Business Commons^™

Beyond The Paycheck: Crafting A Competitive Benefits Package In American For-Profit And Non-Profit Entities, Olufemi C. Akpona

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis explores the changing landscape of employee benefits and theorizes how benefits can further be formulated to appeal to the specific employee base in every for-profit and non-profit organization. An evaluation is given of common benefits offered in the United States as well as an evaluation of the legal, financial, ethical, and psychological dimensions of providing employee benefits. Finally, an example benefits package is presented in order to illustrate how an organization can provide unique benefits to recruit and retain employees in the communities they operate in.

Investigating Business Cybersecurity Vulnerability And Development Of An Application For Security Awareness Training Platform For Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Baijun (Jack Skywalker) Jiang

Senior Honors Theses

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals due to their limited IT expertise, inadequate cybersecurity investment, and insufficient security awareness training. The increasing sophistication of social engineering attacks are rendering traditional security awareness programs obsolete, as they fail to effectively promote behavior change. The proposed solution develops a software-based security awareness training program that integrates interactive activities, realistic scenarios, and gamified learning methods to engage employees and facilitate long-term behavioral change towards security awareness. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed training program in real-world scenarios to measure its impact on …

U.S. Tax Treatment Of Crypto Assets, Kylie May Schmitt

Senior Honors Theses

Disagreements exist surrounding the proper definition and tax treatment of cryptocurrency. The IRS views crypto assets as a type of intangible property, and most guidance regarding how to include income or loss from cryptocurrency on the relevant tax forms stems from this classification. Crypto asset transactions create either ordinary or capital income or loss, depending on the taxpayer’s reason for holding the assets. This requires keeping track of the cryptocurrency’s fair market value at the time of receipt and disposition. While researchers have not reached a unanimous conclusion, most identify problems with this treatment and instead propose alternative methods, such …

Comparative Analysis Of Regression And Random Forest Models For Player Performance Prediction In The Mls, Joshua Clement Madeti

Senior Honors Theses

Advanced technology and analytics have transformed the world and have benefited several industries throughout, the sport industry being one of them. Data is constantly generated during sports and requires post-game or post-season analysis which is crucial to team and player success. In this paper, the researcher will focus on the impact of analytics on soccer and soccer players. With over three billion active fans, soccer is the most famous sport in the world yet, when it comes to analytics, it is lagging. The thesis includes a comparative study of multiple linear regression and random forest regression to explore whether these …

Dancing In The Digital Age: How Social Media Shapes The Commercial Dance Industry, Luke Lisowski

Honors College Theses

Social media has fundamentally transformed the commercial dance industry, reshaping how dancers establish careers, connect with industry professionals, and promote their artistry. This thesis examines the impact of social media platforms – such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube – on career growth by facilitating networking opportunities, increasing visibility, and redefining industry standards. The research explores how digital platforms have shifted the traditional pathways to success, enabling dancers to showcase their work independently while also creating challenges related to self-promotion, competition, and mental health.

Through a series of in-depth interviews with professional dancers and choreographers actively working in the industry, this …

Understanding Employee Performance In Technology-Mediated Environments, William Patrick Malloy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative flexible design single case study was to expand the understanding of the dynamics behind performance management in technology-mediated environments and the effect it has on organizational outcomes. Managers in technology-mediated environments struggle to exercise control due to the inadequacy of existing performance management tools designed for traditional settings, which are not adequate in remote and hybrid work contexts. The study was conducted using a constructivist paradigm and a single-case study research design, employing semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and archival data analysis. Data from all sources were coded using NVivo, applying first- and second-cycle coding processes …

The Effects Of Micromanagement Behavior On Employee Turnover Intention In Hybrid And Remote Work Environments, Christopher S. Mendoza

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The existing literature extensively documents the prevalence of micromanagement in traditional organizational structures. However, there is a notable gap in research regarding its impact on daily operations within non-traditional work environments, such as hybrid and remote settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between micromanagement and turnover intention in these evolving workplace models. A sample of 25 participants who had experienced micromanagement in hybrid and remote work environments was selected for this study, with no additional selection criteria imposed. Findings indicated that 24 participants experienced declines in morale, directly contributing to increased turnover intention. Furthermore, financial …

