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• 151. [Article] Use of PCM Modeling in selection of an HDTV

  Hierarchical Decision Modeling (HDM) used with Pairwise Comparison Modeling (PCM) provides a valuable and effective tool for estimating the relevant importance of criteria contributing toward making a ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Use of PCM Modeling in selection of an HDTV Author: Marino, Leopoldo, Vannaprapa, Noppadon, Bottjen, Philip, Danskin, Rodney, Ngarmnil, Thanaporn Year: 2013 Hierarchical Decision Modeling (HDM) used with Pairwise Comparison Modeling (PCM) provides a valuable and effective tool for estimating the relevant importance of criteria contributing toward making a decision. This paper demonstrates the use of HDM and PCM in making a consumer purchase decision. For the purpose of the demonstration, five individuals were asked to rank the importance of various attributes considered when selecting a High Definition Television (HDTV). The attribute weights given the relative rankings were calculated using PCM software and summed to generate an aggregate value for the group. Twenty-seven current TV models were then selected from a list of top consumer choices and compared to the calculated weights of each attribute to select an optimal HDTV selection for each individual and for the group. The rationale used in selecting relative attributes, building the HDM model and selecting the HDTV models are explored and explained. The model can easily be adapted with a different choice of attributes and models and the weights can be calculated for any number of individuals or groups of individuals. The result should therefore provide a simple to follow demonstration of the use of Hierarchical Decision Modeling and Pairwise Comparison Modeling in multi-criteria decision making. Title: Use of PCM Modeling in selection of an HDTV Author: Marino, Leopoldo, Vannaprapa, Noppadon, Bottjen, Philip, Danskin, Rodney, Ngarmnil, Thanaporn Year: 2013 Hierarchical Decision Modeling (HDM) used with Pairwise Comparison Modeling (PCM) provides a valuable and effective tool for estimating the relevant importance of criteria contributing toward making a decision. This paper demonstrates the use of HDM and PCM in making a consumer purchase decision. For the purpose of the demonstration, five individuals were asked to rank the importance of various attributes considered when selecting a High Definition Television (HDTV). The attribute weights given the relative rankings were calculated using PCM software and summed to generate an aggregate value for the group. Twenty-seven current TV models were then selected from a list of top consumer choices and compared to the calculated weights of each attribute to select an optimal HDTV selection for each individual and for the group. The rationale used in selecting relative attributes, building the HDM model and selecting the HDTV models are explored and explained. The model can easily be adapted with a different choice of attributes and models and the weights can be calculated for any number of individuals or groups of individuals. The result should therefore provide a simple to follow demonstration of the use of Hierarchical Decision Modeling and Pairwise Comparison Modeling in multi-criteria decision making. Close

• 152. [Article] Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Common Ground? Land Use along Portland's Urban Growth Boundary

  In this study we analyze the impact of the urban growth boundary on rural landscape change in Portland, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington,and assess the importance of rural and agricultural landscapes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Common Ground? Land Use along Portland's Urban Growth Boundary Author: Harvey, Thomas, Works, Martha A. Year: 2003 In this study we analyze the impact of the urban growth boundary on rural landscape change in Portland, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington,and assess the importance of rural and agricultural landscapes to residents of the rural-urban fringe. We selected five, 4-square mile areas in the greater Portland metropolitan area for the study. Four are in Oregon and cover the transition area from urban to rural land uses under different levels of pressure along the state-mandated and Metrodel ineated urban growth boundary. One is in the less regulated land use environment of Clark County, Washington. The kinds of questions we addressed include: How does the value of rural landscape as urban amenity vary between urban and rural areas? Between areas already experiencing significant land use change and those beginning to feel the pressure of development? Between a highly regulated land use environment such as that found on the Oregon side of the Greater Portland Metropolitan area and the more mixed use landscape of Clark County, Washington? Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Common Ground? Land Use along Portland's Urban Growth Boundary Author: Harvey, Thomas, Works, Martha A. Year: 2003 In this study we analyze the impact of the urban growth boundary on rural landscape change in Portland, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington,and assess the importance of rural and agricultural landscapes to residents of the rural-urban fringe. We selected five, 4-square mile areas in the greater Portland metropolitan area for the study. Four are in Oregon and cover the transition area from urban to rural land uses under different levels of pressure along the state-mandated and Metrodel ineated urban growth boundary. One is in the less regulated land use environment of Clark County, Washington. The kinds of questions we addressed include: How does the value of rural landscape as urban amenity vary between urban and rural areas? Between areas already experiencing significant land use change and those beginning to feel the pressure of development? Between a highly regulated land use environment such as that found on the Oregon side of the Greater Portland Metropolitan area and the more mixed use landscape of Clark County, Washington? Close

