Business Commons^™

The Influence Of Wait Time Units On Patience In Intertemporal Choice, Rafay A. Siddiqui

Theses and Dissertations

Patience is important for consumers. It allows consumers to forgo immediate desires and instead reap greater benefits in the future. We can see a conflict between immediate and future benefits in our everyday decisions, such as when we decide whether to spend money on frivolous products while shopping at the mall, or to set money aside for the future.

In this dissertation I study patience through the context of intertemporal choice. These choices are commonplace in the marketplace, and involve choosing between a smaller-sooner (SS) and a larger-later (LL) reward. SS and LL are separated by a wait time period. …

An Examination Of Destination Choice Behavior Using Meme Maps, Images And Decision Making Styles, Hilmi Atahan Atadil

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the destination choice behavior of tourists by using meme maps, images and decision making styles. The current article-based dissertation entails three separate studies that utilized data collected from Chinese, Arab, Russian and German tourists. The first article included within this dissertation assesses the perceived importance of the attributes that form destination images based on general vacation experiences and opinions of tourists and compares the expected performance of destination attributes of Turkey in attracting tourists from its emerging markets (like China as well as Arab countries) using modified version of Importance-Performance Analysis.

The …

Essays On The Economics Of International Remittances And Migration, Marian Manic

Theses and Dissertations

Existing literature on international remittances recognizes the increasing importance of these transfers on economic development as well as their effect on the reduction of poverty in developing countries. However, the studies on this topic are still divided over the long-term effects of remittances, identifying instances when remittances have either positive or negative results. Probably the most important oversight of the literature on international remittances and migration is the lack of the regional dimension in the analysis, which is the focus of this dissertation.

In the first chapter I propose a novel spatial dataset of remittances and spending from a nationally …

Customizable User Interfaces: Does Giving Individuals The Ability To Customize Information Organization Improve Decision Making ?, Charles Robert Boster

Theses and Dissertations

Recent technological innovations permit individuals to customize the way information they view is organized by incorporating personal themes, personal menu structures, personal reports, and custom dashboards. Relying on the theory of cognitive fit, I investigate the effects of one aspect of customization on decision making, information order. Through use of an online experiment with Amazon Mechanical Turk workers, I test the hypothesis that decision accuracy will increase for participants who use custom displays. However, I do not find support for the hypothesis using either the originally proposed measure of decision accuracy or two additional measures of decision accuracy. Furthermore, supplemental …

Theory Of Under-And Overinvestment: An Empirical Examination Of Value Creation And Destruction In Hospitality Firms, Tarik Dogru

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I study underinvestment and overinvestment theories by examining the value creation and destruction in hospitality firms in three separate but coherent and cohesive research papers. In the first study, I analyze the extent to which financial constraints (underinvestment) and corporate governance (overinvestment) affect hotel firms’ value around acquisition announcements. In addition to the traditional form of corporate structure (i.e., C-corporation), hotel firms extensively adopt the organizational forms of franchising and REIT, which might affect under- and overinvestment problems. Nonetheless, little is known whether capital investments create or reduce value for hotel-REITs and franchising hotel firms. The results …

Two Essays On The Effects Of Emphasizing Social Consequences In Warning Messages, Mitchel Richard Murdock

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the effects of warning messages that emphasize the social consequences of negative health outcomes and demonstrates that highlighting social (versus health) consequences leads to greater perceived temporal proximity of the outcome, increased perceived vulnerability to the outcome, and less favorable consumption experiences. Oftentimes health messages are ineffective at altering risk perceptions and eliciting long-term behavior change because the health consequence seems very distant and unlikely to happen (e.g. mouth cancer from smoking). However, when a negative health outcome is seen through a social lens (e.g. mouth cancer makes a person unattractive) versus a health lens (e.g. mouth …

Memorable Dining Experiences: Formative Index And Model Development, Yang Cao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study is to understand the nature of memorable dining experiences (MDE), to conceptualize MDE, to develop a formative index to measure MDE, and to test a conceptual model to examine the antecedents and outcomes of MDE. Developed primarily from strategic experiential modules and from the cognitive appraisal theory, this study proposed that MDE consists of five dimensions: affect, sensory, social, intellectual, and behavioral.

