Digital Commons Network^™

The Evolving Beijing Consensus: Chinese Communist Party Political Control And Economic Trade Offs, Ian Murphy

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

China’s rapid economic rise and unique development trajectory have long been the subject of scholarly debate, often framed through the concept of the “Beijing Consensus” as an alternative to the Washington Consensus. While initial conceptualizations highlight innovation, sustainability, and national sovereignty, later analyses highlighted elements like state capitalism and authoritarianism, particularly in the wake of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. This paper argues that the Beijing Consensus is undergoing a significant evolution under Chairman Xi Jinping, increasingly prioritizing the Chinese Communist Party’s political security, regime stability, and ideological control at the expense of economic growth. This marks a notable departure …

From Touchbacks To Touchdowns: Analyzing The Impact Of The Nfl's New Kickoff Rule Changes, Joshua A. Klatt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My proposal analyzes the impact of the NFL's new dynamic kickoff rule changes that were implemented in the Fall of 2024. I use a two-way fixed effects differences-in-differences model using FBS collegiate Division 1 football teams as the control group, and NFL teams as the treatment group. Three of the most important outcome variables I analyze are touchdowns per kickoff return, average yards per kickoff return, and the number of kickoff returns per game.

The Effect Of Minimum Wage On Household Debts And Delinquencies, Payton G. Rader

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper examines how increases in binding minimum wages affect various types of household debts and delinquency rates. Within this paper, household debt is defined as the combined sum of auto loans, credit card debt, mortgage debt, and student loan debt. The goal of the analysis is to conclude whether minimum wage increases are contributing to America’s growing debt crisis. The answer to this question likely relies on whether or not minimum wage increases cause unemployment. This is because unemployment can contribute significantly to debt levels when unemployed people rely on credit for day-to-day transactions or payments. Traditional economic theory …

High-Resolution, Fast-Response Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor With A Large Measurement Range Based On Fiber-Tip Alumina Fabry-Pérot Interferometer, Ruimin Jie, Chen Zhu, Robert Abbott, Michael Davis, Xiong Zhang, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present an alumina-tip optical fiber Fabry-Pérot interferometric temperature sensor exhibiting high-temperature performance, rapid response, and high resolution. Fabricated by fusion splicing an alumina micro disk directly to a single-mode fiber, the sensor achieves robust, stable operation without complex fabrication processes or adhesives. Experimental evaluation confirms a measurement range extending to 1000°C, with sensitivity of 28.66 pm/°C, a resolution of 0.042°C, and a rapid response time of approximately 13 ms. Compared to state-of-the-art optical fiber FPI sensors, our alumina-tip sensor offers superior overall performance, effectively addressing critical demands for high-resolution, fast-response temperature measurement in extreme environments including aerospace, structural monitoring, …

From Rocks To Rockets: How Mineral Wealth Fuels The Arms Trade, Samuel G. Majka

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses a critical gap in the resource curse literature by examining how strategic mineral wealth, central to the global clean energy transition, influences international arms transfers. While the relationship between oil rents, militarization, and conflict is well-established, the role of non-hydrocarbon resources and conflict-related variables remains underexplored. This paper posits that mineral rents provide governments with unearned, discretionary income, relaxing fiscal constraints and creating powerful incentives for both resource-rich states and major power suppliers to increase arms flows to secure political control, suppress internal dissent, and maintain access to valuable deposits. Using a country-year panel dataset spanning 1990-2023 …

The Effect Of Reviewer Heterogeneity Between One-Time And Multi-Review Reviewers, Price Sentiment, And Pre-Purchase Information On Star Ratings For Amazon Subscription Boxes, Jikhan Jeong