• 153. [Article] Winning Friends and Influencing People: OER and Higher Education Affordability

  Higher Education stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, administrators, legislators, state higher education boards, trustees, alumni, and donors are all concerned about the high cost of education ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Winning Friends and Influencing People: OER and Higher Education Affordability Author: Moody, Marilyn K. Year: 2016 Higher Education stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, administrators, legislators, state higher education boards, trustees, alumni, and donors are all concerned about the high cost of education and its impact on students. Positioning OER within the broader context of college affordability creates interest in the creation and use of OER, as well as powerful allies for OER initiatives. Approaches and examples of how to communicate OER value for affordability efforts and influence these varied stakeholders will be included in this presentation. Portland State University and its use of OER and the creation of open textbooks in the context of university initiatives to increase affordability by reducing student costs for course materials will be described as one example. Insights and lessons learned will also be highlighted. Title: Winning Friends and Influencing People: OER and Higher Education Affordability Author: Moody, Marilyn K. Year: 2016 Higher Education stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, administrators, legislators, state higher education boards, trustees, alumni, and donors are all concerned about the high cost of education and its impact on students. Positioning OER within the broader context of college affordability creates interest in the creation and use of OER, as well as powerful allies for OER initiatives. Approaches and examples of how to communicate OER value for affordability efforts and influence these varied stakeholders will be included in this presentation. Portland State University and its use of OER and the creation of open textbooks in the context of university initiatives to increase affordability by reducing student costs for course materials will be described as one example. Insights and lessons learned will also be highlighted. Close

• 154. [Article] Evaluating Big Data Projects Probability of Success: A Hierarchical Decision Model

  This paper represents a team project conducted as part of ETM 530/630 Decision Making class in Winter-2017. In this project, team 4 investigated a known challenge related to big data; big data projects ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluating Big Data Projects Probability of Success: A Hierarchical Decision Model Author: Giadedi, Abdulhakim, Eljayar, Ali, Barham, Husam, Patil, Priyanka, Vasanth, Shreyas Year: 2017 This paper represents a team project conducted as part of ETM 530/630 Decision Making class in Winter-2017. In this project, team 4 investigated a known challenge related to big data; big data projects have high failure percentage, causing firms to lose time, money, and resources in futile efforts to gain advantages from big data insights and analytics. In this project, the reasons behind big data projects failure were explored. Leading to the development of an HDM model that can be used by firms to evaluate readiness to implement this kind of projects, and highlight/address probable causes of failure before the project even start. Hence, increasing the chances of implementing a successful project that will lead to a big data system that can deliver value to firm and provide insights and analytics that will significantly help in addressing the problem it is built to help solve. The model was evaluated by experts from the industry, and then tested against a hypothetical case, in which Portland State University readiness to implement a big data project to address a main problem facing the university was conducted. Finally, a discussion about the results of the model, experts’ evaluation, and case study were offered. Title: Evaluating Big Data Projects Probability of Success: A Hierarchical Decision Model Author: Giadedi, Abdulhakim, Eljayar, Ali, Barham, Husam, Patil, Priyanka, Vasanth, Shreyas Year: 2017 This paper represents a team project conducted as part of ETM 530/630 Decision Making class in Winter-2017. In this project, team 4 investigated a known challenge related to big data; big data projects have high failure percentage, causing firms to lose time, money, and resources in futile efforts to gain advantages from big data insights and analytics. In this project, the reasons behind big data projects failure were explored. Leading to the development of an HDM model that can be used by firms to evaluate readiness to implement this kind of projects, and highlight/address probable causes of failure before the project even start. Hence, increasing the chances of implementing a successful project that will lead to a big data system that can deliver value to firm and provide insights and analytics that will significantly help in addressing the problem it is built to help solve. The model was evaluated by experts from the industry, and then tested against a hypothetical case, in which Portland State University readiness to implement a big data project to address a main problem facing the university was conducted. Finally, a discussion about the results of the model, experts’ evaluation, and case study were offered. Close

