Business Commons^™

"It's Personal": A Case Study Analysis Of The Strategic Management Of Resources In A Historically Black University Athletic Department., Brigitte M. Burpo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a qualitative case study examination of the strategic management of critical resources in an HBCU athletic program. It begins with a historical overview of HBCUs and HBCU athletic departments focusing on the systemic and societal influences that contributed to the current state of HBCU athletic programs. This dissertation later discusses the influence of a lack of financial resources on HBCU athletic departments further depletes the ability to operate with a competitive advantage. Chapter One focuses on the historic background of HBCUs and their formation as well as the societal influences that depleted critical resources. Chapter Two covers …

Menaxhimi I Riskut Në Sektorin Bankar (Rast Studimi Raiffeisen Bank), Blendina Bilalli

Theses and Dissertations

Objektivi i këtij punimi është që të bëhet identifikimi dhe trajtimi i risqeve në një sektor të caktuar, atë bankar, si dhe të tregoj se si duhet menaxhuar ato në mënyrë që të parandalohen humbjet si pasojë e mos kontrollimit dhe monitorimit të mirëfilltë. Zakonisht gabimet të cilat shkaktojnë humbje në ndërrmarrje janë atë të cilat nuk kanë kontroll dhe monitorim të mirë, prandaj edhe përballen me probleme të ndryshme të cilat mund të kërkojnë punë edhe më të madhe në mënyrë që të kthehen në gjendjen e mëparme por edhe më të fortë.

Si rezultat i krizës financiare të …

Ndikimi I Kulturës Në Marketing Ndërkombëtar Rast Studimi: Mcdonald’S, Blinera Shkodra

Theses and Dissertations

Ky punim shqyrton rëndësinë e kulturave në të bërit marketing ndërkombëtar. Lidhja në biznese ndërkombëtare has në pengesa të shumta shkaku i dallimeve kulturore (dmth mosnjohjën e kulturave) që ndikojnë në zhvillimin ekonomik të vendeve dhe të bërit marketing ndërkombëtar.

Qëllimi i punimit ka një koherencë të kulturës që analizon ngjashmëritë dhe ndyshimet e strategjive që dallojnë nga vendi në vend. Mënyra e të bërit marketing ndërkombëtar, shitja, përballja me konkurentët, turizmi, balanci, mbajta e një kuadri ndikojnë në zgjerim të biznesit dhe qëllimi i punimit është analizimi dhe hulumtimi i këtyre strategjive. Andaj, ky punim ka për qëllim të …

Measuring The Onlooker Effect In Information Security Violations, Sahar Farshadkhah

Doctoral Dissertations

Todays’ organizations need to be ensured that their critical information is secure, not leaked, and inadvertently modified. Despite the awareness of organizations and their investment in implementing an information security management plan, information security breaches still cause financial and reputational costs for organizations. A recent report of the Ponemon Institute for 2019 showed that the global cost and frequency of data breach increased, and negligent insiders are the root cause of most incidents. Many insider threats to cybersecurity are not malicious but are intentional. Specifically, more than 60 percent of reported incidents in 2019 were due to negligent or inadvertent …

Rational Expectations Or Behaviorally Inefficient Markets, Arati Devendra Kale

Finance and Real Estate Dissertations - Archive

In this dissertation, I examine the rational investment hypothesis, postulated by classical theories, in mutual fund and portfolio management settings. My first two essays focus on mutual fund investors. I study whether mutual fund investors display racial or ethnic prejudices, which can be observed by mutual fund flows. I hand-collect data on characteristics of mutual fund managers in addition to their names and photographs. I use machine learning algorithms from computer science literature to calculate the probabilistic race from photographs and the probabilistic ethnicity from names. In my third essay, I construct a portfolio comprising of the small growth firms …

Hexadecane Petroleum, And Biofuel Utilization In Marine Bacteria Isolated From Ballast Tanks, Alex Yashchenko

Graduate Theses

This study characterized the growth of bacteria isolated from ballast tank fluids in hexadecane, petroleum, plant, and algae-derived fuels. The study was performed to explore the capacity of ballast tank isolates to survive and grow within fuels that may be stored within ballast tanks. Results of the hexadecane analysis indicated that most isolates had higher viable cell counts in media supplemented with hexadecane. Members of Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and a single Brevundimonas species had viable cell counts that were one or several orders ofmagnitude greater than that of controls. Results offuel analysis indicated higher viable cell counts in pure JP-5 and …

A Case Study On Whether A Business Should Own Or Lease Its Real Estate, Benjamin Cooper

