Business Commons^™

The Impact Of Brexit On Uk Trade Flows: A Product-Level Analysis, Tyler J. Shean

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The United Kingdom formally left the European Union in 2020, a significant event known as Brexit. The separation caused political and economic consequences for the UK, particularly affecting trade flows in and out of the country. However, the extent of these impacts both in the short and long term-remains uncertain. This paper analyzes the impact of Brexit on exports and imports for the United Kingdom and the rest of the EU. The study also looks at industry-specific data, giving a detailed perspective on sectors that experienced the biggest consequences of the event. The World International Trade Solution (WITS) by the …

Honors Project In Business Admin Group 2, Matt R. Howell, Richard W. Black, Kale R. Kochman, Anthony J. Mast

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Our team is performing a strategic analysis on Project Learn, Summit County's non-profit that provides resources to adult learners to complete their GED. Our goal is to provide recommendations for them to expand their market and improve the product that they currently offer. This includes exploring new partnerships, adding additional services, and various other initiatives that we hope will improve the organization's wellbeing.

How Does Economic Policy Uncertainty Affect Individual Contributions To Retirement Accounts?, David I. Becker

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study tests whether Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) is associated with U.S. retirement contributions and whether responses differ across account types. Using annual contribution data for defined contribution plans and Traditional and Roth IRAs with the Baker, Bloom, and Davis EPU index, I estimate multivariate regressions with standard macroeconomic controls and compare contemporaneous and lagged specifications. EPU is positively associated with 401(k) contributions, negatively associated with Traditional IRA contributions in the contemporaneous model, and not statistically significant for Roth IRAs. These results suggest uncertainty may shift how households save for retirement rather than uniformly reducing retirement saving.

A Holistic Approach To Country Branding: Examining A Master Brand And Sub-Brand Framework, Musa Pinar, Aycan Duran Tekoglu, Tulay Girard

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Recently, nation branding has drawn the attention of policymakers worldwide, as nations recognize its strategic importance in achieving and sustaining success in the global competitive landscape. This study provides a conceptual framework based on master brand and sub-brand architecture to examine country branding holistically by integrating macro and micro perspectives, country brand equity, and their effects on consumer preferences. The specific objectives are to 1) identify the dimensions of master brand, sub-brand, and country brand equity and develop reliable and valid measurement scales for each dimension, and 2) develop a conceptual framework that integrates the master brand, sub-brand, and brand …

When Social Inflation Pushes The "Good Neighbor" Away: How Market Exit Behavior Triggers Brand Betrayal And Trust Erosion, Waros Ngamsiriudom, Mohan Menon, Mitra Devkota

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Social inflation, marked by rising litigation severity, shifting jury attitudes, and expanding third-party litigation funding, has intensified financial pressures on insurers operating in disaster-prone markets. In response, many insurers have withdrawn or restricted coverage, creating a sharp disconnect between long-standing brand promises and current market behaviors. This article examines how these systemic pressures produce “brand betrayal,” a consumer perception arising when insurers’ market exit actions contradict their relational positioning as reliable, community-oriented partners. Drawing on signaling theory, relationship marketing, and institutional perspectives, the article develops a conceptual framework linking social inflation to brand trust erosion through market exit behavior. The …

Leading With Integrity: Ethical Leadership, Quota Fairness, And Salesforce Retention, James Deconinck

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study examines how ethical leadership, ethical climate, quota difficulty, distributive quota fairness, and person–organization (P–O) fit jointly shape salespeople’s turnover intentions and actual turnover. Survey data from 203 salespeople in a national computer-industry firm were paired with organizational turnover records collected one year later. Ethical leadership strengthened ethical climate, distributive quota fairness, and P–O fit, while ethical climate further enhanced fairness and value alignment. Quota difficulty strongly reduced fairness. Fairness also contributed to P–O fit, indicating that justice experiences tied to quota allocation shape value congruence in meaningful ways. Both fairness and P–O fit predicted lower turnover intentions, and …