This study applied a mixed method approach using a sequential exploratory design. Specifically, the in-depth interviews and a detailed literature review were used to generate the research instrument, and then the online …

Organizational Value Capture, Embeddedness, And Status Notification Among Star Employees, Matthew Call

Theses and Dissertations

Despite increasing scholarly interest in star employees, there remains confusion as to (1) what a star is, (2) how organizations can share in the value they create, and (3) whether notifying them of their star status within organizations increases or decreases a star’s turnover intentions and value capture. In light of these knowledge gaps, I seek to make the following contributions in this dissertation. First, I review recent multidisciplinary conceptual development that has led to a unified definition of stars: individuals that exhibit prolonged and disproportionately high performance, visibility, and social capital. Second, while prior work suggests that, to capture …

Authenticity In The Country Music Industry, Alyssa Johnson

Senior Theses

When researching the country music industry, it is impossible to avoid certain words—authenticity, sincerity, tradition—as a country music consumer, I have personally noticed these themes appearing frequently. As a consumer, I have been confused by the images that I’ve observed in country music scholarship and journalism based on tradition or authenticity (or, more often, the lack thereof). There is serious reverence for certain people, places, and things in country music. The Grand Ole Opry, the “legends” of the industry, and Nashville itself are treated with the utmost respect because of the roles that they’ve played in the development of country …

The Impact Of Cultural Differences On Human Resources Policies Of Multinational Companies, Sarah Michelle Hutnek

Senior Theses

Hundreds of companies in today’s world operate internationally. British Petroleum, Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Exxon Mobil, Toyota, General Electric, Wal­Mart, IBM, Morgan Stanley, and nearly every one of the most recognizable brands worldwide have international operations ( The Super 50 , Forbes, 2015). In order for these multinational corporations to be effective, they must consider their local impact on the countries they operate within, the local practices, and cultural boundaries that exist. Often the burden of ensuring cultural compatibility and efficacy falls on the Human Resources manager, focusing “specifically on structural training and development and retention ­oriented compensation” (Ngo, Human Resources …

The Effect Of Mortgage Timeline On The Investor's Portfolio, Grace Marie Wylie

Senior Theses

This thesis project creates a hypothetical situation in which individuals choose either a thirty-year or fifteen-year fixed-rate mortgage on the same house at the same time and uses historical data to simulate the stock portfolios resulting from investment strategies based on this choice. Both strategies have the same time horizon and total monthly payment, so investors should be indifferent between the two. Using the fifteen-year strategy, the investor pays a higher mortgage payment every month for fifteen years then invests the entire amount of the payment in the stock market monthly for the next fifteen years. Using the thirty-year strategy, …

The Effects Of Emerging Technologies On Data In Auditing, Matthew C. Oldhouser

Senior Theses

In this paper, I examine the current status of the uses and implementation of technology in the external auditing profession. For purposes of this paper, an auditor refers to a Certified Public Accountant working at a large (national and international) accounting firm. Internal auditors, those that work either internally for the client or are hired on a consulting basis by the client, are mentioned specifically when I am trying to highlight their differing approaches and practice. In addition to surveying the current status of business technology, I investigate the drivers of the present state, and try to predict what will …

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.

Feminism Made In China: The Impact Of Light Export Manufacturing On Rural Chinese Women, Kathleen Marie Mackenzie

Senior Theses

This senior thesis explores the impacts of employment in light export manufacturing on rural women in China. It first describes the neoclassical economist, feminist economist, and contemporary feminist points of view regarding the effect that manufacturing has specifically on rural women. It then includes a statistical analysis to analyze the empirical data surrounding this issue and draw a conclusion on whether or not light export manufacturing is beneficial for rural Chinese women.

