Business Commons^™

The Tenure Process: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Tenure Standards And Application Processes At The Eight State Funded Universities In Mississippi, Claudia Parker

Honors Theses

The tenure application process is a very important period in any university faculty’s professional career and can be a very stressful event. The results of a faculty’s tenure application will determine whether they will have continued employment at their current university, if they will be required to take another probationary year, or if they will need to seek employment elsewhere. Due to how important this process is, any information associated with this process and the required documentation must be properly managed, easily accessible, and easy to understand. This qualitative analysis develops a list of best practices through a review of …

Involvement Of College Football Fans At The University Of Southern Mississippi, Cameron S. Kenney

Honors Theses

The modern college football market faces several challenges including the fact that game day attendance numbers have continued to drop for the past few years and show no signs of slowing down. Understanding the psychological involvement of sports fans could play a major role in improving attendance numbers and providing consumers with a greater experience during football games. The primary goal of this research was to determine predictors of sports involvement among Southern Miss football fans. Another goal was to determine which facets of involvement predicted return intentions. With those who had attended a home Southern Miss football game in …

The Evolution And Revolution Of Financial Accounting, Divonte Lumpkin

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

Accounting services are one of the primary reasons why companies are able to serve its customers and perform at high levels. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence has become an additional resource that have revolutionized the accounting world not only in the financial services industry, but the oil and gas industry)as well. Within the oil and gas industry, fair value impairment and financial reporting methods are analyzed to elaborate on how generally accepted accounting principles impact companies' assets which are vital to financial statements. However, accounting services are generally overshadowed with the technical aspects it provides. Demonstrating integrity and ethical standards …

How To Create Your Online Ecommerce Store, Jamalia Henry

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

Toni Sorenson once said, "Weight loss doesn't begin with a dumb bell; it starts in your head with a decision." Starting a business begins with an idea but the decision is up to the person to bring it to reality. My thesis will discuss the beginning of a new journey in my life that I used as a route to create sustainable wealth; an outcome that transformed into a passion and business venture. In addition, discussing strategies and skills that will help one become an entrepreneur who may be in need of guidance.

"How to Start an Online Business" will …

A Comprehensive Financial Analysis Of Retail And Wholesale Food Chains, Aaron Fitzgerald Dallas Ii

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

This Financial Analysis Report serves as a financial instrument taking an introspective view into two dynamic companies in the retail and grocery industry. Both Kroger and Costco Wholesale have consistently managed to maintain a reputable career as two large industrial organizations. These two companies have had a magnitude of success by their way of operations in such a competitive market. First, looking at each company's history and way of operations we discovered different strategies utilized between Kroger and Costco. Kroger, a supermarket chain centralizes on effective manufacturing and processing of foods sold in their various supermarkets. They experienced a 6.35% …

"Can I Work With Your Group?" Assessing Preferences Among The Washington University In St. Louis Undergraduate Community Towards International Students In Classroom Group Formation, Marisa Ippolito, Aneesha Bandarpalle, Hank Michalski

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

Group formation is an integral component of the contemporary higher education experience. This begs the question of how students form groups: which aspects are most important, and what determines people’s preferences for group members. Specific incidents have indicated that some students, particularly international students, are not sure if they will be welcome when asking to join a class group. In this study, undergraduate business students were surveyed to understand their preferences when selecting group members, using conjoint analysis to analyze the results. Overall, (i) results show that the most important factor for people’s preferences is if a potential group member …

Predicting College Students' Career Interests To Be A Police Investigator Rather Than A Patrol Officer, Alyssa Viator

Master's Theses

In the field of criminal justice, much research has been dedicated to investigating policing in the 21^stcentury. However, there is a lack of research regarding predictions of career preference among college students, more specifically, millennials. This study was designed to fill that gap in the literature by examining interests in police patrol careers. The methodology involved included multiple regression as a way to potentially predict career preference for a police investigator rather than a patrol officer. The results provided promising results for the overall understanding of career preference for millennials. This study also provided crucial discussions for policy …

How Do Bills Fan Motivations To Attend Home Games Relate To Their Feelings About The Fan Experience?, Mackenzie Stewart

