Business Commons^™

The Impact Of Awards And Honors On Project Bidding, Ren Wang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation conducts a systematic study on the successful transformation and upgrading of China's automotive industry over the past decade, especially the remarkable progress made in the field of Electric and Intelligent Vehicles, and examines how China's automotive industry chain has seized the historical opportunity of the great transformation of the global automotive industry by “Four Modernizations”—electrification, intelligentization, lightweighting and modularization along the path of "Independent Innovation", and realized the overall improvement of both corporate performance and industrial strength under the synergy of strategic investors.

China has newly become the world's largest automotive exporter and successfully built up an advantageous …

A Study On The Impact Of Second-Generation Involvement On Digital Transformation In Family Firms And Its Contingency Effects, Wenwu Shao

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Family firms, as a vital component of the global economy, dominate China's private sector. However, amid the global digital wave, they face dual challenges of generational transition and digital transformation. The involvement of second-generation successors profoundly influences strategic decision-making and digital transformation in family firms. Yet, existing research lacks a systematic theoretical framework and empirical evidence on the relationship between second-generation involvement and digital transformation in family firms, as well as its underlying mechanisms. The study thus examines the impact of second-generation involvement on digital transformation in family firms and its contingency effects.

Focusing on China's A-share listed family firms, …

Competency Of Sales Employees In Knowledge-Intensive Industries An Empirical Study Based On The Pharmaceutical Industry, Yue Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

With the rapid development of modern technology, the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a period of unprecedented change. On the one hand, global population growth, aging, and the continued increase in people's healthconcerns have led to an ever-expanding demand for the pharmaceutical market. On the other hand, a large amount of capital is pouring into the pharmaceutical field, prompting the emergence of new pharmaceutical enterprises, and the competition in the market is becoming increasingly heated. Against this backdrop, the replacement of pharmaceutical products has acceleratedsignificantly, with new therapeutic methods, pharmaceutical dosage forms andinnovative drugs being introduced to the market. At the …

Digital Capabilities And Customer Service Levels Of Small And Medium Sized Manufacturing Enterprises, Yuegang Niu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The level of customer service, as an important tool for the differentiatedcompetition of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, has reshaped the value creation model of these enterprises. With the rise of service-oriented manufacturing enterprises under the "manufacturing service- oriented" model, this is a business model that combines manufacturing andservices. It not only provides physical products but also offers related value- added services. This indicates that small and medium-sized manufacturingenterprises urgently need to enhance their digital capabilities in the digital age to achieve dynamic upgrades and further improve their customer service capabilities. High-quality customer service capabilities have put forward newrequirements for …

The Message Framing Effects In The Process Of Health Behavior Change, Zixia Fang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

As a key means to promote health behavior change, information intervention has gradually attracted widespread attention from all walks of life. The same information presented in different ways may lead to different decision-making judgments, especially in the process of transmitting and receiving health information, which affects individual behavioral intentions and health consumption decisions. This information framing effect is considered by most scholars to be an important factor in health behavior intervention, but its specific mechanism of action in health behavior change has not been fully discussed. This paper constructs a theoretical model of information framing effect to explore the specific …

Corporate Environmental (Ir)Responsibility Of Chinese Construction Companies, Bin Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Grounded in a multi-stakeholder perspective, this study delves into the impact of Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) on the performance of firms in the Chinese construction industry. Utilizing a panel dataset of listed companies in the Chinese construction sector from 2008 to 2023, the research conducts empirical analysis by incorporating key stakeholder relationship indicators (customer concentration, government support, and bank loan costs) while controlling for firm characteristics, aiming to assess the effect of corporate environmental information disclosure on financial performance. The findings reveal that CER significantly positively affects financial performance. More crucially, this relationship is partly attributed to the strengthening of …

The Effects Of Financial Vulnerability On The Prosocial Behavior Of Medical Staff At Pet Hospitals, Guoxing Xu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally disrupted business operations, causing widespread financial strain and uncertainty for employees, and research shows that financial vulnerability – the sense of insecurity regarding one’s economic resources – has reached unprecedented levels among workers. But while conventional wisdom might suggest that financial stress leads to decreased work performance, a critical gap exists in understanding how financial vulnerability influences employee behavior in service-oriented environments.

Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between financial vulnerability and employee behavior within the context of pet hospitals in China, examining how organizational factors moderate this relationship. Data were collected …

The Emergence Of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Reservation Services Analyzed Through Push-Pull-Mooring Theory And Their Potential To Enhance Tourism Experiences, Dimitra Skandali, Muhammad Ali Raza

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Artificial intelligence-based bath bed reservation services signify a novel evaluation of consumer behavior in densely populated tourist destinations. The phenomenon of overcrowded beaches, particularly during the peak summer months at well-known public beaches in Europe, has increased demand during rush hours. The research aims to clarify the key factors that influence the use of these applications, primarily on mobile phones, by applying the Push-Pull-Mooring Theory, in addition to identifying the primary causes of the high demand and the importance of staying close to the shore when sunbathing. The study emphasizes the impact of perceived risk and enjoyment on user behavior, …

Measuring Social Capital In Tourism Operation And Its Influences On Peoples’ Involvement, Kalimuththu Shanmuganathan, Nalin Abeysekera, L.P.S. Gamini, Lalith Chandralal

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This study developed a reliable scale for measuring Social Capital in the context of tourism operations and examines its influences on Peoples' Involvement. The quantitative research method was employed, and the five stages of data purification processes were performed: identification of dimensions and indicators, item-to-total correlation, and explorative factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the structural equation model. The study identifies four dimensional scales of social capital across 13 indicators: bonding social capital, social bridging capital, social linking capital, and social harmless capital, and confirms that social capital has a significant influence on peoples' involvement. As the first effort at …

The Interplay Of Website Characteristics, Attitude, And Booking Intentions For Different Hotel Websites: A Theory Of Reasoned Action Perspective, Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Imran Rahman, Maryam Charmchian Langroudi, John Stephan, Parisa Mohammadi

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Using the theory of reasoned action as the underlying theoretical foundation, this study examines the direct effects of compatibility, perceived usefulness, communicability, perceived risk, and perceived playfulness on attitudes toward online booking and the indirect effects of these variables on consumers’ intention to use three different online hotel booking channels - independent hotel websites, chain hotel websites, and third-party hotel websites. Additionally, this study tests the direct effect of attitude towards online booking on consumers’ intention to use the three online booking channels. Collected data from 638 participants via Amazon M-Turk was analyzed using partial least squares based structural equation …

Exploring Strategies And Innovations In Airline Profitability Assessment: The Role Of Artificial Intelligence, Elif Degirmenci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The airline industry's profitability assessment remains a complex yet critical aspect of strategic decision-making, spanning from hub profitability to individual flight performance. This paper explores the diverse methodologies and challenges involved in evaluating both line and network profitability, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in reconciling variable costs associated with aircraft types and route assignments. Traditional methods are juxtaposed with innovative concepts like the Blended Aircraft Cost model, offering insights into enhancing market route profitability. Additionally, advanced methodologies such as horizontal and vertical methods are discussed, alongside the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing real-time profitability analysis. Through a comprehensive …

Vr For Tourism (Assessment), Nevan Bermingham

Case studies: Digital Education

1st Year marketing and tourism modules typically employ assessments that are written or presentation-based, and due to the complexities of timetable delivery, rarely are able to share common assessments. Technology is of growing importance to both marketing and tourism businesses due to ability to connect with potential customers through various online channels such as websites, social media, email, and search engines, making it easier to build brand awareness and drive sales with new or existing audiences. Technology also plays a significant role in tourism marketing, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of marketing efforts. I introduced a new joint assessment shared …