Essays In Housing And Consumer Finance, Spencer Stone

Theses and Dissertations--Finance and Quantitative Methods

In my first chapter, I show how consumer left-digit bias affects borrowing costs in the US residential mortgage market. I find that the distribution of mortgage rates bunch at .99-ending rates just below left-digit changing thresholds, and that this bunching is greater in the distribution of rates selected by borrowers than those simply offered by lenders. Comparing observably similar borrowers within the same 1-bp interest rate band, selecting similar mortgage products, in the same census tract and origination month, I show that borrowers receiving .99-ending rates pay significantly more fees than borrowers receiving the nearest whole-number rate just above them, …

Evaluation And Advancement Of The Students’ Artificial Intelligence Literacy Through Toolkit-Based Teaching Instruction In Fashion Merchandising Education, Xun (Catherine) Sun, Jia Wu, Li Zhao

Faculty Publications - Family and Consumer Sciences

With the rapid adoption of AI in fashion merchandising, there is an increasing need for students to develop AI literacy to meet evolving industry demands. However, higher education faces challenges due to limited discipline-specific pedagogical practices, insufficient student training, and a lack of AI-integrated curricula. Grounded in Bloom's Taxonomy Revisited and IDEO's 3I design thinking framework, this study introduces the #AIforfashionedu toolkit–a how-to-guide toolkit comprising AI-integrated learning activities. These activities were qualitatively implemented in three fashion merchandising-related courses at U.S. institutions. A total of 195 student reflection papers were collected, analysed, and evaluated using a thematic analysis approach. The findings …

A Strategic Analysis Of Project Learn Of Summit County, Alex Kennedy, Tyler Hutchinson, Haley Guest, Zach D. Thomas, Lizzie Sisler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Our group is working with Project Learn of Summit County, a GED and ESL assistance program located in the Akron Public Library. Our group will be performing a strategic analysis and providing them with a strategic plan, to be presented to them at the end of the term. We aim to increase awareness for the program, point out areas of growth, and increase functionality.

Project Learn Strategic Analysis Project, Isabel Ladaika, Kalpana Ghimire, Noah Johnson, Caleb Keiper

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This honors project involves working in a team to conduct a comprehensive strategic analysis of Project Learn of Summit County. We will evaluate the organization’s external environment (such as industry trends, competition, and community factors) and internal operations (including strengths, weaknesses, resources, and capabilities). Using strategic management frameworks, as a team we will develop actionable recommendations to strengthen the organizations marketing, financial sustainability, and community outreach efforts. Throughout the semester, we will engage directly with the client organization to gather data and insights that inform our analysis. Final deliverables include a formal written strategic analysis paper and a professional presentation …

Project Learn Strategic Analysis, Kendall Hegan, Hunter Kay, Abigail Miller, Rina Xayasy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The strategic analysis of Project LEARN seeks to analyze the background, purpose, internal structures, and external factors of the organization. After further analysis the team will propose strategic recommendations backed by academic research and concepts learned throughout the strategic management course. Through consistent personal communication and documents provided by the Project LEARN staff the team will develop an in-depth analysis that seeks to add creative new initiatives as well as highlighting the current core competencies of the organization.

Dynamic Modelling Of Shocks To Credit Spread Risk In Banking Book: Evidence From European Sovereign Markets, Yaman O. Erzurumlu, Alper Kirik, Tunc Oygur

Faculty Publications – Finance, Insurance, and Law

This research examines the relationship between credit spread risk in the banking book (CSRBB) and bond market behavior across various maturities in twelve European nations. We address the challenges banks encounter in modeling CSRBB in isolation, as directed by the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) revised guidelines, which mandate the distinct management of CSRBB and interest rate risk in the banking book (IRRBB). Utilizing IRF and VAR models, the analysis demonstrates that credit spread shocks have divergent effects on sovereign bond I-Spreads and 5-year Credit Default Swap spreads across different tenors and countries. The results also indicate that shock absorption and …

