Business Commons^™

A Focus On Followers: Examining Relationships Between Elements Of The Leader-Follower Relationship From The Follower’S Perspective, David James Ross

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines followership style, leadership behaviors, and LMX-quality from the follower’s perspective. This research used Kelley’s followership framework, the full range leadership model, and the LMX-6 instrument to analyze each dimension of the leader-follower relationship. Using a sample of 89 followers from various backgrounds, the study collected data regarding each of the followers’ unique relationships with their leader. These data provided insights into the followers’ current followership style (i.e., their current levels of independent critical thinking and active engagement), their leaders ‘behaviors, and the quality of their individual leader-follower relationship. The researcher used the statistical program JASP to measure …

Creating Your Own Business: Bb Photography, Brylee A. Banuelos

Whittier Scholars Program

It is no easy task to build a brand from scratch. The decisions that you make about your brand play a major role in its success. The goal of this marketing plan is to ensure that the decisions that you make are structured and relevant. This paper analyzes the current and the future market of the photography industry and sets up a structure to formulate a functional photography studio. It assesses both strengths and weaknesses of creating a photography business as well as look into factors that may externally affect the nature of the businesses growth. You will be provided …

Trace Dna Detection Using Diamond Dye: A Recovery Technique To Yield More Dna, Leah Davis

Master's Theses

This study aspires to find a new screening approach to trace DNA recovery techniques to yield a higher quantity of trace DNA from larger items of evidence. It takes the path of visualizing trace DNA on items of evidence with potential DNA so analysts can swab a more localized area rather than attempting to recover trace DNA through the general swabbing technique currently used for trace DNA recovery. The first and second parts consisted of observing trace DNA interaction with Diamond Dye on porous and non-porous surfaces.

The third part involved applying the Diamond Dye solution by spraying it onto …

Do U.S. And International Stock Returns Depend On The Presidential Election Cycle Year?, Paul Peragine

Financial Analyst

This paper aims to determine if U.S. and international stock returns are dependent on the U.S. four-year Presidential election cycle (PEC). Additionally, it expands on past literature by confirming past results and extending them to the present. It implements an economic integration variable, which is a measure of how correlated a country is economically to the U.S. The markets that are highly integrated with the U.S. follow a very similar pattern to that of the U.S. PEC, while weakly integrated countries are less likely to follow the U.S. return cycle. A Chow test confirms that economic integration status influences a …

Reducing Maintenance Supervisor Overtime In Aviation, Michael J. Hulke

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Covid-19 caused chaos in the aviation industry and left companies understaffed when travel demand picked up in the summer of 2022. This caused companies like American Airlines to call in overtime for many different airline functions. This paper outlines the problem, process, and result, of a project to reduce line maintenance supervisor overtime at American Airlines.

Analyzing The Effect Of Sponsorship Disclosure On Social Media Influencer Contribution To Engagement In The Test And Measurement Industry, Todd B. Baker

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Audiences are consuming digital content at an increasing rate, and they use social media as a substantial source of information on products and services. Businesses are leveraging influencer marketing to reach their audiences and create a pre-disposition to buy from their brands represented by these social media influencers. Marketers are likely to increase their investments in social media by 53.6% in the coming five years, placing greater attention on this topic for many business executives (Moorman, 2021). This quantitative study explored the varying forms of sponsorship disclosure cues and their effect on engagement rates for different influencer types in the …

Effect Of Nanobubble-Oxygenated Water For Irrigation Of Sand-Based Golf Course Putting Greens, Eric Deboer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nanobubbles (NBs) are sub-micron, stable cavities of gas. The properties of NBs theoretically allow long bubble residence times and high gas dissolution rates resulting in the supersaturation of oxygen in water. Adequate soil aeration is a constant concern for producers of agricultural and horticultural crops. Because of their unique properties, NBs have been investigated for oxygenating water used in the irrigation of various agricultural and horticultural crops to increase soil oxygen concentration. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is the most widely used turfgrass for golf course putting green surfaces. Golf course superintendents use various methods to increase soil oxygen in …

Farneti, Millo, Collection, 1913-1995, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of Millo Farneti’s poetry, writings, correspondence, financial papers, and other personal documents.

