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Title: Small to medium private enterprise: aligning shareholder, director and manager interests
Contributors: Duane Maki (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Research into the corporate governance practices of small to medium sized private enterprises has been limited, as most of the current literature has focused on larger public corporations. Spectrum Resource Group Inc. (Spectrum) was utilized as the partner company in conducting this research, analysis and recommendations. The research focused on family, private, small to medium sized enterprises and employee owned companies to act as a foundation to analyze and compare to Spectrum's existing structure. This project focuses on the shareholder, director, manager relationships and the associated agency issues and costs. Furthermore, the project focuses on aligning appropriate incentives for different management levels considering both owner-managers and non-owner managers. Lastly, this research results in recommendations about the appropriate size, context and scope of board structures and director alignment. Overall it was found that incentives need to correspond to the type of job that is performed smaller boards have significant advantageous over larger boards, and finally, that the positions of shareholder, director and manager need to be clearly delineated. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:04:46.919Z

Title: Succession planning and exit strategy: creating a feasibile exit strategy for Northern Printers & Stationers
Contributors: Corrin L. Peet (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Succession planning in small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) is no longer a macro economical problem. SMEs that are expected to sell within the next five to ten years employ over 2 million Canadians and account for roughly 15% of the GDP. As many SME owners reach the common age of retirement, many do not have anyone to sell their businesses to. This project will argue that many times the solution is within the company, and that with proper planning the owner can realize his or her return on investment by selling to the top management team. A literature review was conducted to understand the how to create a team that an owner can trust to manage his business, and then to analyze the step-by-step processes of initiating and completing a management buy-out. This project uses a case study of a local company to create a physical example of what type of company might see the most success from a management buy-out, and how that company should go about initiating one. It concludes by examining the ideal positions for the successful management team, how the debt structure may theoretically look, and what the implications will likely be for the vendor and the management team. --Leaf 2.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:04:44.839Z

Title: The Cariboo Regional District: the role of 'genius loci' when considering community and local economic development
Contributors: Crystal Verhaeghe (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:16:54.254Z

Title: Exploring a carbon strategy for a public forest products company in Canada
Contributors: Marty Hiemstra (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: As forest companies in Canada are struggling to come through a period of record low commodity prices, US exchange rate challenges, and worldwide recession, it is unlikely that a carbon strategy would be a top priority. This paper explores the reality that even as a company operates in a harsh business environment, a carbon strategy is helpful in moving to a more sustainable and financially competitive future. In the context of stakeholder theory and competitive forces both inside and outside the company's industry, there is evidence to show that moving toward a low carbon future is in their best interest over the long term. Considering this, the study looks at the possibility of direct investment in forestry carbon projects from a financial perspective. Specifically, the analysis is based on hypothetical afforestation, fertilization, and select seed projects with harvesting treatments based in the interior of British Columbia. The results indicate that due to the substantial uncertainty and poor expected returns, forest carbon projects may not be a wise investment for forest companies at this time. However, there are various steps that companies can make to transition themselves to a low carbon future. These include carbon footprinting and the development of green programs, targets, and goals within the company's operations. These actions can lead to first mover advantages within the forest industry and prepare the firm for more onerous demands in the future. These demands would include regulatory emission constraints or preparing for the implementation of a cap and trade system. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:08:13.567Z

Title: Governance and administration in Canadian universities
Contributors: Brenda Herbert (author), Han Donker (Thesis advisor), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Governance in Canadian universities is a topic that has not been widely studied to date. In Canada, the most common form of university governance is the bicameral system, which is co-ordinated governance between a Board of Governors and a university Senate. As the structure and needs of universities change, it will be important to consider that a change may also need to occur in the structure and relationship between the Board and the Senate. This project will review the existing literature on Canadian university governance, compile information on governance structure from various Canadian universities, and provide a discussion on some of the challenges that are being faced by the governing bodies of Canadian universities. Finally, some suggestions on possible improvements to the governance system will be provided, as well as a brief discussion of a few of the challenges that may be emerging for universities in the near future. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:05:22.994Z

