Digital Commons Network^™

Religious Festivals In The Age Of ‘Lockdown’ And ‘Social Distancing’: A Comparative Study Of Easter, Eid, Passover, Rama Navami, And Vaisakhi., Irfan Raja, Rev. Ruth Dowson, Abdul Basit Shaikh, Ivan Cohen, Nasser N. Alotaibi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious practices can conjure distinctive ideas and images for different groups of people, especially religious festivals, which are signs of congregations, celebrations, and contentment, usually to mark the completion of religious obligations. All major religions celebrate notable festivals to mark important events and religious obligations that bring together followers of that faith. The year 2020 will be remembered as unique in the history of all faiths. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, governments across the world announced compulsory measures such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘lockdown’ to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. Thus, all major religions either cancelled or reduced …

Unveiling The Impact: Religious Destination Image And Its Role In Shaping Sustainable Tourist Behaviors, Sabari Shankar Ravichandran Dr

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Historically pivotal for local economies, religious tourism and pilgrimage tackles contemporary challenges such as overconsumption, climate change, and evolving tourist motivations, necessitating a focused commitment to sustainability. This study, utilising a sample size of 153 visitors to a religious site and Structural Equation Modelling, examines the influential role of religious destination image in shaping tourists’ sustainable behaviours. Significant correlations emerge between attributes of religious destination image—sacred site, spiritual attraction, and more—and sustainable tourist behaviours. Key findings encompass green transport use, regenerative behaviour, responsible cues, and waste consciousness as the most evident sustainable behaviours. Beyond academic realms, the research informs destination …

Exploring How Religious Tourism Influences The Motivation Of Young Thai Tourists In Bangkok., Arisara Seyanont

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism in Thailand encompasses a wide range of tourism related to religion, including traditional festivals and various religious activities. Today, temples or religious places in Thailand have become tourist attractions that people pay attention to, including groups of teenagers. Young Thai tourists show interest and travel to temples to ask for blessings, seek more amulets, and participate in Dharma practices. Within this context, this study aims to explore the components of religious tourism that influence the motivation of young Thai tourists in Bangkok. The components of religious tourism consist of 5 dimensions: 1) architectural design, painting, and sculpture; 2) …

Defamiliarizing Pilgrimage Literature: Humour In Al-Māzinī’S Journey To The Hijāz, Boutheina Khaldi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages to Holy Places in Mecca and Medina have spawned a rich repertoire of travel literature by Nahḍa luminaries at the beginning of the twentieth century, however, few studies have been written about their travel accounts. This paucity of research might be ascribed to the view that accounts of pilgrimage tend to be highly formulaic and instructive rather than literary. By examining the ʿUmra (lesser pilgrimage) travelogue of the prominent Egyptian intellectual, literary critic, Romantic poet, novelist and journalist, Ibrāhīm ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Māzinī (d. 1949) entitled Riḥlat al-Ḥijāz (1930), this paper argues that pilgrimage travelogues can in fact defy the …

Tax Trends, E. S. Linett

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Payments Systems Portfolio: The Genius Act And Stablecoins As A Geoeconomic Tool, Ashu Ebot-Tabi

Graduate Scholarly Works

In-depth research paper discussing stablecoins: specifically how they work, their rise in popularity, and how recent legislation could be used to make them a tool to further America's global economic power.

Tax Trends, E. S. Linett

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Problematic Smartphone Use Experiences Of Students, Gbolahan Olasina

The African Journal of Information Systems

Smartphones extend people's opportunities by improving their daily living and well-being. Hence, given the tool’s features and affordances that promote human development, smartphones facilitate the achievement of the individual liberties and freedoms of ordinary people. However, there are serious concerns about the emotional, social and cultural factors underlying smartphone usage patterns and their association with problematic use and depressive behaviors. Therefore, the overriding goal of the research reported on in this paper was to investigate how smartphone use influences individuals’ emotional wellness, interpersonal relationships and sociocultural contexts. Existing academic literature indicated that there was a need to investigate the intricate …

Sustainable Practices In The Restaurant Industry: Review 2020-2025, Joel Reynolds

ICHRIE Research Reports

This review examines sustainability practices in the restaurant industry from 2020-2025, analyzing environmental, social, economic, and technological dimensions. Using a rigorous methodology including comprehensive database searches and thematic synthesis, we identified significant fragmentation across research streams and persistent gaps between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. Our analysis reveals how contextual factors—including geographical location and restaurant segment—significantly influence sustainability approaches, challenging universal prescriptions. The review highlights critical methodological limitations in current research, particularly regarding measurement approaches, system boundaries, and ethical considerations of technological innovations. These findings provide a foundation for developing more integrated, context-sensitive sustainability frameworks for both researchers and practitioners.

