Online analytical processing tools offer prescription for success in the health care industry.

Monica Chiarini Tremblay

Today, almost every organization—no matter the industry—finds itself awash in a sea of data. But the volume of data doesn’t make the difference. What matters most is what people do with the information and insights the data provide.

A new breed of decision-support tools now gives researchers and decision makers the flexibility to customize the selection, aggregation, and presentation of data. To understand the impact of these tools, Monica Chiarini Tremblay, assistant professor in the College of Business Administration’s Decision Sciences and Information Systems Department (DSIS), and her colleagues studied the implementation of an online, analytical processing (OLAP) tools-interface to the Comprehensive Assessment for Tracking Community Health (CATCH) data warehouse used by knowledge workers at a regional health planning agency in Florida.

According to Tremblay, the study offers unique insights into research related to data warehousing.

“We added a new dimension to prior research by exploring how OLAP technologies contribute to the successful implementation of a data warehouse,” she said. “We also identified the potential of these tools by examining their use in a real health care planning environment, and we analyzed the impact of these tools on an individual level.”

Tremblay and her fellow researchers used task-technology fit theory as a framework for their study. This theory suggests that information systems have a more positive impact on performance when their functionality aligns appropriately to user characteristics and task requirements.

“The better the match between a task’s characteristics, the technology features, and the characteristics of the individuals involved, the higher the level of individual and organizational performance,” she said.

New OLAP tools transform data providers into proactive consultants.

The results of the qualitative field study show that after the OLAP implementation, the health planners—who already were very sophisticated technology users—took full advantage of the additional capabilities, including taking greater control over data aggregation levels and engaging in more intuitive data manipulation.

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“We observed that the flexible OLAP tools streamlined tasks and leveraged the skills of the health care planners, which in turn helped them take on more consultative roles with their clients.”

—Monica Chiarini Tremblay, assistant professor, Decision Sciences and Information Systems Department

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“We observed that the flexible OLAP tools streamlined tasks and leveraged the skills of the health care planners, which in turn helped them take on more consultative roles with their clients,” Tremblay said. “Having greater flexibility in the way they aggregate data motivated them to respond to different types of questions from their clients, and they now have the ability to dig deeper to find the answers.”

The health planning agency and the community it serves now reap the benefits. And the health care planners themselves report positive feedback from their clients, saying that “people are really happy with the data—and they keep coming back asking for more.”

“This type of OLAP technology has the potential to make significant contributions in terms of performance and outcomes, especially in data-intensive environments such as health care planning assessment and review,” Tremblay said.

She and her colleagues published the results of their study in an article titled “Doing More with More Information: Changing Health Care Planning with OLAP Tools” that appeared recently in Decision Support Systems, one of the top management information systems journals.

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College of Business Administration now offers two full majors at Biscayne Bay Campus.

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Biscayne Bay campus (BBC) of Florida International University. It also heralds the expansion of two of the College of Business Administration’s undergraduate majors, making both a management and a marketing major fully attainable at this north campus site.

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“About 900 of our students consider BBC their home campus, and we have taken a number of steps to increase our service to them.”

—Clifford Perry, associate dean, Landon Undergraduate School

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“About 900 of our students consider BBC their home campus, and we have taken a number of steps to increase our service to them—by providing the courses needed for a major in two of our most popular programs: management and marketing,” said Clifford Perry, associate dean, Landon Undergraduate School. “Although we currently only offer a complete set of management and marketing upper level courses that make possible a start-to-finish degree at the Biscayne Bay campus, we will continue to deliver courses in the other major areas that fall under the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree: finance, real estate, management information systems, international business, and human resource management.”

College invests in personnel to ensure high-quality student experience.

Clifford Perry

“We previously offered ten core courses in the management and marketing majors at BBC, but now we will make the seven required courses for the management or marketing major, along with three electives, available to students in those majors,” Perry said.

To handle the teaching load, the college hired two new faculty members—Eric Cartaya, visiting faculty member, Department of Management and International Business; and Vivien Chen, visiting lecturer, Department of Marketing—who will be dedicated to the campus and will teach four courses each semester. Many management and marketing faculty members will teach part time, bringing the total offerings up to the required number for the full major in both the management and marketing disciplines.

