Digital Commons Network^™

Sticky Valuations, Systemic Risks: Quantifying The Denominator Effect Of Private Equity Holdings In U.S. Public Pensions, Rutvij Thakkar

CMC Senior Theses

U.S. public pension systems have increasingly adopted the "Yale Model," shifting assets under management into private equity to capture excess returns. However, the valuation asymmetry between marked-to-market public equities and smoothed private net asset values creates a mechanical denominator effect during market downturns. This thesis quantifies this passive allocation drift using a fixed-effects panel regression of 2,706 observations from 182 U.S. public pension plans between 2005 and 2024. I find that a 10 percentage point decline in public equity returns mechanically increases private equity allocation by 50.5 basis points, an effect that amplifies to 55 basis points during systemic crises. …

The Role Of Psychological Capital On Organisational Citizenship Behaviours Within The Ghanaian Public Sector: A Conservation Of Resources Perspective., Duke Debrah Afrane

Doctoral

The public sector of Ghana has been plagued with low productivity issues for over a decade. Psychological capital is a resource that can increase citizenship behaviours, which help to boost productivity. Conservation of resources theory provides a mechanism for explaining the role that psychological capital plays in encouraging organisational citizenship behaviours. This mechanism is reflected in the value of psychological capital among employees and context-specific factors within the omnibus and discrete contexts of the Ghanaian public sector. The thesis explored this through a two-phase research method. Firstly, employing semi-structured interviews to explore the value of psychological capital, and identify perception …

European Household Savings Dynamics: Under Inflation And Post-Pandemic Shocks, Mateusz Mierzejewski, Julia Szczurek

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

The Covid-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, triggered a global health and economic crisis, leading to unprecedented changes in consumer behaviour and the functioning of national economies. This article examines the impact of the pandemic and the subsequent inflationary crisis on household savings levels in selected European countries. The analysis includes an assessment of household responses to changing macroeconomic conditions, such as inflation, interest rates, and household incomes, as well as the effectiveness of implemented monetary and fiscal policies. The study employs a neural network model considering autoregressive relationships in a panel data approach. The research covers data from …

Entire Volume Journal Of Banking And Financial Economics 2025, 2(24)

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

Entire Volume Journal of Banking and Financial Economics 2025, 2(24)

Don’T Do More With Less: Sustainable Work As A Management Value, Amanda Koziura

Library Faculty Research

Discusses a series of decisions a middle manager made to keep the work of her department sustainable and how she incorporated her values into her process.

Consumer Buying Behaviour Towards Organic Food In Sri Lanka: Imports From Australia, Nalaka Kaushayla Mohotti

Theses

The Australian organic agriculture industry is thriving, with 9.9% of its agricultural land certified organic and production concentrated in fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy, collectively valued at over AUD 2 billion. At the same time, South Asia, including Sri Lanka, is experiencing significant growth in organic agriculture markets. In 1994, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) was discovered among Sri Lankan paddy farmers. Research in 2012 linked it to hard water, pesticides, and heavy metals, triggering a pesticide ban and the ‘A Pesticides Free Nation’ program. This study analyses consumer buying behaviour for organic food in Sri Lanka, focusing …

Consumer Willingness To Buy And Willingness To Pay A Premium For Climate Smart Food Products, Jacob David Brewer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study investigated consumer willingness to buy (WTB) and willingness to pay a premium (WTPP) for Climate Smart (CS) food products. Focusing on soil health improvement practices such as biochar utilization, data from two surveys were analyzed. One survey was implemented and sought responses from consumer households in six midwestern states, and the other survey was distributed to institutional (universities, K-12 schools, corporations, etc.) and intermediary (restaurants, grocery stores, distribution centers, etc.) buyers. Consumer WTB and WTPP was examined through two independent ordered probit models, and the buyer survey data was utilized in descriptive analysis. Findings suggested that younger consumers, …

Exploring Vr User Experiences, Sarah Ferguson, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Brett Cook-Snell

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Virtual reality (VR) has unique potential for simulating environments and situations beyond real-life experiences. This study investigates the limitations of VR equipment design for learning spaces, specifically online environments. Presented are the findings of an exploratory study that examined the immersion, ease of use, and physiological and emotional experiences of seven university students participating in a 30–60 min VR session. Given the small sample size, the findings were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitatively. The results revealed that participants recognized the potential of VR as a teaching and learning tool, while also identifying certain limitations associated with health and safety. …

If The Body Keeps The Score, What Happens When You Bring The Body To Work? Exploring The Health Effects Of Trauma On Human Capital, Lisa Jones Christensen, Elizabeth Embry, Arielle Badger Newman, Paul C. Godfrey

