Business Commons^™

Bridging Mission And Execution: Integrating Participatory Design In Early-Phase Mission Engineering For Stakeholder Alignment And Mission Clarity, Rafi Soule

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

This research examines mission framing during the early phase of Mission Engineering. Stakeholder interpretations diverge under ambiguity. Interoperability constraints are often not surfaced early. These conditions reduce mission clarity and weaken mission-to-system mapping readiness. The study integrates a participatory design-inspired, artifact-first workflow with RAG-enabled retrieval from a closed corpus to support evidence-grounded reasoning and traceable citations.

Phase 1 uses an online survey to establish baseline patterns in practice (N = 86). Shared understanding is positively associated with mission clarity (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). Phase 2 uses a time-bounded comparative workshop with two conditions. Expert reviewers rate mission statement quality higher for the participatory design condition (mean 3.5) than the traditional condition (mean 2.8). Technical feasibility ratings are similar across conditions. Phase 3 demonstrates RAG-enabled, closed-corpus, retrieval-supported traceability using the Referencer tool. It is reported as a proof-of-concept for evidence-grounded rationale and auditability, and as a pathway …

Developing Christian Artists: The Live Music Sphere, Camille Crites

Student Scholar Symposium

Christian/Gospel music was the fourth-fastest growing music genre in 2024, and many artists are seeking to enter the Christian music industry. This research seeks to examine the exploration of live music opportunities for Christian music artists in the developing stages of their careers. Every musical artist’s career consists of about five sectors: Songwriting/Publishing, Recording/Releasing Music, Live Music, Merch, and Sync (Film/TV). While parts like Songwriting and Recording are very accessible for new Christian artists, it can be challenging to know how to best approach the Live Music sector, one of the major sources of income for any performing artist. There …

Environmental, Social, And Governance (Esg) Teaching Resources For Use In Any Accounting Class, Misty Newby

Student Scholar Symposium

With current and future Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting regulations, industry pressures, and stakeholder expectations, many organizations integrate ESG goals into business strategy. To aid accounting faculty in their goal of preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to create, review, and audit ESG reports, this flexible, three-part ESG teaching module can be used in whole or in part in any accounting course. This teaching resource provides lecture files (Google Slides), lecture notes, and student assignments and can be scaled up or down to fit the lecture needs. Topics covered in the modules include Sustainability, Climate Change, and …

Innovation In Circular Products For Healthy People, Planet, And Profit, Allison Golata, Misty Newby, Audrey Roberts, Dodd Galbreath

Student Scholar Symposium

Innovation in Circular Products for Healthy People, Planet, and Profit In our consumer-driven economy, companies tend to prioritize manufacturing efficiency to keep up with demand. While current practices can create short-term profits, there are financial and non-financial impacts on people, the planet, and profit. Innovation in circular products can create a win-win for businesses and consumers while meeting the needs of today and promoting future success. In this session, we will discuss the impact of current business processes and consumer practices on people, planet, and profit; explore how circular products can create long-term, sustainable value for business by designing products …

How To Trade Memecoins, Antoine Testaud De Marchain

Student Scholar Symposium

This poster presentation aims to introduce high school and college students to the world of cryptocurrencies, with a focus on memecoins and how to trade them.

The poster will be divided into three key sections:

1: What are Cryptocurrencies?

-What is cryptocurrency, and how does it work?

-Centralized vs Decentralized exchanges.

-A little bit about the blockchain technology and its networks.

2: What are memecoins?

-Definition and unique characteristics of memecoins.

-Why memecoins have gained popularity.

-The role of social media and online communities in driving trends.

3: How to trade Memecoins (Core of the poster)

-Step-by-step guide to setting …

Patent Searching With Uspto, Derwent Innovation And Lens.Org, Ibis Anette Moreno-Lozano

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

No abstract provided.

