Business Commons^™

Continuous Improvement Strategies For Nonprofit Organizations, Kieran Nawaz Mohammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit organization leaders face increased performance and sustainability challenges due to reduced funding. Approximately 72% of nonprofit revenues required for the sustainability of nonprofit organizations come from program services, which are threatened by ineffective improvement strategies and reduced program funding. Using the conceptual framework of total quality management, the purpose of this multicase study was to explore strategies that nonprofit leaders use to implement successful continuous improvement programs to increase revenue. The population for this study was leaders of nonprofit organizations in Delaware. Participants were purposefully selected for their successful experience in implementing continuous improvement strategies in nonprofit organizations. Data …

Knowledge Management Strategies For Competitive Advantage In The Convenience Foods Franchise Industry, Tiffany Moses

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of successful knowledge management (KM) practices significantly hinders competitive advantage in small businesses. This case study was designed to explore what effective KM strategies convenience foods franchise industry business owners or managers use to increase competitive advantage. The study population consisted of 7 fast food franchise owners or managers in or near the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The cognitive model of KM was the conceptual framework that grounded the study. Face-to-face interviews were used for the data collection process. Data were organized into nodes and coded for thematic analysis. The 3 major themes that emerged …

Strategies For Small Businesses To Win Federal Contracts, Fredrick Derell Murphy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses miss out on federal contracting opportunities because of the strategies they lack. Both large and small businesses provide supplies and services through contract awards to the U.S. government while spending over $300 billion annually. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies of small business owners in the Clarksville, Tennessee and Hopkinsville, Kentucky region who have won federal contracts. Porter's competitive advantage theory grounded this study as the conceptual framework. The data collection process involved face-to-face, semistructured interviews and member checking with 3 small business owners to enhance credibility of data interpretation. Themes that …

The Relationship Between Financial Performance, Firm Size, Leverage And Corporate Social Responsibility, Fraser T. Nega

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately $25.2 trillion in total assets under management in the United States is involved in some strategy of socially responsible and sustainable investing. Grounded in the stakeholder theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationships between financial performance, firm size, leverage, and corporate social responsibility. A random sample included 119 large companies located in the United States from the population of companies listed in the Russell 100 index. The data were collected via Bloomberg Terminal. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activity scores. The 3 predictor variables accounted for …

Manufacturing Managers' Leadership Efficacy In The Context Of Reduced Union Influence, James Richard Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore whether manufacturing managers had the skills needed to lead union members whose unions have less influence than in the past. Leaders of manufacturing firms can strengthen the relationship between manufacturing managers and union members through positive and effective leadership. Providing union members with leadership can improve cooperation, reduce problem-solving time, and increase productivity through efficiency. The conceptual framework for this study was transformational leadership theory. Data collection involved conducting 20 semi structured interviews with participants affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the Toledo, Ohio, area. The participants (9 manufacturing …

Leadership Strategies For Managing Change In The Nigerian Banking Industry, Jude Ememe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Nigerian banking system is experiencing changes brought about by globalization. Operating in a changing business environment requires that bank leaders evolve strategies to manage and adapt to change. There are direct and indirect costs associated when banks are unable to adapt to change such as bank closures, and loss of economic and business opportunities. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Nigerian bank leaders regarding strategies they used to manage change in the banking industry. The conceptual framework was based on transformational leadership theory and change management theory. Data were collected from document …

Strategies For Improving Internal Control In Small And Medium Enterprises In Nigeria, Olufemi Adepoju Aladejebi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers and practitioners have recognized the need for business leaders to establish effective internal control frameworks. Some small and medium enterprises (SME) leaders lack strategies for improving internal control systems. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies leaders of SMEs in Nigeria use for improving internal control practices. Building on the internal control theory and transactional leadership theory, semistructured face-to-face and phone interviews were conducted with 8 purposively-selected leaders of SMEs in Nigeria who successfully implemented internal control practices. The 5 themes that emerged from the thematic analysis of the interview data were: segregation of …

Small Farm Management Of Information Communication Technology, E-Commerce, And Organization Performance, Shenique Carmichael

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many small farm farmers in the United States are reluctant to use information communication technology (ICT) and e-commerce, yet little is known about their decision-making rationale. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore U.S. small farm farmers' decision making, specifically, regarding use or non-use of e-commerce, in managing farm operations by using the Miles and Snow's typology of strategic management. The purposive sample consisted of 30 small farm farming operations in Kansas and Missouri with revenue less than $250,000 per annum. Data analysis was 3-tiered and involved use of horizontalization, thematic clustering, and synthesis. Using the Van …