Millo (Milo) Farneti was born on July 30, 1921 in Frontenac, Kansas to Ezio and Albina Farneti. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1948, and found work with the Associated Press. Farneti worked for the AP in Kansas City, New York, and Korea-Japan during the Korean War. From 1955 to 1960, Farneti did freelance work in Kansas City until he was hired by McGraw-Hill. Farneti worked in New York and Italy for 20 years for McGraw-Hill, the NY Journal of Commerce, Time-Life, NY Herald …

Measuring Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Child Welfare Workforce, Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

QIC-Tips

Some child welfare professionals have stated that there is a critical need for systemic changes to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, but where do child welfare agencies begin? Although change is never easy, the starting place on the journey to have a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) workforce is relatively simple. It starts with you—a child welfare supervisor, manager, or administrator. Start by considering what you think you know. Is your knowledge based on perception or data? What experiences shape your perceptions? What tools do you have to measure your workforce? Administrative data sets and surveys that gather both qualitative …

Exploring The Viability Of Gold Jewelry As A Diversifying And Safe-Haven Investment, Monica Pydipati

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the potential benefits of the inclusion of gold jewelry in a traditional investment portfolio. A popular commodity investment choice, gold has been lauded for its various diversification and safe-haven characteristics. Popular investment forms include paper gold, gold bars and gold coins. However, gold jewelry, although officially categorized as a retail purchase, is often bought with the intention of investment as well. This paper examines the diversification benefits of gold jewelry by measuring the performance of a portfolio in which gold jewelry is present, using multiple performance measures to determine its risk and …

Cared For Ed Non-Emergency Care: College Student Acceptance, Ranking, And Economic Deterrents Of Ed Non-Emergency Care, Evan Britt

Honors Theses

There has been increasing concern from hospitals and insurance policyholders over the rise of Emergency Department (ED) visits, as it is linked with overcrowding and longer waiting times; an increasingly large proportion of these ED visits are described as non-urgent or clinically unnecessary (O’Keefe, 2017; Pierce, 2009). The purpose of this project is to understand how college students’ perceptions of Emergency Departments influence their decisions on where to seek medical care. Methods: I developed a three-part scenario-based survey using Qualtrics that included the following sections: Consent and General Demographics, Pre-Price Scenarios, and Price Included Scenarios. Participants were asked to rank …

Women In Organizations: Leadership And Overcoming Biases, Madison T. Witt

Honors Thesis

This thesis will work to describe the different experiences women have in the workplace compared to men. It will discuss the biases faced: prove-it-again bias, tightrope bias, and the maternal wall bias. These play a large role in why women act as they do in the workplace as well as why they tend to experience different barriers within the corporate ladder. This research notes both gender biases facing women and the additional bias women of color face. These different experiences change how women lead companies when placed in executive positions. These leadership styles of women tend to be more welcoming …

The New Adolescent Epidemic: Vaping And The Electronic Cigarette, Manuel Reyes-Loya

Hibbs Brief

In this issue of the Hibbs Brief, we discuss some health issues regarding what is considered the new pandemic among adolescents – the electronic cigarette.

New Ceo Appointment And Its Influence On Foreign Market Re-Entry Decisions, Jawaher Falah O Alotaibi

Management Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation investigates the effect of new CEO appointment on foreign markets re-entry decisions given that new CEOs are likely to bring a new set of skills and knowledge to their firms, leading these firms to evaluate opportunities in foreign markets in a different way. To examine this relationship, data for exit and re-entry events were collected by relying on RavenPack analytics tool. Specifically, data of 294 exit and 144 re-entry events for 339 firms in BRIC economies (i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, and China) were used and supplemented by Compustat data and additional data sources. Conditional Fixed Effect Logit Regressions …

Effect Of Black- Or White-Sounding Name And Impact Of Intergroup Contact With Black Individuals On Auditor Judgments, Vanessa J. Tijerina

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The accounting profession in the United States continues to reflect a gap in racial diversity, with the majority of accountants being white. Implicit racial bias results in discrimination in the U.S. today, specifically against Black individuals. Within accounting, the auditing specialty requires exercising professional judgment that could present opportunities for implicit racial bias to affect the financial statements. This study aims to fill gaps in the existing research by answering the following questions: 1) How does the race of the CFO affect the accounting judgments of auditors? 2) How does intergroup contact with Black individuals impact auditors’ accounting judgments when …

