Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Center For Manufacturing Excellence Capstone Project: Critter Catchers, Wilson R. Eatherly, Sophie C. Smith, Joyce W. Nkanor

Honors Theses

The Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence annually presents seniors with the opportunity to do a capstone project that encapsulates their skills learned throughout undergraduate coursework. The interdisciplinary teams are made up of engineering, accounting, and business students. These students bring their skill sets together to come up with a business plan for the project they have been placed on. This team, Critter Catchers, chose to manufacture non-lethal animal traps meant to be a safe alternative to traps on the market that may injure animals. The trap was made primarily out of wood and operated by means of a pressure-triggered …

Esports Cosmopolitan Canopy, Reice Hicks

Honors Theses

This thesis concerns the area of sociology. Specifically, it is a sociological study of a community on Ole Miss’s campus and how they form what is known within the sociology field as a “cosmopolitan canopy,” a term coined by Elijah Anderson. Using this term, I proceed to prove not only how the Ole Miss Esports club falls under this jurisdiction, but the effects of esports on the youth as a whole, both positive and negative. All of my data was extracted via literature review, online research, note-taking, visual observation, and one-on-one interviews with people involved with the club. The entire …

Not An Afterthought: Addressing The Academic And Social Challenges That Create Barriers To Belonging For Transfer Students, Brooke Jankowsky

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the academic and social barriers to belonging for transfer students at four-year institutions, with particular attention to the University of Mississippi. The goal is to bring attention to the issues that surround transfer student populations in general by identifying some of the most pressing structural and interpersonal challenges that shape their experiences. A qualitative approach was used, drawing on existing literature, prior unpublished research at the community college level, and reflective analysis to explore themes such as transfer shock, creating and maintaining social networks, and gaps in institutional support. Findings suggest that transfer students often face a …

Huic Purchasing Group Llc. Business Plan, Grant Hull

Honors Theses

This business plan investigates the feasibility and best strategy to start a dental group purchasing company in the market today. Methods used consisted of interviewing industry professionals (Dentists, suppliers, and executives in a similar market), and market research through public information and trends. The 70 total interviews not only helped verify market projections and social trends, but also verified potential client willingness to join and verified a position in the market. Through this study it was concluded that: There is limited competition in the dental Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) space; to enter the market in a cost-effective way it is …

Individual Accountability Of Amazon Turk Gig Workers: Comparing English And Mandarin Construct Operationalizations, Cassaday Brennan Ray

Honors Theses

The construct of individual accountability has been tested by two prior studies including Frink et al. (2018), finding that individual accountability is a second-order construct in which the components focus, intensity, and salience are loaded, as well as Verwaeren and Nijstad (2021) who found that individual accountability focus is a two-factor construct (process and outcome). Contrary to these prior studies, I examine the dimensionality of individual accountability in gig work, as gig work is a different context than that of the previous research, which focused on traditional employees. In my research study, I make two competing hypotheses questioning whether individual …

Case Study Summary: Johnson & Johnson And Macy's Inc., Cameron Richardson

Honors Theses

This thesis, over a one-year period, covers conclusions derived from research on two different companies: Johnson & Johnson and Macy’s Inc. Through a two-semester course taken within the scope of the honors college alongside Dr. Victoria Dickinson, I, alongside my respective group members for each company, were able to compile a thorough analysis of risks and business strategies the two corporations could identify and implement to manage present and future complications. This analysis followed standard conventions of the accounting profession, as our research was focused on identifying risks and strategies affiliated with audit, tax, and advisory services, modeling how professional …

Case Study In Enterprise Risk Management: Lion Rock Summer Camps, Inc., Arthur Meaney

Honors Theses

Enterprise risk management is a crucial part of the modern business world. Being unprepared to handle risks that a company may face can lead to financial demise. Since the 1960s, the insurance industry has steadily moved away from the focus on insurance buying. Enterprise risk management strives to identify company-wide risks, evaluate their frequency and severity, come up with risk management and loss control methods, implement said methods, and monitor their effectiveness over time. In this case study, I identify risks for Lion Rock Summer Camps, Inc. and suggest various risk management and loss control methods. Lion Rock Summer Camps, …

Contributions Community Health Centers In The Delta Have Made During The Pandemic And Their Future, Ajah Tiyanna Singleton