King’S Wigwam: Atlanta’S Forgotten Black Summer Resort, Andrew J. Bramlett, Seneca Vaught

Symposium of Student Scholars

From 1915 to 1920, the only summer resort for Black Atlantans was King’s Wigwam, located north of the small farming community of Kennesaw. Situated on over forty acres owned by Auburn Avenue entrepreneur Cornelius King, the summer resort saw a host of notable visitors during its short five years of existence. During the 1919 season, a guest named Bertram Hamilton was falsely accused of rape in nearby Cherokee County. He was taken to the county jail as an angry mob gathered. The county sheriff, who had been part of the mob that lynched Leo Frank four years before, believed Hamilton …

Enhancing Construction Project Success In Uae Through Agile Project Management, Mozah Mohammed Alsereidi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This research examines the development of project management practices in the United Arab Emirates, as the country is known for its large-scale strategic development projects. The increasing complexity of these projects renders traditional project management approaches insufficient for addressing their dynamic challenges. The main purpose of this dissertation is to examine how Agile Project Management (AGPM ) enhances construction project success in the UAE by improving time and cost performance. The research examines the role of AGPM as a mediator that connects fundamental project success factors to overall project success. The research employed quantitative methods to analyze survey data and …

Antecedents And Effects Of Use Of Social Media By Small Business Firms In The United Arab Emirates: Insights From Dubai, Khadija Ahmad Mohammad

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The utilization of social media by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their business growth and sales promotion has garnered significant attention in both academic and industrial arenas. Thus, several academic inquiries have attempted to identify the most effective ways to equip and incorporate social media technology, as well as applications into small business operations. This study is primarily concerned with the integration of social media technologies to facilitate seamless digital transformation across small business functions and operations. Conversely, research on social media in the UAE has emphasized the advantages for end users, while neglecting to consider the factors …

Domestic Inter-Sectorial Network Topology Evolution And Industrial Policy: A Comprehensive Network Analysis, Mahanad Ali Alsabahi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

While controversial, industrial policy propose a compelling argument for the government role in stimulating economic growth. The “new industrial policy” approach proposes a shift from a “Why” to “How” should industrial policy be implemented. Building upon this, in line with the increased utilization of network theory in economic research, this research examines network analysis as an econometric diagnostic tool asking, “How network analysis could be utilized in understanding the domestic economy and designing industrial policy?”. The study utilizes country input-output tables to calculate centrality measures corresponding to different connectivity concepts, and explore the dependency between domestic industries. The research demonstrated …

Designing And Writing Effective Data Management Plans For Grant Proposals, Rubab Shahzad, Ibis Anette Moreno-Lozano

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

Fundamentals of research data management and how to create effective Data Management Plans (DMPs).

The Mediating Role Of Intrinsic Motivation In The Relationship Between Corporate Entrepreneurship And Entrepreneurial Behavior In State Owned Entities In The Uae, Mohamed Saleh Alaudhli

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

There has been growing interest in corporate entrepreneurship in academia and practice. A key focus is on promoting it and increasing entrepreneurial behavior in organizations. The pervasive narrative in the current literature is that employees will behave more entrepreneurially if they perceive their organization as entrepreneurial, suggesting a direct causal relationship. This study aims to examine the link between an organization’s corporate entrepreneurship and its employees’ entrepreneurial behavior, and the role of intrinsic motivation in that link. Specifically, by drawing on Self Determination Theory and Amabile’s model for creative performance as a theoretical framework, the study posits that despite the …

Data Cleaning With Excel, Rubab Shahzad

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

This workshop will delve into the importance of cleaning research data and why clean data is an important part of the larger research data lifecycle. This session will also provide an overview of data cleaning and preprocessing using Microsoft Excel including a hands-on demonstration.

