Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are major service providers for the general aviation (GA) sector, which closely connect the public with the aviation industry. However, over the past decade, the U.S. GA industry has experienced a decline in the numbers of registered aircraft, pilots, and airports. Due to the fact that FBOs significantly contribute to the aviation industry, further research studies regarding the FBO-sector at a national level are needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) that promote the success of FBO operations in the United States.
The methodology consisted of a four-step hybrid method approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection involved two rounds of online surveys that were distributed to FBO owners, managers, and employees in the United States. A total of 313 survey responses including 136 initial survey responses and 177 final survey responses were received. According to the survey results, twelve CSFs for successful FBO operations were identified and prioritized. Along with the results, the researcher created an FBO Critical Success Factor Model, which visually presented the CSFs and their priorities. The use of this model may provide a clearer understanding of FBO optimization for FBO managers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars. In addition, this model can be used as guidance to improve profit of an FBO business.
","abstract_html":"<p>Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are major service providers for the general aviation (GA) sector, which closely connect the public with the aviation industry. However, over the past decade, the U.S. GA industry has experienced a decline in the numbers of registered aircraft, pilots, and airports. Due to the fact that FBOs significantly contribute to the aviation industry, further research studies regarding the FBO-sector at a national level are needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) that promote the success of FBO operations in the United States.</p> <p>The methodology consisted of a four-step hybrid method approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection involved two rounds of online surveys that were distributed to FBO owners, managers, and employees in the United States. A total of 313 survey responses including 136 initial survey responses and 177 final survey responses were received. According to the survey results, twelve CSFs for successful FBO operations were identified and prioritized. Along with the results, the researcher created an FBO Critical Success Factor Model, which visually presented the CSFs and their priorities. The use of this model may provide a clearer understanding of FBO optimization for FBO managers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars. In addition, this model can be used as guidance to improve profit of an FBO business.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Wang, Yu"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":"Aviation Technology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Richard O. Fanjoy","Gozdem Kilaz","James L. Mohler","John G. Wensveen"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2016,"date_issued":"2016-12-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2016-12-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:54:17Z","subjects":["Social sciences","Critical success factor","Fixed base operator","General aviation","Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations","Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods","Transportation","Transportation Engineering"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_dissertations/1026","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Richard O. Fanjoy","Gozdem Kilaz","James L. Mohler","John G. Wensveen"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Wang, Yu"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Aviation Technology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Social sciences","Critical success factor","Fixed base operator","General aviation","Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations","Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods","Transportation","Transportation Engineering"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_dissertations/1026"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are major service providers for the general aviation (GA) sector, which closely connect the public with the aviation industry. However, over the past decade, the U.S. GA industry has experienced a decline in the numbers of registered aircraft, pilots, and airports. Due to the fact that FBOs significantly contribute to the aviation industry, further research studies regarding the FBO-sector at a national level are needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) that promote the success of FBO operations in the United States.
The methodology consisted of a four-step hybrid method approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection involved two rounds of online surveys that were distributed to FBO owners, managers, and employees in the United States. A total of 313 survey responses including 136 initial survey responses and 177 final survey responses were received. According to the survey results, twelve CSFs for successful FBO operations were identified and prioritized. Along with the results, the researcher created an FBO Critical Success Factor Model, which visually presented the CSFs and their priorities. The use of this model may provide a clearer understanding of FBO optimization for FBO managers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars. In addition, this model can be used as guidance to improve profit of an FBO business.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Identifying and prioritizing critical success factors for Fixed Base Operators in the United States: A mixed method approach"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Richard O. Fanjoy","Gozdem Kilaz","James L. Mohler","John G. Wensveen"],"dc:creator":["Wang, Yu"],"dc:description.abstract":["Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are major service providers for the general aviation (GA) sector, which closely connect the public with the aviation industry. However, over the past decade, the U.S. GA industry has experienced a decline in the numbers of registered aircraft, pilots, and airports. Due to the fact that FBOs significantly contribute to the aviation industry, further research studies regarding the FBO-sector at a national level are needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) that promote the success of FBO operations in the United States.
The methodology consisted of a four-step hybrid method approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection involved two rounds of online surveys that were distributed to FBO owners, managers, and employees in the United States. A total of 313 survey responses including 136 initial survey responses and 177 final survey responses were received. According to the survey results, twelve CSFs for successful FBO operations were identified and prioritized. Along with the results, the researcher created an FBO Critical Success Factor Model, which visually presented the CSFs and their priorities. The use of this model may provide a clearer understanding of FBO optimization for FBO managers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars. In addition, this model can be used as guidance to improve profit of an FBO business.
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