The Impact Of Buy-Now-Pay-Later Use Frequency On Social Media Shopping, Luxury Consumption And Consumer Indebtedness, Neleen S. Leslie-Piper, Toluwani Oloke, Ficawoyi Donou-Adonsou

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This study explores the impact of BNPL usage on social media purchasing, luxury consumption, and debt accumulation. 7,371 respondents participated in this study, and 7,248 reported their BNPL usage. The results indicate that the frequency of BNPL usage is positively related to the use of the buy now button on social media, luxury consumption, and indebtedness. Results indicate that all three dependent variables are significantly predicted by BNPL use. Both direct and indirect effects were observed, indicating BNPL's role in impulsive online consumption and consumer debt accumulation.

These results underscore the need for further study on the topic. Although significant …

Distribution Comparisons Of Eac Cost Growth For Aircraft Work Breakdown Structure Elements, Kyle P. Marquis, Edward D. White, Brandon M. Lucas, Robert D. Fass, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Shawn M. Valentine

Faculty Publications

This article analyzes and investigates the distribution of cost growth of the Estimate at Completion (EAC) for the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements of approximately 60 historical United States Acquisition Category I Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft programs. Using the method of maximum likelihood in conjunction with the Akaike Information Criterion, the authors suggest that both the lognormal and Weibull distributions provide relatively good fit to EAC cost growth, with the lognormal slightly edging out the Weibull. As a summarized finding, the authors present their empirical results for the mean, coefficient of variation (CV), the 15th and 85th percentiles …

Corsets Of Empowerment, Dorsa Farzi

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This project explores the intersection of fashion and activism, using contemporary design to reflect on significant women’s rights movements from around the world. This exhibition presents four uniquely crafted corsets, each representing a pivotal movement, from the Suffragette era to the ongoing fight for gender equality in Iran. Through modern aesthetics, innovative construction, and symbolic details, this project transforms clothing into a medium for dialogue and advocacy. Fashion becomes more than just design—it becomes a powerful tool for storytelling, sparking awareness, and encouraging new perspectives on gender equality and activism.

This project was exhibited at the Robert Hillestad Gallery, University …

Lemonade: Mini-Case Study Report, Grace Boguslawski, Seth Daup, Aditya Jain, Chaitra Pirisingula, Caden Punteney

B-Corp Case Studies by UNL Raikes Seniors

Lemonade disrupts the traditional insurance industry through its innovative use of AI-driven underwriting and claims processing. By leveraging AI to replace traditional brokers, Lemonade positions itself as a technologically advanced and socially responsible alternative in a legacy-driven market. As a certified B-Corp, the company emphasizes its mission-driven approach, notably donating leftover premiums to nonprofit organizations selected by its customers. This case study examines the strategic challenges arising from Lemonade’s position in an evolving AI landscape. It explores how Lemonade can maintain its differentiation while navigating increasing competition, ethical considerations, and the diminishing sustainability of AI as a unique long-term competitive …

Decarbonising Digital Infrastructure And Urban Sustainability In The Case Of Data Centres, Felicia H. M. Liu, Karen P. Y. Lai, Bertrand Seah, Winston T. L. Chow

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This paper critically assesses the complex interplay between urban transitions of digitisation and sustainability. Building on a mixed-method research design, we unpack the challenges of decarbonising digital infrastructure while attending to urban sustainability goals in a land- and water-scarce country facing significant physical climate risks. We identify transferrable lessons on the economic, technological, and environmental synergies and trade-offs behind data centre development and argue that stewarding the global data centre sector towards sustainability requires an ecosystem-wide approach. We identify implementation gaps across five key dimensions: technological innovation, policy and regulation, finance, infrastructure, and people. We find that the progress and …

Cognitive Processing’S Role In Preventing Consumer Scams, Lana Waschka, Marcus Cunha Jr.

