Business Commons^™

Examining Factors Affecting Consumers’ Daily Fantasy Sports And Sports Betting Participation: Comparing Motivation And Perception Of Skill Versus Luck, Koo Yul Kim, Colin Lopez

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

With the Supreme Court lifting the federal ban on sports betting, dominant Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators including DraftKings and FanDuel have entered the sports gambling market and operate in legalized states in the United States. These providers of both DFS and sports betting are making efforts to better understand the characteristics of both DFS and sports betting consumers and develop effective marketing strategies to target each consumer segment. This research investigates the differences in motivation to participate and perception of skill vs. luck between DFS and sports betting participants. 934 adults (sports betting = 434, DFS = 500) were …

Frameworks For Measuring Regenerative Tourism: Supply And Demand Indicators With A Dynamic And Holistic Approach, Asif Hussain

Journal of Sustainability and Resilience

This paper examines regenerative tourism as a holistic approach that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring and enhancing social-ecological systems. Recognizing tourism’s interconnectedness with economic, social, cultural, and environmental systems, it presents regenerative tourism as a dynamic model integrating supply and demand perspectives to promote innovation, resilience, and renewal. On the supply side, regenerative tourism emphasizes ecological restoration, sustainable practices, economic stability with minimal environmental harm, and authentic experiences. On the demand side, it aligns with the rising preference for ethical, participatory, and immersive tourism, involving tourists as active contributors to destination well-being. The paper highlights the importance of multidimensional …

Gotta Take My Avatar Shopping: Impacts Of Interactive Virtual Shopping In Esport, Yongjin Hwang, Keshav Gupta

Faculty Publications

Purpose

Esports game developers are incorporating interactive virtual shopping (IVS) experiences into their products to facilitate consumer–brand interactions. Despite the potential influence of IVS, existing research lacks an understanding of its impact on consumers’ overall affect– particularly game enjoyment, a critical factor in sustaining engagement with esports products – and on attitudinal change toward brands in the real world.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was designed to examine the impact of shopping in the virtually interactive esports marketplace on game enjoyment. Mediating effects of positive change in brand attitude, perceived realism and character attachment and the moderating effect of self-avatar gender congruity …

Craft Beer: Product Life Cycle And Research Limitations, Matt Smythe

Hospitality Graduate Student Scholarship

Craft brewing is a complex and competitive market that revolves around a premier product with various leverage points to distinguish itself. These differentiators are the aspects that could limit the continued growth of the industry for decades to come. This analysis of the craft beer industry and the potential saturation point of the product life cycle of the industry will identify the current state of the industry based on the historical trends of opening and closing breweries in the US.

One Horse Power: The Environmental Consequences Of Horseback Riding Trails In Protected Areas And National Parks, Briana Kupic

Hospitality Graduate Student Scholarship

Horseback riding is one of the traditional forms of recreation in national parks and protected areas, and can give visitors a special chance to explore these beautiful natural areas from a different perspective. However, the activity has raised concerns for its perceived effects on the environment. This paper synthesizes and reviews secondary literature on the environmental effects of horseback riding, and identifies four broad themes: disturbance to wildlife, degradation of water quality, loss of vegetation, and soil erosion. The evidence indicates that equines have the potential to inflict far greater trail damage and ecological impact than other trail participants, including …

Impact Of Global Food Tourism On Gastronomic Trends In America, Elvira Rivera

Hospitality Graduate Student Scholarship

This paper examines the impact of globalization and food tourism on gastronomic trends in the United States through an analysis of secondary sources. The study explores how exposure to international cuisines through travel and globalization influences American consumer behavior, culinary practices, and restaurant offerings. Research supports that global food tourism stimulates diverse cuisine expansion as well as elevates American interest in authentic dishes along with boosting cultural diversity in American food. In terms of this analysis, foodie is defined as “a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads”. (Definition of Foodie, 2018).

Professional Skills Program -The Cluster- A Distinctive Approach To Education [No Date], Nova Southeastern University

Huizenga Undergraduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Dos Hemisferios: Rebranding Strategy For A Nascent Ecuadorian Wine Market, Jacob Massoud, Vafa Saboorideilami

Barowsky School of Business | Faculty Scholarship

The Ecuadorian winery, Dos Hemisferios, had started as a hobby in 1999 but quickly grew into a business and passion for the Wright family. After receiving an international award in 2009 for its cabernet sauvignon-malbec blend called Paradoja, the winery realized its potential and decided to expand its vineyards and production of wines. As part of the strategy to increase sales, Robert Wright, the Dos Hemisferios President, and his father, Guillermo Wright, developed a rebranding proposal for the next board of directors meeting. This rebranding initiative hinged on the belief that people in the Ecuadorian wine market did not know …

