AbstractsBusiness Management & Administration

Business aircraft investment and financial performance

by Joel D Schuster




Institution: Capella University
Department:
Year: 2015
Keywords: Business administration; Management; Commerce-Business; Finance
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2121325
Full text PDF: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3714060


Abstract

This research was an attempt to replicate, yet expand previous empirically supported, qualitative gray literature research conducted by NEXA (2010). The primary difference between this study and the NEXA study is adding significance testing in a quantitative study, to substantiate previously reported positive organizational financial performance associated with business aircraft investment. The outcome contradicted the previous study by providing evidence there were no significant differences in financial performance between those companies that own business aircraft and those companies that do not. The sampling populations were collected from publicly available data through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aircraft registry and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) / Edgar database for the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 600 Small Capitalization (SmallCap) Index funds. The research utilized the Andersen (2001) Utilization strategies, Benefits, and shareholder Value (UBV) conceptual framework. The dependent variables of Earnings Before Income Tax, Depreciation and Ammoritization (EBITDA), Revenue Growth, Return on Equity (ROE), and Return on Assets (ROA) financial indicators and ratios were applied to test the significant differences between the independent variables of companies that own business aircraft versus companies that do not own business aircraft. The breadth of associated costs when contemplating investment in business aircraft goes well beynd the initial cost of the aircraft itself and was not covered in this study. Depending on the strategic objective and intended use of a business aircraft, ownership involves an additional and significant investment in infrastructure and back office support, segregated by direct and indirect costs. In order to help define the future roles of business aircraft, the industry as a whole must create a synchronous and performance based public face that emphasizes the broad collection of the multi-dimensional and positive, technological, economic, and regulatory, political, and social dynamic contributions. Moreover, with financial indicators demonstrating positive value, productivity, and performance separation between business aircraft ownership from non-ownership, coupled with the internal as well as external drivers influencing financial results, the public face of business aviation and its aircraft should be one of the top investment decisions for future sustainability and competitive advantage.