Are We Truly Diverse: Investigating The Diversity In Hospitality And Tourism Faculty Within The United States, Michael D. Caligiuri, Abigail Foster, Phillip M. Jolly, Miranda Kitterlin

ICHRIE Research Reports

Both practice and research within the hospitality and tourism field have grown increasingly concerned with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Yet while a significant and growing body of research has looked into the drivers and effects of representation in the workplace, very little has investigated the state of diversity in hospitality and tourism faculties. This is a serious oversight, as faculty diversity has been linked to a number of individual, organizational, and societal benefits. Drawing on an in-depth investigation of the racial/ethnic and gender makeup of 57 hospitality and tourism programs in the United States, our results indicate …

Imus Longganisa: A Cultural Heritage Food In Cavite, Marie A. Aquino, Dyan Loreine V. Lopez, Colleen Daphne U. Villanueva, Jimford U. Tabuyo

ICHRIE Research Reports

This study assessed the cultural heritage significance of Imus Longganisa, a traditional delicacy from Cavite, Philippines. Grounded in the cultural heritage preservation framework, the research examined the aesthetic, social, and historical dimensions of Imus Longganisa as perceived by the Imuseños. Utilized a quantitative evaluative design, the study employed purposive sampling of 291 respondents from Imus City, gathering data through validated online survey questionnaires using a 4-point likert scale. Analytical methods, including descriptive statistics and ANOVA, identified significant variations in perceptions based on demographics such as age, frequency of consumption, and budget. Findings revealed that respondents appreciated the aesthetic appeal of …

The Effect Of Customer Perception Of Service Failure And Recovery On Relationship Dissolution Behavior: Evidence In Airline Services, Jihyo Moon, Sang-Lin Han, Jong Won Lee

Asia Marketing Journal

Many previous studies have been conducted on service failure and recovery, but the existing preceding studies are mainly focused on positive behavioral intentions such as loyalty, word of mouth intention and recommendation intention. Therefore, there is relatively little interest in customers’ negative behavioral intentions.

In today’s society where SNS is very developed, customers’ complaints or retaliatory actions can be spread to other customers without time and space limitations, which can have a great negative impact on the company’s image. In this respect, it is a very important task for service companies to examine the impact of service failure and recovery …

The Effect Of National Brand Failure On Micro-National Image And Attitudes Toward Other Brands: The Moderating Role Of Ethnocentrism, Lingge Jia, Seong Do Cho

Asia Marketing Journal

This study examines the effect of failures by prominent Korean brands on Korea’s micro-level national image and other Korean brands among Chinese consumers, focusing on technological capability and design dimensions, and the moderating role of consumer ethnocentrism. Data was collected through surveys that presented scenarios of varying degrees of brand failures and analyzed using AMOS and Hayes Process Macro. Results reveal that typical brand failures negatively affect perceptions of Korea’s micro-national image, particularly in terms of technology capability and design. Additionally, higher levels of ethnocentrism amplify the negative effect of brand failures on the design dimensions of Korea’s image. However, …

Saving Face While Earning Rewards: Reward-Both Referral Programs More Effectively Elicit Referrals For Experiential Purchases Than Reward-Me Programs, Hyunkyu Jang, Raj Raghunathan

Asia Marketing Journal

Companies offer rewards when an existing customer invites a new customer to try their product, but the recipient of the reward varies depending on the type of referral program. In Reward-Me programs, only the recommending customer is rewarded, while in Reward-Both programs, both the recommender and the recipient who acts on the recommendation are rewarded. We examined whether purchase type (material vs. experiential) moderates the impact of a reward program on referral likelihood. The results reveal that purchase type does moderate referral likelihood across the two types of reward programs: for material purchases, referral likelihood does not differ between the …

Hedonic And Utilitarian Products For The 21St Century: Classification Of Modern Product Categories, Jin-A Choi, Sufyan M. Baksh, Hyuk Jun Cheong

Asia Marketing Journal

Consumer purchasing behavior varies according to the type of product being considered. Notably, these behavioral differences become more salient depending on whether a product fulfills a utilitarian function or offers hedonic gratification. The present study aims to develop a novel product classification model that categorizes contemporary goods and services based on the extent to which they possess hedonic or utilitarian value. Methodologically, the study employed a two-stage approach. In the first stage, to identify appropriate products for inclusion in the classification model, the researchers conducted focus group interviews, a comprehensive literature review, and an analysis of major retailers’ websites. In …

