Digital Commons Network^™

Legal Analysis Of Health Issues In Women's Sports, Isabella Docker, Olivia Jonas, Joslyn Maciak, Owen Goodridge

Transformations: Presentation Slides

This presentation examines the legal and ethical challenges surrounding health issues in women's sports. Key points include pregnancy, sexual assault, and mental health issues connected to women's sports. We focus on the impact on their well-being, athletes' performance, and career longevity. Negligence, liability, and assumption of risks all play a major role in women's sports.

Factors Influencing Patient Recall For Follow-Up In The Multi-Stage Deployment Of Medical Intelligent Screening Systems, Wenjie Chen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the healthcare sector, intelligent screening systems have achieved significant breakthroughs in predictive accuracy; however, they commonly face a management challenge in clinical implementation: accurate early warnings but limited patient recall. To address this ineffective technological empowerment issue in practice, this study proposes a theoretical framework featuringbidirectional interactions between "technological empowerment" and"relational empowerment" based on empowerment theory to systematicallyinvestigate the dynamic evolution mechanisms and boundary conditions of patient recall willingness under multi-stage, cross-departmental deployment of medical intelligent screening systems. Using a leading municipal hospital as the primary experimental setting, the study …

The Cobalt Curse: Cobalt’S Role And Risks, Marley Jackowitz

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper examines the hidden environmental, geopolitical, economic, and social costs of the cobalt supply chain. Fueled by the demand for battery technology and electric vehicles, cobalt has become an essential element to the green energy transition. With the largest share of global cobalt deposits, the Democratic Republic of the Congo bears a disproportionate share of the industry’s harms. Cobalt mining in the DRC is marked by environmentally degrading practices and inhumane working conditions, compromising Congolese health, safety, and well-being. Chapter 1 discusses the environmental impacts of DRC cobalt mining and its adverse effects on public health. Environmentally degrading mining …

Consumerism In The Digital Age: Environmental And Cultural Consequences, Danielle Andrea Montoya

Student Theses 2015-Present

Overconsumption has emerged as a significant environmental problem, characterized by persistent patterns of buying, using, and discarding goods at rates that exceed ecological limits. In the digital age, these patterns of consumption are reinforced by economic systems, technological advancements, and cultural norms that make constant consumption feel normal and convenient. While consumption is necessary for everyday life, consumption beyond basic needs contributes to increased waste, resource depletion, pollution, and climate change. Overconsumption is embedded in daily habits such as online shopping, food consumption, and frequent product replacement. Therefore, understanding and addressing overconsumption is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability and social …

Developing Tracking Compliance Standards For Inbound Freight: A Data-Driven Industry Application At O’Reilly Automotive, Jackson Endacott

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Visibility of inbound freight is critical for managing operational efficiency, yet many organizations lack standardized compliance metrics for third-party carriers to uphold, preventing them from utilizing tracking data to make data-driven decisions. During a summer internship with the Transportation Department at O’Reilly Automotive, data inconsistencies were addressed in the Transportation Management System (TMS), and that data was utilized to create tracking compliance standards for third-party carriers. Data populated from various sources within O’Reilly’s TMS was cleaned, validated, and utilized to create a Tracking Scorecard that evaluates message transmission rates, timeliness, and errors. This tool provides actionable insights to improve tracking …

A Comparative Look At The Training Objectives Of The United States Marine Corps And Corporate America, Davis M. Johnson

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates how divergent institutional objectives influence leader development in two organizational contexts: U.S. Marine Corps officer training and corporate leadership development programs. The study draws on organizational socialization theory, institutional theory, and stress inoculation research. It contends that leadership formation is shaped by the missions, values, and structural demands unique to each institution. The research uses comparative analysis of selection practices, socialization tactics, identity construction, and adaptability development, explicitly contrasting how each institution develops leaders. The Marine Corps uses divestiture socialization, collective identity formation, and structured stress exposure to embed group loyalty and prepare officers for decisive action …

The Effects Of Avian Influenza On Consumer Egg Prices In The United States, Jacob B. Franklin

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) create major challenges to poultry supply chains due to the high mortality rates in flocks, leading to disruptions in production and higher costs for producers. Using quantitative data from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, USDA, and National Agricultural Statistics Service, this research analyzes changes in egg production, retail prices, and regional variations throughout the United States for the 2022-2025 HPAI event. A time-series regression model was used to control for production costs, seasonal patterns, and regional differences. All of these measures come together to quantify the impact of HPAI outbreaks on consumer …

A Study Of The Agricultural Industry In Belize And Associated Future Growth Opportunities, Henry J. Conner

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

During the summer of 2025, I had the opportunity to complete an internship in Belize with Peacework. During my time there, I worked with the Ministry of Agriculture. This Thesis is a summary of my time there and a study of the agricultural industry in Belize. It explores topics like climate change, sustainable agriculture, and the economic impact of recent events and potential future events on Belize.