Title: Community engagement with the 2015 Canada Winter Games: development of a strategic volunteer engagement plan
Contributors: Virginia L. Sprangers (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The 2015 Canada Winter Games is challenged with positioning over 4,500 volunteers in key roles to deliver a successful multi-sporting event. This project provides an examination of volunteer trends in Canada, British Columbia and British Columbia's northern region with a focus on the volunteer, volunteerism and volunteer engagement. This study explores who the volunteer is, their values and motivators, volunteer management, and the socio-economic impacts of volunteerism in determining the value of volunteering within the community. Literature and survey findings suggest that volunteerism is evolving seeing the volunteer and the organization working more as collaborative partners. Additionally, for successful recruitment and retention of volunteers, organizations need to consider their volunteer management practices. Based on literature and survey findings, recommendations are provided to assist the 2015 Canada Winter Games Society in developing strategic volunteer engagement plan. --Leaf i.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:09:39.522Z

Title: Examining business model innovation through a case study of a firm
Contributors: Kevin Michael Pettersen (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: A business model can provide a clear framework for how a company delivers value to its customers. The better the business model is understood, the greater the ability for the company to understand how to improve its business to continually deliver greater value to it customers. Through the process of business model innovation, companies can transform their success by delivering customer value in an entirely different way. As such, understanding business model innovation is considered critical for transformational and sustained growth of a company. Business model innovation, however, is a fairly new concept and understanding how it actually occurs in practice is rare. This project offers a unique first-hand insight (i.e. autoethnography) into the process of how business model innovation occurs in a firm (Tesera Systems Inc.) over a long period of time (~7 years) and continues to evolve. This project shows that the actual experience of Tesera relates very well to the theories and concepts of business model innovation (i.e. framework, drivers/needs of business model innovation, typology, ontologies) and benefits (i.e. improvements in agility, resource velocity, cost structures). In addition, this project offers learning perspectives from this business model innovation experience (i.e. crisis as opportunity, value gained from understanding implicit business model innovation, the importance of a constructionist ontology, business model innovation to guide business processes externally and internally). As such, this project helps to provide value to both the theoretical and conceptual perspectives regarding business model innovation as well as those who in business are looking to better understand business model innovation from a practical experience to provide their firms the opportunity for transformational change and sustained success. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:05:18.226Z

Title: The benefits for Canadian businesses to outsource e-invoicing to a managed service provider
Contributors: Harwinder Singh Kooner (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Invoicing is one of an organization's business critical processes (BCP) functioning directly between two parties - a buyer and supplier. Over the last ten years organizations within the public and private sectors of the European Union (EU) and Latin & South America (S.America) identified the manual invoicing process as an opportunity to save money and increase productivity simply by outsourcing this function to a qualified Managed Service Provider (MSP) (Kivijärvi et al, 2012). By working together, governments in the EU created consortia focused on research and development with groups such as Research on Advanced Communications in Europe (RACE), which provided support to organizations who adopted new technologies like E-Invoicing (Rugman & Collison 2012). As a result, the European Association of Corporate Treasurers (EACT) claim that, since 2005, the measurable cost savings related to outsourcing processes, such as invoicing , has exceeded 243 billion euro per annum across Europe (Kivijärvi et al, 2012 UNECE 2012). Similar cost savings benefits will be appreciated by Canadian business upon implementation however, the adoption rate within Canada is still quite low as E-Invoicing industry is still in its infancy stages.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-03-29T17:23:18.287Z

Title: VirtualBC.com: a website revitalization
Contributors: Shelley L. McKenzie (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:14:38.179Z

Title: A strategic analysis of factors affecting the establishment of wood charcoal production in central British Columbia
Contributors: Cameron Simpson (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The mountain pine beetle epidemic has resulted in considerable volume of wood fibre becoming available in the province of British Columbia. The epidemic, combined with the provincial downturn in the forest industry, has encouraged steps to diversify the forestry-based economy of the central interior of British Columbia. Through a review of available literature supplemented with information obtained through the author's employment, global charcoal production and consumption was explored to determine the opportunities and challenges that exist for the production of charcoal from various wood fibre sources. Challenges and opportunities include the availability of biomass feedstocks, domestic market demand, production technology, and funding. It is recommended to investigate further the use of portable pyrolysis technology for access to fibre in remote locations. However, further work is required to examine the overall economics of accessing the fibre and production operations. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:10:00.111Z