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Businesses are continually faced with many difficult decisions to make daily that can have a significant impact on their success. Whether it is if they should adopt a new accounting practice, work with a new supplier, or push into a new consumer sector, these decisions will affect their operations and long-term plans. One of these major decisions that a business has to make is whether they should own or lease their real estate. Depending on the size, type, and scope of a business this decision could be made differently but for certain companies there is definitely a correct answer. Buying …

Property Management Leadership In Digital Era, Monica Kristaly

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Leaders’ efforts to sustain a competency advantage are tightly connected to their company’s ability to implement technology innovation. Property management allows decision making and team-leading processes to unfold new shapes again and again. However, little research has examined these dynamics. This study examines the relationship between leadership styles and property management firm performance in the digital era. We focus on two leadership styles: Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership and propose that digitalization will moderate the relationship between different leadership styles and property management effectiveness. Using transactional and transformational leadership theories, we propose that both transformational and transactional leadership styles are …

Derivatives Use And Risk Taking: Evidence From Alternative Mutual Funds, Alyse Mcalpine

Financial Analyst

I provide new empirical evidence on the effect of derivatives usage on the risk and performance of a group of mutual funds mimicking hedge fund strategies, namely alternative mutual funds (AMFs). Using data on a sample of 914 AMFs from Morningstar during 2002-2017, I show that while the use of derivatives does impact the performance of AMFs, it significantly increases AMFs’ total and idiosyncratic volatilities, even after we control for various fund characteristics. This positive relation between the use of derivatives and the risk-taking of AMFs is particularly strong during the crisis period, and Bear Market, Long-Short Credit, Managed Futures, …

The Use Of Derivatives By Corporate Bond Mutual Funds, Emily Scofield

Financial Analyst

This paper examines the use of derivatives by corporate bond mutual funds. Using a sample of 1,657 U.S. corporate bond funds from Morningstar during 2002-2018, I document a significant positive relation between the use of derivatives and corporate bond fund performance, even after controlling various fund characteristics. This relation is mainly driven by investment grade funds, but not high yield funds. Finally, while the positive relation holds for non-crisis periods, the use of derivatives appears to be negatively related to corporate bond fund performance during the crisis period. Overall, the results show that corporate bond funds that use derivatives significantly …

Negotiations Between Mother Nature And Man's Most Powerful Creation: The Environmental Crisis And The Corporate Paradigm, Drew Zaweski

Accounting

I came to the University at Albany intending to study accounting. While here I decided to add communication as a minor and was privileged to enroll in courses beyond the scope of, yet still relatable to, accounting. Such courses include the Theory of Organizational Communication, Studies in Public Persuasion - Communication in Professional Contexts, and Conference and Group Leadership all taught by Dr. Patricia Gettings; another was Environmental Economics taught by Mary Mallia. Throughout my time at the University at Albany, one of my favorite educational experiences has been when I am able to make connections between classes and across …

The Impact Of Robotic Milking Systems: The Case Of The Rocky Mountain Region, Garret Nelson

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

The increasing adoption of automatic milking systems (AMS) in the U.S. has caused interest in determining if they are truly beneficial to the farmers who install them. The focus in this study is to identify the monetary value of AMS for dairies in the Rocky Mountain region and the estimated value of the non-monetary benefits. Using a mixed methods approach to create a survey; information was gathered from farmers in the Rocky Mountain region who are using AMS. The results reveal that monetary benefits from production and labor savings are lacking in themselves to provide positive net present values (NPVs) …

Live Thankfully Little Rock: A Case Study Of Marketing For Nonprofit For Resale Shops, Ann Claire Cook

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis discusses the best practices that nonprofit resale shops should follow when marketing.

What Consumers Don’T Know They’Re Giving Away (Data And Privacy Concerns), Bayleigh Reeves

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The modern world leverages technology and information captured by it in ways the inventors of these technologies likely never imagined. Phones and other devices are gathering information about consumers in the background when they do not even realize it. Pew Research Center found that about 77% of Americans own a smartphone and 88% use the internet. This mass access to technology and information tracking raises many privacy concerns. Basic demographic information is being tracked as well as more in-depth information like shopping tendencies, financial information, and information about known associates. While most of this data is being used for marketing …

Cryptocurrencies: An Overview, Investment Investigation, Comparative Analysis, And Regulatory Proposals, Jacob Franzen

