Digital Commons Network^™

International Human Rights Protection Before The International Criminal Court, Mary Abigail Chapin, Dr. Meredieth Deboom

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The International Criminal Court (ICC) formally came into force on July 1, 2002, becoming the only treaty-based permanent court to prosecute perpetrators of the most severe crimes. The court was founded primarily to prosecute perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity (CAH), and war crimes (with the addition of crimes of aggression in the summer of 2018) no matter the public stature of the individual accused. This was a major step by the international community in the global fight against impunity. In no case was this more clearly shown than in the court’s issuing of arrest warrants for the then sitting …

Doubt And Deception: Public Opinion Of The Warren Report, Will Fox

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of The Application Of Threshold Concepts In Sport Management, Debra Burke, Kadie Otto, Aj Grube, Charlie Parrish, Dan Grube

Global Sport Business Journal

Jan Meyer and Ray Land introduced the theory of threshold concepts to identify learning outcomes that represent a fundamental shift in the understanding of a subject which distinguishes how experts in the discipline internalize the discipline (Meyer & Land, 2006). They described the mastery of threshold concepts as being “akin to passing through a portal, opening up a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something” (Meyer & Land, 2006, p. 3). Threshold concepts as defined by Meyer and Land (2006) are characterized by these features:

• Transformative: Once understood, a threshold concept changes the way in which the student …

Payrolling In The Deep, Kyle Rosenfeld

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This study examines how Major League Baseball teams can build their rosters to spend their payroll more efficiently. Using a manually constructed dataset, consisting of thirty teams over the past five years, this paper studies different payroll allocation strategies, such as the percentage of a team’s payroll to homegrown players or free agents, to improve the efficiency of how an MLB club is spending. Through running regression models, results have shown there is a statistically significant positive relationship between how efficient MLB teams spend their payrolls to the percentage of a team’s payroll designated to homegrown players. Additionally, there is …

What Is Happening In Major League Baseball? A Structural Snapshot In An Evolving Economic Landscape: A Case Study, Max K. Shilstone

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This qualitative case study examines the most visible business and economic factors currently impacting Major League Baseball (MLB). Specifically, it analyzes how current labor and collective bargaining issues, the changing media and broadcasting landscape, and the league’s reliance on locally generated revenue are shaping the league’s current and future business environment. Using a multi-method qualitative approach, this case study draws from academic scholarship, contemporary industry reporting, league documents, existing interviews, and six semi-structured interviews with professionals working in or around MLB. The evidence was analyzed through thematic coding and triangulated across sources to identify recurring themes and validate emerging findings. …

Objects In The Sunset, Iskander Guetta

Masters of Environmental Design Theses

This research explores everyday design practices in the Maghreb shaped by economic, political, and ecological struggles amid transnational debates on decolonizing design. To do so, it looks at objects in, through and with the sunset. Taking المغرب — the place where the sun sets — as a conceptual lens, Objects in the Sunset illuminates the savoir-faire born from dispossession, scarcity, and epistemic violence. Working across different scales of the built environment — infrastructures, spaces, objects, and materials — it shifts design away from Eurocentric conceptions: from rationalization to resourcefulness, homogeneity to heterogeneity, optimization to adaptation, disposability to repair, and universal …

A Captured Audience: How Job Stress Leads Employees To Online Shopping Via Cyberloafing, Seth Williams

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper investigates the hyper-connected workplace and how the modern employee deals with job stress in their work environment. Using the theory of compensatory consumer behavior and partial least squares structural equation modeling, we investigate how job stress impacts employees in the workplace to shop online. This shopping is done via cyberloafing, which is using the internet for personal reasons at work. Psychological detachment is also studied as a mediator. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for managers in the workplace as well as businesses marketing to individuals taking a break on the clock.

