Business Commons^™

Technology Planning For Aligning Emerging Business Models And Regulatory Structures: The Case Of Electric Vehicle Charging And The Smart Grid, Kelly R. Cowan

Dissertations and Theses

Smart grid has been described as the Energy Internet: Where Energy Technology meets Information Technology. The incorporation of such technology into vast existing utility infrastructures offers many advantages, including possibilities for new smart appliances, energy management systems, better integration of renewable energy, value added services, and new business models, both for supply- and demand-side management. Smart grid also replaces aging utility technologies that are becoming increasingly unreliable, as the average ages for many critical components in utility systems now exceed their original design lives. However, while smart grid offers the promise of revolutionizing utility delivery systems, many questions remain about …

Studying The Effects Of High School Athletics Social Media, Justin Scott

Honors Theses

This research project focuses on high school athletics social media pages and their relevance to high school communication audiences and institutional communication goals.

I conducted two in-depth interviews with school officials from a large Michigan high school, a survey of the high school sports social media followers, and an analysis of data from that high school’s Facebook page.

I was able to determine that seeing social media content from high school athletics pages had a positive relationship with how the school’s quality of social media communication was perceived, intentions to attend athletic events, and an increased awareness of the school’s …

Mindfulness And Individual Error Orientation In High Reliability Organizations, Ellen Choi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Mindfulness is a concept drawn from the contemplative traditions that refers to present-moment, non-judgmental awareness. Exactly how applicable mindfulness is in the workplace requires further empirical validation, particularly on outcomes immediately relevant to organizations. This study contributes to literature examining the effects of mindfulness in organizational settings by considering the effects of an 8-week workplace mindfulness training program in a high-reliability organization (hospital) on individual error orientation, an individual’s propensity to learn from error, worry about error, or hide error. This study adds to the current state of knowledge by providing further insight into why one holds a particular error …

Examining The Managerial Skills/Competencies Needed To Transition From A Traditional Performance Appraisal To A Developmental Performance Appraisal, James S. Aller Iii

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative methods case study was to examine the differences and difficulties of delivering a performance appraisal that was developmental in nature from that of a traditional appraisal, as well as to identify the skills/competencies required of store managers and developmental activities needed to make a transition from a traditional performance appraisal to a performance appraisal system that was developmental in nature. Such a change should not be taken lightly by organizations, given that the task of delivering an evaluation varies. Four research questions guided the study. First, what are the differences between a performance appraisal that …

Nhl Rule Changes In The Media, Brandon Caryl

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the media contributing to the national dialogue involving rule changes in the NHL (National Hockey League). Reporters in the media choose what is published on day to day press releases. What is released is what the consumers are taking in, using various mediums of social media, television, internet, etc. and that is the only knowledge the consumers are getting surrounding a developing story or topic.

This was an important topic to research because discussion in the media, and the way they speak on different topics and news stories is …

The Role Of Organizational Buy-In In Employee Retention, Serena Hsia

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the role of organizational buy-in, the acceptance and willingness to actively support and participate in the organizations plans, in the relationship between job satisfaction and intent to stay. Furthermore, this study proposed that job position would moderate the influence of organizational buy-in, as those in higher positions may be more invested in the organiation’s strategy. Two models were tested – a moderated moderation model, and a double moderated model. Support was found for the double moderated model. Organizational buy-in acted as a buffer between job satisfaction and intent to stay, such that those who have low job …

The Effects Of Repealing The Estate Tax And Reducing The Corporate Tax Rate Coupled With A Repatriation Act, Trenton Vanderlende

Honors Theses

Given that significant U.S. federal tax reform is taking place for the first time in over 30 years, this paper examines how changing specific tax provisions may affect the average individual taxpayer as well as the wealthiest 1% of Americans. Three potential federal tax law changes are addressed: repealing the estate tax, reducing the corporate statutory income tax rate, and offering a repatriation holiday for remitting the foreign profits earned by U.S. businesses. These changes are analyzed using publicly available data from U.S. Congressional hearings, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Based on this …

Relationship Between Promotions And Attendance At Rochester Red Wings Games, Dan M. Ruehle

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of this research was to determine which, if any, promotions offered by the Red Wings had a stronger impact on motivating fans to attend games. The research question for the study focused on determining what relationship exists between promotional activities and attendance at Rochester Red Wings games. In the past, various studies have been done on broader motivational factors for minor league baseball attendance and the impact of specific promotional categories on MiLB attendance. The most important conclusions drawn from these studies were that promotions held on weekday games were more significant in raising attendance numbers, post-game fireworks …

The Role Of Family Endorsement In Venture Creation And Sustainability, Thomas Daniel White

