Digital Commons Network^™

Mda At Your Service: Questions About Dental Insurance Participation, Kristin Johnson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article by the MDA membership Chair Kristin Johnson and the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Department on Membership addresses common questions from dental professionals. It highlights the MDA's endorsement of PPO Negotiation Solutions to help members maximize profitability through insurance network participation and fee negotiation.

The MDA also provides guidance on hiring associates and their network participation, emphasizing the importance of understanding patient base and practice goals. Furthermore, the document outlines the MDA's resources for patient inquiries on water fluoridation, including talking points and online materials. Information on MIOSHA regulations and compliance within dental practices is also available through the …

Dentistry And The Law: What Causes A Lara Investigation?, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This "Dentistry and the Law" column by MDA Legal Counsel Dan Schulte addresses the process by which the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) initiates investigations against dental professionals. He explains that most investigations begin with a filed allegation, which can come from various sources, including patients, ex-employees, insurers, and other dentists.

LARA is required to review all allegations and generally needs authorization from the Board of Dentistry to proceed with an investigation, unless immediate jeopardy exists or the licensee has a history of substantiated allegations or significant malpractice settlements. The column highlights that LARA may possess more …

Mda Services: Get Help To Take The Pain Out Of Regulatory Compliance, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article from MDA Services highlights the challenges dentists face with regulatory compliance and the MDA's efforts to endorse companies that offer solutions. It emphasizes that MDA-endorsed companies, such as Eagle Associates, provide HIPAA compliance systems, OSHA safety programs, and OIG compliance programs with policy manuals, training, and ongoing support. The article also discusses HIPAA-compliant email solutions offered by iCoreConnect (iCoreExchange) and electronic prescribing software (iCoreRx) that integrates with MAPS, both available to MDA members at discounted rates.

Presenting The Michigan Dental Association Award Winners For 2025, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This file announces the 2025 MDA Award winners, recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the dental profession and the community. The awards include the John G. Nolen Meritorious Award (awarded to Dr. John A. DeCarolis), the Matt Uday New Dentist Leadership Award (awarded to Dr. Riley Schaff), and the MDA Public Service Award (awarded to Dr. Denise Polk).

Other accolades include the MDA Public Relations Award (awarded to Dr. Jessica Rickert) and MDA Dental Educator Awards for faculty at the University of Michigan (Dr. Riley Schaff) and University of Detroit Mercy (Dr. Mark R. Mortiere). The Allied …

Impact Of Smartphone Usage On The Performance And Satisfaction Of Hospitality Employees, Karalee Anne Taves

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of smartphone usage on the job outcomes (job satisfaction and performance) of employees, specifically focused on the hospitality industry, where employees’ income and performance heavily rely on emotional labor. The research was aimed to distinguish between negative smartphone activities (e.g., doomscrolling, social comparison) and positive activities (e.g., listening to calming music, engaging in stimulating games) to determine how these behaviors affect employees. Using the Stimulus, Organism, Response Cognitive Theory (SOR), the study examined if positive smartphone usage enhances well-being and job outcomes, while negative usage diminishes them. The results revealed that smartphone usage does not …

A Survey On Faculty Summer Compensation In Accounting, Abby Box

Honors Theses

Many colleges and universities have paid faculty approximately one-ninth of their annual base salary to teach a summer course for years. Since more accounting schools and departments have become separately accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), there has been increased pressure to increase research output. Additionally, many states have seen reductions in higher education funding. Therefore, universities have tried to use summer school as a new funding source by increasing enrollment minimums in summer classes and reducing summer school pay rates for faculty. This study incorporates a 26-question survey sent to 580 directors and chairs …

The Effect Of Gender On Career Success In Remote Work Settings In The Accounting Profession, Ashlyn Roche

Honors Theses

This study analyzed the career success assessments of hypothetical male and female public accountants working in remote and traditional office settings to determine if gender and work location affect work assessment. Subjects, practicing public accountants, were randomly assigned resumes of hypothetical accountants that included indications of either remote work or traditional office work and the gender of the assigned hypothetical accountants. Resumes of hypothetical accountants were otherwise identical. After initial assessments of assigned hypothetical accountants’ future career success, subjects were asked to recommend activities that would increase the likelihood of the accountants’ future career success. Subjects were then told that …

Designing An Interactive Visual Analytics System For Precipitation Data Analysis, Dong Hyun Jeong, Pradeep Behera, Bong Keun Jeong, Carlos David Luna Sangama, Bryan Higgs, Soo Yeon Ji