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study examines the presence, prevalence, and negative polarity of one-time reviewers compared to those who have left multiple reviews across all categories, based on an analysis of 571,544,746 Amazon product reviews. Since sellers and consumers may be interested in specific products relevant to their business or purchasing interests within a category rather than across all categories, this research focuses on the Subscription Boxes category for econometric analysis. This category exhibits an unusual rating distribution, likely presents fewer incentives for promotional reviews, and faces fewer constraints. However, price data is unavailable in this category. Therefore, this study develops price sentiment …

Zero-Sum Thinking, Meritocratic Beliefs, And Preferences For Basic Income And Universal Healthcare, David Chavanne

Economics Faculty Publications

This study uses survey responses to explore how support for basic income and universal healthcare is linked to zero-sum thinking and meritocratic beliefs. Consistent with earlier work, I find that zero-sum thinking and weaker meritocratic beliefs both lead to greater levels of support for basic income and universal healthcare. Using a path analysis, zero-sum thinking is also found to strengthen support for basic income and universal healthcare along two separate channels -- one via zero-sum thinking’s direct effect on policy support and a second via an indirect effect, whereby zero-sum thinking is attached to weaker beliefs in meritocracy, which in …

Beyond The Meter: Frameworks For Evaluating The Broad Spectrum Of Microgrid Benefits, Elias Henderson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Community-scale microgrids can create a range of social benefits. These include resilient electricity, cleaner air, decarbonization, and economic development, alongside more qualitative values like energy sovereignty and community self-determination. Many such benefits, however, are illegible to California’s market and regulatory frameworks. This thesis traces this disconnect, with particular attention to grid-edge communities in Northern California.

Microgrid benefits are classified as monetized, modeled, or incommensurable according to their inclusion/exclusion in existing regulatory and revenue mechanisms. To explore each category, a mixed-methods analytic approach is employed, pairing Tribal and stakeholder interviews with the development of a microgrid valuation calculator. This tool is …

Potential Fiscal Stability Effects Of The African Continental Free Trade Area: An Empirical Analysis, Simon Abendin, Duan Pingfang, Umer Shahzad

Journal of African Trade

This study analyzes the potential effects of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on fiscal stability, using panel data from 54 African economies that have ratified the AfCFTA from 2010 to 2021. The study uses a dynamic system GMM model to address endogeneity, simultaneity, measurement bias, and reverse causality issues. The findings indicate that the AfCFTA agreement may reduce government revenue and spending. Furthermore, the study found that the AfCFTA could lead to an increase in government debt

Envisioning The Role Of Community-Owned Stores & Aligning Federal Food Policies: A Participatory Approach To Food Security And Food Sovereignty In Sambaa K’E, Denendeh (Northwest Territories, Canada), Narayan Subramoniam

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Northern Indigenous communities have relied on traditional food systems for meaningful, nutritious diets since time immemorial. But many Indigenous communities in remote northern regions of Canada still face disproportionately elevated levels of food insecurity due to climate change radically altering the availability for traditional foods, colonial food policies imposing Western diets, and the high costs of transporting store-bought foods. Extreme weather events such as wildfires further isolate fly-in remote communities increasing both the costs of transporting store-bought foods and the difficulties of harvesting traditional foods. There are many examples of community-based initiatives for supporting traditional and locally grown foods, however, …

Debt Decisions: The Effects Of Paying For College In The United States With Student Loans, Kim E. Bullington, David J. Thomas, Minghui Hou, William L. Nuckols, Dennis E. Gregory, Joshua L. Howell, Kaycee L. Bills, Amy-Leah Joaquim

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Student loans have increasingly become a burden on individuals. This qualitative analysis explores how structural inequities and financial literacy gaps influence US student loan borrowers’ decisions to finance postsecondary education. The study highlights racial and economic disparities, examining participants’ reflections on debt aversion and systemic barriers to equitable access. We asked why participants took out federal student loans, asked about their decision processes when taking on debt, whether participants took any action to reduce accumulated debt, and if they’d made any discoveries about their decisions to take on student loan debt. After coding and a thematic analysis, five themes and …

Case Study: The Economic And Legal Challenges Moving From A Township To A City, George F. Dierberger Dr., Ibrahim Keita Dr., Cory Erickson

Journal of the North American Management Society

The paper examines the economic and legal challenges moving from a township to a municipality in the state of Minnesota. One of the authors was a member of the township board as they went through the process of educating the citizens on the risks and rewards of changing from a township to a municipality.

