Business Commons^™

The Essential Structure Of Compulsive Buying: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Letty Workman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

While many jokes and sales of specialty merchandise have been made that make light of consumers who frequently shop and buy (e.g., "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping," or "I am a shopaholic"), for 18 million Americans suffering from compulsive buying, the process of shopping and buying has caused their lives to literally go out of control. The outcomes of this disease for individuals, families, and business are all negative. In a marketing era of social responsibility, if marketers either knowingly or unknowingly encourage increased consumption among compulsive buyers, potential negative outcomes stand to impact others well …

Two Essays On The Accounting Treatment For Information Technology Expenditures, Kimberly Swanson Church

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current accounting measurement and reporting system is ill-equipped to provide intangible investment information that is decision useful for stakeholders in the information economy. Potentially relevant intangible items are not reported on the balance sheet, since current standards mandate the immediate expensing of these intangible items. Presumably FASB's uncertainty with the fundamental issues of extent and timing of future benefits to the firm has led to concerns with relevance, reliability, and objectivity of capitalizing some intangibles, which results in potential long term value generating expenditures being immediately expensed on the income statement. Prior research has demonstrated extent and timing of …

Campus Recreation Program Involvement, Athletic Identity, Transitional Loss And Life Satisfaction In Former High School Athletes, Katie E. Helms

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sports participation can result in strong associations with the athlete role for participants. While strong athletic identity can have positive implications, it can also create vulnerability to emotional difficulty following exit from sport (Brewer, 1993). Exit from sport is inevitable, resulting from a wide range of sources such as injury, aging, de-selection, or not qualifying to participate at a certain skill level. Despite a large proportion of high school students who play sports, there is little opportunity for continuation at the college level. This discrepancy often results in significant transitional loss resulting from exhausted athletic eligibility. The current study examines …

Consolidating And Implementing An Employee Handbook At Souza’S Dairy, Inc., Adrianna Souza

Dairy Science

The objective of this senior project was to create a more useful handbook that employees will read, condensing the existing but still retaining the important information. Along with updating the handbook, I plan to implement the use of the employee handbooks. An employee handbook is an important solution to help employers and employees have consistent information. An outdated employee handbook can create problems in the workplace. New and changed laws occur every year and the firm will want to ensure that the employee handbook and policy handbook are up to date with the most recent laws and policies to mitigate …

Management Research In The Hospitality And Tourism Industry, Xu Cheng

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify the current research trends and clarify the changing direction of scholarly studies on knowledge management. The context of this study is hospitality and tourism research with a focus on research publications between 2006 and 2010. Published scholarly studies within this period are examined through content analysis, using such keywords as knowledge management, organizational learning, hospitality, tourism, tourist destinations, travel industry, hotels, lodging, motels, hotel industry, gaming, casino hotel and convention to search scholarly research journals. All contributions found are then screened for a hospitality and tourism theme and KM as the main …

Estimating The Future Growth Potential Of Kangwon Land Casino, Yunekyong Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the further revenue growth potential for Kangwon Land casino in the context of visitor's spending trend. Using table games drop as an indicator of overall gaming demand, a time series regression with dummy variables was utilized to develop a forecast model for table games drop. Then, the predicted data was divided by the number of visitors in an effort to control for the visitor effect. Table games drop data was collected from Kangwon Land casino reflecting the period from November 2000 to May 2008. The Number of visitor data was also collected …

Attitudes Toward Immediate Annuities, Devon K. Robb

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Retirement security for Americans is one of the most critical public policy and personal financial issues and will be for decades in the future. Individuals that retire today can live an additional 30 or even 40 years with less secure income as corporations shift to defined contribution plans to fund retirement. Based on the life cycle savings hypothesis, immediate annuities should be appealing to retirees because they insure against the risks of outliving retirement assets by converting funds into a lifelong stream of income. However, research has found that retirees are reluctant to annuitize their wealth. This study examined the …

An Analysis Of Reverse Mortgage Clients At The Utah State University Family Life Center Housing And Financial Counseling Services, Cindy R. Stokes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this study were to describe and categorize the types of clients seeking reverse mortgage counseling, and to document the growth in demand for reverse mortgage counseling from one counseling center: The USU Family Life Center - Housing and Financial Counseling Services (FLC HFC). A second purpose was to gain a better understanding of the reasons why more senior Americans are seeking reverse mortgages. A third purpose was to gain a better understanding of the retirement preparedness of current seniors seeking reverse mortgages, which could lead to improved counseling services, early retirement intervention awareness, and encourage increased pre-retirement …

