Business Commons^™

Addressing The Accounting Pipeline Leak: Academic And Socioeconomic Barriers To Entry, Retention, And Belonging, Karlene Deng

Honors Theses

Many undergraduate students express an early interest in accounting, yet the actual number who later go on to matriculate into the profession is significantly lower. Despite efforts by educational institutions and the accounting industry to attract students to the profession, accounting programs experience high attrition rates. Using a survey-based approach, this research provides insights into factors that influence students to (1) enter university as declared accounting majors, (2) switch into accounting during their time at university, or (3) leave the accounting program. Additionally, this study examines the role of academic and socioeconomic backgrounds in shaping these decisions. By pinpointing potential …

Latino Student Engagement In Rsos At Hcob, Angel Cordero

Honors Theses

Latino students at the Haworth College of Business (HCOB) are significantly underrepresented in Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), raising concerns about inclusivity and engagement within the college’s extracurricular community. This study aims to identify the barriers preventing Latino business students from participating in RSOs, exploring factors such as cultural representation, language preferences, financial constraints, and perceived social inclusion. Using a Qualtrics survey distributed to Latino business students at Western Michigan University, this research collects qualitative and quantitative data to assess their experiences and perspectives on campus involvement.

Findings reveal that many Latino students feel disconnected from existing RSOs due to a …

Capturing Tradition: The Business, Branding, And Personal Identity Of Senior Portraits In The Modern South, Xenia R. Minton

Honors Theses

The rise of college students starting photography businesses, particularly in graduation portraits, has transformed the creative and entrepreneurial landscape in the South. This thesis explores the senior portrait culture at the University of Mississippi, analyzing its rapid growth through the perspectives of photographers and academic experts in Southern Studies. Grounded in eight years of experience as a photographer, this study examines the evolution of the industry, business strategies, and cultural significance. Through interviews with seasoned senior portrait photographers and Southern Studies professors, this research investigates how regional traditions, social media, and consumer expectations have shaped the profession. By analyzing these …

The Use Of Stress Testing In Evaluating Systemic Risk: Lessons From The Global Financial Crisis, Katherine Laws

Honors Theses

This paper examines the role of stress testing as a crucial tool for assessing systemic risk in the financial system, particularly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. The global financial crisis, which unfolded between 2007 and 2009, exposed significant vulnerabilities within financial institutions and highlighted the inadequacies of existing risk management frameworks. In response, regulators and financial institutions increasingly turned to stress testing to evaluate the resilience of financial systems against economic shocks.

The paper will begin by defining systemic risk and the importance of effective risk assessment strategies. The paper will outline how stress testing can simulate …

The Difference In Financial Literacy Between Students Of The Business College And The Rest Of The Student Body At Wmu, Ivane Mkheidze

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the persistent gap in financial literacy among high school and college students, despite increased emphasis on financial education over recent decades. Drawing inspiration from Lewis Mandell’s studies, including “Financial Literacy: If It’s So Important, Why Isn’t It Improving?”, the research evaluates the effectiveness of financial literacy courses and highlights their failure to produce long-term gains in knowledge or behavioral change. Through a synthesis of academic literature and critique of methodologies, the thesis explores the inefficacy of current teaching models, including overreliance on engagement tools like the Stock Market Game, and the influence of socio-economic factors, motivation, and …

Investment Analysis Of Costco: A Comprehensive Strategic And Financial Evaluation, Shane Johnson

Honors Theses

We provide an investment analysis of Costco Wholesale Corporation by conducting an analysis of the fundamental business model, industry standing, financial performance, and long-term investment potential. As a leader in the warehouse retail industry, Costco has experienced significant growth through its cost-efficient operations, bulk sales approach, superior supply chain management, membership fee revenue streams, high quality product offerings, and strong customer loyalty. This research seeks to answer the question: Is Costco a good investment opportunity based on its valuation, competitive positioning, financial performance, and overall industry outlook? We begin with a business and industry overview, analyzing Costco’s business strategy in …

How High School Athletic Directors In Southwest Michigan Paths Differ, Lily Browning

Honors Theses

The world of athletics continues to grow at a rapid rate, athletic directors are at the forefront of the sporting world particularly in high school athletics. So, how does one begin a career in athletic directing. The traditional path has been being a teacher or coach at the school and then moving into the administration portion of athletics. However, that is not the case for everyone and that is why the findings of this study are important to the field. There are not certain paths that get you to the job quicker than others in the world of athletic directing. …

Truly We Speak Podcast - Creative Thesis Project: "Uplifting Faith, Community, And Education Through The Voice Of The People.", Sierra Ward

Honors Theses

This creative thesis has been curated by Sierra Ward, a Sales and Marketing student at Western Michigan University. The intent behind this project was to combine shared interests between Faith, Community, and education to create a podcast, interviewing prominent members of the community, in hopes of inspiring others to “speak truly” and use their voice to evoke everlasting change. A wide range of guest were chosen to have authentic conversations with the purpose of educating the audience about real life situations. The filming of this project started in Fall of 2024 and concluded in the Spring of 2025.

