Understanding and improving the manufacturing and changeover process in Saudi Arabian business - a multiple case study approach

The importance of the changeover process in the manufacturing industry is becoming widely recognised. Changeover is a complete process of changing between the manufacture of one product to manufacture of an alternative product until specified production and quality rates are reached. The initiatives to improve changeover exist in industry, as better changeover process typically contribute to improved quality performance. A high-quality and reliable changeover process can be achieved through implementation of continuous or radical improvements. This research examines the changeover process of Saudi Arabian manufacturing firms because Saudi Arabia’s government is focused on the expansion of GDP and increasing the number of export manufacturing firms. Furthermore, it is encouraging foreign manufacturing firms to invest within Saudi Arabia. These initiatives, therefore, require that Saudi manufacturing businesses develop the changeover practice in order to compete in the market and achieve the government’s objectives. Therefore, the aim of this research is to discover the current status of changeover process implementation in Saudi Arabian manufacturing businesses. To achieve this aim, the main objective of this research is to develop a conceptual model to understand and examine the effectiveness of the changeover process within Saudi Arabian manufacturing firms, facilitating identification of those activities that affect the reliability and high-quality of the process. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of this area, this research first explores the concept of quality management and its relationship to firm performance and the performance of manufacturing changeover. An extensive body of literature was reviewed on the subject of lean manufacturing and changeover practice. A research conceptual model was identified based on this review, and focus was on providing high-quality and reliable manufacturing changeover processes during set-up in a dynamic environment. Exploratory research was conducted in sample Saudi manufacturing firms to understand the features of the changeover process within the manufacturing sector, and as a basis for modifying the proposed conceptual model. Qualitative research was employed in the study with semi-structured interviews, direct observations and documentation in order to understand the real situation such as actual daily practice and current status of changeover process in the field. The research instrument, the Changeover Effectiveness Assessment Tool (CEAT) was developed to evaluate changeover practices. A pilot study was conducted by examining the CEAT, proposed for the main research. Consequently, the conceptual model was modified and CEAT was improved in response to the pilot study findings. Case studies have been conducted within eight Saudi manufacturing businesses. These case studies assessed the implementation of manufacturing changeover practice in the lighting and medical products sectors. These two sectors were selected based on their operation strategy which was batch production as well as the fact that they fulfilled the research sampling strategy. The outcomes of the research improved the conceptual model, ultimately to facilitate the firms’ adoption and rapid implementation of a high-quality and reliability changeover during the set-up process. The main finding of this research is that Quality’s factors were considering the lowest levels comparing to the other factors which are People, Process and Infrastructure. This research contributes to enable Saudi businesses to implement the changeover process by adopting the conceptual model. In addition, the guidelines for facilitating implementation were provided in this thesis. Therefore, this research provides insight to enable the Saudi manufacturing industry to be more responsive to rapidly changing customer demands.

A piacorientáció hatása a vállalati versenyképességre = The Impact of Market Orientation on Competitiveness

A tanulmány a piacorientáció és a versenyképesség összefüggését elemzi egy átfogóbb koncepcionális modell keretében, amely a piacorientáció szervezeti előzményeire, a piacorientáció egyes dimenziói és a vállalati teljesítmény közötti kapcsolatra, valamint a környezetből származó bizonytalanság moderáló hatásaira fókuszál. Ahhoz, hogy növeljük a tanulmány érvényességét, az elemzés során olyan változókat kontrolláltunk, amelyekről úgy véltük, hogy a piacorientáció mellett szintén befolyásolhatják a vállalatok versenyképességét, mint például a vállalati stratégia, illetve néhány releváns vállalati jellemző. Az eredmények alapján megállapíthatjuk, hogy a piacorientáció pozitív vagy semleges hatással van a vállalati versenyképesség különböző indikátoraira. Kutatásunk tehát nem támasztotta alá egyes, a válságidőszakokban készült tanulmányok következtetéseit, amely szerint gazdasági válság időszakában a piacorientáció gátolja a vállalatokat abban, hogy megfelelően reagáljanak a környezetben bekövetkezett változásokra. A piacorientáció eltérő dimenzióinak szerepe ugyanakkor átértékelődik a környezetből fakadó bizonytalanság egyes típusainak eltérő mértékű erősödésével. ----- Abstract: The study investigates the association between market orientation and corporate competitiveness in frame of a wider conceptual model that focuses on the organisational antecedents of market orientation, the relationship between the dimensions of market orientation and corporate performance and the moderating role of environmental uncertainty. To increase the validity of our study, we controlled other variables that had also been expected to influence competitiveness such as corporate strategy and some relevant characteristics of companies. Based on the results we can conclude that the effects of market orientation on the different indicators of competitiveness are either positive or neutral. Our research did not support the conclusions of previous studies which stated that in times of economic crisis market orientation inhibits companies to react to the changes of the environment in an appropriate way. The importance of the dimensions of market orientation however can change due to the diverse extent to which the different kinds of environmental uncertainty intensify.

