Business Commons^™

Editorial, Teresa R. Behrens

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

The Aaacf Community Scholarship Program: A Strategic Approach To Building Community, Shelley Strickland, Carmen M. Mccallum

The Foundation Review

Five years ago, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation decided to take a strategic approach to offering college scholarships that would address gaps in educational achievement among local students. To increase the impact of its scholarship program, the foundation shifted its emphasis from one-time awards to promoting degree attainment, and determined that the criteria for new scholarships would be based on impact data instead of donor intent.

The Community Scholarship Program awards multiyear scholarships to local students of color, students from low-income families, and first-generation college students, and provides them with a dedicated college success coach to help them successfully …

Change Management In Construction: Necessity, Obstacles,And Suggested Solutions, Ihab M. H. Saad

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry is one of the major harbingers of the economy of any industrialized nation. Its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product is undeniable. The major economic downturn that lasted from 2008 to 2011 resulted in a lot of change in the industry personnel at both the administration and labor force levels. This resulted in expediting the retirement of a generation of seasoned professionals, and creating a gap in the ranks of construction firms that is still to be completely filled. Similar impacts followed the uncertainty resulting recently from Covid-19 and the economic instability and uncertainty it caused. One …

Pert, Cpm And The Tangled History Of Network Scheduling, Charles Christopher Smith, Vivek Sharma, Gregory B. Baecher

The Professional Constructor

The origins of two network scheduling techniques: The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT); and the Critical Path Method (CPM) are examined. Prior accounts hold that each are different and were created separately. PERT, developed within the U. S. Navy’s highly classified POLARIS nuclear missile program which began in 1955. CPM, the creation of American industrial concerns E. I. du Pont de Nemours (du Pont) and Remington Rand UNIVAC. With the objective of settling “an acrimonious dispute over parentage,” this research examines the literature and the original forms of PERT and CPM noting their ‘dead ring’ resemblances, synchronous development timelines, while …

Research Directions For Sharing Economy Issues, Robert J. Kauffman, Maurizio Naldi

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The sharing economy proposes a new approach to designing and delivering products and services, that aims at avoiding waste, improving efficiency, and favoring bottom-up change. In this research commentary, we survey the current state of things and propose some directions for research. We first describe the industries, products, and services currently representing the sharing paradigm, the technology platforms enabling it, the business models driving it, and the regulatory issues. We envisage that promising areas of research should include: (1) devising more efficient algorithms; (2) considering ecological and prosocial objective functions; (3) dealing with regulatory issues; (4) expanding the span of …

2020 Thrive Outside Asset Map, The Nonprofit Institute At The University Of San Diego

San Diego Regional Quality of Life Dashboard

With the support of the Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside grant, San Diego’s network partners have worked to identify gaps in services, increase outdoor experiences for youth and families, and expand the capacity of partner organizations to better serve the community. By highlighting outcomes associated with outdoor engagement, San Diego hopes to leverage the Thrive Outside funding to raise additional funds to improve the quality of life for San Diego children and families.

Identifying Challenges To Project Outcomes From A Transportation Project Owner Perspective, Evan D. Bingham, Clifton B. Farnsworth, Rebecca O. Warr, James P. Smith

The Professional Constructor

Transportation project owners are often concerned with the risks associated with construction, because these challenges can directly affect project outcomes and often lead to increased time and cost for projects. It is, therefore, vital to identify challenges early within the project life cycle. Transportation project delivery has evolved to strengthen the influence that the owner has upon the project, transitioning away from the exclusive use of traditional Design-Bid-Build to the more innovative and involved approaches of Design-Build and Construction Manager / General Contractor. Unfortunately, this has resulted in increased owner risk. In this research, transportation project owners were asked to …

A Culture-Based Analysis Of Construction Management Students’ Conflict Management Styles, David W. Martin

The Professional Constructor

The use of collaborative project delivery systems in the construction industry requires cooperation and shared management of the construction process to achieve success. This growth in collaborative systems requires project representatives to effectively manage conflict. Project failures utilizing collaborative methods are frequently attributed to an inability of project representatives to collaboratively resolve conflict. Research suggests that minorities are prone to use a collaborative conflict management style and the inclusion of minorities in construction management (CM) roles can reduce negative conflict. The growing evidence that increasing workforce diversity in CM is beneficial to the industry indicates that there is value in …

Role Of Infrastructure In The Success Of Residential Developments In Michigan, Aditi Hardekar, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

Infrastructure systems are critical for the success of a residential development. These systems include the infrastructure within and around the development as well as facilities and amenities in the surrounding area. Most of the residential development literature tend to focus on the planning, layout, social aspects, and the residential units itself, but lack emphasis on the infrastructure systems. This paper identified supporting infrastructure for residential developments based on the review of research and industry literature, and several case studies nationwide. The availability and absence of infrastructure systems were investigated in each case study. The review led to the identification of …

Hispanics And Latinos In The Military: From Service To Civilian Life, Rosalinda V. Maury, Corri Zoli, Daniel Fay, Nicholas Armstrong, Rachel Linsner, Kicia Sears, Mirza Tihic, Gilly Cantor, Mary Rachel Keville

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This infographic provides key highlights for Hispanic and Latino service members and veterans. The information and statistics in this document are from our various data collection efforts centered on military life, transition, employment, entrepreneurship, and higher education.

