Business Commons^™

Overcoming The Glass Wall: Self-Employment As A Career Strategy For Immigrant Professionals, Barbara Silva

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Skilled immigrant professionals frequently experience barriers that limit their ability to secure employment opportunities aligned with their qualifications in host-country labor markets. Although prior research has documented some of the challenges these professionals face, such as credential devaluation and discrimination, less is known about why recruiters perceive immigrant candidates with similar qualifications differently and why some immigrants navigate the labor market more successfully than others. Drawing on Status Characteristics Theory, this dissertation examines how the location and type of immigrant professionals’ prior work experience shape hiring-related outcomes by influencing recruiters’ perceptions of competence and acculturation. First, I review the literature …

Sensory And Emotional Impacts On Modern Consumer Experiences, Winter E. Bland

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This dissertation comprises two essays examining how environmental and psychological stimuli shape consumer experience, attitudes, and cognition. The first essay investigates the joint influence of scent temperature (warm versus cool) and scent arousal (stimulating versus relaxing) on experiential attitudes and cognitive performance in digitally mediated consumption environments. Across multiple lab experiments with biometric validation, findings reveal that these two scent dimensions interact to shape downstream outcomes. Warm, low-arousal scents (e.g., vanilla) enhance consumers' experiential evaluations of digital interactions but do not improve task performance, whereas cool, high-arousal scents (e.g., peppermint) boost cognitive efficiency and accuracy but do not elevate experiential …

Socio-Technical Exchange With Machines: Worker Experiences With Complex Work Technologies, Cameron W. Piercy, Reaia Turner-Leatherman

Human-Machine Communication

Machines are now commonplace work partners and Human-Machine Communication (HMC) is part of modern work. Guided by the machine heuristic and Social Exchange Theory (SET) this paper uses interviews with 22 workers to explore the socio-technical relationships between humans and machines at work. Participants worked with complex machines across a wide variety of industries and roles and findings reveal participants see machines as part of the work ecosystem, develop everyday machine heuristics to guide repeated interactions with machines, and that elements of human uniqueness persist in evaluations of humans and machines. Discussion points emphasize situated and developing human-machine interaction scripts, …

Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Applications In Fashion: Ethical Concerns In Human-Like Technology, Melissa Kathryn Gonzalez

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Sharpening Marketing Strategy Through Smart Chatgpt Prompts, Wenkai Zhou

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

Students will use ChatGPT to simulate real-world marketing scenarios by crafting precise and targeted prompts. They will focus on generating creative content, uncovering customer insights, and optimizing pricing strategies. Through iterative prompt refinement, students will learn how to guide ChatGPT to deliver more relevant and strategic outputs. Ethical guidelines will be incorporated into the prompting process, ensuring students understand the boundaries and responsible uses of AI-generated content. This exercise enhances their critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical decision-making capabilities.

Curaçao's Tourism Transformation: Building A Legacy Of Growth, Manuel Rivera, Margaret Zorrilla

Dick Pope Sr. Institute Publications

Tourism in Curaçao has experienced remarkable growth, with total arrivals increasing from 582,400 in 2023 to 700,242 in 2024. This surge reflects the island’s rising appeal as a destination and sets the foundation for the significant economic contributions that follow.

Where Music Shapes A Legacy, Manuel Rivera, Margaret Zorrilla Cortez

Dick Pope Sr. Institute Publications

The 2025 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival (CNSJF) reinforced its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s leading cultural events, delivering substantial economic benefits, an outstanding visitor experience, and deepening loyalty to both the festival and Curaçao. CNSJF 2025 stands as a powerful engine for Curaçao’s economy, a benchmark for festival experiences, and a driver of lasting loyalty and advocacy for both the event and the island. Its legacy is not only musical but also economic and cultural, shaping how visitors connect with Curaçao for years to come.

Unlocking Human-Robot Dynamics In Restaurants: Exploring The Mechanisms Underlying The Impacts Of Service Robots’ Social Cues On Restaurant Customer Behaviors, Yusi Cheng

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rise of service robots (SRs) is reshaping service delivery, particularly in the dining sector where guiding and delivering robots are increasingly prevalent. However, understanding how customers interact with SRs and respond to their social cues in the dining environment remains unclear and fragmented. This dissertation aims to bridge this gap by comprehensively understanding the social cues of SRs and their influences on customer behaviors. Specifically, the objectives are to (1) understand prominent social cues and customer responses; (2) identify key SR-related social cues; (3) explore customer-SR interaction outcomes; (4) explain why certain social cues elicit particular customer responses; (5) …

From Vinyl To Viral: Evaluating The Mere Exposure Effect Through Music And Technological Advancements, Ariana R. Deboo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The Mere Exposure Effect (MEE) refers to a psychological pattern in which a person develops preference for a stimulus that has been repeatedly presented to them. The present study examined environmental influences of preference through repeated exposure to music. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Reels, and Shorts influence where people listen to music. The fast-paced consumption algorithm for new media is provided by quick, entertaining videos that allow users to scroll past content that does not keep their attention. A total of 406 participants (n=406) were involved in this study. The purpose for this study was to identify how …

