Digital Commons Network^™

Antecedents Of Entrepreneurial Activity And Poverty: Mediating Effect Of Entrepreneurial Activity, Bashir I. Bugaje, Azmawani Abd Rahman, Rusmawati Said, Jo A. Ho, Abubakar A. Adamu

Journal of Global Business Insights

Poverty rates in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have risen, with 47% of the region’s population living in poverty. In Nigeria, approximately 87 million are classified as extremely poor. Existing research on the relationship between entrepreneurship and poverty in this region is fragmented and inconsistent. Traditional economic measures of poverty have proven inadequate, prompting the need for a multidimensional approach. The paper examined the mediating effect of entrepreneurial activity on the relationship between the precursors of entrepreneurship and poverty. The study used a survey method and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data, which confirmed all hypotheses, revealing …

Between Memory And History: Irish Pubs As Sites Of Memory And Invention, Perry Share, Moonyoung Hong

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

The pub has been at the centre of Irish culture and identity for at least two centuries, has become a pillar of the Irish tourism “product,” and an export commodity as thousands of themed “Irish pubs” have been established across the world in the last number of decades, supplementing existing establishments that have served the global Irish community. This paper draws on key themes from the diverse material in our upcoming academic volume on the Irish pub, to be published by Cork University Press, later in 2024. The book brings together contributions from scholars of history, sociology, design, literature, culinary …

The Political Economy Of The Igbos Of Southeastern Nigeria: Analyzing The Igbo Entrepreneurship Model (Iem), Eze Simpson Osuagwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between culture and economic development using the case of the Igbo ethnic group of Southeastern Nigeria. The Igbo traditional apprenticeship system has been widely described in contemporary political economy literature as a model for stakeholder capitalism and shared prosperity for sustainable entrepreneurial development. This study draws a sample of 2,000 entrepreneurs from five business clusters across Nigeria in Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Lagos and Abuja to ascertain if there is a significant difference between the entrepreneurs who passed through the traditional apprenticeship system and those who did not. The study employs a Propensity Score Matching technique …

An Examination Of The Perceived Impact Of Social Networking On Discipleship In Yalobusha County, Mississippi, Gary Bernard Walton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Significant technological advancements in this new digital age and culture have increased digital and online technology. However, churches faced many challenges in integrating, creating, and transitioning new media platforms to develop a cooperative network society to train and equip disciples. Some research showed that many clergies vehemently opposed the use of digital platforms for discipleship, primarily because those leaders believed that digital discipleship platforms were insufficient in power to be transformative as compared to what would occur at a traditional church location (Campbell & Garner, 2016). This phenomenological research study aimed to understand better the perceived impact of social networking …

A Comparative Analysis Of Deaf Entrepreneurs In China And The United States, Wei Wu

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

This paper compares the challenges that Deaf business people face in the US and China. The goal is to understand the experience of Deaf people in each country and to see what each country can learn from the other. To understand the experience of Deaf people in these countries, I will first look at the history of disability in each country and the challenges Deaf people face with gaining employment or becoming entrepreneurs. Then, I compare the cultural attitudes of each country towards Deaf people and the policy frameworks each country uses to create opportunities for Deaf people. Finally, this …

Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band Stoles, Emma Walsh

Honors Capstones

The Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band plays a huge role on campus and in the NIU community supporting NIU athletics and entertaining audiences throughout the university and surrounding area. Since 1899, the NIU marching band has grown to approximately 200 members a season and plays to crowds of 30,000 people at Huskie Stadium. Known as “The Pride of the Midwest”, the Huskie Marching Band has enriched the Huskie spirits of students, faculty, parents, alumni, and the Huskie community as a whole.

The dedication and persistence these students demonstrate each day at rehearsals, games, and events is something that does …

North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center Helps Producers Manage Risks, Christine Lockert, Sheila Aikanathan Johnson, Bradley D. Lubben

Cornhusker Economics

Established in 2001, the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERMEC) has a long history of supporting risk management education programs serving producers in the region. Located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Economics Department, the Center is one of four regional Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Centers located throughout the country. ERME is funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and was authorized by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. The fundamental purpose of the ERME program is to educate producers to manage risk and position their farm or ranch for future growth and …

Building A Business: A Close-Knit Relationship Between Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Gabrielle O. Ysteboe

