Business Commons^™

Mental Illness Economics In The United States: A Comparison With Foreign Countries, Christopher Odum

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 2018, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over forty-eight thousand people.1 Globally, eight-hundred thousand people die from suicide every year, which is twice the number from homicide.2 For years, there has been a stigma around mental illness causing it to be a taboo topic, but recently there has been more of a focus and acceptance in our society. Along with the stigma, throughout most of history there has not been a focus on innovating and curing mental health diseases. In many cases, these diseases left unchecked lead to irrational …

A Comparative Analysis Of Southern Bancorp And B Corp Community Development Banks, Jace Russ

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Southern Bancorp has helped pioneer community development banks in America. They were one of the first banks to establish themself as a Community Development Financial Institution as well as become a Certified Benefit Corporation. Their mission of serving underrepresented groups in the United States has been a key driver in decisions as well as profits. They have been very successful in pursuing their mission through providing jobs, housing, and financial resources for these groups. In doing so, they have advanced above the vast majority of banks in serving their community. They have also been able to successfully manage operations so …

Exploring Optimal Response Labels For Constructing An Interval Type 5-Point Likert Scale, Douglas Hutchinson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Performance improvement practitioners value evidence-based practices, which include data-driven decisions. Data can be obtained through survey questionnaires designed with closed-ended questions and response scales. The Likert scale (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, and Strongly Agree) is one of the most commonly used response scales. Whether the 5-point Likert scale, as a verbal descriptor scale, should be treated as an ordinal or interval scale is an on-going debate, as different types of statistical analyses are applied to ordinal and interval data. I conducted this study to examine if survey participants would perceive a 5-point Likert …

The 2020 Impact: Rethinking Brand Approach To Sustainability Through A Postcolonial And Environmental Justice Framework, Simone Hassan-Bey

Business/Business Administration

Social unrest as a result of a pandemic and the movement for Black lives created a greater demand for big brands to increase their involvement in social responsibility. In this work, I examine the relationship between big brands to their colonial and environmental legacies to analyze how they have historically responded to social justice issues and how it has helped or hindered their journey towards sustainability. My research suggests that these brands may be failing to live up to their social responsibility claims because they struggle to see how the two actors are interconnected, as a result, I offer a …

Development Of An Experimental C2 Utilizing Network Sockets, Jonathan Matza

Business/Business Administration

Cybersecurity attacks and software used to perpetrate them are constantly evolving in the face of improved methods for detection and mitigation. An important element of cyber-attacks is use of Command & Control (C2) infrastructure to send commands and receive data from targets. A major issue with C2s is how to establish a persistent communication channel from compromised hosts to their server while avoiding detection. This work focuses on the development of a Proof- of-Concept (PoC) for a relatively novel raw-socket based C2 “JT” and includes a discussion of relevant C2 technologies/trends along with their corresponding techniques. The C2 development was …

Information Management For Ualbany Honors College, Katelyn Almon

Business/Business Administration

Once you attract the best students to your campus, how do you keep them? University honors programs, a common means of attracting students in the competition for excellent students, have had difficulty retaining students in completing their honors education. Given the investment into honors students, strategies to improve outcomes would focus scholarship and teaching resources on some combination of students most likely to complete the program and assist those most likely to drop out. Additionally, by identifying predictors of retention and completion, the Honors College will be able to improve its admissions process to better select students most likely to …

The Role Of Peer Irrigators On The Choice And Intensity Of Efficient Irrigation Techniques, Noah Hayward

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

We evaluate the use and the proportion of farmland that uses prominent irrigation practices in Arkansas, USA. A bi-variate sample selection model evaluates the determinants of the share of irrigated land in a farm that uses each practice. We evaluate the relationship between the irrigation practices peers use and the intensity that another farmer utilizes that same irrigation practice(s). So, if a peer of an Arkansas Delta farmer uses center pivot irrigation, for example, it increases the probability that the farmer him or herself will use acreage using center pivot by 66%. Conversely, a peer using surge irrigation only results …