• 155. [Article] Technology Roadmapping for Medical Imaging: Towards Improved Value

  This study creates Technology Roadmaps for Medical Imaging. Four roadmaps were created for future products to include Advanced Imaging, High Tech Imaging, Super Tech Imaging and Ultra Tech Imaging. A Literature ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Technology Roadmapping for Medical Imaging: Towards Improved Value Author: Ball, Larry, Bidasaria, Ritu, Castillejos, Ignacio, Pakdeekasem, Pinprapa, Pornsatit, Chakaphan Year: 2012 This study creates Technology Roadmaps for Medical Imaging. Four roadmaps were created for future products to include Advanced Imaging, High Tech Imaging, Super Tech Imaging and Ultra Tech Imaging. A Literature Review of academic and medical sources was conducted to collect data and review TRM methodologies. Analysis was performed for each level of the roadmaps to include Market Drivers, Product Features, Technology Capabilities and Resources. The aforementioned levels were linked and timelines provided to construct the Roadmaps. The probable future products were advanced Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission and Ultrasound devices. Title: Technology Roadmapping for Medical Imaging: Towards Improved Value Author: Ball, Larry, Bidasaria, Ritu, Castillejos, Ignacio, Pakdeekasem, Pinprapa, Pornsatit, Chakaphan Year: 2012 This study creates Technology Roadmaps for Medical Imaging. Four roadmaps were created for future products to include Advanced Imaging, High Tech Imaging, Super Tech Imaging and Ultra Tech Imaging. A Literature Review of academic and medical sources was conducted to collect data and review TRM methodologies. Analysis was performed for each level of the roadmaps to include Market Drivers, Product Features, Technology Capabilities and Resources. The aforementioned levels were linked and timelines provided to construct the Roadmaps. The probable future products were advanced Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission and Ultrasound devices. Close

• 156. [Article] Total Mercury in Stranded Marine Mammals from the Oregon and Southern Washington Coasts

  Muscle samples from 105 marine mammals stranded along the Oregon-Washington coasts (2002-2009) were tested for levels of total mercury by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. The total mercury ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Total Mercury in Stranded Marine Mammals from the Oregon and Southern Washington Coasts Author: Wintle, Nathan J. Year: 2011 Muscle samples from 105 marine mammals stranded along the Oregon-Washington coasts (2002-2009) were tested for levels of total mercury by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. The total mercury present is predominantly in the form of highly toxic methylmercury. After normalizing muscle tissue to 75% water weight, due to variance in water content, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) exhibited the highest mean concentrations of total mercury followed by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); 0.34 ± 0.278, 0.34 ± 0.485, 0.21 ± 0.216, 0.17 ± 0.169 and 0.15 ± 0.126 mg/kg normalized weight, respectively. Mean normalized values demonstrated limited muscle methylmercury accumulation in these species in the Pacific Northwest. Normalizing muscle mercury concentrations eliminated variability from desiccation, and allowed for a clearer indication of the amount of mercury the animal accumulated before stranding. However, actual wet weight concentrations in some of the stranded carcasses were high enough to pose a risk to scavengers. Title: Total Mercury in Stranded Marine Mammals from the Oregon and Southern Washington Coasts Author: Wintle, Nathan J. Year: 2011 Muscle samples from 105 marine mammals stranded along the Oregon-Washington coasts (2002-2009) were tested for levels of total mercury by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. The total mercury present is predominantly in the form of highly toxic methylmercury. After normalizing muscle tissue to 75% water weight, due to variance in water content, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) exhibited the highest mean concentrations of total mercury followed by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); 0.34 ± 0.278, 0.34 ± 0.485, 0.21 ± 0.216, 0.17 ± 0.169 and 0.15 ± 0.126 mg/kg normalized weight, respectively. Mean normalized values demonstrated limited muscle methylmercury accumulation in these species in the Pacific Northwest. Normalizing muscle mercury concentrations eliminated variability from desiccation, and allowed for a clearer indication of the amount of mercury the animal accumulated before stranding. However, actual wet weight concentrations in some of the stranded carcasses were high enough to pose a risk to scavengers. Close

• 157. [Article] High Resolution Measurements near a Moving Contact Line using µPIV

