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The Impact of Lean Startup Theory Upon Local Business Entrepreneurs
Get PDFResearch Focus. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the entrepreneurs in South Texas are aware of the Lean Startup Methodology, and have utilized its principles in their business startup decisions. If so, how have these Lean Methods impacted their ongoing operational management? Additionally, this study ascertains the degree of satisfaction these entrepreneurs have with their startup processes. Finally, this study determines whether selected entrepreneurs would recommend a Lean Startup approach to other entrepreneurs. The research focused only upon selected business entities formed since 2000.
Research Methods. This study utilized a survey methodology. In particular, Creswell’s instruction found in The Survey Design (2014, p.157) was implemented. The purpose of doing a survey design here was to sample a population of San Antonio business entrepreneurs so that inferences can be made about whether their use or not, of the Lean Startup theory, can be used to generalize to a larger population of entrepreneurs. A survey was desired because of the economy of design, plus the potential for rapid turnaround without invasive interviews. This survey was cross-sectional and data collected within a short period. This survey was collected electronically utilizing a web-hosted service called SurveyMonkey.
Research Results/Findings. The results of this study reveal statistical significance when four independent variables are analyzed. Specifically, they are the type of industry, year of the company founding, job role, and the number of personal startups. Overall only 9.3% of the respondents indicated that were familiar with the Lean Startup terminology and principles.
Conclusions from Research. This study reveals that although the Lean Startup thinking has been around since 2005, and specifically published since 2011, the South Texas business community has very little knowledge of it. In fact, it hardly seems to be on the methodology-radar and mindset of most queried. While the Lean Startup approach holds much-promised guidance and food for thought to anyone desiring to begin a business, this study shows it is not readily known at the street level in South Texas. The trickle-down from origination to shoe leather implementation is either too slow or is being passed over. Continuous elucidation of the Lean Startup principles, coupled with incorporation of this process into traditional institutions including MBA programs at universities, may prove effective over time
Relationship Between Generations of Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Traits
Get PDFThis quantitative descriptive study investigated the relationship between 3 different generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship traits. The specific purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial traits and generations of U.S. entrepreneurs in Southwest (San Antonio), Northeast (Dallas), Center (Austin), and Southeast (Houston) Texas, to see whether generational differences are associated with entrepreneurial traits. 3 different generations of entrepreneurs were investigated in the study: baby boomers, generations Xers, and millennials. The research aimed to contribute beneficial insights to their understanding in enterprising potential and differentiate themselves in entrepreneurial traits in (a) need for achievement, (b) need for autonomy, (c) creative tendency, (d) calculated risk taking, and (e) locus of control. The GET2 test was used to collect the data to analyze the differences and similarities between generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial traits at EO in Texas’ major cities. The study used descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) to analyze the question 1 and question 2. An ANOVA test was used to address the question 3 to see whether there are significant differences in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations. And lastly, a 5-multiple regression test was employed for the question 4 to see whether there are significant differences in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates. A total of 117 entrepreneurs responded the survey invitation who deal with operating small-business companies and are registered at Entrepreneurs’ Organization as self-employers in South, North, East, and central Texas. Overall, collected data from 117 entrepreneurs showed that 103 (88% of total population) entrepreneurs tend to have a medium level of enterprising tendency. According to Caird (2013), entrepreneurs who tend to have medium enterprising tendency scores, have strengths in some of the enterprising characteristics in some contexts. However, entrepreneurs with medium enterprising tendency can be regarded as an “intrapreneur” who sets up and runs innovative projects as employees within an existing organization (Caird, 2013). Overall, results from the research question 3 showed that there is no statistically significant difference at the p ˂ .05 in the mean scores on four Total Entrepreneurial Trait scores across the three generation groups. The researcher failed to reject the null hypothesis as the p value of total GET2 scores was larger than .05 (p ˃ .05). And results from the research question 4 showed that neither in the first nor final model, statistically significant difference in the Total Need for Autonomy and Total Locus of Control scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates was detected. There is no significant difference in entrepreneurial trait scores between generations after controlling the effects of covariates. Based on the findings in this study, it was recommended that future researchers can extend this study as a qualitative or mix-method study with various elements of entrepreneurial traits, to explore the relationship between generations of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial traits to develop a more comprehensive study. New research studies may be conducted by prospective researchers by changing the setting in order to explore different entrepreneurial tendencies and abilities, have larger sample size to understand the entrepreneurial traits amongst various groups, and increase entrepreneurs’ productivities in local or global environments