Honors Capstones

This project explores how best to build a knit blanket business with respect to several parameters including market research to determine price point, where to sell the product, with options including Etsy, brick and mortar, larger retail stores, personal website, craft fairs, and pop-up retail locations, and determining the target market and demographics, which will shape the marketing strategy to be used. It shows the ties between the 4 P's of marketing and entrepreneurship. Through surveys and primary research, data was found that allowed for one option for business placement to come out on top. It also allowed for the …

Developing And Modernizing Small Businesses In Dangriga, Belize, Abby Teague

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of the Small Business Development project located in Dangriga, Belize, and includes research on the challenges of entrepreneurship in developing countries. The project consisted of research and the implementation of marketing workshops to teach businesses how to manage their online and social media presence through the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) Dangriga. The impact of the project was significantly important because many Belizeans struggle to survive and succeed within their businesses. Belize contains multiple microenterprises that cannot meet their potential because of a lack of knowledge and communication. Overall, the project aims to give BTIA …

How Did The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017 Effect Small Businesses?, Jackson Pittman

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 marked a significant overhaul of the United States tax system, promising to stimulate economic growth and enhance the competitiveness of American businesses. Amidst its broad-reaching reforms, the TCJA introduced several provisions directly impacting small businesses, aiming to alleviate their tax burdens and foster entrepreneurial activity. This thesis endeavors to evaluate the multifaceted effects of the TCJA on small businesses, examining its implications for their financial performance, investment behavior, and overall economic contribution.

Preliminary findings suggest that the TCJA has produced a generally positive result for small businesses. On one hand, reduced …

Exploring Growth: A Multifaceted Approach To Development In The Stann Creek District Of Belize, Brady A. Voss

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis delves into the multifaceted approach to development within the Stann Creek District of Belize, as undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in collaboration with the international non-profit Peacework. Authored by Brady A. Voss under the guidance of Dr. Amy Farmer, this research is a culmination of efforts aimed at enhancing economic growth and sustainability in the region.

The thesis begins by outlining the author's involvement in three primary projects during a summer internship in 2023: assessing market awareness of dragon fruit, estimating the cost of production for habanero peppers, and formulating a business plan for the …

Impact Of Seasonality On Demand Forecasting Techniques For Small-Scale Food Retailers, Indu Sree Guturu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of seasonality on SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) demand forecasting in small-scale food retailers through the analysis of historical sales data, focusing on four key products, labelled: Product A, Product B, Product C & Product D. The research aims to assess the accuracy of different forecasting models in capturing seasonal fluctuations. The research questions are: (Q1) What is the impact of seasonality on SKU demand forecasting in case of small-scale food retailers. (Q2) How does the efficacy of Traditional model compare to alternative technologically driven forecasting techniques? (Q3) To what extent can the impact of seasonality …

The Raci Matrix And Its Use In The Office, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The RACI Matrix, crucial in office management, delegates tasks efficiently: Responsible individuals, like lead assistants, handle specific duties; Accountable, typically the manager, ensures smooth operations; Consulted, such as patients, provide input; Informed parties, like lab technicians, contribute expertise. By adhering to RACI, dental offices optimize workflow, enhance patient care, and address challenges effectively, ensuring a harmonious and efficient practice.

Staff Matters: Utilizing ‘Unretired’ Workers To Address Hiring Challenges, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Jodi Schafer suggests targeting "unretired" workers to address front office staffing challenges in dental practices. These retirees bring valuable experience, reliability, and a commitment to customer service. Strategies include offering flexible schedules and competitive benefits and targeting recruitment efforts through networks frequented by retirees. Utilizing this demographic can supplement and support full-time staff, alleviating hiring difficulties.

Get Smart About Your Money, Sharonda Singleton Brown, Imani Beverly, Jacquelyn J. Daniel

Georgia Library Quarterly

“Get Smart About Your Money” was an event held at the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W. Woodruff Library for Money Smart Week 2023. The goal of the event was to introduce the new business librarian, promote financial literacy in the Atlanta University Center community, and participate in National Money Smart Week.