Az online-fogyasztói elégedettség mérésére alkalmas skála tesztelése és véglegesítése a vállalati döntéshozók támogatása céljából (Testing and finalizing a scale for measuring online consumer satisfaction to support the companies decision making process)

A versenyképesség, illetve a gazdaságos működés elengedhetetlen feltétele a fogyasztói elégedettség, melynek egyik meghatározó eleme az észlelt és elvárt minőség közti kapcsolat. A minőségi elvárások az internettel, mint napjaink egyik meghatározó csatornájával kapcsolatban is megfogalmazódtak már, így kapott jelentős szerepet az online szolgáltatásminőség meghatározása, illetve ezzel összekapcsolódva az online-fogyasztói elégedettségmérés. A tanulmány célja, hogy szakirodalmi áttekintést nyújtson a témában, és a szakirodalomból ismert E-S-QUAL és E-RecS-QUAL online-fogyasztói elégedettségmérésre szolgáló skálát megvizsgálja, érvényességét a magyar körülmények között letesztelje, és a szükségesnek látszó módosítások elvégzésével egy Magyarországon használható skálát hozzon létre. Az online-fogyasztók elégedettségmérésének alapjaként az online szolgáltatásminőség fogyasztói érzékelésével, illetve értékelésével kapcsolatos elméleteket járja körbe a tanulmány, és ezután kerül sor a különböző mérési módszerek bemutatására, kiemelt szerepet szánva az E-S-QUAL és E-RecS-QUAL skálának, mely az egyik leginkább alkalmazott módszernek számít. Az áttekintés középpontjában azok a honlapok állnak, melyeken vásárolni is lehet, a kutatást pedig az egyik jelentős hazai online könyvesbolt ügyfélkörében végeztem el. ______ Over the last decade the business-to-consumer online market has been growing very fast. In marketing literature a lot of studies have been created focusing on understanding and measuring e-service quality (e-sq) and online-customer satisfaction. The aim of the study is to summarize these concepts, analyse the relationship between e-sq and customer’s loyalty, which increases the competitiveness of the companies, and to create a valid and reliable scale to the Hungarian market for measuring online-customer satisfaction. The base of the empirical study is the E-S-QUAL and its second scale the E-RecS-QUAL that are widely used multiple scales measuring e-sq with seven dimensions: efficiency, system availability, fulfilment, privacy, responsiveness, compensation, and contact. The study is focusing on the websites customers use to shop online.

Adaptációra vállalkozni – avagy vállalkozói szerepek megjelenése a környezet és az alkalmazkodás viszonyában (Attempting to adapt – Entreprenurial roles in the adaptation process to environmental changes)

A szerző cikkében arra a kérdésre keresi a választ, hogy a kis- és középvállalkozások vezetőinek sajátos környezethez fűződő viszonyát alapul véve milyen vállalkozói szerepek azonosíthatóak a környezeti változásokra való reagálás során. A kutatás központi kérdése, hogy a vállalkozó miként tekint magára az adaptációra a turbulensen változó környezeti viszonyok között, és magának milyen szerepet szán az alkalmazkodási folyamat során. A cikk bemutatja a vállalkozó személyiségének alapvető vonásait, külön kitérve a vállalkozó vezető személyére, majd ezt követően az adaptáció legjellemzőbb formáit és tulajdonságait helyezi középpontba. A tanulmány 14 hazai kis- és középvállalkozás vezetőjével készített interjú feldolgozásával, valamint Hortoványi és Szabó (2006a) adaptációs stratégiai típusai alapján három kategóriát azonosít a környezetfelfogás és reagálás kontextusában. ______ This paper focuses on the role of the entrepreneur in the adaptation process, how we can determine the role of the entrepreneur to environmental changes and to strategic adaptation itself. The paper begins with the presentation of the entrepreneurial models, focusing on the entrepreneurial management afterwards continues with a brief summary of the adaptation approach to strategy. Emphasizing that adaptation to changes can vary as innovation or entrepreneurship is concerned. Proactivity presents an adaptation strategy and moreover can be related to entrepreneurial behaviour and therefore characterizes the viewpoint of the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have to react to the changing environmental with analysis and proactive reaction, as future and innovation orientation is an integrate part of their entrepreneurial personality. Examining 14 interviews made with Hungarian entrepreneurs the paper identifies three categories which determine the role of the entrepreneurs in the adaptation process.

