Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Ray Dalio, Johan Gomez Hernandez

Honors Scholar Theses

Understanding what makes an effective leader remains a key point in the study of business leadership and company success. This paper offers a critical assessment of Ray Dalio's leadership at Bridgewater Associates, diving into both his strengths and shortcomings of his unconventional approach. Examining his leadership through established frameworks, Dalio’s success can be attributed to his clear vision-setting, culture of intellectual rigor, and rooted transparency. At the same time, it highlights points where his leadership style can be improved, especially in aspects such as employee recognition and the balance between high performance expectations and emotional intelligence.

A Century Of Currency And Forms Of Exchange In Five Global Powers, Hannah A. Rodriguez-Rodriguez

Honors College Theses

This research is a collective explanation of a century of history and of the forms of currency, forms of payment, and security features on financial devices in the top five global powers in 2025, according to GDP. It highlights the implications for fraud, security, economics, and politics as well as compares the forms of payment and exchange used in each country.

Analytics Insights From Text: Machine Learning, Ai, And Sentiment Analysis On Beige Books, Charlie Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Business analytics is about drawing actionable insights from data. These distinct but connected essays represent a novel approach to explore how natural language processing (NLP) advances and machine learning can transform unstructured text data into actionable conclusions. Essay 1 provides a broad framework. Essay 2 strengthens the sentiment analysis with the most recent artificial intelligence methodologies for capturing nuanced sentiment in complex texts. Essay 3 applies those insights to forecast recessions using topics that can be readily interpreted and applied.

The research demonstrates how these methodologies can be applied to enhance understanding of the same dataset, Beige Books. Published by …

Morgan Stanley’S Competitive Strategy And Industry Environment: An External And Internal Analysis, Mikaela S. Waggoner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm that trades, manages, and distributes capital for a wide range of clients. Its competitive position is dependent on a number of factors including reputation, quality, and innovation, and the firm is subject to many internal and external factors that affect its competitive position. This work seeks to examine the factors that affect Morgan Stanley’s strategy and competitive position, looking at both historical factors and potential future outcomes. A PESTEL analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces in the financial industry are used to demonstrate the external factors that influence …

The Effect Of Financial Literacy On Firm Performance, Erwin Joseph

Doctoral Dissertations (DBA)

This study examines the influence of financial literacy on firm performance by integrating state-level financial literacy data with firm-level metrics including Market Capitalization, Tobin’s Q, ROA, ROE, and EBIT. Utilizing data from the National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) and COMPUSTAT for the years 2009 to 2024, and a sample size of 100,126 observations, it highlights how higher levels of financial literacy correlate with improved firm valuation and profitability. The study employs the Financial Literacy Index and its imputed counterpart using the Fully Conditional Specification (FCS) method to address missing data. Regression analyses reveal that financial literacy significantly impacts both valuation …

Optimal Prediction Of Bitcoin High And Low Prices: An Exploratory Analysis, Tatiana Rice

Doctoral Dissertations (DBA)

The purpose of this paper is to provide traders with a trader friendly model that would enable them to accurately predict Bitcoin’s high price and low price so that they are able to make more informed decisions for improved risk management when trading the highly volatile asset – Bitcoin. To achieve this purpose, this paper poses the following research question: Which statistical model-frequency combination best predicts – in terms of Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and Schwart Information Criterion (SIC) – Bitcoin’s high price and low price? This paper also poses the objective of ensuring that …

Agile And Lean Integration Effects In Financial Services Organizations, Ananya Sharma

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The financial services industry, predominantly in large investment banks, faces mounting pressure to improve operational efficiency, simplify communication channel, and meet rigorous regulatory requirements in a constantly changing market environment. This research assesses the incorporation of Agile and Lean practices within the financial services sector, particularly concentrating on their effect on front-office functions, such as sales and investment banking, and control operations like risk and compliance. The study investigates how Agile and Lean processes foster innovation, decrease inefficiencies, and promote partnership between front-office teams and control functions. By examining case studies from leading organizations such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, …

Agile Effects On Risk Management In The Financial Industry, Harasees Kaur

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The study investigates the ways in which agile practices are combined with traditional risk management frameworks within financial services institutions to achieve digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder management. Three research questions drive the study: the ways in which financial institutions are adopting agile practices without undermining compliance, the challenges they face in adopting agile practices, and the mechanisms that enable alignment between agile values and risk governance. Grounded in stakeholder theory and agile transformation models, this study used open questionnaires to gather qualitative data from financial services professionals. Thematic analysis revealed a trend towards hybrid governance solutions that insource …

