Business Commons^™

Natural Capital Credit Risk Assessment In Agricultural Lending: An Approach Based On The Natural Capital Protocol, Francisco Ascui, Theodor Florian Cojoianu

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

It is increasingly recognised that financial institutions have significant impacts and dependencies on natural capital – defined as the stock of the world’s renewable and non-renewable natural resources and ecosystems that yield flows of environmental goods and services, which directly and indirectly underpin the global economy and human wellbeing. Historically, many of these impacts and dependencies have been overlooked. The value of goods and services that nature provides ‘for free’ has often been ignored, and resources have typically been priced at their cost of extraction, rather than the cost of their replacement or substitution, which would promote more sustainable long-term …

How Deep-Level And Surface-Level Board Diversity, Formal And Informal Social Structures Affect Innovation, Guoli Chen, Po-Hsuan Hsu, Yen Teik Lee, Daniel Z. Mack

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Despite a growing interest in understanding how board diversity shapes firms’ innovation, findings about the impact of board diversity have remained mixed. In this paper, we conceptualize board diversity as two forms – deep-level and surface-level – and find that these two forms of board diversity have opposing effects on a firm's innovation. We also theorize how formal and informal social structures can strengthen the positive effect of deep-level diversity yet simultaneously weaken the negative impact of surface-level diversity. We test our hypotheses with a panel of 42,432 firm-year observations from 2000 to 2019. Our paper contributes to the literature …

Risk Spillover Effect Of China-Asean Supply Chains: Insights Of Industrial Transfer, Zeyang Bian, Yuning Zhang, Keng Siau, Yaqian Zhang, Jianjia He

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

As labour costs in China increase, labour-intensive industries are migrating to ASEAN countries, attracted by lower labour costs and market potential. This shift not only affects the economies of China and ASEAN but also reshapes the global manufacturing landscape. This paper investigates the correlation and spillover of supply chain risks using production exposure indicators derived from inter-country input-output data and the R-Vine Copula model. We assess the risk spillover of each country within the global supply chain. Our findings indicate that industrial relocation can significantly alter supply chain structures, thereby affecting the concentration and direction of risks. While China's role …

Consumer Preferences And Valuation For Sustainably Produced Rice In Ghana, Adabrah-Danquah Vera, Durand-Morat Alvaro, Lawton L. Nalley, Mandiaye Diagne, Benedicta Nsiah Frimpong, Wei Yang

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Improving the sustainability of rice, a global food staple with a significant environmental footprint, is of utmost importance, given the growing population and increased depletion of natural resources. The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard is the first globally recognized certification standard for sustainable rice production. SRP comprises 41 requirements structured under 12 indicators and 8 themes, through which farmers can receive SRP certification and use the SRP label. This study assesses consumers' preferences for SRP-certified sustainable rice in Ghana. We surveyed 1168 consumers in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, the three largest cities in Ghana, to ascertain their preferences for each …

A Comparative Analysis Of Hedging And Safe-Haven Properties Of Cryptocurrencies And Commodities, Tari M. Karimo, Ochoche Abraham

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

No abstract provided.

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Exploring Vr User Experiences, Sarah Ferguson, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Brett Cook-Snell

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Virtual reality (VR) has unique potential for simulating environments and situations beyond real-life experiences. This study investigates the limitations of VR equipment design for learning spaces, specifically online environments. Presented are the findings of an exploratory study that examined the immersion, ease of use, and physiological and emotional experiences of seven university students participating in a 30–60 min VR session. Given the small sample size, the findings were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitatively. The results revealed that participants recognized the potential of VR as a teaching and learning tool, while also identifying certain limitations associated with health and safety. …

Identity-Based Autonomy And Its Impact On Connections With Identity-Linked Products And Brands, Keri L. Kettle, Carter Morgan, Americus Reed Ii

School of Marketing and Innovation Faculty Publications

We introduce a new characteristic of identity into the identity-based consumer behavior literature called identity-based autonomy: the autonomy (i.e., freedom from others' influence) versus heteronomy (i.e., real or perceived external influence) that people feel when enacting an identity. This new dimension thus captures how consumers enact a salient identity in an identity-relevant context. We create a new measure of identity-based autonomy to capture how this dimension varies across identities. We show that autonomous identities foster a greater sense of control over when, where, and how one uses identity-linked products. As a result, we demonstrate that people feel stronger connections …

A Mixed Method Case Study Of Leadership For Change: Authentic Transformational Leadership In A Local Baptist Church, Hui Sun

Theses and Dissertations

This convergent parallel mixed methods case study explores how a local Baptist church navigated organizational change during and after the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of authentic and transformational leadership. Grounded in organizational leadership and open systems framework of organizational change, the study examined two primary hypotheses: (1) RBC demonstrated an authentic transformational leadership paradigm in its change processes since 2020, and (2) this paradigm significantly and positively influenced perceived leadership effectiveness.