Restaurants Owner Strategies For Financial Sustainability Beyond 5 Years, Raimi Gnonlonfoun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The restaurant industry plays an essential role in the U.S. economy. Approximately 26% of small- and medium-sized enterprise restaurants fail during their first year of business operation and 60% cannot sustain beyond 3 years. The objective of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that small- and medium-sized restaurant owners used to financially sustain business beyond 5 years. The purposive sample consisted of 4 successful restaurant owners who have been in operation for at least 5 years in the southern region of the United States. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of this study. The data …

Improving Mobile Phone Banking Usefulness, Usability, Risk, Cost, And Intention To Adopt, Ali Parfait Hebie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Millions of people use mobile phone banking daily, and business leaders should understand the factors influencing mobile phone banking adoption among users. Based on the theory of technology acceptance model and the innovation diffusion theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between usefulness, ease of use, risk, cost, and mobile phone banking adoption in Burkina Faso. One hundred and six mobile phone banking users living in the city of Ouagadougou completed the online survey created to measure consumers understanding of mobile phone banking. Results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship …

Marital Status Of Executives And Company Performance, Ilona Day

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research paper explores differences in company performance levels, as measured by selected company fundamentals and annual return, with regard to the marital status of top executives, specifically the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. It examines whether the differences in firm performance are determined by the marital status of the respective business executive. Groups of never married, married, and divorced executives are compared against each other to establish if and how the company performance changes between these groups. Summary statistics of the examined variables in conjunction with the results of the simple and multiple regression analyses indicate …

Managing Suppy Chain Risk Through Collaboration, Alyssa Rollins

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

In an increasingly uncertain, complex, and global supply chain environment, supply chains face a greater multitude of risks. Information sharing and collaboration between supply chain players can reduce risk within the supply chain. This project discusses emerging supply chain risk management (SCRM) strategies pertaining to the distribution of products and how purchasing and logistics departments can work to build a resilient and agile supply chain.

Selection Portfolio: Applying Modern Portfolio Theory To Personnel Selection, Eric Leingang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) is a framework for building a portfolio of risky assets such that the ratio of risk to return is minimized. While this theory has been used in the field of financial economics for over sixty years, the method has not yet been applied to compensatory personnel selection. A common method for personnel selection is multiple regression to maximize the predicted performance of the selected group given a cut-off score on the predictor(s). Recognizing that maximizing the performance of the selected group is not the only consideration, and that, for many jobs and organizations, the outcomes of …

An Analysis Of Performance Claims In Athleisure, Katherine M. Hahnel

Theses and Dissertations--Retailing and Tourism Management

The purpose of this research was to evaluate performance claims in athleisure, in order to confirm or refute their authenticity. Aesthetic properties and functional claims were evaluated initially, and after repeated home laundering. A convenience (nonprobability) sample of activewear with performance features consisted of ninety garments that are currently on the market and commonly used by consumers. The garments included men’s and women’s t-shirts, polos, leggings, windbreakers, hoodies, sweatpants, and warm-up pants of various fiber contents and performance chemistries. The focus of the garment selection was on garments with performance properties relating to moisture management. Performance claims listed on the …

Norma E Interesit Në Kredi Analizë E Cilësisë Së Të Dhënave Përmes Treguesve Deskriptiv Statistikor, Vullnet Sokoli

Theses and Dissertations

Në këtë punim janë trajtuar aspektet teorike lidhur me kuptimin e përgjithshëm të treguesve deskriptiv statistikor. Njohja e koncepteve teorike na mundëson që ta kuptojmë se cfarë na shërbejnë konkretisht keta tregues, cfarë është kuptimi I tyre si dhe ndarjen e tyre.

Gjithashtu është përshkruar në përgjithësi funksioni i sitemit bankar pas pamvarsisë së Kosovës, gjegjësisht pas 17 shkurtit 2008, ndikimi i tyre ne ekonomine e Kosovës, duke marë për bazë levizjet dhe trendet e normave të interesit që e kanë karakterizuar këtë sektor, dhe ndikimin në sektor të ndryshëm të ekonomisë, duke filluar nga ekonomitë familjare, NVM, industrin e …

Sistemi Bankar Dhe Ndikimi I Tij Në Zhvillimin Ekonomik Të Kosovës, Albiona Selmancena

Theses and Dissertations

Procesi i tranzicionit që filloi në vitet e 90- ta të shekullit XX, shkaktoi rënien e sistemit socialist në Evropën Qendrore dhe Lindore. Shpërbërja e RFSJ, dhe futja e Kosovës në administrimin e dhunshëm të Serbisë e ka shkatërruar sistemin ekonomik dhe atë bankar edhe ashtu të pa qëndrueshëm që e kishte Kosova në kuadër të ish shtetit Jugosllav. Sistemi bankar në Kosovë gjatë viteve të fundit është transformuar krejtësisht, i drejtuar nga sistemi bankar me pronësi shtetërore në ish Jugosllavi, në një sistem bankar me pronësi private pas çlirimit. Dhe kështu bankave në Kosove iu është dashur të bëjnë …