Does Artificial Intelligence Bias Exist In Mortgage Underwriting Software? Investigating Bias, Regional Disparities, And Fair Ai Models, Dorian Cornelius

Dissertations

This quantitative study closely emulated Zou and Khern's (2022) analysis of AI Bias in Mortgage Applications. They used the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) dataset from the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council's (FFEIC) website to review mortgage loan data from 2019 to determine if there was bias in the AI mortgage application approvals. Those researchers concluded that bias does exist in the AI mortgage underwriting software. Since their study, research has demonstrated that discrimination continues to exist in AI software. Therefore, this research expands on Zou and Khern’s study to determine if there are differences in the mortgage loan approval …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It is the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The February issue sets the tone for the MDA’s Annual Meeting, Revving Up Dentistry, this April in Detroit.

A detailed Annual Session Preview is included within the Journal with course listings and activities planned for the four-day event. Regular Departments: News You Need, New Dentist Column, MDA Insurance, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, MDA at your Service, Governmental Affairs, and a Michigan Dental …

Safety Ratings And Their Effect On Operating Costs In The Trucking Industry: A Data-Driven Analysis, Teresa L. Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This dissertation explored the interplay between safety ratings and financial performance within the transportation sector, with a specific focus on the trucking industry. In an era where safety standards are paramount, the primary objective of the study was to determine the impact of safety ratings on the operating costs of trucking firms. Using a robust methodology grounded in quantitative analysis and industry-specific secondary data, the study established empirical connections between safety ratings and operating costs. This included a focused effort to identify direct effects, highlighting the potential influence of lower safety ratings on economic outcomes within the trucking industry.

Furthermore, …

Assessing The Impact Of Financial, Educational, And Managerial Resources On The Success Of Minority-Owned Businesses: An Analysis Of Resources From The Perspective Of The Minority Business Owner, Clinton B. Arnold

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Minority-owned businesses (MOBs) in the United States have a failure rate that is 50% higher than that of their non-minority counterparts. Rectifying this imbalance and achieving parity could yield significant economic benefits, potentially adding $1.5 trillion to the nation's economy if resources—financial, educational, and managerial—are equitably distributed and effectively made available to support the goals of minority businesses. However, historical injustices, from Jim Crow laws to systemic discrimination, have granted certain groups multi-generational advantages, exacerbating the divide. Addressing these disparities is both an economic imperative and a moral obligation to ensure equal opportunity. Lending Tree (2023)

With 1.2 million MOBs …

Employee Benefit Plan Audits: Knowledge Spillover For Improving Quality, Lisa Ann Nash

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study provides a unique glimpse into the work of non-BigN accounting firms offering Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audit services for single employer defined contribution plans. The study examines knowledge spillover from joint services and EBP auditor specialization to improve EBP audit quality. EBPs often incur low-quality audits, resulting in penalties assessed by the Department of Labor (DOL) for deficiencies. Companies may feel a sense of comfort hiring the same auditor they used for their company financial statements, but the EBP audits require the auditor to possess specialized knowledge beyond the requirements for the financial statements to confirm compliance with …

The Role Of Intangible Assets In Shaping Firm Value, Feng Dong, John Doukas

Finance Faculty Publications

This study introduces a new metric to evaluate a firm's intangible asset intensity, focusing on its ability to generate revenue from nonphysical assets. It finds a strong positive correlation between firm performance and both internally generated and externally acquired intangible assets. Firms with high intangible intensity outperform peers by 3% annually. The oversight of intangible assets is identified as a factor in value stocks' underperformance. Rigorous tests, including endogeneity checks, confirm these firms exhibit superior accounting quality, labour investment efficiency and acquisition returns. A framework highlights how managerial attributes enhance firm value through decision-making.

Startup Equity To Stock Exchange: Key Drivers In Venture-Backed Ipo Journeys, Aryaman Shiv Khosla

CMC Senior Theses

This study investigates the components that shape the probability of a venture capital (VC) backed company’s ability to transition from private to public markets through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The study employs logistic regression models to analyze firm-specific and funding-related determinants of IPO likelihood. Key predictors in this study include total VC funding, number of VC rounds, average deal size growth, size of first round, average days between rounds, company age, number of employees, and primary industry sector. The findings reveal that higher total funding increases IPO likelihood, highlighting the critical role of robust capital access in fueling growth …

