Business Commons^™

Artificial Intelligence In Stock Analysis And Portfolio Building, Sean M. Lynch

Honors Theses and Capstones

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) investment analysts, often referred to as “robo-advisors”, has the potential to change traditional portfolio management. These systems access vast amounts of data and make portfolio management decisions and stock market predictions. In this study, I compared AI-generated portfolios with portfolios that were created manually. Surprisingly, the human-generated portfolios outperformed the AI portfolios. However, the prompt used in the AI application affects these results. The subset of AI portfolios that were created with specific objectives specified in the prompts outperformed those that were created with more generic prompts. Overall, this research sheds light on the …

Environmental Taxation In Spain: Policy And Practice, Emily Sang Lynch

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Understanding Neurodiversity And Executive Disfunction To Discover More Effective Accommodations And Create A More Inclusive Workforce For Neurodivergent Individuals, Carley Dahlstrom

Honors Theses and Capstones

The goal of this paper is twofold. One: understand executive disfunction to gain a broader understanding of neurodiversity and the challenges those with neurodiversity face in the workforce. And two: research different accommodations to combat executive disfunction and evaluate their effectiveness. To accomplish these goals, an extensive literature review was conducted to understand neurodiversity, executive disfunction, government requirements relating to accommodations, and an exploration of current accommodations available. Additionally, research was conducted in the form of interviews and a survey to expand and add to the overall understanding of this research area.

Results of the survey indicate an overall lack …

Social Workers In Human Resources, Alexandra H. Pogany

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Building: The Potential Impacts Of 3d Printing Within The Construction Industry, Alyssa Morrison

Honors Theses and Capstones

This research investigates the expanding practice of 3D printing in construction, focusing on its potential impacts and challenges it will face within the industry. Emphasizing both its sustainability and cost-saving benefits, this paper examines how 3D printing could potentially revolutionize traditional building methods. The ability to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, address the global housing shortage, and reduce material waste are addressed. Through interviews with industry professionals, as well as a thorough literature review, the research explores the factors driving interest and investment in 3D printing technology. Additionally, it analyzes common misconceptions regarding 3D printed structures and pinpoints areas for further …

Understanding Large Accounting Firm Perceptions On The Decline Of Accounting Graduates And Implications Of Supply Shortages, Lilie Murray

Honors Theses and Capstones

The accounting industry in the United States faces a persistent supply shortage, exacerbated by declining undergraduate interest. The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) has reported a decline in accounting bachelor’s and master’s degrees over the last five years, with the largest drop in 2021-2022 (AICPA 2023). Misconceptions about the profession, high barriers to entry, and generational values are factors in this decline. Mass retirements of Baby Boomers and exits of young-to-midcareer professionals put further strain on the shortage. This study aims to better understand the perceptions of accounting professionals at large accounting firms regarding the decline in accounting …

Giving Workers The 'Green Light': Defining Green Jobs And Exploring Their Distribution In The Us, Cole Fuller

Honors Theses and Capstones

As the United States continues to adopt sustainable practices and policies to combat climate change, it is important to consider how these green changes affect the workforce. The term ‘Green Jobs’ has become the colloquial term to refer to sustainable occupations, and despite its popularity in the literature, it often has different meanings in different settings. Our first goal was to explore these definitions and establish one to contextualize our research. We used data from the Occupational Information Network, and used their green job definition, which classifies jobs as green if, and how, they are impacted by the greening economy. …

Implementation Of The Dutch Biking System In The United States Subject: Portsmouth Nh, Linda K. Freeman

Honors Theses and Capstones

This thesis explores the feasibility of implementing the Dutch Biking System in the United States, focusing on Portsmouth NH as a potential candidate for such infrastructure development. By analyzing the history of bicycles, the Dutch biking system, and the American biking system, the study aims to establish the need for enhanced biking infrastructure in the U.S. The research outlines a comprehensive implementation plan based on cost considerations and project scope, with a long-term vision spanning several decades. Key stakeholders, including civil engineers, communications specialists, and data analysts, play crucial roles in designing, promoting, and evaluating the biking infrastructure. The study …

Investing In Love: The Finances Of Getting Married, Allison Frances Ivers

Honors Theses and Capstones

In attempts to examine the influence vendors have on consumers within the wedding industry, this study investigates the emotional and financial extremes brides will achieve to attain their definition of a “perfect” day. Additionally, the research shows the relationship between consumer behaviors related to wedding spending. The findings highlight the economic impacts associated with the bridal industry and the trends that define it. Couples value their wants and needs with their desire to be married. Although vendors can dictate their margin of the market, the couples getting married hold the purchasing power. During the search for secondary research, there was …