The Impact Of Human-Ai Relationship Perception On Voice Shopping Intentions, Marisa Tschopp, Kai Sassenberg

Human-Machine Communication

In the emerging field of voice shopping with quasi-sales agents like Amazon's Alexa, we investigated the influence of perceived human-AI relationships (i.e., authority ranking, market pricing, peer bonding) on (voice-)shopping intentions. In our cross-sectional survey among experienced voice shoppers, we tested hypotheses specifically differentiating voice shopping for low- and high-involvement products. The results emphasized the importance of socio-emotional elements (i.e., peer bonding) for voice shopping for high-involvement products. While calculative decision-making (i.e., market pricing) was less relevant, the master-servant relationship perception (i.e., authority ranking) was important in low-involvement shopping. An exploratory analysis of users’ desired benefits of voice shopping reinforces …

From Baguettes To Gold Medals: The Paris 2024 Olympics And Paralympics Exhibit Signs, Tim Bottorff, Kerri Bottorff

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: May-August 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics mascots and t-shirt. T-shirt and credential from U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Marathon.

Curators: Tim Bottorff and Kerri Bottorff

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From Baguettes To Gold Medals: The Paris 2024 Olympics And Paralympics Exhibit Postcard, Tim Bottorff, Kerri Bottorff

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: May-August 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics mascots and t-shirt. T-shirt and credential from U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Marathon.
Curators: Tim Bottorff and Kerri Bottorff

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Lessons From Hospitality: Towards A Hybrid Model Of Senior Living Communities, Yunying Zhong, Tingting Zhang

Rosen Research Review

Old age gets most of us, and how we spend it should be meaningful. The hospitality sector could play a vital role in this regard. Senior living communities are big business in the U.S., but they face demands from residents, and the family and friends who visit them, for more than the traditional focus on healthcare. UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management researchers, Dr. YunYing Zhong, Dr. Tingting Zhang, and their co-author understand the connection between the senior living community and hospitality sectors; their research is giving impetus to a hybrid model that could benefit both.

The Camera Eats First: What Foodstagramming Reveals About Personal Behavior, Xiaoxiao Fu

Rosen Research Review

Some chefs may try to ban it, but 'foodstagramming'—diners taking photographs of food to post on social media—is a valuable tool that can boost both restaurants' and diners' public image. That's the conclusion of new research led by UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management's Associate Professor Xiaoxiao Fu. The study takes a psychological perspective and finds that foodstagramming helps both individuals' self-efficacy—the belief that if individuals act in specific ways they can achieve certain goals—and provides opportunities for restaurants to promote their businesses in new and exciting ways.

A Closer Look At Visitors' Immersion In China's Theme Parks, Xiaoxiao Fu, Carissa Baker

Rosen Research Review

Engaging life experiences can become deeply entrenched in the human memory, facilitating mind associations, stimulating the imagination, and inspiring rich storytelling. UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management's Associate Professor Xiaoxiao Fu and Assistant Professor Carissa Baker, along with their co-authors, recently collected the subjective accounts of 30 people who had visited renowned theme parks in China. By analyzing these first-person tales, the researchers were then able to pin-point patterns and processes that characterized the respondents' immersion in experiences at the Chinese theme parks.

Engaging Hotel Staff In Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, Tingting Zhang, Diego Bufquin

Rosen Research Review

Human trafficking is a serious global issue, within which the hospitality industry is a point of focus for sex trafficking. Despite increases in government- and corporate-mandated anti-human trafficking training, the level of hotel employee engagement with anti-human trafficking initiatives remains poorly researched. In a collaborative effort, researchers at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Associate Professor Tingting (Christina) Zhang and Associate Professor Diego Bufquin, have set about identifying the factors that influence employee engagement with anti-human trafficking initiatives in the hotel industry in order to establish a practical framework for implementing more effective measures.

A Hospitality-Inspired Approach To Understanding Patient Experience, Maksim Godovykh, Abraham Pizam

Rosen Research Review

Patient experience is the individual's perception of how a healthcare institution treats them on their journey through illness or injury. Research shows that patient-centered care not only improves the quality of healthcare services, but also the patient's wellbeing and health outcomes, and this has resulted in an increased focus on patient experience. Despite its established importance, accurate measurement of patient experience remains a challenge. Applying their experience and knowledge of the hospitality industry, Dr. Maksim Godovykh and Dr. Abraham Pizam at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management are developing a broader and more scientific approach to measuring patient experience.

Trivandi: Creating Spectacular And Meaningful Guest Experiences, Michael B. Duignan

Rosen Research Review

In an insightful interview with James Bulley OBE, CEO of Trivandi, Dr. Michael B. Duignan learns about Trivandi's 'One Team' approach and their aim to push the boundaries in event and venue delivery.

Rethinking Events Over Thirty Years Of Research, Michael B. Duignan

Rosen Research Review

Events are often pitched as business opportunities for the tourism and hospitality sector, but look deeper, and a far more compelling narrative emerges. In examining thirty years of events-related research, Dr. Michael Duignan of UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management has uncovered a highly complex and emerging field of study with significant value for the sector. It is also attracting the eye of researchers from other disciplines looking for insights into why people are drawn to share experiences.

