Business Commons^™

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Trader Joe’S: Exploration From National And Omaha Metropolitan Perspectives, Natalie R. Bauermeister

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Trader Joe’s started in 1967 when founder Joe Coulombe became inspired to provide local Pasadena residents a refreshing grocery store experience. Aimed at the young college student crowd, his idea quickly grew into a chain of successful grocery stores. The concept was simple: private label products cut out the middleman to keep prices fair, and the floor space compacted to feel like a local market experience. With a nautical theme to match the casual and outgoing feel of the stores, customers have flocked to Trader Joe’s stores around the country for the “wow” experience only found within those walls. Fast …

Wonderfully Made In The Making: A Strategic Recommendation For Growth Opportunities, Kayley Scott

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

I was partnered with a local non-profit organization, called Wonderfully Made, to identify and solve a strategic problem they are experiencing. Wonderfully Made is focused on serving girls of color with special needs. I analyzed internal resources and weaknesses and I researched external factors that affect them. I found that Wonderfully Made needed to explore growth opportunities through a strategic alliance with a college organization, ideally an NPHC sorority at UNO. This would create a mentorship opportunity for the participants in the organization. It would also create growth with minimal time and resources needed from Wonderfully Made’s busy board. If …

A Sweet Future For Sugar Makery: A Deeper Dive Into Small Business Consulting, Samuel Lauritsen

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This case study investigates a local candy store in Glenwood and Council Bluffs Iowa. Processes, consistency and concise planning promoted the rapid growth of Sugar Makery into two locations in three short years. Results from the analyses indicate that the main problem facing Sugar Makery is sustaining its differentiated strategy from new industry entrants, key recommendations to sustain its success are presented. Every company has its own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The key is identifying each to be able to capitalize on competitive advantages, mitigate the damage done by weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities and create plans to avoid …

Equity Fund Monthly Report, May 2021, Bryant University, Archway Investment Fund

Archway Investment Fund

No abstract provided.

Debiasing A Decision Maker Facing Supply Uncertainties In A Newsvendor Setting, Alan William Zeller

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Companies must be prepared to manage uncontrollable events that will disrupt their supply chain and add uncertainty to their inventory models.

This thesis first studies the effect of different types of supply disruption risks on the ordering performance of profit-maximizing decision makers in a newsvendor setting.

Then, this thesis aims at extending the literature on the newsvendor model in studying the effect of a Decision Support System and the effect of a Secondary Task on the ordering performance of profit-maximizing decision makers who face supply uncertainties in a newsvendor setting.

Finally, implications for scholars and practitioners are discussed.

2021-May-01-Enjoy Retirement, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Congratulations to the following members of the East Tennessee State University family who retired in April.  Thank you for your service!

Joy C. Hoover – Executive Aide, Center for Advisement and Student Excellence, College of Arts and Sciences, 4 years of service

Cheryl Garby Moore – Research Specialist, Biomedical Sciences, 18 years of service

Published May 2021 as part of the Accent email newsletter for faculty and staff.

2021-May-01-Etsu Class Of 2021 Spring Commencement, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Final ceremony Sunday, May 9

JOHNSON CITY (May 8, 2021) – East Tennessee State University continued its four-day Commencement celebration on Saturday as degrees were presented to graduates of the colleges of Nursing, Public Health, and Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences and the Clemmer College.

Throughout the weekend, degrees are being conferred to over 2,000 students.  In addition, the university held a special ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. honoring the Class of 2020 graduates.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, degrees were conferred to these students in virtual ceremonies, but yesterday they had the opportunity to don their cap and …

2021-May-01-1911 Society - Class Of 2021, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

11 members of the Class of 2021

JOHNSON CITY – Eleven members of the Class of 2021 who have distinguished themselves for academic excellence, service and leadership at East Tennessee State University have been inducted into the 1911 Society.

