archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30866 2005-2006. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:55:03 GMT 2026-04-22T14:55:03Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30880 A Study to Determine the Level of Awareness of Microlending as Missions by Weekly Congregants in a Variety of Church Affiliations Laas, Leslie C. This research study determines the level of awareness of microlending as missions by weekly congregants in a variety of Church affiliations. The problem addressed was that of worldwide poverty and its affect on the lives of the poor emotionally, economically, and physically. Literature reviewed to support the problem of poverty focused on three areas: the Church mission, microenterprise development (MED) and poverty itself. Research of the Church mission showed several possible causes among Church leaders and congregants that influenced their awareness of poverty and the poor. Failures within Church leadership were inaccurate Biblical worldviews, leadership autonomy, low missions priority and lack of teaching on the need for financial giving to missions. The failures attributed to further problem issues among congregants. Congregants were unfamiliar with Biblical perspectives on the care of the poor, and the need to participate in giving tithes and offerings. Research of Christian and secular MED revealed a worldwide effort and [instruments] for financial support and holistic care of the poor. This included the affects of globalization on microenterprise development. Research on poverty revealed Biblical mandates for taking care of the poor, organizations dedicated to such purpose and their activities, and a deeper understanding of poverty in the world today who is affected and how. The methodology presented original research of 24 respondents and their level of awareness of microlending in missions to care for the poor. The data analysis provided research details and comparison to the literature reviewed. The online survey of Evangelical Christians was conducted in Washington State through QuestionPro.com, included questions regarding devotional life, Church affiliation, mission awareness, and demographical information. Data reveled that the majority of respondents were: from Foursquare Churches, male, white, incomes above $100k, with an interest in short term missions. They attend Church weekly, have a strong devotional life, and financially give to missions. The results showed half of Evangelicals surveyed had an awareness of microlending as mission. The outcome showed a similarity to research by Barna on congregant’s and Church leader’s Biblical beliefs, personal devotion, mission awareness, and their awareness of poverty. Conclusions and recommendations for raising awareness of the poor and microlending as missions among congregants were also included. Page i is presenting in its original condition Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30880 2006-06-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30877 A Study to Determine Effective Supply Chain Management Strategies For Decentralized Parts Procurement at Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Everett, Washington Hackwith, Brian K. This paper provides an overview of a research project that determined effective supply chain tactics and purchasing strategies in support of the decentralized procurement of airplane parts at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) in Everett, Washington. A number of strategic decisions over the past decade have resulted in the delegation of the external purchasing function from a centralized procurement organization into separate supply chain management groups segregated by product or manufacturing division. Each of the current airplane manufacturing lines at the Everett site (747, 767, and 777) has a separate external purchasing group and management structure. This type of decentralized structure brings about challenges as well as opportunities to the procurement function. A challenge typical to any sort of decentralized effort is to ensure that processes, in this case supply chain and purchasing processes, are standardized across multiple divisions. Certain tactics and approaches should lead to successful supply chain management performance within a decentralized organization structure. To discover these strategies, this research project reviews some of the existing literature on the subject and administers a survey to a group of procurement professionals within the BCA supply chain. The results of the survey are then discussed. Recommendations regarding supply chain management strategies, as well as suggested areas for further study, conclude the research paper. Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30877 2006-06-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30884 Doctors and the Drug Companies: A Study to Determine the Opinions of Surgical Residents Regarding Interaction with the Pharmaceutical Industry Ditzenberger, Kay While the potential for conflict of interest exists in all occupations and professional interactions, none have held the current concern or interest of the popular press and society as much as the potential conflicts that exist between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry. Of particular interest in the debate have been the conflicts that exist between physicians and researchers in academic medical centers and the pharmaceutical companies that promote their products and reap the benefits of new molecules and technologies that emerge from these institutions. To determine the current attitudes and beliefs held by physicians toward representatives of the pharmaceutical industry a survey was conducted at a major academic medical institution. Surgery residents at the institution were asked a series of 19 questions to determine their opinions regarding the quality of their interactions with sales representatives, departmental policy, regulation and research. A total of 34 residents responded to the survey. Results were calculated on the class as a whole and a sub-analysis was conducted to determine if responses varied between first and second, third, or fourth year residents. Overall surgical residents favored policies that allow pharmaceutical representatives to continue to detail and promote their products within the institution. A large majority of physicians felt the literature and educational resources presented in the institution were both accurate and valuable. The majority of physicians felt the current institutional policies regarding interactions with representatives of industry were adequate. Attitudes among surgery physicians changed slightly during their four year residency. A majority (90%) of all fourth year residents agreed that pharmaceutical representatives should be allowed to detail or interact with physicians at the institution versus 78% of first and second year residents and 83% of third year residents. Though the potential for conflict of interest obviously occurs in academic medicine, as it does is a vast number of other occupations, the results of this survey suggest that physicians believe the relationship between academic physicians and the pharmaceutical industry should continue. The survey confirms public opinion; the relationship should continue but terms of the relationship may need to be rewritten to better reflect the complexities introduced by society. New societal pressures that force a redefinition of the relationship include the advent of technology transfer via the Bayh-Dole Act, increased financial pressures on physicians and institutions from Medicare reform and the public's cry for greater transparency on the part of pharmaceutical companies. The emerging relationship between big pharma and academia must evolve into one of mutual trust, respect and shared scientific and fiscal goals. Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30884 2006-06-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30881 A Study to Identify and Exploit Mutual Frustrations Among Seattle Area Residential Builders Regarding Trade Contractor Relations Monuteaux, Justin Lawrence This descriptive research document investigates the existence of common frustrations among Seattle area residential builders regarding trade contractor relations. The study opens with an extensive exploration of what the body of literature has to say about the current state of affairs within the local, national and international construction industry. Statistics are examined from the residential construction and real estate markets in Seattle, the State of Washington as w ell as the United States. The rest of the literature review is organized into several broad categories including Quality, Risk, Collaboration, Safety, Scheduling and Information Technology. Each one is discussed and distilled to the key elements that play a role in relationship between builders and their tradesman. It is argued that the information in the literature review forms the framework for the focus of the research survey. The survey was distributed in written form as a questionnaire to a sample of 35 Seattle area builders, 27 of which provided a complete response by the deadline. Drawing upon the amalgamation of the literature and the data gathered from the 27 respondents, a foundation will be built in support of three strategic recommendations. Each recommendation advises trade contractors as to how they can capitalize on the widespread shortcomings of their competitors. The recommendations can be considered individually or collectively as plausible methods of market differentiation or simply further avenues of research. Finally, as the study concludes, four potential areas for further study will be suggested. Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/30881 2006-05-01T00:00:00Z