  A moving contact line is the idealized line of intersection between two immiscible fluids as one displaces the other along a solid boundary. The displacement process has been the subject of a large amount ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: High Resolution Measurements near a Moving Contact Line using µPIV Author: Zimmerman, Jeremiah D. Year: 2011 A moving contact line is the idealized line of intersection between two immiscible fluids as one displaces the other along a solid boundary. The displacement process has been the subject of a large amount of theoretical and experimental research; however, the fundamental processes that govern contact line motion are still unknown. The challenge from an experimental perspective is to make measurements with high enough resolution to validate competing theories. An experimental method has been developed to simultaneously measure interface motion, dynamic contact angles, and local fluid velocity fields using micron-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (µPIV). Capillary numbers range from 1.7 x 10^(⁻⁴) to 6.2 x 10^(⁻⁴). Interface velocities were measured between 1.7 µm/s and 33 µm/s. Dynamic contact angles were manually measured between 1.1 µm and 120 µm from the contact line, and calculated from µPIV data to within several hundred nanometers from the contact line. Fluid velocities were measured over two orders of magnitude closer to the contact line than published values with an increase in resolution of over 3400%. The appearance of a recirculation zone similar to controversial prediction below previously published limits demonstrates the power and significance of the method. Title: High Resolution Measurements near a Moving Contact Line using µPIV Author: Zimmerman, Jeremiah D. Year: 2011 A moving contact line is the idealized line of intersection between two immiscible fluids as one displaces the other along a solid boundary. The displacement process has been the subject of a large amount of theoretical and experimental research; however, the fundamental processes that govern contact line motion are still unknown. The challenge from an experimental perspective is to make measurements with high enough resolution to validate competing theories. An experimental method has been developed to simultaneously measure interface motion, dynamic contact angles, and local fluid velocity fields using micron-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (µPIV). Capillary numbers range from 1.7 x 10^(⁻⁴) to 6.2 x 10^(⁻⁴). Interface velocities were measured between 1.7 µm/s and 33 µm/s. Dynamic contact angles were manually measured between 1.1 µm and 120 µm from the contact line, and calculated from µPIV data to within several hundred nanometers from the contact line. Fluid velocities were measured over two orders of magnitude closer to the contact line than published values with an increase in resolution of over 3400%. The appearance of a recirculation zone similar to controversial prediction below previously published limits demonstrates the power and significance of the method. Close

• 158. [Article] Well Conditioned Boundary Integral Equations for Two-Dimensional Sound-Hard Scattering Problems in Domains with Corners

  We present several well-posed, well-conditioned direct and indirect integral equation formulations for the solution of two-dimensional acoustic scattering problems with Neumann boundary conditions in domains ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Well Conditioned Boundary Integral Equations for Two-Dimensional Sound-Hard Scattering Problems in Domains with Corners Author: Anand, Akash, Ovall, Jeffrey S., Turc, Catalin Year: 2012 We present several well-posed, well-conditioned direct and indirect integral equation formulations for the solution of two-dimensional acoustic scattering problems with Neumann boundary conditions in domains with corners. We focus mainly on Direct Regularized Combined Field Integral Equation (DCFIE-R) formulations whose name reflects that (1) they consist of combinations of direct boundary integral equations of the second-kind and first-kind integral equations which are preconditioned on the left by coercive boundary single-layer operators, and (2) their unknowns are physical quantities, i.e., the total field on the boundary of the scatterer. The DCFIE-R equations are shown to be uniquely solvable in appropriate function spaces under certain assumptions on the coupling parameter. Using Calder´on’s identities and the fact that the unknowns are bounded in the neighborhood of the corners, the integral operators that enter the DCFIE-R formulations are recast in a form that involves integral operators that are expressed by convergent integrals only. The polynomially-graded mesh quadrature introduced by Kress [30] enables the high-order resolution of the weak singularities of the kernels of the integral operators and the singularities in the derivatives of the unknowns in the vicinity of the corners. This approach is shown to lead to an efficient, high-order Nystr¨om method capable of producing solutions of sound-hard scattering problems in domains with corners which require small numbers of Krylov subspace iterations throughout the frequency spectrum. We present a variety of numerical results that support our claims. Title: Well Conditioned Boundary Integral Equations for Two-Dimensional Sound-Hard Scattering Problems in Domains with Corners Author: Anand, Akash, Ovall, Jeffrey S., Turc, Catalin Year: 2012 We present several well-posed, well-conditioned direct and indirect integral equation formulations for the solution of two-dimensional acoustic scattering problems with Neumann boundary conditions in domains with corners. We focus mainly on Direct Regularized Combined Field Integral Equation (DCFIE-R) formulations whose name reflects that (1) they consist of combinations of direct boundary integral equations of the second-kind and first-kind integral equations which are preconditioned on the left by coercive boundary single-layer operators, and (2) their unknowns are physical quantities, i.e., the total field on the boundary of the scatterer. The DCFIE-R equations are shown to be uniquely solvable in appropriate function spaces under certain assumptions on the coupling parameter. Using Calder´on’s identities and the fact that the unknowns are bounded in the neighborhood of the corners, the integral operators that enter the DCFIE-R formulations are recast in a form that involves integral operators that are expressed by convergent integrals only. The polynomially-graded mesh quadrature introduced by Kress [30] enables the high-order resolution of the weak singularities of the kernels of the integral operators and the singularities in the derivatives of the unknowns in the vicinity of the corners. This approach is shown to lead to an efficient, high-order Nystr¨om method capable of producing solutions of sound-hard scattering problems in domains with corners which require small numbers of Krylov subspace iterations throughout the frequency spectrum. We present a variety of numerical results that support our claims. Close

