Business Commons^™

Utilizing The Product Development Process To Bring An Idea From Concept To Production, Sydney Ferguson, Jackson Sneed

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to document and discuss the five-stage product development process starting with defining a problem and resulting in manufacturing a final product for sale as it was implemented in the Portable Fire Pit Center for Manufacturing Excellence Senior Capstone Project. This project was carried out over the course of the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters by a team consisting of three Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering majors and two Undergraduate Accountancy majors. The ultimate goal of the project was to carry out a full production run of the Portable Fire Pit outputting fifteen units meeting retail …

Product Realization Capstone: Element Proof Safety Steps For Willie Price Lab School, Catherine Thomas, Allan Heuerman, Jared Mumme

Honors Theses

The purpose of this document is to describe the process we took to complete our capstone which paired the Center for Manufacturing Excellence with the Willie Price Lab School. The goal of the capstone was to remake step stools for the students of Willie Price, as the last stools failed to withstand weather damage. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were hindered, shifting the goal from actually producing the steps to creating instructions so that a younger Center for Manufacturing class could complete the production at a later date. Standardized Work Instructions, a detailed production plan, and engineering drawings were …

Case Studies On Special Topics In Accounting, Anna Stephens

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of twelve different case studies that investigate various accounting concepts and financial issues. During the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2020, I compiled my thesis under the direction and guidance of Dr. Dickinson. The cases cover a variety of topics that include personal opinions on world-wide financial topics, interviews of current professionals in the field, and analyses of different scenarios. Each case study is independent of one another, but together they demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the accounting curriculum. These cases further developed my technical skills and enhanced my understanding of accounting concepts …

Analyzing The Adjustment Of American Business Expatriates In China: Professionalism, Culture And Social Support, Ramelle Mueller

Honors Theses

This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of the American expatriate adjustment process to life in China. Additionally, online textual analysis on expatriate forum website was conducted to better understand the expatriate perspective and examines empirically the relevance of multiple factors of the expatriate adjustment process. Overarching factors include; work adjustment, general adjustment and interpersonal adjustment, which serve as the framework for this paper.

Ensuring Brand Activism In Integrated Marketing Communications Campaigns Resonates With Millennial Consumers, Anna Hermann

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to determine how consumers, specifically in the millennial generation, perceive brand activism. Additionally, the study will give recommendations to marketing and public relations professionals creating activist-minded marketing campaigns. As brand activism can be incredibly divisive and controversial, this research is essential in order to understand how best to resonate with, instead of alienate, millennial consumers. The aim of the thesis is to answer the following research questions: (1) How do millennial consumers perceive brands that engage in brand activism and (2) How can marketing and public relations professionals ensure brand activism resonates with millennial …

A Tale Of Two Cities, Maybe Three A Look At Financial Literacy And Economic Development In Three Mississippi Cities: Fulton, Clarksdale, And Oxford, Kellie Reed Cleveland

Honors Theses

This paper explores the backbones of economic growth and how the backbones influence economic development in three cities in Mississippi. It further seeks to promote education in financial literacy throughout the state to create a base for individuals to further their financial education, create small businesses, or to simply be a knowledgeable citizen. The research sifts through backbones such as population health and small & big business influence, to explore how financial literacy influences daily life and the catalyst for businesses to start and grow. The Mississippi cities Fulton, Clarksdale, and Oxford are studied more in-depth through photos of the …

‘How Has Art Refocused Consumers’ Attention Within A Visual World Through The Exploration Of Package Design?’, Frances Hackney

Honors Theses

The art of design has refocused the attention of consumers as they have entered into a visually demanding world. While this concept is complex and perplexing, stemming from endless influencing factors, the elements of design can be broken down into areas of focus to dissect the visual world of marketing. A simple way to communicate the influence of design on the consumers is to unveil the answers through the study of art.

