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The Future Smart-City: An Analysis Of The Effects Of Global And Technological Innovation On The Evolution Of Economic Systems, Shannon L. Wade May 2019

The Future Smart-City: An Analysis Of The Effects Of Global And Technological Innovation On The Evolution Of Economic Systems, Shannon L. Wade

Senior Honors Theses

In 21st century, the current economy is rapidly utilizing globalization to create a vastly different future. With the advent of new technology merging with entrepreneurs who effectively utilize that technology, the economic model is changing. Faster, sleeker, more effective forms of communication and information transfer drive the process of globalization. Production for a single product can happen in multiple countries, companies can operate virtually 24/7 through call centers halfway around the globe, and preliminary smart cities are beginning to emerge to give us a glimpse of the future world. A new category of businesspersons called “prosumers” is emerging and has …


A Critique Of Advertisements For Female Hygiene Products: A Silent Crisis In America, Laura Schulte Apr 2019

A Critique Of Advertisements For Female Hygiene Products: A Silent Crisis In America, Laura Schulte

Senior Honors Theses

Female hygiene advertisements can be ambiguous due to the intimate nature of menstruation. This can result in a lack of information and invoke the need to hide signals of menstruation. Further, understanding the target audience’s desires and needs is crucial. Just like any other advertisement campaign, the women buying female hygiene products desire to know the benefits of one type over another. Adding an emotive appeal or a creative method to the advertisement is not wrong. This thesis does not suggest for a dull advertisement; however, there is a balance—a campaign designed to care for and inform women while meeting …


Measuring Greatness In The Nba, Evan Whitmoyer Apr 2019

Measuring Greatness In The Nba, Evan Whitmoyer

Senior Honors Theses

The “greatest player ever” debate stems from the controversy of how to measure a player’s effectiveness and contributions. Some analysts focus their arguments on a player’s statistics and advanced analytics. Another analyst may argue that awards play the largest role in a player’s worth to a team. Even though the tendency is to focus on one category of comparison, a player’s career is too complex to use only one category to rank players. In basketball, there are also so many exceptions in these points of comparison due to the team aspect of the sport. These factors all play a role …


The Bride, Millennial Identity, And Instagram: A Case Study Of Hillsong Australia’S Instagram Account, Jessica Delp Apr 2019

The Bride, Millennial Identity, And Instagram: A Case Study Of Hillsong Australia’S Instagram Account, Jessica Delp

Senior Honors Theses

Identity has become an incessant focus for millennials. They ascribe ever-growing significance to identity anchored in an accepting community that elevates their perception. Subsequently, identity is increasingly significant for brand and consumer relationships. Successful brands understand this and incorporate a pervasive sense of their unique identity into their brand, visually and otherwise. This case study of Hillsong Church hopes to help churches understand the importance of visuals in communicating identity. Hillsong Australia’s Instagram is examined using the Saussure model of visual semiotic theory to understand how they present their church identity in relation to millennial identity. The two most dominant …


Using Communications To Promote Training Within The Non-Profit Sector, Hannah Chick Apr 2019

Using Communications To Promote Training Within The Non-Profit Sector, Hannah Chick

Senior Honors Theses

The influence of a non-profit organization is often subdued by the lack of skills, knowledge, and capability of the workers and volunteers that flood their sector. This is due to a lack of training and development of both potential and current employees (Riddoch, 2009). Untrained workers often feel undervalued and unengaged, which leads to dissatisfaction in the workplace. In addition, employees who are incompetent cause a decrease in efficiency and productivity, which necessitates the hiring of extra workers, costing additional time and money for the organization. Untrained employees can also reflect poorly on the overall organization, causing a lack of …


The Casual Dress Of The 1950s Woman And The Casual Dress Of Today's Woman, Joanna Woolsey Apr 2019

The Casual Dress Of The 1950s Woman And The Casual Dress Of Today's Woman, Joanna Woolsey

Senior Honors Theses

The casual dress of American women has changed dramatically from the 1950s to the present. In the 1950s, the style was undeniably feminine, with fitted waists and full skirts ending below the knee. The style of young women today has become significantly more casual and androgynous, with pants and leggings taking prevalence in casual wear. The style of dresses has also changed significantly, as has the standard of modesty. This work will discuss and evaluate the changes in casual dress from the 1950s to the present, including the influences on style in both time periods. The change from only wearing …


Leading By Example: Coaches’ Perspectives Of The Nonverbal Leaders On Sport Teams, Alicia Finnigan Apr 2019

