Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics Commons^™

Utah's Black Hole Of Tax Incentives, William Mathis, Claire Molloy, Kevin Breuninger

Capstones

In Utah, a state job-creation program gives out millions of dollars a year to private companies. Over the course of a semester, our team looked through hundreds of pages of court documents, EPA violations and workplace safety violations to uncover what kinds of companies the Utah state government pays to expand there. We also analyzed employment data to show, for the first time, which companies create the jobs they are supposed to and which do not.

http://mcgillmathis.com/projects/capstone/index.html

Palm Papers, Nicole Rothwell

Capstones

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) came into possession of a secret dataset of property owners of the Palm Islands, the elite high-end artificial islands on the coast of Dubai.

With over 250 neighborhoods on Dubai’s waterfront, a group of journalists around the world has been investigating who these individuals are that can afford the posh and pricey real estate. While most fall into the uber-rich category, some also have corrupt to criminal backgrounds leading to questions such as if the Palm Islands are truly a real-estate paradise, or instead a refuge for the corrupt.

The task for …

Personal Privacy And Data Security In The Age Of The Internet, Alexandra Langone

Capstones

This project highlights the vulnerability of personal privacy in the age of the internet and the lack of control consumers have over their own data online. As sharing sensitive personal information with entities like social networks and major corporations becomes more and more commonplace for ordinary people, consumers are slowly waking up to the fact that they are often inadvertently giving up control over their personal information. The articles in this portfolio tackle different aspects of the dangers of online privacy, touching on the lack of regulation in the U.S. to protect consumers from companies that do not do enough …

Social Norms And Stock Trading, Asem Alhomaidi

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation consists of two essays. In the first essay we compare the performance of Islamic and conventional stock returns in Saudi Arabia in order to determine whether the Saudi market exhibits characteristics that are consistent with segmented markets and investor recognition effects. We sample the daily stock returns of all Saudi firms from September 2002 to 2015 and calculate important measures, including idiosyncratic volatility (Ang et al, 2006), market integration (Pukthuanthong and Roll, 2009), systematic turnover (Loughran and Schultz, 2005), and stock turnover and liquidity (Amihud, 2002). Integration tests report that Islamic stocks are more sensitive to changes in …

The Impact Of Csr Efforts On Firm Performance In The Energy Sector, Robert Lloyd

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the financial performance for publicly-traded firms operating in the energy sector. The energy sector has a unique role to play in global CSR efforts because of the size of the firms within that industry, their impact on the environment, and the operational risks that come with energy production. Previous research has been conducted on the relationship between CSR engagement and financial performance in various contexts, but this research has shown mixed outcomes – in some cases there is a positive relationship between CSR and …

Do Environmentally Friendly Companies Outperform Environmentally Unfriendly Companies In Financial Markets? An Analysis Of Financial Performance & Corporate Social Responsibility, Katherine E. Quinlan

Honors Theses

Over the last century, the ideology regarding the relationship between humans and the natural world has shifted from a period of major exploitation to a time of conservation and appreciation. Recent catastrophic events such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a result of sea level rise and wetland degradation, have really opened the public's eyes to the negative impacts that humans have on the environment, and what will come if we do not change our ways. Implementing sustainability practices has become a norm, if not a necessity, in the corporate world if companies wish to prosper. Using cross-sectional data from Newsweek's …

Leadership: A Mixed-Method Case Study To Explore The Behaviors A Consultancy Firm Managing Partner Uses To Create Meaning In Their Leadership—For Themselves And Their Followers—Through Character, Relationships, Inspiration, Vision, And Wisdom, Robert J. Mancuso

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-method case study was to identify and describe the behaviors that exemplary consulting-firm Managing Partners use to create personal and organizational meaning for themselves and their followers through character, vision, relationships, wisdom and inspiration. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to determine the degree of importance which followers assign to the behaviors related to vision, character, relationships, wisdom and inspiration help to create personal and organizational meaning. Methodology: This study is part of a thematic exploratory mixed-methods case study. Its focus is exemplar consulting-firm Managing Partners, and it is conducted in two …

Hawala: How Extralegal Compliance Helps Bank The Unbanked, Morgan Henry

Economic Crime Forensics Capstones

Informal value transfer systems (IVTS') predate not only traditional banking systems, but the entire Western European civilization as well. Used as a reliable method to transfer value from one geographic region to another through a close-knit network of trusted individuals, IVTS' serve as an invaluable facilitator for the movement of billions of dollars across international borders without ever leaving a paper trail. The term “hawala”, which is Arabic for “transfer” or “trust”, is an IVTS that serves as a parallel banking system for those wishing to send value (often in the form of currency) overseas. Hawala has historically thrived as …

The Influence Of Age, Work Experience, Education Level, And Score On A Standardized Pre-Employment Competency Exam On The Outcome Of A Pre-Employment Polygraph Exam, David M. Torres