Marriott Airlines: Redefining Travel & Hospitality, Elijah Brown

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The "Marriott Airlines: Redefining Travel & Hospitality" project explored the integration of Marriott International into the airline industry to enhance the travel experience and expand its global brand presence. The concept envisioned three distinct airline tiers: Ritz-Carlton Airlines for luxury travelers, Edition Airlines for business professionals, and Aloft Airlines for budget-conscious travelers. Each airline would be seamlessly connected to the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, allowing for streamlined bookings, personalized services, and loyalty program benefits. The project examined potential economic impacts, such as job creation within the travel sector, and analyzed operational feasibility, including branding, partnerships, and customer experience design. The findings …

Identifying Intangible And Biocultural Heritage Elements Toward Environmental Understanding: Engaging Stakeholders Through Art, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Grounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and …

Unlocking Human-Robot Dynamics In Restaurants: Exploring The Mechanisms Underlying The Impacts Of Service Robots’ Social Cues On Restaurant Customer Behaviors, Yusi Cheng

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rise of service robots (SRs) is reshaping service delivery, particularly in the dining sector where guiding and delivering robots are increasingly prevalent. However, understanding how customers interact with SRs and respond to their social cues in the dining environment remains unclear and fragmented. This dissertation aims to bridge this gap by comprehensively understanding the social cues of SRs and their influences on customer behaviors. Specifically, the objectives are to (1) understand prominent social cues and customer responses; (2) identify key SR-related social cues; (3) explore customer-SR interaction outcomes; (4) explain why certain social cues elicit particular customer responses; (5) …

Accessibility In Hospitality, Marina Kearns, Reese Middendorf, Seonwoo Yoo, Kamran Ahmad, Matthew Olszewski, Krista Grant

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Accessibility in hospitality venues can present significant challenges for individuals with both visible and invisible limitations. Individuals may benefit from a range of physical and/or cognitive accommodations. At Johnson & Wales University, the Spring Tiefel Scholars have conducted in-depth research on different aspects of accessibility, including mobility, neurodiversity, sensory impairments, respiratory limitations, religious and cultural considerations, and access for the unhoused. Their goal is to help make Rhode Island’s hospitality venues some of the most accessible in the United States. To achieve this, the Tiefel Fellows collaborated with the College of Health & Wellness and other experts to develop a …

Quickque: Enabling Quick Access To Information In User Reviews For Screen Reader Users, Mohan Sunkara, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Sandeep Kalari, Yash Prakash, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Efficiently perusing online customer reviews is presently challenging for blind users, who rely on a screen reader that supports predominantly one-dimensional narration of content via keyboard shortcuts. To address this, with restaurant reviews as seminal case study, we developed QuickCue, a browser extension prototype that enables screen reader users to quickly obtain the positives and negatives regarding different aspects of a restaurant (e.g., food quality, hygiene, ambiance), without having to sift through numerous reviews containing redundant information. At its core, QuickCue utilizes a large language model to perform aspect and sentiment-based joint classification of reviews to group them based on …

Adapting Online Customer Reviews For Blind Users: A Case Study Of Restaurant Reviews, Mohan Sunkara, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Sandeep Kalari, Yash Prakash, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Online reviews have become an integral aspect of consumer decision-making on e-commerce websites, especially in the restaurant industry. Unlike sighted users who can visually skim through the reviews, perusing reviews remains challenging for blind users, who rely on screen reader assistive technology that supports predominantly one-dimensional narration of content via keyboard shortcuts. In an interview study, we uncovered numerous pain points of blind screen reader users with online restaurant reviews, notably, the listening fatigue and frustration after going through only the first few reviews. To address these issues, we developed QuickCue assistive tool that performs aspect-focused sentiment-driven summarization to reorganize …

Adapting To Win: Churchill Downs Inc. And The New Era Of Entertainment And Betting., Mahesh Gupta, William Ferko, Thomas E. Lambert

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Churchill Downs Inc. (CDInc), a cornerstone of the Thoroughbred racing industry and the distinguished host of the Kentucky Derby. Situated at a critical juncture in the rapidly evolving spheres of gambling and entertainment, CDInc faces unique challenges and opportunities to maintain its preeminence and adapt to new market demands. Utilizing the Service Triangle framework, this study offers a deep dive into CDInc’s strategic operations, service delivery, and competitive positioning. The framework helps illuminate how shifts in consumer behavior, technological innovations, and regulatory changes are reshaping the industry. Despite facing challenges such as declining …