Maximizing Online Intersession Enrollment Through Targeted Course Offerings, Heather S. Mcmillan, Charles D. Mcallister

Journal of the North American Management Society

Abstract

Online winter intersession courses have become an increasingly important strategy for universities seeking to support accelerated student progression while generating incremental tuition revenue. This study examines ten years of winter intersession enrollment data from a public, master’s-level comprehensive university in the Midwestern United States to identify course characteristics associated with higher student enrollment. Using 12,520 individual enrollment records, the analysis focuses on course type (general education versus major requirement), course classification (lower level, upper level, blended undergraduate/graduate, and graduate), and course discipline. A series of ANOVAs and Bonferroni post-hoc tests reveal significant differences in enrollment across these dimensions, with …

The Relationship Between Team Psychological Safety And Voluntary Turnover Intention: A Quantitative Study Of Manufacturing Employees, Stella Bowen, Tracy Shroyer

Journal of the North American Management Society

High voluntary employee turnover in manufacturing significantly affects organizational performance and profitability. Although prior studies have identified numerous predictors of voluntary turnover intentions, limited research has examined psychological safety as a potential factor. This quantitative correlation study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between team psychological safety and voluntary turnover intentions among production associates and supervisors at an auto parts manufacturing plant in Southeastern Tennessee (N = 31). Using a cross-sectional survey administered via Qualtrics, participants completed demographic items, a team psychological safety scale, and a turnover intention scale. The initial analysis found no statistically significant correlation between team …

Organizational Pitfalls Of The Dual-Identity Leader, Yvonne Randolph, Asa Wilson

Journal of the North American Management Society

The dual-identity leader (D-IL) is an individual assigned to one job description yet is, in practice, fulfilling an additional position’s role. This secondary role is self-determined; has not been assigned yet is being allowed by those with governance and/or executive authority. Three case examples of the D-IL are presented and discussed as a problematic leadership configuration for an organization. The personal characteristics driving this approach are identified as a foundation for clarifying the organizational consequences of such an executive leader. Preventative and corrective tactics are discussed that eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of the D-IL’s organizational behavior.

Reflections At The Close Of My Freshman Year As Editor, Heather S. Mcmillan

Journal of the North American Management Society

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Official Development Assistance In The Financial Revenue Structure Of Recipient Countries: Selected Models, Abdul Kareem J.Shingar Al-Issa, Mustafa Takhakh Zahir

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Official development assistance (ODA) is a source of financing typically linked to external sources and typically provided to developing and middle-income countries. It was approved by the United Nations in the first decade of development in the 1990s, and is provided by multilateral international agencies and sometimes by donor countries to recipient countries. This study addresses the importance of official development assistance (ODA) in countries that rely heavily on ODA to contribute to economic and social development. This study examines the structure of financial revenues in each of the countries represented by the Arab Republic of Egypt and Bangladesh. It …

Official Development Assistance (Oda) In Nigeria: A Political Economy Perspective, Robert Idoko Ogwola

Bullion

This study examines the effects of Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Nigeria’s economic growth, social welfare, and political development from 1960 to 2024. Using thematic content analysis, the findings reveal that ODA’s impact has been marginal, falling short of expectations. Instead of fostering economic growth and strengthening social and political systems, ODA often generated unintended outcomes. The study recommends that Nigeria reduce dependence on foreign aid, strengthen national institutions, tackle corruption, and reform public debt management to achieve sustainable development that aligns with relevant targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Role Of Linear Programming And Sensitivity Analysis In Improving The Transportation And Distribution Of Vegetable Oils: A Case Study Of The State Company For Vegetable Oils In Iraq, Zainab Alaa Hameed

