Business Analytics Commons^™

Investment Strategies Of Gcc Sovereign Wealth Funds: Aligning National Development And Geopolitical Goals, Roy Conners

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) prioritize and implement investment strategies in the context of national development and geopolitical dynamics. Using a qualitative case study approach, it analyzes the assets, key industries, leadership, and historical evolution of major GCC SWFs (ADIA, Mubadala, ADQ, QIA, and PIF) based on publicly made available information.

The findings show that GCC SWFs prioritize investments in strategic sectors, geographical destinations, and the private sector. These investments align closely with their respective national development plans, such as 'We the UAE 2031', Qatar National Vision 2030, and Saudi Arabia’s …

Predicting Language Proficiency Using A Multiple Regression Model, Madisen Barrieau

Senior Honors Theses

Businesses that design language learning products have a common goal to impart language proficiency to users. Many variables play a role in reaching language proficiency, including time spent in study, method of learning, use of technology, motivation, and more. This study involved creating several multiple regression models in R on a dataset featuring many of these variables. This research sought to identify the relative weight and measurability of these variables unto the goal of predicting language proficiency. Several regression models were created, and the best model showed that language similarity and length of residence in target culture, among other factors, …

Utilizing Extreme Value Theory To Uncover Yield Distributions From Farm And County Level Historical Corn Yields, Gerald H. Van Tassell

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Yield risk represents a major portion of the financial risk facing corn producers and is found in the left tail of the yield distribution. Traditional methods for generating yield distributions fall into two categories: parametric and non-parametric. The shape and behavior of the tail of parametric yield distributions are determined by distributional assumptions. Non-parametric distributions fail to account for the possibility of as yet unseen extreme events, often referred to as “Black Swans”. Extreme Value Theory (EVT) rectifies these issues by providing an empirical, parametric estimate of the risk of extreme events, regardless of the underlying distribution of corn yields. …

Enhancing Customer Support Operations Through Gpt & Q-Learning: A Model Study, Adam Alidra, Bob O'Brien, Dalton Young

SMU Data Science Review

Abstract. “Growth strategies that are purpose-led, customer-centric, experience-driven, data/AI-enabled, and technology-scaled require new mindsets…” (Cornfield, 2021). What can we take from this? Business growth and customer experience are inextricably tied together. Therefore, thriving, as an organization, is dependent on reimagining enterprise operations through modern, scalable data and AI technologies. Our study aims to enhance support operations with emerging AI capabilities, including OpenAI’s LLM models, built on self-attention mechanism transformer architecture, and tailored for business needs through prompt engineering. Our research uses Markov Decision Process and the Q-learning algorithm to evaluate synthetically created support incidents. Through this set of methods, our …

Institutional Pilot Changes Lead To A Reduction In Emergency Department Boarding Patients, Rohan Akhouri, Jennifer Watts, Christopher S. Kennedy, Kelly A. Sinclair, Bethany Bolt, Ashley Daly

Research Days

Background: Crowding and boarding pediatric emergency departments (ED) is an ongoing problem associated with a mismatch in resources and patient care demands. ED boarding can be defined as a patient admitted to an inpatient unit who remains in the ED. ED boarding occurs when there is limited availability of inpatient bed space – either due to patient volume or decreased staffing. ED boarding is associated with adverse events, and increased mortality. Few studies address the impact of inpatient strategies on ED boarding. The objective of our study was to evaluate hospital-based strategies within a single institution and their effect on …

Financial Assessment Of Executive Decision-Making And Risk Management: A Case Study Of Autozone, Carolina Hollis

Honors Theses

This area of investigation pertains to the business organizational structure, executive summary, and risk management decisions of AutoZone within the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This analysis was performed by examining previous financial records, the yearly 10-K report, and various research databases regarding the financial performance of retail auto part companies. Many different sources were used to gather information about AutoZone. AutoZone has an intricate financial system that maintains the going concern by addressing current issues within the financial world to combat problems they could face in the future. These risk factors include inflation, interest rates, energy prices, political climates, and supply …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Porter May

Honors Theses

In this thesis, a series of case studies are presented, which were undertaken as part of the ACCY 420 course during the 2022-2023 academic year. The cases encompass a diverse range of subjects, including but not limited to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning strategies. Additionally, contemporary events such as the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank and the financial market crisis of 2008 were scrutinized. The studies involved both individual and collaborative efforts to gather substantial evidence. The first five cases concentrate on the analysis of Flowers Foods and its financial standing. A team of five students, …

A Collection Of Accounting Case Studies, Danielle Gonsoulin

Honors Theses

Over the course of a year, I performed case studies on various economic and financial topics and events. For the first half of the year, I worked in a group with three of my peers to develop audit, advisory, and tax plans for a publicly traded company named Agilysys. We evaluated economic conditions and the company’s financial and nonfinancial data to determine what areas both internally and externally the company can target in order to improve its operations. Once the four case studies were written and reviewed, we created a slideshow and presented our ideas on Zoom to a group …

Case Study: The Strategy, Implementation, And Financial Performance Of The Bank Of North Dakota, Muhammad Umar Farooq, Faruk Arslan, Donovan Fuqua, Victor Pimentel

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

This case study seeks to investigate the factors enabling the survival of the Bank of North Dakota (BND), which is the only operational state-owned bank in the United States, and its implications on North Dakota economy's well-being. Since its foundation in 1919, the BND's mission has been to "promote agriculture, commerce, and industry in North Dakota." (Mission, Vision, Core Values, n.d.) This case explores the corporate strategy, its implementation, and the financial performance of the Bank of North Dakota from 2017-2021. By employing a case-study method, this paper draws on analysis and the comments of several elected representatives of North …