How Does Split Announcement Affect Stock Liquidity? Evidence From Bursa Malaysia, S. Amir Tabibian, Zhaoyong Zhang, Mohsen Jafarian

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This study examines the impact of stock splits on stock liquidity in Bursa Malaysia from 2004–2018. The study uses event study methodology and investigates liquidity changes, the role of liquidity, and the relationship between abnormal returns and liquidity as well. We found a significant liquidity improvement on the splits announcement, announcement of book closing date and split execution date (Ex-date), while it declined after the split Ex-date. The findings also indicate that firms with a low-level liquidity prior to split announcements experienced an increase in liquidity after Ex-date. Using panel data …

Environmental Awareness Is Leading To A Troubling Future For The Airline Industry, Ashlyn K. Unga

Marriott Student Review

Global warming is not only causing climatic temperatures to rise— it is also heating up the socio-political scene across the globe. Caught in the crossfire is the airline industry, targeted by environmental activists who categorize flight as an unnecessary mode of travel. As this movement gains traction, how will air fare in this age of flight-shaming? Ashlyn Unga explores anticipated governmental regulations and measures the airline industry must take as a result of this movement.

Podcast Review: Amy Antonelli On Vision And Purpose, Mckayla Lindman

Marriott Student Review

A review of Amy Antonelli's podcast.

Book Review - Contagious: Why Things Catch On, Christy Swatling

Marriott Student Review

In his New York Times Bestseller, Contagious: Why Things Catch On, Jonah Berger delves into what makes products and ideas go viral. Through hundreds of intriguing and sometimes jaw-dropping stories, Berger identifies six key components to make everything—from a YouTube video to a new tech gadget—become contagious.

Putt Yourself Out There! Golf As An Upper Hand In The Business World, Allysha M. Mateo

Marriott Student Review

Most everyone is aware that networking and relationship building hold the keys to success within the business world. But just how are these networks so carefully cultivated? Recent statistics suggest that golf is a major player in cutting behind-the-scenes business deals. Approximately 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, and executives who play golf earn 17% more than those who don’t. Golf is a networking tool available to virtually anyone: the old and young, male and female, athletic and unathletic alike. It aids in building relationships with clients, customers, vendors, and colleagues, simultaneously advancing the golfer’s career and helping to …

Buzzwords: Jargon That Will Keep You Going Throughout The Year, Sarah Romney

Marriott Student Review

Five buzzwords including advertainment, "go live," pivot, customer journey, and mashup.

Learning From The Swiss, Aubrey Wright

Marriott Student Review

The trades are in trouble. With less students choosing a vocational education, the United States is facing a rapidly growing gap in skilled vocational labor. The answer: the mighty apprenticeship program, courtesy of the Swiss. The Swiss model of apprenticeships help the bottom line of companies. It also trains students for promising careers. By taking clues from the Swiss, the US can begin solving its vocational trade woes.

Fashion Copycats And Copyright Law, Rowena Natasha

Marriott Student Review

Is fashion an art? Or a utilitarian part of our life? Thanks to US copyright laws, "fast fashion" companies like H&M and Zara are making windfall gains by copying new designs, even at the expense of small start-ups. But don't start writing legislation yet. Without "fashion copycats" making affordable yet trendy products, the fashion industry would be left dependent on a small-pool of upper-class consumers.

Building Information Modeling: Risks, Benefits, And Trends In Construction, Tanner Duron

Marriott Student Review

Welcome to the information age. Building Information Technology (BIM) offers the construction industry a way to manage everything, from sourcing to construction to maintenance. BIM has significant risks, but also boasts enough benefits to make every firm in the AEC industry ready to start integrating its use. As digital natives, it is up to the rising generation of workers to spearhead the wide-spread use of BIM.

Interior Design In The Workplace, Bryce Cindrich

Marriott Student Review

While people generally spend much of their time in their home, time spent in the workplace is usually a close second. Why should people care less about how their office is set up than their home? A well-designed interior at the workplace can help promote employee productivity and support their well-being, build a sense of community, improve team collaboration, and attract and retain talent.

Editor's Letter: Expectations

Marriott Student Review

This issue of Marriott Student Review (MSR) is all about developing greater expectations for the future, finding new ways of accomplishing our dreams, and fostering relationships, even in the digital world of Zoom and Team meetings. Even though our expectations have been unexpectedly altered, in the end, the shape of our lives may be ultimately better.

A Comprehensive And Absolute Corporate Sustainability Assessment And Enhanced Input Output Life Cycle Assessment, Joseph M. Wright

Dissertations

Stresses due to economic activity are threatening to exceed environmental and societal limits with the potential to jeopardize local communities and create global crises. This research proposes new methodologies and analytic techniques to comprehensively assess corporate sustainability and enhance the efficiency of estimating environmental and social impacts with Input Output Life Cycle Assessment (IOLCA).

