Business Commons^™

Moderating Effects Of Institutional Logics On Strategic Response To Coercive Institutional Change, Leon Paul Weeks

Business Administration Dissertations - Archive

Using institutional theory, the study examines the relationship between compliance behaviors and attitudes of small business owners and managers toward external coercive institutional change pressures. Organizations can experience conflicting institutional pressures (Pache & Santos, 2010). Variation in change pressures suggest heterogeneous impacts from institutional demands for change (e.g. Herremans, Herschovis, & Bertels, 2009). This study traces Internal Revenue Service regulatory, normative and cognitive-cultural changes targeting the tax preparation industry and examines the relationship between owner/managers attitudes about the changes and their compliance behaviors. Additionally this study traces the historical development of commercial and professional institutional logics in tax preparation and …

Resources, Innovative Outcomes, And The Symbolic And Substantive Performance Of Entrepreneurial Firms: An Examination Of Independent Popular Music Artists, John A. Deleon

Management Dissertations - Archive

The importance of innovation to the success of entrepreneurial firms has been well established in prior work. Yet, important gaps still remain. I draw from the innovation literature, the resource-based view, and institutional theory in order to address how entrepreneurial firms are able to find success through innovation in competitive environments. Specifically, following Penrose’s (1959) approach to the resource-based view, I argue that two resource categories, creativity-related resources and management-related resources, form antecedent conditions for innovative outcomes. I divide these innovative outcomes into two separate components, innovative output and innovative uniqueness. Further, I argue that innovative output and innovative uniqueness …

Data Visualization In Exploratory Data Analysis: An Overview Of Methods And Technologies, Yingsen Mao

Business Administration Theses - Archive

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) refers to an iterative process through which analysts constantly ‘ask questions’ and extract knowledge from data. EDA is becoming more and more important for modern data analysis, such as business analytics and business intelligence, as it greatly relaxes the statistical assumption required by its counterpart—confirmation data analysis (CDA), and involves analysts directly in the data mining process. However, exploratory visual analysis, as the central part of EDA, requires heavy data manipulations and tedious visual specifications, which might impede the EDA process if the analyst has no guidelines to follow. In this paper, we present a framework …

Influencing Donor Decision-Making: An Examination Of Situational Determinants That Impact Donation, Floyd Kristopher

Marketing Dissertations - Archive

Research around donor decision-making has shown the importance of understanding why donors make decisions. However, much less research exists explaining how donors make decisions. Set against the backdrop of online websites and in the context of donation, this dissertation examines how web characteristics, as situational determinants, influence donor decisions. Situational determinants are influences that arise because of a specific situation where a consumer is using the product or brand; these are instances that extend beyond the basic tendencies or traits of the consumer (Belk 1974). This could be a behavioral setting, a space, or a time (Belk 1974); other situational …

The International Humanity Foundation Co-Director Training Program, Indonesia: Supporting International Volunteers, Christina Darling

Capstone Collection

The following capstone paper takes a critical look at international volunteer programs and the potential negative consequences these programs may inadvertently have on the host community. The current volunteer Co-Director program at the International Humanity Foundations (IHF) is an archetype of this phenomenon. This paper examines the ways in which IHF falls short in achieving its mission and warns of the possible neo-colonial impact its Western volunteers may be having on the local communities around IHF’s centers.

The International Humanity Foundation Co-Director Training Program, Indonesia has been created in an effort strengthen IHF’s existing program by minimizing any negative impacts …

The Time Frames Of New Venture Teams., Jason D’Mello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The central research question in this dissertation is: how do an individual’s perceptions of time impact a new venture team? Specifically, the study examined whether or not temporal depth relates to how reactive entrepreneurs may be to the environmental changes and threats that they face in their new venture team. I interviewed two cofounders from 40 new venture teams. The results suggest that cofounders in the same new venture team have very different perceptions of time. Their agreement, or congruence of temporal depth (future, past, and total) impacts their new venture team’s perception regarding environmental hostility. This relationship is negatively …

Spare Parts On Demand Using Additive Manufacturing : A Simulation Model For Cost Evaluation., Stefan Jedeck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the impact of additive manufacturing in the spare part supply chain. A few studies are available, but they focus on specific parts and their applications only. A general model, which can be adapted to different applications, is nonexistent. This dissertation proposes a decision making framework that enables an interested practitioner/manager to decide whether using additive manufacturing to make spare parts on demand is economical when compared to conventional warehousing strategy. The framework consists of two major components: a general discrete event simulation model and a process of designing a wide range of simulation scenarios. The goal …