Management and Decision Sciences

As precipitation analysis reveals critical statistical characteristics, temporal patterns, and spatial distributions of rainfall and snowfall events, it plays an important role in planning urban drainage systems, flood forecasting, hydrological modeling, and climate studies. It helps engineers design climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events, which is becoming increasingly important as precipitation patterns change over time. With precipitation analysis, multiple valuable information can be determined, such as storm intensity, duration, and frequency. To enhance understanding of precipitation data and analysis results, researchers often use graphical representation methods to show the data in visual formats. Although existing precipitation analysis and …

Circular Framework In The Design & Planning Phase Of Construction, Shreya Kanther

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

Executive Summary

The transition towards circular economy in the design and construction industry represents a transformative opportunity to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. This dissertation delves deeply into how circular strategies can be implemented within the construction sector, examining their potential to mitigate resource depletion and waste generation, while fostering innovation and efficiency. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical research, the study provides a robust understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with circular models and offers actionable insights for stakeholders navigating the shift from linear to circular economic practices.

The backdrop for this research lies in the unsustainable …

The Product Of Property Tax: How Property Tax Affects Agricultural Production In Nebraska, James L. Kriz

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The question of what level of property tax is acceptable has become an increasingly prominent question within agriculture, which is shown by the rise of interest groups and bill introduction in Nebraska. As such, this paper examines how property taxes affect Nebraska's agricultural output. The study employs a quantitative analysis of all Nebraska counties over 21 years from 2000 to 2020. This study hypothesizes that as property tax rates increase, farm outputs will decrease. The study offers a new analysis in an understudied subsection of the agriculture policy literature and points towards a new direction in which the field can …

Sociological Understandings Of Entrepreneurial Action And Intention, Jeffrey Cavanaugh

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Entrepreneurship as a trend has emerged across many different disciplines, drawing on theory from psychology, economics, and sociology. Importantly, sociologic aspects of entrepreneurship remain hidden from scholarship, as existing topics are often vague or narrowly partitioned. In my dissertation, I utilize sociological understandings of human interactions which define entrepreneurial intention and action. Specifically, I explore how entrepreneurs’ religion, rurality, and social media use influences their behaviors. Throughout these three quantitative essays, I contribute to a better understanding of the social psychology of entrepreneurship, and why entrepreneurial pursuits are so intricately linked to every aspect of society. Throughout my research, which …

Support, School Climate And Teacher Wellbeing In The Wake Of Covid-19: A National Study Using Ntsp Data, Annastashia M. Teepe

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Research indicates a significant number of teachers planned to leave the profession following the COVID-19 pandemic, with national surveys in 2021 revealing about 25% considering departure. Stress, low pay, remote teaching demands, and lack of support contributed to attrition, impacting school climate, which influences productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction, and is inversely related to turnover. The shift to remote learning also demanded new skills and exposed technological disparities. This quantitative study examined the pandemic's impact on teachers' perceptions of school climate, support, resources, job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to leave using the 2020–2021 National Teacher and Principal Survey. Factor analyses …

Sustainable Fashion Identified: An Exploration And Education Of Sustainable Apparel, Michaela M. Lentsch

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Consumers today are searching for and are loyal to companies who support their views and concerns about sustainability. The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries in the world, but one that has many environmental and sustainability concerns. Fortunately, there are many ways the fashion industry and consumers can take steps to make sustainable change and better the planet. Small fashion businesses and boutiques can make positive changes to operate and provide sustainable options and services for customers which can help the planet become more sustainable.

Through this manuscript, an assortment of sustainable methods and practices will be shared …

Morgan Stanley’S Competitive Strategy And Industry Environment: An External And Internal Analysis, Mikaela S. Waggoner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm that trades, manages, and distributes capital for a wide range of clients. Its competitive position is dependent on a number of factors including reputation, quality, and innovation, and the firm is subject to many internal and external factors that affect its competitive position. This work seeks to examine the factors that affect Morgan Stanley’s strategy and competitive position, looking at both historical factors and potential future outcomes. A PESTEL analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces in the financial industry are used to demonstrate the external factors that influence …

Through Every Door A New Story: An Advertising Campaign For Francie & Finch Bookshop, Aislinn T. Sullivan

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

More and more of our world is run by algorithms. What we see, what we buy, and what we share. Online retail has sent ripples through the book-selling industry, but the algorithms can’t replicate the feeling of tangible discovery and shared experience.

As more free time is taken up by digital entertainment, moms are seeking to create personally resonant experiences for those they love. This campaign strives to introduce Francie & Finch as the stage for the target market, moms ages 35-50, increasing brand awareness.