In this thesis, the study will turn to the world of art to learn more about consumerism. The goal is to understand how visual images and the ongoing …

Accounting Research And Professional Development, Ragan Riley

Honors Theses

This paper is a compilation of various accounting studies assigned by Dr. Victoria Dickinson throughout a yearlong professional development course for accounting. During each of the twelve cases, the student was required to identify accounting principle problems within the cases, research proper accounting practices, and critically think through how these situations should have been handled in order for these companies to be in accordance with GAAP. There were also cases that facilitated decision making for students in their future career such as location decisions and articles regarding current accounting problems. This course allowed students to network with peers and accounting …

Imitators To Creators: The Emergence Of A Confident National Identity In Contemporary Korea As Observed Through K-Pop And Masculinity, Kaitlyn Diane Read

Honors Theses

South Korea’s national narrative has evolved from one familiar with destruction and outside control to one that can now afford to be more challenging and confrontational. Korea’s ascent to both economic and political prominence on the international landscape in record time is well established. The rapid transformation currently impacts Korean society with the country choosing to concentrate on strengthening its soft power and nation brand exporting. This thesis aims to reveal how Korea’s recently acquired position of significance on the global stage permits the Korean national identity to be assured and stimulating, in contrast with a derivative narrative once perceived …

A Study Of The Product Development Process For The Transparent Kitchen Knife Block, Benjamin Payne

Honors Theses

The purpose of this document is to summarize the research and planning, design, market evaluation, cost analysis, and production process for a kitchen knife block. The team began by researching multiple knife block designs and evaluating what strengths and weaknesses existed with the basic models that are currently offered in different marketplaces. After collecting data on material costs and discussing different design features, the team created a survey in order to gauge consumer preferences and gain a better understanding as to what features and price point the average customer would consider purchasing. The resulting information was used to create an …

Impact Of Salt Deduction Cap On Individual Tax Liability, Mahum Chaudhry

Honors Theses

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 placed a cap of $10,000 on the State and Local Tax deduction. A survey was carried out to compare individuals' tax liability in 2017 (before the cap) with their tax liability in 2018 (after the cap). The results suggest that fewer people itemized in 2018, and most belonged to the high-income group. Many individuals who itemized in 2018 also saw an increase in their federal tax liability. Most individuals with less than $100,000 yearly income opted for the standard deduction and saw a decrease in their federal tax liability in 2018 (in …

Impact Of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, And Automation In Operations Management: An Analysis Of Healthcare, Manufacturing, And Retail Sectors, Jasmine N. Kelley

Honors Theses

In this thesis, we study the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation on operations management (OM). We specifically target the industries of healthcare, retail, and manufacturing in our analysis since each sector has distinct dynamics and concerns regarding the structural changes imposed by advancements in AI. We analyze 120 high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles to capture recent research trends in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Using respected business analytics reports, we compare academic efforts to industry initiatives. We find that growing interest in AI research in academia is consistent with growing research and development (R&D) investment and patent …

Using Buy And Rent Discrepancies To Predict Real Estate Bubbles, Jonathan K. Niehaus

Honors Theses

The cost of housing is one of the biggest recurring expenses Americans face. Real estate is also one of the largest asset classes of investments today. The decision of whether or not it is the right time to purchase a piece of residential real estate can be difficult for the everyday person as well as professionals. With the recent downturn of 2008, many people are reminded that the price of houses can spiral upward, and if one bought at the wrong time, their house could lose a tremendous portion of its value. This study focuses on looking at different economic …

The Impact Of Big Data On Audit Evidence And The Level Of Assurance, Sachin Yadav

Honors Theses

This study seeks to establish the relationship between Big Data and its impact on the quality of audit evidence and the level of assurance perceived by the end-users. Currently, auditors rely on sampling to provide reasonable assurance that a company’s financial statements are materially in accordance with a country’s Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). With Big Data, auditors can minimize the risk posed by sampling, and therefore, provide a reasonable level assurance. The present study examines financial statement users’ perceptions of the level of assurance when auditors present unqualified opinions using Big Data during the audit engagement. It observes this …

The Cultural Influence On Sharing Economy Services: The Case Of Airbnb, Lacey K. Wallace