Succession Planning: Lessons From A Qualitative Single Case Study Of Ceo Behaviors Within A Small To Medium Enterprise Hospitality Industry Organization, Denise Mazzei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For hospitality organizations to innovate in every direction and attract, engage, and retain their most potential internal talent, the CEOs of their organizations must prioritize succession planning within their organization’s strategic plans. In small to medium enterprise hospitality organizations, some CEOs overlook succession planning as a strategic imperative. Within the context of SME hospitality organizations, this qualitative method single case study research project focused on answering three questions to illuminate why some CEOs do not prioritize succession planning among the multiplicity of their responsibilities. The first question explored whether there is a need for CEO succession planning. The second question …

The Challenges Small And Medium-Sized Businesses Face Adopting Digital Supply Chain Technologies: A Case Study Of Firms In Traditional Industries In The United States, Michael S. Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examined the digital transformation of supply chains within small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), focusing on the challenges firms in traditional industries in the United States face in adopting these technologies to improve performance. Through a single case study qualitative approach, the study examined why some SMBs face these challenges, digital supply chain technologies affect business performance, and which technologies they contemplate to achieve their desired outcomes. Key findings indicate that most SMBs are between the digitization and digitalization phases of the digital transformation journey and are driven to adopt digital technologies that enable operational performance for scalable profitability. …

The Backdrop Of Leadership: How Environmental Awe Influences Charisma Attributions, Jack Mcguire, Nicolas Bastardoz, Leonie J. Hentrup, David De Cremer, Jochen I. Menges

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Charisma is often attributed to leaders based on how they look, talk, and behave. Yet very little is known about the role of the physical environment in influencing attributions of leader charisma. The role of the physical environment is crucial because leaders inevitably occupy physical spaces that vary across contexts. In this research, we find that the grandeur of the physical environment, specifically in its ability to induce awe, enhances attributions of charisma for leaders who are not already known to be charismatic. First, in a field experiment, we show that a real business leader is attributed with more charisma …

2025 May, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for May of 2025.

Toward A Dynamic View Of Corporate Purpose, Dorothy S. Lund

Faculty Scholarship

Scholars debating the corporation’s role in society generally advance the view that there is only one desirable orientation for corporations and their management. Specifically, proponents of a stakeholder governance model contend that focusing management on a broad set of corporate constituents maximizes overall welfare, while advocates of a shareholder-centric directive counter that prioritizing shareholders creates social welfare by rendering the firm most profitable. This Article offers another view: It suggests that the welfare-maximizing purpose for corporations could change depending on external economic conditions, which both of these positions assume away. Specifically, shareholder primacy is likely to promote welfare in a …

Assessing The Implicit Prices Of Health And Wellness Product Attributes In Pet Food: A Hedonic Analysis Approach, Lonnie Hobbs Jr., Andrew Anderson

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Here we examine product attributes present in dry dog food to show there exist potential price premiums and discounts associated with health and wellness attributes in dry dog food. The findings indicate price premiums are associated with attributes related to digestion and allergy care. Pricing discounts are found to be associated with immune support and dental attributes. The results of this study are anticipated to be a starting point for more sophisticated and dynamic analysis of pricing and willingness-to-pay studies in the pet food industry.

Home Depot Strategic Audit, Jackson E. Clasen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Home Depot is a distinguished North American home improvement retail store that offers a wide variety of products and services to its customers. The company has created its distinction in the home improvement market for nearly fifty years for its effort to excel in service to its customers, associates, the communities it serves, and its shareholders. This strategic audit will analyze the internal and external factors that influence Home Depot’s ability to develop and preserve its competitive advantage in the home improvement industry. This report will begin with an inward focused discussion of Home Depot, including its history and current …

Smu Appoints Professor Zhang Liandong As New Dean Of School Of Accountancy, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

The Singapore Management University (SMU) has appointed Professor Zhang Liandong [张连栋教授] as the new Dean of its School of Accountancy (SOA), effective 1 July 2025. With over seven years of leadership experience at SOA, Professor Zhang will lead strategic initiatives to elevate the School’s academic reputation and impact.

