Business Commons^™

Analyzing Colonial South Carolina's Trade Landscape Through The Ricardian Model, Dylan M. Peddemors

Senior Theses

The state of South Carolina existed as a British colony from its founding in 1663 until it declared independence in 1776. During this period, South Carolina operated as a plantation-based, cash-crop economy relying on two primary exports: rice and indigo. The colony displayed nearly complete specialization in its exports of these crops while importing different goods. The theory of comparative advantage in trade relationships crafted by British economist David Ricardo in the 18th century concludes that gains from trade emerge when trade partners specialize in the production and exportation of the goods of which they have the lowest opportunity cost. …

The Impact Of Individual Culture On Purchase Decisions Of Fast Fashion In Brazil, Lucie S. Speck

Senior Theses

Fast fashion is an emerging method of production in the apparel industry that is characterized by lower-quality materials and faster production timelines than the traditional methods of producing clothing. It is becoming a trending topic in modern business due to its negative social and environmental impact, as brands that use fast fashion production processes are constantly being criticized for inhumane labor practices and large amounts of textile waste.

This research proposes two models using a survey as its main research method. The first model determines how financial situation, collectivism as a cultural value, and education level impact whether social media …

Understanding Gentrification Outside Of The Global Neoliberal Perspective In Hong Kong, Ivy Lu

Senior Theses

Globalization has impacted urban development in different parts of the world. In particular, the influence of neoliberalism has had a significant impact on gentrification. The academic hegemony of the English language further compounds the complexities of overextending the scope of this definition when applying it outside of its original Anglo-American contexts. East Asia, specifically Hong Kong, presents a unique case study due to its local context historically, politically and market-wise, as well as culturally; all of which make it valuable to study urban development phenomena in the region. However, identifying the indicators of neoliberalism and gentrification in Hong Kong is …

Hard Seltzers In Europe: A Sparkling Opportunity? An Analysis Of The Market Potential For Hard Seltzers In Europe, Amanda R. Harper

Senior Theses

This thesis seeks to uncover the potential for the hard seltzer category in the European alcohol market. First, through secondary research, it establishes the conditions of entering the European alcohol market by looking at the challenges of entering markets abroad, the challenges of entering the European market, and the history and current state of alcohol in Europe. Second, this thesis will analyze the history and characteristics of the hard seltzer category. This will include profiles of seven key brands: White Claw, Truly, Bud Light Seltzer, Vizzy, Topo Chico, Mike’s Hard Seltzer, and Pure Piraña. Next, this thesis will analyze primary …

Xbox In Japan? Understanding The Distinctions Of The Japanese Video Game Market To Increase Microsoft's Competitive Advantage, Sekani Adebimpe

Senior Theses

Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony remain the biggest players in the video game console space. While all three companies have achieved worldwide success, Microsoft’s performance with the Xbox brand in Japan is an outlier for its historically poor sales numbers dating back to its 2001 debut. The purpose of this thesis is to unearth the various cultural distinctions inherent to the Japanese gaming industry that Microsoft must consider to gain a stronger foothold in the country, as well as diagnose the biggest issues facing Xbox with Japanese consumers. To accomplish this, several cultural frameworks were used to assess the differences between …

Effects Of Firm Environmental And Sustainability Performance On Nonprofessional Investors’ Judgments: A Comparison Between The United States And Germany, Jackson M. Nietert

Senior Theses

Several studies find that environmental reporting is significant to investors’ decision-making. Here, the effect of German and US-American cultures on nonprofessional investors’ judgments when given positive or negative environmental reports is examined. Two experiments were conducted, one with US students recruited locally and German participants recruited online and the other with all participants recruited online to ensure more similar samples. In both experiments, in line with previous research, environmental reporting has a significant impact on nonprofessional investors’ decision-making process. In addition, the first experiment shows that German nonprofessional investors are more likely to penalize firms for poor environmental ratings however …

The Legal And Social Challenges Involved In The Expansion Of Multinational Operations: A Case Study Of Exxonmobil Indonesia, Shashaank Rajaraman

Senior Theses

Within this paper, I will analyze the legal and social relations between multinational corporations and their host countries. This analysis will be conducted through viewing the circumstances surrounding Doe v. ExxonMobil within the District of Columbia Circuit Court, in which ExxonMobil has engaged in litigation regarding their human rights record within the country of Indonesia. Through secondary research conducted both within business and legal journals, information about the practices of ExxonMobil can be examined and utilized to make general conclusions upon the corporate diplomacy practiced by multinational corporations.