Raportet E Auditimit Dhe Rëndësia Në Vendimmarrje, Ardiana Krasniqi

Theses and Dissertations

Ky punim ka si qëllim përshkrimin e raporteve të auditimit dhe rëndësinë e tyre në vendimmarrje. Duke u bazuar në literature dhe në publikime të ndryshme, janë bërë përpjekje që punimi të përshkruhet në mënyre sa më të mirë. Përmes auditimit arrihet procesi i mbledhjes dhe krijimit të argumenteve mbi veprimtarinë ekonomike. Auditimi është procedurë e vlerësimit dhe vërtetimit të raporteve financiare, në bazë të të cilave jepet mendim profesional dhe i pavarur mbi gjendjen reale objektive dhe financiare, rezultateve financiare dhe rrjedhës së parasë. Veprimtaria e auditimit ka rol të rëndësishëm në vendimmarrje, sepse vlerësohen rreziqe, dhe jepen rekomandime …

Data Visualization In Exploratory Data Analysis: An Overview Of Methods And Technologies, Yingsen Mao

Information Systems & Operations Management Theses - Archive

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) refers to an iterative process through which analysts constantly ‘ask questions’ and extract knowledge from data. EDA is becoming more and more important for modern data analysis, such as business analytics and business intelligence, as it greatly relaxes the statistical assumption required by its counterpart—confirmation data analysis (CDA), and involves analysts directly in the data mining process. However, exploratory visual analysis, as the central part of EDA, requires heavy data manipulations and tedious visual specifications, which might impede the EDA process if the analyst has no guidelines to follow. In this paper, we present a framework …

An Investigation Into The Efficacy Of Mind Maps In Software Development Among Individuals And Pairs, Philip L. Bond

Information Systems & Operations Management Theses - Archive

Software development is a cognitively demanding endeavor in which the creation and exchange of knowledge is paramount. Collaborative development, particularly pair programming, has been more advocated and adopted recently by practitioners. However, empirical studies have not categorically established the efficacy of pairs vis-à-vis individuals in software design contexts. In fact, recent findings suggest that pairs seldom outperform best individuals although they tend to do better than average individuals. Group losses arising from lack of coordination and/or communication could be a plausible explanation for this. The extant literature suggests that Mind Maps have the potential to graphically capture concepts and their …

The Effects Of Gender Differences In Networking On Pay Equity And Leadership Opportunities, Mackenzie L. Kiser

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This report was undertaken in an effort to establish the causes of gender differences in pay and leadership achievement in the United States. The report attempted to add a fresh perspective to the issues of the Wage Gap and Glass Ceiling by analyzing differences between the networking habits of male and female professionals and whether they are responsible for gender inequalities. Through an online survey of 55 professionals, it was established that high income individuals were invited to more organized networking opportunities than low income individuals (p=0.103) and attended significantly more organized networking events than low income individuals(p=0.094) and men …

Factors Affecting Guest Satisfaction In The Restaurant Industry Of South Mississippi, Kinsey M. Eiland

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect guest services in the restaurant industry of South Mississippi as examined from the line level employee. This satisfaction can include things in the servicescape (e.g. noise level, parking availability) as well as the service support that a waiter receives from their coworkers and supervisors. By combining a research model that examines the guest server exchange with a typical guest satisfaction questionnaire, the researcher developed a two part internet survey to be administered to both restaurant patrons as well as line level employees working in the restaurant industry. The …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Study Styles And Demographics Across Multiple Accounting Class Levels, Savannah B. Hooper

Honors Theses

Approaches to learning are elemental to a student’s learning outcomes. Prior research indicates that accounting students with a deep learning approach have a more successful student learning outcome than do accounting students with a surface learning approach. Accounting accreditation and regulatory agencies have recommended that coursework be directed towards more critical thinking and real-life preparation of students. These characteristics are indicative of the deep learning approach. After ascertaining the learning approach adopted by introductory, intermediate, and advance accounting students at a public university with a main and satellite campus, this paper reports on demographic characteristics that may impact a student’s …

The Future Of Community Banks And Their Role In The Changing Economy, Alisha R. Defatta

Honors Theses

This paper is a survey of the current literature concerning community banks, the current challenges faced by community banks, and the role community banks play in the economy. Currently technological and regulatory changes are creating challenges for community banks. To combat these issues many community banks are increasing their merger and acquisition activity to avoid closing. This objective of this paper is to discuss the reasons community banks are so important to our economy and to define the hardships they are currently facing. It is also important to identify the next steps we should take to ensure the stability of …