Honors Theses

The sharing economy offers consumers an alternative to ownership by exchanging value through technology-based services. As sharing economy practices continue to emerge, business scholars have only recently begun to study how cultural differences impact the sharing economy. Specifically, few studies have examined individual cultural values. Therefore, this study explores whether differences in cultural values, using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, account for consumers’ attitudes and participation in sharing economy services (SES). Utilizing a survey, data was gathered from a total of 276 consumers from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) who had previous experience with Airbnb, a popular peer-to-peer accommodation SES. Multiple regression was …

Analysis Of True Risk Lab’S Price Prediction Algorithm In Relation To Market Results, Chris F. Hua

Honors Theses

The concept of beating the stock market is one of the main goals of financial investors and analysts. However, seasoned analysts and investors cannot perfectly predict the movements within the stock market. Machine learning (ML) is one prediction method that has intrigued the financial industry as a means of accurately predicting the market. Though the current prediction algorithms do not grasp every change in the stock markets, the models do provide a means of looking towards stock trends as a means to hedge an investor's or fund's portfolio against market declines by looking at the artificial intelligence (AI) results. This …

Mutually Exclusive: A Survey Of Ethical Decision Making In Technology, Connor Mcpherson

Honors Theses

People make hundreds of decisions every day. Developers, security consultants, operations engineers, designers, and engineers all make small decisions that affect the final product. The values people choose to promote and ignore appear in the constraints and biases of the products they craft. This paper discusses the process of developing, distributing, and analyzing a values survey to computer professionals and students in East Tennessee. I use advanced calculations of significance and beta for chi-squared tests to determine significance and discuss the ethical conclusions from the survey’s data.

A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Accounting Methods And Applications Through Case Studies, Dorothy Meachum

Honors Theses

This following thesis is a compilation of the case studies assigned by Dr. Victoria Dickinson, in fulfillment of the requirements for the University of Mississippi, Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and the Professional Research and Development Thesis Program. Each of the twelve case studies pertains to a different topic or problem concerning the application of accounting standards, accounting principles, or financial statement preparation and analysis. In addition, these cases present the application of accounting studies to real world scenarios, incorporating various fields such as finance, investments, risk assessment, and economics. Each of the financial cases introduced a company using their …

Job Crafting: Who And Where?, Mia Myers

Honors Theses

Job crafting, a type of employee-initiated job design concerned with job tasks, relationships, and mindsets about the job, is a relatively new concept that workplaces should be looking into. Job crafting has implications for how work is conducted and in what fashion, but little research has examined what external and internal factors could influence an individual’s inclination to job craft. Using a qualitative and quantitative approach, this study examines the possible relationships among task crafting, relational crafting, organizational culture, affect, and emotional stability. This study finds that organizational culture, affect, and emotional stability do impact how much an employee feels …

Cases Concerning The Accounting Profession, Samuel Crews

Honors Theses

These case studies were conducted to investigate different matters in the accounting profession. They range from topics on comparisons of cities to the impact of political decisions on the economy to an investigation of a company's financial statements.

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Paul Andress

Honors Theses

This thesis is a combination of twelve different accounting case studies. These cases represent a culmination of two semesters’ worth of research on various topics that will help my career as an accountant. The cases range from company case studies to in-class activities including an excel certification course. The cases caused me to think critically about topics that affect the accounting profession which are not typically covered in my accounting course work. For example, the cases investigated Brexit, the financial crisis of 2008, and universal basic income. Also, the cases provided me with advice through interviews with experienced people in …

How Streaming Services Changed The Way We Listen To And Pay For Music, Claire Carter

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to explain how streaming services have changed the way we listen to and pay for music. Furthermore, this analysis examines the perspective of consumers and artists on streaming services. Most data is obtained from various academic journals and organizations involved in the music industry. The result of this research indicates that after the financial peak of the music industry in 1999, a decline in revenues was due to emerging technology, the illegal file sharing website Napster and piracy, the industry’s response to piracy, and digital downloads. As streaming services started to emerge the shift in revenues from …

Mpower: Thesis Project For Increased Financial Investment, Sustainability, And Growth For The Mpower: Lead Through The Creed Program, Annabella Sills