Faculty Publications

Data reveal that the physical effects of trauma exposure increasingly surface in business, social, and other settings. Exposure to trauma at any point in life can cause employee health concerns, yet many firms do not acknowledge or address this. Herein, we combine trauma theory with human capital theory to explain how manifestations of trauma exposure—hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction—impact employee health and performance. This article outlines how each manifestation affects human capital deployment, and thus employee performance. It further demonstrates how these human capital deployment issues have individual- and unit-level performance implications. This article offers a theory linking health effects of …

The Marginal Value Of Public Pension Wealth: Evidence From Border House Prices, Darren Aiello, Asaf Bernstein, Mahyar Kargar, Ryan Lewis, Michael Schwert

Faculty Publications

We study how state pension windfalls affect property prices near state borders, where theory suggests real estate reflects the value of additional public resources. Windfalls, representing a source of state revenue about half the size of total taxes, provide economically significant and plausibly exogenous variation in fiscal conditions. We find that each dollar of pension asset returns increases border house prices by approximately two dollars, suggesting that governments allocate additional funds towards high-value projects or tax abatement rather than wasting incremental resources. Evidence of larger effects in financially constrained municipalities highlights how fiscal resources amplify welfare effects of economic shocks.

Corporate Soft Power Strategy In Shaping Global Influence: A Case Study Of Microsoft, Qiang Qiang

Theses and Dissertations

Soft power, defined as the ability to attract and persuade through appeal and influence rather than coercion, has emerged as a critical component in the arsenal of global corporations navigating the complexities of the interconnected world. This study, using Microsoft as a case, delves into the realm of soft power in global corporations. Drawing upon qualitative methodology, this study aims to uncover the nuanced factors contributing to global corporation soft power prowess. Key areas of investigation include organizational culture and communication, corporate branding, corporate social responsibility, emerging technological applications, global branding strategies, and leadership approaches. Through an analysis of these …

Remove The Invisibility Cloak - Let's Get Women Promoted!, Nina Echeverría Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This two-study research project uses a mixed-methods exploratory sequential research design to investigate the career journey of women in Corporate America and assess how they navigate the tensions that may impede Career Growth. Study 1 employs qualitative interviews to gather insights from 20 diverse women at varying managerial levels. Thematic analysis reveals five primary Pathways to Career Growth—Foundational Development, Social Augmentation, Adaptive Knowledge Expansion, Forward Focus, and Visibility—each associated with specific strategies that women employ to navigate tensions related to Cultural, Organizational, and Domestic spheres. Study 2 builds upon these findings and utilizes quantitative cross-sectional survey data from 385 corporate …

Innovative Approaches To A More Sustainable Global Supply Chain: A Phenomenological Study In The Footwear Industry, Nichole Dwyer

Theses and Dissertations

The global footwear industry faces significant challenges as it navigates the complexities of sustainability, technological advancements, and supply chain resilience. This study examines how innovations in developing technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), can enhance efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and promote sustainability within global footwear supply chains. Leveraging a phenomenological approach, the research explores the lived experiences of supply chain professionals to identify practical strategies for integrating technology, enhancing resilience, and mitigating environmental impacts. The study highlights the industry's evolution, driven by factors such as consumer demand for sustainability, disruptions caused by geopolitical …

The Contributors, Marites Tiongco

DLSU Business & Economics Review

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Corporate Capital Structure And The Emerging Role Of Intangibles And Innovation: The Case Of Japanese Corporations, Michael Angelo A. Cortez

DLSU Business & Economics Review

This study aims to modernize capital structure determinants in line with changing economic environments by incorporating the function of intangible assets, particularly innovations, into capital structure decisions. Traditional independent variables such as tangibility, firm size, profitability, growth opportunities, and profitability have been thoroughly researched, but the growing importance of intangible assets and innovations in the contemporary economy with advanced technology calls for a reassessment of their impact on capital structures. I examine 95 enterprises listed in the Nikkei over 11 years (2014–2024) using cross-section generalized least squares regression and dynamic panel data estimation. Results show that corporate leverage decisions (debt-to-equity …

Impact Of International Trade Competitiveness On Unemployment And Poverty Reduction In Ecowas Region, Ikubor Ofili Jude, Yahaya U. Isah, Ojih U. Abraham, Mazeli O. Mark, Abdul Y. Mary

