Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina

ATD’s Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life.
As companies and organizations become increasingly strategic with how they use employee resources, more are engaging external consultants as highly skilled temporary labor when they lack the specialized expertise to handle their growing needs. Without the staffing flexibility to complete special… Show more

ATD’s Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life.
As companies and organizations become increasingly strategic with how they use employee resources, more are engaging external consultants as highly skilled temporary labor when they lack the specialized expertise to handle their growing needs. Without the staffing flexibility to complete special projects that require more employee hours and specialized skills, companies recognize the benefits of fresh perspectives, new ideas, outside opinions, and the speed and efficiency of an expert consultant who in many cases has already tackled similar challenges with other companies.
Consulting is at the top of the list of career moves for talent development professionals and others who have unique skill sets and expertise. Whether you’re considering branching out on your own, you’ve just launched and are struggling to keep yourself afloat, or you’re looking to take your business to the next level, this book will help you clarify your “why” and make your transition a soft landing. Learn to set a business strategy, write winning business proposals, and market your products and services. Gain perspectives on multiple consulting career paths—from forming an independent consultancy to joining a boutique consulting practice to consulting with a large company. Edited by consulting powerhouse Elaine Biech. Show less

In this book, nationally recognized public procurement experts Dolores Kuchina-Musina and Benjamin McMartin present a comprehensive analysis of the alternative contract vehicles used to promote innovation in the United States (US). Kuchina-Musina and McMartin begin by introducing the innovation policy environment in the US, addressing current trends in the workforce, decreased investment in research and development (R&D), and how technology is increasing at a rapid speed. They then go on to… Show more

In this book, nationally recognized public procurement experts Dolores Kuchina-Musina and Benjamin McMartin present a comprehensive analysis of the alternative contract vehicles used to promote innovation in the United States (US). Kuchina-Musina and McMartin begin by introducing the innovation policy environment in the US, addressing current trends in the workforce, decreased investment in research and development (R&D), and how technology is increasing at a rapid speed. They then go on to discuss key terms and subjects to show how public procurement and innovation policy are tied together. Diving deeper, Kuchina-Musina and McMartin examine the pathways the federal government uses such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) part 12 acquisition, a review of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and non-FAR-based contract overview with a specific focus on Other Transaction Authorities (OTA). Using the new Department of Defense (DoD) prototype OTA that was enacted in November 2015, Kuchina-Musina and McMartin conclude by presenting a methodology for examining the effectiveness of OTs. Specifically, they show the way the government is evaluating the DoD statute and discussions on some of the additional guidance the DoD uses to implement this authority. Bringing academic literature on innovation policy and applying it to the practitioner environment, Public Procurement for Innovation provide its audience an understanding of models, methods, and techniques the US uses to promote the development of innovative technologies and products. Clearly written and impeccably researched, the book fills a huge void in the literature on public procurement. Show less

Since 1958, government agencies have used Other Transactions (OT) to encourage innovation and the development of new technology. OTs' purpose is to help government agencies acquire leading-edge technology from private sector sources in a flexible, goal-oriented manner. This dissertation is a pilot study assessing whether innovation policies, specifically 10 USC 2371b (Pub. L. No. 114-92, 2015) that authorizes DoD prototype OTs, influence the Department of Defense (DoD) alternative contracting… Show more

Since 1958, government agencies have used Other Transactions (OT) to encourage innovation and the development of new technology. OTs' purpose is to help government agencies acquire leading-edge technology from private sector sources in a flexible, goal-oriented manner. This dissertation is a pilot study assessing whether innovation policies, specifically 10 USC 2371b (Pub. L. No. 114-92, 2015) that authorizes DoD prototype OTs, influence the Department of Defense (DoD) alternative contracting activities to promote the development of innovative technologies and products. Using existing literature and interrupted time series analysis, this dissertation examines publicly available contract data to answer the following research question: how can innovation policy outcomes, in the form of other transaction authorities, influence alternative contracting activities to promote the development of innovative technologies and products? Based on the results and the three hypotheses examined, there is support for the research question because the analysis of the award data of OTs showed a statistically significant increase in the number of DoD Prototype awards from 2008-2020. Findings from this study will contribute to the current literature and encourage research from more diverse fields to promote policy innovation and provide policymakers a method of assessing innovation policies using quantitative methods. Show less

The purpose of this study was to develop a framework through which we can structure the procurement “process” emphasis on competition and its effects on innovative products and services. By applying the goals of public procurement and innovation policy, the demand can easily be met as a cost-effective and value-adding asset. By thinking about innovation through the lens of PPPs, we hope to gain a more thorough understanding of successful innovation in a public procurement context.

To begin this investigation, we will first explore the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These two programs are known as highly competitive programs that pride themselves on their encouragement of small businesses to engage with the Federal Government in Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Within the programs there are three phases and one of those phases does not seem to fit in with… Show more

To begin this investigation, we will first explore the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These two programs are known as highly competitive programs that pride themselves on their encouragement of small businesses to engage with the Federal Government in Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Within the programs there are three phases and one of those phases does not seem to fit in with the other phases. Ultimately the Phase III is a derivative effort, extension, or completion effort meant to commercialize Phase I/Phase II SBIR work; it draws its ability to issue sole-source awards from the underlying Phase I and Phase II competitions; and most importantly it carries forward the limited and restricted licenses generated under the Phase I and Phase II efforts, protecting the company’s intellectual property, and allowing it up to 20 years to fully commercialize its idea. So, we wait, and we watch to see if this is the imposter we thought it was, OR if Phase III really is who it says it is…a SBIR. Show less

The purpose of this study is to examine procurement professionals’ perceptions of public-private partnerships in contract arrangements and to explore decision-making that takes place in the contracting process. A grounded theory approach is applied to Simon’s (1947) model of decision-making to better understand the perceptions of procurement professionals, especially because it pertains to public vs private sector contexts. The researchers collected data by conducting interviews and observing a… Show more

The purpose of this study is to examine procurement professionals’ perceptions of public-private partnerships in contract arrangements and to explore decision-making that takes place in the contracting process. A grounded theory approach is applied to Simon’s (1947) model of decision-making to better understand the perceptions of procurement professionals, especially because it pertains to public vs private sector contexts. The researchers collected data by conducting interviews and observing a compliance webinar of federal contracting employees. Show less

The analysis employs surveys to gauge the public’s perceptions of the ethical decision making by management in both small business and large business. The survey also analyzes the role of those ethical decisions within scenarios and their impact on the individuals’ patron behavior in small business as compared to large business. Statistical analysis has been utilized to test the authors’ overall hypothesis that the public is generally less concerned about ethical decision making of small… Show more

The analysis employs surveys to gauge the public’s perceptions of the ethical decision making by management in both small business and large business. The survey also analyzes the role of those ethical decisions within scenarios and their impact on the individuals’ patron behavior in small business as compared to large business. Statistical analysis has been utilized to test the authors’ overall hypothesis that the public is generally less concerned about ethical decision making of small business relative to large business. The implications of these findings for both large and small businesses are provided with the analysis and suggestions to correct the disparity between both entities. Show less