Business Commons^™

A Multi-Study Examination Of Student-Athlete Mental Health And Mental Health Service Delivery In Mid-Major College Athletic Programs, Grace Louis

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Student-athlete mental health has become a central priority in intercollegiate athletics, with the NCAA emphasizing its Mental Health Best Practices (2016) and strengthening and expanding these standards through updated recommendations in 2024. These efforts reflect a broader cultural shift toward recognizing the unique psychological stressors faced by college athletes, including performance pressure, identity foreclosure, high time demands, and transitions both into and out of sport (Moreland et al., 2018; Hughes & Leavey, 2012). Additionally, student-athletes frequently delay or avoid help-seeking due to stigma, time constraints, identity-protective behaviors, cultural norms emphasizing toughness, and limited mental health literacy (Gulliver et al., 2012; …

Mistreatment As Instrumental Or Obstructive? How Appraisals Of Customer Mistreatment Impact Entrepreneurial Action, Nicholas A. Smith

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Theory on entrepreneurial action emphasizes the role of cognition in guiding when and how entrepreneurs act. Research in this area has accordingly focused on identifying antecedents of entrepreneurs’ cognitive processes, often emphasizing environmental or economic conditions that broadly influence how entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities. Yet, much less attention has been given to how everyday social interactions spark cognitive processes that influence venture-directed behavior. This dissertation integrates the transactional theory of stress to examine customer mistreatment, defined as low-quality interpersonal treatment from customers, as a social stressor that impacts entrepreneurs’ cognitive appraisals and resulting venture-directed behavior. Here, I argue that mistreatment from …

Can A "Good Jab" Lead To A "Good Job?": Teasing As An Organizational Performance Feedback Tool, Jared P. Wilson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Performance feedback is a valuable tool for bolstering workplace performance, but the prospect of receiving feedback is often aversive, leading to decreased acceptance, increased turnover intent, and increased recipient stress. One plausible explanation for why critical feedback can be aversive is that feedback is face-threatening. Politeness theory suggests that pro social agents can intentionally attenuate face-threat while still communicating intrinsically threatening information. Pro-social teasing, a humorous form of off-record communication, is one such method, offering a potentially less aversive mode of performance feedback. A sample of 133 participants read a vignette where they took on the role of a grocery …

Shaping Occupational Self-Efficacy In Complex Jobs: Cognitive Flexibility, Role Stressors, And The Workplace, Carolyn Henn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Career advancement in many professions requires employees to move beyond a single specialized role and perform effectively across different responsibilities. These complex jobs often combine technical work, project oversight, client interaction, financial accountability, and coordination with others. Successfully managing these overlapping responsibilities requires strong occupational self-efficacy, but not much is known about the factors that shape employees’ confidence in their ability to perform in complex jobs, particularly under role stress. This study uses cross-sectional survey data from 132 full-time professionals working in complex, multi-role jobs across a range of industries to examine how cognitive flexibility, role stressors, and job demands …

The Effect Of Innovative Value Proposition On Buyer Reactions: The Moderating Roles Of Price Orientation And Perceived Risk, Chad Stuttz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Value propositions are essential to the success of personal selling in the Business-to-Business (B2B) context. While earlier studies have offered valuable insights into the roles of value propositions in driving B2B sales, they have often regarded value propositions as uniform. In this dissertation, I argue that value propositions vary in their levels of innovativeness. The dissertation introduces the concept of innovative value proposition (IVP) and proposes that IVP indicates greater future growth potential to buyers, leading to more favorable reactions such as responsiveness and willingness to engage than less innovative ones. Additionally, the dissertation explores the moderating effects of buyer …

Survival In The Stigmatized Industry (Bitcoin Atm), Brooks Mcadam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ii ABSTRACT Survival in the Stigmatized Industry (Bitcoin ATM) Brooks McAdam This paper examines how companies can survive in a stigmatized industry where the same message may attract customers while simultaneously generating skepticism. The study posed the following research question using the Bitcoin ATM industry as the context: Does the message presented on company websites influence the degree of exit risk in a market characterized by moral concerns, exposure to fraud, and unstable regulation? The answer is clear. Messaging is important; however, not every message is equally important. Fee-related messaging emerged as the most consistent predictor of exit risk. Messaging …

Taxpayers Willingness To Use Ai Conversational Tools, Nessrine Mesto-Assaad

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

With the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence Conversational Tools (AICTs), such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, and their widespread use, the need to understand users’ acceptance of this emerging technology has increased. Prior research has investigated users’ acceptance of AICTs in hospitality, tourism, e-commerce, and retail industries. However, users’ acceptance of the use of AICTs for tax information remains relatively underexplored in the tax context. Therefore, this study investigates taxpayers’ willingness to accept and use AICTs for tax-related questions when e-filing their tax returns. Drawing on the Artificial Intelligence Device Use and Acceptance (AIDUA) model as a research framework, this …