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of the research was to examine why Buffalo Bills fans come out to games, and how that further affected their individual experience. The importance of the research was critical because the results of the surveys were sent to the Buffalo Bills, to potentially use to help guide decisions which have impacted the Guest Experience positively at New Era Field. With a continued push for enhancing the guest experience positively, the importance of the research was critical due to the potential use of the data being collected to make executive decisions for the organization as a whole. It’s been …

Navigating The Grey Areas Within Financial Reporting: A Composition Of Case Studies, Annabelle Fortune

Honors Theses

The following thesis consists of a composition of case studies that I wrote under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. Over two semesters, Dr. Dickinson advised my peers and me to work through a dozen case studies covering a variety of financial accounting concepts. For most of the cases, we were presented with information and pertinent data about a company, then a series of questions for us to answer would follow. While many of the questions were objective in nature, some of the questions allowed us to be creative and provide our own recommendations to the problems presented. Aside from …

Financial Reporting: A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Accounting Methods And Applications, Parker Morgan

Honors Theses

This paper serves as a collection of the case studies assigned by Dr. Victoria Dickinson throughout the Professional Research and Development Thesis Program. Each of the twelve case studies presented within this thesis pertains to a different topic or problem regarding the application of accounting standards, financial reporting, or accounting methods. Additionally, this report displays the application of accounting problems to real-life situations, thus incorporating various subjects, such as investments, economics, accounting, and risk advisory. By promoting the use of group-related assignments, this course stimulated teamwork and classroom collaboration. Because of this, students were able to enhance their communication and …

Predictability Of Mid-To-Long Term Price Direction Following Price Shocks Unassociated With Regularly Scheduled Earnings Calls In Domestic Equity Markets, Noah Braden

Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines the question of whether a company’s stock classification as either growth or value, as indicated by its trailing twelve-month price-to-equity (TTM P/E) ratio or price-to-tangible-book value (TTM PTBV) ratio, has an impact on the price retracement toward, or continued divergence from the previous fair market value of the stock subsequent to a market-moving event uncorrelated with a 10-K or 10-Q filing by the company of interest. The categorization of growth versus value is non-binary and dependent on each firm’s TTM P/E ratio and TTM PTBV ratio (in a secondary model), with a higher ratio in both cases …

Bringing Business Back To The Ballpark, David Drea

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This study uses ordinary least squares and quantile regressions to discover the determinants of total attendance for Major League Baseball teams. Furthermore, the study seeks to discover whether or not the average time length of a baseball game has any significant effect on total attendance. The data ranges from the year 2016 until 2018 and includes all thirty professional teams. The purpose of the quantile regression is to gain a deeper understanding of total attendance’s determinants and to see which distributions in the data are most affected. The results were that home runs are a significant stimulant in attendance and …

Empirical Investigation Of Public Policy On Automotive Sales In The American, Canadian, And German Markets, Hannah Eliades

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Automotive scrappage programs aim to stimulate the economy, while benefiting the environment, by replacing older fuel inefficient cars with new fuel-efficient vehicles. Public policies, such as rebates, are discussed as indirect influencers of competition. Using the Resource-Advantage Theory as a framework, this indirect influence is empirically examined using three programs: one from the United States, Germany, and Canada. This paper found that the duration of the program, as well as the size of the rebate, matter to consumers and the overall success of the program. The United States had a large enough rebate but failed to last long enough to …

Parental Influence In Youth Sport, Justine Tam

Sport Management Undergraduate

Youth sport has become one of the most popular outlets for children in today’s society. Youth sport programs and organizations play an important role in the lives of the children that are participating. Many aspects go into, what would be considered, a successful delivery of sports (Barcelona & Young, 2010). Moreover, this includes coaches and parent’s influences and when it contributes to a positive experience (Barcelona & Young, 2010). However, one of the biggest contributions to a positive or negative sport experience, is the role of parental influence.

