Business Commons^™

Economic Implications Of State-Wide Covid-19 Response Aggressiveness, Michael Edward Parker

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

In this paper, we evaluate how the aggressiveness of each State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic affected their respective economies from Q2, 2020 through Q2, 2021. In our study, we utilize the scale developed by McCann (2020, 2021), which ranks the least aggressive state response to the most aggressive state response at three different points of the pandemic. Using this methodology, we test the impact of the aggressiveness of each state governments’ response with the resulting economic impact within that State. Namely, we examine how this level of response affected each State’s unemployment rate, gross domestic product growth, and taxable …

Planning For Debt: An Analysis Of Drivers Of Financial Knowledge On Individual Debt Strategy, Nicholas A. Hughes

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study aims to provide insight into the relationships between proven significant drivers of financial knowledge (numeracy, cognitive ability, mathematics anxiety, and financial literacy) and an individual's premeditated strategy to tackle their student loans. From a sample of 160 undergraduate students, we find few significant results that affirm the hypotheses of the study. However, we also determine that several descriptive factors (i.e., general mathematical skill, anticipated level of debt and interest to be repaid, etc.) vary by an extremely wide margin, suggesting that students lack the very skills necessary to calculate and deal with their own loans. Additionally, we find …

Investigating Instagram Marketing Strategies For Nonprofit Donor Engagement During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Annabella Cobos

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a profound shift in various industries around the world, the non-profit industry being one of them. In this research the author virtually interviewed four participants with experience in marketing from three non-profit organizations to determine what strategic components of Instagram marketing worked best to influence donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changed marketing strategies in the nonprofit industry are the result of changed donor behavior. The results from the interview findings reveal two Instagram marketing strategies were successfully adapted to influence donations during the pandemic: focusing on authentic media to increase …

Consumer Perceptions Of Cause-Related Marketing: A Comparison Of India And The United States, Kyle Palmer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The purpose of this study is to analyze consumer perceptions of Cause-Related marketing, as well as perceived level of mercenary intent and the impact of brand/cause fit. Level of mercenary intent is the degree to which consumers believe a company is engaging in Cause-Related Marketing in order to help themselves, or to help the cause. The level of brand/cause fit is the amount of alignment between a company and the cause they are choosing to support. This is a cross cultural study, and the impact of culture will be analyzed between participants from the United States and from India. College …

Reshoring The Semiconductor Industry Supply Chain: Analysis Of Risks And Capabilities, Makayla Ann Masse

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The importance of supply chain resilience and semiconductor manufacturing has been discussed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its later disruptions to multiple industries (The White House, 2021). This paper uses frameworks developed by Pettit, Fiksel, and Croxton (2010), Ponomarov and Holcomb (2009), and Rao and Goldsby (2009) to identify the semiconductor industry’s risks, capabilities, and interdependencies through an analysis of 45 prominent semiconductor companies. The analysis was done on multiple levels. On the industry level, risks, and capabilities as well as their co-occurrences were analyzed. On the supply chain level, relationships were mapped using Boston Consulting Group …

The Impact Of Study Abroad As It Relates To Business Students' Career Paths, Madison M. Burgett

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Business schools in the United States are continuously working to provide students with real-world experiences which will help them discern, and prepare for, their future careers. As globalization continues to increase the interconnectedness of the world, and of the companies within it, it is increasingly important that business students are globally aware and culturally competent. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that studying abroad enables business students to discern and prepare for their future careers. To demonstrate this, students and graduates of Butler University’s Lacy School of Business, with graduation years between 2012 and 2022, were surveyed. Those …

The Impact Of Gender Diversity And Tokenism On The Attractiveness Of An Organization, Lilly Thuma

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The purpose of this study was to look at how variations in the gender diversity of the top management team of an organization will influence the perceived attractiveness and advancement opportunities job applicants see in the organization. College students reviewed a job posting that displayed three variations of gender diversity on the top management team (equal gender representation, all male gender diversity, and token female gender diversity), and either included or lacked a statement about the organization’s commitment to hiring a gender diverse work force. Participants reviewed the information about the job and then completed a questionnaire assessing the organization’s …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Effect Liquor Laws Have On Young Audiences And Their Potential Impact On The Music Industry: A Case For Change In Indianapolis, Eleanor Oegema