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six leaders (three pastors, one minister, one staff leader, and one deacon) and 11 raters (five lay leaders, five congregants, …

Three Essays On Investment Strategies, Machine Learning And Risk Management, Nafise Aalipour

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation explores the role of frictions, regime dynamics, and predictive modeling in understanding persistent anomalies and managing financial risk in equity markets. Across three essays, I examine how transaction costs limit arbitrage opportunities, how market regimes shape the evolution of return anomalies, and how a hybrid econometric-machine learning framework can enhance risk forecasting.

The first essay investigates whether transaction costs and idiosyncratic risk constrain the profitability of long-term reversal and medium-term momentum strategies. Using a comprehensive dataset from 1927 to 2022, I estimate stock-level trading frictions through three distinct methods - Limited Dependent Variable models, Gibbs cost estimators, and …

Individuals' Trust Of Bank Acquisitions, Christy Mccollum Knight

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent transactions within the financial services industry have seen an uptick in credit unions acquiring traditional community banks. Between the years 2020 and 2024, there were 64 announced bank mergers and acquisitions by Credit Unions, and this trend is expected to continue (S&P, 2025). As there are fundamental differences between credit unions and traditional community banks, the question arises, “How will consumer confidence and trust be affected by these mergers and acquisitions?”

This dissertation investigated how consumer trust would be affected by their propensity to trust others (Disposition to Trust), their perception of the financial services industry (Institution-Based Trust), their …

Performance Is In The Eye Of The Beholder: Exploring The Moderating Role Of Psychological Perspective Distancing Within Thought Self-Leadership In An Organizational Context, Christopher Bryton Neck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Self-leadership, or the process through which individuals perform various cognitive and behavioral strategies to attain the self-direction and self-motivation necessary to perform in desired ways, has consistently been evidenced to enhance individuals’ performance through promoting a variety of positive individual cognitions, such as self-efficacy, positive affect, and engagement and through diminishing key threatening mental states such as stress, negative affect, and dysfunctional thinking (Harari et al., 2021; Knotts et al., 2022). The cognitive component of self-leadership, thought self-leadership (TSL) has been found to be particularly impactful, aiding the individual to modify and adapt their dysfunctional thinking to be more constructive …

The Dark Tetrad And The Intention To Invest In Cryptocurrency, Amy Bauer-Sinicin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Dark Tetrad comprises four distinct negative personality traits with some overlapping qualities: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Characterized as being risky and speculative, cryptocurrencies are not backed by government banks like fiat currencies, nor do they offer the same privacy when engaging in transactions.

Narcissists may view cryptocurrency investment as an opportunity to showcase their financial acumen, reinforcing their self-image. Machiavellians see the decentralized, loosely regulated market as ideal for exploiting opportunities through strategic manipulation. Psychopaths, drawn by the market’s volatility, may engage in exploitative schemes for personal gain. Sadists may find satisfaction in the power and control they …

Economic Behavior And Policy Distortions: Evidence From Firms And Households, Seth Joseph Carter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In Chapter 1, I reopen the question of whether U.S. firms experience effective tax decreases directly resulting from federal lobbying expenditures by introducing more rigorous causal-inference testing. I first model lobbying as a productive input for the legislator, affecting firm tax outcomes by influencing the share of scarce legislative attention afforded to industry tax priorities. Using multi-industry, firm-level data from 2007 to 2022, I exploit percentage changes in non-industry lobbying as a proxy for political competition facing firms through a novel application of Bartik, shift-share instrumental variable estimation and two-stage residual inclusion. Effects of induced firm lobbying shifts on reported …

Human Factors Matter: The Intersection Of Cybersecurity Governance, And Culture In Risk Management Of Critical Infrastructure, Prince Abubakari

Theses and Dissertations

In the 21st century, cybersecurity threats have evolved into pressing socio-technical issues, with significant implications for the safety and stability of global critical infrastructure. This dissertation explores the intersection of cybersecurity governance and culture in risk management of national critical infrastructures, defined as essential systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, that are vital to the security, public health, safety, economy, or any combination thereof, and the disruption of which would have a debilitating impact on a nation. The study delves into how human factors like organizational culture and governance mechanisms interplay to influence cybersecurity outcomes. The research adopts a …

It's Not The Fault Of The Parrot, But Of The One Who Teaches Him To Talk: Understanding Identities And Relationships Of An Educational Ngo In Guatemala, Brittany Rebecca Blomquist