Leading By Example: Coaches’ Perspectives Of The Nonverbal Leaders On Sport Teams, Alicia Finnigan

Senior Honors Theses

Within the last century, scholars in sociology and psychology have begun to research roles in society. In recent decades, industrial/organizational psychology research sparked an interest in informal roles, and now sport psychology is beginning to adopt that investigation of informal roles as they appear on sport teams. Current research is sparse, but some early work has determined several informal roles, and one of these has been individually investigated. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the expansion of knowledge concerning individual informal roles by investigating collegiate coaches’ perspectives of a second role: the nonverbal leader. Analysis revealed ideas …


Venezuela's Collapsed Economy And The Resulting Effect On International Business With The United States, Sarah Caldwell Apr 2019

Venezuela's Collapsed Economy And The Resulting Effect On International Business With The United States, Sarah Caldwell

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores the current economic and political state of Venezuela, as well as the factors that contributed to the nation’s present challenges. By evaluating current information regarding international relations and international business affiliations, this study investigates and summarizes how Venezuela’s current instability has affected the country’s trade relations with the United States. The research found in this thesis demonstrates that the actions of Venezuela’s government have severely injured international business relations with multi-national firms operating out of the United States.


Success Through Scripture: Redefining Success From A Biblical Perspective, Bobbi Jo Dallas Apr 2019

Success Through Scripture: Redefining Success From A Biblical Perspective, Bobbi Jo Dallas

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to reveal how an intimate relationship with God can bring internal and external success. The research will demonstrate that success from a relativistic society does not always produce overall success. Through a secular approach, success is defined differently by each human being and formed by his or her own perception of the subject. However, through a biblical worldview approach, one can achieve internal and external success brought about by a relationship with God. First, the research will recognize a few of the many man-made theories of success and analyze the different components that are …


Financial Accounting Classification Of Cryptocurrency, Jonathan Foy Apr 2019

Financial Accounting Classification Of Cryptocurrency, Jonathan Foy

Senior Honors Theses

Currently, a large range of opinions exists regarding the appropriate classification and regulation of cryptocurrency. From the legal perspective, some suggest that cryptocurrency investments are too speculative. As a result of this, it is suggested that cryptocurrency should be more heavily regulated. This would be done to prevent speculators from losing vast wealth. Other legal analysts suggest that an increasing cryptocurrency regulation would have a detrimental effect on the state of cryptocurrency, and its use would cause long-term problems. From the accounting perspective, opinions vary. Some suggest an accounting classification that would make cryptocurrency cash equivalents; others suggest an accounting …


Non-Monetary Motivation In The Nonprofit Sector, Brianna Gulchuk Apr 2019

Non-Monetary Motivation In The Nonprofit Sector, Brianna Gulchuk

Senior Honors Theses

The nonprofit industry is currently in a state of flux. With the shifting dynamics of generations entering and leaving the workforce and the high turnover rates of volunteers, there is an increasing need for organizations to adjust current practices to hold on to skilled workers. This cannot be accomplished unless organizations make an effort toward sustainable motivational practices that train and retain their workers. This paper examines motivation strategies and how they can presently be seen in the nonprofit sector. There are also several practical applications of these motivational theories, referred to as motivational strategies, which will be presented. Special …


Foreign Direct Investment In Developing And Transition Economies, Ngan Ong Apr 2019

Foreign Direct Investment In Developing And Transition Economies, Ngan Ong

Senior Honors Theses

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important trading phenomenon which takes place universally. FDI is one of the key drivers for world economic growth as it alleviates and promotes international business. In fact, the primary activities of multinational corporations make a significant contribution to the practice of FDI around the world. This paper initially discusses several benefits of both inward and outward FDI fluxes in developing and transition economies. Moreover, disclosure on potential risks from FDI inflows is presented. This research also mentions current scenarios and future prospects regarding FDI in the less industrialized regions based upon the annual World …


Crisis Communications: How Businesses Respond In The Wake Of Tragedy, Sarah Blow Apr 2019

Crisis Communications: How Businesses Respond In The Wake Of Tragedy, Sarah Blow

Senior Honors Theses

Crisis communication is an ever-evolving form of communication that is integral to a business’s success. When tragedy strikes, businesses must have a thorough plan of response that manages the situation and protects their brand. This paper discusses the definition of crisis communication, its history, and how modern trends like social media, have revolutionized it. This study is important because it influences a business’s public perception, and sustainability. Thorough knowledge of crisis communication is critical to a business student’s education and will prepare them for working in fast-paced communication and business environments. An analysis of this topic should yield an understanding …