Hirschman meets Williamson: Relationship-specific investment and loyalty

In Albert Hirschman’s theory, loyalty plays a key role in the equilibrium between exit and voice. This article extends economic (rational choice) analysis to the emergence of loyalty, which Hirschman considers an exogenous factor. This is accomplished by linking Williamson’s theory of specific investment to Hirschman’s model. Three cases are distinguished: (1) loyalty is due to specific investment; (2) loyalty is due to (intermediate) factors influenced by specific investment; and, (3) loyalty is independent of specific investment. A simple model formalizes the first case. A paradoxical dynamic of loyalty is identified: a lower degree of specificity may lead to a weakening of loyalty in the short run but astrengthening of loyalty in the long run. An application to the process of European integration is sketched.

Manipulatív marketing: fogyasztói észlelések és reakciók

A marketing koncepciónak kezdetektől fogva a vevőorientáció az egyik kulcsfogalma. Tulajdonképpen annak a szemléletváltásnak köszönheti felemelkedését és más menedzsmentdiszciplínától való elhatárolását is, amellyel a vevői igényeket helyezte a vállalati gondolkodás középpontjába. Későbbiekben azonban a kutatók rájöttek arra, hogy maguk az igények az üzleti gyakorlat során nagymértékben kontrollálhatók, és az eladói oldal azóta is él ezekkel a lehetőségekkel. A kutatás arra volt kíváncsi, hogy a vállalatok manipulációs gyakorlata hogyan csapódik le a fogyasztókban, melyek azok a manipulációs eszközök, amelyeket észlelnek, és azokra milyen válaszreakciókat adnak. Azonosíthatók-e tipikus gondolkodási sémák, magatartási mintázatok, amelyek jól jellemzik egyes vevők viszonyát a vállalati manipulációval. A tanulmány feltáró interjúkra épít, amely segít megérteni a fogyasztókban végbe menő komplex mechanizmusokat. Az eredmények azt sugallják, hogy kétfajta folyamat játszódik le a vevői oldalon Egyrészt a fogyasztók idővel rutinszerű magatartásmintákat vesznek fel, amely során a manipulációs eszközök érvényesülése nem tudatos, és a vállalatoknak kedvező reakciókat vált ki. Másrészt, a fogyasztói társadalom is egyfajta érési folyamaton megy át, aminek hatására megtanulják a vállalatok gondolkodásmódját, és – bár a kognitív korlátok miatt azokat nem tudják teljes mértékben lekövetni – igyekeznek önvédő heurisztikákat beépíteni a követett magatartásukba. A kutatás alapján hipotetikusan öt vevőtípust azonosítottunk, akiket egymástól eltérő reakciók jellemeznek. Customer orientation has been the key concept of marketing since the beginning. As a matter of fact, the emergence of marketing and the conceptual distinction between marketing and the related management disciplines can be attributed to this new approach, which put customer needs in the focus of company attention. Later, researchers revealed that the needs themselves can be controlled to a greater extent and sellers have been taking advantage of it since then. The main focus of the research concentrated on the effects of manipulation practices of companies on consumers, which manipulation tools are recognised and how consumers react to them. Furthermore the research also investigated whether typical cognitive, emotional and behavioural patterns, which reflect the relationship between consumers and the manipulation practices of companies, can be identified. The study relies on explorative interviews, which help understand the complex mechanisms of consumer attitudes. The results indicates that the opposite process occur on the consumer side. On the one hand, consumers tend to follow behavioural routines after a while, which help manipulation tools work in an unconscious way that triggers reactions for the favour of companies. On the other hand, the generations of consumers are getting more and more mature and learning the companies’ mentality and, despite having cognitive limitations to identify all the tricks and deceptive attempts, they try to develop and follow defensive heuristics. Based on the data explored we identified five customer types and we described their diverse reactions to manipulation.