Growing up …

The Laureate, Brooklyn Hoover

Honors Theses

The Laureate’s mission is to provide undergraduate students at Western Michigan University a medium through which to publish their fiction, poetry, nonfiction, photography, graphic novels, and other creative works. The Laureate strives to be a professional and engaging journal that appeals to all. The 23^rd edition of The Laureate is unique in that, despite having no strict guidelines on themes, mediums, or styles, we found that many students expressed themes of grief, recovery, self-discovery, and new beginnings. Together, these works create a complex story of introspection and reflection.

Co-editors, Grace Cieslikowski and Brooklyn Hoover facilitated the launch of the …

Students For Sustainable Fashion & The Impact Of Fast Fashion, Anne M. York

Honors Theses

This thesis report took a project-based approach, making a change on campus through Students for Sustainable Fashion (SFSF), a club I founded here at the University of Mississippi. My thesis intends to document the establishment process and record the growth of SFSF throughout its last three semesters. SFSF emerged due to a significant challenge identified through casual class conversations, observational thinking, and campus engagement. However, university students are provided with abundant information about fast fashion's detrimental effects, and many feel unable to act due to social pressures, financial constraints, and the influence of fast-paced consumer culture. While students often desire …

Sweet Lies: Influence Of Food Marketing On Childrens’ Health And The Need For Reform, Mollie M. Warrington

Honors Theses

Markedly, there is heavy marketing of unhealthy food to children. This has become a significant public health concern because of escalating rates of child obesity, which have long-term consequences for physical health and severe mental health repercussions, such as body image concerns and low self-esteem. This thesis explores how food marketing strategies, historically rooted in television ads and evolving through digital platforms, are linked to children's dietary choices and broader public health implications. It analyzes various manipulative tactics, such as digital advertising, influencer endorsement, and gamification, showing how companies take advantage of the cognitive vulnerabilities of children to propagate unhealthy …

Analysis Of Disparities Within The Ncaa’S Name, Image, And Likeness Rule, Madison Salzenstein

Honors Theses

Abstract

This paper analyzes disparities with the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Rule. The 2021 introduction of the NIL Rule was a landmark event, allowing college athletes to profit from their personal brand. While NIL has resulted in many positive opportunities for college athletes, it is not without fault. Specifically, this thesis will explain how NIL amounts differ between both male and female athletes and revenue and non-revenue sports, and will explain the key factors contributing to the disparity in each area.

Using data obtained from the NCAA’s NIL Assist Data Dashboard for the period January through December 2024, …

Deconstructing The Greenium: Exploring Mispricing In The Green Bond Market, Koto Yamada

Honors Theses

This paper investigates the sources and conditions under which the greenium – a yield discount observed for green bonds relative to comparable conventional bonds – appears in global fixed income markets. Using a dataset of over 26,000 bonds issued between 2012 and 2024 across 37 countries and 5,400 firms, I find that the existence of the greenium is highly context-dependent, shaped by factors such as issuer reputation, institutional trust, and green capital allocation across sectors. Repeat green issuers receive yield discounts of up to 57 basis points, particularly in the EU and Nordic countries, where strong climate policies and disclosure …

Fair Play? Gender Equity, Title Ix And Resource Allocation In College Athletics, Caleb Horsch

Honors Theses

Amid a period of rapid transformation in college athletics, gender equity and Title IX remain underemphasized in the discourse. This study investigates disparities in athletic expenditure by gender, finding that in 2022, Division I institutions spent approximately $1.30 on men’s teams for every $1.00 spent on women’s teams. While Title IX does not mandate equal spending, it does require that schools provide equitable experiences for male and female student-athletes. The persistence and magnitude of an expenditure gap call into question if schools are continuing to meet Title IX. This study identifies the characteristics of schools associated with less equal expenditure …

The Impact Of Major Sporting Events In Kalamazoo On Consumer Behavior, Nicholas Biel