Honors Theses

Community health centers that are located in the Mississippi Delta serve as critical points of contact for residents pertaining to medical care. The framework for the services provided locally, and nationally, originate from the now Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, MS. The care that providers within these institutions have transformed over the course of the pandemic, and the aid rendered to patients have enabled residents to maintain their current level of health. Analyzing the various services provided during this time will allow for stakeholders to determine the next steps for these institutions as the imminent transition into a COVID-19 …

Can Beps Project Mitigate Double Non-Taxation Of Multinational Corporations?, Sajana Tamang

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the BEPS project can mitigate double nontaxation of multinational corporations. This study performs case studies on two multinational corporations: Apple and Starbucks to figure out how they behave in order to avoid taxes and see if there are behavioral differences in response to claims by the European authorities that they did not pay their fair share. It explains and compares their tax-paying strategies to figure out how they may behave with respect to new rules implemented by the BEPS project in the future. Through case studies from Apple and Starbucks, the …

Investigating The Relationship Between The James C. Kennedy Center And The Utilization Of The Harvard Policy Model: A Strategic Planning Process, Neely Griggs

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to understand the relationship between the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center and the utilization of the Harvard Policy Model. The Wellness Center in Tallahatchie county, Mississippi has a profound impact in the community by working to decrease the prevalence of preventable diseases, and the Wellness Center’s leadership has decided to engage in the development of a strategic plan. The researchers led the Wellness Center through the first four steps in the Harvard Policy Model of strategic planning. Through focus groups and data analysis, the Wellness Center’s vision and mission statements were re-conceptualized, the core values of the …

A Survey Of Accounting Case Studies, Maddie Dyess

Honors Theses

The following document contains work done over the span of a year under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson at the University of Mississippi in the Honors Accy 420 class. For the thesis requrement in accordance with the standards set by the Patterson School of Accountancy and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, I was able to complete a set of case studies pertaining to accounting. The purpose of this research program is to help equip students pursuing a career in the accounting field through a variety of accounting topics. Some cases focus on accounting principles in accordance with GAAP, …

Measuring The Value Of Internal Corporate Events From Attendees’ Perspective: Multidimensional Scale Development, Inna Soifer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose – Business events is a trillion-dollar sector of the meetings and events industry that supports millions of jobs. Despite the social and economic impact of the meetings, expositions, events, and conventions, only a few studies have examined perceived value in the business events context. This study addresses this research gap by developing a multi-item, multidimensional scale assessing attendee perception of corporate event value.Design/methodology/approach – This study utilized a mixed-method approach and followed widely accepted psychometric scale development procedures. The scale was developed using a multistep process: item generation, expert review, development sample 1 of 506 respondents via Qualtrics Online …

Turnover Intentions Of Self-Initiated Expatriates: The Role Of Servant Leadership And Organizational Embeddedness, Caleb W. Lugar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The topic of this dissertation is turnover of self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). The significance of the SIE domain is evidenced by the exponential growth in SIE literature since the publication of the seminal research article authored by Inkson, Arthur, Pringle, and Barry (1997). Research in the SIE domain is also of interest to practitioners employed in multinational organizations who increasingly recognize that SIEs are an untapped source of global talent. To contribute to the SIE literature, in Essay One, of my three-essay dissertation, I first provide a systematic SIE literature review. Second, my unique contribution is a systematic review of the …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Accounting Environment And Procedures Through A Series Of Case Studies, Ryan Mccarty

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a culmination of twelve case studies completed throughout the academic year of 2018-2019 under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson, as a requirement of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and completion of the ACCY 420 course. Each case study is independent of the next, and is an in-depth response to questions and theories that are found outside of this document. Each analysis is accomplished by myself alone and through the studies of Financial, Managerial, and Cost accounting courses in my career at the University of Mississippi. The thesis is intended to analyze accounting procedures and …

Does Extrinsic Motivation Affect Creativity Within Diverse Teams?, Gitanjali K. Viswanathan

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the relationship between extrinsic motivation and creativity in teams. The moderation effect of functionality, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and diversity within a team is also considered. A survey was constructed and distributed to students within Sections 1 and 6 of the course Principles of Management at The University of Mississippi. Survey data were collected from 77 respondents and used for hierarchical regression and moderation analysis. The results of this study do not support extrinsic motivation as a significant predictor of creativity. Functionality, agreeableness, and conscientiousness each demonstrate a separate, significant interaction effect with extrinsic motivation. However, …

The Future’S So Bright: A Business Plan And Market Research Analysis Of Fraze, Elizabeth Lanford

Honors Theses

This thesis is an overview of the creation and operation of Lindy and Liz, LLC dba Fraze. Fraze is an online boutique specializing in custom, beaded sunglasses. This thesis contains details of the founding, operation, and future of the business. The following business plan will give insights to marketing strategies, target audience demographics, and sourcing procedures.