Beyond the significant commitment of faculty resources, the college has taken other steps to ensure that students get the support they need for questions about advising and about ways to resolve non-classroom issues.

“We have assigned two academic advisors to BBC in a job-sharing mode, giving us a full week’s coverage,” Perry said. “Either Angela Bullard or Margie Tavarez will be present from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Bettina Lett will serve as secretary for the advising unit.”

The college also hired a secretary, Rosa Aponte, to handle the needs of the full- and part-time faculty.

Year ahead promises excitement at BBC—academically and socially.

BBC, which officially celebrated its milestone anniversary on June 12, 2007, plans a number of events over the coming year to bring greater attention to the many advantages of the full-service campus.

“The thirtieth anniversary of the campus’s founding presents us with a great opportunity to focus attention on our spectacular home and its remarkable history,” said Vice Provost Damian Fernández. “We will build on our past and inaugurate a new era of educational excellence.”

The BBC campus, attended by 8,000 students, has four academic buildings, a library, and a state-of-the-art conference center among its facilities.

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ALPFA National Convention puts students past and present in the spotlight.

FIU Accounting Association at 2007 ALPFA National Convention in Orlando, FL

“South Region Student of the Year.” “ALPFA National Student of the Year.” “South Region Chapter of the Year” award. Regional winners, KPMG case competition.

Those honors accrued to students and alumni from the College of Business Administration during the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting’s (ALPFA) annual convention, held in Orlando, Florida, from August 4-8, 2007. The college boasts the largest student chapter of ALPFA in the country, and 37 of its members—all sponsored by the School of Accounting in the College of Business Administration—were among the 2,400 attendees. Students affiliate with ALPFA through their membership in the FIU Accounting Association (FIU-AA).

Krystel Ramos, Alfredo Cepero, and Zameer Upadhya play leadership roles.

Krystel Ramos (BACC ’07), former president of FIU-AA and now its consulting officer, received the two student awards, with the national one of particular significance.

“It was amazing to gain national recognition, especially when there are so many other deserving candidates,” said Ramos, who has begun the college’s Master of Accounting (MACC) program.

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“Ramos has brought innovative ideas to the chapter, excels at delivering her message, and serves as a role model to many ALPFA students.”

—Alfredo Cepero (MACC ’90, BACC ’88), audit partner, BDO Seidman LLP, founder of the Miami chapter of ALPFA, former chapter president, ALPFA president

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“I am extremely proud of the leadership Ramos has exhibited,” said Alfredo Cepero (MACC ’90, BACC ’88), audit partner, BDO Seidman LLP, founder of the Miami chapter of ALPFA, former chapter president, and now president of the national organization. “She has brought innovative ideas to the chapter, excels at delivering her message, and serves as a role model to many ALPFA students.”

FIU Accounting Association members enjoying one of many student sessions attended during the convention

Ramos summarized some of those innovations when she spoke at the gala, also acknowledging the many people who have supported her since her experiences at her first ALPFA Miami Gala in 2006.

“Little did I know that I would proceed to initiate an honors society dimension to the Miami student chapter, establish a corporate advisory board for the organization, and bring further accolades to ALPFA in my university,” she said. “The establishment of the ALPFA Miami Honors Society has been the staple of my presidency, as it added further distinction to the ALPFA brand and celebrates Hispanic excellence in the academic world.”

She singled out Zameer Upadhya (BACC ’02), founder of the university’s chapter of ALPFA in 2001, the first student to sit on the national board, current president of the ALPFA Miami Chapter, and South Region Director as a “mentor, friend, and inspiration.”

Upadhya, who was the “ALPFA National Student of the Year” in 2002, accepted this year’s “South Region Chapter of the Year” award for the Miami Chapter.