DLSU Business & Economics Review

This study investigates the impact of trade competitiveness on unemployment and poverty in the ECOWAS region. The study relied on POLS, FE, and RE techniques to analyze the impact of export value and trade openness on unemployment and poverty in the ECOWAS region from 2001 to 2020. Annual time series data were sourced from World Bank and World Integrated Trade Solution databases. Major findings from this study show that unemployment responds strongly and favorably to export value and trade openness, whereas poverty responds favorably to trade openness. Further investigation revealed that trade regulatory environment is a determinant of unemployment and …

Assessing The Impact Of Shifting To Non- Combusted Alternatives To Reduce The Economic Cost Of Tobacco-Related Illnesses: A Cost Of Illness Approach In The Philippine Case, Christopher James Cabuay

DLSU Business & Economics Review

Smoking continues to be one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. Recent health studies, however, have reported that these diseases are more likely to be due to the smoke from burning rather than the actual nicotine content. This study uses a cost-of-illness approach in estimating the cost of smoking-related illness in the Philippines and calculating the potential reduction in costs if a significant portion of the adult smoking population switches to the exclusive use of non-combusted alternatives (NCAs), which drastically reduces the risk of contracting smoking-related diseases. This study finds that cost reductions in the …

A Review Of Climate Change And Its Financial Impact On The Transportation Sector, Ray Anthony L. Almonares

DLSU Business & Economics Review

In this paper, I review the existing literature on climate risks—both transition and physical—and their relationship with firm performance, with a specific focus on transportation finance. I find that the broad literature on carbon emissions and firm performance overlooks two critical characteristics of the global transportation sector: its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and the international scope of its operations. As a result, the conclusions drawn from this body of work may not be directly applicable to global transportation companies. Furthermore, I examine existing studies on extreme sea levels and the global maritime transportation sector, noting that these studies have …

A Mixed Method Case Study Of Leadership For Change: Authentic Transformational Leadership In A Local Baptist Church, Hui Sun

Theses and Dissertations

This convergent parallel mixed methods case study explores how a local Baptist church navigated organizational change during and after the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of authentic and transformational leadership. Grounded in organizational leadership and open systems framework of organizational change, the study examined two primary hypotheses: (1) RBC demonstrated an authentic transformational leadership paradigm in its change processes since 2020, and (2) this paradigm significantly and positively influenced perceived leadership effectiveness.

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six leaders (three pastors, one minister, one staff leader, and one deacon) and 11 raters (five lay leaders, five congregants, …

Human Factors Matter: The Intersection Of Cybersecurity Governance, And Culture In Risk Management Of Critical Infrastructure, Prince Abubakari

Theses and Dissertations

In the 21st century, cybersecurity threats have evolved into pressing socio-technical issues, with significant implications for the safety and stability of global critical infrastructure. This dissertation explores the intersection of cybersecurity governance and culture in risk management of national critical infrastructures, defined as essential systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, that are vital to the security, public health, safety, economy, or any combination thereof, and the disruption of which would have a debilitating impact on a nation. The study delves into how human factors like organizational culture and governance mechanisms interplay to influence cybersecurity outcomes. The research adopts a …

It's Not The Fault Of The Parrot, But Of The One Who Teaches Him To Talk: Understanding Identities And Relationships Of An Educational Ngo In Guatemala, Brittany Rebecca Blomquist

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Guatemala is an economically poor country, with a rich culture that makes it a destination for foreign assistance through non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and tourism. The history of conflict and foreign economic development within the country has created a dichotomy of identities, divided across economic wealth, ethnicity, and urban/rural landscapes. NGOs, their presence as transnational actors, and their organizational identities augment the identities present within the spaces in which NGOs work. Additionally, these identities are fluid and relational. I argue that the identities and relationships that form within the NGO space are reflective of NGO work and development structures. The identities …

Unraveling The Impacts Of Online Secondhand Resellers On Brick-And-Mortar Thrift Stores, Neely Connor

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the current online controversy debating the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores. While this debate has been featured in consumer media sources (e.g., Heydari, 2022), there is a lack of scholarly research on this topic. This study seeks to fill that gap by examining the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores, particularly concerning price increases, product availability, and quality of items. Online qualitative surveys and interviews were conducted to develop an understanding of the perceptions on this topic held by both online resellers and …

Trash To Textiles: The Journey Of Recycled Plastic In Fashion, Abigael Rasmussen

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Plastic is all around us in modern America and in the world. Plastic is found in our vehicles, clothing, houses—it’s even made its way into our food, our septic systems, our oceans, and even our rain (Seferian). Plastic waste is a very pressing issue that brings up many environmental challenges: microplastics, landfill buildup, air pollution, soil contamination, water contamination etc. The textile industry is a major contributor to plastic pollution with the rise of fast fashion (Bandera). To combat this, textile and environmental scientists are exploring ways to transform plastic waste into usable textile materials through upcycling, “transforming mixed plastic …