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 …

A New Hope: South Carolina's Struggle With Domestic Violence, Riley Anne Bearden

Senior Theses

South Carolina has come into the national spotlight over the past 10 years over it’s consistent issue with domestic violence. With domestic homicide rates consistently over the national average, journalists and researchers have examined everything from the causes of domestic violence, it’s impetus within a person and its cultural influences, to the way that law enforcement and the judicial system handle cases presented to them. South Carolina’s patriarchal background and traditional perspective on gender relations certainly play a role in the high rates of domestic violence in the state, and other cultural factors that could affect the prevalence of abuse. …

How Competition, Customization, And Niche Markets Have Affected Sku Proliferation And Management, Alexander Eugene Huggs

Senior Theses

Differentiation has become a major competitive advantage. The end result is that many companies and businesses have found a competitive advantage by offering a wide variety of products. While Henry Ford may have only had to keep up with a limited number of parts for his relatively standard Model T, the Ford Motor Company now sells sixteen different models of consumer vehicles. This has not only happened to the Ford Motor Company. Growth in the number of stock keeping units (SKUs) is present across most consumer goods. What has caused this explosion in SKUs, how have companies adapted warehouses and …

Connecting And Cultivating Columbia: Vignettes Of Columbia's Most Connected Leaders, Allison Patricia Held

Senior Theses

This senior thesis project takes a look at the lives of some of Columbia's most philanthropic leaders. Inspired by my grandfather, I set out to interview and write vignettes about five of Columbia's leaders, learning about their lives and the paths that brought them to their current positions of influence. Through the project, I saw many differences and commonalities between the leaders.

U.S. Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: An Analysis Of Threats, Methods, And Policy-Past, Present, And Future, Justan Phillip Dustan

Senior Theses

This senior thesis focuses on the growth and development of the US critical infrastructure cybersecurity program to better understand where we were, where we are, and where we're going... as well as how we can improve in the future.

Pandemonium: An Evolution Of Steel Pans And Its Place In Music Education, Morgan Whitney Esarey

Senior Theses

This thesis is aimed at researching the development, benefits, and drawbacks of steel drums, also known as steel pans and even more commonly known amongst Trinidadians as “pans.” Steel pans are relatively new instruments having come about in the last century. They are recognized instruments with immense cultural identity on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Steel bands have been well established in the United States and around the globe with the help of various pan players who have cultivated an interest in these instruments. Their popularity appears to be infectious. Using research conducted from previous studies as well …

Inked With Debt: An Overview Of The Student Debt Market And A Potential For Change, Brian Alexander Kean

Senior Theses

In a world of rapidly escalating amounts of student debt, the current system harms college stakeholders. Whether governments (state or federal), students, universities, or the economy, all parties are suffering in the current student debt market. At this point in time, student loans have become a sizeable debt vehicle second only to mortgage debt in the United States. A majority of students use loans to attend school, which often become a major decision in post-graduation plans. In addition, it is the only form of debt not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Due to this, an alarming amount of Americans have become ensnared …

Commonalities Of Asset Pricing Bubbles, Lauren Frances Pensegrau

Senior Theses

The focus of this thesis will be to examine the similarities between the 2007-2008 Subprime Mortgage Crisis and other crises resulting from the collapse of an asset pricing bubble throughout United States financial history. Particular emphasis will be placed on the real estate and stock bubbles of the 20th century, including the events leading up to the Great Depression and the Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis of the late 1980s. I explore commonalities throughout the life cycle of a bubble, from the catalysts that lead to bubble formation, to the drivers that fuel both expansion and collapse, and finally, the …

A History Of Prince George And The Challenges Facing Public Entities Owning Unique Properties, Elizabeth Willcox Buyck

