Business Commons^™

Analyzing Revenue Sharing And Buyback Contracts: An Experimental Study, Chinthana Ramaswamy

Graduate Masters Theses

This paper considers a standard newsvendor problem in a two-echelon supply chain setup. We use an experimental approach to investigate the deviation of decision makers from choosing optimal values in the context of supply chain contracts. Literature suggests that the coordinating contracts, such as revenue sharing or buyback contracts, do not necessarily improve the performance. Approaches to improve the existing revenue sharing and buyback contracts are examined in this paper. A rational supplier, who is likely to commit decision errors, sets the contract parameters to a retailer. These approaches are observed in a laboratory setting where human subjects are used …

Communicating Analytic Results: A Tutorial For Decision Consultants, Jeffrey Keisler, Patrick Noonan

Management Science and Information Systems Faculty Publication Series

Good analysis alone may not achieve the goals of decision analysis (DA) engagements. Good communication of the results of that analysis can help stakeholders understand, accept, and implement the recommended course of action. Practitioners can use decision analytic principles when considering the decision of how to communicate results themselves. From this perspective, we consider a range of questions to ask in preparing for communication with the client and other stakeholders. We review standard communication practices in DA engagements. The standard practice can be improved by drawing on insights from other areas of management practice. Decision analysis has both technical and …

A Meta-Analysis Of Workaholism, Jennifer L. Bowler, Avani S. Patel, Mark C. Bowler, Scott A. Methe

Counseling and School Psychology Faculty Publication Series

This meta-analysis examines the relationship between workaholism and numerous work behaviors and outcomes in an attempt to a) derive a consensus regarding the current state of our understanding of this construct, and b) clarify the impact that the compulsion to work may have on an individual's life. Overall, based on data from 44 studies, results indicate that there is a considerable amount of variability between workaholism and work-related outcomes. Specifically, the two most established and reputable measures of workaholism, the Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) and the Workaholism Battery (WorkBat), appear to focus on uniquely different aspects of workaholism and …

An Alternative To Temporary Staffing: Considerations For Workforce Practitioners, Linda Kato, Françoise Carré, Laura E. Johnson, Deena Schwartz

Center for Social Policy Publications

As the national economy inches toward recovery, risk-averse employers are increasingly turning to temporary workers to fill their hiring gaps. In fact, the temporary staffing industry has been a fixture of the US economy for decades. But the industry added a striking 557,000 jobs from June 2009 to November 2011 — more than half of the jobs created during that period. Growth is likely to continue: A 2011 McKinsey survey of 2,000 firms of differing sizes and across various sectors found that more than a third foresaw their companies increasing their use of temporary workers over the next five years. …

Management Assessment Of The Public Works Department: City Of Lowell, Massachusetts, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center For Public Management, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management Publications

This report presents the results of the management assessment of the Lowell Public Works Department conducted by the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Collins Center for Public Management.

The project team conducted a comprehensive organization and management analysis of the Department's existing operations, service levels, infrostructure management, organizational structures and staffing levels. The analysis was to be fact-based and include all aspects of service provision by the Department.

Fear Of Asking: Factors That Inhibit Latinos In Seeking And Obtaining Credit For Small Business, Brenda Hernandez

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

Latino owned businesses and any minority business in general are important for the economy of the United States. They generate money that helps the economy grow and work. In the fiscal year of 2010, the Minority Business Development Agency of the United States Department of Commerce created 6,397 new jobs and helped minority owned businesses obtained almost 4 billion in contracts and capital. The numbers are record highs for the MBDA and it shows that minority businesses are growing now more than they were ever before. While the number is growing, the number of minority owned businesses is still small …

Risk Aversion And Former Collegiate Athletes As Financial Investors, Tyler Buccetti

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

Risk aversion is a concept that tries to understand an individual’s choice, when two options are presented with different levels of risk and reward. This concept can be applied to finance when looking at investors decisions to invest in options with different levels of risk and returns. This study examines if having played a collegiate sport will impact the level of risk aversion an investor has. In order to determine this, an experiment was given to Graduate students working on a Master’s degree in business. The experiment consisted of six different stock options representing different levels of risk. From this …

