Business Commons^™

313. Socially Responsible Investing: Green For The Planet And Your Wallet, Gabriela Pinzaru

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

This study analyzed whether or not investment in socially responsible companies generated abnormal returns in comparison to the S&P 500. An Environmental, Social, and Governance Index consisting of 33 companies was created based on four different ESG rating agencies. In order to perform a meaningful comparison between said ESG Index and the S&P benchmark, the researcher used Eventus software to conduct an event study. Eventus analyzed stock price data of ESG and S&P companies at a specific point in time over a period of five years. It was determined that the ESG companies performed significantly stronger in comparison to the …

Robotics In Last Mile Delivery, Virginia L. Thomassy

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Drones, bots, and autonomous vehicles, oh my! The innovation hype surrounding these autonomous delivery devices has the logistics industry striving to implement automated last mile delivery strategies. While there are few instances of drones making door step deliveries today, the possibility of such deliveries becoming a common occurrence is certainly on the horizon. With no concrete published data proving that drone doorstep delivery is better than the usual truck and delivery man, the question to be answered is it worth the resources to implement robotics in the last mile delivery? The purpose of this research study is to explore …

Education's Role In Socially Sustainable Sourcing Methods, Emily Toye

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

From blood diamonds sparking a war in West Africa to Foxconn building a suicide net, any inhumane act in a supply chain poses a risk to companies, despite how upstream the scandal occurs. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the supply chains of the companies from which they purchase, as information is becoming more and more accessible. While companies may claim to be not responsible for the actions of their suppliers, consumers associate the company with the scandal regardless. This study explores how companies are ensuring their upstream supply chains are socially responsible. This paper studies the incentives and approaches …

The Cost Of Big Data: Evaluating The Effects Of The European Union’S General Data Protection Regulation, Kara Rebecca White

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

In the 1990’s the World Wide Web was created, drastically changing the way we do business, communicate, and live our lives. Ten years later in the early 2000’s the dot com boom happened, and several years later, new technology giants emerged—like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. From this, we now face “big data” that promises to solve world problems, but has the potential to create turmoil and malfeasance. My research examines the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enacted in the EU in 2016 on firm value using Tobin’s Q and CARs. Using regression analyses, I observe that Tobin’s …

The Influences Of Perceived Environmental Responsibilities On Green Purchasing Intentions, Jinhee Lee, Ilwoo Ju

Annual Research Symposium of the College of Communication and Information

The current study examined the influences of perceived environmental responsibilities of the three types of important social agents (individuals, companies, and governments) on consumers’ green purchasing intentions. Drawing on the environmental consumerism and purchase decision making literature, consumers’ perceptions of the aforementioned social agents’ roles in environment protection were hypothesized to influence their purchase intentions for green products. In addition, the current study attempted to investigate the different prediction patterns of such factors for two different purchase intention measures (e.g., general purchase intention and “willingness to pay more” for green products) to capture the nuance between the different measurement scales, …

Communication Strategies In Direct-To-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertisements, Ilwoo Ju

Annual Research Symposium of the College of Communication and Information

Little research has incorporated a theoretical framework for the analysis of message and creative strategies used in DTCA to date. The purpose of the current study is to extend the previous literature by providing a more complete list of DTCA message and/or creativity strategies based on Taylor’s message strategy wheel. The results show that DTCA has been used to promote drugs for such life-threatening conditions as asthma, acid reflux, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and arthritis. The most common inducement was the offer of consumer support information. In general, magazine DTC ads from 2006 to 2010 were likely to take both informational …

Breaking The Cycle Of Inequity In The Workplace, Brittany Cole

Black Issues Conference

Forbes recently highlighted a new study by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Co. which paints a troubling picture about the treatment of black women in the workplace. According to the Women in The Workplace 2018 survey, "women of color are not only significantly underrepresented, they are far less likely than others to be promoted to manager, more likely to face everyday discrimination and less likely to receive support from their managers." This workshop will provide insights, resources and hands on exercises to help black talent create a strategic leadership development plan around their career brand in order to advance despite barriers …

Going From Side Hustle To Ceo Through Incorporation, Lemon Williams

Black Issues Conference

Many young brothers launch their side business as sole proprietorships in which they and their businesses are essentially one and the same. This can present limitations that can be avoided big taking the step to incorporate sooner than later.