Best Practices In Marketing And Creative Outreach For New Transportation Technologies, William Riggs, Caillou Dasalla, Cayden Rooney, Vaasu Bhartia

Mineta Transportation Institute

Emerging transportation technologies—including electric vehicles (EVs), micromobility solutions, autonomous vehicles (AVs), hyperloop systems, and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms—are rapidly reshaping mobility patterns and urban environments. As these innovations gain traction, it becomes increasingly important to address concerns, communicate advantages, and foster trust across communities. This project examines marketing best practices for promoting emerging mobility solutions, synthesizing insights from scholarly research, industry standards, and case studies of successful campaigns. Emphasis is placed on the shift toward “snackable,” visually engaging content delivered through widely used social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, which are increasingly central to reaching diverse audiences. The …

Women Leaders, Personality Traits, Leadership Self-Efficacy, And Leader Role Occupancy, Lisa M. Bragg

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships among personality traits (extraversion), leadership self-efficacy (LSE), and leader role occupancy (LRO). Grounded in trait theory and social-cognitive perspectives, the study examined whether (a) LSE related to LRO, (b) personality traits (extraversion) related to LRO, (c) personality traits (extraversion) related to LSE, and (d) LSE moderated the personality trait–LRO relationship. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (John et al., 1991) and the Multidimensional Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (Bobbio & Manganelli, 2009). The correlational methodology involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, chi-square test of independence, one-way analysis of variance, and Hayes’ …

Populism And Its Effect On International Business Strategy, Julio Cesar Martinez Suarez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the complex relationship between populism and international business strategy, with a particular focus on how populist mobilizations influence firms' location decisions and strategic planning. As populism continues to shape political dynamics globally, it presents significant challenges for businesses operating in or considering entry into markets governed by populist regimes. Utilizing institutional theory, this study examines the distinct political risks associated with populism, including anti-establishment ideology, the weakening of democratic institutions, and a tendency toward short-term, reactive policymaking. The research explores the consequences of these risks for firms, particularly in emerging markets, where populism often exacerbates uncertainty and …

From Altamont To Astroworld: An Analysis Of Management Issues In Large Scale Music Festivals, Jennifer Morriss

Honors College Theses

The most common problems in music festivals can largely be broken into two categories: risks to the individual and risks on a grand scale. It is the responsibility of event managers to consider how to best keep everyone safe and maintain proper organization. Risks to the individual are often things like substance use and abuse, harm reduction, and sexual assault or harassment. Meanwhile, broad risks tend to be issues of evacuation and emergency management, crowd safety, stampedes, and casualties or violence. It is crucial to reflect on prior common safety and security issues when setting out to produce a large …

Estabilización Estructural Y Desigualdad Financiera: La Proliferación Del Crédito Al Consumo Y La Bancarización Estratificada En El Área Metropolitana De Buenos Aires Entre 1983 Y 2001, Elias Mceaneney

Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights

This study analyzes how the neoliberal reforms implemented in Argentina between 1983 and 2001 transformed household access to credit and reconfigured financial inequality in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires. Through a mixed-methods strategy that combines long-run quantitative analysis of macroeconomic, labor, and economic indicators with a qualitative reconstruction of institutional and sociopolitical change, the research demonstrates that the stabilization achieved under the Convertibility Plan enabled a rapid expansion of the banking system and consumer credit. However, this growth did not generate broad financial inclusion; access to accounts, loans, and credit cards remained strongly conditioned by labor formality, income level, …

Search Engine Marketing (Seo) – Discussion Board Assignment, Feygens Saint-Joy Jr

Open Educational Resources

Discussion board on SEO best practices and discovery.

Educational Pathways In East Texas: The Smartest Decisions, Manuel Reyes-Loya, Cecilia Cuellar, Sara Maldonado

Hibbs Brief

This Hibbs Brief examines how educational pathways affect careers and earnings in East Texas. It finds that bachelor's degrees generally lead to higher lifetime earnings, while associate degrees and certificates provide quicker, more affordable routes into in-demand jobs. East Texas trails state and national averages in degree attainment, which may limit economic growth. The brief emphasizes that choosing the right educational path depends on personal goals and local labor market needs.