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Guatemala is an economically poor country, with a rich culture that makes it a destination for foreign assistance through non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and tourism. The history of conflict and foreign economic development within the country has created a dichotomy of identities, divided across economic wealth, ethnicity, and urban/rural landscapes. NGOs, their presence as transnational actors, and their organizational identities augment the identities present within the spaces in which NGOs work. Additionally, these identities are fluid and relational. I argue that the identities and relationships that form within the NGO space are reflective of NGO work and development structures. The identities …

2025 January, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for January of 2025.

Unraveling The Impacts Of Online Secondhand Resellers On Brick-And-Mortar Thrift Stores, Neely Connor

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the current online controversy debating the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores. While this debate has been featured in consumer media sources (e.g., Heydari, 2022), there is a lack of scholarly research on this topic. This study seeks to fill that gap by examining the effects of online secondhand resellers on brick-and-mortar thrift stores, particularly concerning price increases, product availability, and quality of items. Online qualitative surveys and interviews were conducted to develop an understanding of the perceptions on this topic held by both online resellers and …

Trash To Textiles: The Journey Of Recycled Plastic In Fashion, Abigael Rasmussen

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Plastic is all around us in modern America and in the world. Plastic is found in our vehicles, clothing, houses—it’s even made its way into our food, our septic systems, our oceans, and even our rain (Seferian). Plastic waste is a very pressing issue that brings up many environmental challenges: microplastics, landfill buildup, air pollution, soil contamination, water contamination etc. The textile industry is a major contributor to plastic pollution with the rise of fast fashion (Bandera). To combat this, textile and environmental scientists are exploring ways to transform plastic waste into usable textile materials through upcycling, “transforming mixed plastic …

2024 Aadej-Adea Gies Foundation Editorial Award - Third Place: Gen Ai, Marisa Watanabe Dds, Ms, Ficd

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article is featured as a recipient of a 2024 AADEJ-ADEAGies Foundation Editorial Award. It explores the growing presence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday life and its specific implications for dentistry. While AI shows great promise in improving diagnostic accuracy in dentistry, the author cautions that it is not without limitations and potential mistakes, such as overfitting, lack of contextual information, limited data diversity, false positives/negatives, inadequate training data, and sensitivity to image quality. The piece stresses that AI should augment, not replace, dental professionals, serving as a supportive aid rather than a definitive diagnostic tool. Key benefits …

2024 Aadej-Adea Gies Foundation Editorial Award- Second Place: The Human Role In Artificial Intelligence, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article is featured as a recipient of a 2024 AADEJ-ADEA Gies Foundation Editorial Award. It addresses concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dentistry, particularly the warning from technology researchers regarding "profound risks to society and humanity" due to advanced AI systems. The author argues that the conversation should focus on AI's potential and, more critically, the essential role humans play in its successful adoption, rather than fears of machines taking over. A main risk identified is blind reliance on AI recommendations, which can lead to a loss of critical thinking, misdiagnosis, or inappropriate treatment decisions. Therefore, focused human oversight …

Aadej And Icd Usa Section — Together For Over 50 Years!, Elaine C. Wagner Dds

AADEJ - The Communicator

With a new-found collaboration of our annual meetings in 2025, we celebrate more than 50-year partnership between the International College of Dentists (ICD) USA Section and the American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists (AADEJ). It highlights that both organizations are composed of individuals passionate about their respective missions: ICD Fellows focus on serving the underserved and improving global oral health, while AADEJ is dedicated to enhancing communication and elevating standards in dental journalism. The collaboration has stood the test of time, and for the first time, their Annual Meetings in 2025 will be held together at the Manchester Grand …

Ai And Personal Finance: Evaluating Rules Of Thumb Generated By Chatgpt, Jing Jian Xiao, Kexin Meng

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to evaluate the information quality generated by ChatGPT on rules of thumb in personal finance.

Design/methodology/approach – Prompts were developed to ask ChatGPT questions regarding rules of thumb in personal finance. After several iterations, we selected seven rules of thumb and asked ChatGPT to provide more in-depth information. The information was evaluated by checking its accuracy and validity based on relevant peer reviewed journal articles.

