Abstract
This paper discusses the effects of the personnel cost-cutting measures employed by major airlines in the United States and their relationship to aircraft safety. The research focuses on four factors - employee layoffs, increase on employee workload, cutting employee benefits and cutting employee training. The paper presents a survey on aviation pilots at American Airlines (AA).

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Background of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Limitations
Delimitations
Definition of Terms
Acronyms
II Review of Related Literature Hypothesis
Introduction
Employee Benefits Cost Reduction and Wages Cutback
Employee Lay Offs
Increase in Employee Workload
Employee Training
Commercial Aircraft Safety
III Research Methodology
Introduction
Research Design
Research Model
Survey Population
Sources of Data
The Data Gathering Instrument
Pilot Study
Instrument Pretest
Distribution Method
Instrument Reliability
Instrument Validity
IV Results
Introduction
Demographics
Pilot's Awareness of Company Decision and Policies
Pilot's Awareness about AA's Cost Cutting Measures
Pilot's Perspective on the Effects of Cost Cutting
Measures of AA to Commercial Aircraft Safety
V Discussion
Introduction
Pilot's Awareness of company Decision and Policies
Pilot's Awareness about AA's Cost Cutting Measures
Pilot's Perspective on the Effects of Cost Cutting
Measures of AA to Commercial Aircraft Safety
Summary
VI Conclusion
VII Recommendations
Appendices

From the Paper
"Since, 1998 the Government Accountability Office (2004) (GAO) of the United States had reported that majority of the leading airline industries have a difficulty of acquiring revenue and profit increase because of the growth of Low Cost Airlines (LCA) The proliferation of Low Cost Airlines has caused a strict competition in terms of domestic market share due to the relatively low prices that were offered and the relatively low cost cutting measures of LCA. Hence, it is reported by GAO (2004) that the operation costs of LCA have even increased to $1 Billion or 10% of its total operation costs. In effect of this, the research inferred that such an effect had a significant impact in terms of how passengers in general compare and view LCA to Big Airlines."

Tags:Boeing, budget, pilot

Abstract
This paper explains that mercury preparations and compounds are a vitally important component of U.S. production in a wide range of industries, but its use carries with it some known health and environmental risks. The author points out that the coal, agricultural and healthcare industries, which use mercury compounds, are most likely in favor of the legislation because of a lack of a suitable alternative. The paper recommends that the U.S. Senate support the proposed legislation because it represents a viable approach to moderating the impact of mercury emissions across the board, provides those industries that are not currently able to achieve EPA standards with the opportunity to improve and is cost advantageous.


Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background and Overview
Coverage in the National and Local Media
Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"How is this proposal likely to play out in the press? Clearly, this is an emotionally charged issue that is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding among the public, and these misperceptions about the safety record and importance of mercury in many industrial applications may be overlooked. There is, in fact, valid reason for concern. According to Stadler and Murray, during a 12-month period beginning in 2000, several major developments in mercury-related industries emphasized the need for oversight in order to eliminate mercury pollution and exposure in the United States."

Tags:cap-and-trade, misunderstanding, moderating, epa, cost

Abstract
Examines the negative impact of cost reduction on manpower motivation. Discusses yielding positive economic growth through cost reduction, the concept of downsizing, the attitude of the corporate culture, and the relation between compensation and reduced costs.

From the Paper
"Concerted efforts are under way throughout a majority of economic sectors in the United States all geared toward yielding positive economic growth through cost reduction...."

Abstract
The paper examines strategies for offsetting increased IT spending
for Riordan Manufacturing. The paper explains that the company has a budget that is very unbalanced and in need of major re-negotiation of software licensing and maintenance. The paper notes that the company must re-evaluate its assumptions regarding employee-related expenses. The paper also relates that Riordan needs to investigate the cost reductions possible in licensing using software-as-a-Service (SaaS) as an alternative integration and application platform.

Outline:
Strategies for Offsetting Increased IT Spending
Making the Budget More Realistic
Summary

From the Paper
"In redefining the IT cost center consolidated operating budget for Riordan Manufacturing, a 4% increase in spending on selected hardware software, services including access charges yields a net gain in spending of $5,764.16. When taking into account the 4% increase in IT spending and the 2% reduction in the total budget, the annual IT budget is restated from $1,901,300 to $1,863,274. The 4% increase in IT spending has been applied to the baseline figures for hardware, software licenses, contract services, and leased lines, which are critical for managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) connections with other manufacturers, suppliers to and buyers from Riordan Manufacturing including its distribution channel partners, many of which rely on EDI to complete bath-oriented transactions."

