Business Commons^™

Enhancing Stakeholder Collaboration In Indonesian-Owned Businesses In The United States, Renny Yulistia Adystiani

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This research examines stakeholder engagement strategies among Indonesian restaurant owners in the United States, focusing on their operational success and business sustainability. Using a qualitative methodology, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected restaurant owners to investigate how they integrate stakeholder interests into business strategies, leverage government support, and adapt engagement practices across different sectors. The findings reveal three key challenges: insufficient frameworks for integrating stakeholder interests with business strategies, inadequate government support mechanisms, and inconsistent stakeholder engagement practices. The study identified successful informal approaches to stakeholder management, particularly in balancing cultural authenticity with market demands. However, it …

Integrating Quantum Computing In High-Frequency Trading: A Project Management Approach, Dhwani Patel, Dhwani Patel

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores the integration of quantum computing in high-frequency trading (HFT) from a project management perspective. As quantum computing emerges as a transformative technology, its potential to revolutionize financial markets, particularly HFT, necessitates structured approaches to manage the associated complexities and risks. Agile methodologies are examined as a solution to bridge the gap between the rapid development cycles of quantum software and the high-speed requirements of trading algorithms. The study employs a qualitative research approach, incorporating expert interviews and literature analysis to identify the challenges and opportunities of implementing quantum computing in HFT. The research reveals that while quantum …

Rural Entrepreneurship In Upper Egyptian Communities: Exploring The Intervention Of Agri-Tech Startups, Marwa Wael Abohamda Hulail

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and economic disturbance have changed the state of the world and increased the dependence on digitization in running people's daily life. In Egypt, the economic instability and climate change have affected people’s standard of living, making it challenging to sustain their life, especially in the agriculture sector. Farmers have been affected by the risks of climate change, economic shocks, and trends of digitization, which have impacted their profit, employability, and livelihood.

Several Egyptian Agri-tech startups were launched to support the farmers in the digital revolution that came to agriculture, attempting to make a change in the Egyptian farming …

The Effect Of Financial Inclusion On Inflation: Implications From Low And High Financially Developed Economies, Rita Fouda

Theses and Dissertations

This paper studies the effect of financial inclusion on inflation in high and low financially developed countries. The author utilizes country-level annual data of 83 world economies covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The Generalized Method of Moments is utilized to estimate the relationship between six financial inclusion indicators and inflation while combating the endogeneity and heteroskedasticity present in the data. Other macroeconomic variables are added to the model to limit the omitted variables bias. At a second stage, the same relationship is tested using a self-constructed financial inclusion index. The results of the study reveal that when testing …

The Role Of Business Viability Assessments In Microcredit - The Case Of Egypt, Ahmed Fadl

Theses and Dissertations

This paper aims to examine the role of business assessments of microfinance applicants and its correlation with microbusiness success as measured in income generated. The key research question of this study is: How do the results of business viability assessments influence the income generated by these businesses? The research methodology used in this study is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research includes in-depth interviews with 10 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in five governorates (Al-Sharqia, Assiut, Beni Suef, Giza, and Minya) across Egypt. The quantitative research includes an interviewer-administered questionnaire of 151 micro-business owners who have been in …

Analysis Of Disparities Within The Ncaa’S Name, Image, And Likeness Rule, Madison Salzenstein

Honors Theses

Abstract

This paper analyzes disparities with the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Rule. The 2021 introduction of the NIL Rule was a landmark event, allowing college athletes to profit from their personal brand. While NIL has resulted in many positive opportunities for college athletes, it is not without fault. Specifically, this thesis will explain how NIL amounts differ between both male and female athletes and revenue and non-revenue sports, and will explain the key factors contributing to the disparity in each area.

