Business Commons^™

Assessing Leadership In Business – Marketing: A Critical Investigation Of Reed Hastings, Nolan Mcandrew

Honors Scholar Theses

Understanding what makes a good leader is a topic of ongoing interest in the practice of business. Research to-date has distinguished between being a manager and being a leader and has also established a set of principles to consider in assessing leadership. In this thesis, I draw upon principles of leadership, including emotional intelligence; vision creation; inspiring others; leading in good and difficult times; fostering, developing and recognizing others; and creating a winning culture to offer a critical assessment of Reed Hastings as a leader within the business arena.

Consumer Response To Green Brands Vs. Traditional Brands On Digital Platforms: An Analysis Through A Series Of Case Studies, Madison Busick

Honors Scholar Theses

In the age of environmental crisis, consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their decisions. Accordingly, many companies seek to provide more eco-friendly and sustainable products while building their brand around these values. Consumers also are increasingly using and engaging on social media and other digital platforms. But just how well do these "green" brands do in the digital space? This study aims to compare differences between brands that embody environmentalist values and traditional brands with a variety of case studies across several consumer goods segments including clothing, cosmetics, and technology. The data is collected from a variety …

Creative Micro-Entrepreneurship In Practice: Exploring Digital Tools For Small Creative Businesses, Olivia Messina

Honors Scholar Theses

For the scope of this thesis, my focus is on independently owned businesses

run by “creative micro-entrepreneurs.” I’m using this term, coined by the digital

selling platform Etsy, to encompass artists, craftspeople, and others who sell artistic

goods and services they have made themselves. In addition to being part of this

community personally, I also think that it is important for these small businesses to

have the resources they need to thrive in our rapidly changing economy. Selling

online, clothing & accessories businesses, and cooking & baking businesses are

among the top 5 “side hustles” for Millennials, making creative small …

A Changing Industry: An Analysis Of The Effects Of Direct-To-Consumer Advertising On The Insurance Industry, James Bonvicini

Honors Scholar Theses

Direct-to-consumer selling is a shift in the strategies of many companies. As technology continues to play a prominent role in business, companies need to adapt to accommodate, and take advantage of, new opportunities that become available. Many insurance companies are now focusing on improving their direct-to-consumer selling efforts and attracting consumers with new online selling platforms. This thesis looks at the changes inside and outside of the industry that led to this direct method of selling and the impact that this has on the intermediaries in the industry, with a focus on property and casualty businesses. Additionally, this thesis takes …

Design, Programming, And User-Experience, Kaila G. Manca

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis is a culmination of my individualized major in Human-Computer Interaction. As such, it showcases my knowledge of design, computer engineering, user-experience research, and puts into practice my background in psychology, com- munications, and neuroscience.

I provided full-service design and development for a web application to be used by the Digital Media and Design Department and their students.This process involved several iterations of user-experience research, testing, concepting, branding and strategy, ideation, and design. It lead to two products.

The first product is full-scale development and optimization of the web appli- cation.The web application adheres to best practices. It was …

A Healthy Digital Image: Exploring Its Impact On B2b Sales Lead Generation In A Professional Social Network, Jaclyn G. Getonga Ms.

Honors Scholar Theses

This project looks at the social media-selling environment and how a “healthy” digital image can assist a firm in identifying itself to create value for new customers. This project will explore whether the B2B sales lead generation process can be conducted as part of a social media strategy and how a digital image affects its performance. The sales landscape has changed: buyers have more power, relationships are based on two-way communication, and customer-centric technologies have enabled users to create, share, and converse about content over the Internet. A “healthy” digital image is based on the attributes of a LinkedIn company …

The Business Of Beds: An Exploration Of Hotel And Hostel Business Strategy, Robert B. Bunda

Honors Scholar Theses

At their cores, hotels and hostels are similar in that they provide a place for travelers to stay. Despite this core similarity, the structures of the two industries are radically different. The hotel industry began in the Middle Ages and has given rise to massive multinational companies, many managing more than four thousand hotels. In stark contrast, the hostel industry began in 1909 and is mostly comprised of independently owned and operated guesthouses, with the largest global chain comprising of less than twenty properties. This study first defines the hotel and hostel industries and examines the different experiences they offer …

Factors Of High-End Retail Marketing: A Study Of Growth Opportunities For Clothing Retailers In The American Women’S Apparel Industry, Jeremy Trungdzu Bui

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this study is to assess current market conditions and to research growth opportunities for high-end American apparel retailers, with a focus women’s apparel, in the face of challenging economic conditions. Marketing factors will be discussed and will include manufacturing opportunities, brand development, and online retailing practices. The objective is to examine, understand, and intersect marketing strategies with new growth opportunities so that American apparel retailers can appeal to women consumers. Furthermore, recommendations for future growth will be offered as a result of the analysis of several high-end apparel retailers.

Nutritional Labeling, Emily J. Williams

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this study is to research consumers' food purchasing behavior, including consumers' perceptions of nutrition labels on food packages and the effects of such nutrition labels on consumers' food purchasing decisions. The objective is to better understand consumers' attitudes toward food purchases in relation to their understanding of food labels

Advertising In Online Social Networks: A Comprehensive Overview, Silvia Stockman

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper examines characteristics of online social networking sites and their implications on advertising. The application of well known interpersonal and mass communication theories to the field allows for an in-depth look at behavioral cues and responses. The interactivity inherent in sites like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and in other forums encourages advertisers to tap into engaging their consumers. Types of targeting and the success of word of mouth referrals are examined, as are many of the common stumbling blocks. To better understand the potential versus the problems, we conclude with an analysis of return on investment.