Digital Marketing And The Culture Industry: The Ethics Of Big Data, Jonathan Michael Bowman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Instead of the steady march of the one percent growth in ecommerce as compared to total retail revenues in the last decade (to comprise about nine percent of the industry at the close of 2019), we have witnessed leaps now to over twenty percent in just the last year. Scott Galloway marks the pandemic as an accelerant not just of digital marketing posting a year of growth for each month of quarantine but as an accelerant of each major GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple) firm from market dominance to total dominance (Galloway 2020). Viewing these trends from the standpoint …

Three Essays On The Performance Evaluation Of Actively Managed Investment Funds, Qing Yan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the performance of hedge funds and actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds.

The first chapter examines the relation between hedge funds and the low beta anomaly. Different conditions in the mutual fund and hedge fund industries should lead to different approaches with respect to the low beta anomaly. I find that, unlike most mutual funds, the average hedge fund tends to benefit considerably from the anomaly. About 2.3% per year of apparent alpha for the average hedge fund can be attributed to the low beta anomaly rather than manager skill. Low skill managers are the most reliant …

Building Relationships As An Expat In China: An Observation On How To Successfully Build And Manage Business Relations In China, Lauren Saunders

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Since opening itself to free trade in 1979, China’s economy has doubled in size on average every 8 years. With sustained growth across forty years, China now controls the second-largest economy, just behind the United States by an ever-thinning margin. Seeing opportunity, American businesses moved operations into China immediately. As China’s economy grew, America’s reliance on supply chains across China grew. 2020 U.S. trade value in goods with China surpassed 500 billion USD, with the majority trade value coming from imports to the United States. However, starting in 2018, trade war disputes, geopolitical disruption, and the largest pandemic of the …

The Five Essential Building Blocks To Becoming A Top Twenty-Five Supply Chain Program, Phillip Necessary

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The overall intention of this research is to develop aspiring programs to reevaluate their institutions and begin growing their program with lessons from other leading institutions—the more comprehensive, educated, and driven students in the Supply Chain industry, the better.

The Supply Chain Management sector has grown substantially in the last fifteen to twenty years; the current placement rate of undergraduates is eighty-five to one hundred percent after graduation (Damast, 2015). This phenomenon correlates with international and domestic interest in information technology, economic dynamics, flexibility, and product availability, all of which have grown industry demand (Rob O'Byrne, 2020). In the last …

A Financial And Environmental Impact Analysis On The Implementation Of Electric Vehicles For The Washington County, Arkansas Sheriff's Department, Lauren Chadwick

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Since the Biden administration has provided implication that the hope is for state and local governments to adopt net zero emission federal vehicles, it is important to see how this might work for a county in a rural area of Arkansas. Applying this real possibility to the local Sheriff’s department will aim to create a case either for the implementation of electric vehicles or prove to show that it is not a feasible solution.

This research will compare the financial advantages and disadvantages of this order along with the possible environmental impact that this solution can attribute to. Focusing on …

Integrating Systems, Processes, And Human Judgment: Three Essays On Value Creation With Supply Chain Analytics, Rebekah Inez Brau

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Big-data, analytics, automation, and machine learning are changing the role of managers in supply chain and operations functions. Extant research indicates that effective value creation by analytics is achieved through careful attention to three components: technology, people, and processes. As such, the purpose of my dissertation is to improve the integration of people in current supply chain and operations management systems with ever-changing technologies and processes. I focus on one critical function—demand planning—since it is increasingly influenced by predictive analytics yet can still require human judgment. My dissertation is comprised of three essays as follow.

In Essay 1, I implement …

Green Gains Green: A View Of How Sales Is Affected By Sustainability And Innovation In A B2b Setting, Justin Ruben Munoz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Dissertation topic that I have chosen to study places both a prominent topic currently making waves in marketing with the field of marketing that has quickly become my specialty and my focus of research going forward. I have chosen to study green and sustainable measures that organizations currently put into practice along with how those sustainable initiatives affect the sales and revenue of that organization. The context of the study is in business-to-business (B2B). Specifically, this current research takes place in a new context that has seldom seen research in the current decade, as most of the research on …

Intraorganizational Adaptiveness: Conceptual And Empirical Examination Of Salespeople's Adaptation Within Their Firms, Gabriel Moreno

