Business Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Random Drug Testing Of School Athletes, Kelly Cann

Honors Theses

Proponents of drug testing would most likely argue that random drug testing could have saved the lives of Len Bias and Taylor Hooton. Those against random drug testing might respond that this testing could be an avenue used to save lives, but before that can happen, a lot more work would need to be done to change the way the current system operates (or fails to operate) in order to make drug testing fair, effective and efficient.

Determining College Students Perceptions And Level Of Job Acceptance With Regard To Companies That Practice Corporate Social Responsibility And Green Managmeent, Rachel Payne

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Increased Enrollment For The Graphic And Print Science Program Through Specialty Print Advertisement, Christa Ickowski

Honors Theses

This project evaluates whether a mailer (containing information on the Graphic and Print Science Program) that is folded in a unique manner and containing color graphics would attract more students to the program. With this printed piece the capabilities of the program's students and the program are demonstrated to attract more motivated students who wish to pursue the Graphic and Print Science field. The current method of advertising the program consists of sending form letters which tend to be a little interest to the target audience of high school graphic arts students. With a specialty folded, 4-color mailing in a …

Harley-Davidson, Inc.: A Strategic Audit, Sheila Lenz

Honors Theses

Thesis presents a strategic audit to assess the strategy of Harley-Davidson, Inc. Includes financial information, risks and strategies, and marketing information.

Consumers' Attitudes Towards Traceability Of Food And Meat Products, Kulmani Rana

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to survey consumers on their support for Radio Frequency Identification tags on fruit and vegetable containers and their willingness to pay for traceability of meat products. Ironically, there is no single universally accepted definition of traceability. There is evidence that the US has fallen behind its major trading partners in terms of implementing a nationwide food traceability system. Researchers in the past have concluded that consumers' WTP for traceability increases significantly when bundled with additional assurances. There is real concern among consumers about implementation of traceability systems in food as well as meat products. …

Army Supply Chain Management: Trends And Parellels With Industry, Matthew C. Olson

Honors Theses

Documents assembled as part of a supply chain management study to compare the tools and concepts used by private industry with the public sector, specifically the Department of Defense and the United States Army.

Consumer Opinions And Rfid Implementation, Anna K. Brown

Honors Theses

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been in use for a number of decades tracking various products and materials in a wide range of industries. The objective of this study was to find simple factors and relationships explaining the usage of Internet shopping and online banking, and the attitudes toward RFID in hospitals. The question being addressed is whether the general population is accepting of the technology application in the tracking of patients and their medical histories in a hospital environment. A randomly selected survey of the population in the Midwest was taken to examine relationships between privacy attitudes and behaviors …

Defined Benefit Vs. Defined Contribution Plans: Only 45 Years To Retirement: What A Recent College Graduate Needs To Know, Lauren Mouse

Honors Theses

This paper defines and explains the terms essential for understanding retirement planning. It then describes the types of plans involved, defined benefit and defined contribution plans, and discusses the debate surrounding the privatization of Social Security. This paper provides statistics and facts about each of these options to better prepare a person in his or her 20s who is about to graduate from college and enter a career. Finally, the paper supplies tips on what a young person can do now to ensure a financially stable life upon retiring.

Enron Vs. General Electric: Is Earnings Management Worth The Risk?, Brett Robertson

Honors Theses

The main objective of this paper is to provide a review on why companies use earnings management and the benefits and consequences as a result. There is a large grey area between aggressive accounting and outright fraud and this paper focuses on narrowing down that area so companies know when to stop. General Electric is an example of a company that used earnings management to its advantage because they used it cautiously. However, there is the other side where earnings management started off small and ended up spiraling out of control like with Enron. This paper will examine both how …

Net Metering And Interconnection Standards For Santee Cooper And Three Investor-Owned Utility Companies In South Carolina, Barnes Anderson

Honors Theses

Net metering and interconnection standards are designed to allow private residential and non-residential electric utility customers to pursue generating some of their own electricity through renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. Net metering allows customers to use their own electrical generation to offset their consumption over a billing period by allowing their electric meters to run backwards when they generate electricity in excess of their demand (SC Energy Office, vi). The interconnection standards govern the technical and procedural process by which an electric customer connects an electric-generating system to the electrical grid of their utility company (SC …

Unrelated Business Income Taxes: What The Federal Courts Have Said, Barry Long

Honors Theses

Several issues impact the management of accounting for large not-for-profit organizations that would not arise normally in a regular for-profit corporation. These issues vary widely from how much annual salary the executives rightfully deserve as compensation to the way the organization raises funds for its day-to-day activities. Slightly less common, but still very important, is the issue of taxes. Yes, not-for-profit corporations have to pay taxes, but only on certain forms of revenue. In many instances, large not-for-profit corporations operate similar to a for-profit firm. The money not-for-profits have to pay tax on falls under the Internal Revenue Code sections …

