Business Commons^™

Regression: A Deep Dive Into Truck Prices, Alura Lovell

Undergraduate Research Conference

This regression analysis examines variables affecting used truck pricing and offers insight into the automotive demand factors. This study dives into the process of determining the prices of Ford F150 Supercabs and comparable Chevrolet Silverados. The primary objective is to develop a model that looks at the pricing dynamics, considering factors such as age, mileage, accidents, and brand.

Examining Volatility Spikes In The Financial Sector Etf, Ethan Johnston

Undergraduate Research Conference

I used the GARCH to detect if the financial sector ETF, XLF, exhibits return volatility spikes following Federal Reserve interest rate announcements.

Testing Multiple Index Models To Predict The Returns Of Fixed Income Etfs, Ngoc Hoang

Undergraduate Research Conference

Objectives: Models of different complexities can explain asset return. This study: a) examines how variants of index models predict results in 6-month and 12-month periods out of sample b) examines how variants of index models whether their predictions are biased

Development Of An Excel Tool For Retirement Planning, Avery Johnston

Undergraduate Research Conference

Preparing for retirement is a difficult and intimidating process that requires a great deal of planning and preparation. I developed a user-friendly Excel tool that illustrates the balance of a retirement account over time. The user can manipulate key variables by using the sliders. The tool performs all the calculations and displays the running balance in a graph.

2021 American Housing, Hana Roers, Toby Sherman

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Investing Strategies For Individual Investors, Ngoc Hoang

Undergraduate Research Conference

Objective: I compared the performance of three trading strategies to identify if one of them leads to higher ending wealth for the investor.

Leadership Through Budgeting: Controlling Taxes And Increasing Services, Tony Sims

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Local budgets are the key responsibility of elected and appointed leaders, as are ultimate control over how tax dollars are allocated, and which services are provided to the citizens. Nowhere else is leadership more important than during budget preparation. However, local budgeting is typically more an annual event than an ongoing efficient and effective process. By implementing a budgeting process and preparing a budget in accordance with the criteria required by the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program and earning the award, local governments can create more efficient and effective operations, improve public trust, and have …

Using Power Bi Reports To Support Stakeholder Relations For A Regional Non-Profit Mental Health Care Provider, Hannah Percell

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our Goal: To aid Burke in its communication of relevant data to its network of stakeholders. By presenting the data in a more visual format using Power BI, we hoped to increase reader understanding of key metrics and facilitate communication between Burke and its stakeholders.

Do Bilinguals Earn More In Texas?, Karina Weathers

Undergraduate Research Conference

Curious about the effects of knowing a second language on income, I used data from the 2017 American Community Survey to analyze the economic advantages associated with bilingualism for adults 18-64 in Texas who reported an income and positive weeks worked in the year prior to the survey. Bilingualism is defined as speaking a language at home other than or in addition to English.

Sector Correlations & Rotational Investing, Helena Collmorgen

Undergraduate Research Conference

The correlation between risk and expected return of an investment is very high. Because investors are typically risk adverse, they will take on more risk only if rewarded with higher expected returns.

Parental Financial Conditions As A Source Of Stress On First-Generation Tjc Honors Students, Michelle Reyes

Undergraduate Research Conference

INTRODUCTION

Parental support is a key factor in a child's development. Motivation coming from a parent is a substantial help on the realization of tasks. The involvement of parents on children's education is directly proportional to the level of achievement and success of the students. In low income families, parental support can be translated to pressure, the anxiety of seeing their children to pursue a career and achieve success is not a desire but it is a necessity. Regularly, the students’ parents will use their own lack of financial stability as an example to motivate their children to be better. …

Fraud In Small Businesses: A Preliminary Study, Esther Bunn, Jack Ethridge, Kaili Crow

Faculty Publications

This study investigates the attitudes small business owners and managers have towards fraud and internal controls. Commonly small businesses consist of long-term friends and relatives and tend to embody a culture of family, love, and trust. Four factors were identified that lend themselves to a lack of internal controls and a breeding ground for fraud. A survey was distributed to small business owners and management. The responses were analyzed and compared to the data in the 2016 American Certified Fraud Examiners Report to the Nations. Of the four expectations studied, only the anticipated results of Expectation 1 were confirmed.

