Business Commons^™

Acculturation Influences Of Sport Media On Hispanic-Americans, Stephen J. Zasucha Jr.

Sport Management Undergraduate

This research aimed to discover whether or not the largest sport media corporation in the United States; ESPN, promotes acculturation for Hispanic Americans to enter into Americanized sport culture through its Spanish-language magazine publication of ESPN Deportes. The content analysis examined the covers of both ESPN Deportes and ESPN The Magazine from the 2011-year, using the English version of ESPN The Magazine as a base. The total population of Hispanics within the United States totals 50,477,594 making it the largest minority demographic in the nation. Unfortunately for marketers the Hispanic population is not homogenous and differences in consumption patterns can …

An Investigation Of Employee Engagement And Business Outcomes At An Engineering Services Firm, Preetinder Singh Gill

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This research study investigated the constructs and dimensions of employee engagement and their relationship with business outcome data from 2009 to 2011 at a mid-sized engineering services firm and two of its business units. Employee engagement ratios, as defined by Crabtree (2004), for all entities studied were below that associated with world-class organizations. Survey items related to salary and compensation received low scores from both engaged and disengaged employees. Kruskal-Wallis’s median comparison tests revealed that many survey items varied over the period of three years for each entity studied. A factor analysis of companywide survey data yielded 5 dimensions of …

Disclosure And Compliance Practices And Associated Corporate Characteristics - A Study Of Listed Companies In India, Meha Kohli

Theses and Dissertations

The present study empirically investigates the level of compliance by listed Indian firms with disclosure requirements of Indian Accounting Standards. India’s Accounting Standards have been gradually converging with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) since 2001. India currently stands on the verge of adopting the International standards. Indian companies are working fervently towards adopting IFRS. This provides an extraordinary research environment to assess the level of compliance during this transitional time as well as lending an opportunity for a post adoption study. This study addresses two research questions developed to review annual reports of 156 listed Indian firms to determine …

Corporate Governance, Performance And Risk-Taking In The U.S. Banking Industry, Jennifer Osullivan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we first examine the relationship between performance of the bank holding company and several board characteristics. We use five proxies for bank performance including Tobin’s Q, ROA, loan loss reserve ratio, non-performing asset ratio, and net charge-offs ratio. Board characteristic variables we include are board size, proportion of outsiders, CEO power, CEO tenure and board tenure. We find that a large board enhances bank performance, as proxied by Tobin’s Q and loan quality variables. We find no evidence that board structure or CEO power influences firm performance. We see that CEO and board tenure have a positive …

Two Essays In Financial Economics, Jatin Ravikant Malhotra

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In the first chapter of this dissertation, I examine the relationship between hedging and diversification effects on CEO compensation in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) industry. The REIT industry is suitable for this investigation for various reasons; primarily being that the REIT sample represents a relatively clean sample to study the effects of diversification and hedging on compensations. I find a positive and significant relationship between the interaction variable which reflects the effects of both hedging and diversification and CEO pay-for-performance sensitivity. This is consistent with the notion that managers are in a better position to manage firm risk …

Economic Impact Of The Williamson Act In San Luis Obispo County, Hayley Nicole Loehr

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to analyze the economic impact of the Williamson Act and the agricultural industry in San Luis Obispo County, and to assess the changes in agriculture and the County’s economic structure if a significant proportion of Williamson Act contracts were not renewed. Williamson Act enrollment and agriculture data were analyzed on a zip code level using IMPLAN v. 3.0, an input-output modeling program.

The first round of analysis assessed the baseline economic impact of the agriculture industry in San Luis Obispo County. Then, four regions of the county were established based on Williamson Act enrollment …

The R&D Boundaries Of The Firm And The Governance Of R&D Alliances: Essays On Institutions, Strategic Considerations And Contract Structure, Jason Michael Pattit

Management - Dissertations

The three essays in this dissertation examine questions related to the R&D boundaries of the firm and the governance of R&D alliances. The first essay draws on institutional theory to examine the history of corporate R&D in the U.S. since the mid-19th century. Formal and informal institutional rules and constraints are shown to play a role in the initial rise of markets for technology in the 19th century, their decline during the early-20th century, and their eventual return at the end of the 20th century. The influence of formal and informal institutions on the adoption of in-house R&D labs in …