• 159. [Article] Evaluating Hourly Rainfall Characteristics over the U.S. Great Plains in Dynamically Downscaled Climate Model Simulations using NASA-Unified WRF

  Accurate simulation of extreme precipitation events remains a challenge in climate models. This study utilizes hourly precipitation data from ground stations and satellite instruments to evaluate rainfall ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluating Hourly Rainfall Characteristics over the U.S. Great Plains in Dynamically Downscaled Climate Model Simulations using NASA-Unified WRF Author: Lee, Huikyo, Waliser, Duane E., Ferraro, Robert, Iguchi, Takamichi, Peters-Lidard, Christa D., Tian, Baijun, Loikith, Paul C., Wright, Daniel B. Year: 2017 Accurate simulation of extreme precipitation events remains a challenge in climate models. This study utilizes hourly precipitation data from ground stations and satellite instruments to evaluate rainfall characteristics simulated by the NASA-Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) regional climate model at horizontal resolutions of 4, 12, and 24 km over the Great Plains of the United States. We also examined the sensitivity of the simulated precipitation to different spectral nudging approaches and the cumulus parameterizations. The rainfall characteristics in the observations and simulations were defined as an hourly diurnal cycle of precipitation and a joint probability distribution function (JPDF) between duration and peak intensity of precipitation events over the Great Plains in summer. We calculated a JPDF for each data set and the overlapping area between observed and simulated JPDFs to measure the similarity between the two JPDFs. Comparison of the diurnal precipitation cycles between observations and simulations does not reveal the added value of high-resolution simulations. However, the performance of NU-WRF simulations measured by the JPDF metric strongly depends on horizontal resolution. The simulation with the highest resolution of 4 km shows the best agreement with the observations in simulating duration and intensity of wet spells. Spectral nudging does not affect the JPDF significantly. The effect of cumulus parameterizations on the JPDFs is considerable but smaller than that of horizontal resolution. The simulations with lower resolutions of 12 and 24 km show reasonable agreement but only with the high-resolution observational data that are aggregated into coarse resolution and spatially averaged. Title: Evaluating Hourly Rainfall Characteristics over the U.S. Great Plains in Dynamically Downscaled Climate Model Simulations using NASA-Unified WRF Author: Lee, Huikyo, Waliser, Duane E., Ferraro, Robert, Iguchi, Takamichi, Peters-Lidard, Christa D., Tian, Baijun, Loikith, Paul C., Wright, Daniel B. Year: 2017 Accurate simulation of extreme precipitation events remains a challenge in climate models. This study utilizes hourly precipitation data from ground stations and satellite instruments to evaluate rainfall characteristics simulated by the NASA-Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) regional climate model at horizontal resolutions of 4, 12, and 24 km over the Great Plains of the United States. We also examined the sensitivity of the simulated precipitation to different spectral nudging approaches and the cumulus parameterizations. The rainfall characteristics in the observations and simulations were defined as an hourly diurnal cycle of precipitation and a joint probability distribution function (JPDF) between duration and peak intensity of precipitation events over the Great Plains in summer. We calculated a JPDF for each data set and the overlapping area between observed and simulated JPDFs to measure the similarity between the two JPDFs. Comparison of the diurnal precipitation cycles between observations and simulations does not reveal the added value of high-resolution simulations. However, the performance of NU-WRF simulations measured by the JPDF metric strongly depends on horizontal resolution. The simulation with the highest resolution of 4 km shows the best agreement with the observations in simulating duration and intensity of wet spells. Spectral nudging does not affect the JPDF significantly. The effect of cumulus parameterizations on the JPDFs is considerable but smaller than that of horizontal resolution. The simulations with lower resolutions of 12 and 24 km show reasonable agreement but only with the high-resolution observational data that are aggregated into coarse resolution and spatially averaged. Close