Senior Theses

I grew up going to Pawleys Island with my family and friends and have always been interested in the area. Hurricane Hugo destroyed many homes on the island in 1989, but most owners rebuilt larger and more modern homes because they loved the area and the land. In June 2015, I began working at the University of South Carolina Foundations office. I learned that the USC Development Foundation purchased the Prince George tract in 1994 and that there was a long and interesting story as to why the tract remained undeveloped and preserved while the vast majority of the oceanfront …

Cuban Trade Relations Under The U.S. Embargo And Their Impact On Human Development, Elizabeth Drew Ernest

Senior Theses

This senior thesis analyzes the U.S. embargo against Cuba, including how it works and how it has impacted Cuba's trade relations with other countries and regions in addition to the U.S. It then explores the impact of the resulting trade relationships on human development in Cuba through the lens of the three dimensions of the Human Development Index: standard of living, health, and education.

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.

The Effects Of Technology On College Life, Tracy June Dye

Senior Theses

Ever since technology has boomed and cellphones have gone from phones to mini-computers, the effect of technology has been a hot topic in research. Students use technology for everything – from communication to school to entertainment. The times people spend on their phones and computers versus the time spent actually interacting with people seems to quickly be widening. The effects of technology can especially be seen in the college students today since these students are some of the first generation to grow up with almost complete access to technology. As a college student, these effects were of particular interest. Personal …

Business Consultation Of Select Best Practices To An Animated Film Studio: How To Produce The Most Successful Film You Can, Joshua Christian Blackwood

Senior Theses

This thesis is framed as a mock consultation to an animated film studio to advise them on what factors they need to take into consideration in order to produce the most successful product that they can. Quantitative research and statistical analysis will be conducted to answer this question and the conclusions drawn should offer valuable insight to a film studio. Major elements of a movie to be examined will be pulled from both creator and viewer sides of the experience.

Three Essays On Institutional Sensemaking Of Political Connectedness, Tolga Ulusemre

Theses and Dissertations

Through a collection of three integrated essays, this dissertation investigates how institutional logics shape the way firms and their decision makers perceive, interpret, and respond to political connectedness. More specifically, it elaborates on the cognitive mechanisms through which institutional logics affect responses to political connectedness. Essay 1 provides a fresh perspective to studying political connectedness by showing how the differences in the interplay between multiple institutional logics generate opposing logics – bureaucratic logic in developed countries vs. patrimonial logic in emerging countries –, which lead to two dissimilar forms of firm-government interaction across countries. Essay 2 proposes a new conceptual …

Implementation Of Agile Project Management In The Classroom, Michael Jerrod Myers

Theses and Dissertations

The world of engineering and engineering practices is advancing rapidly. In response to this rapid change, engineering education practices have to advance to ensure students are properly trained for the workforce. The purpose of this report is to address and substantiate the hypothesis that if engineering instruction incorporated Agile project management methods, then students will be challenged by professors to accomplish course objectives with a systematic and timely approach that will improve assessment performance metrics and present the framework of how agile methods of project management can be integrated into the classroom. The agile methods incorporated will also encourage the …

Ceo Narcissism, Ceo Humility, And C-Suite Dynamics Results Of The 2016 Hr@Moore Survey Of Chief Hr Officers, Patrick M. Wright, Ormonde Cragun, Anthony J. Nyberg, Donald J. Schepker, Michael D. Ulrich

Reports

The 2016 HR@Moore Survey of Chief HR Officers explored the CEO’s leadership style, particularly in terms of narcissism and humility, and some aspects of C-suite dynamics. The results showed that while some CEOs can be described as narcissists, the vast majority fail to fit this negative stereotype, and in fact, most would be described as relatively humble. CEOs have relatively positive perceptions of the board, but have some concerns with the extent to which the board may get involved in more operational decisions, thus, overstepping their boundaries. Executive leadership teams were described in terms of Agreement, Camaraderie, and Trust. They …