Journal of Business, Technology and Leadership

Gasoline Discount Programs in Lakewood, Colorado: A Cost-Saving Analysis

Isaac Chilima, Julea Chappa — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Using gas price data and discount or cashback offers collected in Q4 of 2022, we examined which among four programs: wholesale club membership; grocery store fuel points; gas station loyalty programs; and third-party mobile applications, would likely provide the most savings to alternative demographics proxied by faculty, staff and students on campus, as well as the average American consumer. Though what’s best ultimately depends on personal circumstances, the key result from this research was that for the average American consumer who buys about 45 gallons of regular gas per month, Costco gas is best only if we disregard and exclude the membership fee in the cost of gas. Otherwise, Costco gas is best for premium gas only, and cedes supremacy to the third-party app Upside for regular gas. Upside is best for midgrade gas too. However, grocery fuel points supersede both Costco and Upside if the consumer spends about $300 or more and redeems the points for discounts at the pump. Ultimately, the study shows that consumers in both the high-spending and low-spending demographic may need to reassess their circumstances and reconsider their options to avoid potentially losing about $124 and saving $126 on gas a year.

Emergency Response in War and Natural Disasters: A Look at the IRC

Moses Miyen — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research is of utmost importance in studying the application of immediate emergency response programs and interventions by the esteemed International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC is instrumental in rescuing affected individuals or communities from wars and natural disasters. The project's interest lies in examining strategies and criteria for distributing and allocating limited resources during crises and after restoring the situation. It identifies the primary objectives sought to evaluate the access to basic needs to support the livelihood of communities, including health, education, financial inclusions, local capacity, and infrastructure. The research aims to analyze the scope of emergency response programs and interventions and the effectiveness of the applications where the IRC team directs emergency response programs and interventions.

The research methodology incorporates a robust mixed-method, quantitative and qualitative research design based on affected populations by war and natural disasters. The collected data was obtained from individuals under the programs and interventions. The answers reveal the effectiveness of the emergency response programs and interventions and how they correspond to the hypothesis of implementing a mindfulness-based intervention that significantly reduces the stress levels from war and natural disaster-affected communities. The collected data from questions or digital search engines shows that the IRC's emergency response programs and interventions provide robust impact and effectiveness for affected individuals by wars and natural disasters. The recommendation is that this research study be expanded to explore and collect more data to determine the depth of effectiveness of emergency response programs and intervention outcomes.

Average Length of Stay, Average Preventable Readmission Rates, and Average Total Cost of Care: Is there a Relationship?

David Augustine Bull — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Average Length of Stay (ALOS), Average Preventable Readmission Rates (APRRs), and Average Total Cost of Care (ATCc) were examined to see if any relationship exists among the variables. Secondary data from the Texas Hospital data collection database was used for the study. Out of 379 acute care hospitals in Texas, 65 hospitals were selected for analysis using a G*Power analysis. Demographic analysis, Spearman’s Rank correlation, and Regression Analyses were conducted to explore the relationship. The results of the Spearman’s Rho correlation showed a significant negative relationship between ALOS and ATCc [ALOS – ATCc (r_s = - .271, p = .016)], and for APRRs and ATCc, there was no statistically significant relationship [APRRs – ATCc (r_s = .065, p = .564)]. The multiple regression analysis showed there was no statistically significant relationship between the variables [ALOS – ARRs – ATCc (F (2,62) = 1.584, p = .211)]. The results showed that ALOS and APRRs do not necessarily predict ATCc. Consequently, based on the study results ATCc is not solely determined by ALOS and APRRs. The absence of a significant relationship between ALOS, APRRs, and ATCc does not necessarily indicate inefficiency in practice or lack of effectiveness. The results showed that there are other mediating factors impacting care that were not assessed in the study that need to be examined carefully which may have implications for practice, research, and methodology. Future research should be considered to determine these moderating factors to better understand the complex relationship between ALOS, APRRs, and ATCc. An understanding of these complex dynamics may inform managerial strategies and help with critical clinical and fiscal decisions in a healthcare setting.

Keywords: Average Length of Stay, Average Preventable Readmission Rates, Average Total Cost of care

A Study of Central Bank Swap Line Use: Are They a Suitable Tool for the IMF in Maintaining Central Bank Liquidity for Developing Countries?

Shane Krause — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Developing countries do not have the same access for swap line use during times of economic stress, currently used by central banks in developed countries to maintain liquidity. Biblically, economic tools should favor all and not just developed nations. As Christians we are commanded to help others by bearing the burden of others and to help the poor. Of course, biblical wisdom is necessary, specifically an understanding of how exactly swap lines may be of benefit before making any recommendations, along with and considering the reality of level of risk when working with developing nations.

Swap lines are a currency exchange between two banks where an agreed upon amount is traded-- a liquidity swap between two banks. The research on swap line use is limited, especially when related to use by developing countries. Since developing nations are more vulnerable to economic stress, expanding the use of swap lines from developed countries to developing nations appears reasonable and the IMF being the lender of last resort is the recommended organization to use them.

The purpose of the study is to determine if swap lines maintain or improve liquidity between central banks during times of economic stress, which in turn will be considered for feasibility as an additional financial assistance tool the IMF can use for developing countries. A pragmatic mixed approach will be used to determine if swap lines are improving liquidity conditions with the capacity to deliver U.S. dollar funding to institutions in their jurisdiction during times of market stress. The comparisons consider capital flow and foreign exchange rate differences between countries that used swap lines and countries not using swap lines during periods of economic stress. The results will be considered for use by the IMF for developing countries.