Business Commons^™

Candidates' Perceptions Of A University's Consultancy Requirements With For-Profit/Nonprofit Partnering Organizations, Candace S. Parson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation in practice is an action research study that investigated the perceptions of students within the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (DEOL) program under the University College of Education experiences in consultancy organizational partnerships in terms of key benefits, key factors, and barriers/limitations that existed in the partnership. This study provided feedback to the University College of Education that was used to understand candidates’ experiences, it identified continuous improvement and developmental opportunities that will be used to evaluate consultancy organizational partnerships. A qualitative research design was used to collect data from 10 DEOL students via one-on-one interviews. The …

Indirect Earnings Management, Scott B. Jackson, Jason T. Rasso, Aaron F. Zimbleman

Faculty Publications

We hypothesize that managers use their hierarchical role as reviewers of accounting judgments and estimates to manage earnings, which we call indirect earnings management (IEM). Across a series of experiments using highly experienced financial executives as participants, we provide evidence that IEM (1) is likely used by managers to achieve current and future earnings targets, (2) reduces both cognitive dissonance associated with managing earnings and the extent to which managers think that their behaviors constitute earnings management, and (3) is more likely to be used when corporate governance is strong than when corporate governance is weak. The results of this …

Affordance-Based Information Technology Sensemaking [Abits], Arvin Mesgari, Chitu Okoli, Ana Ortiz De Guinea

Information Systems and Business Analytics Faculty Works

Information Technology (IT) use gives rise to a wide variety of outcomes. This stems in part from the divergent ways in which individuals understand technology. While the sensemaking literature unveils how meaning is attached to organizational phenomena via cognitive and social processes, it overlooks the discovery dimension of making sense, that is detecting the role of the IT artifact in bringing about outcomes. In other words, there is a need to explain how the IT artifact contributes to technology sensemaking and its outcomes. This paper presents a framework that enables scholars to analyze the IT artifact’s role in technology sensemaking …

The Moderating Role Of Hospital Staffing Levels On The Effectiveness Of Clinical Decision Support Systems In Mitigating Patient Readmission Rates, Youyou Tao, Arindam Brahma, Kevin Baldwin, Rui Sundrup, Dezhi Wu

Information Systems and Business Analytics Faculty Works

Healthcare staffing shortages and high 30-day readmission rates are pressing challenges in today's healthcare systems. While extensive studies have explored the positive impact of Health Information Technology (HIT) on health outcomes, the effect of hospital staffing on HIT effectiveness, particularly Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), is underexplored. Therefore, we examine whether physician and resident staffing levels moderate the impact of CDSS on 30-day readmission rates. After analyzing data from 1,605 hospitals in the United States from 2017 and 2018, we found that the effect of CDSS implementation in reducing 30-day readmission rates is more pronounced in hospitals with lower bed-to-physician …

Understanding The Challenges And Satisfaction Among The Medical Professional Preceptors, Cornelia Ko

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

This study evaluates the Penn Medicine Family Medicine Clerkship program through a mixed-methods approach, exploring the challenges and factors influencing the satisfaction of medical professional preceptors when precepting students. A quantitative survey with 54 preceptor participants reveals the top challenges preceptors face: workload, conflicts with patient care, and limited clinical space. Despite this, there is strong support for the program, with 89% of preceptors enjoying the role and 85% expressing willingness to continue to precept for the next three years. Finally, data analysis shows no statistical correlation between preceptor motivation with gender, ethnicity, age group, years of serving, or total …

A Question For The Ages: The Relationship Between Nurse Staffing And Quality In Appalachian Skilled Nursing Facilities, Eric Jason Pulice

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Nurse staffing levels have been shown to have a critical impact on nursing quality in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Sociodemographic disparities in Appalachian areas have the potential to impact SNF nurse staffing levels and quality. This study examined the relationship between nurse staffing levels and quality in Appalachian SNFs, as well as compliance with the Biden Administration’s minimum staffing mandates as set forth in CMS-3442-F enacted on June 24, 2024.