Fall, 2007 FIU Accounting Association executive board, from left to right: Krystel Ramos, Catalina Zorrilla, Katherine Leal, Yanicel Caceres, Carlos Canasi, Ligia Espinoza, Gilbert Perera, and Damian Penichet

“He has exemplified great leadership in his presidency of the ALPFA Miami Chapter over the past three years, which culminated with this award,” Cepero said. “He is a mentor to many students and professionals and is a very valuable ALPFA national board member.”

Upadhya, whose term as president ends in September, will hand over the reins to yet another graduate, Maria Yip (BACC ’91), who recently joined the college's School of Accounting Advisory Board.

Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam sits on ALPFA’s corporate advisory board.

College team wins regional KPMG/ALPFA 2007 case study competition.

FIU Accounting Association at welcome reception at the ALPFA convention

FIU-AA members Maxine Anderson, Jovanny Cossio, Alejandro Euse, Syed Ibrahim, Gabriela Manrique, and Shakeel Ramzan participated in the KPMG/ALPFA case competition held during the convention, winning at the regional level at which 27 teams vied for honors. The team competed directly against Baruch College, Georgia State University, St. John’s University, St. Mary’s, University of Southern California, University of Texas–Austin, and UT–Pan American, and advanced to the nationals with San Diego State University.

The case revolved around a pharmaceutical company whose warehouse a competitor burned, after which the company decided to invest the insurance proceeds in the production of a new product. Contestants had to address three specific questions related to accounting, R&D risk, and possible litigation. The team met for about twelve hours weekly starting in February, researching the accounting literature and practicing their presentation.

Euse had competed in 2006 in a Johnson & Johnson (J&J) case competition, traveling to the firm’s corporate headquarters to present at the national level, an experience that helped him in the KPMG case.

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“I learned how to listen to teammates and how not to listen to butterflies.”

—Alejandro Euse, KMPG case competitor

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“I learned how to listen to teammates and how not to listen to butterflies,” he said.

“They did a great job,” said Upadhya, who, along with Tessie Brunken, adjunct professor, School of Accounting, gave feedback to the students during a practice session between the regionals and the finals the next day.

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College of Business Administration organizes international conference.

José de la Torre

Members of the faculty and staff of the College of Business Administration and the Chapman Graduate School are busily preparing to host the 42nd annual meeting of the Latin American Council of Management Schools (CLADEA), which will take place in Miami in the college’s new business building complex on October 28-31, 2007. Approximately 400 international scholars and administrators will attend, representing more than 100 universities from Latin America and the Caribbean, along with fifty schools from North America and Europe with strong ties to the region.

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“The CLADEA conference combines faculty presentations and sessions of interest to deans, associate deans, and other administrators in business schools from all over the world.”

—José de la Torre, Chapman School Dean

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“The CLADEA conference combines faculty presentations and sessions of interest to deans, associate deans, and other administrators in business schools from all over the world,” said José de la Torre, Chapman School dean, the college’s principal organizer for the event. “This year’s themes are human capital, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and we plan to publish the proceedings.”

Structure provides environment for give and take.

Jerry Haar

“More than 120 academic papers are slated for presentation in two categories: research papers for which audience members can provide suggestions and refinements; and workshop poster sessions, through which passersby can offer insights informally to those whose ideas are just taking shape,” said Jerry Haar, professor, Department of Management and International Business, who has organized the academic segment of the conference.

The topics span entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, innovation, management, and marketing, with fifteen sessions focused on aspects of each broad category, from “Finance and Market Research in Emerging Economies,” to “Trends in International Human Resource Management,” “Sustainability and Responsibility in Business,” and “An Evaluation of Consumer Behaviors.”

In addition, special sessions will feature invited presenters on the three themes. Papers in these sessions include “Strategic HRM in Mexico: Linking Human and Social Factors to Firm Performance,” “Innovation in Latin America—Responses to the Chinese Challenge,” and “Entrepreneurship: Innovation, Education and Technology.”

Eleven panels to explore administrative challenges.

This year’s conference puts a heavy focus on administrative matters, such as human resources, supporting faculty research, and evaluating faculty performance. Experts with an international orientation—members of the college’s Dean’s Council among them—will offer insights during eleven panel discussions.