Feasibility Of Corn Stover For Biogas Production In Northwestern Illinois: A Case Study Of Jo Daviess And Carroll Counties, Anthony Amotoe-Bondzie

Masters Theses

The growing demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste management has intensified interest in agricultural residues such as bioenergy feedstocks. This study evaluated the feasibility of converting corn stover into biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD) in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois, with consideration of the Savanna Industrial Park as a potential centralized processing hub. Although corn stover represents one of the largest biomass resources in the United States, this research identifies a critical gap between theoretical availability and practically recoverable feedstock. Using a mixed-methods framework, the study integrates biomass quantification, methane yield modeling, economic analysis, and policy assessment. Results …

First Portfolio – Mngt 475: Business Strategies, Lisa Tschauner

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

MNGT 475: Business Strategies serves as the undergraduate strategic management capstone course in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business. The course integrates knowledge from accounting, finance, economics, marketing, management, supply chain management, analytics, and entrepreneurship while providing students with opportunities to apply strategic frameworks to authentic business challenges. This portfolio documents the design, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the course, with particular attention given to experiential learning and the comparison of two instructional models: a traditional case-study project and a real-world industry-partner consulting project. Drawing upon Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, self-reflection, self-efficacy, and teamwork constructs, the portfolio examines …

2026 January, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for January of 2026.

Modelling Nature? The Digital Twinning And Untwinning Of Urban Farms, Prerona Das, Orlando Woods, Lily Kong

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Data-driven solutions and innovations have been extended to various industries, including agriculture, to increase efficiency. With the emergence of smart farming and agriculture 4.0, advanced technologies such as IoT, big data, machine learning, and cloud computing are increasingly integrated into farming. Among these, technologies such as digital models, digital twins and the metaverse are now used to control various farming activities remotely based on real-time data. However agricultural ecosystems, involving uncertain nature-based factors and complex human-nature interactions cannot always be accurately represented or predicted by digital models. Digital models aim to reduce natural environments into controllable game-like situations and undermine …

The Notion Of Subordination And The Presumption Of Employment Relationship In The Perspective Of Comparative Labour Law, Adalberto Perulli

Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

The concept of subordination serves as the key criterion for accessing social protection across civil law systems. Theoretically, subordination corresponds to what common law systems define — through multifactorial tests — as an employment (or service) contract, distinguishing it from self-employment. While this historic dichotomy is widely regarded as unsatisfactory and has long been questioned, the notion of subordination remains central to ensuring that workers receive the protection guaranteed under the labour law systems. Part I will address the problem of subordination as a fundamental legal category of labour law, rooted in contract law. Regardless of the complex legal origins …

Front Matter, Editors Of Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

Front Matter

Book Review: Défense Et Illustration De L’Action Internationale: L’Example De L’Oit By Jean-Michel Servais, Editions L’Harmattan, 20251, Lance Compa

Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

For decades a leading figure among senior legal officials at the International Labour Organization (ILO), Jean-Michel Servais has synthesized his experience in a magisterial work that every international labour law scholar and practitioner should have on hand — if they read French. This brief review is meant to introduce it to a broader audience, with hope that the book might be translated and published for the benefit of English readers, too.

Approaching The Wine Tasting Lexicon, Angela Dumford

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

There has been an increase in demand for wine knowledge in all sectors of the business. Whether you are a sommelier striving to improve your extensive comprehension of the world of wine, a server aiming to provide guests with a more personalized wine experience, or a simple customer that is curious about learning the basics; wine can be explored and enjoyed by anyone. Despite this, understanding where to begin in the wine world can be extremely intimidating. There are countless books, articles, and infographics available to the average wine enthusiast, but the intensity and quality of information varies dramatically. Furthermore, …

The Customer Is Always Right Philosophy, Gbassah Doman

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

The philosophy “the customer is always right” has long influenced customer service practices by emphasizing attentiveness, satisfaction, and loyalty. While originally intended to promote respectful engagement and trust‑building, contemporary interpretations of the philosophy often encourage unconditional customer accommodation, raising concerns about employee well‑being, ethical boundaries, and organizational sustainability. This study examines the historical foundations, strengths, limitations, and ethical implications of philosophy within modern business environments.

Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes academic literature, industry research, and organizational case studies to evaluate how rigid customer absolutism affects employees, customers, and organizational performance. Case studies of Amazon, Ritz‑Carlton, and Southwest …

Addressing Author Misconduct, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This feature article addresses the growing need for clear editorial policies on author misconduct, especially with the rise of Generative AI (GAI). Editors are vital gatekeepers who ensure the accuracy and transparency of dental literature, thereby protecting patient safety. The author distinguishes between unintentional misconduct, such as inadvertent plagiarism, and intentional misconduct, like data fabrication or deliberate non-disclosure of AI use. Remedial measures emphasize author education for honest mistakes, while severe violations require zero-tolerance actions such as formal retraction and institutional notification. Implementing these protocols is vital for maintaining reader trust and upholding professional integrity.

N Y State Dent J January 2026

The New York State Dental Journal

In the January 2026 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• No Need to Travel the Road to Licensure Renewal Alone
• IPS Subperiosteal Implant for the Maxilla and Mandible
• Amyloidoma of the Palate
• Titanium Hypersensitivity as Possible Cause of Dental Implant Failures

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Commercial Determinants Of Health Revisited: Integrating Business Scholarship For Greater Public Health Impact, Junghoon Park, Bryan W. Husted

Management Faculty Works

In her influential 2020 review in Globalization and Health, Mialon synthesizes the commercial determinants of health (CDOH) literature and underscores how commercial actors are connected to public health through the institutional environments in which they operate. Much of this research conceptualizes firms as institutionally embedded but relatively homogeneous actors, emphasizing external practices such as the production and promotion of harmful commodities, lobbying, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. While recent CDOH scholarship has begun to recognize the importance of organizational-level factors, few studies analyze the internal processes through which corporate conduct with public health consequences emerges. We argue that integrating insights …

Strategic Peer Region Selection For Economic Development, Xiaobing Shuai, Riley Ford

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Benchmarking against peer and aspirational regions is essential for economic development because it provides meaningful context for evaluating performance and shaping strategy. These comparisons help highlight regional advantages that attract new investments, as well as uncover gaps that may represent opportunities for future growth. ...

This article provides a practical, data-driven framework that economic development organizations can use to identify peer and aspirational regions, strengthen benchmarking efforts, and support strategy development. A case study illustrates how this can be applied to better interpret economic indicators and inform decision-making. For EDOs, this approach offers a more consistent way to evaluate competitiveness, …

Early Stem Impressions, Student Engagement, And Readiness For Digitalization, Myron Sheu

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study examines how early impressions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) shape business students’ learning behaviors and, ultimately, their readiness for organizational digitalization. Focusing on gender differences, subgroup identities, and perceived obstacles, the analysis uses survey data processed through correlation matrices, regression models, and subgroup heatmaps to trace the relationship between initial attitudes toward STEM and subsequent engagement patterns. The findings reveal consistent links between positive early impressions and active participation in structured STEM activities, along with gender-based distinctions in action preferences. Subgroup analyses further uncover nuanced patterns where stereotypes or perceived barriers correspond with reduced engagement. Collectively, …

Does Digital Innovation Matter For Hospital Efficiency? Evidence From U.S. Hospitals, C. Christopher Lee, Shihui Fan, Jung Young Lee, David W. Hwang

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Purpose – This study examines the impact of digital innovation on hospital performance, providing evidence to guide healthcare administrators and policymakers in making informed decisions regarding digital investment.

Design/Methodology/Approach – Using data from the 2020 American Hospital Association (AHA) U.S. Hospital Survey and the 2019 AHA Information Technology Survey, we empirically analyze the relationship between five dimensions of digital innovation—automation, cybersecurity, telehealth, health information exchange (HIE), and IT spending—and three efficiency indicators: occupancy rate, capacity productivity, and manpower productivity.

Findings – The results show that digital innovation has varying effects on hospital efficiency. Automation is positively associated with capacity and …

The Crowdfunding Paradox In Crisis: Rising Funder Demand Vs. Declining Entrepreneur Supply, Dan Liu, Guangzhi Shang, Cynthia Fan Yang

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study investigates how the crowdfunding marketplace responds to major crises, focusing on behavioral shifts among funders and entrepreneurs. Results show a dual impact on platform dynamics. On the demand side, funders become more engaged, with notable increases in the number of backers, average contributions, and total pledge amounts. This heightened activity suggests stronger altruistic motivations, as individuals view crowdfunding as a way to support others during difficult times. On the supply side, however, entrepreneurs act more cautiously, leading to a decline in new project launches. This drop likely reflects increased risk aversion and uncertainty as creators navigate volatile conditions. …

Empowering Equity: Latinas In Leadership – Navigating Work-Life Balance In The Post-Pandemic Era, Teresa Excinia