Using data obtained from the NCAA’s NIL Assist Data Dashboard for the period January through December 2024, …

From Climate To Contracts: Advancing Temperature Options Pricing, Karim Hussein

Theses and Dissertations

Whether it's building dams to control rivers, crafting garments to withstand cold, or the simple act of carrying an umbrella, these actions reflect humanity's precautionary behavior to adapt to nature. Weather derivatives are an extension of this adaptive behavior of the humankind seeking to hedge against weather related risks. A recent example that motivated this work is the loss of revenue incurred by Egypt during the six- day closure of the Suez Canal caused by the wedging of large vessel due to bad weather conditions. In this thesis, we model and price a temperature-based weather contract, using a dataset of …

Exploring The Perceived Importance Of Servant Leadership Core Characteristics By Direct Support Professionals Serving Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Massachusetts, Timothy Johnson

JWU Dissertations & Theses

This research examined servant leadership in academic literature indicating that its framework can be uniquely effective in human services, contributing to an enhanced employee experience, stronger retention, and improved service outcomes. In the human services sector for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), there is a workforce crisis of direct support professionals (DSPs) that is forecast to worsen by age-based projections (Lin et al., 2015; Pettingell et al., 2022). Turnover of DSPs in the IDD sector has remained high for a quarter century, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with DSPs leaving the workforce (Desroches & Tyo, 2023; …

The Relationship Between Anthropometric Sizing, Fit Issues, And Return Rates In Plus-Size Women's Apparel, Cassondra Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retail business owners remain concerned with apparel sizing and return sales, as sizing is a frequent predictor of apparel returns and decreased revenue. Grounded in new product development theory (NPD), the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric apparel sizing standards, sizing and fit issues, and return sales. The participants were 89 women’s bridal apparel owners and leaders within the retail business sector who completed a 5-point Likert-type survey. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, 3, 85) = 32.301, p < .001, R2 = .533. In the final model, there were two predictors which were significant, sizing and fit (t = 9.718, p = <.001, ß = .735) and sizing standards (t = 2.478, p = .01, ß = .205). A key recommendation is for retail business leaders to acknowledge the growth in the U.S. female apparel consumer. Further, the alignment of sizing standards and product offerings provides functional apparel and mitigates return sales due to sizing. The implications for positive social change include the potential for the apparel industry to acknowledge the growing complexity of women’s sizing, which is influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds and body types. This shift could promote greater inclusivity, enhance consumer confidence, reduce return rates, and foster broader acceptance of diverse female body types within the industry.

The Relationship Between Percentage Of Layoffs, Company Age, And Earnings Per Share In Tech Firms, Demarco Dejion Pope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business owners and investors are concerned that layoff announcements and company age may negatively impact earnings per share (EPS), reducing investor confidence and ultimately lowering stock performance. This decline in stock value can affect a company’s ability to attract investment and sustain long-term growth. Grounded in the prospect theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between the percentage of layoffs, company age, and earnings per share. The participants were 107 technology firms with at least 1,000 employees on the NASDAQ Stock Index that initiated layoffs during the 2021–2022 calendar years. The data was collected …

Experiences Of Minority Workers: A Three-Study Dissertation Evaluating Recruitment And Workplace Experiences For Minority Workers, Jennifer Saucedo

Dissertations and Theses

Through a series of three manuscripts, the dissertation explores the experiences of minority groups across different points of the employee life cycle. As minority employees often face a negative set of unique stressors inside and outside of work, this series of papers attempt to further our understanding of minority experiences during the organizational stages of recruitment and retention. The first manuscript tests the effects of recruitment material on pre-hire applicant outcomes for minorities by integrating literature on realistic job previews (RJPs) and diversity recruitment. The experimental study finds that leader diversity testimonials that provide a mix of positive and negative …

Exploring Leadership In Physical Therapy: How Clarity, Connection, And Communication Influence Team Engagement, Burnout, And Achieving Organizational Objectives, Jason Collin

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how highly effective PT leaders use the three competencies of HPTs (clarity, connection, and communication) to increase engagement, prevent burnout, and achieve organizational objectives. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that highly effective PT leaders perceive the three HPTE core competencies impact their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: The mixed methods study identified and described eight PT leaders’ perceptions of how they use clarity, connection, and communication to build and sustain HPTs. PT leaders were selected through purposive and snowball …