Changing the format of a small business to a corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can offer a range of advantages for entrepreneurs. Most notable is that a corporation or LLC protects entrepreneurs' personal assets in case debts or legal judgments are claimed against the business.

But there are many other practical reasons why the corporation proves to be an …

Combating Intersection-Related Imposter Phenomenon In The Workplace Through Career Readiness, Simone Stewart

Black Issues Conference

Research has determined that Impostor Phenomenon (IP) most likely occurs in members of minority groups, students, first generation professionals and persons for whom success came quickly. Other studies have shown that many professional women are One of the ways to combat IP is through the development of competencies needed in your career. Attend this workshop to learn how to develop strategies to approach career competency while on campus and throughout your career to keep you on top of your game!

Going From Side Hustle To Ceo Through Incorporation, Lemon Williams

Black Issues Conference

We need more Black millionaires. Many sisters and brothers launch their side business without taking advantage of setting them up as corporations. This can present limitations that can be avoided by taking the step to incorporate sooner than later. The range of advantages for entrepreneurs include; better access to capital, tax benefits, and continuous employment to name a few. Let's explore the pros, cons, and possibility of thinking big with small business.

The Next Generation: Looking At Utk Students’ Potential Future Engagement With Gsmnp, Layla Marie Mosadegh

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The purpose of this research was to understand the next generation’s, aka Gen Z’s, engagement with Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) by studying the motivations and perceptions surrounding engagement with GSMNP amongst undergraduate students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). This research was conducted in the format of a hybrid case study with a combined marketing strategy plan that aims to answer the following questions:

• What are the motivations and perceptions surrounding engagement with Great Smoky Mountains National Park amongst undergraduate students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year at the at the …

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The Impact Of Decreasing Defined Benefit Plans On Employee Turnover, Melissa Claire Gregory

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The gradual adoption of defined contribution retirement plans has been a significant change in the occupational pension system in the United States over the last few decades. By transitioning from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans, companies are shifting the financial risk associated with saving for retirement onto the employee. Though the shift of this financial risk is the primary concern for many, there are other side effects that this transition may bring about. The principal side effect observed in this research is the potential of defined contribution plans to dis-incentivize employee loyalty and contribute to increased employee turnover …

Yes, We Can Brewing Company, Madison Hailey Murphy

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Yes, We Can! Brewing Company is a minority owned and operated small batch microbrewery for black women, by black women. The brewery aims to change the narrative of women of color in the craft beer industry by creating unparalleled quality beverages that empower this underserved market. Yes, We Can! is blazing the trail by paying homage to the original trailblazers, crafting beer as complex as the women on our labels. From Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut to travel to space to Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to hold a pilot license, each can’s label will …

An Inquiry Into The Regulation Of Social Media Disclosure Policy And Its Impacts On Retail Investor Trading Activity, Sebastian Georg Soldner

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Finance theory has evolved rapidly over recent decades, as the growth of mass electronic data sets have allowed researchers to apply theory and craft it to results seen in the real world. Financial policy has seen intense debate all across the world, but one of the more silent agents of advancement has been online financial disclosure policy. Through the past few decades, we have seen the mutual growth between technology and policy, and how their interplay shapes the modern world we live in. Investor relations policy has never been at a greater point of allowing information dissemination than today, as …

Poison Pills And Their Effect On Shareholder Return, Katherine G. Fowlkes

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The purpose of this study is to determine whether more recent poison pill data supports the Shareholder Maximization Theory or the Management Entrenchment Theory. In sum, this is an event study in which I will explore whether the stock price for a company goes abnormally up or down immediately following a poison pill announcement. I examine the cumulative abnormal returns of 28 companies within the following event windows: the event itself and the following day (0;+1), periods of three (- 1; +1), five (-2; +2) and seven (-3; +3) days, and longer periods of pre-adoption (-15; -4) and post-adoption (+4; …