Java Applet Awareness Impacting User Web Browsing Behavior, Norilyz Figueroa

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

The purpose of this study is to investigate the web browsing behaviors of computer users and how awareness about threats impacts their behaviors. This research focused on how users behave towards web browser alerts which prompt users to install Java Applets. Applets have become common tools for enhancing user experience. However, installing these features overrides security mechanisms inherent in browsers and provides complete access to users’ computing resources. A survey was administered to two separate groups of students from the University of Massachusetts Boston to collect data. The first group took the survey after being given a few details about …

Employee Compliance With Information Systems Security Policy In Retail Industry. Case: Store Level Employees, Bertrand Muhire

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

In this digital era, information has become a very important component to any type of organizations. For some, it is not only an important component of daily routine operations but also required for competitive advantage. From big corporations to small businesses, non-profit organizations and governments, organizations need to safeguard and secure their information by implementing information security policies and make sure that all employees comply with such policies.

Since information is growing faster than in the previous decades, there is a need to safeguard and manage that information efficiently and effectively in order to make it useful. One of the …

The Impact Of The Arab Spring On Social Ventures In The Mena Region: A Case Study Of Morocco, Nacik Sadiq

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

In this study, I analyzed the effect of the Arab Spring on the development of social ventures in the MENA region. Using a case study of Morocco, I tried to evaluate in which proportions the new Islamic governments transformed the social venture development context. After a detailed review of the Arab Spring and current literature on social ventures, I conducted a series on interviews of miscellaneous actors of the political, economical and social life of Morocco.

The study found that the Arab Spring did not have a direct impact on social ventures. Nevertheless, it was proven to be a main …

Commonwealth Compact Talent Network: A Resource For And About Talented Professionals Of Color In Massachusetts, Robert Turner, Georgianna Meléndez

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Commonwealth Compact seeks to establish Massachusetts as a uniquely inclusive, honest, and supportive community of—and for—diverse people. To acknowledge our mixed history in this effort, and to face squarely the challenges that still need to be overcome, understanding that the rich promise of the region’s growing diversity must be tapped fully, if Massachusetts is to achieve its economic, civic, and social potential.

Commonwealth Compact: Merrimac Valley Collaborative, Robert Turner, Georgianna Meléndez

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Commonwealth Compact seeks to establish Massachusetts as a uniquely inclusive, honest, and supportive community of—and for—diverse people. The objectives of this program include acknowledging our mixed history in this effort, face squarely the challenges that still need to be overcome and understand that the rich promise of the region's growing diversity must be tapped fully if Massachusetts is to achieve its economic, civic, and social potential.

Commonwealth Compact: Massachusetts Business School Collaborative, Robert Turner, Georgianna Meléndez

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Commonwealth Compact seeks to establish Massachusetts as a uniquely inclusive, honest, and supportive community of—and for—diverse people. The objectives of this program include acknowledging our mixed history in this effort, face squarely the challenges that still need to be overcome and understand that the rich promise of the region's growing diversity must be tapped fully if Massachusetts is to achieve its economic, civic, and social potential.

Partnering With The Massachusetts Department Of Developmental Services On Employment-Focused Systems Change, Cindy Thomas, Margaret Van Gelder, John Butterworth, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (MA-DDS) has been working to make its system of day services and supports more focused on competitive employment outcomes. This effort has involved a partnership among DDS, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), the State Employment Leadership Network, and the Work Without Limits project. ICI has worked alongside DDS throughout this effort, providing consulting, technical assistance, training, and evaluation activities.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network: Boston Regional Office And Minority Business Center, Mark Allio, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Office of Community Partnerships Posters

Hosted by the College of Management, we are part of a statewide business assistance program providing free one-on-one counsel to entrepreneurs and seeking help with business growth and strategy, financing and loan assistance, and strategic, marketing and operational analysis. Our services are available to the public and members of the UMB community, including student, faculty, and staff. We also offer workshops and training programs on a variety of topics targeted to the needs of small business.