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The role of salespeople in their firms has evolved drastically in the past two decades, especially in the amount of knowledge and skill required to contribute to their firms’ success in the contemporary B2B marketplace. Salespeople are increasingly considered as strategic employees who can provide a competitive advantage for their firms by providing intelligence gathered from their deep engagement in the marketplace. Modern salespeople act as consultants, relationship managers, and solution specialists, among many other roles. Due to the marked changes in the roles carried out by salespeople today, this investigation sets out to examine the most current developments in …

Essays On The Financial Implications Of Economically Linked Firms, Chao Wei

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Dissertation consists of two topics on the financial implications of economically linked firms. The Chapter 1 examines the impact of supply chain concentration on purchasing firm's financing costs. I find that purchasing firms engaging in less concentrated supply chain structure are subject to higher risk and cost of equity. This effect is more pronounced when the supplier's financial performance deteriorates or when the purchasing firmâ??s purchase demand is large. I also provide evidence that lower supply chain concentration increases purchasing firm's cost of debt. Lenders charge higher interests on the corporate loans as their compensation for the additional risk …

The Exacerbation Of Gender Inequality: The Effects Of Overwork On Work Outcomes, Loribeth Fitzgerald

Honors Theses

Gender disparity in the workplace is a pervasive problem that has been widely studied, especially as to why women do not progress in their careers to the same degree as their male counterparts. Measures have been established for work-family conflict, and it has been claimed that this is the main factor that prevents women from advancing in their careers. Research into the unequal distribution of time, labor, and pay has become increasingly popular as a means to understand the forces contributing to women’s stalled advancement. This study furthers this work to determine if gender inequality is a factor in overwork, …

Pharmaceutical Stock Prices Around Medicare Part D Expansion, Spencer Powell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

On January 1, 2006 Medicare part D expanded, giving prescription coverage to many Americans. This event offers an interesting question regarding market efficiency, specifically because Medicare expansion was introduced into congress as far back as 1999. Because Medicare part D affected pharmaceutical drug coverage, this study focuses specifically on securities in the pharmaceutical industry. Following an efficient market hypothesis, we would expect to see significant abnormal returns in the post event window, anticipating the legislations effect on demand within the industry. Results showed significant abnormal returns in post-event window, but not in the pre-event window. The returns in the post-event …

Corporate Venture Capital And Its Effects On Company Valuation - An Analysis Of The Additions Of Cvc Arms, Joshua Lyman

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper examines the stock price reaction to the addition of corporate venture capital arms to publicly traded companies. Referencing venture capital resources, corporate press release announcements of the addition of CVC arms were hand collected. I calculate the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) surrounding press release announcement dates and find immediate stock market reactions, positively increasing stock prices compared to the overall market. I further perform placebo event studies at random dates and with direct competitors using the same announcement dates and find no significant results. These findings suggest that corporate venture capital increases company valuation and that financial markets …

Short Selling Around Reverse Stock Splits, Ryan Voges

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

I examine whether short selling increases around reverse stock splits using 2019 daily short selling data instead of bimonthly short interest data required by FINRA. In my difference-in-difference analysis, I find that average short selling increases significantly for firms that reverse split their stock, relative to matched control firms that do not, around the split dates. I also find that firms that reverse split their stock experience negative cumulative abnormal returns in the 20-day period after the reverse stock splits, particularly for those firms that are heavily shorted. These results are in agreeance with existent literature and suggest that short …

Retail Trading And Stock Volatility: The Case Of Robinhood, Cooper Jones

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

We examine the relation between Robinhood usership and stock market volatility. We show that daily fluctuations in Robinhood usership, which is used to proxy retail trading, significantly influence various measures of volatility. These results might suggest that Robinhood users contribute to noise trading as they are generally individuals trading on name recognition, media coverage, popularity, and familiarity of products, rather than on fundamental values. In our empirical approach, we find that the percentage increase in Robinhood usership Granger causes increases in daily stock volatility.