Bidding Strategy For A Wind Power Producer In Us Energy And Reserve Markets, Anne Stratman

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Wind power is one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy resources and has expanded quickly within the US electric grid. Currently, wind power producers (WPPs) may sell energy products in US markets but are not allowed to sell reserve products, due to the uncertain and intermittent nature of wind power. However, as wind’s share of the power supply grows, it may eventually be necessary for WPPs to contribute to system-wide reserves. This paper proposes a stochastic optimization model to determine the optimal offer strategy for a WPP that participates in the day-ahead and real-time energy and spinning reserve markets. The …

The Phygital Design Process: Using Emerging Technologies To Create A Phygital Fashion Brand Rooted In Nostalgia, Madeline M. Mcdaniel

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This Master's Project is a comprehensive exploration of the intersection of digital fashion design, nostalgia, and sustainable practices. Its primary objective is to create 'project CYBERBAE,' a phygital fashion collection that draws inspiration from early 2000s video game characters, trends, and aesthetics. The project utilizes advanced digital tools like Clo3D to demonstrate a comprehensive digital fashion design process that emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability. It also pioneers the development of a 3D virtual world, providing users with an immersive environment to interact with and experience digital fashion. This virtual space serves as a platform for a community of fashion, technology, and …

Resilience, Self-Efficacy, Openness To Change, And Innovativeness Of Msme Owners: A Quantitative-Qualitative Integration Before, During, And After The Covid-19 Crisis, Imelda T. Angeles

The South East Asian Journal of Management

Research Aims: Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have consistently demonstrated their resilience in the face of economic challenges, particularly during crises. This study delves into how the experiences of MSMEs before, during, and after the COVID-19 crisis have translated into resilience, self-efficacy, openness to change, and innovativeness as they responded to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This mixed-methods study combines the quantitative analysis of the characteristics of MSME owners with their narratives of their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, translating adversity into an opportunity.

Research Findings: The integrated results showed how the quantitative-qualitative insights enabled a …

Integrity And Legitimacy Of Halal Products: The Urgency Of Halal Supply Chain Management Technology Adoption In Halal Product Authentication Traceability Evidence From Indonesia, Ari Agung Nugroho, Sumiyati Sumiyati, Hamsani Hamsani

The South East Asian Journal of Management

Research Aims: This research aims to determine how technology, integrity, and the environment affect traceability of halal product certification and its relationship with Halal Value Chain (HVSC) Management in micro, small and medium processing industries.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative research utilised survey data from 285 respondents who are processing industry players throughout Indonesia. Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) is applied for data analysis.

Research Findings: The study's findings indicate that technology adoption and environmental factors have a significant effect on HVSC traceability. The authentication and legitimacy of halal products are positively impacted by technology adoption, among others, which contributes to …

Credit History Controls The Ability Of Small Businesses To Obtain Working Capital: A Case Study, Tiffany Leeona Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research was to understand how a potential failure of business owners exists and how owners use business credit. In addition, this research includes understanding how business owners obtain working capital within small businesses, resulting in the inability of small businesses to gather the necessary funds to cover the operational costs. I used a flexible design using a qualitative method to gather knowledge from current literature regarding how a lack of credit history in small businesses results in the inability of business owners to obtain working capital. I used a flexible design to identify four elements that …

Board Gender Diversity, Ceo Turnover, And Firm Performance In Entrepreneurial Firms, Matthew Imes, Mark West, Jessica West, Shan Yan

The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

This article examines recent literature on corporate boards and the interplay between director gender and CEO turnover and how it affects firm performance after CEO turnover. The primary focus is board gender diversity and CEO job embeddedness in entrepreneurial firms. This article discusses gender diversity and the frequency of CEO turnover. This paper finds that board gender diversity is associated with lower CEO involuntary turnovers and better overall performance in entrepreneurial firms. The article highlights how board gender diversity, especially in small firms, provides a unique pathway to create firm value and examines recent evidence on how gender diverse board …

The Evolution Of The Nonprofit Sector In Nepal, Charles Harrington, Davis Jones

SC Upstate Research Symposium

The nonprofit sector in Nepal has grown exponentially over the last decade. Significant growth in the areas of education, economic development, health and human services, tourism, and environmental conservation has created a demonstrable need for nonprofit organizational support and development to address these emerging needs. This paper and accompanying oral presentation will address the underlying factors that have driven the growth of the nonprofit sector in Nepal, including, but not limited to the history of national philanthropy and community service, early formulation of the nonprofit sector, development of civil society, non-government organizational proliferation, earthquake response and resilience, the emergence of …

Exploring Entrepreneurial Intention And Subjective Beliefs: A Comparative Analysis Of General Education Schools And Commercial Schools, Julia Riess, Bettina Fuhrmann, Gerhard Geissler

International Journal for Business Education

This study examines the entrepreneurial intentions of Austrian secondary school students, specifically comparing students from commercial schools with those from general education schools. We analyzed 2,329 data sets and found that subjective beliefs, primarily behavioral and control beliefs, significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, demographic factors such as gender, language, acquaintance with entrepreneurs, and school type play a significant role in explaining the variance in entrepreneurial intentions.