Accompanying this business plan is market research relevant to the target market of Fraze. Part I details secondary research about the effects of social media on this target market and their consumption habits. It also contains insights about the products and marketing techniques most …

Highway 61: Good Roads, Great Migrations, And Delta Blues, Samuel Willcoxon

Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes the social and racial factors that contributed to the cultural significance of U.S. Highway 61. First, I explore the background of road building and transportation in the United States. Next I detail the history of convict labor in the South, from convict leasing to convict labor on roads as a result of the Good Roads Movement. Third, I describe how economic and social conditions contributed to the out-migration of southerners during the twentieth century. Lastly, I analyze how social conditions spawned the Mississippi Delta blues, and how Highway 61 became a symbol of opportunity for blues musicians.

Consumer Well-Being: A Typology And Examination Of Voluntary Simplicity, Derek Ezell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the search for ways to positively influence their well-being, some consumers are turning to acts of voluntary simplicity. Ranging in magnitude, these acts involve intentional reduction of their consumption and dependency in some form. The examination of such activities on one’s well-being begins with the analysis of formal interviews with tiny home owners, who take a holistic approach to voluntary simplicity, towards a framework of typical tiny home owners and discover the motivating factors for such a lifestyle choice. The second step is analyzing how these motivating factors may lead to less holistic activities surrounding voluntary simplicity and their …

The World’S Game, But Not America’S: An Analysis Of Soccer’S Disposition In The United States, Catherine Reese Neely

Honors Theses

Globally, soccer is the most prominent sport, drawing devoted fans from nearly every country in the world. The World Cup grosses the highest attendance and viewership rates of any international professional sports tournament. For many countries, the game of soccer is a source of national identity and pride. Despite soccer’s global impression, the sport has failed to fully captivate its American audience. The introduction of the professional men’s league, Major League Soccer (MLS), in 1996 spurred interest. The sport has experienced slight growth in popularity, but its national attendance and viewership ratings are trivial in comparison to America’s elite three …

Social Cognitive Theory As A Framework For Understanding The Relationships Between Competition And Cooperation: A Three Essay Story Of Emerging Coopetition And Entrepreneurial Team Outcomes, Rebekah Gabrielle Swab

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three essays explore the role social cognitive theory (SCT) plays in the interactions between competitive and cooperative traits, goal structures, and behaviors on simultaneous competition and cooperation, termed coopetition. Though the concept is advantageous and popular both in theoretical and practical terms, there are large gaps in the study of the phenomenon at the individual and collective level. In Essay One, I present a theoretical model for the emergence of collective competition, cooperation, and coopetition. Specifically, I propose collective coopetition as a meso level, compilation construct based on the individual characteristics of team members, their interactions, and the situational and …

Hitting The Bullseye: The Influence Of Technical Debt On The Accuracy Of Effort Estimation In Agile Projects, James Ball

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As firms rapidly develop solutions in order to increase revenue and market share, software development decisions considered to be temporary shortcuts and/or compromises may be implemented. These shortcuts represent “technical debt,” a metaphor which succinctly describes a software solution that should be “paid in full” or remediated in the future. Software architects and developers intend to resolve the “debt” in future product releases, but practitioners recognize that the challenge of always innovating may indefinitely postpone this remediation effort. Further, the accumulation of technical debt may have long term impact on the product’s maintainability by the software development teams and, consequently, …

Ownership Conversion As A Solution For Ex Post Agency Problems: The Case Of Franchising, Erik Tristan Markin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the strategic decision of franchising firms to convert company-owned outlets to franchise contracts in response to persistent agency problems. Moreover, this study investigates how franchisor-level, market-level, and outlet-level characteristics interact with this relationship. Using a longitudinal sample of company-owned fast-food restaurants, I find that increased agency problems at focal restaurants increases the likelihood of being converted to a franchise and that this relationship is moderated by both franchisor- and outlet-level characteristics but not market-level characteristics. Limitations and future research opportunities are discussed.