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

With cryptocurrencies moving out of obscurity and into the public eye, the initial purpose of this research paper is to provide the history of cryptocurrencies, to explain the complex workings in and around cryptocurrencies, investigate their investment potential, and to draw attention to their potential for misuse. To follow, the primary purpose is to create a platform on which to compare cryptocurrencies with more common mediums of exchange, analyze their current international regulatory climate, highlight their trends within influential nations, discuss their pending and future regulation, and provide personal proposals for additional regulation. Due to the complex nature of the …

Impact Of Salt Deduction Cap On Individual Tax Liability, Mahum Chaudhry

Honors Theses

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 placed a cap of $10,000 on the State and Local Tax deduction. A survey was carried out to compare individuals' tax liability in 2017 (before the cap) with their tax liability in 2018 (after the cap). The results suggest that fewer people itemized in 2018, and most belonged to the high-income group. Many individuals who itemized in 2018 also saw an increase in their federal tax liability. Most individuals with less than $100,000 yearly income opted for the standard deduction and saw a decrease in their federal tax liability in 2018 (in …

Analysis Of True Risk Lab’S Price Prediction Algorithm In Relation To Market Results, Chris F. Hua

Honors Theses

The concept of beating the stock market is one of the main goals of financial investors and analysts. However, seasoned analysts and investors cannot perfectly predict the movements within the stock market. Machine learning (ML) is one prediction method that has intrigued the financial industry as a means of accurately predicting the market. Though the current prediction algorithms do not grasp every change in the stock markets, the models do provide a means of looking towards stock trends as a means to hedge an investor's or fund's portfolio against market declines by looking at the artificial intelligence (AI) results. This …

Impact Of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, And Automation In Operations Management: An Analysis Of Healthcare, Manufacturing, And Retail Sectors, Jasmine N. Kelley

Honors Theses

In this thesis, we study the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation on operations management (OM). We specifically target the industries of healthcare, retail, and manufacturing in our analysis since each sector has distinct dynamics and concerns regarding the structural changes imposed by advancements in AI. We analyze 120 high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles to capture recent research trends in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Using respected business analytics reports, we compare academic efforts to industry initiatives. We find that growing interest in AI research in academia is consistent with growing research and development (R&D) investment and patent …

Using Buy And Rent Discrepancies To Predict Real Estate Bubbles, Jonathan K. Niehaus

Honors Theses

The cost of housing is one of the biggest recurring expenses Americans face. Real estate is also one of the largest asset classes of investments today. The decision of whether or not it is the right time to purchase a piece of residential real estate can be difficult for the everyday person as well as professionals. With the recent downturn of 2008, many people are reminded that the price of houses can spiral upward, and if one bought at the wrong time, their house could lose a tremendous portion of its value. This study focuses on looking at different economic …

The Impact Of Big Data On Audit Evidence And The Level Of Assurance, Sachin Yadav

Honors Theses

This study seeks to establish the relationship between Big Data and its impact on the quality of audit evidence and the level of assurance perceived by the end-users. Currently, auditors rely on sampling to provide reasonable assurance that a company’s financial statements are materially in accordance with a country’s Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). With Big Data, auditors can minimize the risk posed by sampling, and therefore, provide a reasonable level assurance. The present study examines financial statement users’ perceptions of the level of assurance when auditors present unqualified opinions using Big Data during the audit engagement. It observes this …

The Cultural Influence On Sharing Economy Services: The Case Of Airbnb, Lacey K. Wallace

Honors Theses

The sharing economy offers consumers an alternative to ownership by exchanging value through technology-based services. As sharing economy practices continue to emerge, business scholars have only recently begun to study how cultural differences impact the sharing economy. Specifically, few studies have examined individual cultural values. Therefore, this study explores whether differences in cultural values, using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, account for consumers’ attitudes and participation in sharing economy services (SES). Utilizing a survey, data was gathered from a total of 276 consumers from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) who had previous experience with Airbnb, a popular peer-to-peer accommodation SES. Multiple regression was …

The Strategic Disclosure Of Currency Headwinds And Tailwinds, Kevin Butler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I examine whether companies are more likely to disclose revenue growth adjusted to remove the effects of foreign currency fluctuations (constant-currency revenue growth rates) when currency fluctuations decrease revenue growth (i.e., there is a currency headwind) than when currency fluctuations increase revenue growth. Public companies increasingly cite non-GAAP performance metrics when announcing earnings. While regulators see value in non-GAAP reporting, they continue to express concern that it is carried out inconsistently and in a misleading manner. Because the disclosure of constant-currency revenue growth is discretionary, companies have an incentive to strategically disclose it only when it benefits …

Follow The Leader: A Followership Perspective In Restaurants, Courtney Troxtel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While leadership has been a popular research topic in the hospitality industry, followership has a limited amount of research contributing to the body of knowledge. Followers are a key aspect of the leadership equation; therefore, it is important to understand their role in the industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the leadership theory of followership in restaurants to examine the connections between followership training, voice behavior and employee turnover rates. The study adds to the existing knowledge of followership in the hospitality industry and provides ideas for future research and practical implications.