The Role Of Advertising In Shaping Eating Habits, Mary J. Landrum

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

Today, more individuals worldwide are classified as overweight than underweight (World Health Organization, n.d.-a.). Over the past several decades, obesity rates have increased dramatically, particularly in the United States. Since the 1960s, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has risen from 13% to 43%, reflecting a significant shift in population health. Even more striking, less than 1% of Americans were considered morbidly obese in 1960, compared to nearly 10% today (USAFacts, 2023). This trend is not limited to the United States. Globally, the percentage of adults living with obesity more than doubled between 1990 and 2022, increasing from 7% …

Diving Into Commercial Banking: Internship Experience At Hilborn & Howell, Llc, Reid W. Finch

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper attempts to provide insight into the commercial banking industry through personal experience and the help of high-level lending professionals.

Oxytocin-Mediated Trust Formation In Relationship-Based Sales, Isabella G. Farrington

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Trust is a critical driver of success in relationship-based sales, particularly in complex environments such as medical, pharmaceutical, and B2B markets where decisions involve uncertainty, risk, and long-term commitment. Existing research in marketing and psychology primarily explains trust through interpersonal behaviors, communication, and relationship management strategies. However, the biological mechanisms underlying trust formation remain largely underexplored in these contexts.

This thesis examines the role of oxytocin, a neuropeptide associated with social bonding and cooperation, in shaping trust and decision-making in professional sales environments. Drawing on research from neuroscience, neuroeconomics, and relationship marketing, it proposes that oxytocin-mediated processes provide a biological …

Escaping The Promotion Trap: A Machine Learning Framework For Brand Equity Preservation In Beverage Cpg, Lucas P. Jones

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

When companies acquire beverage brands, they typically value them based on total sales revenue. This traditional approach treats all sales equally over time, whether they are driven by genuine consumer demand or temporary discounts. This is important because while promotions can boost short-term sales, they tend to erode brand value over long periods of time. The measurement problem extends to acquisitions, where buyers lack the tools to distinguish real consumer demand from artificial promotional inflation.

This thesis develops a framework to separate genuine baseline demand from promotional dependence using Nielsen scanner data covering 189 beverage brands across 188,304 weekly observations …

The Push-Pull Model's Function In Understanding Public Sector Workers' Inter-Organisational Labour Mobility: The Views Of The Herzberg Two-Factor Theory, Rosemary Selestine Massae

Business Management Review

In the modern world, one of the challenges managers have in maintaining their talented staff is labour mobility. Inter-organisational labour mobility (ILM) has been found to be significantly influenced by co-worker relationships, work-family conflict, monetary compensation, and training and development. The pull-push paradigm was inspired by human migration. Since migration not only symbolises movement across physical locations but also encompasses other routine duties, theory is essential to comprehending ILM. However, to date, no existing study has tested the model under the influence of Herzberg’s Two-factor Theory, in explaining ILM uses the public sector as a major setting of the question …

The Impact Of Quantum Computing And Distributed Ledger Technology On Accounting/Auditing/Finance Systems, Ulingeta O. L. Mbamba

Business Management Review

The integration of Quantum Computing (QC) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is poised to fundamentally reshape modern accounting by transforming how financial data is processed, secured, and verified. QC, utilising qubits, will exponentially enhance data analytics, risk assessment, and real-time financial forecasting, accelerating complex auditing tasks far beyond the capabilities of classical systems. In parallel, DLT, such as blockchain, provides a decentralised, immutable record of transactions, significantly increasing transparency and trust. This synergy may enable real-time analysis, continuous auditing, and intelligent automation, converting traditional static, centralised processes into dynamic, transparent ecosystems. Together, this convergence may redefine accounting, auditing, and finance, …