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Building on the findings of prior Unconscious Thought Theory (UTT) research, which showed how utilizing unconscious processing allowed participants to better identify lies (Reinhard, et al., 2011), the current work proposes a potential solution for consumers to identify and avoid complex scams and frauds: the use of distraction/ unconscious thought while processing information about scams. Through the course of three studies, we find evidence in support of the hypothesis and identify a moderated (relationship status) mediation (materialism) and that the main relationship is moderated by low self-esteem.

This work contributes to the literature by extending the application of unconscious thinking …

Consumer Insights About Restaurant And Bar Preferences, Griffin D. Burt, Richard Kaminski, Zachary Eckenrode

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This study looks at how bar-restaurants, especially in small towns in Central Pennsylvania, can use market research and targeted marketing to attract and keep customers in today’s competitive landscape. As the market becomes more saturated and customer preferences shift, it's clear that offering quality food alone isn’t enough. Instead, businesses need to focus on creating a full dining experience, which includes great service, a welcoming atmosphere, and personalized touches. Using PJs Tavern as a case study, this research explores customer preferences, demographic factors, and the role of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook in driving customer engagement. By …

Exploring The Affectionate Dimension Of Cuteness, Can Trinh

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This research aims to extend the current literature related to cuteness by exploring the affectionate dimension of cuteness to see how this dimension may differ from the other two types of cuteness discussed in the literature and the potential impacts of this cuteness dimension on consumers.

Exploring Fan Dynamics In Nil Collectives: Insights Into Engagement And Contribution, Tom Hickman

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness rights has transformed collegiate athletics, reshaping how fans connect with teams and athletes through collectives that individual fan contributions to support NIL opportunities. This study explores the relationship between NIL, fan collectives, and fan behavior, proposing a 2x2 typology based on concern for social status and the perceived importance of the collective to athlete recruitment. Four fan types are proposed: Passionate Believers, Social Status Seekers, Contributors, and Pragmatic Skeptics. Social identity theory and the theory of planned behavior provide a foundation for understanding how identity salience and subjective norms drive behaviors like NIL-branded …

Demystifying Proactive Customer Helpers: Where Do We Find Them?, Estelle Van Tonder, Sam Fullerton

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Amid the growing interest in proactive customer helpers, extant research offers surprisingly little guidance on where to find them. Of interest to this study are proactive helpers taking personal initiative in assisting other customers to avoid harmful brands. Guided by the attitude-behavior phenomenon, selected attitudes and behaviors were examined among 347 customers in the United States using survey research. Latent profile analysis aided in obtaining further clarification regarding the profile characteristics of customers who proactively assist other customers with their brand avoidance behaviors in an anti-consumption context. These profile characteristics are useful, as they provide strategic direction on where to …

Promoting Customer Helping Behaviour In The Service Environment: New Perspective, Estelle Van Tonder

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This research offers a fresh perspective to the current debate on what drives customers to help other customers within service settings. The study surveyed 236 customers who previously received help from another customer when they used a food delivery app. Overall, perceived similarity and trust in the customer helper seemed of less importance in the model. Customers’ emotions take precedence over trust in social exchange behaviours within informal social networks and when assistance is provided in low-involvement situations. Additionally, comfort is mainly influenced by the interaction competence of the customer providing help. Hence, it suggested that service scholars should pay …

Market Structure Evolution In The U.S. Automobile Industry: A Review Of Diversity And Concentration Metrics, P.V. (Sundar) Balakrishnan

AMTP Proceedings 2025

I examine the evolution of market structure in the U.S. automobile industry from 1937 to the present, focusing on the application of both traditional and novel diversity and concentration metrics. I use the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Comprehensive Concentration Index (CCI), and newer metrics from fields such as ecology and genetics to uncover insights into the shifting dynamics of market power, firm turnover, and industry stability. The U.S. automobile industry, characterized by consolidation and technological advancement, provides a unique case study for analyzing long-term market evolution. I contribute to the literature by synthesizing a broad range of diversity metrics and offering …