The study applied Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) through Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) conceptual framework to assess how external resource constraints and regulatory policies impact nurse staffing levels and quality in Appalachian …

A Mixed Methodology Study On Effective Products And Services For Consulting Firms, Doc S. Dillard

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study evaluated organizational effectiveness within small- to medium-sized educational technology and technology-adjacent organizations for consulting firms to develop appropriate products and services for clients. This allowed consulting firms to develop innovation in their approaches. More specifically, this research supported consulting firms specializing in educational technology in developing products and services for industry leaders to improve organizational effectiveness. The research employed a mixed methodology consisting of 10 educational technology leaders. Data were collected from survey questions and through evaluating related literature. The literature compiled included organizations across education, technology, and technology-adjacent industries. The research evaluated organizations through McKinsey’s 7S framework. …

A Geopolitical Economy Analysis Of China And India’S Approaches To Transnational Data Governance, Yujia He, Ka Zeng

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

Recent literature on the behavior of rising powers in digital trade and data governance highlights their discourses of data sovereignty and desire to preserve domestic policy autonomy. This article contributes to the literature by employing a political economy lens that shifts the focus from the nation-state/inter-state framework towards the dynamics of state–capital relations, allowing for a more historical and contextual understanding of the geopolitics of data governance in emerging economies. Using China and India—two of the largest emerging economies—as comparative cases, and drawing on secondary data from government documents and other sources, the article argues that the interplay between the …

How Tax Code Complexity Impacts Small Business Decisions In Alabama: A Mixed Method Study, George Nkosi

Dissertations

This study investigates how federal tax code complexity influences small business decision-making in Alabama using a mixed-methods approach. Tax complexity is defined by ambiguity in tax provisions, frequent regulatory changes, and recordkeeping burdens, all of which affect decision-making and investment behavior. Survey data from small business owners were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify the primary dimensions of tax complexity. Regression analysis then assessed the relationship between these dimensions and business decision-making. The findings indicate that ambiguity, frequency of change, and administrative requirements are negatively associated with long-term planning and capital investment decisions. Two complementary case studies involving …

The Impact Of Data Privacy Concerns On User Trust In Tiktok : A Comparative Study Between The Eu And The Us., Tamta Gachechiladze

Business ETD Collections

This study investigates how data privacy concerns influence user trust in TikTok across two major regions: the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). With over one billion active users worldwide, TikTok has faced intense scrutiny due to its Chinese ownership and concerns over data governance. Using the privacy calculus theory and the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) model as theoretical foundations, the research explores the relationship between privacy concerns, trust, and continued use of TikTok. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining a literature review with primary survey data collected from 55 valid respondents aged 18–35 across different countries. Findings reveal moderate …

The Experience Of The “Too Good To Go” Platform In Ireland And Its Implementation Potential In Mongolia., Jargal Erdenebaatar

Business ETD Collections

Food waste presents a considerable challenge to global environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This study investigates the viability of replicating the “Too Good To Go” (TGTG) platform in Mongolia, informed by the experiences of the TGTG platform in Ireland. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research includes a secondary data analysis from Ireland, an online survey administered to 162 consumers in Ulaanbaatar, and semi-structured interviews with three entrepreneurs.

The findings suggest that the success of TGTG in Ireland can be attributed to several key factors: elevated consumer awareness, a supportive environment reinforced by government policies, and accessible technology. In contrast, the …

Supply Chain Management Challenges For Automotive Industry: Analysing Harman International Semiconductor Shortage Challenges And Efforts To Mitigate Impact., Maria Azucena Valencia Padilla

Business ETD Collections

This report explores the main supply chain disruptions challenges faced in recent years by Harman International, a global leader in manufacturing of premium infotainment for the automotive industry. Like many electronic companies and automotive sectors, Harman has been significantly affected by global supply chain disruptions, such as semiconductor shortages, which have impacted its operations and overall performance. Although Harman has begun addressing these challenges through different strategy responses, emerging risks due to geopolitical tensions, climate change disruptions, and the need for operational resilience highlight the importance of adaptative and smart supply chain systems.