Tags:hardware, software, licenses, costs, savings

Abstract
The paper explores whether classroom teachers are able to have more productive behavior management systems in classrooms that have fewer students. The paper looks at the studies conducted and shows how while some studies suggest that class size reduction is worthwhile and should be implemented, many others claim that the cost is prohibitive and that the gains are incremental at best. The paper believes that more research should be conducted to confirm or deny the validity of class size reduction.

From the Paper
"Over the past few years, the topic of class size has been readily discussed in both the media and school boards all over the country. Research seems to suggest that smaller class sizes increase student academic performance and provide an overall better educational experience for students. However, in the past, many children were successfully educated in larger size classes in large schools. Although there are many different factors in the education of students, the question of class size is frequently repeated and debated. Many states, Florida included, have introduced class size amendments that school districts must abide by. These amendments place restrictions on the number of students that one teacher may have in a classroom. The thought is that if teachers have a smaller number of students, they will be able to better educate the students and be able to maintain a more structured and productive classroom environment."

Tags:teachers, aides, students, funding

Abstract
The transaction cost theory as proposed by Ronald Coase and Oliver Williamson, states that organizations experience enormous economic costs and corresponding economic advantages in each and every one of their captivities or transactions. The paper shows that for many years, the dominant neo-classical approach to the theory of the firm suggested that nothing significant would be gained from peering into the "black box" called the firm and that it was enough to know that a firm operated to maximize profits. In the core model of perfect competition, this was achieved subject to known technology and known prices. The paper shows that transaction cost theory takes into account the assertion that the firm exists because of its capacity to economize on the costs of market-oriented production. The firm itself emerges as the most superior economic device for the reduction of market costs. Consequently, the efficiency advantages of any organization or firm are regarded by Coase as greatest where long-term contracts are negotiated. The paper shows that long-term contracts -- including contracts and other arrangements that address staffing and employment issues -- will be preferred unless the costs of negotiation and enforcement of separate or short-term market contracts are low. The paper focuses on the health care industry, with transaction costs understood in the context of employee turnover.

From the Paper
"At the same time, Kazemek and Shomaker (1990) also noted that hospital staff shortages caused by both turnover and national vacancy rates in critical patient care areas pose a considerable revenue threat. A substantial number of health care institutions have begun to reduce their workforce and to eliminate services. Murphy and Murphy (1996) claim that health care organizations which have implemented across-the-board workforce reductions as a transaction cost savings mechanism have actually tended to experience decreased service quality, increased employee turnover, and minimal savings in labor costs. This phenomena suggests that work process analysis might be useful prior to a downsizing effort."

Tags:hospital, restructuring, methodology, recruitment

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to study employee and customer's reaction to Lufthansa Airline's new service concept, based on its newly adopted cost reduction measures in order to remain competitive after the events of September 11 2001. This paper defines a problem statement and study design detailing such topics as the proposed literature review and the population, sample and sampling procedure.

From the Paper
"This study is of considerable significance for Lufthansa Airlines as it will help the organization redefine its business strategy in order to improve its corporate image and to compete effectively in existing tight market situations. The study will help the company in identifying the factors that directly affect customer's satisfaction and thus will facilitate in providing better quality service in future. As the current market conditions are not much favorable for the airline industry, especially in the US market, which itself is a major segment, airlines are required to keep an edge over their competitors. Therefore, it is necessary for Lufthansa to identify the reasons for dissatisfaction of customers as well as the crew members and to develop strategies to remove this discrepancy in its service. In this way it will successfully maintain its image, which it has developed over years and will ensure its long term success and profitability."

Tags:911, statistical, analysis, satisfaction, level, america, data, collection

From the Paper
" Deficit reduction moved to the top of America's public agenda in February 1993 when President Clinton laid out his economic plan. In a major speech to Congress that took the problem of the national debt seriously, President Clinton underscored his intention to encourage the nation to think long term. He described the kinds of sacrifices that will be necessary to reduce the deficit over the next five years, proposing a series of spending cuts and tax increases.