Digital Literacy Among Older Adults In Singapore, Mindy Eiko Tadai, Micah Tan

ROSA Research Briefs

Singapore stands as the fourth most digitally competitive country, after Denmark, USA, and Sweden, in the latest edition of the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (IMD World Competitiveness Center, 2022). This global ranking measures the capacities of 63 nations to adopt and explore digitally transformative practices across government, industry, and wider society. Among households in Singapore, an astounding 99% have Internet access and 92% have computer access (Infocomm Media Development Authority, 2023). Even within the eldest surveyed cohort, proportions of smartphone usage have risen from 28% in 2017 to 48% in 2021 among resident Singaporeans aged 75 and above, and …

A Community U-Knighted: Developing A Community Engagement Program For Student-Athletes, Jensen Kitrel

Undergraduate Theses

Student-athletes are expected to fill multiple roles and balance both athletic and academic responsibilities while facing other stressors. In some cases, student-athletes are further tasked with engaging with their communities as university representatives. Past research has shown that the motivation to participate in these initiatives is low due to lack of time and has acknowledged burnout among college athletes (Martin, 2019; Huml, 2019). However, few studies have taken a creative approach to address this important challenge. Utilizing functionalist theory and marketing strategies, the current research develops a program to increase volunteerism and community engagement among collegiate athletes.

A Cookieless Future: Solving The Ux Problems Caused By The Privacy Protections Method, Ibrahim S. Hanoglu

Theses

To the author’s knowledge, this article is the most comprehensive research study of its kind, if not the only example, as it examines the user experience issue caused by privacy protection methods from a theoretical and practical perspective. This study investigated where third-party cookies are used according to marketing techniques, the effects of these cookies, and the user experience problems that arise after these cookies are blocked by privacy protection methods. The research firstly determined the access to the user’s computer in both methods by measuring the files and trackers left on the computer by comparing the Chrome browser, which …

An Analysis Of Tiktok's Digital Marketing Capabilities And Its Effectiveness For Brands And Businesses Across Different Industries, Katherine Jacome Guerrero

Theses

TikTok, a video-sharing social media site, has become one of the most popular platforms among digital natives. As a result of evolving globalization trends and unprecedented social changes, this platform has rapidly grown in popularity since its debut in 2016. TikTok has established an ideal setting to boost engagement by fostering a repetitive logic and enabling everyone around the globe to easily create and consume short videos. Although TikTok has capabilities similar to those found on other more established platforms, it has a distinct framework and platform culture refined by its predictive algorithm and user-friendly content interface. For this study, …

Project Foresight Annual Report, 2021-2022, Paul J. Speaker

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Project FORESIGHT is a business-guided self-evaluation of forensic science laboratories across the globe. The participating laboratories represent local, regional, state, and national agencies. Economics, accounting, finance, and forensic faculty provide assistance, guidance, and analysis. Laboratories participating in Project FORESIGHT have developed standardized definitions for metrics to evaluate work processes, linking financial information to work tasks, and functions. Laboratory managers can then assess resource allocations, efficiencies, and value of services—the mission of Project FORESIGHT is to measure, preserve what works, and change what does not.

The benchmark data for the 2021-2022 performance period includes laboratory submissions for a variety of fiscal …

The Role Of Event Operations In Collegiate Athletics: A Reflection Of My Internship With University Of Arkansas Event Management, Cameron Terrell

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Today, millions of people throughout the globe are taking part in sport, either through active participation or through watching athletes. According to the State of the lndustry Report from the Sports & Fitness lndustry Association and Sports Marketing Surveys USA, 232.6 million Americans participated in sports and fitness activities during 2021 (Broughton, 2022). Add to this number the millions of people who do not participate but are regular attendees or viewers at sport events, and it is staggering to realize how society's interest in sport has increased. Thus, the need for more informed sport managers in the public, nonprofit, and …

Creative Brief For Bliss Cupcake Cafe, Maggie Moore

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The baking and culinary industry is growing. In fact, in 2020, the market size of the global baking industry was $331.37 billion and is projected to reach $436.91 billion by 2026. Although the recent pandemic made those in the hospitality field struggle due to the canceling of special events such as birthday party gatherings, weddings, and holiday events, the industry is coming back stronger than pre-pandemic times through implementing new practices such as online ordering and delivery practices. With this, in the recent years, supply chain disruptors and inflation have caused materials and labor costs to increase and can be …

Getting Reel: A Quantitative Analysis Of Facebook & Instagram Reel Usage Among Small, Independent Clothing Boutiques In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Opefoluwa Desalu

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Small businesses have increasingly turned to social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote their business. According to Statista, in 2021, 66% of small businesses advertised through Facebook while 41% advertised through Instagram.