International Spillover: How External, Global Events Such As Brexit And Covid-19 Have Impacted Housing Prices Within The Republic Of Ireland, Allie Riggs

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The housing market in Ireland has experienced such a great crisis in recent history that over a third of residents have considered moving to a more affordable country (Hogg, 2024). While a number of both causes and potential solutions have been analyzed in regard to this national crisis, I hypothesize that there has been a greater shock from external, global events in the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. In performing a regression on secondary data while controlling for macroeconomic factors that impact the housing market, I have identified a positive, significant association between these two exogenous shocks and their impact on …

Equal Protection Under The Law: Constitutionality Of Current And Proposed Anti-Lgbtq+ Legislation In Tennessee And Its Potential Impact On Business, Henry J. Kalla

Honors Theses

In recent years, the Tennessee General Assembly has become a battleground of sorts for bills attempting to police the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Multiple laws that impact LGBTQ+ citizens have sparked debate as interested parties on all sides seek to clarify the scope of equal protection, religious freedom, and free expression in this evolving age. Federal law has statutes in place that prohibit discrimination against individuals based on certain protected characteristics, but sexual orientation or transgender status are not explicitly among them. The states have interpreted this ambiguity as providing them the freedom to pass their own civil rights legislation …

(Human)Ities In The Field Of Business, Emma M. Bitting

Honors Theses

Business is often seen as a field driven by numbers, but it is fundamentally powered by shared narratives, such as branding and mission statements. Increased optimization and efficiency has resulted in industries stripped of their humanity, leaving professionals interpersonally deficient. In an increasingly competitive workforce, one’s humanity has become a primary differentiator from the competition (artificial or otherwise). The division between the humanities and business has become a professional liability apparent to any observer, yet it is rarely addressed as the systemic failure it has become. This very divide increasingly hinders progress, rather than serving as the specialization of fields …

Understanding Challenges Faced By Refugee Women And Women With Experiences Of Forced Migration In Entrepreneurship In The Midwest Region Of The United States, Ritu Jadwani

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The labor market participation of refugee women was only 6%. The United States had the maximum employment rate for the refugee women population, which was 40%, as compared to 6% in Germany, Lebanon, and Jordan (Kabir & Klugman, 2019). Refugee women faced many challenges in labor force participation and especially in entrepreneurship. As demonstrated by Desai, Naude, and Stel (2020), refugees faced challenges like cultural integration, language barriers, level of education, and acceptance of education merits. This eventually led to disparities in income generation. Thus, many either remained in low-paying jobs or started their own business (Desai et al., 2020). …

Bounded Transformation: From Static Readiness To Trajectory Based Change Viability, Mary Piecewicz, Manjari Gupta

Master of Public Administration for Senior Leadership

Most organizational transformations do not fail loudly. They fade, fragment, and quietly exhaust the people expected to sustain them. What practitioners often diagnose as resistance, poor adoption, or weak execution may begin earlier, with an untested assumption that the organization is stable, coherent, and capable enough to absorb planned change. Existing change frameworks offer useful guidance for implementation, but they do not formally ask whether the organization is currently moving in a direction, and with enough stability, to make planned change viable.

This capstone introduces Bounded Transformation: From Static Readiness to Trajectory-Based Change Viability, a trajectory-based pre-condition framework for …

An Interdisciplinary Review Of The Gaslighting Literature And Future Research Agenda, Paula A. Kincaid, Samantha C.O. Stalion

Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Gaslighting is increasingly discussed in organizational contexts, yet its meaning, boundaries, and process remain unclear within management and organizational scholarship. Although research on gaslighting has expanded across multiple disciplines, existing work is conceptually fragmented and difficult to integrate, limiting cumulative theory development and empirical progress. In this review, we synthesize 56 years of gaslighting research (1969-2025; 266 articles) to clarify how gaslighting has been defined, studied, and applied, with particular attention paid to its relevance for work and organizational settings. We identify four recurring ways gaslighting has been conceptualized and show how variation across these approaches has contributed to inconsistent …

Workload As A Tipping Point: A Serial Mediation Model Examining The Roles Of Job Crafting And Workload On Work Engagement, Affective Commitment, And Turnover Intentions, Jessica E. Langston