Comprehensive Data-Driven Analysis Of Nyc Real Estate Transactions: Insights Into Pricing Dynamics, Neighborhood Evolution, And Socioeconomic Influences, Ruiming Xu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project provides a comprehensive analysis of New York City’s real estate market, focusing on its historical evolution, shifting demographics, and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing trends. Utilizing data from trusted sources like Zillow, the NYC Department of Finance, and the U.S. Census Bureau, the study investigates how property values have changed over time, highlights neighborhoods undergoing notable transformations, and identifies the economic, cultural, and social factors driving these changes. The research aims to reveal the complex forces shaping the market while offering insights into its future direction and the reasons behind current trends. A key …

The Jamaica Now Leadership Council: A Study Of Stakeholder Participation In The Revitalization Of Downtown Jamaica, Queens, Melva M. Miller

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Urban revitalization in the United States has often been characterized by uneven community development, where marginalized communities bear the costs while receiving limited benefits. This dissertation examines how the dynamics of stakeholder participation impacts the practice of Community Economic Development (CED), focusing on the Jamaica Now Leadership Council (JNLC) as a case study. Formed to oversee the Jamaica Now Neighborhood Action Plan, the JNLC represents a model of inclusive, stakeholder-driven urban development aimed at addressing historical disinvestment and promoting equitable economic growth in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.

The study explores how power dynamics, stakeholder histories, and role expectations shape participation in …

The Elephant (And Donkey) In The Room: The Effects Of Political Ideology On Diversity Training Effectiveness, Luke P. Kayga

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In recent years, the prevalence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings in organizations has grown significantly (Wang et al., 2024). DEI trainings are typically designed with the purpose of educating organizational members on DEI-related content and promoting feelings of inclusion in the workplace (Devine & Ash, 2022). Much like many other types of organizational training efforts, the effectiveness of DEI trainings is contingent on a variety of input factors. One such factor that has been extensively covered in the broader training literature but relatively understudied in DEI training research is trainee characteristics. Since DEI trainings are values-based, ethically prescriptive …

Synchronizing Work And Teaching Practices With The Spatial Dna Of Distributed Work And Learning, Manju Aishwarya Adikesavan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Phygitality, the seamless and synergistic integration of physical and digital realms, is an indispensable and irrevocable part of contemporary office-based work. Phygitality facilitates spatially and temporally distributed or multi-local working where employees work from diverse locations such as their home, office, and third places at any time of day or night. It also makes nonterritorial working at temporary workspaces accessed on a session-by-session basis possible.

This dissertation examines how phygital, multi-local, and nonterritorial working reshape individual and group work behaviors, organizational spatial practices, work-centric settings, non-work-centric settings, neighborhoods, cities, and regions. The Spatial DNA of Distributed Work encapsulates a conceptual …

Beauty Comes With A Price: But How Much Is It Worth It, Fabliha Afia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The global skincare market, valued at 104.24 billion dollars in the year 2022, is very heterogeneous, ranging from prestige brands to more drugstore types. Even when the same key ingredients are present, the latter often sells for much higher due to branding and packaging and the aura of prestige created. This capstone project entitled "Beauty comes with a price: but how much is it worth?" investigates if such higher costs are justified due to superior quality or are driven by non-functional factors. It systematically compared the high-end versus drugstore skincare products in categories like sunscreens, serums, and exfoliants with respect …

How Strategic Investors Drive The Transformation And Upgrading Of China's Automotive Industry, Gongwei Wang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation conducts a systematic study on the successful transformation and upgrading of China's automotive industry over the past decade, especially the remarkable progress made in the field of Electric and Intelligent Vehicles, and examines how China's automotive industry chain has seized the historical opportunity of the great transformation of the global automotive industry by “Four Modernizations”—electrification, intelligentization, lightweighting and modularization along the path of "Independent Innovation", and realized the overall improvement of both corporate performance and industrial strength under the synergy of strategic investors.