Nation Branding: The Case For Marketing Strategy In International Relations, Brooke Boan

Senior Theses

This thesis seeks to address the concept of nation branding and how states can use marketing strategies for international relations gains. Using a literature review of relevant concepts and trends in international relations, including soft power, public diplomacy, and cultural diffusion, the connection between marketing strategies and foreign policy trends become clear. An analysis of nation branding, its origins, applications, and challenges, provides insight into an up-and-coming area of international relations. Specific country case studies were chosen to examine the real-world results of nation branding including the shortcomings and future opportunities. The case of Japan shows how a country can …

Monopolies, Monopsonies, And Everything In-Between: The Gradual Unwinding Of Nearly A Century Of Antitrust Activity, Chase Faulkner

Senior Theses

Changes in the interpretation of antitrust law since the Reagan administration have created a simultaneous increase in mergers/acquisitions and a decrease in antitrust action. This trend started with Ronald Reagan in an effort to bolster a stagnant United States economy, yet in spite of the revolution the global economy has undergone in the last few decades, this trend is still perpetuated today. While this has helped the United States economy abroad, it has come at a cost domestically. A number of industries have become dominated by a single firm (or a group) through a variety of anticompetitive practices, and their …

Inditex: A Case Study In Transferring Fast Fashion To International Markets, Anna Stooksbury

Senior Theses

Using Industria de Diseño Textil, S.A. (Inditex) and its subsidiaries as a case study, this thesis is an analysis of the largest fashion group in the world and its success in transferring a unique fast fashion business model into almost 100 markets worldwide. This thesis examines the internationalization of a large company and the steps it must take to enter into a new market, including internationalization motivations, market selection, and entrance strategies (both physical and virtual). This analysis uses an in-depth case approach to analyze the fast fashion business model that has made Inditex a success. Using extensive secondary research, …

Winning Investment: The Strategic Implications Of The Growth Of Sabermetrics In Japanese Baseball, David Trent Pagliarini

Senior Theses

This thesis examines Japanese baseball and how the use of analytics and statistical research has been implemented into Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), compared to its North American counterpart, Major League Baseball (MLB). Due to the large financial implications of the MLB, teams have fully adopted the use of advanced metrics to find competitive disparities and advantages in roster construction, game strategies, and player development. Because of the long history attached to baseball in Japan, many cultural differences have adapted the game and recently slowed the growth of sabermetrics. While the NPB is beginning to understand the competitive value that analytics …

Emergent Trends In The Chinese Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Supply Chain And Opportunities For Public-Private Reform, Mary Monk

Senior Theses

This research seeks to identify and analyze emerging trends in the Chinese counterfeit pharmaceutical trade, extending from the supply chain’s point of origin to domestic and overseas retail dispensary. To aid readability, Chapter 1 of this thesis opens with key conclusions and policy recommendations for various Chinese and U.S. stakeholders based on the shortcomings identified in Chapter 5. Chapter 2 begins with a review of international roadblocks to diagnosing the issue, such as lack of consensus on working definitions and cross-border discrepancies in pharmaceutical oversight regulation. This section also provides a general overview of existing factors driving demand for counterfeit …

Ironing Out Anemia: Assessing The Role Of Marketplace Factors And Government Investment Incentives In Shaping East African Pharmaceutical Markets, Madison M. Bradley

Senior Theses

Africa suffers from the highest disease burden in the world, with over half of the population lacking regular access to essential medicines (Owoeye, 2014, p.214; Chaudhuri & West, 2015, p.23). Following two decades of reform, the continent has now emerged one of the fastest-growing economic regions, shifting public health focus toward non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Holt et al., 2015, p.2). Among these NCDs is anemia, which has direct and indirect economic effects as large as 4.05% of GDP (Horton & Ross, 2003, p.51). Encouraged by the rapid growth of liberalized markets, African governments and health officials are now considering local pharmaceutical …