• 160. [Article] Tropical Salvage: From Recession to Expansion

  Tim O’Brien, founder of Tropical Salvage, was preparing for another warehouse clearance sale of his unique, handcrafted hardwood furniture. It had been an enormously challenging year and it was important ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tropical Salvage: From Recession to Expansion Author: Marshall, Scott, Peifer, Lisa, Ferrigno, Erin Year: 2011 Tim O’Brien, founder of Tropical Salvage, was preparing for another warehouse clearance sale of his unique, handcrafted hardwood furniture. It had been an enormously challenging year and it was important to reduce inventory before the next container arrived from Indonesia. The market for fine furniture had begun to decline steadily in early 2008 following the stock market crash of the prior September. The company survived a difficult period, but not without suffering a decline in sales. O’Brien had spent ten years building a sustainable business model based on environmental stewardship, worker empowerment and unique, high quality product. As the economy recovered, O’Brien believed Tropical Salvage needed to pursue an aggressive expansion strategy. Although the warehouse clearance sale was occupying O’Brien’s mind, he was excited about the prospect of implementing a bold growth strategy for the coming years. The two most significant strategies for growth focused on diversifying product offerings beyond hardwood furniture and opening branded retail stores in the United States. Many fundamental business challenges, including brand awareness, financing and operational efficiency, had to be overcome to make these strategies effective. However, O’Brien was confident that the highly vertically integrated structure, unique product designs, cost-competitive sourcing and deeply engrained social mission of Tropical Salvage provided the leverage to overcome these challenges. As O’Brien considered how best to expand, he prepared to markdown the remaining inventory from his last shipment. Are his growth plans overly ambitious while the economy is so uncertain? Does it make sense to extend his product line beyond the hardwood furniture for which Tropical Salvage is known and has experience manufacturing? Is it financially sound to expand into branded retail at this time? Perhaps most importantly, are the trends in ‘conscientious’ consumerism significant enough to support the growth of a values-driven, sustainability-inspired business like Tropical Salvage? Title: Tropical Salvage: From Recession to Expansion Author: Marshall, Scott, Peifer, Lisa, Ferrigno, Erin Year: 2011 Tim O’Brien, founder of Tropical Salvage, was preparing for another warehouse clearance sale of his unique, handcrafted hardwood furniture. It had been an enormously challenging year and it was important to reduce inventory before the next container arrived from Indonesia. The market for fine furniture had begun to decline steadily in early 2008 following the stock market crash of the prior September. The company survived a difficult period, but not without suffering a decline in sales. O’Brien had spent ten years building a sustainable business model based on environmental stewardship, worker empowerment and unique, high quality product. As the economy recovered, O’Brien believed Tropical Salvage needed to pursue an aggressive expansion strategy. Although the warehouse clearance sale was occupying O’Brien’s mind, he was excited about the prospect of implementing a bold growth strategy for the coming years. The two most significant strategies for growth focused on diversifying product offerings beyond hardwood furniture and opening branded retail stores in the United States. Many fundamental business challenges, including brand awareness, financing and operational efficiency, had to be overcome to make these strategies effective. However, O’Brien was confident that the highly vertically integrated structure, unique product designs, cost-competitive sourcing and deeply engrained social mission of Tropical Salvage provided the leverage to overcome these challenges. As O’Brien considered how best to expand, he prepared to markdown the remaining inventory from his last shipment. Are his growth plans overly ambitious while the economy is so uncertain? Does it make sense to extend his product line beyond the hardwood furniture for which Tropical Salvage is known and has experience manufacturing? Is it financially sound to expand into branded retail at this time? Perhaps most importantly, are the trends in ‘conscientious’ consumerism significant enough to support the growth of a values-driven, sustainability-inspired business like Tropical Salvage? Close