Honors Theses

Sporting events are a force in the growth and sustainability of a community’s economy. In a market like Kalamazoo, collegiate football games such as those at Western Michigan University and annual events like the Kalamazoo Marathon play a pivotal role in bolstering the economy. This research demonstrates the effects on consumer behavior at restaurants in Kalamazoo, Michigan that are caused by these major sporting events. By examining data from the platform Placer.ai, and conducting interviews with local restaurants, this research examines trends in consumer habits, movements, and engagement. Placer.ai is a platform that tracks location analytics using data collected anonymously …

All Sports Spectacular Event Plan And Data Review, Ashley Dale

Honors Theses

The following report is the event plan for the All Sports Spectacular hosted by the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce (IHRCC) on October 5, 2024, at the Mill Sports and Event Center in Onsted, MI. The report investigates different elements of the event and how they contributed to the overall success of the event. It also provides recommendations for changes that can be made in the future to increase the fundraising potential of the event.

The project’s main goal was to raise funds for the IHRCC so that they are able to continue their mission of promoting business growth …

Esg Systems And Financial Reporting, Madison Layton

Honors Theses

This thesis presents an informational overview of ESG systems and associated financial reporting requirements. This writing focuses on two main types of ESG systems, carbon taxes and emission trading systems, also known as cap-and-trade programs. Both carbon taxes and emissions trading systems are market-based approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon taxes offer price certainty as governments set a tax rate to incorporate the negative environmental effect of producing a good or service into the cost of that good or service. Emissions trading systems provide reduction certainty as a government or other entity will set a cap on total emissions …

Wearable Technology In Intercollegiate Sport: Ethical And Legal Considerations Of Collecting Student-Athlete Biometric Data, Taryn Deshane

Honors Theses

As wearable technology becomes increasingly integrated into athletic performance tracking, questions surrounding privacy, consent, and data ownership emerge. This research investigates how universities and athletic organizations navigate the complex issues surrounding athlete biometric data (ABD) collection and usage, with a particular emphasis on intercollegiate athletics. While the use of biometric data is widespread across both professional and amateur sports, this study hones in on the college sports environment, examining how ABD is collected, the ethical concerns it raises, and how it impacts student-athletes and institutions.

This pilot study centers on student-athletes at Western Michigan University, specifically focusing on Division 1 …

Enhancing M&A Valuation Accuracy: A Comparative Analysis Of Traditional Financial Models And Machine Learning Approaches, Rachael Mmanga

Honors Theses

A comparative analysis is presented between of traditional financial modelling and machine learning (ML) valuation techniques in the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Traditional financial models, such as Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and comparable company analysis, have long been the standard tools for valuing companies. These methods rely on established financial metrics, are relatively straightforward, and provide reasonably accurate estimates. However, they often fall short on capturing the complexity of market conditions, non-linear relationships, and emerging trends, especially in dynamic sectors or volatile markets. Machine learning, on the other hand, leverages advanced algorithms to process vast datasets, uncover hidden …

Sisu, Kaizen, And American Management: An Exploratory Study Of Cross-Cultural Approaches To Organizational Success, Bryan Hagenbarth

Honors Theses

Abstract Introduction

This thesis, “Sisu, Kaizen, and American Management: An Exploratory Study of Cross-Cultural Approaches to Organizational Success,” explores the interplay of cultural management methodologies across three nations – Finland, Japan, and the United States. It proposes a hybrid organizational model that integrates the principles of Sisu, Kaizen, and the American Dream (respectively) to common business practices.

Through the idea of “cross-cultural analysis,” this study delves into the underlying cultural frameworks – termed "human hardware" – that shape societal values and behaviors. The goal therein is to analyze the influencing characteristics that affect their adoption (and effectiveness) of foreign management …

Enhancing Fan Engagement In Medium-Sized University Athletics: A Case Study Of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, Colin Thompson

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore how medium-sized universities, specifically the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), can mimic the successful fan engagement strategies of other universities to build a sustainable and engaged fan base. This study analyzes previous research into the factors that contribute to fan engagement, including the segmentation of attendees into fans or spectators, and compares financial records of selected peer institutions. Peer institutions were contacted in an effort to gain insights from their marketing departments. A randomized survey of the current student population was conducted to analyze what factors motivate athletic event attendance. The …

A Series Of Accounting Case Studies: Macy's Inc. And Other Notable Financial Events, Emelyn Darnell

