Business Commons^™

Are Medical Support Staff Provided With Sufficient Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Training?, Margareth A. Alvarado

Honors Projects

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the need for workforce development and training of diversity, culture, and inclusion in small healthcare offices in Rhode Island. Method: This study utilized phone interviews from participants in twenty-one primary and specialty care offices throughout Rhode Island. Results: Findings suggested the need for more workforce development and training of DEI within small offices. More education is needed to understand and define the meaning of diversity, culture, and inclusion in these smaller primary care and specialty care settings. Conclusions: A repeat study should be conducted to allow for additional data collection. The geographical and …

Education Shapes The Mind, Bu What Shapes Education? A Comparative Study Of First-Generation Vs Non-First-Generation Students, Brianna Lukowicz

Honors Projects

This research paper examines in depth the relationship between educational attainment in first-generation college students vs. non-first-generation college students. It analyzes how one’s educational attainment level is affected by changes in selected demographic and socioeconomic factors in the United States. This study further analyzes if differences in earnings among the two groups post collegiate education persist. Using the 2015 and 2017 data obtained from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the proposed hypotheses are tested with the Linear Probability model and the Binomial Logit model to answer which demographic factors impact educational attainment of each group of students, as well …

Resources Available To Aging New Englanders In 2019, Raquel Montero

Honors Projects

This project studies the resources currently available to aging New Englanders in 2019. The four studied resources—case management, transportation, meals, and homemaking services—are critical for older adults aiming to remain in their homes as they age, a practice known as “aging in place.” Evaluation of these resources is conducted via a review of existing literature, state agency websites, and interviews of personnel involved with the provision of such services. Qualitative data collected from interviews is compared with existing qualitative data released by the Administration for Community Living (2016). This research also evaluates Rhode Island’s strengths and weaknesses in providing these …

The Implications Of Model Body Size And Self-Congruity On Consumer Attitudes & Purchase Intention In Women's Lingerie Advertisements, Daniella M. Carnevale

Honors Projects

“Real” advertising, or advertising products using more “realistically” sized models, has recently become a notable trend within the fashion and beauty industries. However, little research has been done thus far to reveal the implications of such advertising tactics on consumer attitudes and purchase intention. In other words, this study intends to answer the following question: is this emerging advertising strategy truly effective? The idea of featuring models with body dimensions that more accurately represent the consumer’s body size taps into the concept of self-congruity. Self-congruity, or the level of likeness between consumer self-concept and the typical brand-user image, presents the …

Leadership And The Social Psychology Of Lean Enterprise, Lissa M. Almanzar

Honors Projects

Lean enterprise is the Toyota Production System applied not only in the production department but inside all organizational departments (finance, marketing, etc.). It focuses on continuously adding value to processes while improving efficiency and inputs management. No organization exists that has fully mastered the Lean ideology. Many like Toyota have applied it for decades and seen results, while others have seen none and abandon the chase. It is important to understand that leaders are an essential instrument for an effective and successful Lean implementation. Further, there are variables that affect a leader’s behavior which in turn will have an impact …

Antecedents Of Career Commitment In Entrepreneurs, Miguel Cristóvão

Honors Projects

Entrepreneurship has played a key role and gained much attention during the last decade in the US and world economy. That should not come as a surprise since every business started small and most grew out of nothing to become big players in the business market, whether that was five or one hundred years ago. Many billionaires and millionaires built their fortune through entrepreneurial endeavors, which is motivating young students and professionals to try and fast track their way to financial freedom through entrepreneurship. This study explored the factors behind an entrepreneur’s commitment and examine antecedents that cause career commitment …

The Correspondence Between Irving Fisher And Nathaniel Terry Bacon At The James P. Adams Library Rhode Island College, Richard Vangermeersch, Marlene L. Lopes, Editor

Faculty Publications

This project brings together the correspondence between Yale economist Irving Fisher and entrepreneur-industrialist, philanthropist and gentleman scholar Nathaniel Terry Bacon. In doing so it provides a window into the thoughts and interactions of two intelligent and influential men, related by marriage but very different in terms of personality, social outlook, and economic theory. Spanning the first quarter of the 20th century, these letters have as their backdrop key events such as the First World War, the impending stock market crash, and the eve of the great depression.

Professor Emeritus Richard Vangermeersch initiated this undertaking and made us aware of the …

"Play Along" With The Authors: Half-Life 2, Bioshock, And Video Game Narrative, Samy Masadi

Honors Projects

Applies narrative analysis to two story-based video games, Half-Life 2 and BioShock, arguing that such games combine traditional narrative elements in innovative ways. Includes discussion of narratology, ludology, and game narrative theory.

Can Leadership Be Developed By Applying Leadership Theories? : An Examination Of Three Theory-Based Approaches To Leadership Development, Joshua C. Laguerre

Honors Projects

Investigates the possibility of leadership development by application of leadership theory. Through a critical literature review, examines empirical studies utilizing three development approaches: Fiedler's Contingency Model, Burns and Bass's Transformational Leadership Theory, and Avolio's Authentic Leadership Theory. Concludes that, while leadership can be generated employing any of these theories, an overall framework for developing leadership is lacking. Presents a possible framework, based on the transformational and authentic leadership models.

Careers In Corrections: Perceptions From The Inside, Kelsey A. Kanoff

Honors Projects

Examines the perceptions of correctional officers on recruitment, retention, and promotion processes within the Rhode island Department of Corrections. Studies the extent to which gender, and to a lesser extent, race, impact officers at all three stages of their careers.