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The State Company for Vegetable Oils in Iraq faces a fundamental challenge of high transportation costs and inefficiency in distributing products across factories and warehouses to meet growing demand. Accordingly, this study aims to employ operations research methods-specifically linear programming and sensitivity analysis---to design a distribution plan that enhances efficiency and minimizes costs. The methodology involved developing a mathematical model of the transportation problem based on actual data related to supply quantities, demand requirements, and transportation costs between production sources and distribution outlets. The model was solved using WinQSB software to determine the optimal solution. Sensitivity analysis was then conducted …

The Impact Of Organizational Sustainability On Improving Companies’ Financial Performance (Applied To The Southern Refineries Company.), Thaer Khalaf Khashan

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The impact of organizational sustainability on improving companies' financial performance, applied to the Southern Refineries Company. The research aims to explore the impact oforganizational companies' financial performance. The research variables were organizational sustainability as an independent variable with its three dimensions (economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability), and improving financial performance as a dependent variable. To achieve the research objectives, the descriptive analytical approach was adopted. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of (400) individuals from the employees of the Southern Refineries Company, (388) questionnaires were retrieved, …

The Impact Of Implementing Good Governance Principles On The Quality Of University Education: An Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees At Sawa Private University, Thanaa Hussein Jalil Al-Khuzaie

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to analyze the impact of applying good governance principles—such as transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law—within higher education institutions on the quality of university education, by examining the relationship between these principles and academic and administrative quality indicators. The study population comprised academic and administrative staff at Al-Sahel Private University. A stratified random sample of 75 participants was selected from the university. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), Pearson correlation coefficient, and coefficient of variation. The instrument’s reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis was conducted. Hypotheses were tested using …

The Role Of Transformational Leadership In Achieving Strategic Recovery: A Survey Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Directors In The General Directorate Of Education In Nineveh Governorate, Mariam Moneim Malallah Al-Halawajy

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The current study aims to shed light on the role of transformational leadership as an independent variable, embodied in four dimensions (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration), in achieving strategic recovery as a dependent variable, represented by three dimensions (apology, compensation, and rapid response) at the General Directorate of Education in Nineveh Governorate. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive–analytical approach was adopted as a methodological framework to accurately observe and analyze relationships. A validated questionnaire was designed for data collection and distributed to a sample of managers working in the Directorate, numbering (98). The …

The Role Of Fuzzy Logic In Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis, Ahmed Imad Abed Al-Atabe, Mohammed Wafi Abbas Al-Shammar

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Cost-volume-profit analysis (CVP) is one of the most important basic tools in management accounting. It enables understanding the relationship between three key elements: costs, volume, and profit level. The problem with this research is that this type of analysis, in its traditional form, uses clear and fixed data, such as the variable cost per unit, total fixed costs, selling price, or sales volume, which can be accurately determined. However, these assumptions do not accurately reflect practical reality, which is often characterized by uncertainty and fluctuations. The research aims to utilize an artificial intelligence tool, fuzzy logic, as a more flexible …

The Impact Of Strategic Mindset On Competitive Pressures A Field Study At The Kronje Beverage Group, Dalal Salih Mahdi, Qadisiya Said Jabr

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research examines the impact of the strategic mindset (systems thinking, reframing, and deep thinking) on competitive pressures In the Kronje Group for beverage production. The descriptive analytical approach was adopted, collecting data using a questionnaire and analyzing it to express the opinions of a sample of leaders in the Kronje Group, which produces various beverages. The data was collected using a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. A purposive sample of (60) managers was selected to represent the original population of (92) managers. The focus was on senior management leaders, including managers, assistants, and heads of departments, divisions, …

Digital Transformation And Its Role In Achieving Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Entrepreneurial Capabilities As A Mediating Variable – An Analytical Study Of A Group Of Private Banks, Kamal Kadhim Al-Hassani, Ali Matar Abd