Honors Theses

This thesis is a compilation of six case studies focusing on financial accounting and analysis of current events in the accounting world. These were completed under the direction and supervision of Dr. Victoria Dickinson through the Honors Accountancy 420 course. Four case studies included in this compilation are analyses of Macy’s Inc. through different accounting lenses. The case studies analyzing Macy’s Inc. were done in groups in the fall semester of 2022. Our group prepared an Operational Risk Assessment, analyzed Macy’s audit risk, and comprised possible solutions to decrease risk. We also discussed Macy’s current ESG and cybersecurity procedures and …

Improving On-Time Delivery Rates In Manufacturing By Manipulation Of Materials Requirements And Planning Dates. Aligning Scheduled Production Finish Date With Customer Request Date., Devin Dereski

Honors Theses

Firm A is a leading manufacturer of their product category. However, even still there is great pressure from customers to take business to their competitors based on the reliability of Firm A’s on-time Delivery. There are large financial consequences for these customers anytime they need a specific product but are not able to get it in time, amounting in hundreds of thousands of dollars per day per part. This has led Firm A to base their primary performance metric to be their on-time delivery rate for their Order Management Department.

For some reason, on-time delivery was a constant struggle for …

A Compilation Of Financial Accounting Case Studies, Molly O'Connor

Honors Theses

The case studies comprising this thesis place accounting in the context of the broader political and economic landscape. Through multimedia platforms and group discussions presented throughout the spring and fall semesters of 2023, I considered the interplay between legislation and business and reflected on the ultimate impact these events have on Americans. In- class discussions regarding references to current events, such as the war in Ukraine and impending legislation, prompted me to see the need to be well-informed if I want to be an effective auditor as well as a responsible citizen. In Case 1, I was offered the opportunity …

Correlation Between Interest Rates And Bank Mergers, Maren Egging

Honors Theses

This paper examines the relation between macroeconomic factors and bank mergers and acquisitions from 1995 to 2022. I build upon the work of Etsy et al. (1994) to determine an updated analysis of how interest rates and stock market returns may influence merger activity in the banking segment. Using a dataset of 1,153 large bank mergers, I perform correlation analyses to draw three main conclusions. Firstly, bank mergers demonstrate weaker correlations with key macroeconomic variables than industrial mergers. Secondly, I observe material differences from the work of Etsy et al. with what appears to be significant changes in underlying relations. …

An Analysis Of Financial Accounting And The Business Environment Through Case Studies, Sophie Trevathan

Honors Theses

The following collection of case studies were completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson throughout the course: Accountancy 420 – Independent Study. They were presented to numerous accounting firms at the end of the Fall Semester to fulfill the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. The collection consists of four case studies that specifically analyze AutoZone, Inc. We were placed into groups where we individually researched and analyzed each case and provided our thoughts in a collaborative case paper. We analyzed AutoZone’s financial accounting, operations, and business environment. Additionally, the collection consists of two case studies that …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, John Montgomery

Honors Theses

This thesis presents a compilation of case studies undertaken during the ACCY 420 course in the 2022-2023 academic year. These studies encompass a wide array of topics, including operational risk assessment, environmental social governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning, with a specific focus on 3D Systems Corporation. Alongside, they analyze recent events such as the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the more former Financial Crisis of 2008. These studies aimed to gather substantial evidence and conceptually help us to understand our specific company. The first five cases delve into the financials of 3D Systems Corporation. A team …

Navigating The Modern Accounting Landscape: Esg, Audit Risks, And Tax Planning, Bruce Buehler

Honors Theses

This thesis contains a collection of case studies completed while completing the ACCY 420 course in the 2022-2023 academic year. These cases cover a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning. Other studies included examining current events, such as the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train. These studies consisted of individual and group work, in order for substantial evidence to be obtained. Case 1 through Case 5 focuses on the analysis of Cadence Bank and their respective financials. A group …

The Real World Of Accounting, Colin Hartman

Honors Theses

This thesis was completed through the year 2023. There are six different accounting case studies that are included in this thesis. Each case has a different topic and focuses on different issues that accountants are or will face. Some of the topics that are discussed involve the Military Industrial Complex, Silicon Valley Bank, and the impact of ESG. These cases go into detail about the topic and discuss certain issues accountants may face. I also discuss what would be the best way to attack certain problems that arise. Each case was designed to challenge us to think outside the box …

Imperative Issues Pertaining To The Accounting World, Tessa Willow Crosby

Honors Theses

This paper focuses on current issues surrounding the accounting industry. The company called 3D System’s Corporation is used to point out different issues in accounting. These issues include carbon sequestration, tax cuts, and liabilities to shareholders. By diving into the world of accounting, this paper peels back the curtain to show how corporations operate financially.