South Africans’ Attitudes And Behaviors Regarding Customer Citizenship: The Paradoxical Comparison Of The Primary And The Secondary Data, Christo A. Bisschoff, Sam Fullerton

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The current study compares the extant literature regarding South Africa to a current assessment using primary data to measure the same green phenomenon, namely customer citizenship. Secondary data were used to develop a profile of how external sources perceive South Africa. For the primary data, a sample of 513 consumers in South Africa responded to an invitation-only, Internet-based questionnaire that focused on attitudinal and behavioral issues germane to the five constructs commonly related to customer citizenship within the context of green purchasing and green consumption. The constructs in focus were green mindset, anti-consumption behavior, consumer coaching behavior, green advocacy, and …

Consumer Intentions And Its Influence On Local Rodeo Attendance, Sierra H. Greene, Melinda Mclelland

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The sport of rodeo has been an American fan favorite for many decades. The opportunity to experience western culture is captivating to many consumers. Although the sport has remained popular, there is limited research exploring consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions related to rodeo. Ultimately, this research will explore consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions toward rodeo via two studies. The objective for study one is to explore how students perceive local rodeos and how this impacts intentions to attend. The purpose of this study is to understand students’ attitudes towards rodeo and their intentions to participate and provide actionable insights to …

Transforming Undergraduate Marketing Research: Building An Industry-Driven Research Incubator, Kristy C. Grayson, David Olsen

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This study presents a transformative approach to preparing undergraduate Marketing Research students for the data-driven workforce by creating the Research Incubator Framework (RIF). Drawing on an entrepreneurial philosophy, this adaptable model integrates open-source statistical tools such as Python and Google Colab, collaborative pedagogies, and strategic partnerships with local businesses to create a dynamic and iterative learning environment. Through hands-on projects with real-world datasets, students developed technical proficiency, critical thinking, and actionable problem-solving skills. The incubator emphasized iterative learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and alignment with industry standards, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for modern marketing education. This study contributes empirical evidence …

Examining The Roles Of Customer Relationships And Relationship Duration In Enhancing Profitability And Retention, Manisha Mathur

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Marketing experts emphasize the importance of fostering strong customer relationships to drive profitability, recognizing relationship management as a core element of marketing. However, the value of firms strategically prioritizing customers to enhance profitability has been debated in marketing literature. This study presents a conceptual framework that highlights the pivotal role of customer mapping in evaluating the effectiveness of investments in customer relationships and interaction frequency. Through empirical analysis, we seek to demonstrate how customer mapping contributes to explaining the impact of relationship investments on customer retention. Furthermore, our findings underscore the moderating effect of relationship duration.

Sustainability And Visit Intentions: The Mediating Role Of Identification With The Destination., Nicolas G. Lorgnier

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework to enhance tourism competitiveness, crucial for recovery post-COVID-19. Despite initial successes, research on SDGs' impact on destination brand image is limited. This study explores SDGs' influence on destination brands and the mediating role of identification in a cross-cultural context, organized around four research questions. The study uses data from online surveys in five countries, analyzed through PLS-SEM. Results show that destination SDGs are the most predictive of visit intention, with tourist SDGs negatively moderating this influence. The study finds that SDG-congruity measures are redundant and do not enhance visit intention …

Augmented Reality In Retail: The Role Of Experiential Value, Zahra Pourabedin, Vahid Biglari

AMTP Proceedings 2025

Augmented reality is being used as a marketing strategy to enhance customer experiences in various retail sectors. This research investigated the dimensions of experiential value that influence customers’ attitudes and purchase intentions. Surveyed data of 200 respondents were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that the aesthetics and playfulness of augmented reality influence attitudes toward products. The findings emphasize the importance of augmented reality and provide practical implications for retail marketers to design and apply augmented reality. The study outlines its limitations and suggests directions for future research.