Mental And Physical Humanlikeness In Artificial Intelligence Influencers: Effects On Humanness, Eeriness, And Consumer Responses, Terry Kim Ph.D., Hyunjoo Im

Faculty Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI) influencers, nonhuman characters powered by AI, have garnered a significant following on social media in recent years. Through two between-subjects online experiments (n = 957), this study investigates the impact of AI influencers' appearance realism and self-disclosure on consumer perceptions (humanness and eeriness) and their downstream responses (intention to self-disclose, intention to follow the advice, and brand attitude). Drawing from anthropomorphism and theory of mind, this study emphasizes the distinction of two dimensions of AI influencers' humanlikeness (physical and mental) which differently affect the humanness and eeriness of the AI influencer. Results indicate that the AI …

Exclusive By Design: Engineered Scarcity And Consumer Behavior In Fashion Drops, Caroline Meyer

2026 Research Poster Competition

The drop business model centers on releasing small batches of products, often without much notice, on a recurring or semi-regular schedule. These limited releases, or "drops," sell out quickly and rarely restock, creating urgency and making each product feel exclusive. Consumers are trained to anticipate launches, check for updates, and act fast within minutes to secure items before they’re gone. By tapping into psychological drivers such as scarcity, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the desire for social belonging, the drop model flips traditional retail logic. Instead of keeping shelves full, it withholds. Instead of lowering prices to drive sales, …

Whose Responsibility Is It: Corporate Ethics And Supply Chain Accountability In The Uyghur Crisis, Katelyn Evans

2026 Research Poster Competition

Global supply chains have become increasingly complex, making it difficult to identify and prevent unethical labor practices embedded within everyday consumer goods. In recent years, attention has been directed toward the use of Uyghur forced labor in China, particularly within the fashion and automotive industries. While governments and corporations have faced growing scrutiny, less is known about how consumers perceive responsibility for unethical sourcing and how unethical practices influence their purchasing behavior. This research seeks to examine the question: Whose responsibility is it to address unethical practices in global supply chains? Specifically, the study evaluates perceptions of responsibility across three …

Applied Textile Innovation In Sustainable Design: Evaluating Soy-Based Materials And Embroidery Techniques For Circular Apparel Applications, Jasmine Williams

2026 Research Poster Competition

Applied Textile Innovation in Sustainable Design:Evaluating Soy-Based Materials and Embroidery Techniques for Circular Apparel Applications  AbstractThe global apparel industry is recognized as one of the most environmentally intensive manufacturing sectors, driven by high resource consumption, chemically intensive processing, and linear production systems that generate significant textile waste. In response to these challenges, sustainable fashion research increasingly emphasizes the exploration of bio-based materials and circular design strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining functional and aesthetic value. This applied design research project investigates the potential of soy-based textiles combined with embroidery and applique techniques as sustainable strategies for circular apparel applications.Grounded …

Professional Wear For Women Aged 30 And Under Post Double Mastectomy Without Reconstruction, Lilly Davis

2026 Research Poster Competition

This study explores the fit, functionality, and style preferences of professional wear for women aged 30 and under who have undergone double mastectomy surgery and have not had reconstruction, often referred to as ‘living flat’. While there have been advancements to make adaptive post mastectomy clothing that prioritizes recovery or traditional prosthetic solutions, there still remains a gap in professional wear for younger women that encourages confidence and comfort in the workplace. This research aims to bridge that gap in the apparel industry by providing inclusive, adaptive, and empowering options for the professional setting. A mixed-methods design approach will be …

Adaptive Leggings For Crohn’S/Colitis/Isbs Patients With A Colostomy/Ileostomy Bag, Evie Liebbe