Developing A Food Assistance Informational Graphic And Implementation Plan Based On Consumer Evaluation, Mckenna Cunningham

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food insecurity refers to the uncertainty of having or acquiring enough food to sustain all members of a household. In 2019, 10.5% of households in the United States reported being food insecure. Of that number, 4.1% of households reported ‘very low food security,” meaning that there were additional periods of time in which one or more household members restricted or forfeited their food intake due to lack of money or other resources (USDA, 2020). Without access to proper nutrition, the health of both adults and children are put at risk for illness including anxiety, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other …

Conscious Couture: Upcycling And Sustainable Style, Sara Wilson

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

The fashion and apparel industry has become synonymously associated with wastefulness and pollution due to the high levels of production, consumption and disposal of the billions of garments produced globally each year. Throughout the industry, brands have continued to set sustainability goals for both efforts to reduce their environmental impacts as well as appeal to the ‘green’ consumer. The power that a consumer holds can be leveraged for driving sustainability related initiatives through an apparel market that is virtually available everywhere. Since the 1990s, the secondhand market has developed from simply an economically friendly place to purchase necessities, to its …

The Effect Of Perceived Justice And Organizational Embeddedness On Employee Morale And Voluntary Turnover Rate After Layoffs In The Hospitality Industry, Jungjoo Bae

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that reduce the detrimental impact of layoffs. This research found that damaged employee morale and increased turnover intention of survivors after layoffs can cause more adverse impact on companies where layoffs were conducted. Also, it was found that perceived justice and organizational embeddedness can reduce the possibility of having destructive outcomes after layoffs. Additionally, the moderating impact of organizational embeddedness on the effect of perceived justice on employee morale and turnover intention was researched. Data were gathered from junior and senior undergraduate students majoring in hospitality management with at least …

Measuring Quality Of Virtual Event: Scale Development And Validation, Sung-Eun Kim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The unprecedented global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led to a critical reconsideration of the way humans work and live. In turn, true paradigm shifts are arising across diverse industries based on remote and online communication. Undoubtedly, traditional in-person events are transforming into virtual events through more innovative platforms and safer experiences. The market for virtual events is considerably expanding and promising; thereby, the demand for research on the nature and dynamics of virtual events is increasingly growing. However, research on virtual events and virtual event quality (VEQual) is still in its infancy and has lagged behind, resulting in a …

Factors Influencing Golfers' Intention To Use A Direct Booking Website, Junghoon Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

To find out golfers’ perceived value of a direct booking website, an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT 2) model is adapted to test out golfers’ behavioral intention when they book a tee time via a golf course’s website. The influential factors are Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating conditions, Hedonic Motivation, and Price Saving Orientation that predicts golfers’ behavioral intention to use. A sample has chosen through the screening questions that the target sample, who are an adult at age 18 or older, have played golf at a public golf course over the last …

Gambling Behaviors Among Vip Hosts In Macao, Tiange Xu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Many studies have shown that casino employees are at-risk gamblers, but limited research on this topic has been conducted in Asia. Given the unique gambling setting of Macao, it would be meaningful to investigate the gambling behaviors among VIP Hosts, who play an important role in the gaming market. Specifically, the present study examined the relationship between problem gambling, cognitive distortions, and potential risk and protective factors. The author used a snowball technique to recruit participants and an online survey to collect data. A total of 41 responses were included in the data analysis. The results showed that VIP Hosts …

Building Foundations Of Opportunity: A Strategic Analysis Of The Stephen Center’S Permanent Supportive Housing Program, Emily Coleman

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This report delves into the permanent supportive housing program provided by the Stephen Center, a local Omaha nonprofit that provides services to low-income and homeless individuals. While the Stephen Center successfully provides case management and supportive housing for hundreds of clients each year, the rate at which positive housing destinations are achieved is lower than the national average. With a longer than average length of stay in their permanent supportive housing apartments, the Stephen Center is unable to maximize their services to accommodate the needs of additional applicants. After researching industry trends and conducting an internal analysis, I have provided …

How Companies Can Overcome The Barriers To Sustainability In The Fashion Industry, Madison Perreault

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

The primary intent of this paper is to explore existing case studies on the barriers to sustainability in the fashion industry as well as incorporate my own contributions by crafting and analyzing the results of a survey. This survey will give insight to the attitudes and behaviors of respondents towards sustainable fashion. I will also investigate government policies on this topic, or the lack thereof. Finally, I will offer my recommendation on how businesses can overcome the barriers to sustainability in the fashion industry.

