Business Commons^™

U.S. Government Acquisition Reform And Its Influence On Defense Contracting, Innovation, Diversification, And Collaboration, Edgar Quiñones Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Acquisition reform has been active within the Defense Industry for over two centuries and continues to this day for the Federal Government. Recently, due to sequestration, high national debt, and political pressures, the Weapon System Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA) and Better Buying Power (BBP) was put into action, in 2009 and 2010 respectively, as a way to further streamline the Defense Industry. This study examined the Defense Industry’s attitudes and coping strategies (focused on ‘countervailing power’) deal with the actions and the influence of a monopsonist (sole) buyer on the contracting process and how that ultimately affects costs, industry strategy, …

The Impact Of Enterprise Information Management Capability On Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Hayfa Mohamed Ali Mohamed Bu Hazzaa

Business Administration Dissertations

In today’s economic environment, intense competition in the corporate world has prompted organizations to focus on creating and maintaining a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of enterprise information management capability (EIMC) on SCA. This study focuses on EIMC as

An essential organizational dynamic capability and empirically examines the relationship between EIMC and SCA, both directly and indirectly, via two mediators: knowledge management (KM) and total quality management (TQM).

This study used the theory of dynamic capability (DC) as the theoretical framework. Four constructs (EIMC, KM, TQM, and SCA) were developed and …

Do Male And Female Soccer Players Differ In Helping? A Study On Prosocial Behavior Among Young Players, Paul A. M. Van Lange, Zoi Manesi, R. W. J. Meershoek, Minglian Yuan, Mengchen Dong, N. J. Van Doesum

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Acting prosocially can be quite challenging in one of the most salient intergroup contexts in contemporary society: Soccer. When winning is the ultimate goal, balancing self-interest with helping a fellow player in distress can be a tough decision; yet it happens. To date, we know little about what motivates soccer players to offer such help in the heat of the game. We propose that sex and what is at stake will matter in such prosocial dilemma situations. A pilot study (N = 107) indicated that female players may be more likely to help than male players, but this difference was …

Family Communication Patterns And Self-Construal Among Indian Adolescents: A Cultural Perspective, Anubhav Mishra, S M. Satish

Management Dynamics

No abstract provided.

Enhanced Mean Ratio Estimators Of Auxiliary Variables Based On The Linear Mixture Of Variances, Damisa A. Saddam, Jamila Abdullahi, Umar Nura

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper incorporates the variance of auxiliary variables to propose three improved ratio estimators of population mean. To enhance the efficiency of the proposed ratio estimators, a linear combination of the population coefficient of variation, kurtosis, skewness and the population variance of the auxiliary variable is harnessed. The properties relating to the suggested estimators are assessed using constant, bias and mean square error. We also provided practical study for illustration and corroboration using a population data consisting of the fixed capital, which is the supporting variable and output of 80 factories which are the study variables. The suggested improved ratio …

Policy Trilemma And Interest Rate Behaviour In Nigeria, Korede Ajogbeje, Oluwatosin Adeniyi, Festus O. Egwaikhide

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

Policy makers face trade-off in dealing with exchange rate management, monetary independence and concerns about capital mobility simultaneously. This study empirically examines the effects of Nigeria’s trilemma policy path on interest rate using data spanning from 1997:Q1 to 2017:Q3. It equally incorporates the role of external reserves in buffering these effects. Stationarity of the series were ascertained with Zivot-Andrew (ZA) structural break unit roots test technique, while the bounds test cointegration approach was used to confirm the cointegrating properties of the variables. We found that capital mobility has significant effect on interest rate in the long run baseline model and …

Non-Performing Loan And Its Effects On Banking Stability: Evidence From National And International Licensed Banks In Niger, Ngozi V. Atoi

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This study examines Non-Performing Loan (NPL) and its effects on the stability of Nigerian banks with national and international operational licenses from 2014:Q2 to 2017:Q2. A “restricted” dynamic GMM is employed to estimate the macroeconomic and bank specific drivers of NPL for each licensed category. Z-Score is constructed to proxy banking stability, and its response to shocks NPLs is examined in a panel vector autoregressive framework. The results reveal that drivers of NPLs vary across the two categories of banks, but, weighted average lending rate is a vital macroeconomic driver of NPLs for both. The results also confirm the moral …