“Through our Dean’s Council, we are fortunate to have close partnerships with individuals who hold top management positions in their companies and who will provide real-world perspectives to the discussion,” de la Torre said.

He will lead a panel on globalization and the abilities needed by executives in multinationals, while Joyce J. Elam, executive dean and vice provost of FIU Online, will moderate one on strategies for distance learning.

Many sponsors are supporting the event: HP, title sponsor; event sponsors Bacardi, Kraft Foods, and AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; partnership sponsors Caterpillar, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ASBSP), Go Miami Card, Venevision International, and Ryder System, Inc.; KPMG, Burger King, and ExxonMobil as contributing sponsors; and media sponsors Latin Trade and WorldCity Business.

The event also will include a trade show.

For more information about the CLADEA conference, visit https://business.fiu.edu/cladea

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Accounting sector sees future leaders within the College of Business Administration’s ranks.

Gabriela Manrique

While many people kick back in the summer, an elite group of students from the College of Business Administration stayed busy attending special events designed to prepare them for careers in accounting. Grant Thornton (GT) LLP, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and KPMG ran programs this summer targeting those from diverse backgrounds, helping groom them specifically for their firms and/or for success in the field in general.

Grant Thornton offers Footsteps program to put students on a solid career path.

From left to right: Florida International University students Gabriela Manrique, Catalina Zorrilla, Krystel Ramos, and Nuria Huillca, and Robert Garcia from University of Texas–Austin at the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

“We use our Footsteps program to identify internship candidates a year earlier than our customary recruitment period and give them a chance to learn more about what a profession in public accounting is like,” said Michelle McNulty, GT’s South Florida university recruiter. “This early identification program enables us, in general, to zero in on students whom we feel will be good candidates for our internship program.”

According to McNulty, GT “recruits heavily from Florida International University, where we continue to see really bright students,” among them Gabriela Manrique and Yanisledy Delgado—the first students from the college to participate in the newly launched local version of the national GT Footsteps program. Held at the GT’s Miami office May 22-23, 2007, the event included a tour, presentations on GT’s service lines and career options, lectures from company principals, team-building activities, and a Marlins game.

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“It was a great opportunity to interact with GT employees and to obtain information about the company, its people, and its culture.”

—Gabriela Manrique, Footsteps participant

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From left to right: Nuria Huillca, Martha Murillo, Elizabeth DeBragga, Carlos Canasi, Catalina Zorrilla, and Gabriela Manrique at the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

“It was a great opportunity to interact with GT employees and to obtain information about the company, its people, and its culture,” said Manrique, a junior who started the accounting program in the college in January, 2007. “It also was an opportunity for people at the firm to get to know us.”

For more information about Grant Thornton, visit www.grantthornton.com.

AICPA holds Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop with international flair.

Attendees at the AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

From May 31-June 2, 2007, seven students from the college—Carlos Canasi, Nuria Huillca, Gabriela Manrique, Martha Murillo, Krystel Ramos, Daniel Toribio, and Catalina Zorrilla—met 81 undergraduates and graduates from across the country, Canada, and Puerto Rico; formed ad-hoc teams to develop presentations on financial literacy; learned networking techniques; and got valuable insights from academics and practitioners. AICPA sponsored the all-expenses-paid program.

“The event focused on diversity, providing an environment for a unique interaction among students from different backgrounds and cultures,” said Elizabeth R. DeBragga, coordinator of diversity, work/life, and women’s initiatives, AICPA academic and career development team.

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“I was struck by the number of minority students whose parents don’t have a college education and who are striving to attain that.”

—Carlos Canasi, Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop attendee

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Florida International University’s Daniel Toribio flanked by Maria Fernandez (University of California) and Yuvia Maldonado (University of Texas) at the AICPA at the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

“I was struck by the number of minority students whose parents don’t have a college education and who are striving to attain that. I am one of them, but I had no idea there were so many more.” said Canasi, who expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Accounting (BACC) degree in December, 2008, who interned with Johnson & Johnson this summer and will intern with Ernst & Young next summer in the firm’s fraud investigation and dispute services.