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Making Sense Of Teaming With Ai: Exploring Human-Ai Team Development Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Elizabeth A. Johnson

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in collaborative work environments, Human-AI Teaming (HAIT) is reshaping how employees experience team development and view AI as an active teammate, versus passive tool. This in-progress dissertation study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how employees make sense of team development within HAIT context. Grounded in Business Psychology and designed for I-O psychology application, the study explores how employees interpret milestones of human-AI team development and navigate emerging socio-technical dynamics. The primary research question guiding this inquiry is: How do employees make sense of their experiences of team development while working on …

Improving Student Resumes: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Ai-Assisted Wisedoc Platform, Juan Munoz, David Earnest

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

Resume quality is a critical factor in students’ transition into the workforce, yet many struggle to create documents aligned with employer expectations and validated competency frameworks. At the same time, most large organizations now rely on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Because these systems filter applications before a human reviews them, resumes that are poorly formatted, lack keywords, or fail to highlight relevant competencies are often rejected automatically. This creates a barrier for students who may have the skills employers seek but lack the resume-writing expertise to communicate them effectively. This study investigates whether using …

Does Messenger Matter? Trainer Differences In Sexual Harassment Training For Young Workers, Brenna Mcnamara, Vipanchi Mishra, Kemp Ellington, Jacqueline Bergman

River Cities Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference

Abstract Background In 2016, the EEOC called for the need to spread awareness to young workers about sexual harassment. Previous research has been conducted on this issue by implementing a training specifically designed for younger workers (Stewart & Davison, 2021). The proposed study is an extension of this project. Previous research has examined messenger gender in sexual harassment training or legal policy awareness and suggests that female-led messening may incite stereotyped responses, particularly when coupled with a stereotype-incongruent occupation (Tinkler et al., 2015; Rawski et al., 2024), while diversity training led by white males (non-diverse population) is rated less favorably …

Conflict Clarity: How To Teach Students To Turn Disputes Into Growth Opportunities, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Conflict is an unavoidable part of learning and working in today’s fast-changing industries. Faculty often observe students struggling with teamwork, communication breakdowns, and emotional self-management during group projects or internships. This session equips educators with practical strategies to help students build durable skills—conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness—that translate directly into professional success.

Drawing on research in conflict management, leadership, and organizational psychology, participants will explore the “Conflict Clarity” framework: a set of teaching tools, reflection prompts, and case scenarios designed for classroom use across disciplines. Faculty will learn how to integrate conflict styles, the CLEAR conversation framework, and role-play …

Localized Nuclear Utility For Erau Environmental Improvement, Timothy Schroeder, Jacob Blanton, Christopher Anderson

Sustainability Conference

The reliance of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) on energy supplied by Florida Power & Light (FPL), which currently draws large amounts of power from fossil fuel sources, is continuously suboptimal both environmentally and financially. This study proposes assessing the feasibility of deploying a campus scale nuclear reactor tailored to ERAU’s power consumption profile. This serves as a path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting dependence on external fossil fuel generation. The methods used are primarily literature review(s), and numerical analysis on comparable use cases. The literature reviews focused on design theory and yield of nuclear reactors on a …

High Turnover On The Menu - Understanding Post-Covid Employee Retention Rates Within Public Assembly Venues In New York City, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study explores food and beverage employee turnover rates within sport venues in New York City. The topic holds public interest due to the documented correlation between guest satisfaction and employee satisfaction. It is ethical and feasible, focusing on real-world management challenges in the hospitality industry. By narrowing the scope to a specific population, the study aims to provide actionable insights into employee retention in a post-Covid landscape.

Ai In Hospitality - Guest Satisfaction With Humanoid Robot (Aura) At The Las Vegas Sphere, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

Our topic focuses on guest satisfaction with the increasing use of AI in hospitality. The article “A.I. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence” shows how AI improves guest satisfaction and their overall experience. The Sphere in Las Vegas uses AI heavily in large-scale events, making it an ideal focus. We will use surveys and interviews with guests that could provide insight into satisfaction with AI (Figure 1). The questions we would use only gather opinions, staying within ethical standards. Focusing on one venue keeps the proposal manageable while offering valuable insight into how guests perceive AI in hospitality and tourism.

Balancing Pressure And Support - Examining Burnout And Mental Health In Teenage Athletes, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

Analyzing the relationship between coaching styles and athlete burnout. It is an important and interesting topic because over the last few years participation in youth sports has dropped, this is an issue because sports teach valuable lessons. The topic is plausible because it can survey athletes and use that information to help.