A 360-Degree Approach To Accounting, Kaleel Salloum Iii

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of one year of research related to the modern day accounting and financial industry. There are numerous topics that are covered, with the first four sections being related to one company’s financial statements and operating conditions. Each of these sections includes their own abstract that outlines the scope of the research. The remaining parts of the thesis are topics, events, and industries related to modern day accounting. This research was completed and submitted to the faculty of The University of Mississippi in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

The Shocking Future Of Artificial Intelligence Across A Variety Of Industries, Collin Elek Boone

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Artificial intelligence is a huge phenomenon that has begun to take over worldwide media. The abilities that AI has already proven to be capable of will undoubtedly change the world in a variety of ways. In the future, however, it is possible that AI will have an impact on nearly every sector imaginable. With the success that companies such as OpenAI and Microsoft have already displayed regarding artificial intelligence, it is clear that this software has immense capabilities. The purpose of this study is to conduct research detailing the potential impact of AI on industries within the business sector and …

The Artificial Intelligence Revolution, Alexander Summers

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis covers the innovation of AI and the impact it is having in the workplace.

Go Green Or Go Viral?, Kimberly Silva-Nash

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Our society has been altered by the proliferation of social media. Viral marketing and influencer marketing have increased the amount of products that dramatically increase in popularity, in other words - go viral. These trend cycles have led to the consumption of businesses that are not as moral as they seem. Has society replaced the priority of buying from good-willed businesses with buying from businesses that give them that new trendiest item? Has society lost its morality in purchasing concerning these trends?

Balancing Perspectives: Assessing The Integration Of Ai In Academic Support Within Higher Education, Sami Ali

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The rapid advancement of A The rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors highlights its transformative potential, yet its integration into educational settings raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding its misuse by students. This study conducts a detailed sentiment analysis and systematic literature review to examine the diverse perspectives on AI within education, from both academic and non-academic viewpoints. Utilizing advanced data mining tools to analyze sentiments and trends, this research reveals a complex landscape where optimism about AI’s capabilities is tempered by concerns over ethical implications and potential misuse. The findings contribute to the dialogue on leveraging AI …

What Impact Did The Tcja Tax Cuts Have On The Manufacturing Sector?, Ryan Parker

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

Throughout this paper I will examine positive effects the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 had on the manufacturing sector. To do this I begin by outlining the key provisions in the TCJA that directly benefit the manufacturing sector. This includes the corporate tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent, the changes to the repatriation tax for foreign funds, and the treatment for capital assets. I then analyze key metrics including pre-tax income, income tax provision, dividends, changes in retained earnings, and spending on property plant and equipment. I will show the interactions between the increase in …

The Effects Of Short-Term Rentals On Communities And How To Legislate Them: An Expanded Literary Review, William Cherry

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

A literary review of the economic and socioeconomic effects of short-term rental properties, specifically the commercialization of the industry based upon other research studies. An in-depth look at how commercialized short-term rentals effect the younger generation, hospitality industry, housing market, communities they reside in, and other externalities. A further review of different legal case studies of short-term rental legislation in major cities across the globe and their varying degrees of effectiveness.

Financial Consulting Internship In Valencia: Alternative Investments And Ai, Mason Sidney Rike

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

During the summer before my senior year, I had the opportunity to work as a research analyst in the finance department of TuaTeam, a financial and strategic consulting firm in Valencia, Spain. TuaTeam is a relatively new firm that serves its clients in a wide range of areas, from strategic restructuring and business model development to finding funding for future projects and identifying/evaluating potential investment opportunities. TuaTeam also works closely with communities around Spain to foster innovation and development among youth and professionals seeking to gain experience in new trends in technology and cultural enrichment. The company currently holds classes …

Spatiotemporal Negative Inventory Outlier Decomposition For Supply Chain Applications In Consumer-Packaged Goods (Cpg), Hayden Mcdonald

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coca-Cola is a popular soft drink brand with sales occurring in every Walmart store across the world, which generates large quantities of data and requires a robust supply chain system. However, the company does not currently have a sophisticated, automated, and/or prescriptive system for detecting where, when, and why inventory outages occur and applying preventative measures to avoid loss of revenue from the absence of inventory on store shelves. This thesis proposes and applies a novel, prescriptive system for this purpose. An inventory outage can be seen as a ‘negative’ statistical outlier in a time series of inventory for an …

The Importance Of Data Preparation In A Data Science Problem, Sophia Beard

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study is going to be based on an inventory outlier automation data science problem that is being solved to identify and prescribe inventory level outliers to help keep shelves stocked in terms of beverages. The objective of this paper will address why it is so important to understand the data that is involved in a particular data science problem and how planning ahead ensures a successful outcome in the data science world. In this data science project, Spatiotemporal Outlier Analysis for Inventory Intervention Automation, it was crucial for the team to understand, research, and visualize the data we were …

The Importance Of Text Representation For Neural Networks Through Natural Language Processing Techniques, William Parsley

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Text representation is a fundamental aspect of natural language processing (NLP) when it comes to the performance of neural networks. Free-form text fields are being utilized in more and more industries. Anything from a description of an item on a web store to tracking service events to military-grade aircraft is being collected in free-form text. The goal of the thesis is to highlight best practices and discuss trends in data to prepare text for a neural network. It will demonstrate various techniques for representing free-form text in the context of neural networks, focusing on data preparation decisions, embedding techniques, and …