Strategjitë E Orientimit Në Treg Tek Ndërmarrjet E Vogla Dhe Të Mëdha Në Kosovë, Agon Gashi

Theses and Dissertations

Që të mund të drejtoj afarizmin e vet drejt arritjes së caqeve të veta, ndërmarrja duhet të zhvilloj strategji e cila i mundëson asaj të përshatë afarizmin e vet ndryshimeve të vazhdueshme të tregut. Shpejtësia e përshtatjes së ndërmarrjes kushteve të reja të tregut varet nga pregaditja e ndërmarrjes për këto ndryshime. Afaristët largpamës parashikojnë sfidat dhe shanset që mund të sjellë zhvillimi i çdo situate të veçantë në treg. Ata përshtasin qëllimet afariste dhe përcaktojnë resurset e nevojshme për arritjen e këtyre qëllimeve. Zhvillimi i strategjive për qëndrueshmëri konkurruese në treg, implementimi i tyre, përshtatja e këtyre strategjive ndaj …

Investimet Në Sektorin Privat Dhe Zhvillimi I Qëndrueshëm, Dorina Hakaj

Theses and Dissertations

Është shumë i rëndësishëm zhvillimi ekonomik për një vend, e me zhvillim ekonomik kuptojmë rritje të kushteve të jetesës, rritje të të ardhurave, rritje në prodhimtari, kushte më të mira shëndetësore dhe arsimore etj. Kosova është një vend ku zhvillimi ekonomik lë shumë për t’u dëshiruar, e për zhvillimin e një vendi një rol të rëndësishëm luajnë investimet në sektorin privat dhe zhvillimi i qëndrueshëm i këtij sektori. Andaj ky punim trajton investimet në sektorin privat, me një theks të veçantë investimet e huaja direkte në këtë sektor. Investimet e huaja direkte luajnë një rol jetik në ekonominë e vendit …

Ndikimi I Politikave Doganore Në Zhvillimin E Bizneseve Në Kosovë, Bleron Krasniqi

Theses and Dissertations

Ekonomia e Kosovës varet shumë nga masat fiskale që i aplikon shteti.

Përmes Institucionit të doganës së Kosovës realizohet zbatimi i politikes fiskale dhe tregtare në vend, aplikimi i takses doganore luan një rolë shumë të rëndësishem ne trendet zhvillimore ekonomike të Kosovës.

Taksa doganore në Kosovë ka rol fikal, nga analiza e kryer (përmes intervistave të kryera me respondent të ndryshem) për këtë punim vijm në perfundim se roli fiskal duhet që në mënyrë graduale të ndryshoj në rolin ekonomik.

Kosova bënë pjesë në kategorin e vendeve që ende janë në tranzicion, ajo ka nje zhvillim të ngadalshem ekonomik. …

Influenca E Reklamës Dhe Preferenca E Markës, Jehon Kadrija

Theses and Dissertations

Qëllimi i këtij studimi është analizimi i influencës që ka reklama në preferencën e markës. Për të realizuar studimin është përdorur metodologji sasiore. Të dhënat primare janë mbledhur me anë të një pyetësori i cili përbëhet nga 17 pyetje dhe ndahet në tre seksione. Në seksionin e parë paraqiten të dhënat demografike. Seksioni i dytë përbëhet nga tetë pyetje të vlerësuara sipas shkallës likert nga 1-5, me anë të cilave vlerësohet influenca që kanë reklamat në blerjen e një marke dhe seksioni i tretë përbëhet nga 9 pyetje me anë të të cilave vlerësohen faktorët që ndikojnë në preferencën e …

Financial Analysis With Artificial Neural Networks Short-Term Stock Market Forecasting, Andrew Linzie

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Excerpt from Introduction

Seldom reward is absent from risk, and stock markets are a prime example. Stock markets across the world are viewed as profitable and risky at the same time. Companies have made a business out of forecasting these markets. Quantitative analysis companies use mathematicians, financial analysts, and computer scientists to compete in the stock market. The old days of floor trading have progressed towards high-frequency trading with supercomputers housed within the exchange. For example, the New York Stock exchange has created regulations for these companies so that there’s competitive equality. The computer’s power, length of cable to the …

Instilling Positive Beliefs About Organ Donation: An Information Processing Approach, Gerardo Jose Moreira

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The number of those seeking a kidney donation in the United States continues to increase while the number of donors is not growing at the same rate (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services USDHHS, 2010). The lack of donations is more prevalent in low health literate communities which suffer from misinformation and ultimately negative beliefs toward organ donation. Thus, it is important to understand how marketing efforts can effectively change individuals' beliefs about organ donation.