The Influence Of Peer Irrigators On The Extensive And Intensive Margin Of Irrigation Techniques, Victoria Bailey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We examine how irrigation techniques in use by family and friends influence the use and share of land utilizing different irrigation techniques by Arkansas producers. A bivariate sample selection model simultaneously estimates how farm characteristics determine the use and explain the share of a farm that utilizes an irrigation technique. We find that the irrigation techniques in use by family and friends do affect the irrigation techniques a producer uses and the share of acres utilizing different irrigation techniques. A producer with a family or friend that uses end-blocking irrigation is 41% more likely to use end-blocking themselves. Having a …

Could Sox Be Better? : Exploring The Advantages And Shortfalls Of Sarbanes-Oxley, Christopher Clark

Honors Theses

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was ratified in 2002 to mixed reviews. Over the past 18 years, many researchers have come to different conclusions about the effectiveness of SOX. This paper proposes amendments to make SOX as effective as possible without increasing compliance costs and as cost effective as possible without decreasing efficacy.

Analyzing The Social Aspect Of E-Cigarette Prevention With College-Aged Consumers, Emily Wilson

Honors Theses

This research investigated how social aspects influence college-aged e-cigarette users’ decision to use or quit using these devices. We conducted interviews of 10 young adult e-cigarette users and past users to explore three main topics: their experience with e-cigarettes, their evaluation of selected picture and narrative-based advertisements, and preventative phrasing they would suggest for future advertisements. We identified that social influence on young adults’ e-cigarette consumption/cessation revolved around three primary themes: availability of the device, peer pressure, and change of perspective. More importantly, we discovered that the effect of these themes would differ, and the source of the social influence …

The Effects Of Company Culture On Company Profitability, Jennifer Bartoli

University Honors Program Senior Projects

The majority of companies, whether they be service, production, or entertainment oriented, all have one common goal: profitability. Certain companies spend millions of dollars researching the latest trends or the next best-selling product in order to capitalize on it. Other companies spend all their effort and time on customer relations in order to draw as many new consumers into their business as they can. Finally, some companies spend many years focusing on increasing profits through growing their brand or business. Overall, no matter how companies expand and change, they are all working towards the same thing: profitability. Profitability can be …

A Look At Financial Accounting Through Cases And Discussion, James Holman Buchanan

Honors Theses

This thesis is the collection of eleven case studies completed over the course of a year in the Patterson School of Accountancy under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. This collection of case studies covers various topics, but most topics relate to Financial Accounting in today’s world. Some of the topics of research include Britain’s exit from The European Union, an analysis of a public company’s Annual Report, and recent political discussions concerning the Electoral College. While most cases performed were research related, others were project-based such as obtaining a Certification from the Corporate Finance Institute in Excel and conducting …

Accountancy Honors Thesis, Christian Jarrell

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of cases completed over two semesters under the direction of Dr. Dickinson. The cases covered multiple topics in the areas of business and accounting with the goal of exposing students not only to the accounting industry but give them a look at a professional career. Due to the various subject of each case, rather than have one central abstract for this thesis, each case will have its own abstract that will include an explanation of what the case was about and what was learned from the case.