Consumer Preference In Politics: Polarization In The Us Two-Party System, Jocelyne Y. Bisson

Honors Theses and Capstones

This paper uses marketing analytics to analyze the current segmentation and positioning of the US two-party political system. In the literature review, the political parties will be illustrated as they exist in 2024 after a brief historical outline beginning with party politics post WWII. The current 2024 platforms and most polarizing issues will also be outlined in this section. This research aims to answer the following questions. Can marketing segmentation and positioning reveal the most and least polarizing party issues in the United States today? How do current presidential front runners fit into the larger US two-party system? Do their …

The Inflation Reduction Act’S Role In Shaping Pharmaceutical Investment Strategies, Grace Harbour

Honors Theses and Capstones

The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on the financial strategies of pharmaceutical companies is the focus of this study, emphasizing research and development and capital expenditures. The act introduces a significant change in U.S. healthcare policy by enabling Medicare to directly negotiate the prices of select drugs. Employing a difference-in-differences analysis framework, this study analyzes data from both treated and control firms from Q1 2020 to Q4 2023 to evaluate the immediate financial responses of pharmaceutical companies to this significant legislative change.

College Sports As A Business: How Name, Image, & Likeness Deals Have Altered The Way Colleges Operate, Jake Alexander Macinnis

Honors Theses and Capstones

The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights for student-athletes by the NCAA has significantly altered college athletics, enabling athletes to profit from their personal brands. In this thesis, it examines the multifaceted impacts of thesis changes on student athletes, universities, and the broader collegiate sports ecosystem. Some of the key areas explored include the rise of NIL collectives, the influence of lucrative TV deals on conference realignment, and modifications to the transfer portal. The research highlights the lack of transparency in collective payments, raising concerns about regulation amongst colleges and universities on all levels. This complicates recruitment as …

Productivity Working From Home During The Pandemic, Jacqueline M. Veglia

Honors Theses and Capstones

I will be focusing my research on productivity during working from home. Specifically I will be focusing on men versus women productivity levels working from home, as well as single women versus women with children. This research is also designed to investigate the extent of work employees do while working at home and their productivity levels. The Covid19 pandemic had a major impact on the working environment. People were stuck inside their houses and were not able to go to their offices for months to years and this is still an ongoing problem we are dealing with today. It can …

The Historic Returns Of Gold: Is It The Best Hedge Against Inflation?, Jack William Gillis

Honors Theses and Capstones

The world of investing is rapidly changing as technologies advance. In the past few years especially, we have seen many investors shifting toward decentralized digital money, or what is known as cryptocurrencies. Even with these new asset classes coming out, there has always been one commodity that has stuck around. Gold has been used as a store of value for millenniums. Investors tend to rely on gold because it’s believed to be a safe-haven asset, in times of economic uncertainty. This paper aims to determine whether or not this traditional mindset is still effective in today’s ever-changing investment environment. To …

Cybersecurity Breaches And Auditor Turnover, Kilian O'Connell

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Green Home Technology In Residential Real Estate, Edwrad King

Honors Theses and Capstones

This thesis paper explores green home technology in residential homes. The purpose of this research is to understand what green home technologies are, the extent to which they are being adopted, the factors that lead people to adoption, barriers to adoption, and if green home technology adds value to residential homes. The data methodology involves a literature review, and interviews with people who have adopted these technologies, people who have not adopted these technologies, and companies that sell these technologies. The results reveal that green home technology is something that is becoming more commonly adopted, due to factors like cost …

The Market’S Reaction To The Disclosure Of A Cybersecurity Breach, Jill L. Mattucci

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Growth Drivers And Inhibitors Of The B Corp Movement, Jason Plant

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Consumer's Perceptions Of Sustainable Products Through Social Media, Alessandra M. Cutone

Honors Theses and Capstones

Within the past 10 years, marketing has shifted drastically. Companies have slowly made the switch from mailers and print marketing to a variety of digital marketing forms in order to keep the attention of their consumers. This research examines consumer’s perceptions of advertisements through social media influencers relating to sustainable products. More specifically, what drives consumers to buy eco-friendly products on social media? Does the sustainability focus of the influencer matter for product endorsement? And along with that, does there need to be a match between the sustainability focus of both the product and the influencer? The results of this …