A Predictive Model For Inflation In Nigeria, Nse S. Udoh, Anietie S. Isaiah

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

The study estimates a dynamic model using quarterly data spanning 1995 to 2016. Four dynamic models: level lagged variables, differenced lagged variables, log-transformed lagged variables and differenced log-transformed lagged variables were considered. The best predictive model was selected based on the Schwarz Information Criterion (SIC) value. From the empirical results, the level form models performed better than the differenced form models. On the basis of model parsimony, the level lagged model was the preferred model among the set of selected models. Predictions obtained from the model indicate that the model is stable as actual interest rate (IR) values, fall well …

Assessing Efficiency In The Pharmaceutical Sector Of Nigeria, Efayena O. Obukohwo, Enoh H. Olele, Patricia N. Buzugbe

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

The study analyses, empirically, the efficiency of the Pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria. Employing a balanced panel of 20 pharmaceutical firms between 2012 and 2016, the paper uses a non-parametric technique (Data Envelopment Analysis) to analyze the firms’ efficiency under the constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumptions. The results obtained shows inefficiency in the pharmaceutical sector as it operates under a decreasing return to scale. This calls for an appropriate policy mix to stimulate the efficiency of the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria by enhancing research and development (R&D) as ell as regulations within the sector.

Coca-Cola’S Future Growth Strategy: Diversification?, Arshia Alahi, Erin Bass

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This case study is based on Coca-Cola Co.’s growth strategy. It provides the audience with the company background of various acquisitions, the Carbonated Soft Drink(CSD) industry analysis in which Coca-Cola belongs in, the competitive landscape, threats and opportunities facing the CSD industry, along with internal company analysis of Coca-Cola Co. Which includes, the current state of the company, its current growth strategy and the future of Coca-Cola Co. With the information provided, the audience (students) will be able to recommend various strategies that can help Coca-Cola Co. grow in the future.

How It Awareness Impacts It Control Weaknesses And Firm Performance, Peiqin Zhang, Ju Long, James Ma

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

With the prevalence of information technology (IT), the value of IT awareness increasingly grows, and IT control becomes a key part of firms’ strategies and objectives. Although leadership plays an important role in IT control governance, limited research has studied whether IT awareness is associated with IT control weaknesses (ITCWs) and firm performance simultaneously. Drawing on the agency and resource dependence theory, this paper proposes an integrative model to examine the impact of IT awareness on ITCWs and firm performance. We empirically validate the model using a data set of 310 firms collected from multiple sources including Audit Analytics, Compustat, …

An Overview Of A Failed Thesis, Avery Lewis

Undergraduate Honors Theses

An overview of a project based thesis that did not have the support or funding to be carried out to completion. The project was based around starting up a summer recruitment program for the East Tennessee State University Music Department. The program would consist of various summer events for high school students used to recruit for the department as well as encourage music and fine arts degrees.

Enhancing Veterans' Access To Stem Education And Careers: A Labor Market Analysis Of Veterans In The Stem Workforce, Rosalinda V. Maury, Brice M. Stone, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research brief presents key highlights on recent veteran participation in the STEM workforce drawing upon an analysis of the American Community Survey (2012-2016), led by the U.S. Census Bureau. From this data, the research team examined veteran participation across 49 distinct STEM occupations, which are grouped into the following five occupational clusters: Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Science, Life and Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Supervisor/ Management of STEM occupations. Among other analyses, the research team identified year-over-year trends in veteran participation, geographic distribution, and comparisons to non-veterans across all STEM occupations.

Conflicts Of Interest And Law-Firm Structure, Cassandra Burke Robertson

St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics

Business and law are increasingly practiced on a transnational scale, and law firms are adopting new business structures in order to compete on this global playing field. Over the last decade, global law firms have merged into so-called “mega-brands” or “mega-firms”—that is, associations of national or regional law firms that join together under a single brand worldwide. For law firms, the most common mega-firm structure has been the Swiss verein, though the English “Company Limited by Guarantee” structure is growing in popularity as well, as is the similar “European Economic Interest Grouping.” All of these structures allow related entities to …

2018 Marketing Audit For Jump The Moon Foundation, Luke L. Flynn

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Jump the Moon Foundation (JTM) was started in December of 2017 as a nonprofit organization under the vision and direction of Michael J. Bingham, an artist and teacher with 30 plus years of professional experience. During his art experiences in and outside the workforce and classroom, Michael noticed a gap in the nonprofit sector for an organization that helps "individuals of all abilities" take part in art. This intuition and vision soon lead to Michael's creation of JTM, "a vocational arts program dedicated to creating opportunities for artists with disabilities to make, market, and earn income from their original and …