One Shot Pub: A Business Plan, Ben Dale

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Industry Analysis

One Shot Pub proposes to merge two mature industries into one lucrative one. The average bar makes a profit of $5,000 monthly, but with game commissions, 3D printing, and private room reservations we will increase that to roughly $8,000 a month in average profit with the peak season coming in the late summer and early winter months. The biggest factors to utilize to increase those earnings would be to sell more 3D printed goods and to carefully monitor the drink prices and categorize them into winners, losers, re-pricers, and too popular to have a stockout based on pour …

Welcome Home, Chelsea Schulz

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Hearth & Home Renovation and Design, LLC is a real estate investment, renovation and home design company serving the greater Nashville Area market. Hearth & Home acts primarily in the following three industries: real estate, flipping/renovation, and design. Through synergistic actions across all of these industries, Hearth & Home delivers superior customer value to home-buyers. Hearth & Home has identified several strategic competitive advantages which are found through key partnerships, design and brand equity. Key partnerships will lead to mutually beneficial cost efficiencies. Design will create distinction and opportunities to retain customers longer than competitors. Brand equity will be built …

Effects Of Extreme Heat On Aviation, Brandon T. Carpenter

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Weather is a common cause of flight delays and cancellations. However, the vast majority of the time we think about weather and its effect on aviation, winter conditions, such as snow, come to mind. Heat is usually one of the last types of weather we associate with airline challenges. Recently, the Bomb Cyclone has made headlines for the headaches it caused with travel, especially at The John F. Kennedy International Airport. Interestingly, the exact opposite of winter weather conditions can cause just as many challenges. Over this past summer, a number of flights at various airports such as Phoenix Sky …

Supply Chain Sustainability: Understanding The Financial Impact, Matthew J. Guinn

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a differential impact on the financial performance of a company between environmental and social events.

This study uses a randomization of publicly traded companies within specific, pre-determined SIC codes, which is a collection of 66 companies, split between manufacturing and retail, to get the most accurate representation.

This study utilizes multiple regression models via STATA to analyze data compiled from the Wharton Research Database Services (WRDS) utilizing the MSCI ESG KLD, and Bloomberg, to analyze the percent increase in stock price which is the overarching models independent variable. Then, …

Free For The Fort, William Trapnell

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Free for the Fort is a delivery company designed for college students. We specialize in fast and efficient bicycle delivery of food and groceries to students within a two-mile radius of the campus. We collaborate with the University to create an online platform that allows students to utilize their university meal plan or their own money to pay for the order. We realized that there is a need for a delivery service specific to college students. Free for the Fort is a company that fills that gap by offering students the fastest and cheapest on-campus delivery right to their door. …

The Next Recession: Is It Time?, Samuel W. Paganelli

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The Great Recession of 2008 left millions of people without homes, and trillions of dollars in savings were wiped out. As well-informed individuals, we know the economy is cyclical in nature, but how could something so severe happen so suddenly? Were there warning signs that were missed? In my project, I attempt to answer these questions before the next recession. The average business cycle is approximately six years long, and the United States is currently in its ninth year of economic expansion. This fact alone has many people worried that a downturn may be imminent. The goal of my project …

The Pricing Impact Of The Decreasing Competitiveness Of The Health Insurance Market, Lauren N. Patterson

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The Affordable Care Act created the national insurance exchanges of qualified health plans to encourage a higher insured rate, larger risk pools, and lower prices for quality health coverage. Consolidation of insurers can have opposing effects. The insurers’ risk pools will grow, allowing insurers to better hedge for risk. However, consolidation decreases the prevalence of competition in the market, and past research shows that insurer consolidation decreases market competition and increases prices.