Dissertations

Job crafting is one way in which employees can boost their performance and satisfaction, and organizations can reap the benefits of high performance. Job crafting refers to an employee’s ability to proactively redesign a job to foster their satisfaction, engagement, and resilience toward work (Wrzesniewski & Dutton, 2001). After twenty-five years of study, the positive impacts of job crafting are well-established (Bhagat & Arora, 2021; Bruning & Campion, 2018; Wong et al., 2017; Wrzesniewski & Dutton, 2001). Recently scholars have noted the potential downsides and have called for more research into the nuances of job crafting when explored through the …

The Perceived Cultural Intelligence Of Leadership And Its Impact On Employee Organizational Commitment And Workplace Well-Being, Melinda Bowens

Dissertations

In today’s continuously evolving workplace, the role of leadership has expanded beyond traditional management competencies to encompass the ability to recognize, navigate, and leverage cultural differences. This quantitative study examines the relationship among perceived leader cultural intelligence, employee workplace well-being, and organizational commitment. Recognizing that workplace well-being and organizational commitment are critical to the overall health and success of organizations, it is essential to gain a greater understanding of the factors that influence these constructs. Accordingly, this study collected from 410 participants to investigate the relationship between perceived cultural intelligence of leadership, employee organizational commitment, and workplace well-being. Employing a …

Mda At Your Service: What Are The New Features On The Mda Member Compass?, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Q&A column assists members in utilizing association resources. It highlights the new MDA Member Compass, which allows for online practice management, staff roster updates, and event registration. It also offers critical advice for new graduates regarding state licensure, mandatory insurance policies, and contract review services. Furthermore, it describes the MDA Peer Review System, a confidential process for resolving patient-dentist disputes through impartial committee evaluation rather than litigation.

Mda Services: Don’T Get Bogged Down: Regulatory Compliance, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column encourages dental practice owners to utilize MDA-endorsed vendors to simplify business operations and ensure regulatory compliance. It specifically recommends Eagle Associates for HIPAA and OSHA training and Complete Dental IT for managing technology-related security risks. The author argues that using these pre-vetted services saves members time on vendor interviews and negotiation while providing favorable pricing that individual practices could not achieve on their own.

May 2026 Endorsed Programs News, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This source details several MDA-endorsed services intended to improve practice efficiency and profitability. Key topics include selecting a fiduciary financial adviser, the regulatory requirements for surcharging credit cards to offset processing fees, and the cost-competitive benefits of the MDA Health Plan. It also promotes iCore solutions for Revenue Cycle Management, which automate insurance verification and billing to reduce administrative friction and enhance financial performance.

Dentistry And The Law: The Importance Of Termination Rights, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column explores the legal importance of termination rights in contracts with dental product suppliers. It explains that termination provisions—including notice periods and termination fees—must be carefully negotiated upfront, as they are generally enforceable once signed. The author clarifies that large termination fees may be deemed unenforceable penalties if they do not reasonably approximate actual losses. The article advises dentists to shop around for favorable contract terms and seek explanations for restrictive clauses.

Staff Matters: Should I Negotiate A Starting Salary With A Final Candidate?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article provides guidance for dental practice owners on handling salary negotiations with final job candidates. The author emphasizes the need for a well-defined salary structure based on market data to avoid internal pay inequities and budget strain. It recommends that employers communicate their compensation philosophy transparently and broaden the discussion beyond base pay to include the value of the total benefits package, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development.

J Mich Dent Assoc May 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The May 2026 (Volume 108, No. 5) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The May 2026 issue of the MDA Journal introduces Dr. Melanie Mayberry as the new association president, highlighting her …

Editorial: Grateful And Thankful, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Michelle Dziurgot reflects on her concluding three-year term as the Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Dental Association Journal. She describes her personal growth through volunteerism, starting as a local component editor and advancing to the MDA Board of Trustees. The author emphasizes that the most value from membership comes through immersion and service, encouraging others to volunteer their time and talent to the association. She credits the MDA’s mentorship with shaping her professional career and practice.

Your New Mda President: Dr. Melanie Mayberry, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature introduces Dr. Melanie Mayberry, the 2026-27 president of the Michigan Dental Association. An interview details her extensive background in private practice, DSOs, academia, and public health. Dr. Mayberry discusses the primary challenges facing dentists, specifically workforce gaps and flat reimbursement models. Her agenda for the upcoming year includes finalizing a new strategic plan, modernizing the Annual Session, and enhancing member engagement through mentorship programs for new graduates.