Confronting Indecision, Lane Allison Murray

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This course aims to increase students' understanding of indecision and how to confront it. The class provides insight into how the fear of the unknown holds people back from making decisions and about understanding one's values as a means to combat indecision. Students and teachers alike explore instances of indecision and evaluate their own impulses & thought processes by reflecting on the deeper reasons for their choices. Students will increase their comfort level of asking themselves and their peers questions about the values that guide them and, in doing so, strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

Does The Acquirer's Complexity Affect The Market Reaction To M&A Decisions?, Rajib Chowdhury, John A. Doukas

Finance Faculty Publications

We examine whether and how acquiring firms' complexity affects investor perception at the announcement of M&A decisions. Using well-established data of firm complexity developed through combining machine learning and a lexicon of words, we find a significant positive relationship between acquiring firm complexity and cumulative abnormal returns (CAR), indicating that more intricate firms are viewed as more valuable or competent in mergers and acquisitions. This association is stronger for acquirers with high operating risk, organizational capital, R&D intensity, large and independent boards, and larger targets. We also present evidence that high-complexity bidders offer higher takeover premiums. Our study contributes to …

Market Reactions To Disruptions In The Aerospace Industry: An Event Study Analysis Of Abnormal Returns And Corporate Resilience, Rose L. Lauture

Doctoral Dissertations (DBA)

This study examines the effects of component failures, regulatory actions, and safety violations on stock returns and market volatility in the U.S. aerospace sector. Using FAA incident reports, WRDS market data, and corporate disclosures, the analysis combines event study methodology with ARCH/GARCH volatility models and a multiple regression approach. The results reveal that while incident frequency does not significantly affect stock prices measured by abnormal returns, firm-specific financial indicators—such as cash holdings and book-to-market ratio—play a substantial role. The study highlights the limited explanatory power of traditional regression models and calls for the inclusion of market risk and investor sentiment …

Ethical Imperatives For Rational Paternalism In Advisor-Client Relationships, Igor A. Zey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study seeks to understand the role of ethics and rational paternalism in the practice of financial advising. A significant amount of research examines the effects of rational paternalism on the governmental and institutional levels. Very little research has addressed the issues associated with rational paternalistic behavior by advisors toward their clients. Investopedia (2013) focuses on advisors’ ethics and moral responsibilities, underscoring the ethical standards clients should expect from their financial advisors. However, practically none of the literature examines the ethics, morals, and practical aspects of individual paternalism. In response, this study examines the concept of rational paternalism in advisor-client …

Women On Boards Annual Monitoring Report 2024, Center For Entrepreneurship And Innovation

Faculty Books

The AUC Egypt women on boards monitoring report is issued annually to track and monitor the presence and representation of women on boards towards meeting the goal of having 30% women on boards by 2030. The importance of improving representation of women on boards stems from the fact that it is one of the good governance pillars, in addition to the positive impact on firm performance and profitability. The National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030 has accordingly promoted for increasing the leadership roles of women and holding key positions in public institutions and companies, setting the target …

Provision Cfo: Empowering Strategic Financial Excellence For Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs, Cindra Vang

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Project Overview

ProVision CFO offers strategic financial management solutions tailored to the unique needs of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and rapidly growing organizations. This project aims to equip clients with robust financial strategies and actionable insights necessary for sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term success. ProVision CFO provides comprehensive financial guidance including fractional CFO and accounting services.

Project Themes

The ProVision CFO framework encompasses three key components designed to optimize financial performance and organizational effectiveness. Component One—Strategic Clarity: Establishing clear financial goals aligned with organizational vision, mission, and values. Component Two—Financial Optimization: Providing accounting services to streamline financial processes and enhance …

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Jamie Dimon, Conner Delaubell

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis explores the leadership characteristics of Jamie Dimon, the long-serving CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Dimon's exemplary leadership skills and effective leadership styles have helped the financial firm become the largest bank in the United States. Through a detailed analysis of his background, career milestones, management philosophy, and vision for the future, this paper highlights the positive effect Dimon has had in the modern banking landscape. Additionally, the paper includes areas of leadership improvement, including criticisms of the climate and culture he creates.

