Business Commons^™

Investing In Sustainability: Making Portsmouth, New Hampshire A Sustainable City, David Freeman

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Twitter By Luxury And Midscale Hotels, Yolanda M. Tselepidakis

Honors Theses and Capstones

Twitter has demanded a presence in company brands since its start up in 2008, including the hotel industry. As an up and coming marketing tool, the social media website is still new to both hotels and their guests. Observing the different strategies incorporated by luxury and midscale hotels, the paper provides explanations on how these two segments differ in utilizing Twitter. Through direct interviews with US luxury and midscale hotels and analyzing individual Twitter feeds, it was found that luxury hotels and their target market are much more active on Twitter than the midscale hotel segment. Implications suggest that although …

Pay In Nonprofits, Kevin F. Hallock

Economics Faculty Publications

In the US, April 21-April 27 is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize all those who work without pay to support important missions or causes championed by nonprofits. Many of the issues that come up when designing pay systems in for-profits (strategy, internal equity, performance, motivation, fairness, transparency, etc.) are as important to consider in nonprofits as they are in for-profits. But some of the facts and issues differ. Using a sample of data from the 2000 US Census of Population about approximately 3 million people between the ages of 16 and 65 who worked full year and full …

Using Digital Storytelling To Engage Student Learning, Themin Suwardy, Gary Pan, Poh Sun Seow

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

No one really knows what the first story ever told in human history was, but storytelling is an art that spans many civilizations and cultures, and continues to be a major part of our modern lives. More recently, storytelling has gone digital with advances in technology and connectivity. Educators have also rediscovered how storytelling can be an effective teaching pedagogy for engaged student learning. A digital story can engage students' visual and auditory senses in a way that the written word alone cannot. This article describes such an effort. The Movie-Door-2-Door.com (MD2D) is a digital story spanning 12 episodes. The …

Trade Evolution And Exchange Market Pressures, Bradley Rotter

Honors Theses

This paper looks at the relationship between trade openness and an exchange rate volatility index called exchange market pressure. The theory behind the paper is that increasing trade flows between nations should reduce economic volatility, as it allows for the correct allocation of goods and services across borders. The results show a negative relationship between an increase in trade openness and volatility as measured by exchange market pressures. The empirical estimate is based on 20 OECD nations from 1992 to 2007. Although, trade shows some impact on volatility, most instability arises from systematic risks that are felt globally.

Vmanagement: Initial Exploration Of Management Practice, M. Susan Wurtz, Dale Cyphert, Leslie K. Duclos

Faculty Work

For several years, the authors have maintained a simulation (sim) in Second LifeTM, with management responsibility for allocating sim resources across research and instructional projects, some of which involved working with residents. Although not originally anticipated to be a research site in management theory and practice, the project presented an unexpected pattern of difficulty and an unexpectedly rich case study to examine why and how the virtual environment generated norms of power and empowerment for which traditional management practice was not effective. We conducted a theoretical thematic analysis on a body of conversation transcripts, meeting agendas and minutes, email messages …

2013-April-01-Erin Savage Of Appalachian Voices To Speak At Etsu, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

University Libraries Three Million Volume Celebration, Patricia Campbell

Celebrations

On April 1^st, 2013, University Libraries celebrated the arrival of the three millionth volume in the largest library collection in the state. The ceremonial presentation of the book was held in the Zimmerman Library West Wing.

The official three millionth volume “The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid, the Noted Desperado of the Southwest, Whose Deeds of Daring and Blood Made his Name a Terror in New Mexico, Arizona and Northern Mexico” has been donated by the William A. Keleher Family. It was written by Pat Garrett, Sheriff of Lincoln County and published in 1882. The book is …

Organizational Change: Models For Successfully Implementing Change, Ashley May Calder

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Does it matter what change model is used to make a change in an organization? If so, why? Are certain models more effective than others based on the kind of change that is made (i.e. technology-based verses people-based)? What overlaps exist between these models? What is the strongest point of each model? What is the weakest point? Are any of the change models currently used in companies? This article defines three change models: ADIKAR, Lewin's Change Model and John Kotter's Eight Steps for Leading Organizational Change. Using 16 personal interviews with individuals from large and small companies, I will explain …