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

According to Do317, one of Indianapolis’ premier media companies which promotes live events and entertainment, “The Indy live music and concert scene is growing thanks to wide range of amazing Indianapolis live music and concert venues” (Do317, n.d.). However, the Indianapolis community is hindered by outdated liquor laws that affect the music entertainment industry from thriving. The purpose of this study is to explore the partiality based in old fashioned laws occurring in Indianapolis that affect the revenue potential in the live music and entertainment industry. This study examined liquor license laws in an historical context and a how they …

Do Socially Conscious Etfs Match Their Active Counterparts?, Ryan Cultice

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Over the past decade, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) has grown at a rapid pace and, by some estimates, now represents a quarter of the $48 trillion in assets under professional management in the United States. At the same time, investors have broadly shifted from active to passive investing strategies. While there is significant research in each of these respective areas, we believe that we are the first to examine whether a socially conscious investor can employ a passive approach or if the constrained nature of SRI necessitates active management. As such, we examine the performance of socially conscious ETFs versus …

Maximizing Wins Or Profit: Designated Players In Major League Soccer, Zachary Willis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This paper seeks to add to the existing literature regarding sports teams and whether they follow a win-maximizing or profit-maximizing strategy. Specifically, this paper seeks to analyze Designated Players (DPs) in Major League Soccer (MLS) and see if DPs contribute more toward a team’s on-field success, measured as win percentage, or overall revenue. Prior studies have analyzed soccer leagues across Europe and found that most teams follow win-maximizing strategies over profit-maximizing strategies. This analysis has not yet been carried over to MLS, which is not the most prevalent sports league in its home country and features a unique DP structure. …

Advertising Appeals And Willingness To Pay For A Music Streaming Service, Katharine Baird

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Even with the rise of music streaming services, illegal downloads are costing the music industry $2.7 billion per year. The purpose of this study is to determine what types of advertising appeals will be most effective at enhancing the willingness to pay for a streaming service, thereby decreasing music piracy. This study examined college students’ willingness to pay for, willingness to recommend, interest in, and affective reaction to a music service after being exposed to a digital advertisement that employed either a rational, fear, or guilt appeal for a fictitious music streaming service. It was expected that music involvement, or …

The Influences Of Locus Of Control, Debt Overhang, And Framing On Saving For Retirement, Patrick Ilcin

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study evaluates locus of control, debt overhang, and framing effects as potential drivers of retirement savings decisions. We use a hypothetical scenario administered through an online survey to analyze how much an individual will save for retirement. The study finds that individuals who measure as having an external locus of control (based off the Rotter I-E scale), contribute significantly less to their retirement savings than individuals with an internal locus of control. Interestingly, this study finds no significant relationship between debt overhang and initial contributions. To measure framing effects, participants were given the choice to change their initial contribution …

Fighting For America's Kids: A Discussion On K-12 Teacher Tenure, Nicholas Yong-Nian Huang

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Nine current and past educators were asked a series of open-ended questions regarding their opinion on K-12 teacher tenure and, if they supported elimination, respondents were asked how legislators can eliminate this long-standing U.S. policy. Results were compiled, analyzed, and used to craft a comprehensive proposal on how to overhaul the American K-12 public education system.

The Impact Of College Internships On The Development Of Tacit Managerial Knowledge And Career Confidence, Kaitlyn Sawin

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Despite the large number of students completing an internship, research examining the impact of those internships on students is fairly limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact that internships have on students, particularly in the areas of crystallization of vocational self-concept and the development of tacit managerial knowledge. Additionally, the impact of internships on career confidence and academic behaviors – in terms of class attendance and hours spent studying – was examined. A survey was developed and administered to business students who had completed zero, one, or two internships. It was hypothesized that students who …

A Question Of Food Intake: The Impact Of Living Arrangement And Meal Factors On Total Daily Caloric Intake, Kalei Sorenson

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

There has been dramatic weight gain among college students during their collegiate years. A food diary can give much insight of a college student’s life. The purpose of this study is to analyze the food intake of college-aged students taking in factors such as the size of meal, the foods being eaten, the location of the meal, and if the meal was eaten with others. This research will examine how the student’s food intake throughout the day may affect their overall food calorie intake.