Five Strategic Categories Ai Is Transforming Marketing, Ryan Matthews

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology that provides tools and methodologies to expand marketings impact. AI enables companies to better understand customer needs, preferences, and behaviors to personalize an approach to different market verticals and segments. AI has become a significant factor influencing how businesses interact and retain the attention of customers. Customers increasingly have an appetite for a highly personalized interaction. AI-driven data approaches and innovative technologies are increasing personalization and efficiency. AI is a revolutionary tool that enables marketing to grow beyond traditional limitations. Understanding the correct tool is vital for marketing executives, whether they are obtaining …

A Cross-Cultural Investigation Of Consumer Hoarding Behavior During Covid-19: Differences Between Sweden And The United States, Christy M. Cook, Pia A. Albinsson, James E. Stoddard

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study is a cross-cultural exploration of consumer hoarding behavior during Covid-19; specifically, a comparison between Sweden and the United States. This research analyzes whether Swedish and American consumer hoarding behavior factors of prosocial orientation, consumer resilience and consumer risk-taking propensity reflect identical relationships during less predictable environmental forces (i.e., Covid-19 or global pandemic). Results from Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) show that consumer prosocial orientation is negatively related to consumer hoarding and prosocial orientation is positively related to consumer resilience. In turn, both prosocial orientation and consumer resilience exhibit a positive relationship towards consumer hoarding. Consumer resilience is …

Practical Applications Of Artificial Intelligence For Small Business Marketing: A Literary Review & Llm Approach, Noah C. Kowalski

Honors Capstones

This Honors Capstone Research Paper examines the practical application of artificial intelligence in small business digital and social media marketing. As AI technologies become more accessible, small businesses have new opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and compete more effectively in digital markets. However, there is a lack of clear guidance on how to implement these tools in a practical and cost-effective way.

This study uses a qualitative approach, combining a literature review with an applied analysis of widely used AI marketing tools including ChatGPT, Canva, Hootsuite, Buffer, Google Analytics 4, and HubSpot. These tools were evaluated based on …

The Expansion And Push For Competitive Gaming, Theresa T. Hoang

Honors Capstones

Competitive gaming, also known as eSports, is a rapidly growing industry that brings millions of views and streams every day. New games are constantly being created as well. This paper serves to discuss and go over how s Esports got so big and spread so rapidly. It will touch upon the current status of Esports. Namely, it will touch on the status of esports on the collegiate level. Then, it will go over how everything started: the idea of Esports sprouting and the start of its spread. It will go over Esports on the national and international stage(s). Lastly, this …

External Mandate And Strategic Imperative: A Necessary And Sufficient Conditions Approach To Environmental Accounting Adoption In Tanzanian Manufacturing Firms, James Moses Dendula, Helena Thomas Haule

Business Management Review

Environmental Accounting (EA) serves as a strategic tool for organisations to integrate environmental considerations into operations, decision-making, and reporting. However, in emerging economies, its adoption remains uneven and insufficiently explained regarding how institutional pressures and internal capabilities jointly shape these practices. This study examines how institutional pressures and firms’ internal capabilities influence Environmental Accounting Practices (EAP) among 146 Tanzanian manufacturing firms. Anchored in Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV), the study adopts a complementary analytical approach by integrating sufficiency and necessity logics using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). The PLS-SEM results indicate …

The Influence Of Financial Literacy On The Financial Behavior Of Students In The Higher Learning Institutions In Tanzania, Lisa John Baltazar, Evelyn Mweta Richard

Business Management Review

This study examines how financial literacy influences financial behavior as measured by spending, saving and investment and borrowing behavior of university students. The study was informed by the theory of planned behavior. Explanatory research design was used to test the research hypothesis. Data was collected through using a structure questionnaire which was administered both physically and online.  446 random selected students across Universities in Tanzania participated in the study, and simple linear regression analysis was used to establish the effect of financial literacy on financial behavior.  It was established that majority of the students are considered financially illiterate. However, the …

Unpacking The Nexus Between Financial Inclusion And Tax Compliance In Tanzania, Sarah Senso, Henry Zeno Chalu, Cosmas Renatus Masanja