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to explore the mediating role of entrepreneurial capabilities in the relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage in the Iraqi banking sector. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 235 managers in private banks in Iraq, using a structured survey instrument. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed via AMOS v.25 to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships. The results revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage, highlighting the pivotal role of digital transformation in enhancing banks’ ability to achieve competitive superiority. More importantly, …

Career Development And Its Role In Organizational Commitment: An Analytical Survey Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees At Al-Zahrawi Surgical Hospital/Maysan, Salem Haider Resen

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The research aims to reveal the role of career development in its dimensions (training, promotions, career planning) in enhancing organizational commitment, as the research problem was embodied in knowing the role played by career development in the organizational commitment of employees at Al-Zahrawi Surgical Hospital/Maysan? To achieve this, the research relied on a main hypothesis that (there is no statistically significant correlation or effect between career development and organizational commitment). The importance of the research is highlighted by its contribution to the development of human resources strategies to achieve organizational stability at the level of the Iraqi environment. On the …

The Impact Of Using Management Information System On Enhancing Intelligent Organizations: An Exploratory Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Faculty Members At The College Of Administration And Economics – University Of Mosul, Ali Jasim Shalash

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The present study seeks to investigate the effect of the dimensions of the Management Information System (MIS) on fostering intelligent organizations, through analyzing the relationship between the system’s components (organization, human resources, information technology, and data/information) and the level of organizational intelligence. The research employed a descriptive–analytical methodology, with data collected from a sample of 88 faculty members at the College of Administration and Economics, utilizing a scientifically designed questionnaire. The results indicated a strong and statistically significant correlation between all MIS dimensions and the development of intelligent organizations, with the system accounting for 43.3% of the variance in organizational …

The Impact Of Psychological Sustainability On The Strategic Agility System: The Role Of Design Thinking : An Analytical Study Of Technical Opinions From Senior Officials At Several Private Universities In Basra Governorate, Iman Hato Jahlol, Muhammed Nabeel Al-Salim

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study seeks to address the limited ability of private colleges in Basra Governorate to cope with organizational and educational challenges by examining the relationship between employees’ psychological well-being (faculty members and administrators) and strategic agility, while testing the mediating role of design thinking. The study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach and employed validated scales: Ryff (1989) for psychological well-being, Ergin (2024) for design thinking, and Doz & Kosonen (2008) for strategic agility. The sample consisted of 196 participants selected through stratified random sampling. The study was guided by a main hypothesis stating that the combined dimensions of psychological well-being (purpose …

The Role Of Expert Systems In Enhancing Organizational Performance In Hotel Organizations A Descriptive–Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Managers And Employees In First-Class Hotels In Erbil Governorate, Dr. Hassan Odah Ghdaab

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The study aimed to identify the role of expert systems as an independent variable with its dimensions (hardware, software, knowledge engineer) in enhancing organizational performance as a dependent variable. The research problem emerged through the need to determine the role of expert systems in improving organizational performance if adopted by managers and employees in the surveyed hotel organizations. A hypothetical model was presented to test the main and sub-hypotheses and to answer the research questions. The study focused on five-star hotels, with the research population consisting of managers and employees in hotel organizations in Erbil Governorate, specifically: (Erbil Quartz Hotel, …

Sustainable Development In The Islamic Economy Between Theoretical Foundations And Practical Application, Dr. Ahmed Abbas Abdalhussein

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to examine the implications of the Islamic vision of sustainable development and to identify the way Islamic law has addressed its environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This is achieved by examining evidence from the Prophet’s biography, which includes foundations that align, in some cases, with the goals of sustainable development, while also encompassing more comprehensive foundations for achieving sustainability. This is particularly true given that these foundations and principles are consistent with Islamic societies, as well as defining the responsibilities of the individual, society, and the state within the framework of the exalted status that God Almighty …