The Desires To Work For An Organizational Culture Type Based On Personality Characteristics And Gender, Emily Lauth

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Finding a company to work for is a two-way street in that a job applicant must like the company and the company must like the applicant. Job applicants and hiring companies both want to find a mutual fit. This fit can potentially be observed through the personality characteristics and gender of the applicant as well as the organizational culture type of the company. The purpose of this study is to understand how individuals view an organizational culture and have the desire to work for an organizational culture type based on individuals’ personality characteristics and gender.

Analysis Of Public Accountants: What Personality Traits And Skill Sets Distinguish Auditors And Tax Accountants In The Public Accounting Sphere?, Lauren Madison Wood

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The two main career paths within public accounting are auditing and tax accounting. Auditors render an opinion as to whether a client’s financial statements are fairly presented, while tax accountants provide tax-planning services and prepare tax returns. This study examines the personality traits and non-accounting skill sets of practicing auditors and tax accountants to determine whether there are significant differences between the types of people working in each field. Prior research has analyzed the personality and skill sets of accountants in relation to marketing professionals or financial analysts, but little research has compared the two types of public accountants directly. …

“Culture Shock”: An Ethnographic Account Of A Small Business In The Face Of Change, Alexia Maggos

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This ethnography follows a small business in Indianapolis that was founded on a small business philosophy that embodied family-oriented, close-knit employee relationships. Aside from the small firm finding success in its established company culture, this small business found great financial success within a niche market. However, as part of new expansion plans, management began imposing a more traditional, hierarchical management styles. While this shift is predicted by contemporary management theory, the human effects and cultural costs of this process are worthy of study. This ethnography follows employees’ perceptions and reactions to the change in business philosophy and analyzes the instability …

Examining The Effects Of Culture On Preference Of Social Cause In Cause-Related Marketing: A Cross-Cultural Study Of The United States And Chile, Alicia Helfrich

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Cause-related marketing is a common business practice that aims to align strategic goals of a for-profit company with the social needs of the stakeholders and occurs most frequently when a portion of a purchase is donated to a designated social cause. The utilization of cause-related marketing has been shown to increase purchase intention of consumers. The present study examines the impact that culture has on consumer’s preference of social cause in a cause-related marketing campaign by comparing two countries, the United States and Chile. The researchers predicted that people from Chile and those with an interdependent self-construal would be more …

A Question Of Culture: The Impact Of College Major And Personality On Pursuits Of Different Types Of Company Culture, Kathryn E. Carroll

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

What to do with one's future and career is a question with which every collegeaged student struggles. It is not simply a matter of finding a "job" that pays the bills, but rather a "career" that they will be happy with for the length of their professional life. Furthermore, this happiness in their careers consists of many attributes from appropriate pay to satisfaction with their job tasks to the culture of the company for which they choose to work. This last attribute is possibly the hardest for young adults to define and measure. The purpose of this study is to …

Security Risk And Social Presence In E-Commerce, Amy Isabelle Wright

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The object is to investigate the relationship between consumers' sense of security of a store and their purchasing intention from the store. This was investigated by evaluating how perceptions of security vary among pure play websites with no social presence on the one hand and with social presence on the other; and click and mortar websites with no social presence on the one hand, and social presence on the other. It was also investigated by evaluating how social presence might mitigate the risk of security perceived by consumers. The research method included a scenario given to each participant which requires …

The Impact And Interaction Of Music Familiarity And Congruency On Responses To Advertisements, Michael Blecha