An Evolutionary Approach To Optimization Of Compound Stock Trading Indicators Used To Confirm Buy Signals, Allan W. Teeples

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis examines the application of genetic algorithms to the optimization of a composite set of technical indicator filters to confirm or reject buy signals in stock trading, based on probabilistic values derived from historical data. The simplicity of the design, which gives each filter within the composite filter the ability to act independently of the other filters, is outlined, and the cumulative indirect effect each filter has on all the others is discussed. This system is contrasted with the complexity of systems from previous research that attempt to merge several indicator filters together by giving each one a weight …

Hotel Revenue Management: Investigating The Interaction Of Information Technology And Judgmental Forecasting, I-Pei Claire Chen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Traditionally, forecasting has included human judgment and/ or guessing. The process has often been described as “guesstimation.” For instance, people are easily affected by user interface issue or rewarding policies during this process. The purpose of the study is to study and understand how revenue managers and other decision makers “make noise” during forecasting, especially when utilizing the advanced RMS, and to offer constructive suggestions to overcome the issues related to human judgment. In other words, the main objective of this study is to analyze the known influential factors for the interaction of revenue managers’ judgment and RMS tools by …

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas: Building A Unique Brand In A Unique City, Garren Grieve

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A marketing plan tailored toward the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. The hotel’s performance has struggled along with the other two hotels at MGM Resort’s CityCenter venue since its opening in December, 2009 with lower than expected business levels. Creative marketing that focuses on the strengths of the hotel and the Mandarin Oriental brand, specifically in Las Vegas will set the young hotel up for the best success in the future. A comprehensive approach to the marketing plan includes numerous internal and external factors that will enable senior management to make sound fact based business decisions. The marketing plan for the …

Taxing Matters: How The Us Tax Code Affects Gamblers, Todd Haushalter

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It has been said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes, and while this is most certainly true of the former, the later will require mastery of the tax code and ensuing cases before you will have a complete picture. The tax code, which started out as a 400 page document is now some 3,387 pages long with a voluminous amount of tax court cases to interpret the code, and many issuances by the Internal Revenue Service to provide further clarification of the code. Somewhere intertwined in the tax code and the ensuing court cases is …

Sunrise, Sunset? Comparing The Las Vegas And Macao Gaming Markets In 2010, Jung-Eun Joyce Kim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

When The Mirage opened in 1989, it was the most expensive hotel-casino in history with a construction cost of $630 million. Along with eruption of its signature attraction, The Volcano, this high profile project started a tourism boom and started a trend of further developments of integrated mega-resorts. The Mirage set a new level of experience for Las Vegas strip. However, the global financial crisis that started in 2007 has since left Las Vegas with the highest foreclosure rate in the country and sent accompanying businesses and growth tumbling (Veiga, 2010). Gaming industry has long been thought to be recession …

Understanding American Customer Perceptions On Japanese Food And Services In The U.S, Hoon Lim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to provide an appropriate approach for Japanese restaurant operators to identify the wants and needs of their American customers, and thereby assist restaurateurs in developing strategies that would best attract this market. There are many important attributes of Japanese food and services that affect the satisfaction and behavioral intentions of American customers. Japanese restaurant operators should recognize the perceptions of their American customers and monitor the factors affecting customer satisfaction and revisit intention. This effort will lead Japanese restaurants in the U.S. to improve their operational and marketing efficiency, and thereby increase profitability.

Can Self Service Technologies Work In The Hotel Industry In Singapore? A Conceptual Framework For Adopting Self Service Technology, Lixin Iris Ong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The proliferation of self service technologies has changed the way customers interact with service employees and technology. More consumers are now valuing the convenience, consistency, and the control they have over the self service technologies. However, despite the growing popularity of these technologies, hotel industries in Singapore have not embraced self service technologies in their day to day operations. Self service technologies present opportunities for hotels to improve on service standards, and the wide variety of technology applications available allow hotels to choose an application that suits the customers and the hotels needs. To enable hotels to seamlessly adopt self …

Critical Success Factors In Barbecue Restaurants: Do Operators And Patrons Agree?, John Raymond Farrish

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The research addresses a gap in the literature regarding the barbecue restaurant industry. Specifically, it examines whether barbecue restaurant operators have a thorough understanding of customer preferences. The research was a mixed methods study: four separate case studies were conducted of barbecue restaurants in specific areas of the United States, each of which represented one of the four major barbecue traditions. The case studies were used to create a model of success factor peculiar to barbecue restaurants.