For Toribo, (BACC ’07), whose current schedule involves working part time while preparing for the CPA Exam and studying for the GMAT in anticipation of entering the college’s Master of Accounting (MACC) program in January, 2008, career development guidance and preparing the presentation stood out.

Florida International University’s Daniel Toribio flanked by Na’Shon Mitchell (Webster University) and Amber White (University of South Carolina) at the AICPA at the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

“The speakers conveyed to us the importance of pursuing our CPA licenses so we can help companies make business decisions,” he said. “Preparing the presentation helped me understand the need to be flexible and to team up with people in different environments.”

For more information on the workshop, visit http://www.aicpa.org/members/div/
career/mini/aslw.htm.

KPMG’s new Future Diversity Leaders program taps sophomore.

“Because the competition for talent is so tight, KPMG established the Future Diversity Leaders (FDL) program to enable us to identify top students very early—in their freshmen or sophomore years—and to keep these students in our pipeline,” said Sholon Rucker, KPMG’s southeast area diversity recruiter.

KPMG chose Jaleesa Lynch, a sophomore accounting major with a 3.6 GPA, for the program, which can translate into $6,000 in scholarships, an internship with the firm, and possible full-time employment upon completion of her degree.

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“I learned more about KPMG, met students from across the United States and other countries, and got a perspective on how to apply my skills.”

—Jaleesa Lynch, KPMG Future Diversity Leaders participant

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Jaleesa and Antoinette Lynch

“I’m very grateful to have been one of fifty students to attend a leadership program in Hollywood, California, from July 9-11, 2007,” she said. “I learned more about KPMG, met students from across the United States and other countries, got a perspective on how to apply my skills, and realized that I want to focus on IT audit, something that I didn’t know prior to the event.”

Lynch will have the chance to interact with Fern Munk, KPMG Florida International University campus recruiter and also to benefit from having a mentor, Antoinette Lynch, assistant professor, School of Accounting, and FDL faculty sponsor, who will ensure that she uses her leadership skills and who will field questions during the internship at KPMG.

For more information about the workshop at KPMG, visit www.kpmgcareers.com.

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The beauty of natural fibers inspires a Guatemalan village to create a brighter future.

Chopping and cooking palm fiber in Guatemala

Five years ago, a severe drought brought hardship and hunger to the people of Jocotán, a small village in rural Guatemala.

Today, the villagers turn to this once-parched land as a creative source for income and job opportunities, thanks in part to the volunteer program sponsored by the College of Business Administration’s John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer (FTF) program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Most recently, FTF, in partnership with Winrock International, sent fiber artist and weaver Mary Burks to help the villagers expand the products they produce from locally grown vegetal fibers, including zibaque, reed grass, hemp, and bamboo.

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“The project focused on using local knowledge and abilities to recover the value of native plants while helping build alliances between the people of Jocotán and the rest of the world.”

—Carmen Algeciras (MIB ’03, BA ’01), FTF program director

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Eulalio Martinez Ramirez holding a finished piece of paper.

“The project focused on using local knowledge and abilities to recover the value of native plants while helping build alliances between the people of Jocotán and the rest of the world,” said Carmen Algeciras (MIB ’03, BA ’01), FTF program director. “We recruited Burks, who seemed to posses not only the right skill set but also the right creative sprit to help the villagers move beyond basketry to create and market other organic, fiber-based products.”

Project exemplifies what it means to be flexible and creative.

Nefdaly Diaz Martinez recycling the daily paper for new paper

Prior to her arrival in Jocotán, Burks worked closely with Keij de los Bosques, the host organization and business incubator that supports cooperatives and micro-businesses in Guatemala. Once there, she collaborated with the Asociación Artesanal Ajpatnar Chortí, a Guatemalan cooperative with 323 members dedicated to rural development that fosters sustainable economic growth.

Andres Hernandez Lopez

Her assignment entailed implementing at least one new, improved production technique that would lead to the development of a vegetal fiber product line.