Honors Theses

MPower is a leadership and diversity conference hosted annually by the UM Student Union for incoming freshmen. I conducted a meeting with University officials including the Dean of students providing concrete evidence for why the University of Mississippi should increase financial investment for the program. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, our scheduled stakeholder meeting had to be pushed to the fall semester as many departments are unable to collaborate on this project at this time. Therefore, this thesis paper has been adjusted accordingly. My thesis work will be used to collaborate with multiple campus departments to increase the sustainability …

Strategic Analysis Of Knowledge Management Practices, Mason Gordon

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes the critical success factors for knowledge management and looks at how the current knowledge management strategy of the Warranty department at Eaton. To analyze these success factors, the current platforms for knowledge management were analyzed for their intended use, determined how the platforms were used by the department, and determined flaws of the current platform in relation to the needs of the department. Training content and methods were analyzed to determine effectiveness. The results show that the current knowledge management strategy of the department lacks the ability to capture critical business knowledge, information is siloed between departments, …

Collegiate Dance Club Marketing Plan, Aubrie Malhoit

Honors Theses

The objective of this thesis is to develop a marketing plan to support the creation and implementation of a new dance club at Western Michigan University (WMU). A situational analysis was conducted that established that there are currently no dance-related opportunities on campus that offers a low time commitment and multiple styles of dance for all skill levels of dancers. Based on primary research, this marketing plan outlines a strategy for the inauguration of a dance club that encompasses what current dance-related activities at WMU are lacking and incorporates the features students are looking for in a new dance club. …

Fundamentals Of Business - Introduction To Information Technology, Joy Goldschmidt

Honors Theses

This chapter will discuss the relevance and importance of information technology and its integration into several business models. The term Information Technology encompasses all types of technology used to create, store, exchange, and utilize data and information in all shapes and forms. This chapter will primarily focus on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology, which refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day busy-ness activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management, and supply chain management. In more simpler terms, ERP systems tie together a variety of business operations, enabling a smooth flow of data and …

The Principles Of Accounting: A Succession Of Case Reports, Kailey Ready

Honors Theses

The following professional project used a variety of prompts to inspire honors

accounting students to think deeply about the world of accounting using information that was taught in a plethora of classes throughout the four years spent at the University of Mississippi. Over the course of the 10 cases presented here, the purpose is to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding the current landscape of accounting as it pertains to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the balance sheet, pensions, liabilities, and the future of the accounting world. As a result of completing this professional thesis, I better understand the concepts we learned …

A Study Of Financial Reporting Principles Through Analysis Of Case Studies, Molly E. Maroney

Honors Theses

The following thesis provides solutions to twelve case studies on various financial accounting standards in agreement with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. In conjunction with the topics learned in Intermediate Financial Accounting, each case focuses on a separate area of financial reporting through application within specific companies. The thesis displays understanding of accounting principles, financial statement preparation and analysis, and current accountancy topics. The case studies were completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson in fulfillment of the requirements for the University of Mississippi, Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and Patterson …

Google Search Sentiment And Sector Etf Performance, Andrew J. Williamson

Honors Theses

This paper utilizes data from Google searches in an attempt to utilize online investor sentiment as a predictor of sector exchange traded fund (ETF) performance. The paper tests the assumptions of the Efficient Market Hypothesis that all known information about a stock is incorporated into the price of the stock. With the emergence of ETFs as a popular form of investment for casual investors, there is a possibility that these investors may use Google as a way to collect information about potential stock picks. Thus, this paper investigates the association between online search interest and excess ETF returns by collecting …

Comparative Analysis Of Kpmg And Ey, Nichole A. Snow, Hali M. Phillips

Honors Theses

In the accounting field there are the “Big 4” which as the names implies are the largest 4 accounting firms in world. These firms provide an extensive range of auditing and assurance services (Big 4 Accounting Firms). They are also huge employers and career development centers. The members of this internationally renowned group are Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG (Big 4 Accounting Firms). Below is a brief analysis of two of these firms, KPMG and EY.