An Analysis Of Accounting Principles Through Case Studies, Kyle Liebert

Honors Theses

The following ten cases are compilation of a semesters worth of work in my Accy 420 class. Each of these were introduced by Dr. Dickinson, at which time she gave us a perspective. From my knowledge of accounting principles, financial and managerial concepts, I was able to interpret the case. Each case required a deep understanding of the topic or an ability to understand a new concept. After being introduced, I analyzed the topic and followed up with research. These case studies outlined by Dr. Dickinson were completed in the academic year of Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 from the …

Central Appalachia Severance Taxation And Policies For Future Economic Growth, Nathan Frisbie

Honors Theses

Central Appalachia is a region in the United States that has been referred to as a paradox by researchers who have studied it. The area is rich with natural resources, yet the region lacks economic development. The mineral extraction industry has been the center of the economy for over a hundred years. The reliance on the industry has caused Central Appalachia to fall behind in several categories. The region has unusually high concentrations of poverty and low high school graduation rates. The revenue from the taxation of coal is the primary source of income for many of the rural counties. …

Can Beps Project Mitigate Double Non-Taxation Of Multinational Corporations?, Sajana Tamang

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the BEPS project can mitigate double nontaxation of multinational corporations. This study performs case studies on two multinational corporations: Apple and Starbucks to figure out how they behave in order to avoid taxes and see if there are behavioral differences in response to claims by the European authorities that they did not pay their fair share. It explains and compares their tax-paying strategies to figure out how they may behave with respect to new rules implemented by the BEPS project in the future. Through case studies from Apple and Starbucks, the …

A Survey Of Financial Reporting, Grace Anne White

Honors Theses

This thesis is a series of case studies that addresses multiple accounting topics and issues. Accounting majors in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College have the opportunity to take two classes during their junior year with Dr. Vicki Dickinson that consist of twelve different case studies. Independently, the case studies vary in substance from an Excel Course and interviews to analyzing a public company’s financial statements. One of the twelve case studies was completed during her class held on Wednesday nights. Each case consists of its own title page, table of contents, and works cited. Since each case study is …

An Analysis Of Financial Accounting Through Case Studies, Maggie Herring

Honors Theses

This thesis is composed of a series of case studies performed over the course of two semesters. Each individual case challenged me to look further into a different aspect of financial accounting and how it would look as a career. The culmination of the studies provided me with a more in-depth look of what accounting actually is in practice and gave insights into how the field might change in the near future.

The cases spanned a variety of topics. The first case, “A Tale of Two Cities”, had me compare two different cities and what beginning my career would look …

Investigating The Relationship Between The James C. Kennedy Center And The Utilization Of The Harvard Policy Model: A Strategic Planning Process, Neely Griggs

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to understand the relationship between the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center and the utilization of the Harvard Policy Model. The Wellness Center in Tallahatchie county, Mississippi has a profound impact in the community by working to decrease the prevalence of preventable diseases, and the Wellness Center’s leadership has decided to engage in the development of a strategic plan. The researchers led the Wellness Center through the first four steps in the Harvard Policy Model of strategic planning. Through focus groups and data analysis, the Wellness Center’s vision and mission statements were re-conceptualized, the core values of the …

Furthering Accounting Education Through Case Studies, Collin Short

Honors Theses

This thesis includes eleven case studies. The case studies include information regarding relevant global accounting topics. Additionally, the information provides a more detailed dive into an understanding of accountancy and how it relates to ones’ future career path in industry.

An Analysis Of Accounting Principles Through Case Studies, Marisa Panasci

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze various accounting principles through an evaluation of fictional and non-fictional case studies that helps to create an understanding of accounting philosophies in real-world situations. In contrast to the more traditional research approach to a thesis, I was given 10 cases to dissect specific questions regarding economics, ethics, accounting methodologies, personal experiences and more. Dr. Dickinson led this course to allow time for presentations with accounting professionals in tandem with complex questions about films, readings, and cases that challenged us to think outside the box. We also participated in accounting case competitions to …

An Examination Of Accountancy Through Case Studies, Evan Poag

Honors Theses

This thesis consists major accounting topics that are encompassed in the profession of accounting. Thanks to this thesis, I can say that I have a much more thorough understanding of the constantly evolving environment that is accounting. The University of Mississippi allows members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College to write the thesis as part of a class titled Accountancy 420, which is taught by Dr. Victoria Dickinson.