Do Intangible Assets Impact Financial Statement Comparability? A Case Study Of Washington State Hospitals, Andrew Brajcich, Dan Friesner, Matthew Q. Mcpherson

The North American Accounting Studies

Firms are becoming increasingly reliant on intangible assets to create value and differentiate themselves from their peers. Intangible assets are typically reported in the balance sheet using general categories such as “goodwill” or “other intangible assets.” Intangible assets are often unique in their attributes and productive lifespans, which makes them challenging to accurately and precisely record in accounting statements. While the assets themselves provide unique value creation opportunities, it is unclear whether specific intangible assets impact assessments of financial statement comparability. This study investigates whether the existence of various types of intangible assets leads to differences in financial statement comparability …

To Book Or Not To Book: A Case Analysis Of The Mydisney Experience Mobile Application And The Future Of Consumer Engagement, Cody T. Havard

Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management

As more participatory services lean heavily into the use of mobile applications to engage consumers, it has become increasingly important to gain a better understanding of such amenities. The current case analysis discusses the use of the MyDisney Experience mobile application in the fall of 2024. The case analysis uses an autoethnographic approach to investigate how the application added to and subtracted from the user experience. Implications and future directions of research are discussed.

Feeding Jersey: A Fresh Look At Food In The Garden State, Zachary E. Zawila

Capstones

New Jersey is the Garden State. The food business is in its nature. But how the state's foodways work, and particularly how they shape the cities of North Jersey, brings vitality to some neighborhoods while leaving others behind. The cities of Orange, Elizabeth, and Paterson have especially interesting food pasts, and particularly promising food futures.

https://sites.google.com/view/feeding-jersey/home

On Food And Restaurants, Liya Cui

Capstones

This portfolio contains a collection of stories about New York City restaurants and broader food culture, including reported features, a profile and criticism. Food is literally inescapable; even if you believe you don’t care about what you eat, every bite is a choice. This subject deserves critical thought and exploration as it influences our lives in myriad ways and reveals cultural trends that can tell us so much about who we are right now.

https://medium.com/@LiyaC/capstone-portfolio-on-food-and-restaurants-bc4c18c7f2a9

Perceptions Of Sport Fandom As A Means Of Meeting Psychological Needs, Daniel L. Wann Phd

Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management

The current study examined the use of sport fandom and team identification to assist in meeting four basic psychological needs: belonging, distinctiveness, structure, and meaning. The results indicated that fans view both general sport fandom and team identification as having the capability of helping them meet each of the needs, especially the need to belong. Additionally, team identification was believed to be more effective in assisting with the need for distinctiveness than was general sport fandom.

All Sports Spectacular Event Plan And Data Review, Ashley Dale

Honors Theses

The following report is the event plan for the All Sports Spectacular hosted by the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce (IHRCC) on October 5, 2024, at the Mill Sports and Event Center in Onsted, MI. The report investigates different elements of the event and how they contributed to the overall success of the event. It also provides recommendations for changes that can be made in the future to increase the fundraising potential of the event.

The project’s main goal was to raise funds for the IHRCC so that they are able to continue their mission of promoting business growth …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 100, No. 2, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Magazine edition of the College Heights Herald for the period November 11 - December 5, 2024.

• Wilborn, Price. Letter from the Editor – Homecoming
• Vickers, Abigail. Homecoming Royalty – Milie LeJeune, Sarah Burke, Katie Burch, Jennifer Smith, Alice Waddell
• A New Era for Social Sciences at WKU – Society, Culture, Crime & Justice
• Steps from WKU, Miles of Charm – Walk2Campus
• Wilborn, Price. Martha Sales Reflects on Life, Leadership & Growth
• Leasing Agents Lending a Friendly Face & Helping Hand – Columns
• Smith, Kane. How Local Businesses Prepare for Homecoming Crowds
• Downtown Bowling Green – Restaurants & Businesses
• Home Sweet …

Adopting Effective Strategies Of Agile Project Management In Hotel Rebranding Projects, Minjie Liu

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines the application of Agile Project Management (APM) in hotel rebranding projects, emphasizing its impact on project flexibility, cross-departmental collaboration, and customer satisfaction. Using qualitative methods, the study highlights how APM practices, such as iterative cycles and continuous feedback loops, enhance adaptability, foster teamwork, and align outcomes with market demands. Findings reveal that while APM improves responsiveness and customer engagement, challenges like increased communication costs require careful management. The study offers practical insights for integrating APM into rebranding strategies to boost competitiveness and customer loyalty in the hospitality industry.