An Exploration Into The History And Significance Of The 'Planner' And A Comprehensive Business Plan For Launching The New Planner Company, Lala Letter Llc, Sydney Gonzalez

Honors Theses

This thesis accompanies my BFA in Graphic Design visual thesis show debuting the brand and products of Lala Letter™, a planner and stationery company. The written portion of this thesis contains a business plan outlining the operational, financial, and marketing strategies and objectives for Lala Letter. It also includes an overview of the evolution of written planners and stationery and discusses the impact of the digital revolution on the paper industry. Lala Letter is a startup stationery company targeted to young college women who currently use a written planner; its primary product is aesthetically innovative weekly planner. The product line …

Risk Perceptions For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among College Students, Seth Simmons

Honors Theses

With the number of cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus on the rise among the world's adolescent population, there is an increasing need for more information concerning the adolescent perceptions of risk to acquire diabetes. While there is an abundance of available data on adult risk perceptions for developing this disease, the research on younger individuals' risk perceptions is scarce. Therefore, this study examines data of risk perceptions of students between the ages of 18 and 25 that are undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi. The specific goal of the survey is to examine which groups of individuals feel …

Are You Ready? A Proposed Framework For The Assessment Of Digital Forensic Readiness, Andres Felipe Diaz Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops a framework to assess Digital Forensic Readiness (DFR) in organizations. DFR is the state of preparedness to obtain, understand, and present digital evidence when needed. This research collects indicators of digital forensic readiness from a systematic literature review. More than one thousand indicators were found and semantically analyzed to identify the dimensions to where they belong. These dimensions were subjected to a q-sort test and validated using association rules, producing a preliminary framework of DFR for practitioners. By classifying these indicators into dimensions, it was possible to distill them into 71 variables further classified into either extant …

Outcomes Of Fdi In Mississippi: The Cases Of Nissan And Toyota, Cayla Cardamone

Honors Theses

My original motivation for selecting this topic for my Croft thesis was to examine an issue that is of community relevance in Mississippi and could reveal how multiple global regions intersect and affect the quality of life in Mississippi. Guided by this motivation, I decided to examine whether the expected effects of Japanese FDI projects in Mississippi have been achieved in terms of job creation relative to both job quantity and job quality. My particular analytical focus has been on the job-creation effects of the Nissan plant in Canton and the Toyota plant in Blue Springs. For my analysis, I …

Entrepreneurship Inside And Out: Three Essays Exploring The Interplay Between Hybrid Entrepreneurs And Their Organizational Employee Roles, David Ross Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A growing body of research focuses on undertaking new venture creation while remaining employed in existing organizations. Known as hybrid/part-time entrepreneurship, scholars suggest most entrepreneurs engage in entrepreneurship in a part-time capacity. As such, there exists an interesting space for the study of a new form of interrole dynamics: employee and entrepreneurial role interactions. Through three essays, I conceptually and empirically explore the effects of engaging in hybrid entrepreneurship on outcomes associated with employee and entrepreneurial roles. In Essay One I present a theoretical model of role enrichment from entrepreneurial to employee roles. Specifically, I propose that individuals engaged in …

Recruitment And Selection In A Mass Hiring Event Of A Sme, Emily Sutphin

Honors Theses

Using a qualitative approach, I examined the relationship between formal recruitment and selection practices and the success of a mass hiring event in a small and medium sized enterprise (SME). For the purpose of my study, I will use prominent research in order to examine small and medium enterprises recruitment and selection processes and translate these findings to a mass hiring event with recruitment and selection. My literature review will help guide findings based on the qualitative data I collected. Data was drawn from observation, formal and informal interviews with key individuals within the company, and document analysis. A case …

Surfaces In A Digital Age: Marketing Strategies For Software Startup Company Myra Mirrors, Georgia Norfleet

Honors Theses

This thesis will highlight the strategies and tactics used to promote and launch software startup Myra Mirrors' first consumer product, Myra mini, a luxury home smart mirror. Myra mini is a real product that is currently in the prototyping phase of development and will be launched this summer on the crowd funding site Kickstarter. While the smart home industry has been reported to have incredible potential, it has failed as of yet to reach mass market penetration. The industry has seen a great deal of criticism for producing products that are over priced and difficult to install and sync with …

Work Engagement: Antecedents And Effects On Student Employee Academic Engagement, Chase V. Moore

Honors Theses

Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study explores the effect of the resources student employees receive from management and from the nature of their work on their engagement at work and their engagement in academic pursuits. Student workers make up a significant pool of workers in our institutions of higher education and supporting academic achievement of student workers is consistent with our institutions' missions. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents (supervisory support, supervisory feedback, person-organization fit, and person-job fit) that affect levels of work engagement of students employed in educationally-situated work environments, and …