These moms remember the things that tightened their bond with their loved ones like …

Espn Navigates A New World Order, Grace Rowe

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

ESPN has been at the top of sports broadcasting for decades. Recently, there has been a shift in consumer behavior towards preferring digital streaming instead of cable television. In this report, I will discuss the background of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) and its competitive advantages. I will analyze the situation using a strategic framework to take a closer look at what solutions ESPN could implement. Finally, I will recommend how to successfully transition from the crown jewel of cable bundles to an online streaming platform. After looking at the PESTEL framework, Porter’s Five Forces, the VRIO framework, …

Knot Alone: A 24/7 Live Chat App For Sewing Enthusiasts, Erica Frankenhoff

Theses

Knot Alone innovates support in the sewing industry by providing a 24/7 chat experience driven by community engagement. Unlike other forums or workshops with time limits, this platform guarantees interactive, personalized, and immediate guidance. Regardless of whether it’s a new beginner sewer learning how to thread a sewing machine, or a sewing enthusiast who is more advanced and is just figuring out issues with fabric tension, Knot Alone users can, at any hour, seek out professional advice. Professional advice will be provided by sewing educators and instructors, post graduate fashion students, and established sewing bloggers and influencers. By joining together …

Leveraging Ai For Enhanced Multimedia Content Creation: College Students’ Perception On The Innovation, Georgina Amankwa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized multimedia content creation, enhancing efficiency and personalization. However, this rapid evolution has raised concerns about originality and ethical responsibility. This study explored college students’ perceptions of AI in content creation and its implications. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combined surveys and qualitative insights to analyze how students engaged with AI tools. Findings revealed that while AI streamlined workflows, improved content quality, and boosted audience engagement, concerns about authenticity, intellectual property, and the diminishing role of human creativity persisted. Statistical analyses showed a strong correlation between frequent AI use and perceived benefits, yet ethical dilemmas …

Project Foresight Annual Report, 2023-2024, Paul J. Speaker

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Project FORESIGHT is a business-guided self-evaluation of forensic science laboratories across the globe. The participating laboratories represent local, regional, state, and national agencies. Economics, accounting, finance, and forensic faculty provide assistance, guidance, and analysis. Laboratories participating in Project FORESIGHT have developed standardized definitions for metrics to evaluate work processes, linking financial information to work tasks and functions. Laboratory managers can then assess resource allocations, efficiencies, and value of services—the mission of Project FORESIGHT is to measure, preserve what works, and change what does not.

The benchmark data for the 2023-2024 performance period includes laboratory submissions for a variety of fiscal …

Balancing Tradition And Tourism: Crafting An Effective Marketing Strategy For Belize's National Parks, Kyler Marie King

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis reflects on a summer internship in the small town of Dangriga, Belize. The author interned at Mayflower Bocawina National Park, a role made possible through Dr. Amy Farmer and Mr. Steve Darr. While tourism plays a significant role in Belize’s economic development, communities like Dangriga remain underdeveloped in their tourism strategies. The author and her partner collaborated to design a targeted marketing plan for Mayflower Bocawina National Park, aimed at increasing visitor engagement and boosting local tourism revenue.

U.S. Options Exchange-Traded Funds: Performance Dynamics And Managerial Expertise, Elroi Hadad, Davinder K. Malhotra, Robert Mcleod

School of Business Faculty Papers

This study examines the performance dynamics of U.S. options exchange-traded funds (ETFs), whose investment strategy involves options contracts. Analyzing monthly returns data from February 2014 to April 2023, we evaluate the risk-adjusted performance, volatility, and market sensitivity of U.S. options ETFs relative to U.S. and global equities. Using Carhart's four-factor model, we find that U.S. options ETFs yield lower monthly returns than those of U.S. equities but outperform global equities, suggesting potential diversification benefits. While U.S. options ETFs underperformed during the COVID-19 pandemic, they demonstrated resilience thereafter, offering higher rewards for downside risk. We also find that managerial expertise may …

The Politics Of Influencing: The Demand For Political Transparency In The Digital Age, Riley N. Chapman

Journalism Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this research is to examine the relationship between influencers, party affiliation, and the desire for political disclosure. A desire for political disclosure is the preference for social media influencers to convey their political opinions to their audience to achieve connectedness. To research this, I examined the social media use of Generation Z students, as well as the uses and gratifications of their social media use. Two hundred and sixty-five students completed a Qualtrics survey assessing these variables. Results demonstrated that Gen Z feels indifferent about knowing the political views of the influencers that they follow. However, Democratic …

The Number Of Portfolio Holdings And Performance Of Actively Managed Mutual Funds, Mason Wanzenried

Business/Business Administration

This study tests for a quadratic relation between number of holdings and performance for open-end mutual funds. Based on previous literature and practical portfolio management constraints, a quadratic relation is hypothesized. If confirmed, this would suggest an optimal number of holdings. The results show the hypothesized quadratic relation for fixed income funds, but not for other asset classes. The findings hold for both large and small-scale funds.