In conclusion, while Harman´s approach has shown …

Strategic Digital Transformation Of Internal Audit: The Microsoft Case Study., Maria De Jesus Marin Marin

Business ETD Collections

Internal audit functions are under increasing pressure to evolve amid rapid digital innovation and rising expectations for risk responsiveness and strategic insight. While tools such as data analytics, automation, and AI offer clear benefits, many audit teams still face inefficiencies and underutilised technology. This study explores how Microsoft’s internal audit function, a case within a digitally advanced yet operationally complex environment, can enhance efficiency, risk detection, and internal controls through digital tools, agile methods, and process redesign. Drawing on qualitative research, including interviews and surveys with internal audit, IT and compliance professionals, the study bridges academic theory with practical insight. …

Ryanair And The Strategic Challenge Of Innovation., Jessyca Souza Damaso

Business ETD Collections

This study examines the strategic innovation challenges facing Ryanair, a Dublin-based low-cost airline that has long dominated the European aviation market through aggressive pricing and operational efficiency. While this cost-leadership model has historically driven success, evolving market conditions—including rising digital expectations and increasing environmental regulations—now require a broader innovation approach that extends beyond operational efficiency.

The research identifies a key strategic limitation in Ryanair’s current innovation efforts, which remain primarily internally focused on cost reduction and operational improvements rather than customer experience or sustainability. Evidence suggests that passengers increasingly perceive the airline’s digital tools as outdated and lacking personalisation, while …

Road Dependence And Inventory Challenges: A Case Study Of Danone Brazil’S Dairy Supply Chain., Karollyne Nakanishi

Business ETD Collections

The research examines the Danone Brazil raw milk supply chain through the Poços de Caldas factory which operates with more than 1,200 employees and functions as a key facility in Latin America. The research investigates two main questions about how Brazilian road-based transportation affects raw milk inventory stability and which localized tools or emerging technologies would enhance supply reliability.

The research design combined survey data from 42 participants with three interviews. The study reveals that stockouts and overstock and waste occur frequently because of poor road conditions and seasonal disruptions and limited local autonomy which results in monthly milk rejection …

Retention Strategies Of Disney+ In Saturated Streaming Markets: A Case Study Of Ireland., Suelen Aleixo Matos

Business ETD Collections

The global streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) industry has undergone rapid transformation in recent years, with Disney+ emerging as a major competitor following its launch in 2019. Despite achieving exceptionally fast subscriber growth in its early stages, the platform now faces increasing retention challenges in mature and saturated markets such as Ireland, where competition and subscription fatigue have become key constraints on further expansion. Evidence from the Irish market indicates high levels of subscription penetration alongside stabilising or declining growth rates, with increasing patterns of subscription cycling and service cancellation driven by cost sensitivity, underuse, and the availability of multiple competing platforms. …

Optimising Student Recruitment And Brand Awareness At Icot College Through Culturally Targeted Advertising And Social Media Strategies., Uchral Ganbold

Business ETD Collections

In today’s competitive higher education landscape, institutions increasingly rely on digital marketing strategies to attract and retain international students. ICOT College, an English Language Training provider in Ireland, faces challenges in recruiting and engaging a diverse international student base due to limited culturally tailored advertising and underutilisation of social media platforms. The global education sector has become more competitive following COVID-19, with students adopting more selective and research-driven approaches when choosing institutions. However, ICOT’s current marketing approach remains largely generic, lacking localisation, targeted messaging, and interactive digital engagement. This reduces its effectiveness in connecting with key international markets and weakens …

Leveraging Ai-Driven Salesforce Crm To Improve Customer Retention In The Irish Insurance Sector., Mohamed El Bakouri

Business ETD Collections

This study explores the growing importance of customer satisfaction within the Irish insurance sector, a highly competitive and evolving market. Traditionally, insurers relied on personal relationships and competitive pricing to retain customers; however, modern consumers increasingly demand fast, personalised services tailored to their individual needs. In response, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly when integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, has emerged as a transformative solution. Tools such as AI-powered CRM platforms enable insurers to utilise predictive analytics, generate customer insights, and enhance service delivery, thereby improving customer retention. Despite these benefits, the adoption of such technologies presents significant challenges for …

Investigating Subscriber Churn And Retention Strategies On Disney+., Maryam El Goss

