THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRAVING AND SPIRITUALITY: DEPRESSION, SELF-HARM, EMOTIONAL LABILITY, AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

A STUDY OF INDEPENDENT GASOLINE STATION WITH CONVENIENCE STORE OPERATORS PERCEPTIONS OF ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET CUSTOMER DEMANDSDissertation Proposal DefenseRaafat ZaiterArgosy University-SchaumburgSharon McNeely, Ph.D., ChairByron R. Coon, Ph.D., Committee MemberByron R. Coon, Ph.D., Program Chair1The Problem Independent Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores Operators have been dealing with internal and external challenges including consumers changing demands that are impacting the sustainability of their operations.the history of gasoline stations has been marked by trends. (Highbeam Business, 2013)

2Consumers preferences for modern stores and enhanced services (Sharkey, Dean & Nalty, 2012)Proliferation of large retailers and chain operators selling gasoline (Highbeam Business, 2013)Consumer changing expectations (Experimental Economics Center, 2006; Lakewest Group, 2007).Fierce competition (Highbeam Business, 2013), Changes & Challenges3Increased Environmental regulations Volatile and high gasoline prices (Hanly, Dargay & Goodwin, 2012), High credit card usage and high fees (NACS, 2013)High cost of meeting credit card companies security requirementsDecreasing profit margin from gasoline and tobacco sales (NACS, 2012)Changes & Challenges4Purpose of the StudyTo study the differences between small and large independent gasoline station with convenience store operators perceptions on the actions they take to assess and meet customers changing demands.

5Price Elasticity

Definitions6Change Theory (Lippitt, Watson, and Westley, 1958)Extension of Lewins three-step Change TheorySeven steps: Diagnosis, Capacity assessment, Resources and motivation assessment, action plans and strategies, Selection of change agents, Maintenance of change, and closing the project.Theoretical Background7How and why an initiative works (Weiss, 1995)Three Core Elements: Populations, Strategies, Outcomes (INSP, 2005)Four Criteria: Plausible, doable, testable, meaningful (Connell and Klem, 2000)Change Theory8Research Related to the Theoretical BackgroundKurt Lewins change theory (Lewin, 1951).Lippitts Phases of Change Theory (Lippitt, Watson and Westley, 1958)Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1977)Transtheoretical therapy (Prochaska and DiClemente, 1982)

9Research Related to the Theoretical Background - ContinuedImplementing Change (Jick, 1991)Why Transformation Efforts Fail (Kotter, 1995)Learning in Action (Garvin, 2000)Integrating five theories of organization change using the transform-acknowledge-define-align-perform mode (Meeks, 2009).

10Understanding the External and Internal Factors that impact the gasoline station with convenience store business.Identifying the differences between small and large independent operators perceptions on the actions they take to assess and sustain their operations.Providing insights into the actions taken by independent GSWCS operators to sustain their operations.Significance of this study11Creating a guiding map based on the Theory of Change (ToC) for independent operators to use in initiating and implementing a change.Benefiting Fuel Suppliers (Jobbers) by learning the importance of taken actions by their dealers to improve their operations.Significance of this study12The gasoline stations with convenience stores industry is changing.Independent GSWCS operators have been facing challenges.The phenomenon: Independent GSWCS operators are facing external and internal factors that are impacting their business.Independent GSWCS Operators are pulled and pushed to make changes to sustain their operations.

Literature Review13Cross-sectional mixed method survey done at one specific point in time.Independent variablesSize of operationSmallLargeDependent variablesPerceptions of Needs and Satisfaction

Methodology: Research Design14

Conceptual Framework15Are there differences between large and small independent gasoline station with convenience storeoperators perceptions on the actions they take to assess customers changing demands?Are there differences between large and small independent gasoline station with convenience storeoperators perceptions on the actions they take to meet customers changing demands?Are there differences between large and small independent gasoline station with convenience storeoperators perceptions on the measures they use to test the success of the outcomes?Quantitative Research Questions16What actions do independent gasoline station with convenience storeoperators perceive to be effective to assess and meet customers changing demands?What relevant indicators independent gasoline station with convenience storeoperators deem necessary to measure the success of the outcomes of their actions?Qualitative Research Questions17Population: Independent GSWCS operators in the Midwest region of the U.S.Approximately 250 small independent GSWCS operators and 250 large independent GSWCS operators will be targeted. (Small defined as 3 or less and Large as 4 or more stores ).Anticipation of a minimum of 30 small and 30 large GSWCS independent operators would complete their surveys.Actions taken by independent GSWCS operators will be generalized to the population.