2024 Aadej-Adea Gies Foundation Editorial Award - Third Place: Gen Ai, Marisa Watanabe Dds, Ms, Ficd

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article is featured as a recipient of a 2024 AADEJ-ADEAGies Foundation Editorial Award. It explores the growing presence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday life and its specific implications for dentistry. While AI shows great promise in improving diagnostic accuracy in dentistry, the author cautions that it is not without limitations and potential mistakes, such as overfitting, lack of contextual information, limited data diversity, false positives/negatives, inadequate training data, and sensitivity to image quality. The piece stresses that AI should augment, not replace, dental professionals, serving as a supportive aid rather than a definitive diagnostic tool. Key benefits …

2024 Aadej-Adea Gies Foundation Editorial Award- Second Place: The Human Role In Artificial Intelligence, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article is featured as a recipient of a 2024 AADEJ-ADEA Gies Foundation Editorial Award. It addresses concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dentistry, particularly the warning from technology researchers regarding "profound risks to society and humanity" due to advanced AI systems. The author argues that the conversation should focus on AI's potential and, more critically, the essential role humans play in its successful adoption, rather than fears of machines taking over. A main risk identified is blind reliance on AI recommendations, which can lead to a loss of critical thinking, misdiagnosis, or inappropriate treatment decisions. Therefore, focused human oversight …

Aadej And Icd Usa Section — Together For Over 50 Years!, Elaine C. Wagner Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

With a new-found collaboration of our annual meetings in 2025, we celebrate more than 50-year partnership between the International College of Dentists (ICD) USA Section and the American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists (AADEJ). It highlights that both organizations are composed of individuals passionate about their respective missions: ICD Fellows focus on serving the underserved and improving global oral health, while AADEJ is dedicated to enhancing communication and elevating standards in dental journalism. The collaboration has stood the test of time, and for the first time, their Annual Meetings in 2025 will be held together at the Manchester Grand …

Ai And Personal Finance: Evaluating Rules Of Thumb Generated By Chatgpt, Jing Jian Xiao, Kexin Meng

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to evaluate the information quality generated by ChatGPT on rules of thumb in personal finance.

Design/methodology/approach – Prompts were developed to ask ChatGPT questions regarding rules of thumb in personal finance. After several iterations, we selected seven rules of thumb and asked ChatGPT to provide more in-depth information. The information was evaluated by checking its accuracy and validity based on relevant peer reviewed journal articles.

Findings – We found both advantages and limitations of using ChatGPT for information search. The advantages include its speed of information generation, width of topic generation, adaptivity …

Modeling Healthcare Managerial And It Sophistication, Gary Hackbarth, Teuta Cata

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Sophisticated healthcare managers understand that managing information and selecting technology are two related but separate skill sets. Information Technology Governance (ITG) allows healthcare organizations to deal with complex issues, compete effectively, and support patient needs by integrating managerial and IT sophistication to improve business performance. An organizational model that merges IT and managerial sophistication by improving ITG to forecast business outcomes must grasp the intricacies of technology to acquire, manage, and utilize information technology in alignment with business strategies. The proposed model differentiates between internal and external IT management strategic thinking, emphasizing the critical need to govern IT effectively by …

Engaging The Plus-Size Community Through Social Media And Public Relations, Esperanza Chavez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores which platform, TikTok or Instagram, best supports engagement andcommunity building for the plus-size audience. Grounded in theories by Goffman, Berger & Luckmann, and David Meerman Scott’s 85-10-5 Rule, the study combines strategic PR methods with digital media tools to elevate plus-size voices. The campaign included 30 Instagram posts, 35 TikToks, street interviews, and a podcast series, all designed and executed for this project. Engagement was measured through likes, comments, shares, saves, follower growth, and qualitative audience feedback.

An Analysis Of Commercial Real Estate, Amanda Christine Fowler

Honors Program Theses

Commercial real estate is typically described as comprising four sectors: office, retail, industrial, and multifamily. Each sector is affected by economic changes and consumer spending differently. This research shows the general overview of the sectors and trends affecting the market, a discussion of the factors driving commercial real estate prices such as inflation, interest rates, unemployment, and employee engagement. A review of the factors affecting regions in the United States is also included. A focus is set on office rental prices for the purpose of the analysis.