Refresh. Create. Inspire. The Mission, Vision And Values Behind The Coca-Cola Company And The Digital Marketing Strategies Of The "Open Happiness" Campaign, Sara Svendsen

Masters Theses

Due to the influence of Coca-Cola on advertising, digital marketing, and marketing strategies, the present rhetorical analysis seeks to show the many aspects of digital media in the Company's present "Open Happiness" campaign. The study of the campaign seeks to show that the Company mission statement, Company values and the vision of The Coca-Cola Company are implemented into all of the different facets of the Open Happiness campaign, and in the context of Mood Management Theory, exude the overall theme of the campaign, happiness. The parts of the campaign that were analyzed were focused on the YouTube channels of The …

Fifteen Percent Or More: A Content Analysis Of Geico's Commercial Advertising, Paul Davis

Masters Theses

In this media saturated world which is lived in today, the general public is bombarded by a multitude of advertisements. This thesis was conducted to examine Geico's commercial advertising looking specifically at their use of humor. The Elaboration Likelihood Model and the Humorous Message Taxonomy were used to conduct this content analysis. The research examined the route of persuasion and elaboration that were used in 60 Geico commercials from five of their most recent campaigns. The Humorous Message Taxonomy helped to establish which types of humor were being used along with the processes and relationship between elements. Three research questions …

Harnessing Charisma For Leadership Training, Meagan Roper

Masters Theses

Effective leadership develops followers toward objectives that focus a group's energy to engage in its task and accomplish its goals. The following study sought to understand charismatic leadership and its role in creating transformational change. Through a mixed methods case study using surveys and interviews, this researcher sought to explain the essence of charismatic leadership. Within the organization this study investigated, this meant first establishing organizational vision for a family atmosphere and guiding members on the path to achieving that vision, generating motivation and dedication to the task goals. The researcher discovered practical communicative strategies for incorporating charismatic leadership in …

Seattle's Seafaring Siren: A Cultural Approach To The Branding Of Starbucks, Briana Kauffman

Masters Theses

Many corporate brands tend to be built on a strong foundation of culture, but very minimal research seems to indicate a thorough analysis of the role of an organizational's culture in its entirety pertaining to large corporations. This study analyzed various facets of Starbucks Coffee Company through use of the cultural approach to organizations theory in order to determine if the founding principles of Starbucks are evident in their organizational culture. Howard Schultz' book "Onward" was analyzed and documented as the key textual artifact in which these principles originated. Along with these principles, Starbucks' Website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube page …

Are The Loan Loss And Fair Value Components Of Bank Income Rationally Priced?, Chu Yeong Lim, Edward Lee, Martin Walker

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper examines if the market rationally prices the loan loss provisions, and the fair value gains and losses of US banks. We also model the discretionary components of loan loss provisions and fair value gains and losses, and test if the discretionary components are priced differently from their non-discretionary counterparts. We find little evidence that the market misprices operating cash flows, non-discretionary loan loss provisions, or fair value gains and losses (discretionary or otherwise). However we do find evidence of significant mispricing of discretionary loan loss provisions. This evidence remains significant even after controlling for the fact that loan …

Attest Engagements On Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information; Statement Of Position, 13-1, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants. Sustainability Task Force

Exposure Drafts, Comment Letters, and Statements of Position

No abstract provided.

Visual Metaphor In Games Of Chance: What You See Is What You Play, Stephen Andrade

Occasional Papers

Visual images have been a key element in the development of wager-based games. The legacy of visual metaphor in gaming can be traced through paper ephemera such as playing cards and lottery tickets. Both paper and printing technology ushered the age of wide spread playing opportunities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Modern play behaviors have given way to Postmodern gaming norms in digital space. The digital age has presented a new set of challenges for gaming architecture in wager-based play. Action research in prototyping games is beginning to reveal a new and different set of game characteristics.