2026 Research Poster Competition

Individuals living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and related gastrointestinal conditions often face significant physical and emotional challenges following colostomy or ileostomy surgery. While ostomy bags are essential medical devices that support health and survival, they frequently create difficulties related to clothing fit, comfort, discretion, and self-expression. Despite growing conversations around inclusivity and adaptive apparel, the contemporary fashion market offers limited stylish, affordable, and functional clothing options for individuals with ostomies, particularly younger consumers who value both comfort and personal style. This lack of inclusive design can negatively impact confidence, body image, and overall quality of …

Historical Comparison Of Fashion Symbolism: Evaluating Queen Elizabeth Ii, Princess Diana, And Princess Catherine Of Wales, Rebecca O'Dea

2026 Research Poster Competition

It is no secret that appearance is a determining factor of how one is perceived by others. One of the most significant elements of image is the clothes that one wears. Through dress people reveal aspects about themselves; a person’s attire serves as an expression of their intentions, values, and feelings in relation to their surroundings before any actual interaction takes place. The purpose of this study is to explore the phenomenon of the influential element of dress, specifically within royal costume. Within the public spotlight, the reach and impact of appearance accumulate more attraction and influence. This research focuses …

The Effect Of Cybersecurity Breaches On Analysts’ Earnings Forecasts, Chih-Ying Chen, Beng Wee Goh, Kiat Bee Jimmy Lee, Na Li

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

We investigate the implications of cybersecurity breaches for financial analysts because they play an important role as information intermediaries in capital markets, and it is unknown whether analysts’ earnings forecasts are affected by cybersecurity breaches. Based on a sample of cybersecurity breaches from 2005 to 2018, we find that analysts’ earnings forecasts for firms with cybersecurity breaches are less accurate and more dispersed after a breach than for firms without such breaches. In cross-sectional analyses, we find that the adverse effects of cybersecurity breaches on analysts’ earnings forecasts are more pronounced for firms operating in more volatile business environments, for …

Does Auditor Quality Enhance Csr Disclosure?, Jimmy Lee, Chee Yeow Lim, Gerald J. Lobo, Yanping Xu

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

We investigate the relation between auditor quality and client firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure. Using an international sample of firms from 36 countries over the period 2009–2018 and a measure of the extent of CSR disclosure from Bloomberg, we find strong evidence that client firms with higher quality auditors provide more CSR disclosure. In cross-sectional analyses, we show that the relation between auditor quality and CSR disclosure is accentuated when the information environment is poorer and when the financial reporting environment and the legal institutions are weaker. Lastly, we document that firms with higher quality auditors also exhibit better …

Proof Of Recovery: A Model To Enhance Data Integrity In Data Management Systems, Gustaf Barkstrom

Theses and Dissertations

Businesses lose millions of dollars every year when they can’t restore data from backups. Research shows that Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) testing is not conducted frequently enough, nor are records maintained that demonstrate full data recovery from backups. This work introduces a design science artifact called PRTOK that aims to increase DRP testing. The design science artifact is a software solution that integrates with Data Management Systems (DMS)

such as iRODS and DSpace, and can work with formats such as HDF5 and BagIt. Proof-of- recovery records, or tokens, are recorded in a replicated, resilient, and indelible proof-of- authority blockchain data …

Customer Perceptions Of Tipping In Minimal-Service Food Settings, Fabian R. Rodriguez Gomez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As digital payment systems and point-of-sale technologies become increasingly common, customers are encountering more frequent requests to tip in minimal-service food settings, such as coffee shops, pizza parlors, and quick-service restaurants. These changes have prompted discussions regarding the fairness of tipping, customer willingness to tip, and the growing phenomenon of tipping fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine how employee effort, social pressure, and social obligation influence customer perceptions of tipping in minimal-service food settings.

