Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Eastern Experiential Learning: Eastern Principles For Learning Wholeness, Mai P. Trinh, David A. Kolb

Management Faculty Publications

Although Experiential Learning Theory originated in the work of Western scholars, many of their theoretical principles have a decidedly Eastern orientation. In this essay we draw out these Eastern principles of experiential learning and suggest an Eastern perspective on learning wholeness in one's life and career based on an ontological approach to adult development that emphasizes existential ways of being in the here and now-centering, balance, harmony and flowing in the watercourse way.

Use Of Preventative Health Care Services In Hispanic Workers In Manufacturing Sector In South Texas, Pooja Chopra

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study analyses the factors that determine the intensity of use of preventive health care services for a sample of Hispanic manufacturing workers in South Texas (RGV). Logistic regression is used to estimate the effect of health insurance, age, income level and education on the use of preventive health care of Hispanic workers in the manufacturing sector in South Texas (RGV). The outcome variables are vaccinations, tests and screening for women and men. The sample includes 228 manufacturing workers from the RGV. People with health insurance were more likely to use preventive care services such as vaccination for flu, hepatitis, …

The C.A.L.M. Method Of Mass Product Distribution: An Update & Comparative Analysis, Marvin Lovett, Irma S. Jones

Marketing Faculty Publications

This paper updates the evaluation of the C.A.L.M. Method: The Consignment Auction Liquidation Marketing Method of Mass Product Distribution as well as provides a limited comparison of eBay as a form of auction product distribution. Originally developed and initiated in 1993 in response to the common need business organizations have for product liquidation outlets, the C.A.L.M method targets audiences contemplating the distribution of products, including manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and other entrepreneurs. General merchandise is distributed via consignment auction outlets located throughout the United States. Building on a previously published ten-year time span evaluation on the effectiveness of the C.A.L.M. method, …

Assessing Business Students' Sensitivity To Diversity Issues Within In A Msi: Implications For Continuous Curriculum Improvement, Dianna Blankenship, Gerald Hollier, Irma S. Jones, Marvin Lovett

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

Demonstration of cultural context diversity in business programs is essential to obtain and maintain AACSB accreditation. For minority serving institutions (MSI) knowledge of business students' awareness of and sensitivity to diversity issues is crucial in order that a wide variety of perspectives may be included in all business courses and activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the existing levels of awareness among MSI business students toward issues of diversity. Study results are presented, implications for AACSB “continuous improvement” through microcurriculum revisions are discussed, and suggestions for including diversity in MSI business courses are also provided.

Impact Of Workplace Stress On Job Satisfaction Moderated By Religious Coping, Celina A. Esparza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Workplace stress has been associated with negative job satisfaction outcomes, therefore leading employees to engage in coping strategies to minimize the consequences of the stressors. Although much research has been conducted on workplace stressors and their consequences, a small amount of literature exists on how women and Hispanics cope with workplace stressors or how people cope with the stressors in religious ways. To investigate the relationships among these factors, data was collected via an online survey completed by 268 university employees at a southwestern university. Self-report data collected suggested that both women and Hispanics use religion to cope with workplace …

Supportive Communication, Sense Of Virtual Community And Health Outcomes In Online Infertility Groups, Jennifer L. Welbourne, Anita L. Blanchard, Marla D. Boughton

Management Faculty Publications

Women are turning to online health groups to deal with the stresses and complications of infertility. Online groups may provide a resource that is potentially absent in their face-to-face communities. This study examines how the sense of virtual community (SOVC) that develops in these groups serves as a buffer between perceived stress and physical health symptoms. A sample of 122 women from two virtual communities completed an online survey. Results show that observing the exchange of emotional support was positively related to SOVC while observing informational support was negatively related to SOVC. Further, SOVC was negatively related to physical health …

Using Technology To Increase Critical-Thinking In Undergraduate Business Study, David L. Sturges, Teo Ozuna

Management Faculty Publications

This paper describes technological application designed to focus on student-learner approaches to education to develop critical-thinking among undergraduate students. The high-tech classroom achieves the critical-thinking objective and reduces seat-time so colleges overcome ever-growing shortages of classroom space.

Management Disciplines Role In Higher Education In The 21st Century: Its Time To Redefine Faculty Performance Expectations, Eric J. Romero, David L. Sturges

Management Faculty Publications

This paper critiques the traditional evaluation model for management faculty which has an over-emphasis on publications. This model leads to irrelevant of intellectual contributions and minimal impact on management practice. We propose a new evaluation model for management scholars that improves the quality of intellectual contributions and the impact on management practice.

Student Performance In Upper - Division Business Core Courses : Using Control Variables To Determine The Effect Of Class Size, Donna A. Driscoll, Paul J. Lazarony, Janna Arney, Earl J. Weiss

Management Faculty Publications

Although the effect of class size upon student performance has been the focus of numerous studies, the results have been extremely mixed, including positive effects, no effects, and negative effects. The authors of this study believe that this lack of consensus could be due, at least in part, to the shortage of control variables employed in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of four control variables (course being taught, length of class period, instructor, and student ability level) to the analysis would be helpful in isolating the effect, if any, of class size …

An Inclusive Guide To Assessing Web Site Effectiveness, Janna Arney, Paul J. Lazarony

Management Faculty Publications

This study presents the results of a literature review of the well-established literatures on readability, usability, and Web design. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on readability, usability, and Web design and to propose a three-step evaluation process to assess Web sites in each of these three areas. We recommend that this process be used to evaluate existing Web documents and those still in the design phase. This evaluation process can be utilized as an educational tool in a classroom setting. Using this process in a classroom provides students with much needed …