Recent Developments in the Autonomy and Governance of Higher Education Institutions in Hungary: the Introduction of the Chancellor System

After the change of regime in 1989, Hungarian higher education started to return to its Humboldtian tradition. It was widely accepted that academic freedom could be guaranteed by high degree of institutional autonomy manifested especially in structures of self-governance and avoidance of direct state supervision/interventions. Attempts to introduce boards and other supervising bodies were successfully resisted until 2011. The new government coming into power in 2010, however, introduced new mechanisms of supervision and changed institutional governance and reduced institutional autonomy considerably. Changes in the selection of rectors, the appearance of state-appointed financial inspectors and the newly appointed Chancellors responsible for the finance, maintenance and administration of institutions are important milestones in this process. In the paper I review these developments focusing especially on the analysis of the Chancellor system.

Team diversity and leadership: Tests of model of process and direct effects

A model was tested to examine relationships among leadership behaviors, team diversity, and team process measures with team performance and satisfaction at both the team and leader-member levels of analysis. Relationships between leadership behavior and team demographic and cognitive diversity were hypothesized to have both direct effects on organizational outcomes as well as indirect effects through team processes. Leader member differences were investigated to determine the effects of leader-member diversity leader-member exchange quality, individual effectiveness and satisfaction.^ Leadership had little direct effect on team performance, but several strong positive indirect effects through team processes. Demographic Diversity had no impact on team processes, directly impacted only one performance measure, and moderated the leadership to team process relationship.^ Cognitive Diversity had a number of direct and indirect effects on team performance, the net effects uniformly positive, and did not moderate the leadership to team process relationship.^ In sum, the team model suggests a complex combination of leadership behaviors positively impacting team processes, demographic diversity having little impact on team process or performance, cognitive diversity having a positive net impact impact, and team processes having mixed effects on team outcomes.^ At the leader-member level, leadership behaviors were a strong predictor of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) quality. Leader-member demographic and cognitive dissimilarity were each predictors of LMX quality, but failed to moderate the leader behavior to LMX quality relationship. LMX quality was strongly and positively related to self reported effectiveness and satisfaction.^ The study makes several contributions to the literature. First, it explicitly links leadership and team diversity. Second, demographic and cognitive diversity are conceptualized as distinct and multi-faceted constructs. Third, a methodology for creating an index of categorical demographic and interval cognitive measures is provided so that diversity can be measured in a holistic conjoint fashion. Fourth, the study simultaneously investigates the impact of diversity at the team and leader-member levels of analyses. Fifth, insights into the moderating impact of different forms of team diversity on the leadership to team process relationship are provided. Sixth, this study incorporates a wide range of objective and independent measures to provide a 360$\sp\circ$ assessment of team performance. ^

An examination of attitude toward change as a predictor of policy/program implementation

Policy/program implementation, e.g., the process of fulfilling policy/program directives, is fundamentally tied to change. Implementation studies have examined the process, identifying many critical organizational variables although individuals perform the activities.^ Many of the studies are predicated on the rational, goal oriented model of organizations and examine implementation, presenting only the goal-oriented view. Organizational change and its resistance, however, are not fully explained by the rational model of organizations. There are other schools of thought providing different views of organizations from which explanation may emerge. Bolman and Deal (1984, 1991a, 1994) provide a different perspective for examining organizations Bolman and Deal argue organizations should be viewed through four different frames or lenses. Framing and reframing organizational action captures the complexity of action and provides better understanding of organizational processes. Understanding of implementation of policies/programs also will benefit from the use of the four-frame approach.^ The goal of this research is to provide a better understanding of the implementation process by examining individual attitudes toward change, the dependent variable of this research, and studying the relationship between the dependent variable and frame. The research was conducted in two phases. In Phase One, a survey was sent to 306 school administrators and teachers in magnet programs in Dade County, Florida. The survey instrument was composed of 55 questions including six from Bolman and Deal's Leadership Orientation Survey (1988) and 38 questions about organizational change. In Phase Two, more in-depth analysis of four school was conducted, to further explore the relationship between frame and attitude toward change.^ The results revealed that frame was a factor in explaining differences in personal Attitude Toward Change and Comfort Level with Change. Individuals using the symbolic frame had more positive attitudes toward change and were also more comfortable with change. The results of Phase Two of the research partially supported this finding in that the most fully implemented program was the product of an administrator who had chosen the symbolic frame. ^

Consumer (dis)satisfaction response to disconfirmation: An examination of the form and the underlying process