Development Pathways In Soccer - A Comparative Study Of U.S. Academies, Ncaa Programs, And European Systems, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study seeks to compare the soccer development pathways of U.S. youth club academy systems, NCAA collegiate programs, and European youth club academy systems. Along with this, the research aims to identify what creates a factor of success. Additionally, it will focus on what specifically the club and college systems are doing collectively to develop their rosters. This comparison offers value in that it provides cumulative information on the biggest developmental soccer programs in the world. Additionally, it brings to light the differences amongst the pathways to better showcase factors of success and allow for future improvements to be made …

Exploring Fan Engagement Strategies In Ncaa Division I Athletics - A Descriptive Study, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

College athletic programs live off the support of their passionate fans. Whether lifelong supporters or casual viewers, these fans help keep programs thriving. Despite strong environments and culture, some schools struggle to maintain fan engagement year after year. This study seeks to understand what top Division I programs do to keep fans engaged through attendance, financial giving, and viewership. The findings aim to address the problem of unengaged fans and help build stronger, more successful athletic programs.

Flipping Commitments - Exploring Factors Behind College Football Recruiting De-Commitments, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

While recruiting de-commitments are widely reported in the media, there is little scholarly research on their causes and implications. This study will help fill that gap by analyzing the factors influencing de-commitments in Power Four football.

From Snacks To Seats - Examining The Influence Of Concessions On Return Attendance For Liberty University Hockey, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study will explore the correlation between attendees’ levels of satisfaction with concessions at Liberty University men’s club sports D1 hockey games and their return attendance at future games. The insights derived from this research will inform collegiate hockey programs’ event concessions and attendance practices.

From Tradition To Transaction - The Role Of Nil In Shaping College Football Recruiting Culture, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study assesses how current changing rules with NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and revenue sharing are impacting the recruiting world—specifically how they influence prospective NCAA Division I football student-athlete decision-making. The topic is timely and ethical, addressing how recruiting strategies and athlete priorities are shifting due to evolving NCAA policies. It has drawn attention from fans, staff, and athletes, and even reached the Supreme Court, making it a relevant and impactful area of inquiry.

Leadership, Culture, And Sustained Success - Comparative Case On Belichick's Patriots And Reid's Chiefs, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study examines how transformational leadership and organizational culture contribute to long-term success in the NFL, focusing on two exceptional franchises: the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick and the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid. By using the Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), the research analyzes leadership behaviors and cultural values through player interviews, press conferences, NFL Films, and archival data. The rationale is to understand how leadership and culture—not just talent or tactics—drive sustained excellence in professional sports, offering insights applicable to both sports and non-sports organizations.

Nil And Gender Equality In Division 1 Athletics - Intergrating Institutional Support, Marketplace Dynamics, And Athlete Earnings, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study explores gender-based disparities in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities within Division I athletics, focusing on differences in institutional support and funding. The rationale highlights the unequal distribution of NIL earnings between male and female athletes and the need for more equitable access. By examining both quantitative earnings data and qualitative athlete perceptions, the study aims to promote fairer NIL practices across collegiate sports.

Private Equity And Llc Models In College Athletics - Emerging Revenue Strategies In The Power Four, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

Prompted by the University of Kentucky’s formation of a not-for-profit LLC as a revenue strategy, this study investigates the impact and future implications of LLCs and private equity in NCAA athletic departments. The rationale is rooted in the growing financial pressures and opportunities following the House settlement, with athletic directors seeking innovative ways to generate revenue. This research aims to understand how these models affect revenue generation and distribution across Power Four programs.

Social Media Behaviors & In-Person Attendance - A Mixed-Methods Study Of Small-Market Nba Teams, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study examines how social media behavior influences attendance at small-market NBA games. Social media behavior is categorized into two areas: marketing and fan engagement. The rationale stems from the inconsistency in attendance among small-market teams and the lack of research focused on these markets. Understanding how digital engagement affects live attendance can help teams refine their marketing strategies and boost ticket sales.