A Quantitative Examination Of The Relationship Between Organizational Commitment, Work-Life Balance And Voluntary Turnover Intention Of Women Faculty In The Stem Disciplines Within The United States, Sherry Lynn Mathews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Higher education institutions in the United States experience high levels of faculty turnover (Klein & Takeda-Tinker, 2009). Colleges and universities have allowed the phenomenon of high turnover of faculty to become a cultural norm (Figueroa, 2015). Colleges and universities within the United States are specifically facing challenges retaining women faculty in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines (Burnett, Bilen-Green, McGeorge, & Anicha, 2012; Carrigan, O’Leary, Riskin, Yen, & O’Donnell, 2017; Hill, Corbett, & St. Rose, 2010). In this quantitative, correlational study, the relationship of organizational commitment, work-life balance and voluntary turnover intention of women faculty in STEM disciplines …

Student Perceptions Of The Online Customer Experience: A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Behavioral And Experiential Factors That Influence Online Student Retention, William Delaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The acquisition of the accounts blended and online students experienced formed the foundation for this phenomenological investigation. Emanating from the foundation, the findings of the phenomenological investigation suggested both experiential and behavioral factors influenced the blended and online students’ customer experience. The phenomenological investigation concluded that the mechanics of the blended and online students’ customer, experience effected the blended and online students’ persistence to complete the online program.

The Relationship Between Organizational Commitment And Transformational And Transactional Leadership Styles In Government Contract Employees, Alethia Gardner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study sought to determine if a relationship exists between leadership styles and organizational commitment in government contract employees. The psychological contract theory, expectancy theory, and transactional and transformational leadership theories framed the study purpose. The quantitative research method using the Pearson correlational statistical design was used to assess variable relationships. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Three-Component Model (TCM) of Commitment were used to collect data from a sample of government contract employees. The results revealed weak but no statistically significant relationship between transformational and transactional leadership styles and organizational commitment. The study also found weak but no …

Examining Emergent Systems Management Strategies In Overseas Operations, Kristofer Hawbaker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stadler, Mayer, and Hautz (2015) believed that most global companies did not possess the right management capabilities to make overseas movement profitable. Businesses must manage a bevy of internal and external organizational and process interdependencies to achieve success globally (Dynes, 2008), and these organizational processes have become increasingly more complex and adaptive (Anderson, 1999; McKelvey, 2001; Stacey, 1992; Wheatley, 1999). Today’s business leaders still develop reductionist solutions to solve complex problems despite this type of thinking's practical limitations (Menkes, 2011). Comstock (2016) foresaw emergent management as a necessity in the current era, which requires organizations to unify around information flows …

Performance Of The Vidya Indicator Using Bootstrap, Lucas Priskos

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper analyses the performance of the Volatility Index Dynamic Average Indicator (VIDYA) as a method for technical trading. The question was whether or not the buy and sell signals generated by VIDYA could allow a trader to outperform the benchmark rate of return. The strategy is implemented in a similar way to a standard moving average crossover where two lines are charted: a short period VIDYA and a long period VIDYA. The four combinations of VIDYA were used were as follows: 6 with 21 periods, 9 with 21 periods, 12 with 21 periods, and 21 with 50 periods. When …

Financial Outcomes From Selection Of Insurance Intervals, Shana Anderson Stewart

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the potential value of enrolling in rainfall-index for pasture, rangeland, and forage insurance for Utah producers. A stochastic optimization model is used to identify the optimal selection of insurance intervals that will provide the maximum indemnity payments less premiums. Four Utah counties were selected for analysis. Results indicate that positive returns will occur greater than 60% of the time in all counties with the selected insurance intervals. The optimal months to insure varied in each county.

The Free Cash Flow And Corporate Returns, Sen Na

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Mcpherson (2018) and Jose, Lancaster, Stevens (1996) have written papers to examine the relationship between liquidity management and firm profitability. The literature establishes that the cash conversion cycle has an implication for the profitability and liquidity of a firm. We extend the time period and analyze the free cash flow instead of cash conversion cycle. We provide evidence that firms with higher free cash flows have higher risk adjusted stock returns.

