Business Commons^™

From Homogeneous To Heterogeneous Adaptive Bounded-Confidence Opinion Dynamics On Networks, Sally Hafez, Fatma R. Farag, Amira S. N. Tawadros

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Adaptive bounded-confidence models (ABCMs) elucidate the coevolution of agent states and network structure via local interactions and rewiring mechanisms. Traditional formulations assume uniform interaction parameters, leading to distinct regime shifts encompassing fragmentation, polarization, and consensus. A symmetric heterogeneous extension of the adaptive bounded-confidence model is introduced, in which interaction parameters vary according to whether agents belong to the same or different groups. The model retains the original update and rewiring protocols but integrates within-group and between-group confidence bounds alongside tolerance thresholds. Initially, the classic homogeneous model is replicated to establish a reference point. Subsequently, the heterogeneous extension is assessed under …

Drivers Of Employee Success And Productivity: Analyzing The Role Of An Executive Recruiting Intern, Hayden Raycher

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

For an experiential thesis over an internship experience in collaboration with the University of Arkansas and my advisor, Dr. Michael Popp, I collected data over a 9-month period relevant to my internship at Stout Executive Search, an executive recruiting firm. The purpose of the research was to explore the factors that influence productivity in a recruiting environment and provide quantifiable insights into the impact of different job-related achievements towards overall employee success. The research was initially designed to encompass evidence and commentary on training regimens and company culture, as well as job experience, with the latter becoming the sole focus …

Reliability Generalization Of The Learning Transfer System Inventory, Ashlee Tolliver

Human Resource Development Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation research was to examine variability in coefficient alpha estimates across the 16 Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) constructs and evaluate reliability-reporting practices within the literature using a reliability generalization meta-analysis. Studies published between 1997 and 2025 were identified through database searches and a review of Academy of Human Resource Development conference proceedings. Following screening and listwise deletion, 118 studies were included in the final analyses. Unweighted mean coefficient alpha estimates were calculated, and ordinary least squares regression and commonality analyses examined the influence of instrument version, translation status, and full or partial use. Reliability estimates …

The Startup: Critical Perspectives On Technology Entrepreneurship And Digital Labor, Kochav Koren

All Duquesne Faculty Scholarship

Communication and media studies are rapidly reshaped by socio-technological forces within the framework of informational capitalism, where startups emerge as key drivers of the global creative economy. This study critically examines the global startup movement through political economy, classical sociology, and Southern perspectives to assess whether digital entrepreneurship fosters genuine, decentralized innovation or perpetuates speculative financialization and labor precarity. Employing a multi-layered theoretical framework—including Schumpeterian creative destruction, Marxist commodity fetishism, and Weberian charismatic authority—and qualitative fieldwork across North and Latin American tech hubs, the analysis reveals startups as network enterprises that both disrupt markets and reproduce structural inequalities. The findings …

Ai You Can Trust: Understanding The Role Of Structural Assurance And Situational Normality In The Use Of Generative Ai, Olushola Bunmi Abayomi

Dissertations

The rapid growth of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has increased its use in productivity, content creation, and decision support; however, adoption depends on user trust, as GenAI performs tasks that are often associated with human judgment. Drawing on the Trust in Technology Model, this dissertation examines how structural assurance and situational normality influence Trust in GenAI, and how Trust in GenAI affects trusting intentions and users' willingness to depend on GenAI. Structural assurance and situational normality, captured through several factors, were modeled as antecedents of Trust in GenAI and, in turn, trusting intentions. The model was tested using survey-based experimental …

Identifying The Threshold: Using Regulatory Focus As A Predictor Of Ceo Adaptibility During Environmental Changes, George B. Constantine Iii

Dissertations

Building on research on CEO turnover and strategic leadership, this study examines how decision makers' regulatory focus shapes strategic decision-making and how this can contribute to performance decline, often resulting in CEO replacement. Drawing on regulatory focus theory, the study theorizes that measurable chronic regulatory focus attributes influence decision makers’ capacity to adapt to environmental change—conditions under which prior research suggests executives may become rigid and persist with established strategies. Despite its relevance for strategic adaptation, such chronic trait behavior has received limited attention in the current business literature. To address this gap, effectuation theory is integrated into a simulation-based …

Economic Efficiency Of End-Guns On Center Pivot Irrigation Systems For Utah Alfalfa Production, Sophia Moss

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This study looks at whether using an end-gun on a center pivot irrigation system is financially worthwhile for Utah alfalfa producers. End-guns are used to water extra acreage beyond the end of a pivot, they can also apply water less evenly, which may reduce production on those outer acres. To examine this tradeoff, the study compares farm returns with and without an end-gun using historical Utah alfalfa price and yield data along with estimates of irrigation cost, added acreage, and possible yield loss. The results suggest that end-guns can improve profitability in many cases, mainly because they bring more acres …

The Evolution Of The Modern Library Brand: Transforming Community Engagement Into Sustainable Revenue, Slone Williams

Georgia Library Quarterly

This article examines the development of the Cobb Library Shop, an e-commerce initiative launched by the Cobb County Public Library to generate sustainable funding through brand engagement. Built on a modest startup budget, the shop integrates a multichannel sales strategy and leverages internal talent to create a scalable, community-centered retail model.

The project achieved a full return on investment within 14 days and continues to demonstrate steady revenue expansion. By combining entrepreneurial practices with public service values, this case study highlights how libraries can diversify funding streams, enhance community engagement, and establish a replicable model for revenue-generating library systems.

Harmonizing Human Touch And Ai Precision In Customer Service, Zhenbin Ding, Yali Zhang, Jun Sun, Mark Goh, Zhaojun Yang

Information Systems Faculty Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots offer a cost-effective solution for customer service, but often fall short in delivering personalized or complex interactions. In response, many merchants invest in AI training and explore human–AI collaboration to leverage the strengths of both automation and human touch. However, this introduces a strategic tradeoff between service quality and operational efficiency. Using a game-theoretic framework, this study examines how merchants can optimally choose service strategies with AI involvement. Our analysis reveals a critical collaboration trap. Contrary to the prevailing belief that increased collaboration consistently enhances service, consumers’ sensitivity to the identity of the service agent erodes …

The Economics And Viability Of Organic Forage And Grain Production In Utah, Mackenzie Lee

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Utah farmers face significant financial and agronomic challenges when transitioning into organic forage and grain production. The state’s high-desert climate, alkaline soils, and limited irrigation water make organic production more expensive and riskier than in many other regions.

This study evaluates a ten-year rotation built around alfalfa, which acts as a natural nitrogen engine for the system. Because alfalfa fixes large amounts of nitrogen, it reduces fertilizer costs for later crops such as organic corn. However, farmers must first survive the three-year transition period, during which they must follow organic rules but cannot sell their crops at organic prices.

Using …

J Mich Dent Assoc August 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The August 2026 (Volume 108, No. 8) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The August 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association explores clinical, professional, legal, leadership, and public …

Mda At Your Service: Updating Your Practice Roster With The Mda, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This question-and-answer article provides practical guidance for MDA members on updating practice rosters, accessing continuing education opportunities, addressing staffing shortages through virtual assistants, and participating in the MDA LEAD Program. The article highlights available member resources and emphasizes professional development, workforce support, and leadership growth within organized dentistry.

The Back Page: A Toast To The Future: From Boomers To Gen Z Zoomers, George T. Goodis Dds, Gerald J. Halk Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article highlights a leadership brunch that brought together multiple generations of dental leaders to encourage engagement in organized dentistry. The gathering emphasized mentorship, leadership development, and the transfer of institutional knowledge to younger dentists. Participants celebrated the future of the profession while discussing the importance of community involvement, leadership participation, and professional growth.

Exploring Factors Related To Retention Of Young Soccer Officials, Jacob K. Tingle, Lynn L. Ridinger, David J. Hancock, Joseph Foran, Lucas Ribeiro

School of Business Faculty Research

Purpose/Rationale

The purpose of this study was to examine factors (needs and motivations) that contribute to retention of young soccer officials.

Design/Methodology/Approach

An online survey was distributed to soccer referees who received their first USSF officiating license as a juvenile.

Findings:

Correlational and regression analyses yielded five key findings: (1) Self-Determination Theory (SDT) principles are salient to retention; (2) Intrinsic Motivation and Sense of Community significantly impact retention; (3) variables across scales were highly correlated and had large effect sizes; (4) findings were similar across demographic variables; and (5) small increases to Relatedness and Choice had a large impact on …

Announcing The 2026 Induction Of Members Into The Accounting Hall Of Fame, American Accounting Association

Accounting Hall of Fame Brochures

No abstract provided.

Ai For Leaders: Co-Design Your Career Workshops, Rami Huu Nguyen

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation explores the role of career identity and leadership development in helping students navigate an increasingly AI-driven professional landscape. It introduces a framework for understanding career identity through interests, skills, motivation, experiences, and professional roles, while examining the importance of maintaining individual identity when using artificial intelligence tools. The presentation emphasizes role-based career identity as a strategy for helping students establish direction, develop leadership skills, and remain competitive in the job market. Through an interactive co-design activity, career advisors work in teams to develop career workshops or mini-projects using search engines and AI tools, considering student roles, instructional processes, …

Managing Inventory In The Supply Chain, Matthew J. Drake

Open Education Materials

Inventory represents a significant investment for most organizations and enables its operations to fulfill customer requirements. Effective inventory management frees critical working capital that the organization can use elsewhere while making sure products and services are available for customers. This book discusses the fundamental concepts of managing inventory within the supply chain and also describes methods for making inventory decisions in a variety of business scenarios.

0905: American Car And Foundry (Acf) Collection, 1916-2019, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The collection includes only documents that were found in the plant in 2021. These primarily consist of files on capital projects from the 1970s through the 1990s. Also included are notebooks with job descriptions and classifications; ledger books containing maintenance purchase orders; quality assurance manuals; visitors register books from 1973-2019; drawings of plant machinery and operations; slides and photographs; and miscellaneous materials.

The forerunner to ACF was Ensign Manufacturing Company, founded in 1871 at Huntington, West Virginia, by William H. Barnum and Ely Ensign, both from prominent families of Lime Rock, Connecticut. It was chartered (incorporated) on November 1, 1872, …

Measuring Administrative Hiring Confidence Of Music Teachers In The Context Of Shallow Hiring Pools, Aaron M. Strum

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and measure the confidence of K-12 administrators in hiring music faculty. This study also aimed to analyze administrators’ perspectives and confidence in key stages of the hiring process, including defining job expectations, posting, advertising, interviewing, and selecting highly specialized music teachers in K-12 settings. Confidence of K-12 administrators can be gauged through their understanding of how well an applicant aligns with the specific needs of the school’s program. Three research questions guided this investigation: (1a) How confident are K-12 administrators in their understanding of music teaching pedagogy when interviewing music teacher candidates …

Blueprints For Resilience: A Delphi Study Of Architects' Competencies In Gulf Coast States, Richard J. Cantu

Dissertations

This study identifies and defines core competencies for licensed architects practicing in Gulf Coast states, emphasizing their critical role in protecting health, safety, and welfare (HSW) amid the region’s unique environmental challenges. Hurricanes, flooding, climate-induced risks, and other coastal hazards demand specialized expertise that existing architectural competency models do not adequately address. Leveraging Delphi’s research design, this study engaged Gulf Coast experts to develop and refine a region-specific competency framework across four iterative rounds. The findings highlighted the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required for resilient and sustainable architectural practice. The study advances architecture’s human capital development (HCD) by addressing …

Business Responsibility And Sustainability In India : A Comprehensive Analysis Of Brsr Disclosures Of India’S Top 1,000 Listed Companies For Fy 2024–25, Rajeev Ranjan Tripathi, Aditya Gupta, Mohan Krishna, Sonika Gandhi

Monograph and Other Reports

The intersection of capital markets, corporate governance, and sustainable development has, over three decades, given rise to a transformative shift in management practice: the systematic disclosure and evaluation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Once confined to niche ethical investment circles, ESG reporting has evolved into a mainstream imperative, shaping investment decisions, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder expectations across both developed and emerging economies. Today, ESG performance is no longer an addendum to financial reporting but a substantive dimension of enterprise value and long-term organisational legitimacy. India’s ESG reporting journey reflects a trajectory of incremental but decisive policy evolution. The …

The Invisible Work: On Expertise, Showmanship, And The Trust That Makes Surgery Work, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary examines how clinicians can make their expertise more visible to patients through communication, education, and clinical narration. Drawing parallels to surgical checklists and professional mastery, the author argues that trust is built not only through excellent outcomes but also through helping patients understand the complexity and judgment behind treatment. The article emphasizes communication, transparency, education, and mentorship as important elements of patient-centered care.

From The Editor: Is Giving Actually Better Than Receiving?, Romesh Nalliah

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial examines the relationship between generosity, volunteerism, and well-being. Using the Michigan Dental Association Foundation’s Mission of Mercy as a focal point, the author highlights research suggesting that prosocial behavior can improve mental and physical health while benefiting communities in need. The article encourages oral health professionals to use their skills and resources to support underserved populations through volunteer service, mentorship, and community engagement.

Definitions And Mathematical Models Of Op Variants, Pieter Vansteenwegen, Aldy Gunawan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We have described the basic orienteering problem (OP) in Chap. 2, as one known variant of the single vehicle routing problems with profits (VRPP). In this chapter, we introduce the best-known variants of the OP. The first one is the team orienteering problem (TOP). In the TOP multiple routes can be composed to visit a subset of customers. In the context of the game of orienteering, the TOP corresponds to several players of the same team, each collecting profits in parallel, during the same time span. Another well-known variant of the basic OP is the OP with time windows (OPTW), …

Building Careers In The Age Of Ai, Laura Bulkeley

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation explores how career advisors can support students navigating a rapidly changing job market shaped by artificial intelligence. It examines how students can reframe traditional career paths around transferable skills, adaptability, human connection, and continuous learning while considering what employers increasingly value in candidates. The presentation discusses the importance of developing high-agency professionals who can learn new technologies, communicate and collaborate effectively, and apply human reasoning alongside AI. It also provides a practical application of generative AI in the job search process, including customizing resumes, preparing for interviews, and receiving feedback on writing while maintaining ownership of one's experiences, …

Using Ai Strategically For Internship & Job Search: Using Ai To Think Better, Not Just Faster, Hoang Bao Han Tran

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation examines how students can use artificial intelligence strategically throughout the internship and job search process while maintaining critical thinking and human judgment. It explores the shift from traditional job-search platforms toward AI-assisted career research, including using personal experience, career goals, leadership activities, and individual context to evaluate potential opportunities. The presentation demonstrates how AI can support students in analyzing job descriptions, identifying relevant skills and qualifications, researching employers, and preparing for interviews. It also distinguishes the role of AI from that of career advisors, emphasizing that AI can help collect and process information while career advisors help students …

Ai, Market Place Trends, & Job Search Strategy, Juan Santillan

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping the labor market, workplace expectations, and job search strategies. It explores the changing nature of work in the age of AI, including the automation and augmentation of workplace tasks, the growing importance of AI literacy, and the increasing value of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and other human-centered skills. The presentation also considers emerging AI-related career opportunities and changes to entry-level work as routine tasks become increasingly automated. In addition, it provides practical strategies for using AI throughout the job search process, including professional branding and networking, researching prospective employers, reviewing and …

Ai-Powered Personal Branding: A Coaching Toolkit For Career Advisors, Ajanee Igharo

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation explores how career advisors can use artificial intelligence to help students develop authentic, evidence-based personal brands. It introduces a coaching approach that helps students identify patterns across their experiences, strengths, interests, and career direction and translate those insights into credible professional narratives. The presentation demonstrates how AI can support this process by organizing information, identifying themes, generating alternative phrasing, and adapting communication for different audiences while emphasizing that students must retain ownership of their experiences, evidence, and authentic voice. Through hands-on activities and an advisor-guided workflow of discovering, drafting, challenging, verifying, and personalizing, participants practice using AI to …

Ethical Use Of Ai In Education: Ai-Driven Learning: Good Or Bad?, Moumita Saha

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation examines the ethical use of artificial intelligence in education and the opportunities and challenges associated with AI-driven learning. It explores the growing adoption of artificial intelligence, concerns surrounding excessive reliance on generative AI, and issues including privacy, algorithmic bias, misuse of AI, job displacement, transparency, plagiarism, intellectual property, equitable access, and academic integrity. The presentation also considers how AI may affect critical thinking, learning processes, assessment, and student career readiness while highlighting research on the potential of AI to support personalized learning and education. Through case examples, research findings, discussion, and a hands-on group activity comparing work completed …

Responsible & Ethical Ai Use: From Principles To Practice, Ila Lama

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This presentation explores responsible and ethical artificial intelligence through a practical framework centered on five core principles: fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, and safety. It examines how ethical challenges surrounding AI are emerging across educational, organizational, creative, and societal contexts, including concerns related to bias, privacy, academic integrity, AI-generated content, and responsible decision-making. The presentation also introduces the Trust Cycle as a practical approach for moving from awareness and reflection to safe experimentation, feedback, and transformation, encouraging participants to critically evaluate AI use while maintaining human judgment, accountability, and trust.