China has newly become the world's largest automotive exporter and successfully built up an advantageous …

Venture Capital, Marketization, And Corporate Innovation Performance, Jia Dong

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The paper explores the impact of venture capital (VC) on the innovation performance of companies listed on the ChiNext and STAR markets of China’s A-share market. By examining the effect of VC involvement on the number of patent applications and patents granted to listed companies, the study reveals the role of VC in promoting corporate innovation and its potential mechanisms. The research finds that venture capital significantly enhances firms’ innovation performance through increased R&D investment and management incentives. Additionally, the degree of marketisation, as an important external factor, significantly amplifies the positive impact of VC on corporate innovation.

The paper …

Research On The Implementation Path Of Digital Transformation In Manufacturing Enterprises: A Case Study Of An Aluminum Deep Processing Company, Yanhong Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Currently, the internal conditions and external environment for the development of China’s manufacturing industry are undergoing profound and complex changes, and face new opportunities and challenges. In this context, why do manufacturing enterprises need to urgently carry out digital transformation, and the motivations, paths, values and criteria for the success for digital transformation all need to be systematically analyzed and studied?

This paper takes a certain aluminum deep-processing company as an example, focusing on the development strategies of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. A maturity model of digital transformation for aluminum deep-processing company is constructed through literature research, qualitative …

Exploring The Trust Paradox: Adoption Dynamics Of Family Trusts Among Chinese High-Net-Worth Individuals, Janet Jing Di Zhang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This research explores the adoption dynamics of family trusts among Chinese High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), focusing on the key barriers and facilitating factors. Despite the formal recognition of family trusts in China under its Trust Law (2001), the adoption rate remains low. This paradox is addressed through a comparative study between Chinese HNWIs in China and those in Canada, examining the impact of legal, regulatory, and cultural factors on adoption rates. By employing a two-stage quantitative approach, the research develops a Trust Adoption Model that incorporates factors like perceived benefits, professional trust, complexity, and regulatory transparency. The study identifies significant barriers …

Leadership Practices For High-Performing Teams: Insights From Senior Military General Officers And Flag Officers, Kimberly Mitchell

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how senior military general officers and flag officers (GOFOs) used the three competencies of high-performance teams (HPTs; clarity, connection, and communication) to achieve objectives in their organizations. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that senior military GOFOs perceived the three high-performance team effect (HPTE) core competencies impacted their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: This mixed methods study identified and described nine senior military officers’ perceptions of strategies to lead HPTs while focusing on the three core competencies: clarity, connection, and …

Esg Significance In Relation To Corporate Bankruptcy Prediction, Sama Elkady

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to enhance corporate risk assessment through studying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) significance in modeling bankruptcy. Through using artificial intelligence’ natural language processing (NLP), we develop a proxy for ESG scoring based on companies annual reporting retrieved through EDGAR. We integrate the derived ESG score with traditional financial ratios used to calculate Altman’s Z-score (1968) in predicting bankruptcy. Through S&P’s Compustat, we obtain a sample of 108 healthy & bankrupt firms -spanning 14 years of fiscal observations- and match them through time and industry. We use stepwise GLM regression to estimate bankruptcy probability observing that ESG and …

Expectations Versus Reality In New Cairo's Gated Communities: An Interdisciplinary Analysis Of Socio-Spatial Features, Ala'a Marwan

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to introduce a new framework to identify the disparities between gated community residents’ experiences and real estate developers' visions towards the development. As New Cairo experiences significant growth, many residents are increasingly relocating to gated communities. It has become crucial to assess users’ expectations before moving and their lived experience post-moving to allocate the gaps between their expectations and reality, otherwise, the GC developments will grow apart from users’ updated preferences. The research focuses on the socio-spatial qualities such as accessibility to services and facilities, community interaction, and vast green areas between buildings for privacy, all of …

Spam, Solidarity, And Roving Pickets: The Hormel P-9 Strike Of 1985-86 In Iowa, Scott Pate