Mission Statements: The Soul Of An Organization, Brian Johns

Honors Theses

When a culture is created or decisions are made, the presence of a viable mission statement is critical. This document can be used as a tool to create a business environment employees are attracted to, as a model for how decisions should be made, and is an image of who the company is and what it does. This paper looks to explore the makeup of a good mission statement through scholarly articles and research and the effect it has on corporate culture through real life examples of top companies in a variety of industries, supported by first-hand experience from the …

The Financing And Reform Of The United States Healthcare System, Sarah Georgeau Bernheisel

Honors Theses

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately forty-five million people in the United States, including nearly nine million children, were without health insurance in 2007 ("Fast Stats A to Z" 1). Additionally, in 2007, nearly 30% of young adults, ages 18-24, in the United States were uninsured ("Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage" 22). Sadly, none of these figures includes the countless individuals who have insufficient healthcare coverage caused by their high out-of pocket costs compared to their wages.

The New Meaning Of Marketing: How Branding Changed The Fashion Industry, Leah Shesky

Honors Theses

PowerPoint presentation discussing the changes to the fashion industry and the move towards branding and marketing.

Food Marketing Association: Fund Raising Task Force, Miranda K. Owen

Honors Theses

The objective of this project was to develop a sustainable fundraising program for the Food Marketing Association, a Western Michigan University student organization, which would not only provide income to the organization but provide an educational experience for the students. The concept was to contact a food manufacturer or marketing group and offer the resources of the student organization to introduce and test one of their new products on WMU's campus in exchange for a donation to the organization. The following report summarizes and outlines the process followed in order to obtain this position.

Easy: An Integrated Marketing Communications Program For The City Of New Orleans, Brett Rogers

Honors Theses

The following is an integrated marketing communications program for the city of New Orleans entitled "Easy." The paper outlines the history of the marketing of New Orleans, as well as the city's current goals. A detailed summary of the current market is provided with detailed demographics and beliefs held, as well as the segmentation variables that will be used within the "Easy" campaign to define the targeted audiences. The PRIZM NE segmentation system is used to better define the target markets of the campaign. Broadly defined, the two targeted segments of the campaign are: 1. younger families with children who …

Stock Markets And Household Wealth: Can A Stock Market Crash Cause A Recession In The U.S. Economy?, Ishan Singh

Honors Theses

Stock market wealth effects on the level of consumption in the United States economy have been constantly debated; there is evidence for arguments for and against its prominence and its symmetry. This paper seeks to investigate the strength of its negative effect by creating models to analyze unexpected shocks to the Standard and Poor's 500 index. First, a transmission mechanism between the stock market and GDP is established through the use of second-order vector autoregressive models. Following which, theory from the life cycle model and adaptations of previous researchers' models are used to create a structural model. This paper finds …

Textbook Bundling : Is It Really Worth The Sum Of Its Parts, Kati Simmons

Honors Theses

Studies have been conducted examining the impact of commodity bundling on company profits and the premium prices charged for these bundles. With recent news of the skyrocketing costs of higher education, it is critical to highlight the specific effects of commodity bundling on the prices of textbooks. A study performed by the Government Accountability Office in 2005 cited that a main cause of increasing textbook prices is the recent inclusion of textbook supplements such as software and workbooks. This paper investigates the impact that different types of supplements have on the overall price paid for the bundle. Aggregate sales data …

Why Most Mergers Fail: An Emphasis On The Human Factors, Kimberly Defouw

Honors Theses

Recent studies have shown that 60-80% of all mergers are failures when measured by their ability to outperform the stock market or to deliver profit increases. Mergers must create value and grow the business to have true success. Often mergers fail due to financial and market factors, such as a poor economy, market entry timing, unrealized synergies, or a saturated market. It is easy to overlook the human factors, the characteristics of people that need to be considered when implementing mergers in order for people to interact effectively. While a CEO may be the first to say that people are …

The Importance Of An Internship And What Makes Quicken Loans An Extraordinary Place To Intern, Frank C. Salinger

Honors Theses

Records the author's experiences interning for Quicken Loans as a student studying Business at Western Michigan University, and what benefits were found from the internship process.