Caterpillar Strategic Audit, Tyler Vander Woude, Grant Kingston, Kaiden Bedient, Drew Shafer

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This strategic audit evaluates Caterpillar Inc.'s business-level and corporate-level strategies, examining how the company maintains its competitive advantage in the heavy machinery and industrial equipment sectors. The research focuses on Caterpillar's hybrid approach, combining differentiation and cost leadership strategies to offer high-quality, durable products while optimizing costs through technological innovation, supply chain efficiencies, and product longevity. The methodology for this audit includes a comprehensive internal and external analysis, incorporating frameworks such as SWOT, PESTEL, VRIO, and Porter’s Five Forces. Additionally, Caterpillar’s strategic initiatives in vertical and horizontal integration, governance structure, and financial performance were assessed. The research also explores the …

Strategic Audit: Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Jenna Derowitsch, Tram Ngo, Tenley Katt, Makenna Henning, Lexi Soukup

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This comprehensive strategic audit analyzes the internal and external environment in which Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. operates, in addition to auditing the strategic drivers that have drove the iconic hospitality firm to success. Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Hilton) is a valued hotel chain that has been operating as a global leader in the hospitality industry for more than 100 years. The firm sets an industry standard to provide high-quality hotel services and a reliable stay for more than 200 million guests annually and continues to develop its portfolio of destinations. Technological advancements and shifting customer preferences challenge Hilton to remain …

Dutch Bros Coffee Strategic Audit, Parker Barry, Olivia Palmer, Cade Swanson, Braden Starck, Jacob Whiston

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This case study focuses on Dutch Bros, a leading drive-thru coffee chain. A strategic audit was conducted to understand the company’s strategic management principles: external and internal factors, performance and competition, business level strategy, corporate level strategy, and organizational design and governance. In addition, the audit studies the implications of their recent strategic decisions to expand roasting facilities and move towards corporate-owned stores rather than operating a franchise model.

The research contained in this audit used publicly available information, including Dutch Bro’s financial statements, information from their website, annual reports, IBIS industry reports, and online press coverage.

Global Brand, Local Market: A Strategic Analysis Of Netflix’S Adaptation Challenges In India, Carolina Barraza

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Netflix is a leading subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform known for its premium content and global reach. As it expands into new international markets, one of its most complex challenges is scaling in India, a market defined by intense price competition, regional diversity, and evolving regulatory frameworks, but without losing its global brand identity. This case study provides a strategic analysis of Netflix’s position in the Indian market, using external and internal assessment tools to evaluate the company’s opportunities, risks, and long-term viability. The analysis draws on publicly available data, including industry reports, financial disclosures, and academic research.

A comprehensive PESTEL …

Conagra Brands Strategic Audit, Ashley R. Nierman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive strategic audit of Conagra Brands, Inc., a major company in the consumer-packaged foods industry. The audit evaluates the external environment of Conagra, including a PESTEL analysis and Porter’s Five Forces analysis. Various industry factors that affect Conagra’s operations are taken into consideration. It will also explain the internal environment of Conagra using tools such as a SWOT analysis, financial performance review, and strategy explanation. Key areas of focus include shifting demands, including consumers’ desire for more healthy and sustainable food options, recent political and economic factors, competitive advantages of Conagra, …

Sofi Technologies Incorporated Strategic Audit, Elena Eisaman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

SoFi, a catchy abbreviation of Social Finance, is a digital bank as of 2022. The company seeks to offer better banking than traditional alternatives. SoFi, founded in 2011, has slowly developed financial offerings with the goal of dominating digital banking. The company is best known for helping customers manage student loans, but SoFi aims to provide customers with services for their every financial need. The platform boasts 10.9 million members, 33 billion in debt paid, and 117 billion in loans issued (SoFi). This report will explore SoFi’s origin, functions, and competitive environment. These investigations will inform recommendations for the company …

A Strategic Audit Of Cnh Industrial, Cassidy Hoffman, Derek Huss, Maren Tuell, Cami Chapin, Megan Berg

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This research examines CNH Industrial, a leading global agricultural machinery company, and its strategic approach to innovation, sustainability, and customer loyalty. Operating under brands like CASE IH and New Holland Agriculture, CNH focuses on integrating advanced technology into its products, such as precision agriculture tools, to enhance efficiency, optimize fuel savings, and support sustainable agricultural practices. The company’s comprehensive business model, which spans from product development to financing, fosters strong customer retention and brand loyalty.

Through a differentiation strategy, CNH maintains competitiveness in the face of intense market rivalry, particularly with industry leader John Deere. This study analyzes CNH’s ability …

A Strategic Audit: Eli Lilly & Company, Natalie Karrels, Ethan Heinemann, Jonathan Patton, Meg Williams

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This strategic audit assesses the external and internal forces impacting Eli Lilly & Company’s strategic decision-making strategies. All information has been gathered from industry reports and company reports, including reports for investors, analyst calls, financial statements, and news reports. The report highlights the quantitative, qualitative, performance, strategy, and leadership decisions that have allowed Eli Lilly & Company to succeed for the past 150 years.

