Business Commons^™

Constrained Multi-Group Project Allocation Using Mahalanobis Distance, Abdulaziz Saud Alkabaa

Doctoral Dissertations

Optimal allocation is one of the most active research areas in operation research using binary integer variables. The allocation of multi constrained projects among several options available along a given planning horizon is an especially significant problem in the general area of item classification. The main goal of this dissertation is to develop an analytical approach for selecting projects that would be most attractive from an economic point of view to be developed or allocated among several options, such as in-house engineers and private contractors (in transportation projects). A relevant limiting resource in addition to the availability of funds is …

Developing Entrepreneurial Ecoystems: Integrating Social Evolutionary Theory And Signaling Theory To Explain The Role Of Media In Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Jason Andrew Strickling

Doctoral Dissertations

Entrepreneurship drives innovation, social change, and economic development locally, regionally, nationally, and worldwide (Konczal, 2013). The activities, relationships, and entities utilized to enhance entrepreneurial activity are just one important part of what scholars have termed the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE), in acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of these factors with other market dimensions.

This dissertation integrates previous definitions of the EE and proposes a new definition that emphasizes the importance of the social environment and the role of communication for change and EE development. Building on evidence from diverse streams of research to further our understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystem activity, this dissertation …

Highly-Educated Immigrant Entrepreneurs' Location Decisions, Nastaran Simarasl

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, I draw on theories from sociology, economics, and economic geography, namely ethnic enclave theory, location theory, and heterolocalism theory to investigate factors that highly-educated immigrant entrepreneurs take into account when they decide where to locate their start-up. In doing so, I use an experimental method, conjoint analysis, on a sample of first-generation graduate students at the University of Tennessee to examine the factors that highly-educated aspiring immigrant entrepreneurs take into account when deciding about their start-up location. This dissertation is one of the first studies to bring theories from other disciplines to provide a more comprehensive understanding …

Governance Of Supply Chain Information Flows, Joonhwan In

Doctoral Dissertations

With the recognition of the criticality of information flow in the supply chain, much research has examined various pertinent areas such as information sharing and the use of IT applications, and generated valuable insights about how an organization could reap the benefits through an effective supply chain information flow by building on the implicit assumption that organizations in the supply chain cope with issues around supply chain information in a similar way, which would lead to the conjecture that the quality of supply chain information is equivalent across supply chain members. However, many organizations still struggle for poor information flow …

Cross-Functional Integration In The Supply Chain: Construct Development And The Impact Of Workplace Behaviors, Daniel A. Pellathy

Doctoral Dissertations

Cross-functional integration (CFI) is central to supply chain theory and practice. However, researchers have yet to settled on a consistent definition or measure of CFI, creating confusion over its conceptual content and making it difficult to validate given operationalizations. In addition, researchers have only recently begun to explore the impact of workplace behaviors on CFI and supply chain performance. The two studies in this dissertation seek to contribute to the supply chain literature in both of these areas. Study 1 develops a comprehensive definition and valid measure of CFI based on a systematic process of construct development. Study 2 employs …

Applications Of Business Analytics In Marketing: Joint Modeling Of Correlated Multivariate Outcomes, Sumin Han

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation I develop a general regression methodology for mixed multivariate outcomes. This methodology extends the generalized linear mixed model paradigm (glmm) to allow for correlated multivariate normal random effects across regression equations for differing outcomes. This methodology, referred to as joint modeling, is particularly useful in business and marketing applications where multiple outcomes of varying data type must be analyzed simultaneously with regression.

I apply joint models to binary and continuous measures of customer loyalty in a large multinational survey of car owners. Survey respondents’ word-of-mouth and desire to switch brands were used as proxies for attitudinal loyalty …

Examining The Nature And Consequences Of Interfunctional Bias In A Corporate Setting, William Adam Powell

Doctoral Dissertations

Interfunctional bias is examined in this dissertation as a potential barrier to interfunctional cooperation. Interfunctional cooperation is desirable in modern corporate organizations as a contributor to effective service delivery, operations planning, and sales performance. Interfunctional stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination are hypothesized to relate positively, and together provide the bias-based theoretical basis through which barriers to interfunctional cooperation can be more thoroughly understood. Based on the extant literature in marketing and psychology, competing models of interfunctional bias are developed and hypothesized. In the first of three studies a questionnaire-based survey of supply chain employees’ perceptions of salespeople permitted the examination of …

How Do Sharing Economy Companies Grow? A Comparison Of Internal And External Growth Patterns Of Airbnb And Uber, Piper Davis

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

International Expansion In The Retail Industry: A Multi-Case Study On Strategic Expansionary Variables, Patrick Conaty

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

How Do Sharing Economy Companies Grow? A Comparison Of Internal And External Growth Patterns Of Airbnb And Uber, Piper Davis

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

When the term “sharing economy” is mentioned in the news and in recent academic papers, Airbnb and Uber are mentioned in the same breath. In 2016, these two firms are arguably the most popular and fastest-growing peer-to-peer companies in the world. This study examines the ways in which the two companies have grown since their founding. Growth is examined both externally (in terms of domestic and international market expansion) and internally (hiring for primary and support functions). Specifically, archived job postings are used to analyze how human capital requirements have changed over time, by both location and function. This research …

Who Is To Blame? Attribution Theory In The Automotive Industry, Jonathan Edwards

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Automotive manufacturers have a fiduciary duty to the consumer not only to provide transportation from point A to point B; their duty encompasses much more than that. The manufacturer is expected to design, produce, and market vehicles that protect the driver and passengers from bodily harm in the case of an accident. However, sometimes the manufacturer fails in this duty. When this happens, it is imperative that the manufacturer is clear about where and what went wrong. The manufacturer is expected to find an amicable solution to the problem and implement change where needed. We seek to look at what …

Creating Networks For Success: Social Capital And Recent College Graduates, Matt Orians

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

My thesis project is looking at how recent college graduates can utilize social capital to better adapt to their new business setting. By social capital, I mean the networks and relationships one builds with those around them. Social capital is used to build mutually beneficial relationships,and these connections can be very influential in a young professional’s career, among other things. The foundation of social capital also has an influence on an individual’s fondness and attachment to their current city and company. If they successfully cultivate social capital, the individual will better acclimate to their current city and company.

I am …