An Assessment Of Family And Medical Leave Policy, Stefanie Wilde

Honors Theses

The US Family and Medical Leave Act (Public Law 103-3, or 29 CFR 825) and similar policies throughout the world, such as maternity leave policies (PL507 Rev 4) in the UK, or Maternity and Parental leave in Canada, are policies that require employers to provide an employee with a period of leave for the birth or adoption of a child, family and dependent health needs, or personal illness. Under these acts, typically the employer must allow the employee to return to the same position or a position similar to that held before taking the leave. In the United States, an …

A Comparative Analysis Of Human Rights Laws In The United States And Australia, Emily F. Chalifoux

Honors Theses

Discrimination does not make good business sense; it causes tension and a decrease in productivity. Even though human rights laws vary from country to country, conforming with these laws makes business more cohesive and productive. Some of the many benefits include:

• Increase the pool of potential employees and, therefore, the chances of getting the best person for the job,

• Build morale and productivity of employees

• Minimize complaints, disruptions and legal wrangles, leaving employees to focus on their work, and

• Add to the bottom line and build the company's reputation in the community.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze …

Running Out Of Options: An Investigation Of Stock-Based Compensation, Mark A. Powell

Honors Theses

One of the most heated debates witnessed by the accounting industry was rekindled at the dawn of the new millennium, a resurgence of an issue discussed from the early 1990s. Brought to new light, in part by the corporate debacles of Enron and WorldCom (among others), the concern of expensing employee stock options has taken a forefront in the halls of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Not only is the accounting profession facing a difficult polarization of ideas as to how to appropriately account for stock options, but Congress has also joined in the discussion and has threatened intervention …

Marketing Research For Western's Panhellenic Council, Julia Renee Williams

Honors Theses

The Greek system began at Western Michigan University in 1916 with debate societies. These organizations were recognized as national organizations in the 1950s. In recent years, the Greek system at Western Michigan University has seen a decline in its membership, as well as in the number of students participating in the recruitment process. In 1997 there were 28 social Greek organizations, but as of spring 2005, there are 23. With interest diminishing, a marketing research project was conducted to determine why people are no longer interested in women's fraternities and what might draw people to them. A series of 70 …

Young Singles: A Look At The Grocery Shopping Preferences Of A Unique And Underestimated Market, Survey & Analysis, Kelley Steinhofer

Honors Theses

Single person households make up a substantial percentage of the total U.S population. More than 102 million people aged 15 and over were not married in 2003. On a household basis, 48.5% of U.S. households were not headed by married couples. Some of these households are "nonfamily" which excludes single parent households according to U.S. Census Bureau definitions. Most studies that examine a specific demographic group have focused on households with children and mature consumers because their purchasing behaviors are highly predictable and easily obtainable. Very little research currently exists on the market of young, single adult consumers. This study …

The Potential Effects Of The Trans-Atlantic Common Aviation Area On Shannon Airport, Ireland, Daniel James Centilli

Honors Theses

The Trans-Atlantic Aviation Area is a proposed liberalization of the air services agreements known as bilateral agreements between the United States of America and the member states of the European Union. The new agreement would replace the restrictive bilateral and Open Skies bilateral agreements between the United States and the EU with a single comprehensive agreement. The emergence of true open skies between the US and EU creates many economic opportunities and some economic threats. One such threat is the situation faced by the Shannon Airport, Ireland. Under the current US/Ireland bilateral, Shannon's existence is protected by requiring US carriers …

A Local Market Analysis Of Various Exempt And Non-Exempt Positions At A Community Mental Health Provider, Stephanie Wallace

Honors Theses

Market analysis of pay structure for employees of Summit Pointe using data from two surveys, CompData (Compensation Data Michigan) and ASE (American Society of Employers-Southwest Michigan Region).

Mushroom Marketing: A Case Study In Marketing At Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Downtown Chattanooga, Jeffrey R. Rummer

Honors Theses

This paper and the research within was written to address the specific issue of understanding the college student market and its attitudes towards Mellow Mushroom of Chattanooga. The end use of this paper is to develop marketing communications for Mellow Mushroom that are factually based and best reach the college student market in Chattanooga. Four objectives were defined as critical: (1) to measure UTC student attitudes towards Mellow Mushroom, (2) to compare Mellow Mushroom with local competition, (3) identify ways to attract students, (4) describe the college market. These objectives were used to develop a 54-question survey that was administered …

Are Stock Prices Related To New York's Climatic Conditions?, Matthew M. Cullen

Honors Theses

The past five years has shown tremendous growth in a new wave and style of investing strategy. This new style, known as behavioral investing, attempts to analyze financial markets through the eye of a social scientist rather than a financial professional. Its followers try to see market movements as affected not necessarily by the business or economy but by the cognition and mood of buyers and seller. This paper analyzes the effect of climatic conditions on mood and the effect that has on market movements and volume. For the most part, it was found that there is no significant relationship …

Affiliation Of Authors In Production And Operations Management Journals, Steven M. Yager

Honors Theses

This paper will represent an update of the first two POM research productivity rankings published seven years ago (Young, Baird, Pullman, 1996; Malhotra, Kher, 1996). This study will seek to rank business schools and other organizations, both internationally and within the domestic United States. Researchers in the POM field can also view the results to determine who's who and what universities or organizations are demonstrating an increased focus on POM.