Business Commons^™

The Importance Of Fit: A Predictive Model Of Cause Marketing Effects, Michelle Rego, Mark A. Hamilton

College of Business Faculty Publications and Research

A predictive model was developed to help brands improve cause-related marketing campaigns by identifying the most impactful relationships among important campaign variables. The largest effect in the MASEM model (K = 81, N = 25,554) was found for cause-brand fit on attitudes toward the cause-brand alliance (β = .40). Two of the four proposed belief factors examined acted as mediating variables: consumers’ involvement with the cause and their skepticism. Three attitude factors mediated the impact of beliefs on CRM purchase intentions: perceptions of cause-brand fit, attitude toward the brand, and attitudes toward the CRM alliance. Skepticism also had a …

Reflective Practice Series: Selected Instructional Models Using Synchronous Video Conferencing Software, Martin W. Sivula

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

With the vast array of resources available to instructors, one would think that instruction and teaching would yield success for all learners. Now, well into the 21^st century has much changed in the classroom? Certainly, movable desks and chairs, advanced audio and visual equipment, and a plethora of all types of technologies which might be able to enhance training and education. Over the last several decades research on individualized instruction, cognitive science, educational psychology, and multimedia instruction (to name a few) have permeated the literature on instruction. With all the research and the vast array of studies on improving …

Glossary Of Business Evidence, Paul C. Boyd

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Brown-Forman Corporation And The Distilleries Industry, Keely J. Higbie

MBA Student Scholarship

This study showed that Brown-Forman Corporation’s (Brown-Forman) has a winning business strategy. It passes the three major tests, which are the Fit Test, Competitive Advantage Test, and Performance Test. The company’s strategy effectively addresses the company’s situation both internally and externally. The strategy takes advantage of most of the industry’s trends, mitigates the negative impacts of the industry’s driving forces, and ensures that the company meets the industry’s key success factors. It helps the company achieve sustainable competitive advantages by fully utilizing its biggest resources and capabilities.

The strategy has also directly contributed to the company’s financial success and market …

Improving Non-Profit Organizations: Mon Ami, Dylan Yang, Kevin Diaz, Santos Miletes, Robert Tonucci

Academic Symposium of Undergraduate Scholarship

For our Collaborative Learning Program winter term group project, we completed community service at Mon Ami [1] and Service by going to the non-profit every Friday to help the teachers in the day care center. While we were there, our group made observations about the non-profit organization. At the end of the community service experience, our group constructed solutions for the problems we discovered at the non-profit organization and recommended ways to implement these solutions. Our research results were presented to our CLP professors in written form and as a formal presentation.

[1 ]The organization's name has been changed due …

Nonprofit Funding Agencies’ Review Of Grant Recipients, Siobain Mcilvain

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Nonprofits need to be just as responsible as public corporations. Nonprofit funding agencies have the responsibility for evaluating the organizations they fund to make sure that they are operating with high integrity, maintaining strong internal controls, remaining financially stable, and overall being good stewards of the funds received. This paper will explain the criteria that a funding agency should follow in order to affect this process, as well as how a recipient nonprofit will benefit from following the criteria.

A Research Proposal: How Can The United States Postal Service Respond And Recover From A Decade Of Decline?, Victoria E. Ayers

MBA Student Scholarship

The purpose of this proposal is to identify the various financial struggles the United States Postal Service is currently facing. The interpretation of the related literature reveals some of the issues which the Postal Service is currently facing. Through the analysis of articles addressing the present and past volumes of mail and the recent usage of postal facilities it is evident that there is still a need for the USPS to survive. This proposal examines the current actions taken to save the United States Postal Service from their financial turmoil and also presents the results of past actions. It is …

Applying Lean Six Sigma At Nordson Efd, Kristen Harvey

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) gives a company a competitive advantage over its competitors. On average, LSS cuts down on unwanted waste and cost by 25% ("What Is Lean Six Sigma?"). Additionally, LSS allows businesses to move beyond fixing defects or perfecting their processes to focus on the quality of their products. It also fosters a continuous improvement culture within companies’ operations and administrative offices. LSS is a proven methodology used to reduce all types of waste in businesses. Although lean six sigma started in the manufacturing industry, it has been adapted for use across all industries, public and private ("Six …

Whole Foods Market ™ Case Study: Leadership And Employee Retention, Kristin L. Pearson

MBA Student Scholarship

Employee retention can be a challenge for Human Resources in today’s business climate, especially in retail food service occupations due to long and sometimes unpredictable hours, limited benefits, and growth potential to name a few. Despite the obstacles, Whole Foods Market has been able to overcome such limitations allowing employees flourish and as a result have set an industry benchmark for reducing voluntary turnover. This case study research is an examination of Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey and his modern approach to leadership and its effect on employee retention. The purpose of the research is to examine the association …

The Impact Of Nationality, Gender, And Education On Students’ Buying Attitudes Towards Ethical And Socially Responsible Products, Christina Blundin, Suphamas Chatvisedphan, Siraprapa Dusadeewanich, Elena Perova, Xuebo Wang

MBA Student Scholarship

In today’s corporate climate, a company’s ethical and social responsible (ESR) involvement raises concern amongst consumers. Companies seek methods to demonstrate their high level of ESR in order to win customers’ loyalty. Prior research has been performed examining different variables with regards to the purchase of ESR products. This study utilizes empirical evidence from a private university in Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University to investigate the significance of demographic variables such as nationality, gender and educational level with regards to students' ESR buying attitude. Additionally considered and analyzed external factors are product price, advertisement and industry concern. Results indicate …

Analysis Of The Upscale/Fine Dining Sector In The Restaurant Industry, Volha Ban

MBA Student Scholarship

Upscale segment of the restaurant industry makes up approximately 10% of total U.S. restaurant sales (Trends in Fine Dining, 2011a). Severe impact of the economic downturn on the fine-dining segment demonstrated the 13% decline in customer visits in 2009 what triggered steep decline in sales.