Implementing Evidence-based Opioid Prescription Practices In a Primary Care Setting
Get PDFThe use and misuse of opioid pain medication has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. More than 16,000 people die each year due to the misuse or abuse of prescription opioid medications, which is more than from heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepines combined. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to establish processes enabling a primary care clinic to implement and adhere to the 2016 Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines for opioid prescription practices in the primary care setting. A retrospective chart review conducted prior to implementation of the guidelines demonstrated that four of six of the CDC’s recommendations were in place. Following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, a process was implemented to track evidence-based interventions including screening for potential abuse, urine drug screening, patient education, provider assessment of need, accessing the prescription drug monitoring program database, and the completion of a treatment agreement. Prior to implementation, a retrospective chart study revealed that none of the patients were screened for potential abuse, 80% had completed a treatment agreement, 90% had received education on opioid medication and potential abuse, 75% had undergone urine drug screening, 5% had the prescription drug monitoring program database accessed, and 95% had a documented provider assessment of need for treatment. At the completion of the project, 82% of patients were screened for potential abuse, 100% had completed a treatment agreement, 93% received education on opioid abuse, 93% underwent urine drug screening, 68% had the prescription drug monitoring program database accessed, and 96% had a documented provider assessment of need. The implementation of these guidelines has led to 11 (7%) patients being referred to a pain management specialist and a 10% reduction in the number of prescriptions written for opioid pain medications for patients seeking treatment for chronic pain
10th Annual Research Week- Event Proceedings
Get PDF10th Annual Research Week
Research Reconsidered: A Decade of Inquir
Preliminary Analyses of the Diversity of Soil Microbes on the Campus of the University of the Incarnate Word
Get PDFSoil samples were examined outside Bonilla Science Hall on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, at three time points between the calendar years 2016 and 2017. These time points correspond to Fall, Winter, and Spring. Samples were taken at two topsoil depths, 1 cm and 4 cm, to determine if there is a difference in bacterial load or distribution across the time frame examined.
Soil samples were diluted and plated on nutrient agar plates in order to identify unique colony morphologies. A total of 132 distinct morphological isolates were identified and sequenced. Of the 132 distinct colonies identified, sequences were generated for 95. These 95 colonies were found to represent 2 genera, Bacillus and Arthrobacter. The six unique Bacillus species identified among the isolates were: subtilis, cereus, megaterium, niancini, pumilis. A single unidentified species of Arthrobacter was also discovered.
B. subtilis and B. cereus were present for all time points and depths. B. megaterium was present at all time points and depths with the exception of time point 3.4. Upon comparison of 1cm and 4 cm depths at each time point, bacterial load was found to decrease by as much as 91%. If similar depths are compared across time points, bacterial load was also found to decrease with the exception of time point 1.4 vs. 2.4, or 3.4, which show an increase in bacterial load. In terms of bacterial diversity, the only comparison that demonstrated a similar distribution of bacteria was a comparison between time points 1.1 and 1.4. Macronutrient concentration and soil temperature were sampled at time point 3 and found to differ across depths at this time point. This suggests that these factors play a role in the bacterial diversity present at this time point. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the topsoil is a dynamic environment and the distribution and load of bacteria can differ significantly across both depth and time
An Exploration of the Math Names for Numbers: An Early Childhood Mathematics Intervention
Get PDFA longitudinal study of the effects of an early childhood mathematics intervention was conducted in 2 private elementary schools in a large city in central Texas. The study included 377 participants in prekindergarten through fifth grades. Explicit non-inverted number names were taught in English and Spanish to prekindergarten and kindergarten students, with formative assessments conducted during this timeframe. Summative assessment results from standardized achievement tests were collected in grades 1 through 5 from 341 of the participants. Normal curve equivalent scores of total mathematics achievement, problem solving, and mathematics procedures were compared among groups of children with no or up to 2 academic years of experience using explicit non-inverted number names. Children in Grade 1 who had no experience with the intervention, scored significantly higher than the other children in mathematics procedures. After the first grade, a means trend emerged, showing children with the most experience demonstrated higher overall mean scores within the three measures. In Grade 3, children with the most experience using the intervention demonstrated significantly higher scores in mathematics procedures
Improving HPV Vaccination Series Initiation Rates and Compliance Among Indigent Women in South Texas, Ages 19-26, Through Provider Recommendation and Additional Clinic Funding: a Quality Improvement Project