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Music is commonly used by marketers to enhance the effectiveness of ads. Research shows that music can make ads more memorable and shape a viewer's response to the ad. This study explores the impact of three music characteristics, its likability, its familiarity and its "fit" with the ad (referred to as congruency), on consumer response to an ad. I hypothesized that all three music characteristics would positively impact responses to an ad. Additionally, I hypothesized that there would be a significant interaction between music familiarity and congruency with subjects responding the most positively to an ad when the music was …

Effects Of Accurate And Inflated Employee Performance Self-Evaluations On Memory Accuracy, Michelle E. Miller

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Previous research has emphasized the value of carrying out performance appraisals at work. Both employers and employees can benefit from utilizing such measurement tools (Huselid, 1995). While conducting performance appraisals is critical to the success of an organization, companies must also be wary of the misinformation effect and the impact it can have on different parts of an appraisal, especially an employee's self-evaluation. Due to the lack of existing research on the memory for self-evaluations, I designed the present study to identify the effects of both accurate and inflated self-evaluations on memories for the original event. After watching a video …

Consumer Choice Tactics For Common, Repeat Purchase Products: Using Tissues And Deodorant To Predict And Understand Consumer Behavior, Alicia Elizabeth Dixon

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Currently there is limited research on the consumer decision-making process for low involvement products. The purpose of my study was to better understand the consumer decision-making process for common, repeat purchase products. Specifically, I was looking at how gender and generational differences impacted the decision-making process when purchasing two low-involvement products, tissues and deodorant. One hundred and ten students, staff and faculty were asked to look at a constructed store aisle and purchase both a box of tissues and stick of deodorant and complete a questionnaire responding to questions regarding their decision choice. The questiOl1J1ai re collected information regarding six …

How Brand Name And Packaging Quality Affect The Consumer Choice Process, Albert Edward Price

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Current research tells us that both the brand name and packaging of a product have an effect on the consumer and his or her individual purchasing decision. The following study attempts to further explore and explain how each one affects the other and in which situations, one has a greater influence on the consumer choice process. The research focuses on the comparison of what role brand name and packaging quality play in the consumer choice process. Specifically, the study looked at how the following factors, brand consciousness/familiarity, product experience and individual confidence/self-esteem of the buyer, influence the choice process as …

The Effects Of Subliminal Messages In Print Advertisements, Jamie Lynne Wilfong

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

One very controversial topic within advertising is subliminal advertising. There are many studies about the subject of subliminal messages and their effects (Trappey, 1996). This type of advertising uses subliminal stimuli, messages presented so fast or so softly or so masked by other messages that one is not aware of "seeing" or "hearing" them (Hawkins, Best, Coney, 1995). When marketers put subliminal messages in advertising, they create subliminal advertising. Subliminal advertising, therefore, involves the use of words, pictures, and shapes that are purposely inserted into advertising materials so that the viewers of the material perceive the imagery at a subconscious …

Learn Now, Subscribe Later!: A Method Of Developing Audiences For Opera Through A Commitment To Outreach In Theory And Practical Examples, Grant Douglas Meachum

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Opera fanatics represent a vocal sector of the American arts community. Because of a combination of social, economic, educational, and persona factors, these individuals choose to attend operatic performances, and support the companies who present these performances with their time and money. These individuals, along with their like-minded colleagues in other arts disciplines represent the past, the present, and the continued vitality of the performing arts in the United States.

Tax Shelters: Economic Stimuli Or Media Of Inequality, Charles M. Hull

Graduate Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Security Price Forecasting, Ralph J. Nebbia

Graduate Thesis Collection

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new and practical technique for improving the art of forecasting security price movements. The desire to forecast stock market fluctuations have led many analysts to employ different predicting tools.

College Recruiting For Managerial Talent, Ronald Forrest Weaver

Graduate Thesis Collection

The purpose of this thesis report is to make a critical examination of the basic factors, together with their interrelationships, which are involved in college recruiting of students with managerial potential.

The ultimate objective of this analysis is to provide a theoretical and factual basis for establishing or improving a managerial recruiting program.