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

In the 1980s, the labor movement reached a crossroads with economic changes and corporate restructuring challenging the effectiveness of New Deal labor unions. Meatpacking proved one of the hardest-hit industries, with laborers accepting concessions that jeopardized their quality of life. The Hormel P-9 Strike of 1985-86 exemplifies the rank-and-file’s struggle against neoliberalism and status quo business unionism. Rachleff’s Hard-Pressed in the Heartland argues for the importance of the P-9 as a social movement, placing the conflict within the context of the American labor movement, while Stromquist and Warren indicate the importance of Iowa labor when evaluating labor issues in the …

A Socioeconomic Analysis Of Fashion Entrepreneurs And The Use Of Self-Branding To Influence Consumer Behavior, Jasmine Gibbs-Stepter

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The fashion industry is widely recognized as a significant sector within the global economy, crucially driving trends, creating jobs, and shaping culture. Despite its prominence, entrepreneurs from marginalized socioeconomic backgrounds often encounter considerable hurdles in establishing their businesses and sustaining them over time. These challenges manifest in various forms, including access to vital financial resources, insufficient networking opportunities, and restricted entry into lucrative markets, making it difficult for these entrepreneurs to compete in a dynamic and competitive landscape.

The rise of social media, with platforms like Instagram leading the charge, has ushered in a new era for fashion entrepreneurs. As …

Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Job Satisfaction Among Staff In Private Child Care Agencies, Carmin Marie Johnson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Leadership styles and behaviors can impact employees' job performance and satisfaction. Murari and Mukherjee (2021), highlight that “building trust, clear vision, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, self-awareness, transparency, individualized consideration, wisdom and knowledge, and congruent values” (p. 3612); are the faces of transformational leadership. Positive or negative behaviors can significantly affect job performance and total job satisfaction. The behavior of leadership has a significant impact on the success of employees and organizations. Leadership behavior affects many organizations, such as schools, community organizations, governmental organizations, and private agencies. Creswell (2012) describes correlational design as a form of research that uses data analysis …

Break It Down - Examining Paradigmatic Shifts And Intersectional Devaluation Through Quantitative Exploration: Martial Arts And Narrative Inquiry As Pathways For Community Wellness Programming, Kenisha Coy

Educational Studies Dissertations

Despite growing awareness of health disparities and social exclusion, there remains a significant gap in understanding how devaluation affects both individual well-being and broader community cohesion. Historically, mental health services have been dominated by clinical settings, such as hospitals and private practices, yet this approach has limitations in reaching underserved populations. "Alternative" and "non-traditional" wellness practices offer promising avenues for promoting emotional well-being outside these traditional settings, leveraging community resources and social support networks, yet they are often overlooked and devalued. This dissertation addresses this gap by exploring the complex connections between devaluation, health outcomes, and community engagement/social capital. Using …

Evaluation Of Financial Risk Protection Provided By Private Health Insurance In Malaysia, Ng Rui Jie

Student Works (2020-2029)

Private health insurance (PHI) has emerged as an alternative health financing option to public health financing, with the goal of achieving and maintaining universal health coverage. Despite its growing prominence, there is ongoing debate about the extent to which PHI contributes to financial risk protection. In Malaysia, the prevalence of PHI coverage has increased due to factors such as an expanding affluent demographic, government encouragement, and challenges in public healthcare delivery. However, there have been very limited studies assessing the financial risk protection provided by PHI in Malaysia, making this a critical gap that this research aims to address. To …

Leadership’S Impact On Employees’ Perception Of Their Safety Culture In A Public Transportation Organization, Paul Hadley

Dissertations

Purpose: This nonexperimental quantitative study aimed to examine the relationship between various leadership styles using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ; Bass & Avolio, 1995) and employees’ perceptions of their organization’s safety culture based on a developed Safety Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) within the context of a public transportation agency. Methodology: This study used a quantitative approach to collect data from employees in a public transportation agency. Leadership characteristics were assessed using the MLQ, which is a self-report tool designed to measure three distinct leadership styles. The employees’ MLQ scores were correlated with their results on the SPQ, which evaluates perceptions of …