Title: Breaking down barriers: towards the development of a low-cost community dental clinic in Prince George, British Columbia
Contributors: Wendy Male (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Access to dental care for all population groups in Canada is inequitable. While the overall dental health of Canadians is very good, there are disparities that primarily affect the financially disadvantaged in society. Current methods for delivering dental care demonstrate an economic gradient favoring more affluent members of society. An examination of the methods for financing dental care, both public and private, will be conducted to better understand the challenges to solving this dilemma. The role of government and dental professionals in providing access to dental care will be explored. The existing gaps in dental care delivery will be illustrated, and the current methods for providing dental care in northern British Columbia will be identified. While continued government support for disadvantaged groups is necessary, an investigation of alternative models of low-cost dental care delivery will be undertaken to determine the feasibility of these models in Prince George, British Columbia. Solutions that are being used in other nations will be considered to determine their applicability to our local situation in northern British Columbia. A preferred model will be proposed for implementation in Prince George. Ultimately, two questionnaires will be developed to assess the attitudes and preferences of dental professionals and social agencies in coming to a consensus on the best model for bridging the existing gaps in dental care. --Leaf i.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-03-29T17:20:31.822Z

Title: UNBC English language studies: strategic management plan for sustainable growth
Contributors: Paul Duh Huei Pan (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The University of Northern British Columbia's English Language Studies program has experienced rapid growth over the past year. If this trend continues, the program will become unsustainable. In order for the program to sustain growth into the future, a strategic plan needs to be developed. This project conducts an environmental scan of the ELS program utilizing Porter's Five Forces, PEST, and SWOT analysis and a comparative analysis of other post-secondary ESL programs to identify key strategies and major challenges facing the ELS program today. Recommendations are made for the strategic development and formulation of the program. Short-and long-term strategies are derived from the recommendations. In order for the ELS program to grow sustainably, management should immediately implement a short-term strategic plan and examine long-term differentiations strategy for future growth. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:04:09.802Z

Title: Category management: theory and implementation in an organization
Contributors: Daniel Christian Hansen (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The Category Management process has assisted retailers with achieving sales and profitability growth during advantageous economic periods while maintaining profitability during economic declines. Through a comprehensive literature review of the Category Manager position as prescribed by AC Neilson compared with practical training of the Customer Product Manager position from within the Overwaitea Food Group the author will review the Eight Steps of Category Management to find parallels and deviations between the two roles. Through analysis of the two positions strategies that are aligned will receive minor review while those strategies that have belong to only one party will be revisited in an attempt to achieve consistency between the two very similar roles and responsibilities. It is observed that the Customer Product Manager position is imitative of the fundamental Category Manager position with minor alterations. The fundamental findings of this research will be designed is such a way as to assist future Customer Product Managers with an additional tool to further understand the roles and responsibilities of a new career path. The study will clearly address the relevance of such a role in the industry, while exposing areas for further development. Recommendations will include methods to educate all facets of the Overwaitea Food group retail operators about the Customer Product Manager duties and responsibilities in an attempt to align the two separate entities to share one common goal. Through research, key areas of inadequacy will be addressed such as the elimination of any education by AC Neilson pertaining to Vendor meetings, merchandising contribution fund attainment and SKU rationalization for the category review chapter. Recommendations of key findings will not be limited to either party, as the purpose is to find the most practical business solutions to accommodate future growth. --Leaf i.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-03-29T17:21:00.728Z

Title: Business planning for a small firm's success: Northern Catski adventures
Contributors: Leigh Clasby (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This paper sets out to survey a substantial amount of research on the importance of business planning for small business success. Two areas of interest are examined. The first looks at how and why different types of planning contribute to the success of a small business. The second examines variables found outside of planning such as decision making propensities and characteristics of an entrepreneur. The principles in the planning section will be applied to a specific business idea. Northern Catski Adventures (NCA) is a developing small business idea. Various researchers would contest that planning for a small firm is a poor use of company resources however the majority of research suggests otherwise. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:04:43.907Z