Essays On Technology-Mediated Training: Implications For Design And Evaluation, Vishal Satyapal Shah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information technology (IT) is increasingly used to impart a variety training skills, and these skills may range from specific software application operations and computer programming to learning about generic business processes. Using IT to assist training is broadly termed “Technology-Mediated Learning” (TML). Following the three essay model, this dissertation examines training interventions in the context of TML. In Essay 1, a thorough literature survey of technology training in Information Systems (IS) was conducted, resulting in clarification of the nomenclature used in TML. Essay 1 also identified of two leading theories used in TML research: (a) Social cognitive theory (SCT) (b) …

A Comparison Of Athletic Identity And Career Maturity Of Female Student-Athletes At Different Levels Of Competition, Simeon Hinsey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between the athletic identity and career maturity of women’s basketball student-athletes. Differences in athletic identity and career maturity were also investigated based on a women’s basketball student-athlete’s level of competition, race, year in school, socioeconomic status, and professional athletic career aspirations. In order to examine the relationship between these variables, a convenience sample of 209 women’s basketball student-athletes from NCAA Division I (n = 62), NCAA Division II (n = 40), NCAA Division III (n = 50), and NAIA (n = 57) institutions located in the southeastern region of the United States participated in the …

Student Perception Of Barriers To Study Abroad, Jessica Walker

HIM 1990-2015

Studying abroad during the collegiate experience is an idea sought by the many high school seniors and college freshmen alike. The social, intellectual, and cultural benefits received from participating makes it a seemingly easy decision. Yet, lack of action plagues the nation as there exists a miniscule number of students who follow through with their desire to study abroad. Prior research exemplifies that students rely on the perceptions of their peers and family when approaching an unfamiliar subject. These perceptions result in concocted barriers that dissuade the student from participating in study abroad before they seek concrete information. There are …

An Examination Of U.S. Restaurant Firms' Internationalization In A Risk Context, Soyeon Jung

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this dissertation is to advance the theoretical and practical understanding

of the relationship between publicly traded U.S. restaurant firms’ internationalization as a

corporate strategy and risks using a comprehensive set of risk measures: 1) market-based risk (i.e., systematic and unsystematic risk) and 2) accounting-based risk (i.e., standard deviation of return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and earnings per share (EPS) during the period of 2000-2013. This dissertation further investigates linear, nonlinear, and lagged effects of internationalization on restaurant firms’ risks. In summary, the findings of this dissertation reveal that internationalization tends to mitigate systematic risk, …

Transformational Leadership Increases Self-Determination And Positively Impacts Hospitality Frontline Employees, Xiao Zhang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This professional paper presents literature by exploring the role of self-determination theory between the relationship of transformational leadership and hospitality employees’ well-being. It integrates the present research on leadership style, needs theory and well-being and provides useful and meaningful information for executives and organizations who are dedicated to improve employees’ well-being.

Servant Leadership And Related Issues In Chinese Hotel Industry, Yiqing Wang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Because of the economy growth and the Open Door Policy, Chinese hotel industry was under a huge expansion. Since more and more western customers are visiting and Chinese customers are having more hotel experience abroad, the service Chinese hotels used to provide dose not meet the standard anymore. So the managers and leaders need to find an appropriate approach to encourage their employees to improve the service to their customers. This research went through over 40 articles about Chinese hotel industry and Chinese culture and found out that servant leadership style should be the best approach to engage the employees.

Assessment Of Orthodontic Patients' Preferences Regarding Treatment From General Dentists Or Orthodontists, Brian Robert Wilde

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study evaluated how parents of prospective orthodontic patients choose between taking their child to a general dentist or an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. It also looked at which factors influence patients’ satisfaction with the progress of treatment and likelihood to refer other patients to the practice. This study included two phases. The first phase was a qualitative assessment of the decision making process through conducting and analyzing focus groups. The second phase was the development and administration of a nationwide online survey regarding the topics covered in the focus groups. Influential factors in the decision making process fell into …

The Dove® Campaign For Real Beauty: What’S Next For Inclusivity?, Kelly Indermill

Journalism

This study analyzes the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, examining the brand’s overall implementation of the campaign, as well as its successes and failures. More than ten years after the launch of Dove’s first campaign, the advertising world has greatly evolved. In an ever-changing media world, Dove took the first step towards an attempt at an all-inclusive advertising campaign. This study examines the degree to which Dove’s innovative campaign set the bar for future advertisements. It demonstrates the importance of corporate social responsibility, brand management, inclusivity and the two-way symmetrical communication model.