Cost Analysis Of Private Student Loans, John Bledsoe

Undergraduate Research Conference

Purpose of Study: To help educate students on the types and possible outcomes of private student loans, hopefully giving them an advantage when/if they are faced with the decision of what type of loan to choose.

Country And Industry-Level Performance Of Nasdaq-Listed European And Asia Pacific Adrs, Mark Schaub

Faculty Publications

This study examines the 3-year performance of NASDAQ-Listed Asia Pacific and European ADRs versus the NASDAQ Index and their respective regional indexes from 1990-2010. Country specific performance results show ADRs from China, Japan and Ireland performed best versus the US and regional benchmarks. Industry-level results show the best industry performers were in the Technology Hardware & Services industry and in Energy companies.

Closing Pandora’S Box: Reducing Student Confusion With A Process Costing Simulation, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Process Costing simulation that can be used in both introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses in order to help students better understand the principles of process costing and how to apply these principles to a problem. In groups, students work to manufacture candy necklaces for a set amount of time. After the manufacturing time has ended, students work together to determine equivalent units of production, cost per equivalent unit, and total costs for the period. Subsequently, a final class discussion provides opportunities for differences between groups to be discussed and any additional questions to …

Determinants Of State Audit Delay: An Empirical Analysis, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh

Faculty Publications

Prior audit delay studies concentrated on municipal government, counties and school districts. This study adds to the literature by examining the determinants of state governments’ timeliness of audit reports. Audit delay determinants found by previous municipal research are used to identify characteristics that may influence state audit delay. This study’s results suggest both agreement and contradiction of prior research audit delay determinants. Financial variables alone do not predict state government audit delay. However, a combination of financial and nonfinancial variables used in municipal audit delay studies do.

Lumberjack Construction: Job-Order Costing & Manufacturing Simulation, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Job-Order Costing and manufacturing simulation called Lumberjack Construction. This simulation is used in introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses to help students understand the various parts of the manufacturing process and the application of Job-Order Costing principles. For this simulation, students are placed into manufacturing groups. Each group is responsible for manufacturing a building and calculating the cost of that building using job-order costing.

Using Option Theory To Determine Optimal Ira Investment, Treba Marsh, Todd A. Brown, Mary Fischer

Faculty Publications

Given the current uncertain economic trends, the decision to contribute to a personal retirement account can be a financial challenge taking a great deal of courage. Using the option theory, this paper presents arguments to justify the optimal contribution to maximize an IRA investment return.

Rodeo In The Classroom: Activity Based Costing Simulation, Nikki Shoemaker, Marie Kelly

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a classroom Activity Based Costing simulation called Rodeo in the Classroom. This simulation has been used in several introductory managerial accounting and cost accounting courses in order to help students understand the difference in the application of overhead between Job Order Costing and Activity Based Costing methods. Each student is assigned their own rodeo simulation and must calculate its cost using specific cost drivers. To verify their calculations, students with the same rodeos are grouped together to compare costs. Final rodeo costs are presented to the class where differences in cost allocations and reasons for these differences …

Long Term Adr Performance: How Do Regional Issues Listed On The Nyse Compare To Us And Regional Index Returns?, Mark Schaub, Todd A. Brown

Faculty Publications

This study examines the long-term performance of Asia Pacific, European, and Latin American ADRs versus the S&P500 and their respective regional indexes from 1990-2010. The sample was dividend by stable markets (1990s) and volatile markets (2000s). We find that, when analyzed in total, regional indexes perform similarly to the S&P500. However, the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions do offer diversification benefits individually. Furthermore, the ADRs from each region underperform in stable markets (1990s) and outperform in volatile markets (2000s) leading to great diversification benefits.