Get PDFThe purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase human papillomavirus vaccination series initiation rates among indigent women, ages 19-26, at a clinic in South Texas. The human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that has been associated with multiple types of cancers. Each year, approximately 6.2 million cases of the human papillomavirus infection are diagnosed; as many as 75% of all new infections occur among females 18-26 years of age. The human papillomavirus vaccination has a high efficacy in regards to cancer prevention, preventing as many as 76% of cancers with only one dose. The project included educating clinic staff about human papillomavirus vaccination guidelines, finding a funding source for the human papillomavirus vaccine and developing a protocol for aligning the providers with current guidelines and screening patients to identify vaccine eligible women. The population served at this clinic was primarily Hispanic (84%), 22 years of age, used no contraceptive methods (62%), was single (92%), with a high school diploma (56.9%). Before initiation of the project, random chart audits of 50 human papillomavirus vaccination eligible women indicated that only one out of 50 received the human papillomavirus vaccination. During the project cycle, 21 of the 50 human papillomavirus vaccination eligible women received at least 1 dose of the vaccination, indicating clinical and statistical significance. The interventions implemented were effective in improving adherence to guidelines and improved vaccination rates by 40%. Stakeholder commitment to the project ensures sustainability
Increasing Provider Awareness of Patient Health Literacy Needs for Dental Screenings Among Patients With Diabetes in a Rural Health Clinic
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to increase provider awareness of health literacy needs for recommended dental screenings among patients with diabetes in a rural clinic setting. Over 35% of adults in the United States are considered to have low literacy levels (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2015). Low health literacy levels have an impact on patient outcomes due to decrease compliance with recommended treatment plans and preventive health screenings. Patients with diabetes have a trifold increase of developing oral infections such as periodontal disease, fungal infections, and xerostomia (Kudiyirickal & Pappachan, 2015). Healthcare providers acknowledging a patient’s health literacy level can provide appropriate educational material concerning recommended health screenings for diabetes including an annual dental exam and cleaning (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2015; Hummel, Phillips, Holt, & Hayes, 2015). This was a descriptive statistical quality improvement project conducted on a non-profit rural health clinic offering medical and dental services. Retrospective chart reviews concluded that patient’s health literacy and diabetic referrals to dental are not being conducted. Clinical staff was educated on health literacy assessments and patients with diabetes were administered the Short Assessment of Health Literacy-English/Spanish. A stamp was place on the patient face sheet to prompt the provider of the patient’s health literacy level and the need for a referral to dental. The intervention did increase provider awareness of patients’ health literacy and affected the interaction between the provider and patient. This project has increased referrals for dental screenings among patients with diabetes
Improving Trauma Activation Guideline Adherence in a Level III Emergency Department
Get PDFThe purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase appropriate use of trauma activation guidelines by nurses in a level III emergency department. Care provided by a multidisciplinary trauma team is paramount for the severely injured patient, as this may facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment. Trauma related mortality can be significantly decreased through the care provided. Trauma patients require specialized care at a precise time often called the “golden hour” to help prevent death or disability. Almost 30 Texans die every day from trauma related injuries, which averages to 10,000 people each year. Trauma is the leading cause of death in persons aged 1-44. In 2016, Hospital A had 21(9.6%) missed cases (undertriage) surpassing the American College of Surgeons (ACS) benchmark of achievin
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Statin Therapy Adherence Among Patients With Diabetes Aged 65 Years and Older
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to improve statin therapy adherence among diabetic patients aged 65 and older treated at a small family practice clinic in western San Antonio. Additionally, the project aimed to decrease LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in this patient population as recommended to 70 mg/dl or less. Diabetic patients are more likely to die from a cardiac event than patients without diabetes. Statin therapy is an important factor in lowering cholesterol, which reduces the patient’s risk for atherosclerosis. Educating patients aged 65 and older about the role of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular events, stroke, and vascular compromise may increase medication adherence in this population, resulting in appropriate LDL-C levels for prevention of these serious comorbidities. One hundred thirty-five chart reviews took place, from which thirty-three patients were identified for the education intervention. The patients were screened for medication adherence using the MMAS-8 survey before and after the intervention period to measure adherence to statin therapy. Education about cholesterol and statin therapy was provided during the patient appointment, and a handout was provided for reinforcement of education. LDL-C levels were drawn by the clinic laboratory before and after the intervention period to measure improvement. Results showed significant medication adherence increase and LDL-C level decrease among project participants after the 10-week implementation, though the target LDL-C level of 70 mg/dl or less was not met