Development Of A Measure Of Corporate Safety Culture For The Transportation Industry, David V. Colarossi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project was designed to develop the Corporate Safety Culture Scale, a unique measure of corporate safety culture that is supported by a strong theoretical foundation. Items were developed conceptually, discussed in cognitive interviews, and submitted to expert review. Survey items were administered to employees of a large public transportation organization. Principle components analysis reduced the data and identified an empirical model. The empirical model held two domains identified as: 1) "Values," and 2) "Behavior." Confirmatory factor analysis compared the fit of the empirical model with that of a modified empirical model, and the hypothesized model, which held the following …

Do The Right Thing The Role Of Public Service Advertisements On The Behaviors Of Contemporary College Students, Jessica Jones

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between public service advertising and the likelihood of Generation Y to react in the prescribed manner. Public service advertising can be paid or unpaid but is used to try and influence a particular audience to act in a prescribed manner. This research will be comparing two different types of message styles, argumentative and emotional, and two contemporary prominent issues, organ donation and prescription drug abuse. The two issues are classified as either altruistic, where there is no direct benefit, or self-help, where the results are personal. Four different messages will …

Essays On Operational Flexibilities In Production Planning Under Supply And Quality Uncertainty, Tim Noparumpa

Business Administration - Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the use of operational flexibilities in production planning in order to mitigate the negative effects of supply and quality uncertainty. Uncertainties in supply and quality are commonly experienced among agro-businesses, and in particular, in the wine industry. The goal of the dissertation is to provide prescriptive solutions in mitigating such risks from the lives of agricultural businesses.

The first essay of the dissertation examines the impact of supply and quality uncertainty on the investment decisions made by winemakers who lease vineyard space to grow their own fruit. At the end of the growing season, the winemaker receives …

Essays On Risk Mitigation Methods In Global Supply Chain Management, John Hyung Il Park

Business Administration - Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study risk mitigation methods in the area of global supply chain management. Recent economic uncertainties such as the U.S. credit and the Greek debt crises, and natural disasters such as the Japanese tsunami create a greater amount of uncertainty and risk for global supply chain operations. The goal of the dissertation is to develop new prescriptive policies for multinational corporations and global relief organizations in order to assist them in mitigating the risks present in their operating environment in an effective manner.

The first essay of the dissertation investigates how a multinational corporation can effectively hedge …

Small Audit Firms And Earnings Manipulations, Huichi Huang

Business Administration - Dissertations

This paper examines the monitoring role of small audit firms (i.e., those with 100 or fewer clients who are subject to different levels of oversight by the PCAOB) on earnings management. Specifically, I examine the relationship between earnings manipulations and the use of small audit firms. I find that small audit firms are less able to constrain managers' opportunistic use of discretionary accruals. However I find no evidence that small audit firms are associated with real activities manipulation. By investigating a specific group of audit firms that are the smallest in the audit market, this study extends our understanding of …

How The West Was Won: Why The University Of Missouri Should Be In The Sec West, Brandon Vernon

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper will outline the author’s reasoning behind why he believes the University of Missouri should be incorporated in the Southeastern Conference’s West division, as opposed to the East division. The author begins by giving a brief history detailing why the University of Missouri was pressed into making a decision to leave their current conference, the Big 12, and look for new membership. This will then parlay into a discussion of the decision for Missouri’s new conference to place them into the East division, a mistake in the author’s opinion. The original decision to place Missouri in the SEC East …

A Rehabilitation Manual For Recovering Athletes With Glenoid Labral Tears, Haley Long

Graduate Theses

No abstract provided.

Mandatory Adoption Of International Accounting Standards In Germany: Financial Statement Effects, Sarah Wagemann

Graduate Theses

This paper addresses the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Germany in 2005. The financial, statement effects and the variability of key accounting measures are analyzed under the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB, German GAAP) and IFRS. I find that book value of equity and net income are slightly larger under IFRS than under German GAAP which reflects the fair value orientation of IFRS. Only weak evidence exists that the mandatory adoption of IFRS results in significant accounting differences unlike the results found in financial statements of German firms that voluntarily adopted IFRS.