The culture around youth sports has changed in multiple ways throughout the …

Evaluation Of Aau Experiences, Erika Wittmeyer

Sport Management Undergraduate

The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding about what former Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball players took away from their experience during participation. The reason this study was conducted was because AAU often requires a large time and financial commitment. There is a lot that goes into AAU between practices, tournaments, traveling, plus other expenses that show up throughout AAU. This research study is important to people who are thinking about joining the organization but also those who are interested in exploring if it is still beneficial to participate. It is known that a lot of …

An Examination Of How Much Product Extensions Play A Role In Fandom, Skylar Swatt

Sport Management Undergraduate

Executive Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine if product extensions played a role in fandom so sport organizations could see what extensions they could use to gain more fans, generate revenue, and enhance their relationships with their fans. This research was important because sport organizations could use the product extensions that play a role in fandom to enhance their relationships with their fans. It was known that the development of fandom, product extensions, and the growth of sport programing along with the plethora of options for fans to use have been examined and researched individually. The method …

Player Safety In The National Football League, Cody Dubiel

Sport Management Undergraduate

This research was conducted to determine to what extent National Football League fans want player safety rules in the game of football. The NFL received backlash from not only a tremendous amount of fans but players as well. It was essential for the NFL to determine what a happy medium was in order to keep the players safe while they played the game of football, but also the physicality was a large part of the game that the fans loved. The NFL player safety rules reduced the amount of injuries that occurred, but fans and players believed that the rules …

Financial Literacy: The Argument For Required Coursework Regarding Personal Finance In Schools, Maclain Canfield

Honors Theses

Financial literacy is one of the most important skills for adults to possess, and therefore personal finance should be required education. Being financially literate provides individuals with the knowledge needed to make financially prudent decisions that substantially impact their lives (Kenton, 2019; Lusardi, 2008; Zucchi, 2018). However, only fifty-seven percent of adults in the United States are financially literate (Klapper, Lusardi, & Oudheusden, 2015).

Although financial literacy provides lifelong benefits, basic personal finance is seldom taught in schools (Council for Economic Education, 2018; NPR, 2019). Research shows that students are more financially literate where financial education in high school is …

Time Changes Everything: Examining Socioemotional Selectivity’S Effects On Entrepreneurial Intentions And Attitudes, Zane N. Sudan

Honors College Theses

Entrepreneurship is still regarded as a popular career choice across generations, however, the Millennial generation has seen the lowest rates of entrepreneurship among past generations. The purpose of this study is to identify psychological mechanisms that could explain this drop in entrepreneurship, discerning whether or not time perspective has a significant effect on an individual’s entrepreneurial intentions and attitudes. Two studies were conducted: (1) a 2x2 experiment that manipulated time perspective (open time vs limited time) and perceived certainty (perceived certainty vs. perceived uncertainty) to see what effects these variables had on entrepreneurial intentions and emotion regulation regarding entrepreneurial goals. …

Evaluating The Undergraduate Marketing Curriculum: Utilizing A Swot-Based Approach To Identify And Incorporate Meaningful Digital Skills, Concepts, & Competencies, Kayla Noel Sapkota

Theses and Dissertations

Marketing professionals commonly use technology for communications, advertising, and data collection and analysis. Entry-level marketers who can harness the power of digital tools will be favorably situated to meet the challenges of today’s digitally-based world of work. This qualitative study investigated the undergraduate marketing curriculum with a focus on preparing students for careers in digital marketing. The two, main research questions are as follows: (1) how well are colleges and universities preparing students for technology-based marketing jobs upon graduation, and (2) what knowledge/skills do employers seek when hiring employees for technology based marketing jobs? Data were collected from four sources, …

The Relationship Between Capital Structure And Profitability Of United States Manufacturing Companies: An Empirical Analysis, Cuibing Wu

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Cuibing Wu on April 22, 2019.

Psychological Ownership Of Simple Jobs: The Effect Of Job Crafting, John S. Furrh Iii

PhD in Business Administration Dissertations

Previous research on the relationship of job characteristics and psychological ownership has primarily focused on the specific dimensions of work and possessive behaviors and their impact on employees in complex jobs. This study takes a new path by examining how psychological ownership can be increased for a previously unexamined group, employees in simple (i.e., routine and repetitive) jobs. Based on 2016 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, almost 60% of jobs in the U.S. workforce could be considered to be simple or low in complexity. This study intends to investigate the answer to the following key research question: Can psychological …

A Survey Of Financial Accounting Reporting, Charles Upton

Honors Theses

This thesis takes a survey of key accounting issues and concepts addressed in financial accounting reporting. Accountancy majors of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College were given a chance to complete their thesis before their internship of senior year by taking two classes over junior year. This thesis was constructed under the guidance of Dr. Vicki Dickinson in this discussed class. The thesis itself is a compilation of twelve different accounting cases, and each case studies various area of financial reporting.