Evaluating The Perceived Benefits Of Education In Revenue Cycle Management And The Impact On Medical Claims Reimbursement, Jessica L. Miller

Student Dissertations

Efficient Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) is essential for healthcare organizations to ensure timely and accurate reimbursement for medical claims. The research problem was the significant inadequacies in RCM process in medical billing that has resulted in financial burdens imposed on providers, patients, and the organizations that provide medical services. There are clearly identified educational gaps in RCM that contribute to claim denials, delays, and revenue loss, underscoring the need for robust training programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived impact of education in RCM on medical claim reimbursement outcomes within the U.S. healthcare system. The study …

Navigating Workforce Utilization Metric In The Indian It Industry: A Multifaceted Study, Shipra Jha

Management Dynamics

The measurement of workforce utilization is a critical concern for organizations, especially within the dynamic landscape of the IT industry. This research explores the multifaceted nature of utilization metrics by devising Utilization Insight Elicitation Framework (UIEF), focusing on three major themes: defining utilization and understanding the significance, assessing its impact on employee well-being, and contemplating its future relevance. Examining utilization from cost and revenue perspectives reveals how organizations optimize costs while ensuring project profitability. The study scrutinizes the balance between cost-focused and headcount-centered approaches, considering employees' roles and project demands. Additionally, it discusses factors for inclusion/exclusion in utilization calculations and …

Breaking Barriers: Bridging The Gap In Financial Literacy And Representation, Triniti Boson

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

This thesis explores the connection between the lack of financial literacy in Black communities, the underrepresentation of women in financial leadership, and the significance of building generational wealth. Many Black families have historically avoided financial conversations, often overshadowed by pressing economic challenges and a legacy of systemic exclusion, from redlining to discriminatory banking practices. These barriers prevented access to essential financial tools and knowledge, creating distrust in institutions and limiting opportunities for wealth accumulation across generations. Addressing these issues is essential for community empowerment. Financial literacy provides the knowledge to manage resources, build savings, and plan for the future. Generational …

Variation In Investment Portfolios For Identical Client Scenarios: A Study Of Portfolios Recommended By Financial Professionals, Patricia G. Wells

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Using a unique set of data obtained from interviews of financial professionals, this study aimed to explore the heterogeneity among portfolios of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds recommended by financial professionals for fictional client scenarios that control for investor risk and asset allocation. First, the extent to which the revealed asset allocation matched the elicited asset allocation was examined. Next, the portfolios were examined relative to diversification within the stock and bond holdings. Portfolios were examined on the basis of hypothetical historical risk and return. Lastly, comments provided by financial professionals about their security selections and investment approach were presented. …

Alumni Giving At A Christian Liberal Arts College That Originated As A Bible College, Joel K. Johnson

PhD in Organizational Leadership

Alumni giving is a critical revenue stream for Christian liberal arts colleges that originated as Bible institutions. This dissertation includes an in-depth case study of the patterns and determinants of alumni donations, focusing on the transition from Bible colleges to liberal arts institutions and the subsequent impact on alumni giving behaviors. Quantitative data from a member institution of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities were analyzed to explore the influence of demographic variables of age, marital status, and era of institutional operation on alumni contributions. This research addressed six key questions, including comparisons of the participants' mean giving to …

Impact Of Industrial Park Platforms On Sme Financing: Evidence From The Ld Park, Zhendong Liu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential to the Chinese economy. However, when seeking financing, SMEs often face stricter financing conditions and higher financing costs due to information asymmetry in the market, commonly referred to as the problem of “difficult and expensive financing.” This issue severely limits the growth potential of SMEs. This study explores the positive role that industrial parks play as a bridge between banks and SMEs in alleviating the “difficult and expensive financing” problem. The study surveyed 54 industrial parks and collected 268 valid questionnaires from banks, industrial parks, and SMEs. The data analysis yielded the following …

Defining Value And Measuring Roi For Expatriate International Assignments In Firms That Internationalize As Born-Global Companies, Dale Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The expatriate international assignment, a time-tested tool for global organizations, is known to be expensive and fraught with risks; defining its value has proven difficult for multinational firms in the twentieth century that internationalized using multi-stage theory. Recently, born-global internationalization theory has gained momentum among emerging firms, notably technology-based firms employing expatriate assignments. This study asks, how do born-global firms define value or benefit when determining return on investment (ROI) for expatriate international assignments? Multi stage theory posits firms first establish domestic markets creating well-developed cultures and sophisticated policies designed to mitigate risk and contain costs prior to internationalizing. Born-global …

A Business Model For Communication Design Enterprises (Paper), Con Kennedy

Academic Articles

Several international reports and studies indicate that the Communication Design sector has a skill deficit in entrepreneurship and business management, and a greater understanding of these topics is needed. Some authors advocate applying existing business models for design enterprises. However, the skill deficit prevails. It is worth noting that these reports discuss the entrepreneurship deficit in general terms without an explanation of the causes of this deficit or how to remedy the issue. Therefore, this paper explores the development of a Business Model specific for Design Entrepreneurs for deployment in Communication Design enterprises. A theoretical framework for a specific business …