The Effect Of Mergers And Acquisitions On The Wealth, Risk, And Efficiency Of Latin American Banks, Felice Policastro-Caccavale

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Over the last few years, mergers and acquisitions within Latin America's banking sector have significantly increased. From 1995 to 2003, Latin American countries experienced more than one thousand bank merger and acquisition deals. The majority of these mergers and acquisitions have occurred between domestic and foreign banks and, as a result, foreign banks now control more than fifty percent of the banking assets of Latin America's largest economies. In addition to the increased presence of foreign banks in Latin America, the process of mergers and acquisitions has reduced the number of banks in most Latin American countries and this has …

Three Essays On The Use Of Financial Derivatives By Latin American Banks In Brazil, Chile And Mexico, Andres E. Rivas-Chavez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

During the 1990s, Latin American countries implemented policies aimed at liberalizing their financial markets. Latin American countries deregulated the domestic financial and banking industries, removed controls on international capital flows, and promoted development of their domestic stock market. These countries implemented financial liberalization policies and programs in order to stimulate domestic savings and growth. Through financial liberalization they also attempted to reduce the direct intervention of the state in the economy and improve their financial infrastructure.

The implementation of such policies has led to an increase in capital flows to Latin America, an increase in the number of foreign banks, …

The Effect Of Web Interface Features On Consumer Online Shopping Intentions, Jeffrey Sam Siekpe

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Amid the storm of hype over Internet adoption, it is observed that during the past years, organizations have taken considerable interest in eagerly acquiring computer hardware and software to implement electronic commerce (e-commerce) applications mostly to the detriment of human aspects of the information technology (IT) solutions (Freemantle, 2002; Lockwood & Lamp, 2000). Various Internet technologies, mostly the Web, have been implemented to offer online goods and services. Many credible estimates suggest that Internet buying and selling will account for close to $2 trillion of annual economic activity by 2004 (Citrin et al., 2003; Fry, 2000). While the promise of …

Toward Universalism In International Bankruptcy Law: Foundations For Strategy Formulation In Selected Countries, Francis J. Brewerton, Jane Lemaster

Management Faculty Publications

Two major impacts of globalization have been the dramatic increase in the number of multina-tional corporations that now exist and the wave of international bankruptcy law reform now tak-ing place. Multinational corporations are widening their search for new strategic opportunities and are venturing into new countries, cultures, and geographic markets in this pursuit. As a result of the reform movement, bankruptcy laws in various countries are becoming more similar, are providing documentation that the Universalism Model is a pragmatic vehicle for resolving multi-national bankruptcies, and are indirectly generating increased strategic opportunities for multina-tional corporations. This paper comprises 1) a brief …

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: The Dissolution Of Business Relationships In The Global Market Place, Jennifer A. Pope

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Richard Caves (1998) states that “dead business units tell no tales” (p. 8), and by extension one could argue that dead business relationships also tell no tales. However, it is the purpose of this dissertation to tell the tales of multiple dead business relationships in hope that other businesses can learn from their mistakes. Business relationships have been and continue to be a vital part of business. With the globalization of the economy, most, if not all, businesses will have some form of international contact. For businesses with limited resources or no experience often the most efficient means to expand …

Ownership Variables And Capital Structure: Evidence From Chile, Suad Ghaddar

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The relationship between ownership structure and capital structure is one of the less understood areas within the corporate finance literature. This study attempts to address this issue within a unique; organizational and institutional framework that may help explain the intricacies of such a relationship. The Chilean corporate scene with its high ownership concentration levels, industrial group structure, and familial control provides a rich testing ground to analyze how ownership variables define a firm's leverage policy.

Research has supported both a positive and a negative relationship between ownership concentration and leverage levels. On the one hand, firms characterized by high levels …

An Evaluation Of Lawlike Generalizations In Relationship Marketing: Method And Application, Wolfgang Hinck

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate lawlike generalizations in relationship marketing (RM) and their contribution to the scholarly advancement of the marketing discipline. The current lack of such systematic evaluation is of significance not only because the contribution to progress constitutes a general requirement for all research streams in marketing, but also because an evaluation would solve the ongoing discussion about the substance and role of RM.

As a requirement for the evaluation, necessary and collectively sufficient criteria for lawlike generalizations have to be identified and operationalized. Because the marketing discipline lacks both a commonly agreed-upon set of …

Stock Return Volatility In Emerging Equity Markets: The Relative Effects Of Country And Global Factors, Benjamin Adam Abugri

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The rapid growth of capital markets in developing countries has come as a major event in recent financial history. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), portfolio flows to emerging countries has kept rising since the early 1980s and the trend has continued even after a number of financial crises (IFC, 2000). Probably one of the most commonly known characteristics of these markets is their high volatility compared to the more developed markets. But results of studies on volatilities in these markets are often based on estimates of the variance of market indexes or asset returns over relatively long periods …

Family-Friendly Backlash—Fact Or Fiction? The Case Of Organizations' On-Site Child Care Centers, Teresa J. Rothausen, Jorge A. Gonzalez, Lisa L. O'Dell, Nicole E. Clarke

Management Faculty Publications

Employer offerings of on-site child care benefits have grown tremendously in the past few decades; both beneficial and detrimental effects on worker attitudes and behaviors have been noted. Some research suggests that offering on-site child care benefits can cause resentment among childless workers and/or workers with children who do not use the center. In a field sample of 271 employees (mean age 34.5 yrs), current and past use of the on-site child care center, as well as anticipated future use of the on-site child care center, were related to more positive proximal reactions such as attitudes closely related to the …