Honors Accounting Thesis, Robert Loeb

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of nine case studies that involved analyzing the financial statements of both domestic and international companies. These analyses examined a number of accounting related issues and key management decisions regarding accounting policies. The cases required the consideration of management’s responsibility to report accurately and completely the financial results of operations in regard to accounting policy decisions pertaining to financial statement presentation, bad debt expense recognition, and capital asset depreciation. In addition, the cases explored other current topics in accounting such as the convergence of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles with International Financial Reporting Standards and the implementation …

The Impact Of Audit Engagement Partner Disclosure On Audit Outcomes In The United States, J. Alan Bell

PhD in Business Administration Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE IMPACT OF AUDIT ENGAGEMENT PARTNER DISCLOSURE ON AUDIT OUTCOMES IN THE UNITED STATES

by

James Alan Bell

This study is motivated by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) mandate requiring the public disclosure of the audit engagement partner’s identity. Prior to the ruling, the audit engagement partner (AEP) was known only to the company’s management, audit committee, audit firm, and regulators. The PCAOB maintains that disclosure of the AEP will increase the partner’s sense of accountability; and increase transparency in the audit process; leading to improved audit quality; and improved financial reporting quality; thereby improving the credibility …

The Informed Human Firewall: The Impact Of Knowledge Dimensions On Employees' Secure Behavior, Ashraf Mady

PhD in Business Administration Dissertations

Organizations implement a variety of knowledge mechanisms such as information security education, training, and awareness (SETA) programs and information security policies to influence employees’ secure behavior. However, skills gained through these knowledge mechanisms have not always translated to secure behavior. Protection motivation theory (PMT) is a widely used and accepted theory in information security behavioral research. Nevertheless, information security research has not examined the impact of knowledge mechanisms on PMT psychological processes. This study explains the key psychological processes that influence employees’ secure behavior and seeks to understand how organizational knowledge mechanisms influence these key psychological processes that form threats …

Generational Differences In Remote Work, Lauren Nowakowski

Honors Theses

In business, a remote worker consists of an individual that does their day to day work from an environment that is out of the office. Some employees work remotely 1-2 days a week; other times, it is remote work all the time. Different generations may view remote work differently. Some may find it to be a blessing, others a curse. This report will discover what generations are best suited for remote work, and which are better off in the office. The organization begins with defining who a remote worker is. Next, there are the benefits of having a remote worker …

Marketing Plan For The Foundation Scholarship Program, Marissa Chupp

Honors Theses

The Foundation Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for incoming freshman who meet the scholarship’s criteria at Western Michigan University (WMU). Along with the scholarship funds, the Foundation Scholar program aids students by providing a solid community of peers and mentors. Since the program’s debut in 2015, there has been no marketing plan set in place. This thesis is devoted to the creation of a marketing plan that can be used as a guideline to promote the Foundation Scholarship. The goal of this marketing plan is to persuade donors to give to the program and incoming WMU students to apply for …

The Role Of Gender In Workplace Exhaustion: Female Perceptions Of Stress In The Technology Workplace, Madison C. Wills

Honors College Theses

As the role of the information technology professional expands, an increasing amount of technology employees are experiencing workplace exhaustion. Adding to that stress, women face other obstacles as minorities in the field. This project identifies characteristics of how gender influences perceived stress and exhaustion in the technology workplace. Through the use of statistics and spreadsheets, this study analyzes survey data regarding information technology professional job perceptions. Expanding upon previous research on this data set, this study adds the element of gender. It was discovered that men were more likely to experience stressors such as role conflict, role ambiguity, and a …

Strategic Continuity Plan, Margaret Scannell

Honors Theses

To earn a Minor in Nonprofit Leadership with Certificate at Western Michigan University (WMU), all students must enroll in PADM 3210 and 3220, which are one-credit courses two different semesters. The difference between earning a nonprofit minor with certificate versus without certificate is a 300-hour internship, enrolling in PADM 3210 and 3220, and attending the Alliance Management Institute Conference (AMI). At AMI, which happens for three days every January, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) will give graduating students their credentials of Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNPs).

This course, PADM 3210/3220 is direct involvement in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association (NLSA). I …