Drawing on the Self-Determination Theory and Schema Theory, I proposed that the effectiveness of health education programs, which is to motivate individuals to be …

Corporate Sponsorship And The Consumer Socialization Of African American Women Athletes: A Qualitative Study, Tahla Monique Wade

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

African-American consumption is a unique feature of the American consumer market. A characteristic of African American consumers is their participation in conspicuous consumption. A look into the sociological concept of consumer socialization can drive insight to what initiates purchases of this group. However, this is not studied as an evolving process. Over time, individuals may encounter several new influences that affect their consumer socialization and purchase behavior, including the possibility of corporate sponsorship. To explore this evolution, I examine if corporate sponsorships affect the consumer socialization of African-American women collegiate athletes. Fifteen NCAA Division I African-American women athletes from a …

Organizational Culture: An Analysis Of The Aggregate Impact On Financial Performance, Arijan Alagic

Honors Program Theses

Strong organizational culture, although an intangible asset, can produce tangible gains for businesses in the form of stock returns. This study uses Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in America to identify companies with strong organizational culture. Of those 100, I used the stock performance of 20 public companies who have (1) been on the list for at least 10 years and (2) have been publicly traded for at least 10 years. Each of the companies is assigned a matching industry sector and the returns are compared to the overall stock market, represented by the S&P 500. From …

Cedar Falls Community Main Street: A Gap Analysis Of Customer & Business Owner Perceptions, Cassie Evers

Honors Program Theses

Cedar Falls, Iowa is a small town of approximately 40,000 people, which has a traditional Main Street district, lined by historic buildings filled with shops, restaurants, offices, and apartments alike (“Current Cedar Falls, Iowa Population, Demographics and Stats”). This main street district is managed by an organization called Community Main Street. Cedar Falls Community Main Street (CMS) has done extensive research to gain an understanding of their market by surveying customers. However, they lack information on their business owners and managers’ opinions. This study focused on surveying area business owners to provide valuable information about business leaders’ opinions to Community …

The Impact Of Terrorism On Commercial Office Real Estate In Manhattan, Madeline M. O'Donnell

Honors Program Theses

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (“9/11”) caused major loss of human life, financial resources, and infrastructure. Within hours, over 30 million square feet of real estate in Downtown Manhattan was lost, creating an unprecedented change in supply and demand for real estate in the area. Hundreds of companies were directly affected by the loss of their offices and business fixtures, and were forced to quickly develop plans for how and where to resume work (“A Look at Former World Trade Center Tenants,” 2002). Property owners – many of whom owned the then damaged or nonexistent buildings as ground leases …

The Professional Development Of Students Through Global Experiences, Myle Duong

Honors Program Theses

As globalization increases from advancing technologies and innovation, more businesses are entering the international market. With this, comes a demand for a culturally competent workforce. To possess cross cultural skills, college students must develop Cultural Intelligence. According to the Cultural Intelligence Center, Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is defined as the ability to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. Research shows that college students who go abroad have a higher probability of standing out to employers due to the knowledge and risks associated with going global, and make further efforts to immerse themselves in cultures (10 Benefits to Studying Abroad). …

The Business Of Fraud, Jessica Marie Berkshire

Honors Program Theses

This paper will focus on fraud within companies in order to discover overarching themes of why, when, and where corporate fraud occurs. Fraud has significant financial, economic, and social implications that negatively impact a company’s business standing. Research will be based on recent frauds that have been tried through the United States Attorney’s office. Correlations will be drawn regarding the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (COSO) framework, which is a foundation for companies who want to improve their internal controls. Based on the comparisons between the COSO framework and recent fraud activity, individual COSO principles can be …

Destination Cork : A New Frontier For The Culinary Curious Tourist, Catherine Fitzgibbon

Theses

Food is an important aspect in creating tourism destinations and can be perceived as an immensely influential attraction for tourism. There are excellent examples of destinations that brand themselves through food tourism, using this special-interest area as a strategy to develop regional tourism and ultimately, increase tourist numbers. However, not all destinations use food tourism as a strategic branding strategy. One such example is Cork in Ireland. While having an excellent food offering, food is not a primary tourism activity in the region’s destination branding strategy.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of branding Cork as …

Consumer Response To Table Spacing In A Fast-Casual Restaurant, Howard B. Clark Iii

Theses and Dissertations--Retailing and Tourism Management

The purpose of this research was to evaluate consumer response based on two distances (12 and 24 inches) between tables in a fast-casual restaurant. An onsite survey was conducted to measure customers’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to questions on pleasure, privacy, stress, arousal, comfort, control, customer satisfaction, and future dining intentions based on their experience with the table spacing. Results showed that table spacing has an effect on diner’s pleasure, feelings of privacy, and sense of comfort and control. The results confirmed a strong correlation between customer satisfaction and future behavioral intentions.