I examine how the number of plans offered in a set market, pricing components, and county health variables impact the monthly premium pricing of plans sold on the …

Head Over Heels: Women In Supply Chain Management, Mary Margaret Mobley

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Being a woman in the Supply Chain Management major, I have seen the challenges females face in a male-dominated field. Just why is it that we see so few women in executive roles in the Supply Chain field? Is it because of the gender challenges, or is there another underlying issue that is causing the lack of women in upper-level Supply Chain roles? Through this research study, twelve female participants will tell about their experiences being an entry-level woman in Supply Chain field. These challenges will help to determine if these entry-level challenges are the reason why women are either …

Sara Liza: A Pant Suit And A Paint Brush, Sara E. Seaman

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

I am a painter who seeks more for my art business and career than that of a “starving artist.” Trading the Pant Suit for a Paint Brush is a business plan that serves as my blueprint and foundation for becoming a well-known artist, owning a personal studio and maintaining significant gallery presence across the country. I am to accomplish this through intentional customer targeting and production mastery.

My target market is not specific to a certain demographic but instead a psychographic – original art enthusiasts and collectors. I am specifically targeting those who appreciate the value of original paintings through …

Corporate Social Responsibility: What Is It, And Why Does It Matter?, Charles Andrew Currey

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

In an increasingly competitive business environment, employers are also competing to attract the right talent. Many of these employers are also promoting their company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and achievements. This study sought to understand if such efforts affected their ability to attract young talent. Gaining an understanding of what job attributes are most important to graduating college students and how CSR impacts their decisions to work for a particular company is important for recruiters in attracting the right talent. To achieve this understanding and insight, I used a quasi-experimental survey methodology to conduct my research. Survey participants were …

Is Cheap Fashion Too Good To Be True? Consumer Perceptions Of Sustainability In The Fast Fashion Industry, Katrina Michele Laemmerhirt

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

This study looks to explore if consumers care about sustainability in the fast fashion industry or if they will continue to ignore lack of ethical and social practices for low prices. This study will analyze shopping and sustainable behaviors, customer knowledge, and consumption patterns between high frequency and low frequency fast fashion consumers. Based on this study’s findings I will determine if companies will need to change their business models in the future and will look into current steps fast fashion retailers are taking to become more environmentally conscious.

How Do Sharing Economy Companies Grow? A Comparison Of Internal And External Growth Patterns Of Airbnb And Uber, Piper Davis

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

When the term “sharing economy” is mentioned in the news and in recent academic papers, Airbnb and Uber are mentioned in the same breath. In 2016, these two firms are arguably the most popular and fastest-growing peer-to-peer companies in the world. This study examines the ways in which the two companies have grown since their founding. Growth is examined both externally (in terms of domestic and international market expansion) and internally (hiring for primary and support functions). Specifically, archived job postings are used to analyze how human capital requirements have changed over time, by both location and function. This research …

Who Is To Blame? Attribution Theory In The Automotive Industry, Jonathan Edwards

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Automotive manufacturers have a fiduciary duty to the consumer not only to provide transportation from point A to point B; their duty encompasses much more than that. The manufacturer is expected to design, produce, and market vehicles that protect the driver and passengers from bodily harm in the case of an accident. However, sometimes the manufacturer fails in this duty. When this happens, it is imperative that the manufacturer is clear about where and what went wrong. The manufacturer is expected to find an amicable solution to the problem and implement change where needed. We seek to look at what …

Creating Networks For Success: Social Capital And Recent College Graduates, Matt Orians

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

My thesis project is looking at how recent college graduates can utilize social capital to better adapt to their new business setting. By social capital, I mean the networks and relationships one builds with those around them. Social capital is used to build mutually beneficial relationships,and these connections can be very influential in a young professional’s career, among other things. The foundation of social capital also has an influence on an individual’s fondness and attachment to their current city and company. If they successfully cultivate social capital, the individual will better acclimate to their current city and company.

I am …

Guess Who's Your Mentor?, Wayne Taylor

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

This research will explore the lived experience of aspirant minority accountants in their summer mentorship relationships. Only 4% of all Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are minorities (primarily African American or Latinos). While the hiring of minority CPAs has increased in recent years, retention rate of those CPAs needs improvement (cite?). One way that public accounting firms are seeking to increase minority retention rates isthrough formal mentorship programs. The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) stated that, “the best mentoring relationships require trust and a good quality match between mentor and the young CPA.” However, what is a good quality match? Is …