Business Management Review

The study examined the influence of financial inclusion and tax compliance in Tanzania, focusing on access to financial services, quality of financial services, and usage of financial services. Guided by the positivist philosophy, the study employed a deductive approach utilizing the supply-leading theory and economic deterrence theory as the guiding frameworks. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and multistage sampling was employed to obtain a sample of 386 bank agents by using a multistage sampling method. The study used primary data that was collected through structured questionnaires, which contained closed-ended questions measured on a 7-point Likert scale, and analyzed data …

Healing The Gap, Maria Gavriilidou

Honors Projects

This project examines healthcare accessibility in Greece, focusing on the disparities between urban centers and remote island and mountainous communities. It addresses systemic limitations within public healthcare infrastructure, including insufficient facilities, limited medical personnel, and transportation barriers that restrict timely access to medical services. Grounded in personal experience and observational research, particularly from the Cyclades islands and mainland medical contexts, the study highlights how geographic isolation and environmental conditions further intensify these challenges.

The work proposes an architectural response aimed at improving healthcare delivery in underserved regions through the design of sustainable, accessible, and adaptable healthcare facilities. It explores how …

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 …

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% …

Abigail Sarai: A Neuroaesthetic Approach To Fashion Brand Development, Abby Martos

Theses

This thesis project presents a comprehensive direct-to-consumer business plan for an independent women’s fashion brand, Abigail Sarai, strategically positioned around the commercial value of aesthetic design. The project is grounded in an interdisciplinary theoretical framework integrating neuroaesthetics and consumer behavior research. Existing literature demonstrates that visual principles such as symmetry, harmony, and proportion activate neural reward systems associated with pleasure, while consumer research identifies happiness and emotional well-being as central drivers of purchasing behavior. Building upon these findings, this project proposes that aesthetic beauty can function as a deliberate and measurable value proposition within fashion entrepreneurship. By aligning brand design …

Assessing Tourism-Induced Impacts In Communities Around The Indiana Dunes National Park, Charles James Kovacs

Masters Theses

This project aims to examine the effects of the tourism industry in and around a new National Park within the United States’ National Park system (NPS). The Indiana Dunes National Park (IDNP) received National Park designation in 2019. The park, situated on the south shore of Lake Michigan, is a roughly fifty-minute drive east of Chicago. This project seeks to ask and answer how the tourism industry has grown and continues to impact the lives of residents near the IDNP. Two communities, Michigan City and Chesterton, serve as the primary study areas along with the park itself. Qualitative methods, centered …

Pour & Ponder: A Gen Z Evaluation Of Hospitality And Communication In Wineries Of The Ozarks, Evan W. Seay

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Generation Z represents an emerging consumer group within the hospitality and tourism industry, yet winery experiences are often designed with more traditional audiences in mind. As younger consumers increasingly value authenticity, communication, and experience-driven hospitality, wineries must consider how their practices align with evolving expectations. This honors thesis explores winery hospitality and communication practices in the Ozarks through a Generation Z perspective using a creative, experience-based approach. The final product of this project was Pour & Ponder, a podcast created to document reflective discussions following visits to three wineries: Sassafras Springs Vineyard, St. James Winery, and Ozark Hills Winery. …

(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 …

Transforming Legacy Brands Into Cultural Moments: The Power Of Transmedia Storytelling, Grace Goshert

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Throughout my internship, I was captivated by the company’s journey to being driven by

intellectual property rather than just being product driven. On my very first day, the Vice

President of Marketing for North America, Matt Brutocao, spoke to all the interns about his role

and the direction the company is going. My first notes from my internship and his presentation

are the words marketing is storytelling. Throughout the rest of my internship, this idea would

come into play during talks with executives, company people in all departments, and with my

peers. It was very clear that Mattel wanted to …

"Nobody Reads Books Anymore:" Challenges, Opportunities, And Recommendations For The Book Publishing Industry In A Digital World, Nathan D. Provencher