The purpose of this research is to examine the programs necessary to reduce the federal deficit and move towards a balanced budget. Emphasis will be given to examining the types of spending cuts available to the federal government for reducing the deficit. The relative contribution of these spending cuts toward balancing the federal budget will be also be assessed."

Abstract
This paper presents a managerial accounting case study. In 1977 all Federal Reserve Banks were being pressured by the Board of Governors to reduce costs by targeting the banks' savings bonds processing activities since cost ratios for the activity at the FRBR were inferior to Federal Reserve System averages. The author uses three methods of analysis, each with three alternatives: Payback Period Analysis, Net Present Value Analysis and Internal Rate of Return Analysis.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Case Background
Methodological Concerns
Results of the Analysis
Payback Period Analysis
Alternatives
Net Present Value Analysis
Alternatives
Internal Rate of Return Analysis
Alternatives Comments and Recommendation

From the Paper
"The typical approach to payback period analysis requires that the initial investment be divided by the mean positive annual cash flow or benefit (such as a cost reduction in this present case analysis). In the case of alternative initiative number one, however, the initial investment all occurs in a six-month period. Thus, the annual cost savings attributable to the initiative were converted to semi-annual periods for the payback period analysis of this alternative. Thus, instead of using the formula payback period = initial investment/annual cost savings, the formula payback period = (initial investment/semi-annual cost savings)/2 was applied. The derivations of the costs and benefits used in this analysis are detailed in the NPV analysis. "

Tags:ratio, cost, payback, valute, return, bond

Abstract
This paper analyzes the role and importance of organizational communication in managing stress at workplace in the current global business environment, which is often plagued by uncertainty, excessive competition, and pressure on profitability. Stress in its negative form has unlimited potential to cause long-term ill-effects to the organization in a variety of ways. If left unchecked, stress can cause losses in productivity, decline in employee performance, and health hazards in employees. This is an unwarranted cost to the organization, especially in today's environment, which is driven by the concept of lean management and cost reduction. Organizations are naturally keen to ensure that stressful forces are eliminated from the workplace to rule out potential costs on this count. The paper discusses the impact of stress on the psychological well-being and health of employees, highlighting the different health risks, such as depression, anxiety, alcoholism etc., that employees are likely to encounter in the course of their work. To support this view, the paper provides indications of costs and consequences of stress-related health problems, including fatal consequences, which the organizations can do well without. Impact of stress factors on the performance of employees and the major areas in workplace that can be subject to negative stress are discussed. The role of personal communication at the workplace to remove the stress-causing factors is highlighted. The paper recognizes the reality that stress is integral to human life and, in fact, drives performance within limits. It is only the negative side of stress that is detrimental to the individual and the organization and has to be eliminated or controlled. It is recommended that organizations implement stress management strategies to enable employees cope up with stress; for such efforts to be successful, the key requirement is effective organizational communication.

From the Paper
"Stress at the work place is one of the most widely discussed topics today. The challenges of globalization of business, increased competition, advancing technology that result in job losses and the compulsion to perform are some of the macro-level reasons that contribute to stress among employees. Organizations suffer from the impact of stress in terms of absenteeism, higher employee turnover, poor quality and situations of conflict at the work place. In effect, stress adversely affects the overall performance of the organization. The origin of the term stress is the Latin word stringer, which means "to draw tight." The meaning of stress can be best understood from the basic concepts of physics and engineering. Stress arises when external or environmental forces of certain magnitude impact an object; the forces result in strain on the object and this may lead to either temporary or permanent distortion of the object, depending on the extent of force applied. In respect of humans, a situation that is likely to be threatening, ambiguous or burdensome is likely to induce stress. From a psychological perspective, stress is the difference between the demands placed upon the individual and the individual's ability to cope with these. (Ivancevich and Matteson, 32). The individual must experience the demand as excessive for the occurrence of stress. This leads to the inference that different people find different things stressful; what is stressful for one person may not be for another. For instance, one person may fear retirement from work, whereas another person of the same age may actually be looking forward to a retired lifestyle."

Tags:performance, workplace, satisfaction