A Cpfr Readiness Assessment Model, Tanvir Humayun Sattar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The retail industry is a pioneer in developing new supply chain practices arising from the fact that the environment is characterized by intense competition and the need to achieve supply chain cost savings. An initiative launched by the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce and Standards Committee (VICS) introduced a concept known as the Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR). The objective is to integrate business and supply chain processes and provide better visibility and create and effective supply chains. This research develops a CPFR Readiness Assessment Model, which enables organizations to understand their readiness in implementing CPFR. This model can provide an …

How Did Nike Get The Swoosh Into Skateboarding? A Study Of Authenticity And Nike Sb, Brandon Gomez

Media Studies - Theses

Skateboarding is widely regarded as a subculture that is highly resistant to any type of integration or co-option from large, mainstream companies. In 2002 Nike entered the skateboarding market with its Nike SB line of shoes, and since 2004 has experienced tremendous success within the skateboarding culture. During its early years Nike experienced a great deal of backlash from the skateboarding community, but has recently gained wider acceptance as a legitimate company within this culture. The purpose of this study is to examine the specific aspects of authenticity Nike was able achieve in order to successfully integrate into skateboarding. In …

Business Exits And Reentry: Demand And Supply Explanations Of Entrepreneur Career Choices, Sharon Alicia Simmons

Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises - Dissertations

This dissertation is a compilation thesis consisting of three research studies on the normative and personal expectations that influence entrepreneurial engagement subsequent to business exits. Collectively, the three studies provide insights into how and when variances between performance expectations and actual business outcomes shift the demand and supply of different groups of experienced entrepreneurs. On the demand side, I theorize and empirically examine variances in acts and modes of entrepreneurial engagement that correlate to informal (stigma of business failure, masculine norms) and formal (regulatory environment) institutional contexts. On the supply side, I develop propositions about cognitive aspects of business exits …

The Perception Of Athletes In Local And Neutral Media Markets, Gregory Stine

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perception of professional athletes in local and neutral media markets. The purpose of the study was to determine how people in Philadelphia and people in Arkansas feel toward the Philadelphia Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha. It was expected that the study's participants in Philadelphia would feel more positively toward Asomugha and would be more aware of his off-the-field contributions. Additionally, it was expected that there would be a positive relationship between team identification level and both positive feelings toward Asomugha and awareness of his efforts away from the field. Finally, it was anticipated that participants near Philadelphia would …

The Competitive Front-Of-Package Labeling Of Consumer Packaged Goods: Cutting Through The Clutter, Christopher Newman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

At no point in U.S. history have food product packages displayed so many symbols and statements regarding nutrition and health benefits (Nestle 2010). However, despite this explosion of front-of-package (FOP) health communications, obesity and health-related problems of U.S. consumers continue to be a critical concern. Therefore, it is important for marketers, retailers, manufacturers, and public policy makers to develop a more complete understanding of consumers' processing and utilization of health information on food packages, as well as how this information affects product evaluations and choices.

Therefore, this dissertation utilizes a processing fluency theoretical framework (e.g., Zajonc 1968; Jacoby and Dallas …

Attitudes Of Portsmouth Residents Towards An Education Scholarship Tax-Credit Program, Scott Bogle

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the interest in a Virginia educational scholarship program that would provide a tax credit to any private corporation donating to nonprofit organizations providing education improvement scholarships to underprivileged students, in order for them to attend nonpublic schools.

The Effects Advertising Plays On College Students' Moral Intentions Beyond Purchase Behavior, William Crockett

HIM 1990-2015

Advertisements affect our daily lives and as technology and the practice of marketing has developed over the course of history, we have become exposed to greater amounts of product and service campaigns. The purpose of advertisements is to educate the consumer with the goal of ultimately selling the product, and many companies and organizations would not be able to survive without the use of advertisements. Ultimately, it is a necessity for a business to prosper in a competitive market, but there are possible side-effects for the consumer that are beyond the intentions to buy. The purpose of this thesis is …

Business Plan For A Commercial Teff Farm In Ethiopia, Ephrem Teklu Phifer-Houseman

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project was undertaken to determine the feasibility of creating a profitable farm in Ethiopia using commercial farming methods in order to raise the standard of living for Ethiopian subsistence farmers and improve food security in Ethiopia. Initially, a farmer’s cooperative was the model proposed for this farm. However, further research into the realities of Ethiopian agribusiness and the difficulties smallholder farmers face in obtaining capital, along with in-depth financial analysis called for a modification of the business model. Consequently, this senior project discusses the design and delineation of a business plan for a privately-held, commercial, teff grain farm …