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes the current challenges and opportunities facing the book publishing industry in the digital era. Although recent data suggests a decline in reading for pleasure among U.S. adults, industry revenues remain relatively stable, indicating that traditional measures of reading do not fully reflect industry performance. This thesis examines how digitization influences key aspects of the book publishing industry, including production, marketing, and consumption. Using a combination of secondary research and an interview with a self-published author, this thesis analyzes the impact of digital technology on the industry. The findings indicate key challenges, including increased competition for consumer attention, …

Not Just A Drink: The Cultural Evolution Of A Beverage Turned Lifestyle And Its Adaption To Spain, Ava Axtell

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research explores the rise of dirty soda in the United States and how a simple customizable beverage evolved into a cultural ritual shaped by social media, treat culture, and the lifestyle norms of the LDS community. It analyzes the cultural meaning behind Swig’s popularity, including how influencers and online aesthetics transformed the drink into a status symbol and daily indulgence. This study also compares U.S. and Spanish cultural values, including individualism, indulgence, and social rituals, to determine how Swig must adapt its product, branding, and store model for successful expansion into Spain. Findings reveal that while dirty soda thrives …

Beautiful By Drew Advertising Campaign, Maddilyn R. Fairchild

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

An Honors Thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and Management-Organizational Leadership. This document includes a creative brief and pitch deck, presented to professionals from the Beautiful by Drew company. It is a comprehensive advertising campaign designed to reach Gen Z shoppers.

Behind The Game-Day Experience: Sports Marketing In Practice, Catherine S. Boyle

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper examines two internship experiences in sports marketing and athletics administration: one with the Houston Texans and one with the University of Arkansas Athletics Department. With the Texans, responsibilities included sponsorship activation, fan engagement at events such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Training Camp, and serving as a player care assistant for players' families. At Arkansas Athletics, work focused on NIL strategy, athlete profile development, basketball scouting, and managing a social media account dedicated to athlete branding. Both experiences made clear how much of sports marketing happens behind the scenes, and how much it depends on relationships.Working in …

Cultural Intelligence Recruitment: A Reflection Of Communication And Marketing At Wallace Myers International, Emily Salazar Coutino

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, effective international talent acquisition hinges on the ability to navigate cultural diversity and communicate authentically across borders. This reflective thesis, anchored in a two-month internship at Wallace Myers International, a Dublin-based recruitment agency, examines how the cultural backgrounds of consultants and interns from Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and the U.S. influence workplace communication, employer branding, and recruitment marketing. Drawing on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and Inglehart’s Theory of Cultural Transformation, the study analyzes observed communication dynamics among a diverse multinational team and their impact on candidate engagement and client relations. It explores the …

Creative Brief For Upkept, Angela Cheng

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The repair and alterations market is currently outdated and fragmented, despite the demand for repair services. Consumers are willing to spend money on repairs, but there isn’t currently a convenient solution that makes the process easy. Upkept is trying to change this market by offering a more modern, tech-enabled, online solution that makes garment repair simple and accessible. Instead of going to a tailor in person, the process is streamlined. The goal is to make clothing repair feel like an easy, everyday option rather than an expensive inconvenience. Helping consumers save time, be more sustainable, and get more value and …

Make Fashion Circular: Extending Brand Loyalty By Extending The Life Of Garments, Madelyn Schillinger

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research targets the fashion industry and its journey towards sustainability and circularity, specifically through the rise of clothing resale. It discusses the environmental impact of the overall fashion industry, as well as how secondhand shopping can offset the production of new items. This research also compares third party marketplaces with private, brand-operated resale platforms, exploring how each one benefits both the environment and consumers. Each resale model provides variety in user experiences, profits, and sustainability outcomes. These findings reveal that peer-to-peer platforms have helped normalize secondhand shopping, but brand resale initiatives have a greater control over sustainability and customer …