An Evaluation Of The Sustainability Of The Palm Oil Industry, Leah Marie Roberts

Senior Theses

The goal of this thesis is to critically analyze the sustainability of the rapidly growing palm oil industry in order to diagnose whether the benefits of production outweigh the varied costs incurred by stakeholders, how the industry can be improved, and what analytical tools consumers can use to make better purchasing decisions. The body of the thesis begins with a discussion on sustainability definitions and determines that for this paper, sustainability will be defined as analyzing the socioeconomic and environmental effects of palm oil and how they affect different actors of the value chain in order to allow for prescriptions …

The Impact Of American Economic Aid On Post-World War Ii Germany, Gabriella Barber, Emily T. Carlstrom

Senior Theses

This paper examines the state of Germany immediately after World War II, describing how the American government intervened in West German reconstruction. It analyzes three specific German companies that overcame hardship in the 1940s and 50s and have become powerhouses today. Additionally, an overview of the current German economy shows how the country is positioned as a world leader.

Research was conducted using literary print sources, scholarly internet databases, and a formal interview with Klaus Becker, Honorary Consul to Germany. He is a German-American businessman who has held roles in several non-political associations, including President of the Charlotte World Trade …

The Adoption Of Cryptocurrency Technology Into The Us Banking Infrastructure, Trevor Melito

Senior Theses

This thesis examines the possibility of using Blockchain technology to permanently change the payment structure of the US banking system. First, I examine the current technology that dominates the banking sector. I introduce the most frequently used payments methods including Automatic Clearing House transfers and wire transfers, both domestically and internationally. In addition, I highlight the major players controlling these transactions. Under the current system, frictions between senders and receivers cause billions of dollars in losses each year.

Next, I examine Blockchain’s roots along with some similar cryptocurrency technology, namely Distributed Ledger Technology and Smart Contracts. The transparency, security, and …

The Macroeconomic And Cultural Microcosms Of Global Groceries, Emily C. Mccluskey, Stephanie A. Barton

Senior Theses

The aim of this thesis is to understand the global grocery market and to present a framework to assist sector players in developing go-to-market strategies as they expand abroad. In order to holistically study the cultural and economic implications of grocery stores across the world, we first selected six unique countries to focus our research: Singapore, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Germany, and the United States. In addition to having personally traveled to each of these countries, we chose to analyze these six very different markets in order to include a wide range of cultures and levels of economic development. We found …

Trade Financing In Emerging Markets, Jamie L. Morris

Senior Theses

Businesses need capital to initiate trades, drive growth, and produce profit, but unfortunately, not all companies can access to capital easily. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), although critical to the global economy, typically have trouble funding trades because of a lack of creditworthiness. This problem worsens for SMEs in emerging markets in volatile economies with political instability (“Trade finance and SMEs” 2016, p.11-21). In this study, we analyze how third-party trade finance companies can help finance trades more easily for SMEs in eight (8) emerging markets: Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Chile, Peru, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. We use a unique source …

A Scenario-Based Analysis On The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Public Sector, Private Sector, And International Business, Charles Nastopoulos

Senior Theses

Drawing on four years of academic education received from the #1 International Business Program at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina Honors College, this is a comprehensive and forward-thinking strategic thought piece addressing the international business world and its potential post-pandemic reality. This thesis will answer the overarching question: What are the short- and long-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on international business?

Estimating Chance For Success In Shale Gas Development Based On The Case Of The United States, Moira Lennon

Senior Theses

Natural gas, commonly extracted through the hydraulic fracturing of shale basins, has the potential to provide an abundant supply of energy that is more sustainable than other fossil fuels. Due to the complicated and risky nature of the hydraulic fracturing process, only the United States has developed the technology on a large scale. However, in the face of increasing global energy demands and vast supplies worldwide in virtually untapped basins, other countries may want to explore the potential development of this industry. Existing literature on Poland, Mexico, and China are analyzed to assess their similarity to the US in regard …

Cultural Disparity And The Impact On Work Life Balance, Bryan Campbell

Senior Theses

This research examines the differences in work life balances between varying countries around the world. In order to do so, a proxy index was created by investigating a portion of questions from respondents of the World Values Survey. Comparing this to Hofstede's Insights on National Culture allowed for a unique perspective as to whether the country individualism ratings could then be used to assert a relationship between these metrics.