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the form of the consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction (CS/D) response to disconfirmation. In addition, the cognitive and affective processes underlying the response were also explored. ^ Respondents were provided with information from a prior market research study about a new brand of printer that was being tested. This market research information helped set prior expectations regarding the print quality. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental condition that manipulated prior expectations to be either positive or negative. Respondents were then provided with printouts that had performance quality that was either worse (negative disconfirmation) or better (positive disconfirmation) than the prior expectations. In other words, for each level of expectation, respondents were assigned to either positive or negative disconfirmation condition. Subjects were also randomly assigned to a condition of either a high or low level of outcome involvement. ^ Analyses of variance indicated that positive disconfirmation led to a more intense CS/D response than negative disconfirmation, even though there was no significant difference in the intensity for positive and negative disconfirmation. Intensity of CS/D was measured by the distance of the CS/D rating from the midpoint of the scale. The study also found that although outcome involvement did not influence the polarity of the CS/D response, the more direct measures of processing involvement such as the subjects' concentration, attention and care in evaluating the printout did have a significant positive effect on CS/D intensity. ^ Analyses of covariance also indicated that the relationship between the intensity of the CS/D response and the intensity of the disconfirmation was mediated by the intensity of affective responses. Positive disconfirmation led to more intense affective responses than negative disconfirmation. ^

When is personality a predictor of performance? The moderating role of autonomy

The study described herein examined personality as a predictor of task and contextual performance. The Big Five personality dimensions (i.e., Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, and Conscientiousness) were studied in relation to both task and contextual performance within an organization in the service industry. The situational factor, autonomy, was examined as a potential moderator for the hypothesized personality-contextual performance relationship. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that Conscientiousness was a valid predictor of task performance, Neuroticism was a valid predictor of contextual performance, and Extraversion was a valid predictor of delinquent performance. However, results did not yield support for the moderating role of autonomy on the personality-contextual performance relationship. Nevertheless, job satisfaction did moderate the Openness to Experience-delinquent performance relationship. Practical implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed. ^

The state of emergency management 2000: The process of emergency management professionalization in the United States and Florida

This dissertation analyzes the current status of emergency management professionalization in the United States and Florida using a qualitative case study. I investigate the efforts of various organizations at the national and state levels in the private and public sectors to organize emergency management as a profession. I conceptualize emergency management professionalization as occurring in two phases: the indirect institutionalization of the occupation of emergency management and the formal advancement toward an emergency management profession. The legislative, organizational, and procedural developments that occurred between approximately 1900 and the late 1970s became the indirect institutionalization of the occupation of emergency management. Over time, as our society developed and became increasingly complex, more disasters affect the security of the population. In order to adapt to increasing risks and vulnerabilities the emergency management system emerged and with it the necessary elements upon which a future profession could be established providing the basis for the formal advancement toward an emergency management profession. ^ During approximately the last twenty years, the formal advancement toward an emergency management profession has encompassed two primary strategies—certification and accreditation—motivated by the objective to organize a profession. Certification applies to individual emergency managers and includes all training and education. Accreditation of state and local emergency management agencies is reached by complying to a minimum level of proficiency with established standards of performance. Certification and accreditation are the mechanisms used to create an emergency management profession and thus act as axes around which the field of emergency management is organizing. ^ The purpose of this research is to provide a frame of reference for whether or not the field of emergency management is a profession. Based on sociology of professions literature, emergency management can be considered to be professionalizing. The current emergency management professionalization efforts may or may not be sufficient to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a legitimate profession based on legal and public support for the exclusive right to perform emergency management tasks (monopoly) as well as self-regulation of those tasks (autonomy). ^