Business Innovation: The Online Cookbook, Gregory Watson

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is a common trend across most of the world we live in today of innovation and adaptation. Recently a lot of this change had come from the technological front, and this is no different for the largest brick and mortar retailer in the United States, Walmart. Walmart has put a substantial amount of focus on keeping up with the ever changing digital commerce business environment. Walmart projects that out of the 324 million people that live across the country 140 million of them visit their store either in person or through their website each week. This traffic brings in …

Stages Of Corporate Sustainability: Integrating The Strong Sustainability Worldview, Nancy E. Landrum

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Businesses are increasingly adopting sustainability, yet the environment continues to decline. This research responds to Dyllick and Muff’s assertion that this paradox is caused by a constricted understanding of the meaning of corporate sustainability, lack of inclusion of constructs from related streams of literature, and failure to integrate micro and macro perspectives of sustainability. The current research addresses these concerns through an integration of 22 microand macro-level models of stages of development from literature in corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility, environmental management, and sustainable development. This integration results in a new unified model of stages of corporate sustainability that broadens …

Impact Of Culture On The Pursuit Of Beauty: Evidence From Five Countries, Shilpa Madan, Shankha Basu, Ng Lim, Elison Ai Ching Lim

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Human beings have always coveted beautiful objects, but the desire to look good is reaching new heights worldwide. Although the pursuit of beauty appears universal, industry evidence suggests that it is particularly strong in Asia. This research examines the effect of culture on the pursuit of beauty. Three studies provide converging evidence that interdependent self-construal increases the likelihood of using appearance-enhancing products. Study 1 operationalizes culture through nationality and self-construal and shows that Easterners (more interdependent) are more likely to use appearance-enhancing products than Westerners (less interdependent). This use is driven by interdependents’ tendency to conform to societal norms, which …

Robo-Advisors And Wealth Management, Kok Fai Phoon, Cher Chiew Francis Koh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The recent rise of robo-advisors (RAs) has threatened the traditional fund and wealth management industry. RAs' assets under management (AUM) have risen manyfold through competitiveness on pricing, transparency and services and better expected returns linked to the use of quantitative finance and technology with less subjective human intervention. This article examines the postulation that RAs have an edge over traditional wealth managers. RAs can combine the judgement and computing resources of both human and machine, or bionic power, to provide alternative wealth management services to meet the diverse needs of private wealth clients. However, the authors expect traditional wealth managers …

A Dual-Process Theory Perspective To Better Understand Judgments In Assessment Centers: The Role Of Initial Impressions For Dimension Ratings And Validity, Pia V. Ingold, Mirjam Donni, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Insight into assessors’ initial impressions has the potential to advance knowledge on how assessors form dimension-based judgments and on possible biases in these ratings. Therefore, this study draws on dual process theory to build and test a model that integrates assessors’ dimension ratings (i.e., systematic, slow, deliberate processing mode) with their initial impressions (i.e., intuitive, fast, automatic processing mode). Data collection started with an AC where assessors provided ratings of assessees, and an online survey of assessees’ supervisors who rated their job performance. In addition, two other rater pools provided initial impressions of these assessees by evaluating extracted 2-min video …

Flipping A Course On Entrepreneurial Leadership In Ethnic Chinese Business: A Mobile Learning Perspective, Thomas Menkhoff

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This exploratory article reflects on the teaching experiences for a course on “Entrepreneurial Leadership in Ethnic Chinese Business” at the Singapore Management University (SMU). It was categorised as a mobile learning course with reference to the flipped classroom model, learner mobility, and user-generated content outside the classroom. We examine three examples of mobile learning projects which were assigned to students so that they would be able to internalise key course objectives such as gaining an appreciation of the structure, functions, and cultural uniqueness of traditional small Chinese business organisations in Singapore. The paper also addresses some of the challenges faced …

Managing Swaption Portfolio Risk Under Different Interest Rate Regimes, Poh Ling Neo, Chyng Wen Tee

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Efficient risk managing of swaption portfolios is crucial in the hedging of interest rate exposure. This paper formulates a portfolio risk management framework under stochastic volatility models. The implication of using the right volatility backbone in the stochastic-alpha-beta-rho (SABR) model is analyzed. In order to handle negative interest rates, we derive a displaced-diffusion stochastic volatility (DDSV) model with closed-form analytical expression for swaption pricing. We demonstrate that the dynamics naturally allow for negative rates, and is also able to fit the market well. Finally, we show that choosing the right backbone in the DDSV model results in optimal hedging performance …

Full Issue

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.