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study examined the influence of age, work experience, education level, and score on a standardized pre-employment competency exam on the outcome of a pre-employment polygraph exam. Due to the strict selection requirements and competitive nature of sensitive government and public safety positions, organizations compete in the costly endeavor to hire qualified applicants efficiently and effectively. As these organizations fail to meet the required hiring levels, their responsibilities in public and national security cannot be carried out. This study was conducted in an effort to reduce the time and financial resources an organization must appropriate on applicants that cannot successfully …

A Challenge To Inclusive Excellence: What We Can Learn From A Jesuit Catholic University, Terri Lewis-King

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper draws attention to the ethics of the organization (institutional structure) to fulfill its mission by examining what does it mean that a Jesuit higher education institution strives for "inclusive excellence". From a staff member lens, what does the campus climate tell us about how that impact is felt. The result of this project are tools for professionals to use in their assessment and development of organizational support for staff.

Assessing The Effects Of Ecotourism On The Developing World: A Galapagos Case Study, Ife Adelona

Student Theses 2015-Present

Over the past decade, ecological tourism in the Galapagos has gained popularity. The local population of people living in the Galapagos is around 30,000; this includes, permanent residents, temporary residents, and immigrants. Tourist visitation within the 5 human inhabited islands is 200,000 people annually. The romantic idea of a pristine natural environment entices humans from across the globe to visit this World Heritage site. However, the growing attraction of this natural landmark has led to resource exploitation and the commodification of natural landscapes. In recent years, the Galapagos has developed its infrastructure in order to sustain the influx of tourists …

Labor Standards For Mexican Workers: The Failure Of The North American Agreement On Labor Cooperation, Emily Kristin Massengill

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Financial Assessment Of Agricultural Lands At Risk To Coastal Salt Marsh Migration In Relation To Climate Change Induced Sea Level Rise In Dorchester County, Maryland, Jewell Porter

International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE)

The increasing rate and effects of sea level rise is a major environmental concern in the Chesapeake Bay. This paper evaluates the impacts of rising sea level on coastal salt marshes and the surrounding agricultural lands at risk in Dorchester County, Maryland to build off existing environmental monitoring work performed by NOAA’s Sentinel Site Program. The results of the spatial analysis were used to estimate monetary benefits to incentivize farmers to protect these marshes by making their land available for marsh migration to occur. Looking at three scenarios of sea level rise and marsh migration, grain crops (corn, soybeans, and …

The Sustainable Future Of The Modern Fashion Industry, Zhanna Kutsenkova

Honors Theses

Sustainable fashion is a recent movement within the fashion industry that aims to reduce textile waste and environmental depletion while increasing ethical treatment of workers; the goal is to slow down the global production and consumption process in order to form an industry that will be more sustainable in the long run. Along with the development of more socially and eco-conscious production and marketing practices, there is still room for the sustainable fashion movement to grow beyond its current scope. With the support of growing information networks and brand transparency consumers will be better equipped than ever before to make …

Production Of Energy And Environmental Protection As A Prerequisite For Sustainable Development, Diana Baus

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This paper explains why renewable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable development. The development of renewable energy sources is important because renewable energy sources have a very important role in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, eradicate poverty and increase the employment rate. In the first section the paper introduces renewable energy sources. The focus is on the function of solar energy, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric energy and their implementation globally. The second part of the paper elaborates on the economic, political, and social aspects for the development of renewable energy sources. …

Essays In Corporate Responsibility And Finance, Mert Demir

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation consists of three chapters:

Chapter 1: The Effects of Corporate Social Performance and Social Norms on Market Valuation of Nonfinancial Disclosures Using a novel measure of the quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures by global companies, this paper analyzes how CSR report quality affects firm value when mediating roles of social pressure and CSR performance are considered. I find that firms operating in socially controversial industries enjoy higher valuations when they issue high-quality CSR reports. I also find that for firms with poor CSR performance, higher-quality CSR disclosure is associated with a decline in firm value, while …

Making A Difference: The Impact Of Corporate Ethical Behavior On Consumers In The Beauty Industry, Paige M. Gould

Honors Theses and Capstones

Over the years, the cosmetic industry has struggled with a variety of ethical issues. This research examines the effects of these unethical practices on consumers’ perceptions and judgements. More specifically, do consumers consider ethical issues when evaluating cosmetics? Can consumers’ ethical perceptions and decision making be influenced? If so, are heuristic appeals or systematic appeals more persuasive? The results of this study indicate that unless prompted, most consumers do not consider ethical issues when purchasing cosmetics. The study also found that both heuristic and systematic appeals were effective in influencing general industry perceptions, but only the systematic appeal was successful …

What Is Privacy? The Threat Of Surveillance And Blackmail In The 21st Century, Harrison S. Ruprecht

Senior Independent Study Theses

In an interview published in Wired magazine on November 12, 2013, Steven Levy asked Bill Gates, in virtue of recent NSA revelations, “What is the proper balance of surveillance and security, and where do we go from here?”[1] Gates responded, “Historically, privacy was almost implicit, because it was hard to find and gather information. But in the digital world, whether it's digital cameras or satellites or just what you click on, we need to have more explicit rules - not just for governments but for private companies.”[2] In many ways Gates’ thought anticipates my project. In the pages …

Protecting The Whistleblower: An Evolving Understanding Of The Role Of The Whistleblower, Alan Harrington

Honors Theses

This thesis will provide a background for whistleblower protection policies and explore the evolution of whistleblower protection policies in the United States in relation to publicly traded companies.

