Business Commons^™

Connecting Lighthouses To Spiritual Tourism: The Case Of The Hellenic Lighthouse Network, Polyxeni Moira, Paraskevi Kakaroucha

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Lighthouses operate as carriers of cultural value and encapsulate universal connotations. They are harmoniously integrated in unspoilt landscapes, some of which are considered dystopian. Their delicate albeit resilient structure, settled within dynamic geophysical fields, elicits philosophical quests and metaphysical concerns. Lighthouses are connected to narratives of heroism, solitude, self-efficacy and lunacy, with altruistic keepers and divine or supernatural entities starring in plenty of them. Moreover, lighthouses have been associated with religious facilities and rituals for many centuries. Therefore, they attract people pursuing transformative experiences away from mass tourism locations and could unsurprisingly be included in alternative spiritual tourism itineraries.

Greek …

Impact Analysis Of Religious Events: Medjugorje As A Pilgrimage Destination, Igor Stamenkovic, Ivan Dodig, Dajana Vukojević

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Medjugorje is one of the most well-known and attractive pilgrimage sites for Roman Catholics. The phenomenon of Medjugorje is linked to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to six children, which, according to the children’s claims, began in June 1981, after which this town has become one of the most visited destinations in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tens of thousands of pilgrims attend the International Youth Festival “Mladifest”, a religious gathering that has been going on for more than thirty years. The purpose of this paper is to research and explain how this religious event impacts a …

The Impact Of Prophet Ibrahim’S Supplications In The Qur’An On The Flourishing Of Islamic Pilgrimage, Tariq H. M. Elhadary, Razaq Raj

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The supplications of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) in the Qur’an have had a significant impact on the flourishing of Islamic Pilgrimage and have also provided spiritual guidance for those who visit these sacred sites. Through his supplications, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) expressed his love for the sacred places associated with the Islamic faith. His prayers for both the visitors and residents of these places, are believed to invoke divine blessings and protection upon them. Prophet Ibrahim’s supplications in the Qur’an also encouraged Muslim pilgrims (often referred to as religious tourists) to visit these holy sites by reminding them of the great rewards …

Tourism: A Bridge Between Religions, Deša Karamehmedović

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Interreligious dialogue is crucial for cultural, economic, and social progress, fostering cultural development through activities like tourism. To address misunderstandings and biases, continuous development and promotion of interreligious dialogue is essential. This two-way process emphasises the importance of ‘listening and telling’, while respecting differences. Religious tourism serves as a valuable tool for encounters and understanding among diverse communities. This paper tries to address the question of whether there are for interreligious dialogue in tourism that have yet to be applied and could be implemented? The findings from tourism theory indicate that religious encounters primarily take place in sacred places, sacred …

Towards A European Governance Framework For Pilgrimage Routes: Challenges, Opportunities And Recommendations, Maria Laura Gasparini, José A. Cortés Vázquez

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Beyond its religious and spiritual traits, pilgrimage is gaining momentum as a sustainable tourism practice, while contributing to several EU priorities, including cultural heritage enhancement, intercultural dialogue, and economic development, particularly in rural areas suffering from depopulation and youth drain. Yet, their potential is hindered by a lack of coordination among the stakeholders involved at interregional and transnational levels, resulting in a far from homogeneous experience along pilgrimage routes. This paper maps out the existing policies and governance frameworks related to pilgrimage in seven European countries (Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain), identifying gaps between regions and opportunities …

Pilgrimage And Tourism Marketing Concepts, Prospects, And Challenges In Two Developing Countries: Bangladesh And Ghana, Md. Javed Kawsar, Michael Evans, Rashed Khan

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This contextual paper analyses the significance of pilgrimage and tourism marketing concepts, prospects, and challenges in two developing countries, Ghana in the West of Africa, and Bangladesh in the South of Asia. The focus of this study is to assess the present marketing and promotion of tourism in the two countries which are different in population size, economy, and tourism contribution towards each country’s GDP.

Within the context of nature-based tourism initiatives in Bangladesh, it is imperative to measure future prospects of tourism marketing ventures related to pilgrimage. The development of marketing for tourism can be helpful for delivering stability …

Increasing The Attractiveness Of Hungarian Religious Pilgrimage Routes, The Case Of Rurallure, Ákos Lencsés, Ildikó Kádárné Kelemen, Ildikó Csepregi, Zsófia Galgócziné Szabó

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The paper discusses the regional variations and attractiveness of pilgrimage routes in Europe, focusing on the Way of Mary. The Horizon Europe project rurAllure aims to use innovative techniques, such as narrative techniques of cultural heritage and mapping non-religious points of interests, to expand the area around the route and attract younger and spiritually-seeking pilgrims. The study introduces the selection criteria, workflow, and technologies used to enhance the tourism experience along the route, exploring alternative route variants and narrative creating techniques. For this, we describe and analyse the data of Points of Interest (POIs), narratives, and recommended trips generated as …