In 2011 industry experienced positive tendency and renewed interest to high-profile steakhouse chains and upscale seafood restaurants. As National Restaurant News stated “…fine-dining restaurants will remain popular as long as they continue to offer individuality, food quality and more casual setting …”(Trends in Fine Dining, 2011a). Trend of casualization in fine dining led to the …

Corporate Social Responsibility: Fallacies And Flaws, Christina Blundin

MBA Student Scholarship

Over time, the ideals of business and society have become discordant from one another. When exactly this occurred is not as important as the effects it has had. When society began asking more from business, it voiced its concerns over companies solely existing to create profits, as well as their lack of responsibility to society. Consequently, businesses were coerced into performing acts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and philanthropy, to justify the profits they receive. However, in the pursuit of CSR, both business and society got short changed. They misconstrued the tenants of CSR. Each thought that it was the …

F.A.C.E.S. (Faculty Academic Community Education Showcase): Professional Growth Experiences In A Career University, Paul J. Colbert, Ph.D.

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

Institutes of higher education exist for the purpose of developing, fostering, nurturing, and stimulating the intellectual growth and development of students. The core values of a college education provide students conceptual and practical educational opportunities that focus on improving their skills and knowledge. These skills and knowledge translate into purposeful, real-life learning experiences. However, in the academic community, learning is not restricted to students. Faculty, too, must be supported and provided opportunities for personal and professional growth and development. Although professional development is not a novel concept in the education profession, schools often take up the gauntlet, but fall short …

Analysis Of The Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) Industry, Frederic Juillet

MBA Student Scholarship

In 2009, most REITs opted for the recapitalization of their balance sheets in order to respond to the recent global credit crisis, thus reducing their leverage and strengthening their financial statements (REIT, 2011b). In 2011, the REIT industry represented $54.3 billion in revenue and a profit of $7.8 billion. The industry annual growth expectation for the next 5 years (from 2011 to 2016) is 5.1% or $69.7 billion (IBISWorld, 2011b). The Hotel & Motel industry counted 14 REITs in the lodging/resort sector in the U.S. (REIT, 2011c) and represented 10.5% of the equity REIT Industry (IBISWorld, 2011b). The REIT structure …

Red Lion Hotel Corporation, Yin-Chia Shao

MBA Student Scholarship

This paper is a strategy executing research project of Red Lion Hotels Corporation. The research content includes the nature of the business, environmental analysis, strategy position within the industry, competitive advantage, strategic history, evaluate strategy and a conclusion. The company grew from a focused differentiation strategy to a broad differentiation diversification. Examining the business environment analysis, the external environment has a moderately strong impact on the company and the internal environment has a moderately weak position. The inferior position is a disadvantage to the Red Lion Hotel Corporation's growth. In addition, compared the company with Choice International Hotels, Inc and …

Carnival Corporation & Plc, Ye Zhou

MBA Student Scholarship

Carnival Corporation & plc is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. This paper researches the company by analyzing environmental factors, strategic position within the cruise industry and competitive advantages. After reviewing company's strategic history, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of the company's present strategies (Carnival Corporation and PLC, 2010b).

Developing A Culturally Responsive Classroom Collaborative Of Faculty, Students, And Institution, Paul J. Colbert

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

Culture is integral to the learning process. It is the organization and way of life within the community of students and teachers and directs the way they communicate, interact, and approach teaching and learning. Although founded in particular values and principles, the academy, like most organizations, is impacted day-to-day by its culture. Yet, the traditional higher education institution has not been designed to operate within a racially or ethnically diverse student population. The social, political, economic, and cultural forces that support the institution influence the teaching and learning environments. To better address cultural diversity in the classroom, faculty must first …

American Library Association Annual Conference Presentation - Chicago, Richard J. Moniz

Library Staff Publications

This PowerPoint presentation was delivered as part of a talk for the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Chicago, IL (sponsored by ALA's Library Leadership & Management Association). It focuses on a variety of practical ways that the libraries at Johnson & Wales University's Florida and North Carolina campuses have sought to both understand and respond to student concerns. Assessments touched upon include LibQUAL+, annual library surveys, focus groups, etc. A more detailed description of this presentation is also available in Library Administration & Management.

Obesity, Educational Attainment, And State Economic Welfare, Martin W. Sivula Ph.D.

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

For the first time in history, estimates of the overweight people in the world rival estimates of those malnourished. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2002) ranked obesity among the top 10 risks to human health worldwide. In the early 1960s, nearly half of the Americans were overweight and 13% were obese. Today some 64% of U.S. adults are overweight and 30.5% are obese. Even more alarming, twice as many U.S. children are overweight than were twenty years ago, a 66% increase. Non-communicable diseases impose a heavy economic burden on already strained health systems. Health is a key determinant of development …

Sampling Concepts, Paul Boyd, Ph.D.

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

The usefulness of any research is dependent upon how well the group studied represents the group about which decisions are to be made or conclusions drawn. That is, it depends upon how well the sample reflects relevant characteristics of the population. When it is possible to study every member of that group there is no problem, for on these occasions we can easily calculate the exact attribute (parameter) of interest for our population.

For example, if we were interested in determining the average number of gallons of gasoline sold to customers at our service station yesterday, we …