Business Commons^™

A Survey Of Addictive Software Design, Chauncey J. Neyman

Computer Science and Software Engineering

The average smartphone owner checks their phone more than 150 times per day. As of 2015, 62% of smartphone users had used their phone to look up information about a health condition, while 57% had used their phone to do online banking. Mobile platforms have become the dominant medium of human-computer interaction. So how have these devices established themselves as our go to connection to the Internet? The answer lies in addictive design. Software designers have become well versed in creating software that captivates us at a primal level. In this article, we survey addictive software design strategies, their bases …

Colorado’S Budding Economy: A Comparative Analysis Of Selected Marijuana Tourism Businesses In The Centennial State, Connor D. King

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Since the 2014 legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Colorado, pioneering entrepreneurs have been getting in on the ground level of a fledgling industry—marijuana tourism. Through interviews with six Colorado-based marijuana tourism business owners, this qualitative study identified current challenges and opportunities faced by those who are blazing the trail into this new form of alternative tourism. The results indicate that continued stigmatization of marijuana in society, along with restrictive and changing regulations, pose significant legal and financial challenges. The results also include a summary of opportunities and recommendations which include educating the public about the benefits of …

Bonipak Produce Inc., Steven Partie, Grant Copeland, David Minney

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Bonipak grows, packs and ships fresh produce. As the 10th largest (by acreage) agricultural firm in the western US, it supplies a wide range of produce to national chain retailers such as Costco, Safeway, Kroger and Loblaw. The case discusses Bonipak’s Seed to Sale approach, in which they aim to satisfy their buyers, who demand consist, high quality produce for the final retail customer. Bonipak has dealt with issues including labor and water, and has worked with sustainability, in terms of “farming with the future in mind”.

Mission Produce, Davis Cracknell, Kendall Moore, Salvador Lopez

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Mission Produce's founding, growth and expansion into oversea's markets is discussed. In particular, Mission Produce's ripening centers are presented as an innovation in avocado marketing.

Eighteenth Century Women And The Business Of Making Glass Music, Kate M. Hepworth

History

During the relatively short period from the mid-to-late eighteenth century when glass musical instruments were manufactured and gained popularity, several women made names for themselves in the realm of avant-garde musical performance. The lives of three female glass instrument players: Anne Ford, Marianne Davies, and Marianne Kirchgassner, show how these successful performer-entrepreneurs operated in an age of emerging feminine public identity. Their journeys reveal much about the gender dimensions of the age, the role of music in the modern era, the consumption of it, and their approach to business. The financial opportunities presented to women looking to challenge the limitations …

Feasibility Study For Renovating An Old Barn Into A Tasting Room For K-Dot Winery, Kendall Ott

Agricultural Education and Communication

California is the largest wine producer in the nation. There are more than 4,000 wineries in the state and much of their success comes from tasting rooms. A study will be conducted in the spring of 2017 to determine the feasibility of building a tasting room out of an old barn at an established winery. Tasting rooms can add monetary and aesthetic value to a winery. Knowing how to conduct a feasibility study for the build is crucial to its success. The author will create a feasibility study including a cash flow budget, a capital budgeting statement, and a sensitivity …

Business Model: California Agriculture Marketing Agency, Mary M. Alameda, Emma L. Larson

Agricultural Education and Communication

The importance of creating a marketing agency specializing in agriculture is to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. The lack of transparency from the producer has created a torn industry causing the average consumer to be questioning his or her food, or simply not understanding the agricultural way of life. An agricultural marketing firm in California can represent and advocate for local businesses to start closing the producer to consumer gap.

The American farmer excels at many things, but lacks in public communications. Modern day farmers have been able to produce more food than ever despite fewer resources and …

Developing A Website For Hamilton Brothers Ranch, Anne Patricia Hamilton

Agricultural Education and Communication

The purpose of this project is to develop a website for Hamilton Brother’s Ranch purpose is to evolve Hamilton Brother’s Ranch to modern times and make it easier for the customer to see where their product is coming from. The Hamilton Family has a long history in agriculture and what they think is normal is actually very unique and consumers love reading and feeling as if they are a part of where their food comes from. The overall goal of the project is to promote Hamilton Brother’s operation as a whole through a website that will be able to connect …

Effective Methods Of Marketing An On-Campus Resource To College Students, Samantha Gary

Graphic Communication

The problem this research it attempting to solve is how to market an on-campus resource to college students. Through conducting surveys, gathering research, reviewing case studies, and analyzing data, the author has found that the answer is to not to segment college students by major. It is more effective to figure out what a typical students’ needs are and address them by providing a solution to their problems. By strategically placing printed posters around campus that capitalized on student’s needs for study breaks and outlets to tap in to their ideas, the author found that more students respond to this …

Trends Within Craft Beer Packaging, Aurelia See

Graphic Communication

While the print industry is facing a changing atmosphere, one thing is as sure as death and taxes— there will always be a market for print within the packaging industry. There is a growing market within the craft beer industry, and with that comes competition for each brewery. Many breweries are finding it difficult to use their beer’s first point of sale, the packaging, to their advantage when attracting consumers to their product. The purpose of this research is to provide the reader with knowledge and insight into package design, with special emphasis on designing for current trends and for …

Marketing And Advertising For Small Business In Local Economies, Nathan Ross

Graphic Communication

This paper analyzed traditional and current marketing and advertising strategies employed by small and local businesses. The research focused on understanding issues and struggles for small businesses in terms of marketing and advertising in order to develop and test a new strategy that was focused on a community event. The event was designed to assimilate successful aspects of current marketing plans into one that has low monetary risk, and little to no extra time investment for the business. A community was created by an art collective called Nomadic Artifacts which was the basis for a case study.