Sustainability assessments and management require consideration of both social and environmental impacts as outflows of economic activity. There are a number of assessment tools available to gain insight into environmental and social impacts; but in most cases, these approaches lack essential components for a comprehensive and …

Global Optimization Algorithms For Image Registration And Clustering, Cuicui Zheng

Dissertations

Global optimization is a classical problem of finding the minimum or maximum value of an objective function. It has applications in many areas, such as biological image analysis, chemistry, mechanical engineering, financial analysis, deep learning and image processing. For practical applications, it is important to understand the efficiency of global optimization algorithms. This dissertation develops and analyzes some new global optimization algorithms and applies them to practical problems, mainly for image registration and data clustering.

First, the dissertation presents a new global optimization algorithm which approximates the optimum using only function values. The basic idea is to use the points …

Changing The Focus: Worker-Centric Optimization In Human-In-The-Loop Computations, Mohammadreza Esfandiari

Dissertations

A myriad of emerging applications from simple to complex ones involve human cognizance in the computation loop. Using the wisdom of human workers, researchers have solved a variety of problems, termed as “micro-tasks” such as, captcha recognition, sentiment analysis, image categorization, query processing, as well as “complex tasks” that are often collaborative, such as, classifying craters on planetary surfaces, discovering new galaxies (Galaxyzoo), performing text translation. The current view of “humans-in-the-loop” tends to see humans as machines, robots, or low-level agents used or exploited in the service of broader computation goals. This dissertation is developed to shift the focus back …

An Automated Feedback System To Support Student Learning Of Conceptual Knowledge In Writing-To-Learn Activities, Ye Xiong

Dissertations

As a pedagogical strategy, Writing-to-Learn (WTL) intends to use writing to improve students’ understanding of course content. However, most of the existing feedback systems for writing are mainly focused on improving students’ writing skills rather than their conceptual development. In this dissertation, an automatic approach is proposed to generate timely, actionable, and individualized feedback based on comparing knowledge representations extracted from lecture slides and individual students’ writing assignments. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the feedback generation: to help students assimilate new knowledge into their existing knowledge better, their current knowledge is modeled as a set of matching …

Peer-To-Peer Consumption In 3d Printing Design, Weizhi Chen

Dissertations

Three-dimensional printing or additive manufacturing is a new element in new product development that emphasizes on digitalization and innovation. However, due to its new emergence, existing research has rarely explored its mechanism and benefits especially in marketing, new product development and innovation. This research addresses the mechanism of 3D printing under collaborative consumption in the age of personal fabrication. The primary focus of this research lies at the intersection of marketing, 3D printing in collaborative consumption, and data science. Online peer-to-peer 3D printing sharing platform myminifactory.com is utilized as primary study context. In this research, two types of product design …

How Can Our Mission Be Fully Accomplished By Staff That Are Experiencing Secondary Trauma And Burnout?, Stephanie Reau

Other QIC-WD Products

My name is Stephanie Reau and I am a training supervisor at Summit County Children Services. We are an agency of 350 employees with a focus on recruiting and maintaining diverse staff committed to serving all children and families. Summit County strives to attract and retain wellqualified staff, but like many child welfare agencies in Ohio, this has been a difficult task to accomplish. The overwhelming pressures of the job cause secondary trauma, burnout and ultimately staff turnover. Staff turnover impacts the morale of the agency, is costly, and, most importantly, it negatively impacts the families we serve. Our mission …

Mind Maps And Machine Learning: An Automation Framework For Qualitative Research In Entrepreneurship Education, Yasser Farha

Dissertations

Entrepreneurship Education researchers often measure entrepreneurial motivation of college students. It is important for stakeholders, such as policymakers and educators, to assert if entrepreneurship education can encourage students to become entrepreneurs, as well as to understand factors that influence entrepreneurial motivation. For that purpose, researchers have used different methods and instruments to measure students' entrepreneurial motivation. Most of these methods are quantitative, e.g., closed-ended surveys, whereas qualitative methods, e.g., open-ended surveys, are rarely used.

Mind maps are an attractive qualitative survey tool because they capture the individual's reflections, thoughts, and experiences. For Entrepreneurship Education, mind maps can be utilized to …

Apple, State Aid, And Arm’S Length: Eu General Court’S Failure Of Imagination, David G. Chamberlain

Accounting

In this article, Chamberlain analyzes the EU General Court ruling in Apple, and examines state aid and transfer pricing in the EU, with a focus on (and as an advocate for) the existence of an autonomous arm’s-length principle.

What Are Total Export Commitments Telling Us About Beef’S Potential In 2020: Positive Signs?, Elliott James Dennis

Extension Farm and Ranch Management News

Overarching Market Conditions

The recent cattle on feed report suggests that cattle feedlots are coming closer to sorting through much of the backlog associated with plant closures and shutdowns as a result of plant workers testing positive for COVID-19 and plants implementing CDC and OSHA worker health recommendations. For example, the number of cattle on feed over 90 days has dipped below 2019 levels for the first time since April. However, cattle on feed over 120 days is still about 10% higher than 2019. The result of cattle being on feed longer is sustained record level dressed weights for both …