Diffusion Of Mobile Payment Systems Among Microentrepreneurs In Kenya And Tanzania, Dionne A. Nickerson

School of Business Student Scholarship

The rapid rise of Kenya's mobile payment system, M-PESA , has grasped the attention of policy makers and private enterprise alike. In just six years M-PESA has transformed how money flows throughout Kenya, and similar systems are gaining traction elsewhere in Africa. This project examines the impact of mobile payment system adoption on the economic advancement of Kenyan and Tanzanian microentrepreneurs. This work will further the understanding of mobile payment systems’ contribution to the economic growth of microenterprises, which may have implications for poverty reduction in these two nations.

Should Angel-Backed Start-Ups Reject Venture Capital?, Darian M. Ibrahim

Faculty Publications

The conventional wisdom is that entrepreneurs seek financing for their high-growth, high-risk start-up companies in a particular order. They begin with friends, family, and "bootstrapping" (e.g., credit card debt). Next they turn to angel investors, or accredited investors (and usually ex-entrepreneurs) who invest their own money in multiple, early-stage start-ups. Finally, after angel funds run dry, entrepreneurs seek funding from venture capitalists (VCs), whose deep pockets and connections lead the startup to an initial public offering (IPO) or sale to a larger company in the same industry (trade sale).

That conventional wisdom may have been the model for start-up success …

2013 April, Office Of Communications & Marketing, Morehead State University.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for April of 2013.

Montana Nonresident Visitation Trends: 2002-2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report displays the total number of individual nonresidents visiting Montana from 2002-2012. It also shows the total number of groups visiting Montana during the same time period.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Trends: 2002-2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the nonresident traveler expenditure trends for visitors of Montana from 2002-2012. It also displays the total actual expenditures and the total inflation-adjusted expenditures.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during 2012.

The Stage Stop Inn: A Case Study On The Impact Of Small Hotels On Communities, Christine Oschell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to understand more about the impact of the Stage Stop Inn on the community of Choteau. Specifically, the objectives were to learn more about the characteristics of overnight guests to the Stage Stop Inn, to determine reasons why people chose to stay at the Stage Stop Inn, and to determine the spending patterns of overnight guests to the Stage Stop Inn in the community of Choteau.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 3, 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the third quarter of 2012.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 2, 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the second quarter of 2012.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 1, 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the first quarter of 2012.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Quarterly Travel Comparison: 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the 2012 quarterly visitation and length of stay data for nonresident travelers to Montana. It also displays average daily spending for various expenditure categories, as well as total expenditures for those categories.

Getting What You Need: How Reputation And Status Affect Team Performance, Hiring, And Salaries In The Nba, Gokhan Ertug, Fabrizio Castellucci

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We study how the reputation and status of resource providers affect the two organizational outcomes of product quality and revenues, hiring decisions, and prices paid to resource providers. We argue that reputation and status have different effects on outcomes: reputation has a stronger effect on product quality, and status has a stronger effect on revenues. Building on this, we argue that actual quality mediates the effect of reputation on revenues more than the effect of status on revenues. Moreover, reputation and status have different effects on how organizations acquire resources: when their product quality is low relative to their aspiration …

Decision Support For Lead Time And Demand Variability Reduction, Xin Fang, Cheng Zhang, David J. Robb, Joseph D. Blackburn

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Companies undertaking operations improvement in supply chains face many alternatives. This work seeks to assist practitioners to prioritize improvement actions by developing analytical expressions for the marginal values of three parameters – (i) lead time mean, (ii) lead time variance, and (iii) demand variance – which measure the marginal cost of an incremental change in a parameter. The relative effectiveness of reducing lead time mean versus lead time variance is captured by the ratio of the marginal value of lead time mean to that of lead time variance. We find that this ratio strongly depends on whether the lead time …

Uncovering Hedge Fund Skill From The Portfolio Holdings They Hide, Vikas Agarwal, Wei Jiang, Yuehua Tang, Baozhong Yang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper studies the “confidential holdings” of institutional investors, especially hedge funds, where the quarter-end equity holdings are disclosed with a delay through amendments to Form 13F and are usually excluded from the standard databases. Funds managing large risky portfolios with nonconventional strategies seek confidentiality more frequently. Stocks in these holdings are disproportionately associated with information-sensitive events or share characteristics indicating greater information asymmetry. Confidential holdings exhibit superior performance up to 12 months, and tend to take longer to build. Together the evidence supports private information and the associated price impact as the dominant motives for confidentiality.