Developing Artificial Intelligence Agents For A Turn-Based Imperfect Information Game, Wilfrido Perez Cutright Apr 2019

Developing Artificial Intelligence Agents For A Turn-Based Imperfect Information Game, Wilfrido Perez Cutright

Senior Honors Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often employed to play games, whether to entertain human opponents, devise and test strategies, or obtain other analytical data. Games with hidden information require specific approaches by the player. As a result, the AI must be equipped with methods of operating without certain important pieces of information while being aware of the resulting potential dangers. The computer game GNaT was designed as a testbed for AI strategies dealing specifically with imperfect information. Its development and functionality are described, and the results of testing several strategies through AI agents are discussed.


The Effect Of The Financial Crisis On The Accounting Profession In The United States And Europe, Vladislav Chutchev Apr 2019

The Effect Of The Financial Crisis On The Accounting Profession In The United States And Europe, Vladislav Chutchev

Senior Honors Theses

While the accounting profession received a great deal of the blame for the 2007-2008 financial crisis, it was only one of a myriad of factors that contributed to the subprime mortgage debacle and resulting economic downturn. The crisis not only affected the market in the United States, but also had a significant impact on the worldwide economy, and especially that of the European Union. In the aftermath of the crisis, existing audit policies and standards were brought into question, and while slight changes were implemented in the U.S. as the result of the Dodd-Frank Act, more substantial reform took place …


Wirtschaftswunder: A Study Into The Causes And Catalysts Of The German Economic Miracle, Nate R. Hodder Mar 2019

Wirtschaftswunder: A Study Into The Causes And Catalysts Of The German Economic Miracle, Nate R. Hodder

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the West German economy to find the reason for “Wirtschaftswunder,” the German economic miracle, and contrast the decisions made after WWII to those made after WWI. The approaches of foreign powers in these periods are also analyzed. After WWI, the subsequent hyperinflation and economic collapse is mainly found to be a result of poor economic decisions within German institutions, although the collapse was almost certainly supplemented by poor foreign policy decisions by the Allied Powers. Wirtschaftswunder was made possible by Ludwig Erhard’s reforms, which are found to have been much more important …


Passing The Baton: A Comparative Analysis Of The Ceo Succession Of Walmart And Exxon Mobil, Anna K. Seale Jan 2019

Passing The Baton: A Comparative Analysis Of The Ceo Succession Of Walmart And Exxon Mobil, Anna K. Seale

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the CEO succession of Walmart and Exxon Mobile with the commonly accepted best practices within the CEO’s distinguishable attributes and roles. The succession of executive leadership within any organization is inevitable. Research speaks to the importance of both strong executive leadership and CEO succession plans to allow for sustainable success within an organization. The researcher examined the literature on commonly accepted best practices of CEO succession as well as the importance of them. The executive successions of Walmart and Exxon Mobil were examined in light of the history of executive succession planning. …


Therapeutic Delivery Technology And Its Economic Impact, Paul E. Savas Jr. Jan 2019

Therapeutic Delivery Technology And Its Economic Impact, Paul E. Savas Jr.

Senior Honors Theses

Therapeutic delivery technology is a current area of high interest in both university and industrial settings. These technologies are being developed in order to deliver therapeutic agents, such as genes, proteins, and drugs, to patients more efficiently. Nanoscale delivery vehicles have proven to be useful for these applications; these vehicles may either be naturally produced or chemically synthesized. The physical properties of these nanomaterials must be characterized correctly using instrumentation that evaluates their size, morphology, and potential for agglomeration. These technologies represent a high-growth economic area that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation. Because of this innovative spirit, research and economic interest …


Funding A Feature: Creating A Film Business Plan, Jordan C. Hunt Jan 2019

Funding A Feature: Creating A Film Business Plan, Jordan C. Hunt

Senior Honors Theses

Every film, from the smallest indie to the biggest studio blockbuster, must be funded, and all investors who finance a movie expect that the movie will give them a return on their investment. In order to seek funding, many filmmakers create a business plan to present to potential investors. Beginning with the film industry as a whole, this paper will define a specific target audience and distribution plan for one film in order to create a business plan. The film, titled Intertwined, is an independent low budget family drama that will primarily raise funds through equity investors. This is …