Retaining Staff: Is It A Matter Of Instilling Pride?, Murat Hancer, Suja Chaulagain

Rosen Research Review

Hotels struggle to attract staff; you can partly blame the public perception of hotel jobs for that. But, why is it difficult to retain staff once they start? Perhaps an answer lies in whether they feel pride in what they do. Professors Murat Hancer and Suja Chaulagain at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management led a team of researchers to unpack the notion of pride among hotel staff in the United States and Vietnam. What they learned has significant importance for a sector that crosses cultures.

Can Humor Help Sell A Tourist Destination Online?, Maksim Godovykh, Xiaoxiao Fu

Rosen Research Review

Destination marketers pack a lot into their websites, assuming potential visitors want detailed information. But perhaps they're missing a simple trick to attracting the attention of potential travelers and getting them to connect with what's on offer: a dash of humor. But humor is a doubleedged sword; experimenting with it can be potentially damaging. However, research by Dr. Maksim Godovykh and Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management has shown that even making light of a crisis can help boost attitudes and intentions.

More Than Income: How Americans Feel About Their Finances And How It Affects Their Travel Plans, Jorge Ridderstaat

Rosen Research Review

Associate Professor Jorge Ridderstaat of UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management has examined how Americans feel about their finances and how it affects their travel plans. This study provides new, multifaceted details on how U.S. consumer finances can affect their travel decisions, providing valuable behavioral insights for authorities and policymakers when managing tourist destinations effectively.

Ucf's Infectious Disease And Travel Health Initiative: Pioneering Resilience For A Healthier Tomorrow, Chait Renduchintala, Frank Badu-Baiden

Rosen Research Review

In a world grappling with the profound challenges posed by infectious diseases and global travel, the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation. An exceptional new initiative—the Infectious Disease and Travel Health Initiative—is set to revolutionize how we approach health resilience, disease outbreak mitigation, traveler safety, and the continuity of essential services. Spearheaded by eminent researchers from UCF's College of Medicine, including Dr. Kenneth A. Alexander, Dr. Griff Parks, Dr. Eric Schrimshaw, and Dr. Taj Azarian, along with Dr. Robertico Croes, principal investigator from the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, this initiative …

Promoting Accessible Tourism At Mega-Events: Bridging The Disability-Attitude Gap, Michael B. Duignan, Alan Fyall

Rosen Research Review

UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management's Associate Professor Michael B. Duignan and Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Alan Fyall collaborated with a team of fellow researchers to examine Tokyo 2020's potential to challenge ableist norms. Highlighting Japan's efforts to promote inclusive tourism for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), their collaborative study highlights the tourism sector's ongoing gaps. They argue that mega-events like the Olympics can be pivotal in driving inclusivity, addressing both physical and social barriers. Dive into this revealing examination of the interplay between tourism, events, and societal change.

2024 Bloom Forecast Dates, Gina Rippens

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: February-May 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Handmade Japanese doll. Cherry Blossom Bloom Map. 2024 Bloom Forecast.
Primary Curator: Gina Rippens

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Sakura Hanami: Celebrating The Japanese Cherry Blossom, Exhibit Brochure, Gina Rippens

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: February-May 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Handmade Japanese doll. Cherry Blossom Bloom Map. 2024 Bloom Forecast.
Primary Curator: Gina Rippens

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Japan Cherry Blossom Map, Gina Rippens

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: February-May 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Handmade Japanese doll. Cherry Blossom Bloom Map. 2024 Bloom Forecast.
Primary Curator: Gina Rippens

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Sakura Hanami: Celebrating The Japanese Cherry Blossom, Exhibit Sign, Gina Rippens

Rosen Library Exhibits

On display: February-May 2024
Featured items: Books from the Rosen Library Collection. Handmade Japanese doll. Cherry Blossom Bloom Map. 2024 Bloom Forecast.
Primary Curator: Gina Rippens

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Exploring Business Ideas And Opportunities, Mary Ann Hughes Butts

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

Students are given a three-part assignment after reading a chapter in the text about idea generation. In part one, the students are given five ideation techniques and the steps. They are to pick one technique and complete the steps. In part two, the students are instructed to use an AI tool to help them generate ideas. In part three of the assignment, the students are given a set of reflection questions where they are asked to reflect on the traditional technique they used, the AI, and compare the two.

Curacao Milestone 2023: Welcoming Over Half A Million Tourists, Manuel Rivera, Valeriya Shapoval, Margaret Zorrilla

Dick Pope Sr. Institute Publications

In 2023, the Curaçao Tourism Board achieved significant milestones in promoting and developing the island as a premier tourist destination. The tourism sector experienced remarkable growth, with a 19% increase in stayover arrivals, reaching 582,400 visitors compared to 489,599 in 2022. This marked the first time Curaçao exceeded half a million stayover arrivals.

The success of Curaçao's tourism sector was bolstered by targeted marketing campaigns in key source markets. The Curaçao Tourist Board actively promoted the island through collaborations with local stakeholders, enhancing the effectiveness of their efforts. Additionally, the Board launched several initiatives to raise consumer awareness, such as …