Exploring The Linkages Between Organizational Resilience, Corporate Diversification Strategy, And Slack Resources, Ahmad N. Abuzaid

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Objective: Organizational resilience is crucial for the success of any business. However, the existing research on the subject is limited, and a more well-defined and unified paradigm is needed. Therefore, the central goal of this research study is to inspect whether the level of slack resources significantly influences the association between diversification strategy and the organization’s ability to build resilience. Methodology: The investigation analyzed a study sample of 291 employees from three different telecommunications firms in Jordan using a quantitative, descriptive, and correlational design to achieve its objectives. Structural Equation Modeling with the Amos 26 software was used to test …

Possible Implications Ofmergers And Acquisitions In The Healthcare Industry, Nicholas Aversano

Bridges: A Journal of Student Research

Beginning in 2020, the healthcare infrastructure returned to the forefront of the American people's consciousness. Questions about cost, access, and quality of care are being asked daily. Are consumers benefiting as large companies move in to or out of the healthcare industries (such as hospitals, doctors' offices, research firms, or pharmaceutical companies) through mergers and acquisitions? Would a monopoly in healthcare be beneficial or even advantageous for the average American? Do economies of scale exist in this industry? This paper explores and consolidates studies published to help answer questions regarding the impacts of healthcare mergers and acquisitions. In addition to …

Forecasting Nigerian Stock Market Volatilities Using Bagging And Ensemble Averaging, Godknows Isenah

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper using bagged GARCH-type model, with ensemble averaging estimators models and compares the forecast performances to those of some classical GARCH type models. Using Mean Absolute Forecast Error (MAFE) and Root Mean Squared Forecast Error (RMSFE) as forecast-error measures, the results shows bagging ensemble based methods to out-perform the alternative volatility models. The study recommended that volatility estimates obtained via bagged ensemble methods should be used as inputs to facilitate financial operations such as derivatives pricing, risk hedging, computations of Value-at-Risk (VaR) estimates, and for financial decision making.

Proceedings Of The Global Conference On Education And Research: Volume 5, Waynne B. James, Muhittin Cavusoglu, Cihan Cobanoglu

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

This is the fifth volume of the Global Conference on Education and Research Proceedings Series.

ISSN: 2572-6374

Stakeholder Fairness And Corporate Social Impact: The Behavioral Economic Structure Of Corporate Law, Eli Bukspan

Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review

This study aims to bridge the gap between stakeholder capitalism—manifesting today in the evolving corporate social impact paradigm—and the historical shareholder primacy of corporate law. The emerging view of corporate purpose, particularly stakeholder capitalism, is closely related to the notion of fairness. This article demonstrates—by looking mainly at Israeli corporate law—that certain foundational concepts of behavioral economics better describe and justify the recent prominence of stakeholderism and the rejuvenated discourse of corporate social impact and purpose than does neoclassical economic theory. It concludes that the “fairness principle” provides a strong rationale for assimilating stakeholder expectations into the DNA of modern …

Unveiling Misconceptions Of Tunneling: Market Capitalization-Based Analysis, Sang Yop Kang

Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review

In internal transactions between affiliated companies, there are two opposite directions of wealth-transfer: (1) in the “forward transfer of wealth” (FTW), the wealth-transfer arises from an affiliated company where a controller’s “economic interest” (i.e., “cash-flow right”) is smaller relative to another affiliated company where the controller’s economic interest is larger; (2) in the “reverse transfer of wealth” (RTW), the wealth-transfer arises from an affiliated company where a controller’s economic interest is larger relative to another affiliated company, where the controller’s economic interest is smaller. This Article puts forward a new finding that the extent of internal-transaction tunneling is affected not …

Influence Of The Influencer: Decoding The Credibility Of Influencers Among College Students., Claire M. Stipsits

International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

As the first “digitally native” cohort, Gen Z's upbringing amidst rapid technological advancements has shaped their attitudes, preferences, and decision-making processes in unprecedented ways. In 2023, e-commerce sales accounted for 20 percent of total sales in financial markets. This increase creates an urgency for understanding the different ways in which Gen Z interacts with retail. The study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which social media influencers have emerged as influential figures by addressing the fundamental mechanisms that drive social engagement and purchase behaviours. The study investigated theoretical mechanisms such as self-determination theory, social influence theory, social comparison theory, and …

Extension Partnerships For Innovative Programming: A Community-Based Training On Artificial Intelligence For Workforce Development, Paul A. Hill, Lendel K. Narine, Jordan L. Rushton, Clint J. Reid