The Corporate Exploitation Of Fundamental Rights: A Nation Of Arbitration, Melanie A. Carlson

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis is an in-depth discussion and analysis of the alternative dispute resolution process of arbitration in the United States. It begins by providing a basic explanatory overview of arbitration clauses and the arbitration process. It then goes on to highlight the various benefits over traditional court litigation that arbitration has to offer. From there, the paper presents a detailed discussion of the many shortcomings of the arbitration process. It identifies the overall lack of procedural fairness that exists in arbitration today due to the fact that arbitration currently tends to favor businesses over consumers and workers during dispute settlements. …

State-Led Approaches To Electronic Waste Management In The U.S.: A Study Of Stakeholder Involvement In Take-Back Legislation Efficiency, Ashley Elizabeth Westgate

Bard Center for Environmental Policy

Information technology has proliferated over the past two decades, and waste from electronics represents the fastest growing waste stream in the world. The production and disposal of electronics, from cradle to grave, pose critical threats to human health and the environment. The management of electronic, or e-waste, streams poses a particular set of challenges for solid waste management, hazardous waste management, and economic development in the United States. As e-waste accumulates, state governments, municipalities and private landfills are refusing to accept the responsibility for its disposal. To address this problem, the federal and state governments must find a safe and …

Integrating A Code Of Professional Conduct And Ethics: An Action Research Approach, Ciara Kissane

Theses

A new version of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI, 2014a) was published in 2014. A nurse’s fitness to practice, and the associated patient experience, is determined by the extent to which the nurse accords with the duties outlined in the Code. Professional misconduct among members of the nursing profession has been highlighted within recent reports and enquiries. The failure to act on unethical care is also a feature. The literature suggests that Codes are poorly understood and can be problematic to integrate in practice. This study sought to; explore the impact …

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? How Land Use Regulation Impacts Housing Choice, Parker Mallchok

CMC Senior Theses

Ideally, land use policies correct for negative externalities. However, the barriers they impose on individuals and communities have serious implications. Existing studies on this topic focus on singular, specific areas because land regulation is determined at the local level and varies extensively across the nation. Furthermore, current housing literature focuses on the “norm” of single family housing. This ignores the changing attitudes toward different types of dwellings. My study examines local regulatory environments across the nation by using Gyourko et al. 2008’s Wharton Residential Land Use Regulation Index, which develops a comparative scale for the otherwise impossibly varied regulatory environments. …

An International Analysis Of Csr Rankings And A Country's Culture, Victoria Fisher

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

As globalization has increased, so too has the number of companies practicing corporate social responsibility (CSR) around the world. Social and environmental issues like global warming has been an underlying factor in this growing importance (Peng, 2012). Increasingly, companies are communicating their activities through CSR reports that outline corporate initiatives to access and take responsibility for the company's effects on the global environment and impact on social welfare. In this paper, we will expand on previous results found in "A Study of a How CSR Rankings Are Affected in a Globalized Economy", which is published in McNair Scholars Research Journal, …

Poison In Pink, Sydney V. Cook

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Humans slather, spray, mist, and cleanse their bodies with personal care products like lotion, hairspray, cologne, and shampoo every day. Our cupboards are stocked full of them, but few of us understand what is in those jars and bottles. We trust that if it’s on the shelf at the store, it’s safe. However, this is not always the case, and many personal care products contain chemicals that are harmful to human and environmental health.

My multi-disciplinary Environmental Studies thesis project combines evidenced-based research, interviews, nonfiction narrative, and science communication to create part of a book manuscript intended to educate general …

Citizen Engagement In Local Government Management In Post-Colonial African Countries: A Case Study Of The Republic Of Burundi, Ngulwe K. Alfani

School of Business Student Theses and Dissertations

Literature on in-depth studies of citizen engagement in local government management in African post-colonial countries is scarce. This qualitative research sought to understand the practice of citizen engagement in four selected African countries, but due to financial constraint, the Republic of Burundi was selected for the study. Data consisted of documentary sources, observational field notes, focus group discussions, and 23 individuals’ semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions of Burundian local government, mainly, Marie de Bujumbura and its communes. Data were analyzed through detailed description, categorical aggregation, direct interpretation, and development of naturalistic generalization. The findings from the reading of governmental documents …