Sustainability Of Mfis Through Governance Mechanisms: A Cross-Country Analysis Of Regulation On Outreach And Operational Self Sufficiency, Daniel Muwamba

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

Poverty is an age long problem that has been part of mankind ever since civilization and the fight against poverty is as old. There are many efforts to fight poverty of which microfinance is one. One theory to explain prevalence of poverty especially in the age of capitalism is that poor enterprising people cannot lift themselves out of poverty because they lack capital to develop their enterprises. Start up businesses and enterprises commonly start operations with credit support from financial institutions but there are prerequisites to attaining this credit and numerous poor individuals do not possess these prerequisites. Such individuals …

Extreme Enthusiasts In Online And Offline Radio Control Helicopter Communities, Eyal Stein

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

The focus of this study is to explore the notion that it is possible to optimize a marketing plan for a specialized industry to leverage individuals that are addicted to specific products in specialized product communities. This study addresses the following research questions: Can individuals that are addicted to products be leveraged for marketing purposes in specialized online and offline communities? The study is conducted with respect to the Radio Control Hobby Industry, and incorporates qualitative personal interviews at local RC clubs in the Greater Boston Area. The aim of the interviews is to help define people who are addicted …

The Correlation Between Off-Shoring And Tax Avoidance, Elena Svetlov

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

This research paper intends to examine the relationship between U.S Multinational Corporation off-shoring and tax avoidance. This paper will address the following research question: How does off shoring affect the difference between taxable and book income of U.S. multinational firms? The research is conducted via statistical analysis of data from the Off shoring Research Network (ORN) database. The findings of this research paper will potentially be valuable to tax economists, policy makers, and business managers as the findings will provide a better understanding of worldwide tax allocation. Also, the findings of this research may be useful for the potential establishment …

Effect Of Corporate Venture Capitalism On The Post-Ipo Performance Of Companies, Devansh Bajaj

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

There is substantial evidence that Corporate Venture Capitalists (CVCs) backing provides value to companies. This study aims to find what the benefits provided by CVCs are to public companies after they have gone through their initial public offerings (IPOs) and have begun trading on the stock market. Matched by CVC backing, Tobin q, leverage ratio, research and development (R&D) ratio, size of market capitalization, and the sector in which the firm operates, over a given period of time, this study explores whether or not CVCs add value to companies. Additionally, this study analyzes the success companies backed by CVCs. The …

Fashion Enthusiasts, Casey Finigan

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

The focus of this study is to explore the fashion industry’s “fashion enthusiast” in comparison to the “average” fashion consumer, and to take that understanding of these fervent consumers as a tool to observe the underlying patterns and factors which comprise these consumers to be enthusiastic ones in this particular industry. The aim of this study is to benefit the fashion industry from a marketing standpoint, by developing a much better understanding of what comprises heavy fashion users, and what drives them more than other fashion not-so-heavy fashion users. The fashion industry is constantly changing and has several media outlets …

The Pricing Of Climate Risk, Linda Chen, Lucia Silva Gao

Accounting and Finance Faculty Publication Series

No abstract provided.

Low Wage Earners And Low Wage Jobs In Greater Boston, Anneta Argyres, Brandynn Holgate, Susan Moir

Susan Moir

Anybody who has ever been employed can readily list the qualities of a good job. Some are easily identified factors, such as good wages, health benefits, paid sick and vacation time, and a pension plan. Others are harder to measure, such as job security, reasonable workloads, flexible work schedules, workplace safety and health, or being treated with respect. In either case, it’s clear that job quality is something to which every working person pays attention. We should also be concerned about job quality as a society. A society that is characterized by jobs with family sustaining wages and benefits will …

Arguments For A Living Wage In The United States: Prospects For Persuasion And Expansion, Corinne Bazzinotti

Honors Thesis Program in the College of Management

This thesis explores the living wage, and in particular the varied arguments that support the adoption and spread of the living wage. A “living wage” is a decent wage. “It affords the earner and her or his family the most basic costs of living without need for government support or poverty programs,” and takes into account a, “complete consideration of the cost of living.” The topic is timely, as the economy in the United States remains in decline, and now more than ever the American workforce is struggling to stay afloat, along with businesses across the country.