The qualitative model was then tested by administering a survey to regular patrons of barbecue restaurants. Principal component analysis yielded a six-factor model …

A Mathematical Approach For Optimizing The Casino Slot Floor: A Linear Programming Application, Kasra Christopher Ghaharian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Linear programming is a tool that has been successfully applied to various problems across many different industries and businesses. However, it appears that casino operators may have overlooked this useful and proven method. At most casino properties the bulk of gaming revenues are derived from slot machines. It is therefore imperative for casino operators to effectively manage and cultivate the performance of this department. A primary task for the casino operator is planning and deciding the mix of slot machines in order to maximize performance.

This paper presents the task of optimizing the casino slot floor as a linear programming …

A Study On Eco-Friendly Merchandise In A Resort Retail Environment, Lindsey C. Patrick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to determine consumer purchasing habits of ecofriendly apparel in a retail resort environment. In order to find the rationale behind purchasing decisions, this study measured sales and survey responses based on the choice of two tee shirt options, eco-friendly tee shirts and regular cotton tee shirts. The survey was given to all customers purchasing these tee shirts in order to determine specific demographic information as well as their personal opinions on eco-friendliness, and willingness to pay a premium for eco-friendly products. Due to a lack of previous research in this field, this study is …

Is Portfolio Performance Related To Whether A Manager Has An Ivy League Education?, Jonathan Janos

Business/Business Administration

No abstract provided.

Performance Attribution: Are Sector Fund Managers Superior Stock Selectors?, Nicholas Scala

Business/Business Administration

Abstract:

Do equity sector fund managers outperform diversified equity fund managers? This paper examines this question during 2000-2009 by formulating simulated portfolios of Fidelity Select Sector Funds with weights similar to the sector weightings of actual multi-sector equity fund portfolios. The returns of the simulated portfolios were then netted against the actual portfolios to determine which outperforms. The results indicate that Sector Fund managers have superior stock selection ability, with one notable exception: the small-cap value investment style. Small-cap value multi-sector equity fund managers outperformed the simulated portfolios, indicating superior stock selection ability by fund managers in that category. Although …

Good News Or Bad News? Informational Value Of Corporate Bond Rating Announcements : The Malaysian Perspective., Mei Yeen Foo

Student Works (2010-2019)

Studies on informational efficiency in the financial markets have always attracted a large following, both from market players and the research community alike. The relative illiquidity of bond markets however have rendered researches done on the informational content of corporate bond rating announcements and its effects on bond yields to produce mixed findings. Studies on this area within the Malaysian context in recent years too have been small and inconclusive. This paper aims to study on the presence and effects of informational content in corporate bond ratings announcements (upgrades and downgrades) in the Malaysian context through the application of the …

Relationship Among Service Quality, Food Quality, Perceived Value, Customer Satisfaction And Behavioural Intentions In The Malaysian Fast Food Industry., Seaw Thiam Chin

Student Works (2010-2019)

Fast food industry generates multi-billion dollars every year worldwide and is still growing, especially in Asia. Malaysian consumers were first exposed to fast food when A&W opened its outlet in Malaysia in 1961. Since then, the fast food industry has experienced dramatic growth in Malaysia. Today, fast food consumption is becoming a part of the Malaysian’s lifestyle. A number of studies have been undertaken to address the service quality and customer satisfaction in fast food restaurants. This can be problematic because some other potential determinants of customer satisfaction such as food quality and perceived value are disregarded. Moreover, most studies …

The Relationship Between Lean Manufacturing And Firm Performance : A Study Of Manufacturing Companies In Sweden., Kristina Granstrom

Student Works (2010-2019)

The aim of lean manufacturing is to remove waste to increase the value for the customer. Some of the outcomes from implementing lean manufacturing are increased quality, improved productivity and reduced costs. There ishowever a mixed result in the empirical evidence concerning leanmanufacturing’s relation to performance. This study looks at theimplementation level of lean manufacturing in Swedish manufacturingcompanies and investigates lean manufacturing’s impact on firm performance.A survey was made based on an electronic questionnaire sent to Swedishmanufacturing firms and a total of 35 companies within ten different industriesresponded to the questionnaire. The result shows that the implementationlevel on average is …