Risk_Dash, A Python Framework To Model Portfolio Risk, Alexander Van Oene

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

While there are many Python packages that provide ways to do data analysis, in fact the package utilizes pandas, numpy, and scipy heavily, there are few that apply and handle common tasks that analysts face in quantifying market risk. pyfolio is one of those packages, however it forces you to utilize their infrastructure package Zipline where as risk_dash aims to provide a framework to formalize the data flow while being totally customizable for the analyst. risk_dash is comprised of classes and methods to handle the data flow and calculation of market risk metrics at the asset and portfolio level. In …

The Effects Of Bank Lobbying And Elections Surprises, Gregory Logan Tarbet

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper examines the stock market reaction to banks that lobby relative to banks that did not lobby in the period around the November 9, 2016, U.S. presidential election. Using three different methods of event studies to calculate the cumulative average return, we find that lobbying in banks has a meaningful relationship to an abnormal increase in those firm’s stock prices. Then we attempt to control for both the systemic importance and size of these institutions by performing cross-sectional regressions that include matched size, and the systemic nature of the banks. The results suggest that a heavily regulated industry such …

Predictive Modeling For Real Estate Days On Market, Jeffrey Brann

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Many forms of property valuation exist but estimation models for duration on market are not as common. This Paper examines a variety of variables as well those that would be found in a hedonistic valuation model and applies them to a predictive model estimating a property’s duration on market. A brief real estate market analysis is also provided regarding Cache County, Utah to give better clarity as to the environment in which this predictive model is performing.

Understanding The Effectiveness Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Initiatives At Youth Summer Camps, Ingrid Hale

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the effectiveness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives at camps in creating a community that is safe and inclusive of all participants. Many youth summer camps are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as integral to their values and mission and consider themselves safe spaces for all regardless of their race, religion, or socioeconomic background. DEI should be a matter of concern for any camp, so that it might better prepare its participants to serve as advocates for social justice in society today and in the future. …

Impact Of Regulatory Interventions And Transitions On Broker-Dealer Audit Quality, Darlene Adkins

PhD in Business Administration Dissertations

ABSTRACT

IMPACT OF REGULATORY INTERVENTIONS AND TRANSITIONS ON BROKER-DEALER AUDIT QUALITY

By

Darlene A. Adkins

The purpose of this study is to examine the audit quality of public U.S. broker-dealer (BD) entities after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). Specifically, this study investigates whether there are associations between BD regulatory efforts to protect capital market investors and auditor decision-making during BD audit engagements that occurred between fiscal years 2011 and 2018. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) BD audit inspection reports and the enforcement actions lodged against entities provide support …

A Survey Of Accounting Case Studies, Maddie Dyess

Honors Theses

The following document contains work done over the span of a year under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson at the University of Mississippi in the Honors Accy 420 class. For the thesis requrement in accordance with the standards set by the Patterson School of Accountancy and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, I was able to complete a set of case studies pertaining to accounting. The purpose of this research program is to help equip students pursuing a career in the accounting field through a variety of accounting topics. Some cases focus on accounting principles in accordance with GAAP, …

An Examination Of Accounting Topics Through The Completion Of Case Studies, Kayla Biando

Honors Theses

This thesis, completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson in Accountancy 420, a year-long thesis course, is composed of eleven case studies and is intended to analyze various areas of accounting and financial reporting. This topic analysis, along with the numerous accounting firm presentations that were offered to expose us to potential future professional opportunities, helped to further enhance our knowledge of the accounting profession while developing our critical thinking processes and related research techniques. That said, the completion of this course, both information-enhancing and skill-building, assisted in setting us up for a future career in professional accounting.

Compilation Of Cases Investigating Principles Of Accounting, Celia Sullivan

Honors Theses

This thesis is composed of two semesters worth of investigative cases into different aspects of the accounting field. There are 10 cases that each offer a unique perspective on varying aspects of accounting as a profession. Each case posed a different issue or controversy in the profession and proposed answers to the questions asked. The thesis shows a well-rounded understanding of the applications of accounting and the Generally Accepted Principles of Accounting. These cases were created and completed within the Accounting 420 course taught by Professor Victoria Dickinson in the fall and spring semesters of 2020.