Methodology: Population and Subjects18Survey based on a 2013 Retail Industry Outlook Survey (2014) by kpmg.com (2013)Online self-reporting survey questionnaireBoth quantitative and qualitative questions in one surveySurvey done in one timeMixed methods survey using Likert type & open-ended response questions

Methodology: Instrumentation19Secure approval from IRBContact Jobbers to initiate contact with their dealers (participants)Ask Fuel Suppliers (Jobbers) to send requests to their dealers (operators) in the Midwest region of the U.S. to complete the online survey.Obtain consent from potential participantsPossible participants follow links to informed consent. Give consent and then do survey.Methodology: Procedures20QuantitativeDescriptive and inferential statistics analysis will be used to determine which statistical testing to use. Use two-tailed, with alpha at .05, 95% confidence intervals.QualitativeAxial codingThematic analysis

Methodology: Data Analysis21Operators are willing to share their experiences. Operators have taken some actions to meet their customers demands and sustain their operations.Limited to the independent GSWCS operators perceptions of actions/changes in the Midwest of the U.S.Included only: Gas Stations with Convenience StoresNot included: Corporate based operators, franchisors, very large operators (100 or more locations), and big box retailers that sell gasoline.

Assumptions and Limitations22Thank you for your time and attentionPlease ask any questionsQuestions?232013 Retail Industry Outlook Survey (2014). KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). http://www.kpmg.com/us/en/topics/2013-outlook-surveys/pages/2013-retail-industry-outlook-survey.aspxBandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy:Toward a unifyingtheory of behavioral change. PsychologicalReview, 84, 191-215.Burnes, B. (2007). Kurt Lewin and the Harwood studies: The foundations of OD. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 43, 213-231. Connell, J., & Klem, A. (2000). You can get there from here: Using a theory of change approach to plan urban education reform. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 11(1), 93-120.Creswell, J. W. (2012). Research Design, 3rd Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2012-07-17. VitalBook file.Experimental Economics Center (2006). Factors Affecting Demand. Extracted from: http://www.econport.org/content/handbook/Demand/Factors.html. Garvin, D. (2000) Learning in Action: A Guide to Putting the Learning Organization to Work, Harvard Business School Press, Boston.Hanly, M., Dargay, J., & Goodwin, P., (2012). Review of Income and Price Elasticities in the Demand for Road Traffic. Department for Transport, London.

References24Highbeam Business (2013). Gasoline Service Station SIC 5541. Industry Report. Retrieved on October 2013 from: http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/retail/gasoline-service-stations.Insp (2005). International Network on Strategic Philanthropy. Theory of Change Tool Manual. Retrieved from: http://www.dochas.ie/Shared/Files/4/Theory_of_Change_Tool_Manual.pdfJick, T. (1991) Implementing Change, Note 9-191-114, Harvard Business School Press, Boston.Kotter, J. P. (1995) Why Transformation Efforts Fail, Harvard Business Review, 74(2) (Reprint No. 95204).Lakewest Group (2007). 8th Annual POS Benchmarking Survey: Exceeding Your Customers Expectations. Retrieved from: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=630&parent_id=948&peer_rev=0Lewin K. (1951) Field Theory in Social Science. Tavistock Publications, London.Lippitt, R., Watson, J. and Westley, B. (1958). The Dynamics of Planned Change. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1958.References25Meeks, J. (2009). Integrating five theories of organization change using the transform-acknowledge-define-align-perform model. (Order No. 3481013, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 209. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/904595007?accountid=34899. (904595007).National Association of Convenience Store (NACS), (2012). 1600 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va 22314. Retrieved from: http://www.nacsonline.com/News/Press_Releases/2013/Pages/PR041013.aspxNational Association of Convenience Store (NACS), (2013). 1600 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va 22314. Retrieved from: http://www.nacsonline.com/Research/FactSheets/IndustryIssues/Pages/CreditCardFeesaGrowingChallengeforConvenienceStores.aspx.Prochaska JO, DiClemente CC. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 1982;19(3):276-288.Sharkey, J. R., Dean, W. R., & Nalty, C. (2012). Convenience Stores and the Marketing of Foods and Beverages Through Product Assortment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Sep2012 Supplement 2, Vol. 43 Issue 3, pS109-S115. 0p.Weiss, C. H. (1995). Nothing as practical as good theory: Exploring theory-based evaluation for comprehensive community initiatives for children and families. In J. P. Connell, A. C. Kubisch, L. B. Schorr, & C. H. Weiss (Eds.), New approaches to evaluating community initiatives: Concepts, methods, and contexts (pp. 6592). Washington, DC: The Aspen Institute.

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