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the lived experiences of Latina leaders as they navigated how cultural expectations influenced work–life balance in the post-pandemic era. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped workplace dynamics, blurring boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal life. For Latinas, these challenges were compounded by cultural expectations that shaped their roles both at home and in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to understand how Latina leaders managed the dual pressures of balancing career demands with cultural and familial obligations. Using Testimonio as the methodological framework, this study captured the voices and narratives of Latina leaders across industries, offering an …

Accessibility Vs Exclusivity: Examining The Barriers To Entry For Early Career Professionals Entering The Commercial Art Market, Cameron Arthur

MA in Art Business Dissertations

This dissertation examines the barriers to entry for early-career professionals seeking to enter the commercial art market, focusing on how structural exclusivity limits access to art business careers. The research addresses a noticeable gap in art market scholarship by focusing on the professional ecosystem behind galleries, auction houses, and advisory firms, which remain underexplored. The study employs a qualitative methodology, supported by selective quantitative data, combining a critical review of existing literature, analysis of industry employment reports, and interviews with art market insiders. This mixed-method approach provides a multidimensional view of the sector’s systemic barriers. Key findings reveal the three …

The Marketability Of The Muse: Understanding The Valuation Of Muse-Artists On The Contemporary Market, Mairi Alice Dun

MA in Art Business Dissertations

The label ‘muse,’ and the attention that comes with it, has kept female artists' names in the minds and institutions of the art world for the past 25 years. The word itself carries enough intrigue to make the women behind great male artists’s works interesting. However, in the past five or ten years, while other, formerly invisible, female artists have received a massive reevaluation in the market, and collectors have trended towards adding women to their collections, the art of female muses still trails that of their male counterparts by a large margin. The gendered value gap is not just …

How Have Emil Nolde’S Political Biographies Impacted His Market, From ‘Weimar Degenerate’ And ‘Dissident’, To ‘Complicit Antisemite’?, Samuel Goodwin-Hudson

MA in Art Business Dissertations

Emil Nolde is regarded as one of the most accomplished and innovative modernists. Celebrated for his varied iconographies expressed with thick, erratic brushstrokes, displaying highly saturated, non-naturalistic tonal contrasts, and pronounced, distorted forms. He often draws comparisons to Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh. He died a national hero in Northern Germany, 1956, at 88 years of age. His oeuvre has inspired numerous artists, such as Georg Baselitz, Daniel Richter and Anselm Kiefer. Accordingly, his art has been exalted by institutions and converted by learned collectors, subsequently demanding huge sums.

The exhibition 'Emil Nolde. A German Legend. The Artist during …

Laws, Looting, And Legitimate Trade: The Effectiveness Of The Icc At Prosecuting Cultural Heritage Crimes From An Art Market Perspective, Kassidy Houlihan

MA in Art Business Dissertations

This dissertation is a legal analysis of cultural heritage crime prosecution at the International Criminal Court aimed for art market practitioners. It seeks to evaluate whether the ICC could be an effective means of prosecuting cultural heritage crime in a way that positively effects the art market. It closely reads the Rome Statute to determine how the cultural heritage crimes of looting and intentional destruction of cultural property could be charged at the ICC. It then uses the case studies of Prosecutor v. Al Mahdi and Prosecutor v. Al Hassan, the only two cultural heritage cases at the ICC to …

Artwork Or It-Bag? How Arts-Luxury Collaborations Impact Artist Cultural Visibility, Edwina Keary

MA in Art Business Dissertations

Since Marc Jacobs’ introduction to Louis Vuitton in 1997 and experimentation with artist collaboration, art and luxury collaboration has boomed. Over the years, customer demands have shifted in the wake of postmodern consumer culture, and brands must keep up with them to maintain their competitive advantage. The nature of collaborations has therefore shifted their focus to include experiences as well as products. Different collaboration types have a unique impact on both the brand and the artists involved. This research explores the impact of product versus experience-based collaboration on the cultural visibility of the artists involved through press coverage analysis. This …

Institutional Legitimation And Artistic Value In Portuguese Contemporary Art, Constança Maria Lobo De Castro Afonso

MA in Art Business Dissertations

This dissertation examines the mechanisms of institutional legitimation in the Portuguese art market, with main emphasis on museums, curatorial practices, media mediation and the ever-changing role of public participation. Drawing field theory (Bourdieu), art world sociology (Becker) and recent studies of media and symbolic capital, it positions Portugal as a ‘semi-peripheral’ market in which institutional framing and international infrastructures play a critical role in establishing value and reputation. The literature review shows that legitimacy is collectively produced by a constellation of actors, narratives and conventions, rather than solely by the intrinsic properties of artworks or straightforward market demand.

Through a …