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The AI Training Series was Washington County, Utah’s first community education offering on the topic of generative AI (GenAI). The training provided community members with an overview of the capabilities and advantages of GenAI and assisted them in making informed technology adoption decisions. Utah State University Extension partnered with Dixie Technical College and Zonos, a software company, to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning experience based on anticipated outcomes. Results showed the training was effective for disseminating information and advancing knowledge on the topic of GenAI. However, students’ intentions to adopt AI were lower than expected due to perceived barriers …

Comparative Analysis Of Household Food And Nutrition Security In Selected Philippine Urban And Rural Households During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jay-Al Reyes, Julieta Delosreyes

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study analyzed the food and nutrition security of selected urban and rural households in Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It determined the prevalence of food insecurity among the selected urban and rural households, analyzed the determinants of food insecurity in these households, determined the prevalence of malnutrition, and assessed the relationship between the households’ food security and nutrition security. Primary data from a survey of 185 urban and rural households and secondary data from the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus (e-OPT) Tool were used to determine the prevalence of food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale …

The World Bank's New Approach To Human Capital Model And Education, Ozlem Kucuk, Cihan Cobanoglu

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The human capital approach, introduced in 1960, has been used by economists to establish connections between education, skills, and personal income. It resulted in a redistribution of public expenditure by viewing education not only as a cost but also as an economic input, a way to increase revenue in the medium and long term. Human capital theory highlights the crucial role of education in the economy. With the rise of the knowledge society, scientists have debated the potential end of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. They envisioned a new knowledge economy and a more egalitarian society. The significant increase in …

The Impact Of In-Service Training On Employees: A Research In A Bank, Ali S. Cetinkaya

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

In this study, the importance of in-service training and its impact on increasing skills, knowledge, attitudes, and overall productivity in the banking sector were investigated. Surveyed valid data were obtained from 101 employees working in the branches of a private bank operating in Konya in Turkiye. The findings revealed that in-service training is essential to ensure compliance with technological developments and legal regulations and to increase customer satisfaction in a competitive market. The research revealed the necessity of continuous employee development in order to meet evolving customer demands and make effective use of new technologies. In the study, the benefits …

Advances In Global Education And Research: Volume 5, Waynne B. James, Cihan Cobanoglu, Muhittin Cavusoglu

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

This is the fifth volume of the Advances in Global Education and Research Book Series.

ISBN 978-1-955833-12-7

The following chapters are included in the the fifth volume of the Advances in Global Education and Research Book Series.

• Elevating the online learners’ experience by cultivating social presence in the online learning environment
  • Lori Doyle and Tanya M. Tarbutton
• The role of family in Chinese students’ English language learning and key suggestions
  • Bohui (Hollie) Liu and Jia Wei
• The World Bank's new approach to human capital model and education
  • Ozlem Kucuk and Cihan Cobanoglu
• Training in ecological thinking: Narrative practices for educational …

How Millennials Make Investment Decisions: Financial Literacy And Financial Behavior, Dewi Tamara, Anita Maharani

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

This study investigates the effect of financial literacy, financial attitude, risk perception, and financial behavior on investment decisions. Employing a survey method with 342 respondents in Jakarta, the findings reveal that financial literacy has a negative and insignificant effect on investment decisions. In contrast, risk perception plays a crucial role in influencing investment decisions. Furthermore, financial behavior has an indirect mediating effect between financial literacy and risk perception on investment decisions but does not affect financial attitude. This study concludes that risk perception and financial behavior are important factors in investment decisions. Future research may consider incorporating other variables such …

Fiscal Deficit And Human Development: Empirical Evidence From Nigeria, Elijah O. Akanni Dr

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This study investigates the effects of fiscal deficits on human development in Nigeria from 1990 to 2021, employing standard econometric and machine learning approaches. Specifically, the paper applies autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models to examine linear relationships, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) to capture linear and nonlinear interactions among key variables influencing human development. Results from the ARDL analysis reveal that fiscal deficit does not significantly impact human development in Nigeria both in the short- and long run. However, MARS results indicate that fiscal deficits only enhance human development when kept below 1.34% of GDP but become detrimental beyond …

Modeling Volatility In The Nigeria Stock Exchange: The Role Of Structural Breaks, Ekejiuba C. Ucheoma

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This study models volatility in the daily Nigeria Stock Exchange 30 index from January 30, 2012 to August 31, 2020, comparing the Modified Iterated Cumulative Sums of Squares (MICSS) and the traditional cumulative sum of squares (CUSUMSQ) approaches. Findings reveal that integrating structural breaks reduces volatility persistence, and the MICSS outperformed the CUSUM and CUSUMSQ algorithms. Also, incorporating structural breaks reduces the impact of good and bad news on volatility. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting a robust methodology, such as the MICSS, in detecting structural breaks when estimating conditional variances, as incorporating structural breaks in the estimation is …

Analysis Of The Impact Of Economic Integration Of Regional Trade In African Countries, Dr. Hussaini Abdullahi