Academic achievement orientation of West Indian American parents and adolescents

Literature addressing academic achievement orientation of Black adolescents in the United States often depicts poor school related attitudes and adaptation patterns, low academic achievement, and deficient family backgrounds. However, some researchers maintained that certain Black immigrant groups possessed positive academic achievement orientations and exemplary academic achievements (Ogbu, 1991; Gibson, 1991; Vernez, & Abrahamse, 1996). In this study, I attempted to combine qualitative data from multiple sources (surveys, interviews, observations, literature, and document analysis), using standard case study methodology and the constant comparative method of analysis to understand the relationship that existed between the academic achievement orientation of a select group of West Indian American parents and adolescents in Broward County, Florida. The sub-sample of 11 families, comprising 15 adolescents and 13 parents, was selected through maximum variation sampling from a pool of 23 families. The findings were presented as a single composite case study. The participants possessed specific, longstanding educational and career goals for the children. The parents were deeply involved and were knowledgeable of their children's schools and academic progress. While mothers were the parents most actively involved in the schools, fathers were strong authoritative figures. Families evidenced a strong moral religious base with set rules of behavior, firm parenting practices, and established chains of authority. Family members emphasized education over material things; reading over audiovisual or social activities; family cohesion over individual wishes; and academics over extracurricular activities. The parents' strong positive academic achievement orientation was communicated to the children and reinforced by relatives, family friends, and others. In turn, the adolescents possessed positive school-related attitudes and attributional styles. While they admitted their parents were somewhat strict, they voluntarily complied with the rules and were highly motivated to succeed because they believed their parents deeply cared for them and that education leads to success and upward mobility. Each adolescent was pursuing an academic track and planning for college and specific profession. The findings support Ogbu's cultural ecological model (1991). I recommend these findings to teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and others working with West Indian American families. ^

A qualitative study of an interagency relationship: Education interventions for foster children

The Interagency Agreement between the Broward County School System and District 10 Department of Children and Families (DCF) was implemented to improve the organization's relationship and in turn improve education interventions for foster children. The purpose of this study was to examine and describe key decision-makers' perspectives of this interagency relationship after implementing mutual policy. ^ The research questions which drove this study were: (a) from the perspectives of the participants, what was the relationship between the decision-makers of the Department of Children and Families and the Broward County School System, after the implementation of a unification plan that was influenced by the court system? and, (b) how was the relationship between the school system and DCF reflected in the Interagency Agreement? ^ Data were obtained through a case study that included interviews, document analysis and field observations. Participants were key decision-makers in their respective institutional settings and were chosen using criterion sampling. The researcher analyzed and interpreted data from the District 10 DCF commissioned assessment of foster care, the State of Florida Management Plans (education section), the Interagency Agreement, and participant interviews. ^ This study focused on the following five contextual areas regarding the Interagency Agreement: interagency cooperation, interagency coordination, interagency collaboration, traditional organizational linkages, and organizational climate. The results of this study suggest that the organizations' improved relationship improved the educational system for foster children. ^ This researcher recommends that the Interagency Agreement shares the leadership structure with an active parent organization of 15 foster parents who would be divided into three subcommittees. These subcommittees would perform specific tasks such as involving other foster parents, and writing mini proposals to address the social and tutoring needs of foster children. A Wraparound process including community organizations (clubs, businessmen and concerned community groups, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs) is also recommended in order to engage foster children in activities to build their social skills, friendships and self-esteem. This researcher also recommends that the Broward County School System consider a role that would provide for the development of curriculum for inservice for teachers. This would empower teachers and allow them to better address the academic and social needs of the foster children. ^

Mentoring and minority student development

Positive student development is a complex and multidimensional process, and is therefore best understood through interdisciplinary approaches. Recently, researchers studying the optimization of student development have responded to the challenge by using and integrating concepts from both educational and human developmental theories (King & Magdola, 1999). This theoretical confluence holds significant promise for ethnic minority college students due to the particular challenges these students often encounter. This research assesses individuals involved in an undergraduate educational and professional development mentoring intervention designed to optimize student development for ethnic minority students. First, in order to explore how development is fostered for minority college students, three objectives were pursued. The first objective was to assess the goals that students set for themselves and the degree of personal expressiveness they have in relation to their chosen goals. The second objective was to identify the types of challenges and obstacles that minority students perceive during their college years. The third objective was to identify the need for and availability of resources and support in overcoming obstacles to college success. Specifically, it was assessed whether (and in what ways) students involved in the intervention perceive significantly fewer obstacles and limitations to their development and greater availability of support and resources as a result of their involvement with the mentoring intervention. Second, the relationship between intervention involvement and students' perceptions of institutional and mentor nurturance and support was assessed. ^ A survey was conducted with 77 undergraduate students at Florida International University. A comparison-control design was used to compare students who were involved in the intervention (n = 38) and students who were not involved (n = 39) on variables related to their goals, perceived obstacles and supports, and college experiences. Results indicate that students in the intervention and students in the control group differed in goal orientation and perceived obstacles and supports. The two groups did not differ in their perceptions of institutional nurturance and support. Implications for the development and refinement of interventions aimed at fostering professional development for minority students are discussed. ^