A descriptive survey was made …

Chefs' Perceptions Of Zero Waste Cooking In Restaurants, Josephine Reardon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine chefs’ perceptions and practices relative to current and potentially future efforts to decrease food waste. Through qualitative inquiry, this research aims to identify food waste reduction practices in Northwest Arkansas restaurants; chef’s perceptions of these practices and zero waste cooking; the impact these practices have on successfully implementing sustainability; and the biggest challenges in reducing food waste in restaurants. The results of this study will assist chefs and restaurant owners by providing guidance on practices easily utilized in restaurants currently.

An interview protocol, with five sections, was conducted with ten chefs at …

Data Breach Consequences And Responses: A Multi-Method Investigation Of Stakeholders, Hamid Reza Nikkhah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The role of information in today’s economy is essential as organizations that can effectively store and leverage information about their stakeholders can gain an advantage in their markets. The extensive digitization of business information can make organizations vulnerable to data breaches. A data breach is the unauthorized access to sensitive, protected, or confidential data resulting in the compromise of information security. Data breaches affect not only the breached organization but also various related stakeholders. After a data breach, stakeholders of the breached organizations show negative behaviors, which causes the breached organizations to face financial and non-financial costs. As such, the …

Perception Of County Extension Agents’ Organizational Fit After Participating In The Mentoring Component Of The Cooperative Extension Service Onboarding Program, Angela Blacklaw-Freel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the perception employees of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) after participating in a mentoring program. The CES implemented an onboarding program in 2010 which included a yearlong mentoring component for county extension agents because they were resigning at an alarming rate. The study aimed to illuminate if the mentoring program increased the county extension agents’ perception of fit after completing the program by determining if they felt they possessed characteristics that were compatible with the organization.

This study was founded on the mentees’ viewpoints of their perceptions of person-organization (PO) fit, …

Hello Girls On Strike: Telephone Operators, The Fort Smith General Strike And The Struggle For Democracy In Great War Arkansas, Kyra Schmidt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In September 1917, Fort Smith telephone operators formed a local of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Soon after, company leaders dismissed two of the women who were instrumental in the formation of the union. After many attempts to meet and negotiate with the company leaders, the remaining operators walked out and began striking on September 19. This strike lasted almost four months and brought chaos into the city including the indictments, trials, and convictions of the mayor, J. H. Wright, and chief of police, Jim Fernandez. The election after Wright’s conviction saw the first female votes in Arkansas history. …

Use Of Acetolactate Synthase-Inhibiting Herbicides In Inzen Grain Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench Ssp. Bicolor), Hunter Bowman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Grain sorghum is typically grown as a rotational crop in Arkansas because of its many benefits, one being the effective control of Palmer amaranth through the use of atrazine. However, limited options exist for postemergence (POST) control of weedy grasses within the crop. Inzen™ grain sorghum is the result of a nicosulfuron resistant weedy sorghum biotype cross-bred with a commercial line of grain sorghum. Inzen™ allows for safe use of over-the-top applications of nicosulfuron within the crop. Nicosulfuron is an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide, which has historically been used in corn for control of weedy grasses. Experiments were conducted in …

Dark Clouds: The Ethics Behind A Growing Vape Culture, Matthew Crenshaw

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project addresses the areas of vaping consequences and the overall perception of vaping as a whole from the public. It also successfully answers one primary question: Have vaping companies really done anything “unethical” in terms of marketing and selling their products, or are they just the easiest entity to blame?

Vaping has been referred to as an “epidemic” in recent years. It has gained an immense amount of popularity among America’s youth however little is known about its long-term health risks. Vaping, along with its advertising techniques and unique target audience, has been compared to cigarettes and with that …

Implementing An Arts-Based Initiative Pedagogy In A Business School Creativity Course, Joseph Ruiz

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Traditional education and training methods are not well suited to the task of equipping the new workforce. Different skills are needed to succeed in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. Arts-based initiatives provide a new model for teaching twenty-first century job skills by leveraging an emerging arts-based pedagogy as a fundamentally different approach to teaching, training, and equipping a new generation of workers, uniquely qualified to function in this new environment.

The new pedagogy is based on four arts-based processes:

• Skills Transfer
• Projective Technique
• Illustration of Essence
• Making