Diffusion Of Innovation Of Port Decarbonization Measures : A Case Study Approach, Clint Rocky Mcculloch, Lucas Fernando Vaquero Roviriego

Port Management Dissertations

The dissertation is a study of how stakeholders diffuse innovation in port decarbonization strategies through a case study approach, with emphasis on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) relating to the technical and operational measures in the developing regions. Port, being a critical hub in global supply chains, have to manage the increasing pressure of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in alignment with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2023 GHG strategy as well as the Paris Agreement. However, there is a gap in empirical research, specifically in non-European regions like South America and the Caribbean, highlighting the need for insights from stakeholders’ …

Tort Immunity Waiver For Vaccine Injuries: Ethical And Legal Perspectives, Tammy W. Cowart, Gregory L. Bock

Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Business-Law Faculty Publications and Presentations

The COVID pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccine development and availability worldwide. Operation Warp-Speed in the United States accelerated vaccine production by several major pharmaceutical manufacturers, averting some of the normal administrative processes. The result has been a financial windfall for those companies. Some recent data has shown that the COVID vaccine can cause negative side effects in some patients. There are provisions in U.S. law that allow victims of vaccine injuries to recover compensation through the court system. However, even then tort remedies are limited by federal law. Since the review process was rushed during the pandemic, should tort …

Governance In The Absence Of Government, Tracy H. Pearl

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with generative systems exerting growing influence over social, economic, and political life. While AI offers opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also poses risks ranging from misinformation and job displacement to existential threats if highly autonomous systems evade human control. Across industry, government, and civil society, there is broad consensus that AI requires oversight. Yet traditional U.S. regulatory approaches face six significant barriers: (1) technology outpacing legislation, (2) limited AI expertise among policymakers, (3) regulatory capture, (4) political gridlock, (5) outdated governance structures, and (6) the inherent complexity of AI. Combined …

Barriers And Best Practices In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (Dei) Initiatives: A Case Study From The United States Aerospace And Defense Industry, Jeremy A. Bailey

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The main objective of this study was to unpack the barriers around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and then provide best practices to improve DEI efforts in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry. There has been a multitude of research conducted on DEI in the past few years. However, very little research has focused on DEI practices in the A&D industry. This case study focused on one large company in this industry to explore and understand various aspects of DEI initiative implementation. As organizations strive to meet industry and client objectives, as well as address employee needs, two research …

Construction Of China's Online Platform Information Value Evaluation System, Shuyue Fang, Yuan Sun, Yuwei Ye, Liling Xia

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] This paper aims to explore the construction of the information value evaluation system of online platforms in China, so as to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the information management of online platforms.

[Method/process] This paper firstly explores the connotation and dimension of the information value of the online platforms, and uses the analytic hierarchy process to distribute the weight, then,obtains the comprehensive evaluation results of the information value of each online platform through the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.

[Result/discussion] Through the comprehensive evaluation of the information interaction platforms, the multilateral trading platforms and the complementary innovation platform, …

Taxes And Tournaments, Alex Raskolnikov

Faculty Scholarship

What is the best way to reduce economic inequality? Economists, lawyers, political philosophers, and politicians have pondered this question for decades. Yet there is another group of savvy and highly motivated individuals who have been thinking about redistribution for just as long. Commissioners of the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball, together with team owners and player unions, have been inventing and reinventing ways to redistribute resources, and they continue to do so today. The same is true of the President of National Collegiate Athletic Association, along with the heads of …

Click Or Skip? How Ad Format And Disclosure Shape Engagement And Purchase Intention, Emily M. Burke

Student Publications

As digital marketing continues to be the dominant channel for consumer engagement, understanding the factors that influence ad effectiveness is increasingly important. This study examined how advertisement format (image vs. video) and sponsorship disclosure (non-sponsored vs. sponsored) influence engagement and purchase intention among college students. Using a 2 x 2 experimental design within an online survey, 88 participants viewed one of four real social media ads and completed measures of engagement and purchase intention. Multiple regression results showed that video ads produced higher engagement and purchase intention than static image ads, whereas sponsored ads led to lower engagement and purchase …

Three Cheers For Print!, Jillian Lacross

AADEJ - The Communicator

This guest feature argues that print magazines are a worthwhile and necessary investment for associations, focusing on the three pillars of expectation, engagement, and experience. Print publications establish trust because they imply an inherent vetting process; affluent consumers trust print magazines the most, and print advertisements are significantly more trusted than social media ads. Print provides a respite from digital fatigue, with Worldmetrics finding that readers spend an average of 41 minutes engaging with a printed magazine, far exceeding the 3 to 7 minutes typically spent online. Printed materials enhance retention, recall, and emotional processing, strengthening the association's brand. Ultimately, …