To Be Or Not To Be Satisfied: Examining Job Satisfaction Of Entry-Level Residence Life Professionals At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Evingerlean D. Blakney

Dissertations

Research on historically Black college and universities (HBCUs) as institutions of higher education is limited. There is even less scholarship that brings forth an understanding of student affairs at these institutions. A gap in the higher education, student affairs, residence life, and job satisfaction literature suggested a need for research on residence life professionals at HBCUs. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine job satisfaction of entry-level residence life professionals at HBCUs. For this study, the researcher looked for factors that contributed to overall job satisfaction and further examined the roles of both gender and public or private …

Pubhub: A Mobile Application Business Plan, Zachary T. Washam

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

PubHub is a mobile application designed to address point-of-sale inefficiencies at bars. This business plan details our strategy for product design, marketing, financing, and eventual acquisition. We address key legal and competitive risks and project five years of pro-forma financial statements based on comparable firms.

Private Labels Related To Time & Risk Preferences, Darryn Taylor

Honors Theses

Purpose: This paper explores the linkages between demographics, time preferences, and risk preferences of private label food products.

Design/methodology/approach: More than 600 adults were surveyed on their perceptions of private labels, hedonic traits, and impulsive consumption along with their time and risk preferences.

Findings: Time preference and hedonic trait are relevant to consumer’s private label preferences.

Originality/Value: By developing measures on time and risk preferences relating to demographics, this thesis provides more detailed explanations of the consumer’s willingness to use private label brands. The scales that were developed for measuring time and risk preferences have not been previously used in …

Analysis Of The Prospect.3 Conference “Thirty Years Of Meaning And Influence - Flash Of The Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy By Robert Farris Thompson”: An Internship Report, Sarah Elizabeth Story

Arts Administration Master's Reports (1984-2016)

In 2008, Prospect New Orleans (Prospect) launched the first internationally contemporary art biennial in the United States with a goal to articulate new discoveries in the world of art with historical and culturally significant surroundings. In its fourth iteration in 2014 and with a new staff borne of past successes and failures, which included near-dissolution from financial difficulty, Prospect.3: Notes for Now (Prospect.3) ambitiously expanded with additional artists, venues, and programs. “Thirty Years of Meaning and Influence - Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy by Robert Farris Thompson” was an international conference that was one of …

New Orleans Opera Association: An Internship Report, Sarah Mccall

Arts Administration Master's Reports (1984-2016)

As one of the requirements to complete a Master of Arts in Arts Administration, this internship report presents a thorough discussion and analysis of my experience as an intern with the New Orleans Opera Association between May 2015 and August 2015. The focus of the internship was production, and the report reflects this emphasis. In addition, the report presents an overview of the organization, a SWOT analysis, and a discussion of best practices with recommendations for the organization’s improvement.

An Internship Report On The Ogden Museum Of Southern Art, Grace Rennie

Arts Administration Master's Reports (1984-2016)

The following internship report is a reflection of my time spent working at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art from February 2 to June 2, 2015. Since gaining a new Executive Director in 2012, the Museum has gone through a period of rapid change, which resulted in a complete overhaul of staff structure during my tenure. This report will outline the structure of the Museum, discuss the factors that led to it changing, and evaluate its sustainability for the Museum moving forward. It will also discuss the marketing and communications mechanisms in place, with a specific focus on social media, …

Bowery Presents: South (Internship Report), Olivia Rose Alman

Arts Administration Master's Reports (1984-2016)

This internship report documents the for--‐profit concert promoter, Bowery Presents: South (Bowery South) and its New Orleans office. An overview of Bowery South and the duties and responsibilities of the internship, performed from January 2015 to June 2015, are detailed within this report. The report also provides an analysis of the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (S.W.O.T.), an examination of best practices in the concert promoting industry, and recommendations for the company based on the intern’s observations.

The National World War Ii Museum - Entertainment Department, Katherine A. Bandy

Arts Administration Master's Reports (1984-2016)

This report contains the details of internship completed at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will discuss the structure and practices of the Museum’s Entertainment Department through a 480 hour internship. Alongside Victoria Reed, the Director of Entertainment, I assumed the role of Entertainment Production Assistant in June of 2015. I completed this internship with the purpose of earning an Arts Administration degree at the University of New Orleans. The Entertainment Department at the National WWII Museum is but a fraction of what makes this organization a successful attraction in the city of New Orleans and the …