Board Gender Diversity And Cybersecurity Disclosure Characteristics, Katie Remeis

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Different Personalized Services On Consumer Cognition, Emotion, And Intention To Share Information, Thomas John Stimson Ii, Jing Wang

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Compensation Framing On Work Relationships, Jack Wixson

Honors Theses and Capstones

This paper attempts to understand the effects of compensation framing on performance, work relationships, and organizational citizenship behavior. 108 study participants worked under either a bonus or penalty framed contract to complete an effort-based task. The results of the study indicate that employees will exert more effort to get to know their supervisor and demonstrate more good behavior under a bonus frame versus a penalty frame. These findings are important for companies to recognize how different compensation structures impact their employees. Companies can be more successful if they put in more time and effort to better understand their employees.

How Management’S Response To Fraud Affects The Likelihood Of Future Fraud., Adam Garrity

Honors Theses and Capstones

This article studies the effect of two parts of deterrence theory: sanction certainty and sanction swiftness, on their ability to prevent and deter embezzlement within companies. I will use an experiment, a research instrument, survey questions, and SPSS and ANOVA software to determine if sanction certainty and sanction swiftness have significant effects on how a fictional company is perceived by participants. Participants will be given a scenario that has a combination of a slow or swift punishment and a high or low detection rate. In the experiment, deterrence theory’s effect will be measured by dependent variables such as organizational attractiveness, …

Steep But Not Deep: A Critical Review Of Climate Change Effects On Nh Ski Areas And Their Consumer Population, Stephanie Menard

Honors Theses and Capstones

Climate change presents a significant challenge to the global tourism industry, particularly for sectors reliant on natural resources, such as the New Hampshire ski industry. This thesis investigates how ski resorts across the state are addressing the effects of climate change and adjusting to evolving consumer behavior to strategically position themselves for the future. The study’s research questions are focused on understanding the current tactics being employed by ski resorts and how consumer choices may be affected by climate change effects on the industry. To explore these questions, informational interviews with four industry professionals and a consumer survey were conducted. …

Student Attitudes And Perceptions Regarding Food Waste At Unh Dining Halls, Alexander Soule

Honors Theses and Capstones

UNH works in the hospitality sector of businesses. Over the years, food waste has grown to become an alarmingly increasing problem for both the environment and businesses operating in the sector. While UNH has many food waste mitigation efforts, there is still an opportunity for both the dining halls and students to work together to help reduce food waste. A survey was performed and analyzed which reveals that many students who frequented the dining halls are willing to better adjust their dining practices to help mitigate food waste. However, this is contingent on the dining halls presenting the information of …

Examining The Interest Of Business School Students And The Gender Gap In Careers Of Data Science And Analytics, Logan M. Lopus

Honors Theses and Capstones

Professionals in the data science and analytics field are in high demand. Recently, business schools have introduced various academic programs to train students in those fields. However, what makes business school students interested in these career fields is not entirely known. Research questions such as who the major influencers are for business school students' career choices or whether there are any differences between genders in terms of their awareness, readiness, and interest in data science and analytics careers remain to be answered. Therefore, this study examines the segmentation of business school students in how they prepare for careers, drivers of …

Esg Metric Variance And Methodology Standardization, Jordan Moyer

Honors Theses and Capstones

Across the globe Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scoring has become a tool used for mission-aligned investment. In the United States, there is no standardized method for scoring companies based on ESG practices; it is all completed by private companies with their own ways of managing data and creating scores. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting, though mandatory in some countries, is also completely voluntary in the United States. CSR reports are a key part of the data collection used for ESG scoring. This research looks to understand how much CSR reporting is being influenced by ESG scoring methodologies, as well …

Cybersecurity Breaches And Auditor Turnover, Kilian O'Connell

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Does Covid Have An Effect On Consumer Behavior Towards Vacation Rental Homes?, Whitney Wiley

Honors Theses and Capstones

While Covid has significantly impacted the tourism industry, this research study analyzes the effect of the pandemic on consumers’ behavior towards vacation rental homes. More specifically, it focuses on the three main stages of vacation rental: the choice, booking, and stay. A qualitative research approach was used along with primary data collection. Interviews with individuals in Gen Z were collected in a semi-structured format with open-ended questions. The findings reveal that consumers are now more likely to choose vacation rental homes over other accommodations due to the space and privacy that rental homes provide. As a result of Covid, individuals …

The Search For Value For New England Skiers, Colin J. Liebert

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.