“I came to the project as a generalist and found I had to think quickly on my feet to guide specific decisions that would enable the villagers to diversify their creative product set,” Burks said. “We ultimately decided to pursue experimentation around making paper by hand using easily available natural fibers.”

She worked closely with four members of the village cooperative who are now teaching others in their community to apply papermaking techniques.

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“I came away with . . . a desire to not let the opportunity for this community slip away.”

—Mary Burks, fiber artist, weaver, and FTF volunteer

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Domingo Lopez Geronimo creating with a new basket technique

“I can best describe my experience as joyful and novel,” Burks said. “I entered into a true collegial relationship with the Mayan men from Jocotán. We challenged each other to do the best we could, and I believe we developed a real sense of trust. I came away with a wealth of new knowledge about natural plant fibers for handmade paper—and a desire to not let the opportunity for this community slip away.”

Already, the cooperative has identified niche markets for its handmade decorative papers, including holiday cards and a project for a local financial institution that expressed interest in using rustic envelopes for clients’ portfolios.

An artist’s words speak volumes about the work’s true nature.

Women to whom Alvarez taught a new basket technique. They are from the village of Pinalto, Guatemala.

Of course, Burks’ assignment had practical goals, as she was there to help create a new small business based on vegetal fiber that could generate ongoing income for the craftspeople of Jocotán.

A nurturing spirit also helped inspire creative and commercial success in a way that Burks’ own poetic words best express:

Fiber is a very accessible medium.
It is all around us.
Fiber especially engulfs women.
We wash it.
We sweep it,
We sew it,
We wear it,
We stand on it.

And now the people of Jocotán rely on it to help their community not just survive but thrive.

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New Real Estate Board adopts an innovative mission.

The newly appointed Real Estate Alumni Affinity Council (REAAC) board has had quite a successful start this fiscal year. Real estate industry professionals attended the “Meet the New Board” networking party at Town Center One at Dadeland, which graciously sponsored the event.

Real Estate Alumni Affinity Council and industry professionals attend networking party at Town Center One, Dadeland, Miami, Florida. From left: Ed Redlich (BBA ’01), president of REAAC; Real Estate faculty William Hardin and Paul Jones; and Enrique Lopez (BBA ’02), REAAC vice president of education and scholarships

Ron Shuffield, president of EWM, spoke about new urbanism in the Dadeland area. Members of the board, along with the college’s real estate professors Ken H. Johnson, William Hardin, and director of the Jerome Bain Real Estate Institute, John Zdanowicz, were present, along with founding alumnus of the college’s REAAC, Paul Jones.

“I am truly honored with this opportunity to serve as this term’s president of REACC, which has assembled an enthusiastic new board of directors,” Ed Redlich said. “Our goal is to continue to establish REAAC as a prominent group of real estate professionals that offers its members and sponsors a variety of career, educational, and business networking opportunities. The first event of the year, held at the new Town Center One development project in Dadeland, was an impressive event due to the venue and the high caliber of its attendees.”

On Thursday, August 30, 2007, REAAC hosted a Real Estate Speaker Series at the prestigious Havana Club.

It proved to be an overwhelmingly popular event, with more than 150 guests in attendance. ComReal sponsored it, and REAAC partnered with the Realtors Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches (RAMB) to bring it to fruition.

Tom Dixon of Dixon Commercial Real Estate was the guest speaker. He explained the current status of property taxes in Miami-Dade County and a petition was passed around for those attending to sign in favor of reducing property taxes.

REAAC has planned an extraordinary year that will bring educational value and networking opportunities to real estate professionals and students throughout South Florida. An education committee has been established to ensure all events have educational value for its members. The committee has been busy planning a workshop and will award its first scholarship to a student in the real estate graduate program—the Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE).

The next scheduled event is a career forum for students interested in the real estate industry. The event will be held on October 11, 2007, at the Radisson Hotel from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of this event, please contact Zoe Leal at 305-348-0421/zoe or leal@business.fiu.edu, or for more information about REAAC, contact Michelle Joubert at 305-348-0397 or joubertm@fiu.edu.

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