Title: The experiential knowledge transfer gap: a cause of skills shortage
Contributors: Myrna Giese-Van Grootel (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:17:31.654Z

Title: A case study on containerization for a pulp mill in northern BC
Contributors: Mark Robillard (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This document examines the state of containerization in Northern British Columbia, specifically at Mackenzie Pulp Mill Corporation, describing the current situation and examining the opportunities that containerization could bring the mill and industry in the Central Interior --P. 1.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:09:58.862Z

Title: Paper recycling opportunities at Northern Health
Contributors: Albert Sommerfeld (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This study explores the current practices of paper recycling at the largest of the Northern Health (NH) facilities. It is an exploratory study of paper recycling opportunities at five Northern Health facilities in terms of paper recycling services available in the community or the broader region. In a broader context, this study provides insight for similar organizations which operate geographically dispersed, rural operations deciding on a course of action for their own environmental initiatives. The paper reviews literature related to the environmental movement, waste management in healthcare, and recycling actions by public sector entities. It discusses government actions and legislation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its own operations and the actions of its constituents. The study finds that recycling occurs at Northern Health sites but that the effort varies from site to site. Obstacles to recycling are cost, a lack of a corporate directive and a lack of consistency of service providers across the region. While the direct cost analysis of recycling compared to direct costs of landfilling provides mixed results at best, the Health Authority must consider other aspects including social and political impacts as well as future legislative requirements. --P. ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:07:14.059Z

Title: Exploring economic development and business strategy: considerations for economic development officers in rural Canadian resource-based communities
Contributors: Melissa D. Mills (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Rural, resource-based communities are vital to Canada's economic foundation but despite the importance of these communities, their individual lifespans can often be fleeting due to the susceptibility to boom and then inevitably bust. Economic development officers, the individuals charged with fostering economic growth, sometimes struggle with challenges that the author hypothesizes could be enlightened by exploring different disciplines. This research will explore economic development and business strategy as they relate to economic development officers. The goal is to identify considerations to broaden perspectives and elevate the awareness of economic development officers to augment their strategic planning process. The analysis aims to present reasonable evidence that turning to alternative disciplines, specifically in the case of economic development in rural Canadian resource-based communities, can yield encouraging results. The author hopes these findings will encourage others to consider the exploration of alternative disciplines and the implementation of foreign concepts in their daily occupations. --Leaf ii.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-03-29T17:27:58.951Z

Title: Granisle British Columbia: a feasibility study to convert the community from propane to natural gas
Contributors: Craig T. Sears (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Natural gas is a relatively clean burning reliable source of energy as compared to other fossil fuels, and is used to heat millions of homes across Canada. In recent years the oil and gas industries have developed procedures for extraction of natural gas using unconventional methods that have resulted in proven vast reserves in Canada. These vast reserves are driving the cost of the energy source to record low prices. Choosing natural gas for space, water and process heating in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors can decrease the demand for electricity generation. This can improve the overall efficiency of energy utilization and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (CAPP, 2012) With the reduced cost of this energy source coupled with recent technological improvements in the compression and transportation of natural gas, the ability to supply this abundant resource to remote small communities is becoming a reality. This project will consider existing technological methods of loading, transporting, and unloading methods for natural gas and determine the feasibility of supplying the product to the remote communities of Granisle, Moricetown, and Hazelton in North West British Columbia as a competitive alternative to propane and oil as a source of home heating. Without significant demand for energy and considering the cost of infrastructure and operations the option of supplying natural gas to a remote community is not viable. However, with the addition of a large industrial customer such as a mining operation the demand for the resource increases significantly thereby creating a viable project. --Leaf i.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:07:24.871Z

Title: Development of a strategic analysis tool for determining the most suitable location for the expansion of a manufacturing facility
Contributors: Alison Duperron (author), Elizabeth Croft (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: A Prince George pre-fabricated home building business has made the decision to expand into the Ontario market. At this point they must decide on the most attractive location for this expansion bearing in mind key factors such as proximity to markets, suppliers, and distributors. Also important to the expansion location are labour availability, labour rates, tax rates, land cost and utility rates.
Discipline: Business Administration
Date added: 2017-04-10T22:11:46.907Z

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