Business ETD Collections

This study examines the challenges facing Disney+, a subscription-based streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company, in sustaining long-term growth following its rapid global expansion since 2019. While early success was driven by access to major franchises such as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic, the platform is increasingly affected by high subscriber churn. Factors including price sensitivity, content saturation, and intensified competition from platforms such as Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime Video have contributed to declining user retention. The phenomenon of “subscription cycling,” where users subscribe temporarily to consume specific content, further destabilises revenue streams and …

Algorithms And Intimacy: Millennials' Social Meanings From Their Experience Using Tinder., Yuka Gega

Business ETD Collections

In recent years, the way people form relationships has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from traditional, community-based interactions to global, technology-mediated connections. Dating apps have played a central role in this shift, using algorithms and limited user data, such as photos and profiles, to match individuals. While these platforms offer convenience and expanded opportunities to meet others, they may also prioritise selection and appearance over the development of meaningful connections. The widespread adoption of smartphones has accelerated the global reach of these services, making them highly accessible and widely used, particularly among millennials. However, algorithm-driven matching introduces new challenges, including …

Impact Of Global Semiconductor Shortages On Toyota’S Supply Chain And Production Efficiency Due To Covid-19., Jadouane Dounia

Business ETD Collections

In recent years, the global automotive industry has faced significant disruption, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most critical challenges has been the global semiconductor shortage, which has severely impacted vehicle production and supply chains. Semiconductors, commonly known as chips, are essential components in modern automobiles, supporting functions ranging from vehicle control and infotainment systems to safety features and autonomous driving technologies. The shortage has led to delays in delivering cars to consumers, reduced production capacity, and difficulties in maintaining adequate inventory levels. As a result, many automakers have been forced to slow down or …

Dynamic Interactions Between Natural Gas Return, Financial Market Return, And Energy Stock Return: A Var Analysis Of Conoco Phillips., Caglar Yildiz

Business ETD Collections

This study investigates the dynamic interrelationships among ConocoPhillips (COP) stock returns, natural gas prices, the S&P500 index, and changes in the U.S. 10-Year Treasury bond yield using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model over the period January 2020 to July 2025. Weekly data are used to estimate a VAR(4) model, allowing for lagged and contemporaneous interactions across financial and commodity markets. The variables are treated as endogenous, with the model validated through stationarity testing, Johansen cointegration analysis, and diagnostic checks.

Cholesky decomposition is employed for structural identification, with the 10-Year Treasury yield ordered as the most exogenous variable. Wild bootstrap techniques …

Booking.Com: What Drives Retention And How To Improve It., Otavio Lopes Dos Santos Rodrigues

Business ETD Collections

Online travel agencies (OTAs) have significantly reshaped the global tourism and hospitality industry by offering convenience, transparency, and extensive choice to consumers. Among these, Booking.com has emerged as a dominant market leader, operating on a global scale and serving millions of users. However, increasing competition and low switching costs present ongoing challenges in maintaining long-term customer loyalty. This study examines the evolving dynamics of trust, fairness, and conflict resolution in influencing user retention, alongside traditional functional benefits such as usability and price competitiveness. Using Booking.com as a case study, the research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining insights from a property …

One Of The Magnificent Seven Is Coming: Amazon Arrives In East Texas, Manuel Reyes-Loya, Cecilia Cuellar

Hibbs Brief

In this issue of the Hibbs Brief, the arrival of Amazon in East Texas is examined, detailing the company's plans to build a new delivery station in Tyler and estimating its potential economic impact on the region. The brief explains how Amazon's logistics infrastructure works and highlights that the new facility — a roughly 140,000‑square‑foot delivery station — is expected to generate more than 100 full‑time jobs, several hundred part‑time positions, and significant construction‑related employment and economic activity, while broadening the local tax base. By embedding Amazon's presence in the East Texas economy, the analysis shows promising prospects for job …

The Failings Of Post-War Japanese Antitrust Reforms, Gregory Hayes

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

This paper discusses the antitrust reform measures taken during the occupation of Japan following the end of World War II. These antitrust reforms included the dissolution of the zaibatsu business groups and the adoption of the Antimonopoly Act. However, the trust-busting and antitrust measures taken by Japan failed to prevent the eventual rise of keiretsu business groups and lower the concentration of corporate ownership in Japan. The primary reasons behind this failure were the inability of the reformers to fully dismantle the zaibatsu business groups and the changing priorities of the reformers due to the growing threat of the spread …

Positive Reinforcement In Leadership, Jen Lee Williams

M.S. in Leadership

This project examined whether leaders’ use of positive reinforcement
improves team retention, satisfaction, and performance across Generation
X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Jen Williams selected this topic due to the
rising turnover challenges and lack of consistent reinforcement training in
leadership practice. Using mixed-methods design, the study combined a
quantitative survey of 13 working professionals with a qualitative interview
from a Generation X leader participant. Results showed that over 92% of
the participants felt motivated by recognition, and 72% linked
reinforcement to increased satisfaction and desire to stay with their
organization. Generational differences appeared in frequency, authenticity,
and emotional sensitivity …

Do Environmental Risks Explain The Sovereign Sukuk Yields In Malaysia?, Roslina Mohamad Shafi, Norhasimah Shaharuddin, Norsaliza Abu Bakar, Amirul Afif Muhamat, Mosab I. Tabash

The Indonesian Capital Market Review

Given the increasing risks posed by environmental degradation, severe climate change, and recent pandemics, the establishment of a sustainable economy has become a priority for numerous nations. From this perspective, it is crucial to emphasize sustainable finance since it has the potential to serve as a vehicle for accomplishing a green economic agenda. Sovereign sukuk held a prominent position in the sukuk market, both domestically and internationally, but its influence was particularly significant inside the domestic sphere. The study seeks to examine the link between environmental risks and the yield performance of sovereign sukuk. Sukuk performed less favourably compared to …

Quota Fairness, Procedural Justice, Turnover Intentions, And Turnover: A Multi-Path Model Of Salesperson Perceptions, Support, And Trust, James Deconinck, Julie Johnson-Busbin

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study investigates how salesperson perceptions of quota difficulty, quota fairness, and procedural justice influence perceived organizational support (POS), organizational trust, and ultimately turnover intentions. Drawing on social exchange theory and fairness heuristic theory, we propose and test a multi-path model in which quota-related justice perceptions shape salesforce attitudes and behavior through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Data from 313 business-to-business salespeople and their 142 managers reveal that perceived quota difficulty significantly predicts fairness, which in turn is positively related to POS and organizational trust. While fairness was a significant predictor of turnover intentions, procedural justice was not directly related …

Effect Of The Development Of Social Networks On Expansion Of Social Entrepreneurship: Moderating Role Of Digital Technology Infrastructure And Social Norms, Mahdi Maskani, Reza Mohammadkazemi, Fargol Saberi Qomi

AMTP Proceedings 2025

In today's era, social networks, which are an effective tool in promoting ideas and innovations, have met with global acceptance and popularity. The communication that is formed between people in society through them can be the basis for ideas and opportunities for social entrepreneurship and voluntary social activities, and it is expected that this global platform will be the basis for the expansion of social entrepreneurship. The study aimed to examine the effect of the development of social networks on the expansion of social entrepreneurship by explaining the moderating role of digital technology infrastructure and social norms. The findings revealed …

Impact Of Firms’ Innovation And Environmental, Social, And Governance (Esg) Score On Financial Performance: A Study Of Telecommunications And Information Technology Companies Listed On Apec Member Countries’ Stock Exchanges In The Period Of 2018-2022, Navira Putri Apriliani, Rahmat Aryo Baskoro

The Indonesian Capital Market Review

The telecommunications and information technology sectors significantly drive economic growth through continuous innovation. This study investigates how Innovation and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics affect the financial performance of 80 telecommunications firms listed on stock exchanges in APEC member nations from 2018 to 2022. Innovation is evaluated based on research and development expenditures, whereas financial performance is determined by examining revenue and Tobin’s Q. Employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression methods, the findings reveal that innovation positively influences ESG scores, notably improving governance aspects. ESG scores positively impact revenue but negatively affect Tobin’s Q. …