Doctoral Dissertations

Entrepreneurship research has shown that family social support is an important factor in an entrepreneur’s venture creation and sustainability efforts, yet little is known about the nature and impact of family processes that occur prior to venture start, or how early endorsement of a venture impacts the entrepreneur. These processes are important to consider, because they may facilitate or inhibit ongoing family social support and influence the entrepreneur’s venture creation and sustainability decisions. Utilizing a family systems theoretical framework, I draw on theories of self-perception, social support and conservation of resources to address three issues. First, I introduce the construct …

A Mixed-Methods Study: An Examination Of The Relationship Between Private Social Media Participation And Accountability, Adherence, And Social Connectedness In, Diana A. Cabori

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods sequential explanatory study was to examine the influence of private social media usage on accountability, adherence, and social connectedness in weight loss and fitness program participants.

Methodology: This study utilized a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design comprised of a multi-state quantitative survey of weight loss and fitness participants and subsequent qualitative interviews to elucidate the influence of private social media on weight loss and fitness program participants regarding program accountability and adherence, and social connectedness to others. The population included 3,000 participants of The Camp Transformation Center and 1,000 participants of Warrior Fitness and …

Canines For Disabled Kids, Erin Jerrett, Margarita Mnatsakanyan, Colleen Reynolds, Yin Wang

School of Professional Studies

Canines for Disabled Kids have been working on behalf of children and their families to educate communities and promote service dog partnerships for almost twenty years. Their advocacy with local legislatures, business owners, and community leaders highlighted the difficulties encountered when differentiating service dogs from emotional support/comfort dogs. Service dogs are entitled to access by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while emotional support/comfort dogs are not protected under the federal statute or to the same rights. Canines for Disabled Kids proposed a study to obtain a current count of licensed service dogs in the Commonwealth and investigate the feasibility …

How Decision Makers Learn To Choose Organizational Performance Measures, Annemarie N. Hooge

Theses & Dissertations

This study, framed by decision making, program theory, and performance measurement theory, explored the knowledge and experience that enable decision makers to identify organizational performance measures. It used a mixed method, exploratory sequential research design to discover the experience, knowledge, and skills (EKS) senior decision makers felt were important in learning to choose organizational performance measures. From the analyzed interviews, a survey was designed to measure the importance of the EKS characteristics. Qualitative analysis identified 55 life, work, or educational experience; knowledge; or skill characteristics and 23 effective measure characteristics. Regression analysis and PCA were used to extract 6 components. …

Call Center Experience Optimization: A Case For A Virtual Predictive Queue, William Pugh

Theses & Dissertations

The evolution of the call center into contact centers and the growth of their use in providing customer-facing service by many companies has brought considerable capabilities in maintaining customer relationships but it also has brought challenges in providing quality service when call volumes are high. Limited in their ability to provide service at all times to all customers, companies are forced to balance the costs associated with hiring more customer service representatives and the quality of service provided by a fewer number. A primary challenge when there are not enough customer service representatives to engage the volume of callers in …

The Impact Of Lean Startup Theory Upon Local Business Entrepreneurs, Gary Boyd

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the entrepreneurs in South Texas are aware of the Lean Startup Methodology, and have utilized its principles in their business startup decisions. If so, how have these Lean Methods impacted their ongoing operational management? Additionally, this study ascertains the degree of satisfaction these entrepreneurs have with their startup processes. Finally, this study determines whether selected entrepreneurs would recommend a Lean Startup approach to other entrepreneurs. The research focused only upon selected business entities formed since 2000.

Research Methods. This study utilized a survey methodology. In particular, …

The Impact Of Culture On Hispanic Entrepreneurs As Mediated By Motivation, Challenge, And Success, Valerie V. Ballesteros

Theses & Dissertations

In the modern economic environment, demographic shifts in U.S. population resulting from changing immigration, changing economic policies and environments, and growing socioeconomic disparity, scholarly research examining the business behavior of specific groups and the impact of behavior on the broader marketplace is valuable and necessary. Hispanic entrepreneurs, when compared to both minority and non-minority business-owners, started and flourished in successful business ownership at a greater growth rate than any other group (Davila, Mora, & Zeitlin, 2014). Since the beginning of the 21st century, Hispanic entrepreneurs have become a measurable economic force. The cultural experience of the Hispanic entrepreneur is important …

Sfidat E Shitjes Dhe Marketingut Tek Kompanitë Ferizajase, Agnesa Nebihu

Theses and Dissertations

Marketingu është prezent në jetën tonë të përditshme dhe në masë të madhe ndikon në stilin tonë të jetesës. Ndërmarrja është e lidhur me tregun, dhe këtë lidhje e siguron marketingu i cili është esencial për suksesin e ndërmarrjeve dhe siguron realizimin e qëllimeve madhore, gjegjësisht mbijetesën e ndërmarrjeve, rritjen dhe zhvillimin e tyre.