1911 Society - Class of 2021

Named in commemoration of the year when ETSU was founded, the 1911 Society recognizes the university’s most notable graduates from undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The selection committee evaluates applicants on academic achievement; sustained service; honors, awards, recognitions, publications and presentations; demonstrated leadership; work experience, such as study abroad, internships, externships and clinicals; and personal …

2021-May-01-Going Places, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

ETSU welcomes the following employees who recently joined the university: 

Thomas Bauer is an information security engineer in Information Technology Services. He was previously a security analyst with Affinity Tech Solutions.

Mark D. Christian is a police officer in Public Safety. Before coming to ETSU, he was a deputy in the Carter County Sheriff’s Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University.

Devin Clark is a dispatcher in Public Safety. He holds a B.S. degree in exercise science from ETSU.

Crystal Harrell is a career specialist with the Center for Community Outreach. She holds a B.S. …

2021-May-01-Grad Students Conclude Cdc Mascup Study, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY — A team of graduate students from East Tennessee State University College of Public Health have been busy placing Johnson City on the map as they conclude four months of local observations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national MASCUP! study. 

Under the direction of Dr. Sam Pettyjohn, research assistant professor, ETSU is one of 66 locations nationwide chosen to assess mask wearing behaviors at U.S. colleges and universities as part of a larger “Mask Adherence Surveillance at Colleges and Universities,” or MASCUP!. Students have collected field data gathered on and off campus.

Since February, …

2021-May-01-Horsepower 2021 Tweetsie Celebration Running Back-To-Back, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Horsepower 2021, Tweetsie Celebration running back-to-back

JOHNSON CITY — Prepare for two weekends filled with railroading history at East Tennessee State University. On May 29, the George L. Carter Railroad Museum, located in the Campus Center Building, will kick off its Modern Equipment “Horsepower 2021” Heritage Day, followed by a limited-attendance, two and a half-day Tweetsie Celebration, June 4-6.

Both events will allow visitors to see railroading’s diverse history, beginning with the annual modern diesel day to showcase today’s high-horsepower equipment. Operating in …

2021-May-01-Pocket Ace Published In International Journal, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Study finds wording change in ACEs test could help find more childhood sexual abuse survivors

JOHNSON CITY – Could modifying the wording of a screening test commonly used to identify adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) result in identifying more survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and therefore lead to improved health outcomes for these individuals?

It could, if the findings of research led by East Tennessee State University’s Robyn Dolson spur changes in the way childhood sexual abuse is identified.

Dolson is the author of “Pocket ACE: Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Missed by the ACEs Study Questionnaire,” which appears in the July …

2021-May-01-Renaissance Child Camps Offered This Summer, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY — East Tennessee State University’s Office of Professional Development invites children and youth to participate in its 2021 Renaissance Child Camps, scheduled for June 7-July 31. 

For the 19th year, these one-week camps will offer a variety of educational, hands-on and interactive opportunities for participants in first grade through high school, with programming based on the STREAM (science, technology, reading/recreation, engineering, arts and math) educational curriculum, which follows Tennessee Core State Standards. An emphasis on the well-rounded child is completed by outside play and creative activities.

Returning camps for participants entering seventh grade, and ages 12 and up, …

2021-May-01-Spring 2021 Commencement Schedule, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

After holding both spring and fall commencement ceremonies virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, East Tennessee State University is pleased to host ceremonies on campus for its expected 2,091 spring 2021 graduates, as well as graduates from both spring and fall 2020.

For the health and well-being of those who will gather for the celebration, the university will host several ceremonies over the course of four days instead of the traditional two Saturday ceremonies. To support a safe environment for graduates, guests and all participants during these events, a number of protocols will be in place.