The “Arts & …

Taco Bell "Live Bién" Campaign, Briana Rubalcava

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Para-Social Presence On The Consumer Decision Journey, Ayda Tahmasbi

Communication Studies

Para-social presence is investigated in this research study to determine its effects on the consumer decision journey. Attachment styles are also taken into consideration as a possible influence on establishing para-social presence. This study specifically looks at an internet personality’s social media platforms, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and her social media marketing efforts for the release of her new book, Almost Adulting. This study found statistically significant relationships between increasing level of para-social presence across Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Further, the study found that para-social presence has a positive correlation with consumers’ initial consideration, purchase decision, and post-purchase experience. Finally, …

Rock The Runway Event Proposal, Jamie R. Foxen, Hayley Silva

Communication Studies

EVENT OVERVIEW

We will host a fundraiser to raise money for the non-profit Do It for the Love, by putting on a concert and fashion show. The concert and fashion show not only represent our passions, but will be an effective way to raise as much money as possible while making it an enjoyable experience for our guests. We will have 15-20 silent auction items for guests to bid on. Additionally, we hope to generate funds from the sale of Sextant wine by the glass at the event. This event will be a perfect and unique way to bring together …

More Than A Tent: A Case Study On Live Brand Experiences At Coachella Music Festival, Tori Perrella

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

In recent years, society has seen a shift of marketing practices from traditional strategies to experiential marketing in order for brands to connect with individuals on an emotional level. Live brand experiences contribute to companies building relationships with consumers to create unique, memorable experiences that will be associated with the brand after the event. The purpose of this study was to examine the best practices of live brand experiences at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The research for this study was conducted using a case study guide created by the researcher, which examined brands’ past brand activations at Coachella. …

Getting To The Core: A Case Study On The Company Culture Of Apple Inc., Jenna B. Arocha

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Company culture exists within every organization and makes up the company’s DNA. Apple Inc. (Apple) is a worldwide technology company that innovates new products and services while having environmental practices in mind. The purpose of this study was to examine the company culture of Apple. The researcher used a best practices guide to evaluate Apple’s company culture. This study found that Apple is effective in their company culture practices, however, could focus their efforts more on employees. In order to continue to have a positive company culture, Apple should focus more efforts on employees and utilize a more adhocracy style …

Buchanan Hollow Nut Company Rebranding And Research, Lindsay Robson

Agricultural Education and Communication

A marketing plan was designed for Buchanan Hollow Nut Company (BHNC) in the summer of 2016 to redesign the company brand. Additionally, the author conducted research to determine if the implementation of bar codes and scanning would improve internal efficiency.

Utilizing the company’s owner, and famous artist, Sharleen Robson, the author created a tasteful watercolor design to update the logo for BHNC. Furthermore, by contacting the current packaging company, Legend Packaging Group, the author received estimated costs for adding a bar code to each product. These barcodes were then printed and added to the processing boxes in the storage facility …

The Effects Of Time Spent On Rapport Building: A Predictive Analysis Of A Higher Education Call Center, Alyssa L. Crary

Communication Studies

The forming of a relational connection between a caller and prospective donor in telephone fundraising is a vital step in successful engagement of charitable participation. This study aimed to fill a gap in current fundraising research by analyzing the direct connection between time spent building rapport and fundraising success. Data from a higher education call center in the Western United States was used to conduct a standard linear regression analyses. The amount of time spent building rapport was found to significantly influence payment type and amount of a philanthropic donation. A greater amount of time spent building rapport lead to …

Athleta: How Innovation Can Work With Marketing, Francesca Schorer

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to benchmark the branding methods utilized by the athletic wear brand, Athleta, as compared to its competitors in the athletic apparel industry. Once the benchmark methods have been identified, I would recommend that Athleta implement them into their current marketing channels. There was in-depth research done upon the overall industry environment that Athleta is operating in, recent trends and innovations done by their competitors, and the innovations that are being done by Athleta itself. There were also multiple interviews conducted with an Athleta employee to gain deeper insight into the brand as well as …

The Impact Of Online Marketing On A Small Business, Mia Musso

Graphic Communication

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Locus Of Control And Autonomy On Motivation In The Workplace, Kelley K. Nekota

Social Sciences

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of locus of control and autonomy on motivation in the workplace. A sample size of 414 employed individuals was obtained; however, only 243 individuals completed the questionnaire in its entirety over the course of one week. The survey included Rotter’s thirteen question scale on locus of control, and a variety of questions relevant to autonomy and motivation in the workplace. Gender, age, ethnicity, organization size, and hierarchy within the workplace were controlled for. The data showed a significant correlation between locus of control and motivation, independent of autonomy. Autonomy, too, …

Transitioning College Media From Print Focused Business Models To Digitally Focused Business Models, Celina Oseguera

Journalism

The noticeable downturn in print advertising indicates a need for change in the news industry business model. College media is not immune to this decline and need for change. A change in business model calls for transitioning to an alternative system that does not primarily rely on print products and advertising — a digitally focused business model. Many college media organizations around the United States have started to pursue this type of model, changing the way they produce and present news in the process. Taking into account the state of print focused business models in the general and collegiate news …