A quantitative experimental research design was used with 328 participants recruited through the online platform Prolific. Participants were randomly assigned to scenarios manipulating …

An Examination Of The Determinants Of Audit Quality: Implications From Firms Listed In Us Stock Markets, Abdelrahman Naser Elmaria

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effect of several audit determinants, namely audit tenure, non-audit to audit fees ratio, auditing firm size, and firm size, impact on audit quality. This thesis extends the existing literature on audit determinants effect on audit quality using a Generalized Linear Model, (GLM) regression with robust estimation by analyzing a sample of 446 companies from the USA in the manufacture and service sectors. This is conducted through a series of diagnostic tests to identify an appropriate regression model. Such tests include testing and checking of baseline regression models to check for multicollinearity, …

Evaluating Machine Learning Models For Corporate Financial Forecasting: A Study Of The Dow Jones 30, Faizan Arjamand Ali

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This research seeks to determine the effectiveness of machine learning models in predicting revenues of corporations compared to conventional models of financial forecasting. The investigation is based on a group of 21 companies that maintained membership in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) between 2010 and 2025. Two machine learning algorithms are assessed: Random Forest and XGBoost. They are compared with the naïve growth model and deterministic linear trend, which serve as benchmarks. To check for statistical significance, the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests are used to compare the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and the root mean squared error (RMSE) of …

Documenting Sustainable Social Media Workflows: Supporting Student Professionalization In Faculty-Student Teams, Jenny Rissen

Master's Projects

This capstone project, Documenting Sustainable Social Media Workflows: Supporting Student Professionalization in Faculty-Student Teams, examines how departmental social media teams serve as informal training grounds where students build professional identities through collaborative, often undocumented communication work (Buck; Leon & Pigg). Addressing writing studies concerns about experiential learning gaps (McNabb; Carr et al.), the project creates a handbook offering practical guidance for onboarding, workflow continuity, accessibility, and ethical social media practices. It shows how mentorship and structured documentation turn everyday digital work into meaningful professional development. Situated in technical communication and rhetoric, the project demonstrates how social media teams help …

Leading From Where You Are: How Projects Build Leadership Skills In Law Libraries, Susan Azyndar, Yan Yu

Journal Articles

Practical ways to develop leadership skills through collaborative projects–no title required.

Determinants Of Digital Piracy: An Integrated Model, C. Christopher Lee, Peiyao Chen

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Digital piracy is a form of copyright infringement, and challenges persist in addressing it effectively. Accordingly, understanding why people engage in digital piracy is crucial. Although prior studies have examined digital piracy from multiple perspectives, existing studies on the explanatory factors of digital piracy remain fragmented. To address this research gap, this study develops an integrated model that incorporates key theoretical perspectives, neutralization theory, social learning theory, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), along with key determinants including gender, age, and the technology factor. Rather than conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies, this study adopts a survey-based approach to …

Too Warm To Win Big? Unpacking The Backer Dynamics Behind Female Crowdfunding Success Using A Warmth And Competence Perspective, Dan Liu

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

While crowdfunding is often heralded as a democratized funding avenue that empowers women with higher success rates, this study reveals a more nuanced picture of gender dynamics. The Stereotype Content Model suggests that women are often perceived as warmer but less competent. Using a large dataset from Kickstarter, we find that female-led projects can attract more backers, likely due to warmth-driven appeal, but receive smaller average contributions, potentially due to concerns about risk linked to lower perceived competence. However, the total funding raised by female-led campaigns is comparable to that of male-led ones, showing no clear advantage or disadvantage. This …

Online Community Dynamics: An Analysis Using Louvain During Major Sporting Events, Anushka Jaint, Yashodhan Karulkar, Kashish Jindal, Sri Sai Harshita Gadavarthi, Sanya Gulati

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

With the power of social media transforming the way people connect and interact with each other, the dynamics of community formation on platforms such as X during major events are of crucial importance. While social media is an increasingly key driver in determining interactions, little is known about the online influence forming and developing fan communities in high-stakes events. This study looks into the development of user communities for datasets drawn from Kaggle on two of the world’s largest sporting events: the FIFA World Cup 2022, or football, and the T20 World Cup 2022, or cricket, with the aim of …