The Effect Of Casino Tax Policy On Short-Run Gaming Development, Kahlil Philander

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines the effect of casino tax rate structure on investment by casino operators. Using a panel data set consisting of all states with legal commercial casino gambling from 1998 to 2009, a fixed-effect model with two-stage least squares is estimated to examine the effect of gambling taxes on firms' short-run behavior. The study finds that maximum casino tax rates decrease casino employment, with an estimated average elasticity of -0.5. This result is noted to be robust to several different model specifications and data subsets. No robust relationship is found between maximum tax rates and casino wages. No significant …

Analysis Of Bank Failure And Size Of Assets, Guancun Zhong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The financial health of the banking industry is an important prerequisite for economic stability and growth. Bank failures in the United States have run in cycles largely associated with the collapse of economic bubbles. The number of bank failures has increased dramatically over the last thirty years (Halling and Hayden, 2007). In this thesis, we try to address the following two questions: 1) What is the relationship, if any, between a bank's asset size and its likelihood of failures? 2) How can we use statistical tools to predict the numbers of bank failures in the future? Various modeling techniques are …

The Influence Of Venture Creation Stage On The Relationship Between Environmental Context And Social Network Orientation Among U.S. Minority Groups, Tammi C. Redd

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The percentage of minorities who have owned successful small businesses in the U.S. has been astonishingly lower than that of Mainstreams. An important underlying challenge for minority entrepreneurs is the ability to development and maintain social network connections. This research investigates the role urban and rural environments play in the new venture creation process among U.S. minority groups. Specifically, this dissertation will focus on issues relating to network scope, networking ability and strength and network relationships at different stages of the venture creation process. The environmental contexts of both the urban entrepreneur and that of the rural American entrepreneur will …

The Effect Of Choice And Degree Of Participation On Customer Value And Performance Outcomes, Nicholas Jason Flores

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The importance of understanding customer value and the process of enabling the co-creation of value has advanced to the point of being considered vital for marketing and organizational success. Presently, a gap in the literature exists that pertains to understanding how the design and management of mechanisms that enable co-creation processes affect co-produced customer value and, consequently, performance outcomes. By investigating how two specific elements of customer participation enabling platforms, choice and degree of participation, impact customer value and performance outcomes in an online context, this study helps address the extant research gap. Specifically, this study examines how choice and …

The Impact Of Financial And Trade Openness On Economic Growth And Stock Returns: The Case Of Africa, Tibebe Abebe Assefa

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The debate on whether financial development and stock market help growth is ongoing. In the context of Africa where there exists a strong need and potential for growth, it is important to revisit the topic in order to address the problem of economic underdevelopment. In this dissertation, we focus on seventeen African countries with two main objectives: First, to investigate the relationship between financial and trade openness, and economic growth. Second, we investigate the association of African real stock index returns with financial and trade openness. For all analysis, we use Fixed Effect Models (FEM) and System Generalized Method of …

The Role Of Liquidity In The Market For American Depositary Receipts: Evidence From Latin America, Alma Delia Hales

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Since 2003 Latin America has exhibited macroeconomic stability that starkly contrasts conditions in the 1990s. Capital flows from the United States to Latin American equity markets, particularly through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), increased from 2003 until 2008 when they declined due to the global financial crisis. However, by 2010, capital flows to most Latin American countries exceeded their pre-crisis levels. In spite of the reported macroeconomic stability and rising capital flows, Latin American stock markets remain underdeveloped and exhibit low domestic liquidity. This dissertation analyzes the relationship between low domestic liquidity and the market for ADR issues from four Latin …

Executive Compensation, Firm Performance And Liquidity Under Imperfect Corporate Governance, Yongli Luo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This dissertation examines the relationship between executive compensation, firm performance and liquidity under imperfect corporate governance institution by using a novel Chinese dataset over 2001-2010. The first essay examines the determinants of Chinese executive compensation from the agency-based theoretical framework. I find that there is a positive relationship between Chinese executive compensation and firm performance. The weak corporate governance in China exhibits strong liquidity and control effects after the split-share structure reform. It seems that CEO duality, the establishment of compensation committee, and the involvement of state ownership in Chinese public firms may lead executive compensation to a relation-based rather …