The Disney Strike Of 1941: From The Animators' Perspective, Lisa Johnson

Honors Projects

Identifies and explores the tensions that led to the Disney Strike of 1941. Demonstrates that this Strike exhibited different problems from those typical of strikes during the 1930s and early 1940s, especially regarding intellectual property rights, screen credit, and professional differences over standards of excellence.

Hud Report Hails City's Revival, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Recent rankings of Providence have given it high grades, ranging from restaurant reviews to being named by Money magazine as the best city in the Northeast in which to live. All of these tributes have received considerable publicity. But the best endorsement of the city's revitalization likely comes from a publication not commonly seen by the public, the annual State of the Cities report published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development."

Census Bureau Seeks Partners In Business, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"By now you should have seen the advertisements for the U.S. Census Bureau to apprise us of the forthcoming census on April 1, 2000. And there will be plenty more since the Bureau has budgeted $167 million on this push for public awareness, something it has never perviously paid to do."

Hospitality And Tourism; The Hidden Industry, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"At the national level it generates $416 billion in sales and employs over 6 million people, and in Rhode Island it generates $1.4 billion in sales and employs 28,000 people. Now the second largest economic activity here and throughout the nation, this 'industry' is one that many do not recognize."

On Students, Standards, Employers And Jobs, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent an first national census survey on hiring, training and management practices in business in this country statistically reaffirmed the complaints of business leaders made a decade ago--young people coming out of our schools are not ready nor qualified for the workplace."

How Goes The American Dream?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Americans are a hard-working lot. The ambitious American worker has fewer holidays, less vacation time and other benefits than Western Europeans. They are well-rewarded for their pursuit of the American dream. Home ownership rates in this country are among the highest rates in the world. The typical American worker has more cars and more kitchen gadgets, electronic hardware, recreational gear and more computers in his home than any other worker in the world."

Bringing Conventions To Ri, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"On time and under budget: It's not often that one can say that about a government-sponsored and government-built project, but to date, that is exactly the status of the Rhode Island Convention Center. Assuming this pace of development continues, the center will open in December 1993 below the $290 million projected cost."

Gigantic Malls Bring Downtown To Suburbia, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent opening of the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., has probably received more publicity than any other shopping center in the nation. This behemoth of shopping malls is certainly something to experience, but the real question is whether this $650 million investment has a future."

Japan Invests In America; Why Can't We?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One of the hottest public issues today is the increasing Japanese industrial and commercial presence in this country. With high national unemployment rates, even reaching unheard-of levels of 7.7 percent in formerly job-rich California, someone obviously is at fault."

Labor Should Join Right Now, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"RIght Now is a coalition of business, religious and community leaders trying to bring changes to the political structure of Rhode Island. This is good, but the most disquieting note of this announcement is the absence of labor leaders from its membership."

New Development Is In For A Difficult Decade, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"There is little question that during 1990s, proposed new development--whether residential, commercial or office--is going to be in for some rough going. Community aversion to development and what is perceived to be the resulting overcrowding, traffic and extra budget for schools, roads, water and sewage lines and other items pose major obstacles that developers are not encountering. It will likely worsen in the years ahead."

Westminster Mall: Mauled By Suburbia, But What's Next?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The reconstruction of Westminster Mall has caused some to ask what went wrong. The answer is complex, and yet quite simply explained: The suburbs are still the growth areas of this country."

Wanted: Live-In Teachers, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland all have it--a residency requirement--and so does Providence. Having to live in the city for which you work has been deemed to be an important measure in helping to bring people back into the city, and that was the reason it was included in the 1980 Home Rule Charter."

How To Keep Teachers In R.I., Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Should Providence city employees be forced to live in the city? The Home Rule Charter, adopted five years ago, requires them to do so. The executive secretary of the Providence Teachers' Union states that this requirement should not apply to teachers. But, is dropping the residency requirement the answer to the problem of finding adequate numbers of substitute and full-time teachers?"

Residency And The Charter, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When Providence voters approved a home rule charter in 1980, they took a major step forward in choosing their own destiny, rather than relying on the General Assembly to approve many of their actions. To implement the resulting changes, the date for full compliance of the charter was set at 1983. And since that time, newly hired city workers are required to live in Providence."

High Price Of Housing Has Some Unseen Costs, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Affordability is the major problem in the housing industry today, at least in this part of the country. The Northeast, now the most expensive area in the nation in which to build a house, is fine for those who are sitting in their appreciating houses, but the region is at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to attracting a pool of talented people to live and work here."

Lunching Crowd, See How They Spend, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of an event that has had a marked impact on the shopping pattern of Rhode Island shoppers--Midland Mall, now Rhode Island Mall, opened its doors in Warwick."

Preferred Location For A Jewelry Trade Center Is Downtown Providence, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When the state of Rhode Island determined that a new court facility was needed in the Providence area in the late 1970s, a strong case was made to locate it on the state land near the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston. A site there would have adequate space for parking, easy access off of Route 95 and a proximity of court to jail that would seem to make it a natural choice, given our propensity to site buildings and functions with deference to cars rather than people."

Looking To Suburban Malls For Lesson On Envisaged Providence Company, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"During next month, some major decisions must be made that will have long-term effects on the future health and prosperity of our capital city's central business district. One of these decisions relates to the proposed establishment of a 'Providence Company,' a management and marketing organization for the downtown, recommended in the recently completed Carr, Lynch and Levine report on downtown Development."

Regulating Video Arcades Is No Game, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Improvement on Washington Street is needed. The Providence Board of Licenses is about to determine if the Saturn's Rings video arcade on Washington street should have its license renewed. The issue is as critical as it is controversial."