Creating A Website To Introduce And Inform Local Apparel Businesses’ Sustainability To Fayetteville College Students, Elana R. Applegate

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

Fast fashion has increased clothing consumption and waste, contributing to severe environmental consequences. Large retailers rapidly produce garments to keep up with microtrends, leading to consumer waste and unsustainable habits. This thesis aims to educate University of Arkansas students about fast fashion’s environmental impact and promote sustainable shopping practices. To achieve this goal a website will be created for educational purposes and will provide information on sustainability and fast fashion as well as local sustainable apparel businesses in Northwest Arkansas. The research draws from consumer behavior studies, business sustainability models, and the effectiveness of educational interventions on shopping habits. The …

The Future Of Work: Examining New Graduate Sentiment On Remote Work And Return To Office Mandates, Ishani Adidam

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic dwindles, companies that had leveraged Work from Home (WFH) flexibility are now implementing Return to Office (RTO) mandates. While 70% of employees prefer a hybrid work model, 61.4% are expected to work full-time in-office due to these mandates, leading to widespread employee discontent. This study investigates whether such dissatisfaction extends to new graduates entering the workforce. A pilot survey revealed that 68% of new graduates prefer a hybrid work modality, yet 52% stated that work modality would not significantly impact their job decision-making process, and 46% said they would be unlikely to leave …

Die Weltwettbewerbsvorteile Deutschlands, Theresa Isbilir

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Der Weltwettbewerb ist schärfer als immer. Im Jahr 2020 wurde China der Erste im Maschinenbau auf der Welt. Früher war das Deutschland. Die vier Branchen der Wirtschaft Deutschlands sind die Elektro- und Digitalindustrie, chemische Industrie, Maschinenbau und Kfz-Industrie (Automobilindustrie). China begann, Deutschland in all diesen Anteilen zu überholen. Der Staat hat fast keinen Plan darauf zu reagieren, und die technologische Infrastruktur Deutschlands liegt hinter anderen Ländern. Diese sind die ersten Zeichen einer sterbenden industriellen Ökonomie, besonders für ein Land, dessen Exportquote 48,9 Prozent ist.

The Impact Of Social Media On Fan Engagement In College Sports: A Focus On Student Fan Interaction, Lindzy K. Cortés

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In the digital age, social media has become an essential tool for shaping how college students interact with their university sports teams. This study explores the role of social media in influencing student fan engagement at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), with a focus on perceptions, behaviors, and platform preferences. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through a campus-wide survey (n=122) and ten in-depth interviews with student fans and athletes. Results indicate that Instagram and TikTok are the most effective platforms for capturing student attention, particularly when content includes behind-the-scenes access, humor, and player-led storytelling. Students who …

Surveying The Effects Of In-Person And Word Of Mouth Appeals To Gen-Z On Fundraising Outcomes, Stephanie Huynh

Honors Theses

Fluctuations in consumer behavior and perceived disposable income are a concern for nonprofit budgeting. Even with recurring donor subscriptions, donations can be an unreliable source of income. As Gen Zers become more prevalent in the workforce, it is a matter of time until they form the majority of the donor pool. This study explored the efficacy of repetition as a fundraising tool in appealing to Gen Zers. The sample was Gen Z students at the University of South Alabama, and a voluntary exploratory quantitative survey was administered. 113 responses were gathered. Through analysis with Spearman’s correlations and descriptive statistics, it …

Effects Of Financial Literacy Education Intervention On Loan Borrowing And Debt Management Of Undergraduate Students In The Southeastern U.S.: An Experimental Investigation, Clement Yeboah

Dissertations

This mixed methods experimental pretest-posttest between-groups effect study examined the causal effects of financial literacy education on loan borrowing and debt management behaviors of undergraduate students in the southeast of the United States. Loan borrowing and debt management behaviors of undergraduate students are understudied. Therefore, this study aimed to fill the gap in the literature about experimental investigations of financial education interventions for university students and provided evidence-based recommendations for improving financial literacy programs in higher education. The study is theoretically grounded on the lens of Behavioral Economics, Planned Behavior, and Social Cognitive. This explanatory sequential mixed method study employed …

Using Video-Based E-Tivities For Peer-Led Assessment, Niamh Imbusch

Case studies: Digital Education

This case study describes an on-line peer-led assessment on the topic of ‘building personal entrepreneurial resilience’. The assessment is worth 30% of the overall module grade. Students complete a self-assessment measure of personal resilience (Reivich & Shatte, 2002) and are asked to note which resilience factor(s) resonate most strongly for them; they self-select recommended activities for building personal resilience and complete at least one. On completion, they prepare a 5-minute video recording using the integrated Brightspace technology, reflecting on their experience of the activity. Once all student videos are uploaded, they review and comment on – using clear guidelines – …