Our detailed analysis shows that students from commercial schools have stronger entrepreneurial intentions and subjective beliefs. Particularly notable are the differences in behavioral beliefs, where students from commercial schools find all aspects of …

Upstarts T3: An Asynchronous And Cohort-Based Entrepreneurship Train-The-Trainer Program, Surin Kim, Maria Rosario T. De Guzman, Kieu-Anh Do, Irene Padasas, Claire Nicholas, Olivia Kennedy, Anna Erdmann, Andy Larson

The Journal of Extension

UpStarts is a reverse-mentoring youth program designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among participants and a sense of connection between youth and adults. Effective facilitators are critical to the success of the program. This paper describes an asynchronous, cohort-based virtual train-the-trainer (T3) program for potential UpStarts facilitators that was developed to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. Participants of the initial UpStarts T3 program reported positive feedback for the training and a high sense of efficacy in implementing UpStarts in their communities. The current T3 model is emerging as a promising means of preparing facilitators to implement UpStarts …

Understanding Implications Of Restaurants In A Post-Pandemic World:​ A Tourism And Hospitality Case Study For La Tasca, Callyn Anderson, Marisol Banda, Katie Hale

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

The impact of COVID-19 has had implications for every single lifestyle and business (Sharma et al., 2022). Not only did it impact the economy, but the service industry took the brunt of it. The industries most affected by COVID-19 over the period January 2020 to January 2022 included “airlines, automobiles, energy equipment and services, hotels-restaurants-leisure, and specialty retail (Vidovic, 2022). When airlines and recreation parts of the industry did not return to pre- pandemic levels in November of 2021, the United States saw a reflection of the appeal for more local tourism (Linn et al., 2022). Local tourism, including restaurants, …

Objective.Gg: Uniting Scholastic Esports, Martin Beirne

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Objective.gg is a startup online recruitment platform within the scholastic esports scene that seeks to unite esports prospects with collegiate esports programs in an effective manner. Currently, there is a large divide that high school and transfer esports prospects must navigate through, and it is Objective.GG’s mission to build a bridge over that gap. Objective.gg seeks to accomplish its mission by operating an online platform that allows prospects and collegiate coaches to create their own profiles and connect with one another, building a community around the platform in the process. This platform will be accessible to both prospects and coaches …

Agents Of Change: Which One Are You?, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In her editorial, Michelle C. Dziurgot, DDS, explores various roles dentists play as agents of change, including catalysts for urgency, collaborators with specialists, diligent workers for accuracy, risk-taking entrepreneurs, charismatic leaders, and peacemakers who resolve conflicts within their practices.

Mda At Your Service: What Is The Beneficial Ownership Information Report?, Kristin Johnson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

MDA Staff, with input from Kristin Johnson, DDS, explains the Beneficial Ownership Information Report required by the Corporate Transparency Act. Dental practices with fewer than 20 full-time employees and <$5M in annual sales must file by Jan. 1, 2025. They also address MIOSHA regulations, dental assistant duties, and access to MDA resources like the Delegation of Duties Chart and educational videos on infant oral health.

Dentistry And The Law: Why Dentists Must Pay Attend To Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this month’s Dentistry and the Law column, Dan Schulte, JD, MDA Legal Counsel, emphasizes the importance of understanding antitrust laws for dentists. He explains that agreements between competitors that restrain trade are illegal and highlights the risks of price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists should avoid any activities that may be construed as anticompetitive. Enforcement of antitrust laws can lead to criminal or civil actions, making awareness crucial.

Dentistry’S Cdt Code: Its Origins, Use And Future, Frank J. Pokorny Ii, Mba, Facd(Hon)

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Today’s version of the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature – commonly referred to as CDT 2024 -- is the latest iteration of the code set first published in 1969. The CDT Code is ADA intellectual property that serves dentists and the dental community at large as the HIPAA standard for documenting and reporting services delivered to patients. CDT supports multiple needs: e.g., documentation; billing and reimbursement; revenue; data analytics. The code set’s maintenance is an open process overseen by the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs’ Code Maintenance Committee. Any dentist or interested party may submit a maintenance request. …