest. The results of the posttest were compared with the pretest to determine the effect on the team’s cohesion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and a 2 x 2 MANCOVA was used to determine if playing collaborative video games affected the level of cohesion. A mixed design was used as post hoc analyses for each GEQ cohesive factor and indicated that levels of cohesion increased due to the intervention but was not dependent upon the length of the intervention. The results of this analysis indicated that video games can be used as a team building experience to improve cohesion regardless of how long the video game is played.
  • The Zaibatsu: Japan's industrial combines

    Roach, William Duane (2013-04-22)
    Not Available.
  • Sustainable construction practices:contractor's perceptions of awareness and participation.

    Fee, Scott T (2012-05-16)
    The U.S Green Building Council's(USGBC)Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED)rating system is the current industry standard for sustainable building practices.This study employed an online survey instrument to collect data from contractor members of the Associated General Contractors of America(AGC).The instrument asked respondents to score their firm's awareness of LEED green building practices and the firm's participation in projects using these practices.According to the AGC,its leadership intends to work with USGBC to build the construction industry's awareness of and participation in LEED specifically and sustainable construction in general.By conducting a survey of 4232 contractor members of the AGC,this study has established current levels of contractor's awareness of LEED practices and their participation in projects that employ LEED methods.Correlation analysis was employed to calculate the degree of correlation between scores in the response categories of "Awareness" and "Participation".Means analysis addressed research questions regarding differences in the means of LEED awareness and LEED participation responses within selected demographic categories.Spearman's rho analysis produced results indicating correlation between awareness and participation scores.ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc analyses indicated significant differences in the mean responses for the demographic categories of:(a)type of firm,(b)annual dollar volume and (c)company size.
  • Effects of Globalization on the Gas Engine Manufacturing and Parts Industry in Indiana As Experienced By Those Working In This Sector

    Polastri, Patricia (2012-01-19)
    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.
  • Effects of Joint Preparation Angle of Single-vee Butt Welds on the Tensile Strength of ASTM A36 Carbon Steel

    McClure, Matthew (2011-07-20)
    Welding is a multi-faceted procedure of manufacturing and can occur at any point during the creation of a product. Quality issues in welding can have disastrous, or even deadly, consequences. The issue of weld preparation angle is one of several different elements that have a direct correlation on the quality of a welded joint. The purpose of this research centers on resultant tensile strength of a single-vee butt joint in carbon steel with various preparation angles. Preparation angles were machined on twenty-six pieces of ASTM A36 carbon steel in 5° increments in order to produce thirteen samples with included preparation angles ranging from 0° to 120°. Test samples were developed using an automated welding process that remained consistent for all of the welds. Each sample was plasma cut into ten coupons, which were machined to have a uniform cross section of the welded joint and surrounding parent material using a computer numerically controlled machining center. This yielded a total population of 130 coupons, which were tested to failure using a United Testing Systems stress/strain tensile tester. The empirical data were analyzed via the use of SPSS 18 statistical software. Initially, the level of population variance was assessed within groups and between groups by use of a one-way ANOVA test at the .05 alpha level. The result showed a statistically significant difference of the sample population. Secondly, a comparison of the data at various preparation angles to that of the industry standard angle of 60° was assessed using a Bonferroni multiple comparisons at the .05 alpha level, which resulted in one angle being statistically significant compared to the industry standard.
  • The Current Situation of Supply Chain Management and Technology Structure at Al-Hassan Industrial Estate in Jordan

    Alodeh, Mahmoud (2011-03-17)
    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.
  • Application of Strategic Institutional-Information Technology Alignment Model in Four-Year Institutions of Higher Education

    Lach-Smith, Barbara (2010-09-22)
    This study examined an existing corporate model of business-information technology alignment for application in higher education and tested the findings by surveying executive and technology leaders in higher education. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the factors that impact alignment between institutional strategic planning and information technology strategy in higher education. The existing alignment model was examined in the context of mid-size four-year colleges and universities. This study used a combination of Delphi technique and a survey process. The sequence followed was to examine an existing theoretical model for its applicability to higher education by a Delphi expert panel, to pilot test the results of the Delphi in a survey of mid-size four-year institutions of higher education and to analyze the results. In the first phase, the Delphi method was used in two rounds to examine the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) for application in higher education. An assembled panel of experts examined SAM, its components and questionnaire instrument, and reached a consensus after two rounds about the model’s applicability to higher education. The second phase of the study tested the Delphi panel’s findings by asking Chief Information Officers and Chief Executive Officers from four-year U.S. institutions of higher education to complete SAM’s instrument that was modified by the Delphi. The Delphi panel findings supported the use of the Strategic Alignment Model in higher education with some revisions of its terms to reflect the higher education environment more accurately. Several factors affecting institutional-IT alignment in higher education were identified. Factors associated with domain components of the SAM model as well as factors relating to bivariate linkages between the components of the model were revealed.
  • Predicting schools' performance in the state examinations : a model for Shaba province in Zaire

    Maloba, Ngoba (2009-08-26)
    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.