The Impact Of Coffee Production On The Economy Of Colombia, Luke Alexander Ferguson

Senior Theses

This senior thesis seeks to determine the impact that the level of coffee production in Colombia has on economic wellbeing in the country. As a proxy for economic wellbeing in different arenas, I look at the income, health, and education variables of GDP, infant mortality rate, and secondary education enrollment. I use a Two-Stage Least Squares regression model to estimate this impact, with lagged international coffee prices and the occurrence of the fungal plant disease coffee leaf rust as instruments to account for endogeneity. The data which I use in this project include country-level indicators from the World Bank and …

The Asia Culture Shock Experience, Judith Lin

Senior Theses

While students go abroad to learn about new cultures and advance their language skills, there is typically an initial culture shock when entering these unfamiliar environments. It is important to understand the causes and effects of culture shock, in particular experiences in Asia, a region whose culture is significantly different from the individualist cultures in the United States and Europe. While being exposed to new cultures is increasingly important for our interdependent world, it becomes more important to observe reactions to that exposure and understand how those reactions form or how to handle them. In particular, students who study abroad …

Navigating Culture, Politics, And Economics In A Global World, Haley Garcia

Senior Theses

This rise of international business has paved the way for the creation of the Multinational corporation (MNC). While MNCs must be primarily concerned with day to day operations and transactions across borders, there are many factors to consider in addition to business. Each MNC must decide how to navigate the global marketplace, finding a niche within cultural, political, and economic realities that change depending on the market being entered. By considering and understanding these factors, MNCs will be able to successfully enter and compete in global markets integrating the economies of the world into one.

International Business Guide To Peru, Mark Kingsmore

Senior Theses

Every study abroad adventure is unique, exciting, and scary in its own way. When I chose to study abroad in Peru, I was selecting a university that had a brand new partnership with USC and no older students to give me advice. I embraced the opportunity to be a trailblazer to a new school instead of walking a path that had been walked hundreds of times before, but I still felt nervous at times that I didn’t have the same information as my peers going to universities with more established partnerships. As a junior at the International Business student meet …

Is Populism Against Trade? Argentina's Trade Policy In The Context Of Latin American Populism, Natalie M. Pita

Senior Theses

The question at hand is if understanding trade and populism helps inform an understanding of concerns about populist governments in terms of trade. Countries in Latin America have been plagued by ISI policies, while East Asian countries saw success with export-led growth. Export expansion and import substitution are not contradictory policies; in fact, they complement each other. ISI is one stage of development policy, and export-led growth is a second stage (Amsden 172). Unfortunately, most Latin American countries never made it to the export expansion and trade openness stage of policy. The region came closest when many of its countries …

Are Single Tier Inventory Systems Still Relevant In The Business World Today?, Hank Massaro

Senior Theses

The goal of this paper is to identify whether single tier inventory management systems are still effective and useful for businesses in today’s more globalized economy. Multitier inventory management systems are very popular, especially for researchers who have mostly forsaken single tier systems in recent years so there was reason to question the viability of single tier systems. However, to determine whether these inventory management systems are still viable, I would also have to identify at least one significant business sector that would benefit from their use, as well as exploring their assumptions and mathematical background to identify the inventory …

Bienvenido A Chile: A Guide For The International Business Of The Americas Cohort, Jacob William Sims, Julie Grace Whitehead

Senior Theses

This senior thesis projects aims to provide a comprehensive guide to living and studying abroad in Santiago, Chile to accompany the new International Business of the Americas cohort. It covers a spread of issues including macro politics and economics to where to live and how to repatriate to the University of South Carolina.

Evaluating Risk Of Small Business Expansion Into Latin America: A Study In Colombia, Chile, And Peru, Kelly Lynn Faria

Senior Theses

This senior thesis uses Colombia, Chile, and Peru as examples of similarly sized Latin American countries, with similar economic and trade impact, that have vastly different business environments. This report outlines many of the risk environments, competitive sectors, and cultural norms in each country in order to provide a basic understanding of the business environments for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Humanos De Santiago, Ana Maria Gibson

Senior Theses

I am a member of the inaugural class of the International Business of the Americas cohort program of the Sonoco International Business Department at the Darla Moore School of Business. As a participant in this program, I spent two semesters living in Santiago, Chile studying at the Facultad de Economía y Negocios at the Universidad de Chile. During my time in Santiago, I learned about the cultural differences between Chile and the United States both inside and out of the classroom. However, despite the measurable, and often profound, differences between the two countries, what struck me the most were the …