Findings – We found both advantages and limitations of using ChatGPT for information search. The advantages include its speed of information generation, width of topic generation, adaptivity …

Challenges And Future Strategies For B-Schools, Anatoly Zhuplev, Francisco J. Valle, Jose Rincón, Max Plithides

Management Faculty Works

This chapter examines the evolution of American higher education (HE) and business schools (B-schools) in the historical and contemporary strategic context. It explores the influence of the Humboldtian model on the contemporary HE industry in America. The chapter analyzes the current HE landscape, revenue sources, and global reach. The chapter investigates strategic disruptors like demographic shifts, skyrocketing costs of college and student loan burden, technological impacts, including proliferation of IT and AI, eroding public confidence in HE, and political and regulatory trends. The chapter explores solutions like accreditation reform and diversified credentials. It examines pressures on B-schools, including slow technology …

Revisiting Circular Economy Rebound: Market Dynamics, Policy Implications, And Future Research Directions, Trevor Zink Ph.D., Benjamin H. Lowe, Andrea Genovese, David Font Vivaco

Management Faculty Works

The circular economy has gained momentum as a sustainability paradigm that aims to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by promoting resource efficiency and waste minimization. However, mounting evidence points to a critical challenge: circular economy rebound (CER). This phenomenon occurs when efficiency improvements intended to reduce resource use provoke systemic, market, or behavioral responses that diminish or even reverse the anticipated environmental gains. This is particularly problematic within growth-oriented economies, where resource efficiency often reinforces rather than reduces consumption. This paper draws on insights from a roundtable discussion with leading experts—Trevor Zink, David Font Vivanco, and Andrea Genovese—to critically …

Modeling Healthcare Managerial And It Sophistication, Gary Hackbarth, Teuta Cata

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Sophisticated healthcare managers understand that managing information and selecting technology are two related but separate skill sets. Information Technology Governance (ITG) allows healthcare organizations to deal with complex issues, compete effectively, and support patient needs by integrating managerial and IT sophistication to improve business performance. An organizational model that merges IT and managerial sophistication by improving ITG to forecast business outcomes must grasp the intricacies of technology to acquire, manage, and utilize information technology in alignment with business strategies. The proposed model differentiates between internal and external IT management strategic thinking, emphasizing the critical need to govern IT effectively by …

Engaging The Plus-Size Community Through Social Media And Public Relations, Esperanza Chavez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores which platform, TikTok or Instagram, best supports engagement andcommunity building for the plus-size audience. Grounded in theories by Goffman, Berger & Luckmann, and David Meerman Scott’s 85-10-5 Rule, the study combines strategic PR methods with digital media tools to elevate plus-size voices. The campaign included 30 Instagram posts, 35 TikToks, street interviews, and a podcast series, all designed and executed for this project. Engagement was measured through likes, comments, shares, saves, follower growth, and qualitative audience feedback.

Book Review: Basketball Beyond Paper, Chad Goebert

Global Sport Business Journal

Dean Oliver’s Basketball Beyond Paper is a thoughtful and in-depth follow-up to his paradigm-shifting work in 2004, Basketball on Paper. Twenty years after Basketball on Paper laid the groundwork for possession-based efficiency metrics, Oliver returns with a deeper focus: incorporating the human side of the game. Rather than simply refining statistical models, Oliver argues that understanding motivation, emotional ups and downs, distractions, and team dynamics is just as critical to winning as traditional data analysis. Written with a direct and technical style, Oliver not only advocates for the importance of analytics in the transformation of how basketball is played, but …

Legal, Professional, And Ethical Issues In Identifying Bias In Artificial Intelligence-Based Personnel Selection, Dennis Doverspike, Arthur Winfred, Rosanna Miguel

2025 Faculty Bibliography

Although still in its infancy, the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in personnel selection has sparked concerns regarding potential implications for bias, fairness, discrimination, and unethical decision-making. This article delves into the complex issue of AI-based personnel selection as it pertains to the preceding concerns, exploring key definitions, bias-assessment methodologies, legal frameworks, professional and government considerations, and ethical dilemmas unique to AI-based selection. The critical role of consulting and industrial-organizational psychologists in ensuring fairness, validity, and nondiscrimination in the selection process is emphasized. The need for transparency, informed consent, and a holistic consideration of diversity/validity in the design of AI-based …

Is Your Supply Chain Breaking Down? Call Aaa For Resilience Assistance, Andrew Zeisler, Mikaella Polyviou, Adegoke Oke, A. Michael Knemeyer, Keely Croxton

2025 Faculty Bibliography

Supply chain disruptions regularly interrupt the normal operations of organizations, impairing their financial, operational, and service performance. Therefore, organizations must develop capabilities to enhance their resilience–their ability to anticipate, overcome, and transform after disruptions. The literature proposes that agility, adaptability, and alignment (AAA capabilities) enhance long-term organizational success but does not explicitly link these AAA capabilities to resilience. Motivated by conversations with senior supply chain leaders, our research explores how organizations utilize practices, behaviors, and structures to build AAA capabilities in their pursuit of resilience over different phases of disruption. We use a grounded theory approach, conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews …