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The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report, Quarter 4, 2017, Pittsburg State University. Gladys A. Kelce College Of Business

Pittsburg Micropolitan Reports

The Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report is created by the Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Pittsburg State University.

Editor’S Perspective: The Time Value Of Morality, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This article presents the ancient Hebrew idea of Wisdom and its implications for contemporary business.

Editor’S Perspective: The Sacredness Of The Marketplace, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This article presents ideas from the ancient Hebrew concept of holiness and its relevance for contemporary business. It explores the thesis that the marketplace is sacred.

Pancho's Racket And The Long Road To Professional Tennis, Gregory I. Ruth

Dissertations

Historians have written little on sports in the United States compared to other topics. They have had even less to say about tennis than other popular sports in large part because the original research necessary to complete a full treatment of the history of the game appeared too daunting to undertake. By contrast, this study has made use of over a dozen arcHIVal collections around the country, many of which researchers have never used before, to tell the story of how tennis went from an amateur sport closely guarded by economic elitists and cultural purists to a professional sport thoroughly …

Canton Gymnastics Academy, Melani Kieling

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Canton Gymnastics Academy (CGA) will offer many different programs for athletes looking to enter a cheerleading or gymnastics program. The focus will be on providing professional, knowledgeable advice and training to all athletes who enter the doors. As with any sport, CGA will ensure that athletes know correct techniques to execute skills they are learning. This will help ensure that they suffer less bodily injuries throughout their career and they'll have less issues as adults. CGA will be registered as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with the state of Michigan.

Specifically, CGA will provide two program areas, each with different …

The Importance Of Empirical Research Design In Asset Pricing, Richard Followill, Brett C. Olsen, Adam Smedema

Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics

The selection of methodological alternatives in asset pricing analysis can serve to significantly alter the interpretation and possibly the statistical inference of empirical results. We examine the statistical and economic impact of subtle yet important changes to the methodological design of an important empirical study. We select the pricing of idiosyncratic volatility as our test model, and we find that equally valid test designs can generate significantly different results and conclusions. We estimate monthly alphas for portfolios sorted by idiosyncratic volatility and find a set of plausible monthly alphas that range from ‑1.478% to +0.044%. We expound upon the challenges …

What It Takes To Be A Successful Entrepreneur In The Philippines, Mitzie Irene P. Conchada

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

For a developing country such as the Philippines, entrepreneurial activities play an important role in providing alternative sources of income. As of 2012, there were 940,886 registered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines (99.6% of the total establishments), majority of which are in the retail and wholesale industry. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2014 survey also reflects that most of the types of businesses are in the retail industry, particularly retail sales of food and beverage items and other basic essentials. This is reflected in the vast number of sari-sari stores or retail stores and food stalls …

The Rise And Fall Of The Zaibatsu: Japan's Industrial And Economic Modernization, David A. C. Addicott

Global Tides

Throughout the past century, the rise and fall of the zaibatsu and the operations of their direct successors has not only shaped Japan’s economic and financial landscape but also has been instrumental in the modernization of the world economy. Many of these corporations traced their roots to Japan’s premodern era, and were directly responsible for the transformation of a nation of rice farmers into an industrial powerhouse in the years prior to World War II. Following Japan’s defeat, these monopolistic corporations were dismantled by the Keynesian economists of the Allied occupation and were reorganized into the keiretsu system, which exists …

Empowering Women For Economic Growth: A Measurement Of Social And Demographic Impacts On Afghan Women In Business, Tracy Taylor

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Non-governmental organizations working in conflict-prone, resource-deprived developing countries face a very unique set of challenges. Like with other non-profits, program dollars and other resources must be allocated carefully and thoughtfully so the maximum output is achieved with the inputs allotted. Unlike other non-profits, however, the political, social, and economic environment is constantly changing in developing countries like Afghanistan. Basic human needs are not being met, leaving the path to NGO program success fraught with seemingly impossible challenges. This is the case for Peace Through Business, a training and development program serving women entrepreneurs in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Peace Through Business seeks …

The Hult Prize: A Guide On How To Be Successful, Kelsey T. Jones

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Hult Prize competition is the worlds largest international case competition. After participating in the Hult Prize for the past 2 years as the team captain, one which the group came out as one of the top 10 teams out of over 25,000 for a business model that aimed to double the income of individuals making less than $2 a day, I have created an overarching guide that will guide future teams to being successful within the competition. The key is to focus on a few on a few key parts: building a team, the general timeline, research, brainstorming, finances, …

Marketing Strategies To Enhance Profitability Among International Oil And Gas Service Companies, Hesameddin Zafari

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant drop in oil price in 2014 resulted in enormous pressure on marketing managers of international oilfield service companies to address new market expectations. In such competitive conditions, some marketing managers lack strategies to leverage profitability during downturns. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that senior marketing managers of international oilfield service companies in the Middle East successfully used to enhance sales performance, revenues, and profits during periods of declining oil prices. Theory of market segmentation, targeting, and positioning formed the conceptual framework for this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 5 …

Communication Strategies Used During Organizational Change In A Health Care Organization, Amber Rose Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than 4.9 million businesses exist in the United States, and leaders within these businesses have to acclimate to change. Clear and effective communication is vital to the success of an organization. According to scholars and health care leaders focusing on strategies to communicate change during organizational change is a critical aspect of sustainability and profitability. The conceptual framework of this study was communication theory. The purpose of this single case study was to explore successful strategies that some health care leaders used to communicate during organizational change in a health care organization in El Paso, Texas. The data collection …

Sustainability Strategies For Small Business Restaurant Owners, Alisa Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Half of new businesses in the United States cease to exist after the first 5 years of operations, and the failure rate continues to increase after the first 10 years. The study was grounded on von Bertalanffy's systems theory to explore business strategies that small business restaurant owners use to sustain their business beyond 5 years. Data were collected by engaging 3 small restaurant business owners in the Little Rock, Arkansas metropolis who sustained their business beyond 5 years. Information obtained from face-to-face interviews and data mining organizational document were analyzed with the support of qualitative software to generate themes. …

Death Spiral Convertible Bonds, Austin Dwyer

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Death spiral convertibles, are a type of loan lenders give to a firm in exchange for a right to convert into equity at below market prices. This differs from traditional convertibles because there is no fixed conversion price. Instead, the price can be reset lower if the firm's stock price falls below the conversion price at the time of issuance. As the process repeats itself the stock's price spirals downwards. This process benefits the bondholders at the cost of the shareholders. Based on a hand collected sample of 23 companies issuing a total of I 97 floating price convertibles, the …

Assessing The Impact Of Csr Policy And Practice On Education Of Orphans And Vulnerable Children In Indonesia, Sri Frazee

International Commerce & Policy Theses

Indonesia was one of the first countries to implement the mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach. This law requires corporations to allocate part of their budget toward funding for CSR programs. When implementing CSR programs, many Indonesian corporations focus on education. This research assesses how this policy has affected education, particularly for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) who are cared for at childcare institutions. These childcare institutions include orphanages (panti) and halfway houses (rumah singgah) that provides a temporary shelter for street children. This research examines the role of the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and corporations in implementing this mandatory …

Bridging The Gap Between Religion And Business: A Conversation, Michael E. Cafferky, Doug Jacobs

Faculty Works

This article explores some of the tensions that congregational pastors experience in terms of business and religion. It is a dialogue regarding the perceived gap between pastors and business professionals.

“Bridging the gap between religion and business: A conversation" by Michael Cafferky and Douglas Jacobs published in the December 2016 issue of Ministry,® International Journal for Pastors, www.MinistryMagazine.org. Used by permission.

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: November 4, 2016, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The gap between business and consumer confidence closed in Nebraska during October. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) rose to 94.0 during October, from a value of 87.9 in September. A reading of 94.0 is still below the neutral value of 100. The outlook of Nebraska businesses was also closer to neutral than in the previous months. Businesses were only slightly optimistic in October, with respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business neutral on sales and only slightly optimistic regarding employment. Twenty-four percent of businesses expect sales to rise over the next 6 months, while the same percent expect …

Jean Genie

SIGNED: The Magazine of The Hong Kong Design Institute

Koyo William is now an internationally recognised fashion designer with his own label, but his story began at the HKDI, where he first understood the power of creativity and jeans that fit in all the right places.

Architectural Intervention: The Resilient Community Center, Matthew A. Baumgartner

ASA Multidisciplinary Research Symposium

In the city of Centralia, Illinois, several issues govern the city’s future, all stemming from the same major problem: the economy. To intervene, this community center proposal aims to encourage economic development and growth in the city, assisting small businesses with starting and expanding in the region.

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: October 7, 2016, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

During September, a gap re-emerged between business and consumer confidence in Nebraska. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) fell to 87.9 during September, from a value of 97.4 in August. A value of 87.9 is well below the neutral value of 100, and indicates weak consumer confidence in Nebraska. By contrast, Nebraska businesses were optimistic, with respondents to the September 2016 Survey of Nebraska Business reporting plans to expand sales and employment. Thirty-one percent of businesses expect sales to rise over the next 6 months, while just 19 percent expect sales to fall. Thirteen percent of businesses expect to …

Apologetics Without Apology: Arguments For The Existence Of God From Business & Economics, Michael E. Cafferky

Faculty Works

This paper offers the reader ways for the business practitioner to participate in Christian apologetics. Apologetics is defined. The purpose and tasks of apologetics is described. A case is made for the importance of Christian apologetics. Several tactics are introduced that offer potential for the Christian apologist. A matrix describes the potential opportunities to develop Christian apologetics for the context of business and economics. A discussion follows regarding the implications for business scholars and Christian business school curriculum at all levels.