Në Kosovë, bizneset çdo ditë e më shumë po vetëdijesohën se marketingu luan një rol të rëndësishëm në reputacionin e tyre, por në përgjithësi vërehet një mungesë e marketingut në biznese. Lojërat shpërblyese e shitjet promocionale nuk përfshijnë gjithë marketingut si lëmi. Marketingu është shumë më …

Analiza Statistikore E Punësisë Dhe Papunësisë Në Republikën E Kosovës, Afije Gashi

Theses and Dissertations

Kosova ka një rritje të shpejtë të popullsisë si dhe ka popullsinë më të re në botë. Kjo bazë mund të ndikojë pozitivisht në rritjen ekonomike, në të njëjtën kohë paraqet një sfidë të madhe në vend në fenomenin e papunësisë së të rinjëve gjë që mund të kërcënojë stabilitetin politik dhe zhvillimin e qëndrueshëm ekonomik në vend.

Qëllimi i këtij studimi ështe shqyrtimi dhe krahasimi i nivelit të papunësisë në Kosovë dhe nevojën për përmbushjen e masave të kërkuara për të zvogëluar nivelin e papunësisë.

Përgjigja për këto pyetje është kërkuar përmes një hulumtimi të literaturës vendore, të dhënat …

Analizë Mbi Bizneset Familjare Si Dhe Funksionimin Dhe Performancën E Tyre Në Kosovë, Merisa Xhaferi

Theses and Dissertations

Në një pjesë të madhe të literaturës u është kushtuar pak vëmendje definimit të bizneseve familjare dhe shpjegimit të tyre si një lloj i vaçant i bizneseve, por në anën tjetër në kuadrin praktik dhe në tregun botëror këto forma të biznesit paraqesin formën më të vjetër të organizimit, dhe shumë nga kompanitë më të suksesëshme në botë vijnë nga po ky lloj i kompanive. Meqenëse disa nga kompanitë me rëndësi të madhe botërore si Walmart e Porsche, e shumë të tjera janë biznese familjare, atëherë cfarë roli ka ky lloj i organizimit të biznesit në ekonominë botërore.

A dallon …

Standardet Ndërkombëtare Të Auditimit Të Jashtëm Dhe Të Brendshëm, Emine Bajraktari

Theses and Dissertations

Historia e viteve të fundit të zhvillimit ekonomik, financiar dhe social në kushtet e procesit të shpejtë të globalizimit dhe efiçienca e kërkuar në përdorimin e fondeve publike ka çuar në zhvillime dhe ndryshime të shumta e të mëdha, të cilat duhet të rivlerësojnë rolin e profesionit të Audituesit. Sot nevojiten institucione publike dhe agjenci auditimi që e bëjnë punën më mirë për të promovuar ndershmërinë dhe qeverisjen kompetente, për të mirën e sotme dhe të ardhmen e çdo vendi.

Pra, ky punim më shumë është më shumë i fokusuar në rolin dhe rëndësinë e standarteve ndërkombëtare të auditimit. Standardet, …

Professional Hockey Elements Attracting Fans To Ahl Games, Emma Kilmer

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between on-ice professional hockey elements and attendance at American Hockey League games. It was important to this study that the AHL was the most successful North American professional hockey league in recent years in terms of increasing attendance and in 2015-16 the league set a record for total fans attending games at around 7 million. Also, recently the NHL and consequently AHL have implemented rules to increase scoring and decrease fighting; therefore it was important to conclude if those changes resulted in changed fan motivation to attend games. It was …

The Motivational Factors That Influence Rugby Fandom In The United States, Mark Glieco

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of this research was to understand the different factors that affect varying levels of rugby fandom. Rugby is currently very popular worldwide but faces extreme competition in the United States, especially from football. This research is important because it will help marketers and sport managers better understand fan motivation in rugby. This will allow them to better market and grow the sport in the United States to compete with American sports.