Consumers Attitude Towards "Mamak" Food In Malaysia., Kartina Abu Bakar

Student Works (2010-2019)

Malaysia is a unique country as there are multi races and ethnics of people live together in harmony and as such there are many ethnic foods such as “Mamak” food. “Mamak” food is popular among Malaysian and can be found from roadside stalls to café or Bistro concept restaurants. The objective of this study is to provide an insight into customers dining intention to “Mamak” restaurants measuring the service quality and food attributes. Surprisingly, only one of the factor of service quality that is assurance and one variable of food attributes which is aroma has a greater influence for customers …

A Case Study Of Rfid Adoption By A Malaysian Logistic Company : An Application Of The Technology Appropriation Model., Wilson Tiong Lin Koh

Student Works (2010-2019)

This paper presents a model of radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption by a Logistic Service Provider (LSP) in the logistic industry Malaysia. Due to lack of models associate with the RFID adoption in logistic industry Malaysia, the model was developed. The study uses the case study research approaches to perform an inductive investigation on the RFID adoption by the local LSP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted primarily with the IT director and research officers who advocated the RFID’s pilot test project. The technology appropriation model of RFID adoption was developed in this study is useful to determine the success of RFID …

The Relationship Between Organizational Culture And Innovation Of Employees In Malaysia., Ng Yu Seen

Student Works (2010-2019)

A company’s organizational culture is important because it influences the organization’s actions and approaches to conducting business. It is very crucial for business to function effectively in a highly competitive, rapidly changing environment. It is recognised that innovation is of utmost importance in maintaining a proactive and entrepreneurial organization. Innovation has become widely recognized as a key to competitive success. Studies have acknowledged the existence of a relationship between organizational culture and organizational innovation and recommend that innovative organizations perform better. This study develops a theoretical framework based on Denison culture model which demonstrates the cultural traits of Involvement (Empowerment, …

What Is The Impact Of Liquor Licensing Laws On Portland’S Entertainment Venues? A Case Study, Will Etheridge

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

In January 2009, Port City Music Hall in Portland, Maine was preparing to open its doors to the public for the first time. With a capacity for nearly six hundred attendees, Port City Music Hall was designed to attract national touring acts to Portland too big for the bar scene, but not suited for the Merrill Auditorium or Cumberland Civic Center. With the State Theatre still shuttered at the time, this new venue hoped to fill an important niche in the city’s creative economy, bringing a diverse array of performers that would not otherwise be able to find a viable …

Evaluating Student Perceptions Of Value And Preferences For Online Programs In Skill-Based Learning: An Applied Exercise, Darcy Lynn Stewart

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In an age where training and knowledge are easily accessible online, textbooks, lecture slides and other class materials have migrated to online programs. Online programs are becoming easier to maintain for professors and administrators and offer some convenience and efficiency that traditional classroom lectures do not. It is widely assumed that students who have grown up with cell phones, email accounts, social media, iPods, Google and laptops easily identify with internet based applications. This research studies a group of over 30 university students seeking to develop skill-­‐sets to prepare them for entering the workforce through participation in an online and …

Entrepreneurship In Multinational Corporations And Capability Development Of Domestic Firms: An Exploratory Study In The Us-Mexico Border Region, Jung-Hoon Lim

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This dissertation explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and capability development in emerging markets. This study focuses on entrepreneurial activities in multinational corporations (MNCs) in emerging markets. Maquila plants and local Mexican suppliers located in (or near) Reynosa, Tamaulipas are investigated. The results from 34 interviews of a sample local Mexican supplier, maquila plant, local government, local university and Reynosa Asociación de Maquiladoras y Manufactureras, A.C. (RAMMAC) suggest that the entrepreneurship in the maquila plants occurs through the continuous improvement in the manufacturing process. The purpose is primarily efficiency and quality. The border economy that is primarily driven by the economic …

Paths To Upper Level Positions In Public Relations, Patrick J. Bishop

Dissertations

Preparation for a career in the field of public relations (PR) is based on a set of unique core competencies typically found in liberal arts. Though PR professionals rarely gain business degrees, they acquire knowledge, skills, perspectives, and strategies wellsuited to executive-level positions in business. Additionally, managerial positions in PR offer greater potential for influence than task-oriented roles with limited strategic opportunity.

This study examines the advancement of PR practitioners into upper-level management positions in business. The purpose of this research is to identify factors and behaviors that contribute to, or hinder, PR professional’s attainment of top-management positions. This study …