I want to …

Corporate Financial Strategy, Arindam Bandopadhyaya, Kristen Callahan, Yong-Chul Shin

Financial Services Forum Publications

No abstract provided.

Why Use The Services Of Alternative Staffing Organizations: Perspectives From Customer Businesses, Françoise Carré, Brandynn Holgate, Risa Takenaka, Helen Levine

Center for Social Policy Publications

Organizations that aim to improve the experiences and employment chances of job seekers who face barriers to employment have, over the years, had to contend directly with potential employers and their requirements. This is particularly true for community-based job brokers that use a temporary staffing model, offering job access and immediate work to their service population.

Alternative staffing organizations (ASOs) are worker-centered, social purpose businesses that place job seekers in temporary and “temp-to-perm” assignments with customer businesses, and charge their customers a markup on the wage of the position. These fee-for-service organizations can help job seekers who face labor market …

Credit Gap In Small Businesses: Some New Evidence, Atreya Chakraborty

Accounting and Finance Faculty Publication Series

What is the magnitude of credit constraint affecting small businesses? This paper provides estimate of the credit gap – defined as the difference between the desired and actual levels of debt for credit constrained small businesses. The estimated credit gap is approximately 20 percent, i.e., credit constrained small business on the average would desire 20 percent more debt. This credit gap varies considerably across industries, with manufacturing firms facing a significantly larger gap than firms in the wholesale or service industries.

Technology Assimilation Across The Value Chain: An Empirical Study Of Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Pratyush Bharati, Abhijit Chaudhury

Management Science and Information Systems Faculty Publication Series

No abstract provided.

Using Business Intelligence For Operational Decision-Making In Call Centers, Eric Kyper, Michael Douglas, Roger Blake

Management Science and Information Systems Faculty Publication Series

This paper proposes an operational business intelligence system to help achieve operational excellence in insurance call centers. We apply a decision tree based solution to collected data using a sliding window approach. Our solution provides two distinct advantages to call center managers. First, the decision trees allow managers to recognize key factors and the role they play in determining service levels. Second, our sliding window approach allows managers to see the effects on service levels of resource reallocation. Collected data from a large U.S. insurance company is analyzed. Initial results provide good insight into factors affecting this firm’s call center …

A Metric And Topological Analysis Of Determinism In The Crude Oil Spot Market, Atreya Chakraborty

Atreya Chakraborty

We test whether the spot price of crude oil is determined by stochastic rules or exhibits deterministic endogenous fluctuations. In our analysis, we employ both metric (correlation dimension and Lyapunov exponents) and topological (recurrence plots) diagnostic tools for chaotic dynamics. We find that the underlying system for crude oil spot prices (i) is of high dimensionality (no stabilization of the correlation dimension), (ii) does not exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions, and (iii) is not characterized by the recurrence property. Thus, the empirical evidence suggests that stochastic rather than deterministic rules are present in the system dynamics of the crude …

Postcolonial Feminist Research: Challenges And Complexities, Banu Ozkazanc-Pan

Banu Ozkazanc-Pan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the challenges and complexities in conducting research faced by scholars utilizing postcolonial feminist frameworks. The paper discusses postcolonial feminist key concepts, namely representation, subalternity, and reflexivity and the challenges scholars face when deploying these concepts in fieldwork settings. The paper then outlines the implications of these concepts for feminist praxis related to international management theory, research, and writing as well as entrepreneurship programs.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses the experiences of the author in conducting fieldwork on Turkish high-technology entrepreneurs in the USA and Turkey by focusing explicitly on the …