This research looked at how small, independent clothing boutiques in Fayetteville, Arkansas used Facebook and Instagram Reels to promote their businesses for the 2022 calendar year. Specifically: two research questions were considered: (1) Do small, independent clothing boutiques in this small college town use Facebook and/or Instagram Reels? (2) What engagement level, in terms of likes and comments, is associated with this usage?

The research …

Local Label: Why Localism Matters And A Business Plan To Address It., Sydnie Wilson

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The use of technology within business is evolving and increasing in necessity. As large businesses and corporations invest in research and development, innovations, and data analytics, the ability to serve customers more effectively and efficiently increases substantially. Local Label is a solution for this need.

Local Label is a mobile retail app that connects local consumers to all accessories, shoes, and clothes available at local retailers. The app would be a hub for local retailers to promote their apparel and accessories. Local Label leverages its marketing to be in sync with local events, special occasions, and holidays. The app’s front-face …

Hershey/Walmart Internship Halloween Candy Assortment Proposal, Jackson Jones

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

A closer look at a category management internship with The Hershey Company at their Bentonville, Arkansas office. This assesses the Hershey/Walmart relationship as well as an example of an internship project.

The internship project is a hypothetical proposal as to how the Walmart seasonal candy aisle should be merchandised during Halloween 2023.

Creative Brief For The University Of Arkansas Student Technology Center, Emma Sutherland

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Creative Brief for the University of Arkansas Student Technology to improve the awareness and quality of the center.

From Espresso To Frappuccino: Analyzing Starbucks' Business Plan For Entering The Italian Market, Cameron Demott

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Starbucks is a multinational coffeehouse chain founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971 (Starbucks, 2023). The company has become one of the world's most recognizable brands, with over 30,000 locations in 78 countries worldwide (Starbucks, 2023). The coffee house has a reputation for providing high-quality coffee, great customer service, and a unique in-store experience. Americans view Starbucks as the golden standard for coffee shops and admire the brand for its success. After establishing a strong presence in the market in the United States, Starbucks decided to go global. In 1996, the chain opened its first store overseas in Japan and then …

Business Plan For Destraal Bakery, Lauren Frazier

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Destraal Bakery is a bakery café that will offer patrons a space to slow down and treat themselves. Offering bread products and coffee, Destraal differentiates itself through product quality, shop atmosphere, delivery, and social responsibility. Destraal will eventually seek B- Corp status.

Located in West Colorado Springs, more specifically, Old Colorado Springs, Destraal will benefit from grants and loans offered to female entrepreneurs, high levels of tourism and foot traffic, and close proximity to the target demographic. In a growing industry, Destraal is forecasted to be profitable within the first year. The bakery café will achieve 14% profit margin in …

Just Be Happy?: Investigating The Role Of Joy In Influencer Marketing Campaigns Within The Fitness Industry, Grace Gill

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Influencer marketing has become exceedingly relevant with the rise of the digital age, difficulties of the attention economy, and successes of social media marketing. Clearly, influencer marketing can be advantageous for brands, however research is limited, and best practices are generalized. This particular research focuses on influencer marketing in the fitness industry and best practices for brands implementing fitness influencers. This paper specifically analyzes the emotion breakdown of fitness influencers’ content and the value of portraying joy through branded content to the success of these influencer marketing campaigns. Through comparing quantitative data collected from third-party platforms with data gathered through …

The Ethical Implications Of The Multi-Level Marketing Industry, Lauren Longworth

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The first multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses were created in the early 20th century and have seen a substantial increase in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their work-from-anywhere nature. Multi-level marketing is “the practice of distributing, selling or supplying products or services through various levels of independent agents” (Koehn, 2001, p. 153). As working from home became the norm in the past few years, MLM businesses promised financial freedom, a steady income, and opportunities for growth, all by working on the Internet. What was often less transparent is the likelihood of these independent agents making a profit. Distributors have …