Mathematics In Amusement Parks, Kacey Laumann

Honors Projects

This project focuses specifically on the Walt Disney World Park, Magic Kingdom. I started by collecting data through the MyDisneyExperience app. By recording the data, I was then able to create polynomial functions to the fifth the degree. Each attraction received a function which allowed me to predict the wait times for that attraction. Then, by graphing the functions and analyzing the graph using calculus the “best time” and “worst time” to go to the attraction were found. After the analysis the information is used to build a unique schedule for a guest. Then the guest receives this schedule after …

A Comparative Analysis Of Passenger Demand For Two Airport Hubs In The United States, Selcuk Ertekin, Fassil Fanta

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This paper studies the passenger demand for two airport hubs in the United States using econometric time-series modeling. By focusing on the traditional determinants of demand (national income and price), this paper compares the econometric dynamics of passenger demand for a large and a small airport hub. We found that there is a sustained relationship between income, price, and revenue passenger miles over time. We also found that a shock in GDP causes a disruption that has a lasting impact on passenger demand.

Charging During The Stay: The Effects Of Ev Chargers’ Availability And Pricing On Consumer Perceived Utilitarian Value And Behavioral Intentions, Wenjia Han, Cass Shum, Guoguang Wan

Hospitality Faculty Research

Hotels are increasingly hosting EV chargers. Yet, scant research examines the effects of EV chargers on consumer behavioral intentions toward the hotel. This study draws on the expectancy theory and examines the effect of EV chargers availability and the availability of surrounding chargers on consumer hotel booking intentions and willingness to pay a price premium. The results of two scenario-based experiments showed that free or paid EV chargers enhance consumers’ perceived utilitarian value and behavioral intentions. The effects are partially amplified when the availability of surrounding chargers is limited. This research contributes to the literature on hotel add-on services and …

Investigating The Impacts Of Homestay Tourism On A Local Community: Homestay Operators' Perspectives In Anantnag District, Sajad Ahmad Bhat, Ajaz Ahmad Dar, Dr Danish Iqbal Raina, Dr Basith Nabi Wani

Journal of Tourism Insights

Background: Homestay tourism, characterized by travelers residing in the homes of local residents, offers an intimate and authentic experience that fosters cultural exchange. This paper explores the impacts of homestay tourism on a local community, focusing on the Anantnag District in the Kashmir Valley. Drawing upon the insights of homestay operators, this research investigates the economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions of this tourism phenomenon.

Objective: To investigate the economic, sociocultural, and environmental implications of homestays on a local community and to determine differences in how the neighborhood perceives these impacts.

Methods: This study uses a quantitative research design, including a …

Valuate Jammu & Kashmir Tourism In Breadth Of Media Dailies And Time Period: A Content Analysis, Tahmeed Ahmad Badam Mr

Journal of Tourism Insights

Background: The study takes in to consideration Jammu & Kashmir tourism industry from media’s point of view; quantitative cum qualitative content analysis for articles has been carried out to evaluate different trends and aspects.

Objectives: Firstly, to analyze reportages in the index of assigned nomenclatures regarding Jammu & Kashmir tourism among selected local and national dailies. Secondly, measure the average mean values and their variance in respect to number of contents and classified themes.

Sampling selection: Four renowned media dailies have been selected conveniently for content analysis on the basis of their circulation. Systematic random sampling framework has been carried …

Tourist Expectation And Their Perception Towards Service Quality : The Case Of Baidyanath Dham Jyotirlinga, Deoghar, Vaishali Singh, Anjan Bhuyan

Journal of Tourism Insights

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions and expectations of tourists regarding the Service Quality attributes at Baidyanath Dham Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand. The aim is to identify the significant areas of shortcomings in the tourist amenities/services offered at the pilgrimage site and suggest ways to improve the overall pilgrimage experience. The study used the scale development procedures provided by Churchill (1979) and Hinkin (1995) as the initial step in developing a service quality scale. First, a thorough literature analysis highlighted six crucial factors: accommodation, information accessibility, transportation, safety and security, hygienic food and drink, and temple …

Exploring Boondocking Through Time: Evolution And Challenges For Outdoor Hospitality In The United States, Julien Bousquet

Journal of Tourism Insights

This study delves into the evolution of boondocking from a survival strategy to a lifestyle choice among RV enthusiasts, called boondockers, who cherish nature and self-reliance. Through a historical approach, it charts boondocking's evolution and assesses its societal, economic, and environmental impacts. The analysis highlights a dynamic progression, driven by advancements in RV technology, a shift towards sustainability, and digital community engagement. Environmental challenges underscore the necessity for sustainable practices, while future outlooks point to innovations in eco-friendly RV technologies and a stronger focus on Leave No Trace principles. The study forecasts a significant role for boondocking in the future …