A sample of 111 participants from a small private college in New York was surveyed for this study. The survey contained primarily quantitative questions, with one open …

Bank Lending Channel And Changing Credit Standards In The Residential Mortgage Market, Salman Tahsin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation examines the relationship between bank conditions and the residential mortgage market. The first essay investigates the effect of bank distress on the residential mortgage market during the 2007-09 financial crisis. We use the county-aggregated change in the ratio of jumbo to nonjumbo mortgage acceptance rate as an instrumental variable to control for endogeneity between bank distress and county economic conditions. The median decrease in the instrumental variable explains an additional 1.5 percentage point decline in county home prices and a 20 basis point rise in the county unemployment rate, which represent 15% and 5%, respectively, of their median …

Implementing The Heston Option Pricing Model In Object-Oriented Cython, Brandon Hardin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The 1973 Black-Scholes model, a revolutionary option pricing formula whose price is 'relatively close to observed prices, makes an assumption that the volatility is constant and thus, deterministic. This causes some inefficiencies and patterns in the pricing of options due to the model providing evidence of the volatility smile' of the volatility. Many scholars have suggested that the volatility should be modelled by a stochastic process and the (1993) Heston Model is one of many proposed solutions to remedy this problem. The Heston Model allows for the 'smile' by defining the volatility as a stochastic process. This thesis considers a …

Assessing The Current Efficiencies Of Farm Credit Of Western Arkansas, Hailey Paulsen

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Farm Credit is a unique banking structure, as it is a cooperative which pays patronage dividends to its members. As such, the rates for loans (nominal interest rates) that Farm Credit offers can be slightly higher than larger commercial banks because the patronage payment can offset some, all or more of interest rate difference, which results in an effective rate. Farm Credit, like other globally evolving industries, must continuously look for ways to differentiate themselves to compete for new customers and retain existing ones. Thus, this study sets out to survey the members of Western Farm Credit of Arkansas to …

Profitability Analysis Of Varying Herd Sizes Based On Price Signals In Cow-Calf Operations, Colson Tester

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

The third most consumed meat around the world is beef. Despite global growth in demand, cattle markets experience price cycles related to biological production lags causing variability in cash flow and profitability for producers. Price-driven herd size management strategies thus have received attention. This study adds to that literature by analyzing both price and production risk using three herd size management strategies: i) steady state – holding herd size constant; ii) dollar cost averaging – keeping reinvestment constant by varying the number of replacement heifers retained at a constant long run average dollar total; and iii) moving average – using …

Application: Solving For A Local Companys Optimal Storage Strategy, Dakota Ferrin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This project used historical spot and futures price data of two fairly closely correlated commodities to simulate many possible spot and futures price paths that could have occurred over a given time frame. These simulated prices were then used to test various commodity storage strategies available through futures contracts. This paper explains how results, including values such as the mean terminal cumulative profit and the standard deviation of the mean terminal cumulative profits for each strategy, can be interpreted to help determine a local company’s optimal storage strategy.

This paper specifically provides a way for a local company to find …

Performance Of Statistical Arbitrage In Future Markets, Shijie Sheng

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper is the replication of Alizadeh and Nomikos (2008) Performance of Statistical Arbitrage in Petroleum Futures Markets. Cited methodology from the original paper, this paper investigates the linkages between commodities in the future markets and apply trading strategy based on statistical analysis. The trading strategy is established based on cointegration relationships between commodities and execute trading rules to determine long-short positions. The robustness of trading result will be implemented by using stationary bootstrap approach. From the result, we can see the trading strategy based on cointegration relationship analysis is efficient to set up trading strategies in given datasets.

Hormonal Influence On Female Consumption Of Revealing And Sexy Fashion Products, Ngoc B. Pham

Theses and Dissertations

This doctoral dissertation addresses the biological and psychological components of consumers’ decision-making processes. Particularly, it investigates the impact of female sex hormones on women’s consumption behaviors regarding fashion products. These hormones reach peak level when women are near ovulation, and this research examines how these hormones, when at peak level, influence women’s attitudes and purchase intention towards sexy and revealing fashion products.

The research is based on two theoretical frameworks: ovulatory shift hypothesis (OSH) and theory of reasoned action (TRA). Specifically, the OSH, based on the female ovulatory cycle postulates that women change their sexual preferences for men with perceived …

Two Essays On International Capital Flows And Cross-Listings, Lu Sui

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores two interesting issues: international capital flows and cross-listings. With high volatility of capital flows and imbalance of capital flows between emerging and advanced economies, the topic of capital flow management is always attractive to researchers and policy makers. The first essay explore how capital flows in G20 countries are significantly impacted by pull and push factors. The results show that international capital flows are significantly associated with domestic financial development, which is measured by stock market liquidity and domestic credit. Moreover, international capital flows are affected by some push factors such as, the growth of world economy …

Essays On Financial Decision Making, Corey A. Shank

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals make financial decisions daily, yet the literature on the mechanisms that drive financial decisions is limited. This dissertation looks to examine how physical characteristics, and personality subconsciously influence financial decision making by conducting an experiment. Furthermore, this dissertation examines biased decision making in the betting market by using data from covers.com. First, this dissertation finds that the cognitive impairments associated with having a higher body mass index is positively related to poor financial decision making and being more likely to commit the present bias, and distorting probabilities. Second, this dissertation finds that business students are more apt to fit …