Understanding Pre-Harvest Hedging Behavior And Basis Forecasting: The Role Of Information In Grain Marketing, Iyore Eronmwon

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation examines decision-making under risk in grain marketing, focusing on how information influences behavior, attitudes toward accessible information, and methods for forecasting commodity basis. Through three essays, it explores the impact of information on hedging decisions, the determinants of information-seeking behavior, the extent to which students can serve as proxies for farmers in risk experiments, and the effectiveness of different forecasting approaches for commodity basis.

The first essay examines the impact of information on pre-harvest grain marketing hedging decisions and grain marketing information-seeking behavior. Specifically, it evaluates two types of information hypothesized to influence decision-making: expected cost of production …

Of Headlamps And Marbles: A Motivated Perceptual Approach To The Dynamic And Dialectic Nature Of Fairness, Michael Ramsay Bashshur, Laurie J. Barclay, Marion Fortin

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

How do people perceive fairness? Recently, fairness scholars have raised important theoretical questions related to what information is used in fairness perceptions, why this information is emphasized, and how fairness perceptions can change over time. Integrating the Brunswikian lens approach with a motivated cognition perspective, we develop the Motivated Perceptual Approach (MPA) to highlight how people can be motivated to selectively perceive and weight cues to form fairness perceptions that align with their motives. However, these motives can change over time and through interaction with motivated others. By illuminating the dynamic and dialectic processes underlying fairness perceptions, the MPA sheds …

2025-05-00 Newsletter, Morehead State University. Staff Congress.

Staff Congress Records

Staff Congress newsletter from May of 2025.

Data-Driven Audits: Audit Analytic Platforms And General Ledger Analytic Tools, Daniel E. O'Leary, Vernon J. Richardson, Marcia Weidenmier Watson

Accounting Faculty Publications and Presentations

The future of auditing is a data-driven audit, which extracts and analyzes digital data stored in client accounting systems. To help conduct data-driven audits, audit firms are developing audit analytic platforms (AAPs). This paper focuses on one key application tool of AAPs that analyzes the entire population of general ledger transactions. These general ledger analytics tools (GLATs) use assessment routines to assign a risk score to each transaction, helping guide the auditor’s planning, risk assessment, and selection of high-risk transactions for substantive procedures. GLATs help support audit quality and provide valuable new insights about client operations. We discuss the analytics …

The Effects Of Hyper-Communication: A Quantitative Study On Workplace Productivity, David J. Olson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today's workforce is overwhelmed with information delivered by tools designed to make them more productive. In a milieu of distraction and overload, employees are disadvantaged in processing the tremendous volumes of information they receive. This is called hyper-communication, which is associated with stress, overload, communication misalignment, and, ultimately, distractedness that impairs an employee’s work efficiency. This quantitative study presents research conducted through surveys examining hyper-communication's effects on workplace productivity. A sample of 631 respondents, solicited through social media, participated in this study. The participants came from diverse occupational backgrounds, providing cross-sectional insights into how factors like employees' titles, roles, gender, …

The Relationship Of Proximate-Peer Characteristics Of Seed Accelerator Participants To Member Firm Survival Outcomes, Matthew David Crowley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how composite gender and ethnic heterogeneity present at three levels of proximate-peer groups of accelerators—firms, cohorts, and alumni—relate to firm survival within five years after program graduation. This research addresses the problem that accelerator membership alone does not guarantee firm success by examining the factor of heterogeneity on survival using a fixed-design, quantitative, correlational approach via a Cox proportional hazards model. Using archival data from Crunchbase on Y Combinator cohorts running from 2013 to 2017 augmented with demographic output from NamSor, the study investigated whether diversity at various levels of proximate-peer interactions related to the hazard of …

Integrating Blockchain Technology Into Telemedicine: A Framework For Enhancing Data Privacy And Security, Harsha Sammangi, Aditya Jagatha, Jun Liu

Research & Publications

This paper presents a blockchain-based framework designed to enhance data privacy, integrity, and security in telemedicine systems. The proposed architecture employs distributed ledger technology to ensure transparency, traceability, and immutability of patient data exchanges among healthcare providers. Smart contracts automate access permissions and auditing processes, reducing the risks of unauthorized data sharing. The study evaluates the framework’s performance in secure data handling, highlighting blockchain’s role in fostering patient trust and resilience against cyberattacks in remote healthcare environments.