Speech At Second Faith At Work Summit, C. William Pollard

C. William Pollard Papers

In these brief remarks delivered via video at the second Faith at Work Summit (Dallas, TX), Pollard reflects on his own introduction to the idea that faith and and work can be mutually enriching.

Lessons Of Life, C. William Pollard

C. William Pollard Papers

In this outline from a speech at the 2016 InterAct/Delta One Workshop in Nashville, TN, Pollard provides thirteen "lessons of life" for the participants to learn from and reflect upon.

Smu Enhances Curriculum And Expands Offering To Prepare Undergraduates For The Digital Age, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

Demand for infocomm professionals in Singapore is outpacing supply with 30,000 new infocomm jobs expected by 2020. The Infocomm Media 2025 masterplan has identified salient trends that are significant for the next decade, these include Big Data & Analytics, Internet of Things and Cybersecurity. The masterplan also highlighted future key infocomm job areas: Software Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Network Infrastructure. In response to these industry trends and demand, SMU has strengthened its undergraduate curriculum in three schools to contribute to the 'future-proofing' of Singapore. The School of Information Systems (SIS) has revised its undergraduate curriculum in response to changes …

The Importance Of Starting A For-Profit Business As Mission To Advance God’S Kingdom, Hannah M. Mitchell

Senior Honors Theses

All Christians have a duty to advance the Kingdom of God according to Matthew 28:16-20, which tells Christians to, “go and make disciples of all nations” (New International Version). The gospel has not yet reached many areas of the world that Christians could influence if they started a Business as Mission (BAM). A BAM start-up would provide jobs to the surrounding communities and aid in improving the economy. Assisting others by providing jobs and meeting their physical, spiritual, social, and economic needs will empower individuals and allow communities to flourish. Even non-Christians find helping others important, which is seen through …

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: September 2, 2016, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer confidence and business expectations held near July levels during the month of August. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) stood at 97.4 during August, slightly below the neutral value of 100, and similar to its value of 97.5 in July. Further, Nebraska businesses maintained a positive outlook during August. In particular, respondents to the August 2016 Survey of Nebraska Business had a positive outlook for both sales and employment over the next six months. Twenty-nine percent of businesses expect sales to rise, while 24 percent expect sales to fall. For employment, 15 percent of businesses expect to increase …

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: August 5, 2016, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer confidence improved and business expectations remained positive during the month of July. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) rose to 97.5 during July, from a value of 92.4 in June. After the increase, consumer confidence is now only slightly below the neutral value of 100. Further, Nebraska businesses maintained a positive outlook for employment in July. In particular, respondents to the July 2016 Survey of Nebraska Business had a slightly negative outlook for sales but a positive outlook for employment over the next six months. Twenty-three percent of businesses expect sales to rise, while 24 percent expect sales …

Leadership (Chattanooga, Tn), C. William Pollard

C. William Pollard Papers

This is the text of a speech Pollard delivered via video to the 10 Project Video Conference at Covenant College (Chattanooga, TN). In it he addresses the topic of leadership, focusing especially on the need for servant leaders.

Web-Based Training Program For New Custom Decoration Apparel Franchisees, Wesley Parsell

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

Effective franchise training is essential in the expansion of a franchised business. With advances in internet connections, web applications and multimedia capabilities, training for new and existing franchisees can now take place online in the form of web-based e-learning. In addition to potentially increasing the overall effectiveness of the franchisee training, web-based training also eliminates some of the challenges of traditional, face-to-face franchise training like travel expenses, time, and the availability of human resources.

The purpose of this project was to develop an asynchronous web-based training program for new or potential franchisees in the custom decorated apparel industry. The ADDIE …

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: July 1, 2016, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Consumer confidence improved and business expectations remained positive during the month of June. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N), while below the value of 100 which signifies neutral confidence, rose to 92.4 during June, from a value of 89.3 in May. Further, businesses held a positive outlook in June. Respondents to the June 2016 Survey of Nebraska Business have a positive outlook for both sales and job growth at their businesses over the next six months. Twenty-two percent of businesses expect sales to rise, while just 18 percent expect sales to decline. Eighteen percent of businesses expect to increase …