Financial Statement Racing, Marie Kelly, Nikki Shoemaker

Faculty Publications

This paper describes an active learning activity called Financial Statement Racing. This game has been used in several introductory financial accounting courses to help students understand the normal balances and financial statement classifications of multiple financial statement accounts. The activity encourages students to work together in a team to place racecars on the appropriate financial statement racetrack in the correct debit or credit lane. These teams compete against other teams in the class to try to win the race to the end of the financial statement racetrack.

Cash Holdings Of S&P Firms Over The Past Decade, Mary Fischer, Treba Marsh, Todd A. Brown

Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, financial research suggests US firms hold a significant amount of cash. This growing amount of cash has attracted attention from economists, the business press and government. A firm’s cash balance could well indicate the firm elects to hold cash rather than invest in suboptimal investments. There are trade-offs between holding too much cash and holding too little. This exploratory study attempts to find financial relationships that explain the cash held by S&P 100 firms over the decade from fiscal year 2002 to 2011.

Mergers And Beliefs, Todd A. Brown, Thomas Zorn, Geoff Freissen

Faculty Publications

We study the combined effects of managerial optimism and market overvaluation on merger premiums and the chosen form of payment. Our empirical results are consistent with market overvaluation and the target manager‘s optimism as having the most influence on mergers. The observed form of payment corresponds to the acquiring manager‘s preferences, suggesting that the acquiring manager dictates the method of payment. Lastly, our model demonstrates why cash mergers are more likely to be hostile, and provides an explanation for why a combination of cash plus stock may be optimal.

Basic Concepts In Forest Valuation And Investment Analysis: Edition 3.0, Steven H. Bullard, Thomas J. Straka

Faculty Publications

This book was originally intended to supplement lectures in forestry economics at the undergraduate level. It’s currently used for that purpose in ‘Forest Resource Economics’ courses at several universities. The book is also intended, however, to serve as a basic reference for foresters with experience in valuation and investment analysis concepts and methods. It has proven to be a valuable resource in forest valuation and investment analysis workshops for practicing foresters, landowners, and others interested in forestry investments.

Basic Concepts In Forest Valuation And Investment Analysis, Steven H. Bullard, Thomas J. Straka

eBooks

This book was originally intended to supplement lectures in forestry economics at the undergraduate level. It’s currently used for that purpose in ‘Forest Resource Economics’ courses at several universities. The book is also intended, however, to serve as a basic reference for foresters with experience in valuation and investment analysis concepts and methods. It has proven to be a valuable resource in forest valuation and investment analysis workshops for practicing foresters, landowners, and others interested in forestry investments.

Ideal for use in undergraduate and graduate forestry education programs, as well as in forest valuation workshops.

Basic Concepts In Forest Valuation And Investment Analysis, Steven H. Bullard, Thomas J. Straka

Faculty Publications

The current edition 3.0 can be found at the following location:

Bullard, Steven H. and Straka, Thomas J., "Basic Concepts in Forest Valuation and Investment Analysis" (2011) eBooks http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ebooks/21

This book was originally intended to supplement lectures in forestry economics at the undergraduate level. At Mississippi State University, for example, these materials are currently used in one of the eleven major topics included in a one-semester course titled 'Forest Resource Economics.' It is also intended, however, that the book will serve as a basic reference for foresters with experience in valuation concepts and terminology. It has proven to be a …

A Note On Equivalence In Ranking Investments, Steven H. Bullard

Faculty Publications

Present net worth, benefit/cost, and internal rate of return are considered for ranking investments. In some cases, rankings can be contradictory, and the investment criterion can influence inter-project allocations. There are situations, however, when ranking equivalence is assured. In this article, conditions for equivalence in ranking investments are presented using simple graphics and algebra. The conditions are restrictive, and can be effective in demonstrating the need for discretion in selecting an economic criterion for evaluating investments.

The Sfa Business Review Vol. 3 No. 3, M. Dudley Stewart Jr., Chester L. Allen, Don A. Evans, Patrick Michael Conn, Elick N. Maledon Jr., Janelle C. Ashley

SFA Business Review, 1975-1978

No abstract provided.