James B. Pettijohn

A survey of budget-related planning and control policies and procedures

Abstract This article reports the results of a survey of budgeting practices of American manufacturing firms. It is based on the responses (27.4% response rate) from a systematic, random sample of all manufacturing firms listed on the files of Compustat. The survey instrument covered six sections: preparation of the planning budget, cost control procedures, performance reporting and communication, budget related procedures for overall company planning and control, administration of the budgeting system, and time dimensions of the planning process. Fifty variables were surveyed. While respondents generally indicated that they use recommended budgeting techniques, there were instances where the responses indicated otherwise. There appears to be significant resistance to incorporating such matters as statistical techniques and to developing feedback channels to get information from line managers regarding their feelings about the role they play in the budgeting process. On the other hand, formalization of the budgeting process is common. It might be concluded that a significant lag time exists between development and implementation of such ideas as statistical control procedures and the tools of human relations.

Using Keyword Research Software to Assist in the Search for High-Demand, Low-Supply Online Niches: An Overview

ABSTRACT If demand is not sufficient, a business will not be viable. This basic fact of business survival is intimately related to one of the most popular analytical approach for evaluating the profitability potential of a business, Porters “Five Forces” model. Locating an online niche that is in sufficient demand to generate adequate revenues and profits is a challenging, but not an impossible, task. The Internet has the unparalleled ability to produce information trails that allow the user to measure the supply and demand for keywords used in online searches, and software has been designed to facilitate the location of potentially profitable niches. This paper provides an overview of this software along with associated strengths and weaknesses, shows examples of the output generated by leading keyword research software (KRS), and provides an extensive listing of KRS vendors and a summary of the capabilities of their products.

Affiliate Management Software: A Primer

ABSTRACT This article is an affiliate management software primer for senior marketing managers. After describing the maturation of affiliate management software, both basic and advanced functions offered by vendors of that software, and the five categories into which various software programs can be placed, the article then presents the results of a survey of 209 online retailers with respect to the affiliate software they use to manage their programs. The greatest percentage of survey respondents (44%) indicates that they use some type of ASP-hosted program. The survey reveals that smaller e-tailers prefer the categories of affiliate management software that limit up-front costs, as opposed to those categories that require an initial outlay to be installed on the merchants web server. The primer concludes with a brief tabular summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the five software categories and provides examples of each category.

The “Web Street Journal,” or Internet Applications for the Basic Investments Class

Abstract The advent of easy-to-use MicroSoft Windows-based Internet Web browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape Navigator has brought (literally) a world of investment information as close as the click of a mouse button. In addition to presenting a brief introduction to the Internet and Web browsers, this article introduces the reader to some of the investment-related resources that are available to Internet surfers.

International Perspective: Virtual Tours—A Tool for Enhancing and Enlivening the International Business Class

Abstract Because the business world is so dynamic, business professors have long sought ways to bring to life the principles and practices discussed in textbooks. Many professors regularly use cases, role-playing, videos, business periodicals, guest speakers, and a variety of other techniques as teaching tools. Because the Internet has the potential for greatly enhancing the classroom experience in a variety of business courses, this article suggests Internet-based resources to enliven the basic international business class through virtual tours of the global business environment.