Date of Award
Fall 2025
Access Type
Dissertation - ERAU Login Required
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation Business Administration
Department
Aviation Business Administration
Committee Chair
Norbert J. Zarb
Committee Chair Email
zarbb@erau.edu
First Committee Member
Hari Adhikari
First Committee Member Email
adhikarh@erau.edu
Second Committee Member
Jayendra Gokhale
Second Committee Member Email
gokhalej@erau.edu
Third Committee Member
Dothang Truong
Third Committee Member Email
TRUONGD@erau.edu
College Dean
Norbert J. Zarb
Abstract
In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the historic innovation of the first sustained flight by a powered aircraft. By 1909, the brothers produced the first Wright Military Flyer. These two historical events provided the foundation for what is now known as the aerospace and defense industry. The industry grew exponentially as societies, conflicts, wars, and technology progressed. In contemporary America, the industry is more vital than ever. The aerospace and defense industry in the United States is characterized by significant entry barriers, complicated government contracting processes, and a vast large number of backlogs. Identifying strategies to increase financial value is essential for firms to remain sustainable. This study investigated the impact of capital structure on a firm’s financial performance for aerospace and defense companies in the United States.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Diefendorf, Anthony, "The Impact of Capital Structure on Financial Performance of Aerospace and Defense Firms Publicly Traded in the United States" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses. 931.
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/931