Analyzing The Lifecycle Of A Modular Cutting Board From Design To Production, Caitlin O'Connor, Achintya Prasad

Honors Theses

This Capstone project is intended to demonstrate the process of product development for a modular cutting board from design to production by applying manufacturing principles, utilizing the stage-gate format, and developing a marketing plan. The guiding principles for the project would be the implementation of lean manufacturing and analyzing the quality, performance, lifecycle cost, and time needed for market introduction. Team voting and assignment occurred in Manufacturing 451 in Fall 2020, and the project was completed during Spring 2021. Teams were required to meet outside of class time in order to discuss ideas and build designs. Lab times were scheduled …

Honors Accounting Practicum, Richard Roger Sankey Iii

Honors Theses

This thesis is comprised of 12 case studies that involve various financial accounting concepts and principles. Topics range from analyzing various client markets in differing cities to looking at difficult tax accounting scenarios. This thesis was written under the guidance of Dr. Vicki Dickson throughout a yearlong class that was taken during my junior year. This class expanded my knowledge on current accounting trends and technology. Through these case studies I was able to better prepare myself for the rapidly evolving accounting world.

A Tale Of Two Companies: The Importance Of Public Relations Amidst The Shift Towards Corporate Activism, Olivia Schwab

Honors Theses

By comparing the controversies that stemmed from Papa John’s John Schnatter and CrossFit’s Greg Glassman, some obvious public relations strategies stand out, including but not limited to understanding an audience, adapting to a changing environment, establishing a crisis communications plan, and taking controversial stands on issues close to the audience’s hearts. Most importantly though, if companies preach messages of social change, they must follow up on their stances with corrective action to do their best to help facilitate it in society.

While examining the history of corporate activism, it is clear why and how some corporations become the victims of …

An Overview Of Select Accounting Topics Through Case Studies And Research, James Pugh

Honors Theses

During the calendar year of 2020, amongst all the turmoil surrounding our world, I had the privilege of taking part in Dr. Dickinson’s Honors 420 course. I will be forever grateful for the fresh and in-depth outlook she imparted on me in terms of my profession and the topic of accounting as a whole. This thesis is an overview of several broad and important accounting topics, along with various world-wide economic and financial reporting issues that have changed the accounting profession. This thesis has allowed strengthen my understanding of the subject of accountancy. The University of Mississippi, accounting students of …

Honors Accounting Thesis, Ryan Rodgers

Honors Theses

This thesis contains twelve case studies that pertain to various accounting concepts and matters. The topics vary from 10-K evaluations to blockchain. This thesis was written under the guidance from Dr. Victoria Dickinson during my junior in an Independent Study class (ACCY 420). I benefitted greatly from participating in this class, and it allowed me to gain more knowledge from current accounting situations.

Analyzing The Correlation Of The University Of Mississippi Football Program's Success And Financials With That Of The University And Local Businesses In Oxford, Mississippi, Courtney C. Schaeffer

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to look at Ole Miss athletic events, specifically football games, and the success and profit of local businesses in Oxford, Mississippi and the University of Mississippi. There are several existing studies analyzed in this paper that indicate a correlation between college football programs and the University and city revenues at several other colleges and universities across the country. A historical analysis of the University of Mississippi Athletic Department’s revenues and expenses, football attendance numbers, and University enrollment trends throughout the years 2015 to 2019 indicates how important football is to the University and its …

Connecting Charities With Creatives: Bridging The Gap Between Local Nonprofit Organizations And University Of Mississippi Students, Natalie Pruitt

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the need for marketing resources among North Mississippi nonprofit organizations and apply the findings to develop and launch a website based on primary and secondary research that connects local North Mississippi nonprofit organizations with University of Mississippi graphic design, marketing, bachelor of fine arts and integrated marketing communication (IMC) students seeking experience to complete various marketing and graphic design- related tasks and develop and implement an integrated marketing plan to promote and raise awareness for the website.

Nonprofits face the challenge of allocating funds from donations to create functional and creative communications …

Exploring Health Insurance Coverage And How It Is Affecting Patients And Providers, Robert Balie Crim

Honors Theses

The American people are struggling to pay for or find good health insurance. Doctors are unable to prescribe them what they actually need. Their insurance might stop paying for the drug that they had been using that was helping them. They might have to try some amount of drugs or treatments before the insurance company will pay for what the doctor has prescribed. Patients might be having to endure more pain for an unnecessary amount of time at the hands of an insurance company. What are the roots of these problems? With the growing complexity and advancing technology, how are …