Ceremony programs …

2021-May-Cheer Tryouts For 2021-2022 School Year, University School, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

2021-May-High School Boys Basketball Tryouts, University School, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

2021-May-Petro's Fundraiser - Tuesday May 4th, University School, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

2021-May-Uh Track Team State Qualifiers, University School, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

2021-May-Uh Track Athlete Skyler Miller To Sign With King University, University School, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

Arbor Day Foundation Programs: Analysis And Recommendations, Justin Myers, Emily Alston, Cameron Claborn, Charles Erker, Braelyn Isernhagen, Jonathan Jameson

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

We are proposing the enhancement of the current Tree City USA program to include a special recognition program for high-achieving communities. These “Golden Oak” tree cities will be recognized each year based on a variety of metrics detailed in a new and more comprehensive program application. Recommendations:

● Updated application to include more information about both quantitative and qualitative insights

● Special recognition program awarding “Golden Oak” status to communities in village, town, city, and metropolis categories based on either percentile or benchmarking system

● A cumulative “Golden Oak” award given to the State that achieves the highest percentage of …

Ndikimi I Odës Ekonomike Të Kosovës Në Ekonominë E Vendit 2015-2021, Migena Sejdiu

Theses and Dissertations

Oda Ekonomike e Kosovës është ka qenë dhe ështëgjithmonë e përkushtuar ta fuqizojë rolin e sektorit privat në funksion të zhvillimit të qëndrueshëm ekonomik në vazhdimsi. Për ta mundësuar këtë, krahas shërbimeve që ofron, në vazhdimësi informon dhe kshillon biznesetlidhur me zhvillimet ekonomike në vend dhe i adreson çështjet me rëndësi tek institucionet relevante, që janë përgjegjëse për mbrojtjen e tyre. Oda ekonomike ka rëndësi të veqantë në përkrahjen dhe stimulimin e zhvillimit të biznesit dhe të ekonomisë në vend në pergjithësi. Rritja dhe zhvillimi i bizneseve pamundësohet nga sfidat të ndryshme, jo të favorshëm i të bërit biznes prandaj …

Format Motivuese Që Ndikojnë Në Menaxhimin E Burimeve Njerëzore Rast Studimi - Hil Limited, Emine Syla

Theses and Dissertations

Ky hulumtim sqaron temën për faktorët motivues që ndikojnë në menaxhimin e burimeve njerëzore në një kompani jashtë vendit. Detyra themelore e menaxhmentit është shfrytëzimi efektiv i burimeve njerëzore për arritjet e objektivave organizative. Menaxhimi i personelit ka të bëjë me organizimin e burimeve njerëzore në një mënyrë të atillë për të marrë maksimumin e prodhimit në ndërmarrje dhe për të zhvilluar talentin e njerëzve në punë me kënaqësinë më të plotë. Motivimi i punonjësve është një nga çështjet kryesore me të cilat përballet çdo organizatë. Detyra kryesore e çdo menaxheri është të motivojë vartësit e tij ose të krijojë …

Faktorët Motivues Për Punonjësit E Kompanisë Newco Ferronikeli Complex L.L.C., Emira Krasniqi Vela

Theses and Dissertations

Menaxhimi i Burimeve Njerëzore po bëhet gjithnjë e më i rëndësishëm në biznes në ditët e sotme, sepse njerëzit dhe njohuritë e tyre janë aspektet më të rëndësishme që ndikojnë në produktivitetin e kompanisë. Një nga aspektet kryesore të Menaxhimit të Burimeve Njerëzore është motivimi dhe matja e kënaqësisë së punonjësve. Kompanitë duhet të sigurohen që kënaqësia e punonjësve është e lartë në mesin e punëtorëve, gjë që është një parakusht për rritjen e produktivitetit. Ky punim analizon efektin e motivimit të punonjësve në organizatë dhe llojet e ndryshëm të motivimeve. Gjithashtu punimi hedh drite mbi atë që e shtyn …

The Gender Equity Gap: A Multi-Study Investigation Of Within-Job Inequality In Equity-Based Awards, Felice B. Klein, Aaron D. Hill, Ryan Hammond, Ryan Stice-Lusvardi

Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Laws in many countries mandate paying men and women equally when in similar jobs. Such laws, coupled with considerable organizational efforts, lead some scholars to contend that within-job pay inequality is no longer a source of the gender pay gap. We argue important differences in a widely used form of pay heretofore overlooked in existing studies—equity-based awards (i.e., pay where the value is tied to the employing organization’s stock, such as stock and stock options)—may cause underestimation of gender-based within-job pay inequality. Specifically, we theorize that because of differences in both why and how equity-based awards are distributed to employees …

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: How Characters’ Effectiveness As Message Sources Depend On Their Story Experiences, Cristel Antonia Russell, Anne Hamby, Boris Chapoton, Véronique Régnier Denois

Marketing Faculty Publications and Presentations

A television (TV) character’s actions and the consequences of these actions in TV storylines can shape the audience’s own behavioral intentions, especially if the audience identifies with that character. The current research examines how storylines depicting positive versus negative consequences of drinking affect youths’ drinking intentions, and whether post-narrative intervention messages delivered by story characters alter these influences. Results indicate that a post-narrative intervention can correct drinking intentions shaped by a pro-alcohol storyline, but the effectiveness depends on the source: a peripheral character is more effective than the main character at delivering a corrective message. This research pinpoints the role …

Data Quality (Video), Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

Workforce Analytics Resources

Data-driven decisions cannot be effective if they are based on poor-quality data. Thus, it is important to ensure that any data that will be used for workforce analytics are accurate and can be trusted.

Data Quality Criteria

There are many potential data quality criteria to consider. Below are 9 selected criteria that are relevant for workforce data. If there are others that are also important to you, they should be included as well. These questions should be asked of every variable for which data are collected.

1. Relevance: Are the data useful and relevant for business needs?
2. Granularity: Are the data …

Impact Of Work From Home Policies On Workplace Productivity And Employee Sentiments During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jenna Wilson

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

Workplace productivity can be defined as the level of efficiency in which tasks and goals are completed for a company (Kristina). It is well understood in all industries that workplace productivity is a vital factor for success in order to increase profitability and maintain employee satisfaction. Many companies attempt to positively influence productivity while maintaining high employee morale by making strategic changes to the office environment, such as providing comfortable break rooms, sophisticated technology, and employee well-being programs. But what happens when the workplace itself is redefined and an employee’s kitchen table becomes their office? Shortly after COVID-19 emerged in …

The Advantages Of Active Management Overtime Through Turbulent Markets, Alexandria Rook

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Unlike many other financial institutions and investment companies, GT seeks out and hires the best investment managers they can find instead of picking all the individual investments themselves. This fund-of-fund management approach is “an investment vehicle where a fund invests in a portfolio composed of shares of other funds rather than investing directly in stocks, bonds, and other securities” (Corporate Finance Institute). This approach allows GT’s clients to have access to the best in the business managers that they would not be able to source or buy into on their own. Many of the best managers have a higher buy-in …

“The Role Of Poultry On Food Insecurity In Mozambique”, Austin Heinisch

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hunger, poverty, and starvation in developing countries are some of the most prevalent challenges facing the world today but many people outside of these areas are not fully aware as to just how bad it is. In the country of Mozambique, where the following research took place, food insecurity levels are rampant, and many different groups/companies are trying to change that. Through a service-learning study abroad program in the summer of 2019, my group and I worked with the local company New Horizons to research ways in which poultry production for both the company and their rural out growers could …

How Has Covid-19 Affected Financial Gains Of Big-Tech Companies?, Erin Flanigen

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial returns received by Big-Tech companies in order to predict future financial returns and related business activities. The main objectives of this paper are to delineate business models and financial statements of Big-Tech companies prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, present ample, relevant economic information regarding COVID-19, and encompass the effects of COVID-19 on global economies. This study then predicts the future economic effects of COVID-19 on Big-Tech companies. The selected Big-Tech companies included in this study are Facebook, Alphabet (Google), Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon; each company saw …