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This study assesses the impact of economic integration on regional trade in African countries from 1980 to 2023. Employing a panel Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique, we analyzed trade patterns and integration policies using data from World Development Indicator (WDI), the findings reveal a negative association between economic integration and regional trade, suggesting that integration efforts may not be achieving the desired increase in regional trade. Economic integration may cause trade diversion, leading countries to import from less efficient regional producers, thus reducing overall trade volume. Non-tariff barriers and structural similarities among economies can limit the benefits of integration. …

Are Leaders Born, Or Made?, William R. Chase D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The debate over whether leaders are born or made persists, but effective leadership often results from a combination of innate traits and learned skills. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate others, while transactional leaders focus on tasks without fostering personal connections. Servant leadership, particularly valued in the dental profession, emphasizes service to others, aligning naturally with patient care. Leadership styles, such as coercive, authoritative, and affiliative, demonstrate the complexity of leadership dynamics. Renowned authors like John C. Maxwell and Daniel Goleman emphasize adaptability and the importance of being a leader whom people want to follow. Effective leadership transcends settings, offering focus, …

Dentistry And The Law: Overlooked Purchase Agreement Terms, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Selling a dental practice involves numerous legal, financial, and operational considerations. Assembling a team—including a lawyer, accountant, broker, and insurance professional—is crucial for ensuring a smooth transaction. While letters of intent are optional, they help define terms like exclusivity, due diligence, and confidentiality.

Purchase agreements, often drafted by the buyer’s lawyer, should detail asset allocation, tax implications, and handling of accounts receivable. Neglected areas such as work-in-process procedures and rework responsibilities must also be addressed to avoid disputes. Properly planning and negotiating these terms protects both buyer and seller, minimizing post-sale complications and ensuring a seamless transition of ownership.

The New Professional: A Guide To Finding A Mentor As A New Dentist, Amrita Patel D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Patel provides guidance for new dentists on finding and maintaining effective mentoring relationships. She emphasizes that mentors can offer valuable guidance during the transition from dental school to clinical practice. The article explains that mentors need not be exclusively dentists and can be found through various channels, including professional associations, dental societies, alumni networks, and social media platforms. It outlines strategies for identifying potential mentors by observing their clinical skills, professionalism, and leadership styles. The piece concludes with practical advice for maintaining productive mentoring relationships, including setting clear expectations, preparing for meetings, and maintaining consistent communication. The article emphasizes …

Staff Matters: She’S The Life Of The Party?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article addresses how to handle an employee who has displayed inappropriate behavior due to excessive alcohol consumption at work-related social events. The piece outlines a specific case where a dental assistant exhibited problematic drinking behavior at two separate office parties. The response emphasizes that while these were social gatherings, they were work-related events, especially with vendors and referring dentists present. The article provides detailed guidance on documenting incidents, reviewing workplace alcohol policies, and exploring possible courses of action, including disciplinary measures or supporting rehabilitation if needed. It concludes with recommendations for preventing future incidents by reviewing policies with staff …

The Back Page: The Personal Touch Makes The Difference, Riley Schaff D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. Riley Schaff discusses the importance of personal connection in engaging new dentists with organized dentistry. Drawing from his own experience of being personally invited to chair a New Dentist Study Club, he emphasizes that direct, personal outreach is more effective than digital communication in encouraging participation among early-career dentists.

The article highlights ongoing efforts at the state level to increase engagement, including enhanced presence at local events and networking programs. However, Schaff argues that grassroots efforts at the local component level are crucial for significant change in membership rates. He concludes that personal engagement from existing members is essential …

What You Must Know: Retention And Destruction Of Dental Records And Your Most-Asked Questions About Dental Records, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

An overview of the basic information about dental records, including retention and destruction, that you and your staff should be aware of, provided by MDA Legal Counsel Dan Schulte, J.D. Plus, for your reference, answers to the questions Michigan dental offices are asking about dental record retention, access, release, and destruction.

Dental records are vital for patient care, legal compliance, and professional practice management. Michigan law mandates retaining dental records for a minimum of 10 years, ensuring their confidentiality, accessibility, and integrity. Destruction of records less than 10 years old requires patient notification and authorization, while those over 10 years …

Beyond Amateurism: Examining The Potential Labor Expenses Of Ncaa Student-Athlete Employment, Alayna K. Falak, Tyler L. Custis

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In light of recent administrative developments urging the classification of student-athletes as employees, litigation challenging the current employment status of student-athletes, and the Supreme Court’s willingness to tackle National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) issues, many questions surrounding the future of college sports under an employment model have emerged. The authors analyzed key litigation, recent developments from administrative agencies, and academic literature. The authors used publicly available data from the NCAA, the United States Department of Labor (DOL), and other sources to construct two estimates of what it would cost NCAA member institutions to provide baseline compensation to their Division I …