Editorial Note, Heather S. Mcmillan

Journal of the North American Management Society

No abstract provided.

Ingenious Impulsiveness Of Environmentally Motivated Female Entrepreneurship For Sustainable Development, Saranya Senthilnathan, Chandrasekar Kaliyaperumal

Management Dynamics

Women's roles are crucial to the economic prosperity of any nation, with their participation in entrepreneurship being a key driver of sustainable development. This study focuses on the contributions of women entrepreneurs in India, highlighting their potential to advance economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The purpose is to examine the role of female entrepreneurs in promoting sustainable practices within the economy, society, and ecology. The study employs a descriptive research design to assess how integrating environmental factors into female entrepreneurship impacts the growth and sustainability of the Indian economy. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 355 …

From Answering Questions To Replacing Staff: Analyzing The Effect And Possibilities Of Artificial Intelligence On The Structure Of Organizations, Caleb J. Cissna

Honors Projects

Over the last several years artificial intelligence has risen in commonality, availability, knowledge and usage across multiple industries, including business firms and organizations. Terming the multitude of tasks that are completed by these machines “artificial intelligence” is somewhat dismissive – the broadness of the tasks is unmatched by most any other innovation within the 21^st century. The widespread nature of artificial intelligence today have advanced many organizations, with many using the technology to create competitive advantage for themselves in certain industries, while others have seen it level the competitive field between firms in a given industry. Following this research …

The Digital Incorporated Worker Narrative: A Mixed Methods Study Of Digital Capital, Work Selection, And Outcomes In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Tracie King

Dissertations

Digital technology permeates society and industry, making digital-ready workers necessary for firms of all sizes as a firm seeks competitiveness in the market (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; de Ruyter et al., 2018; Gorski et al., 2022; Karaboğa, 2023; Kim et al., 2017; Qureshi Zia, 2019). Firms seeking digital-ready workers face a complex digital divide that creates a worker shortage (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; Karaboğa, 2023; Qureshi Zia, 2019). This study aims to describe workers' work selection, work experience, and outcomes in a complex digital society.

Most digital divide research focuses on the individuals excluded from owning, accessing, and having skills …

Surveying The Effects Of In-Person And Word Of Mouth Appeals To Gen-Z On Fundraising Outcomes, Stephanie Huynh

Honors Theses

Fluctuations in consumer behavior and perceived disposable income are a concern for nonprofit budgeting. Even with recurring donor subscriptions, donations can be an unreliable source of income. As Gen Zers become more prevalent in the workforce, it is a matter of time until they form the majority of the donor pool. This study explored the efficacy of repetition as a fundraising tool in appealing to Gen Zers. The sample was Gen Z students at the University of South Alabama, and a voluntary exploratory quantitative survey was administered. 113 responses were gathered. Through analysis with Spearman’s correlations and descriptive statistics, it …

Does Ai Intergration Moderate The Relationship Between Firm Growth And Performance In Smes: The Influence Of Decision-Making And Operational Performance, Dalal T. Alqahtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Today's dynamic business environment requires small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to keep up with technological advancements in order to remain competitive. Business growth creates more challenges for SMEs since they possess fewer available resources than big organizations. Since the introduction of artificial intelligence (Al), several SMEs have been able to compete more effectively and deliver better performance. As part of this research, I examine the possibility that Al integration (All) will moderate the relationship between firm growth and both decision-making and operational performance, ultimately affecting the performance of SMEs. The aim of this research is to provide practical implications for …

The New Professional: Exploring Careers Other Than Clinical Dentistry, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This "New Professional" column explores alternative career paths for dentists who find clinical practice unfulfilling. It encourages reflection on personal interests and highlights various options within the dental field and beyond, such as dental education, research, practice management, dental sales, product development, and public health dentistry. The article emphasizes that a dental degree provides a strong foundation for diverse roles that still contribute to the well-being of others. It suggests that transitioning to a new career path requires an open mind and a focus on one's passions and values. Entrepreneurship is also mentioned as a potential avenue.

Staff Matters: Understanding And Implementing The Earned Sick Time Act, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month’s "Staff Matters" column provides a summary of the recent amendments to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) in Michigan, which brought significant changes just as the original effective date approached. It clarifies the effective dates for different employer sizes, with small employers (10 or fewer employees) having an extended deadline of October 1, 2025. The article outlines key changes related to structuring time banks, policy revisions, and required employee notifications. It also mentions free resources and tools available through HRM Services and a revised MDA Staff Matters® Sample Employee Handbook to aid in ESTA compliance.

Going Non-Par: What Are Your Options?; With Sidebar: One Dentist’S Experience With Going Non-Par, Alan Laing Dds, Mba, Greg Maxson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article discusses the considerations for dental practices contemplating dropping insurance participation (going non-par). It emphasizes the importance of analyzing practice objectives, patient demographics, competition, and financial policies before making this decision. The transition to non-par status can impact patient relationships and requires a strong financial and collection policy. Ultimately, the decision should be based on a thorough understanding of the practice and its goals.

The sidebar presents supplementary content and includes a call for MDA members to share their experiences with non-participation in insurance plans and features Dr. Greg Maxson's personal account of going non-par. Dr. Maxson emphasizes that …

Harnessing General Purpose Ai In Dental Practice: Strategic Solutions For A Burdened Workforce, Christopher J. Smiley D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping dental practice administration by enhancing efficiency and providing solutions to address workforce shortages. Free-to-use generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Claude, can streamline routine tasks, support creative workflows, and reduce the burden on office teams. However, dental professionals must understand AI’s limitations and ethical boundaries, including risks to patient confidentiality and the potential for inaccurate or misleading outputs. Proprietary dental-specific AI systems demonstrate a safer approach by providing specialized diagnostic support and practice analytics in more secure environments to meet HIPAA standards. Yet even these dentistry-based AI solutions carry a risk of bias …

Enhancing Stakeholder Collaboration In Indonesian-Owned Businesses In The United States, Renny Yulistia Adystiani

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This research examines stakeholder engagement strategies among Indonesian restaurant owners in the United States, focusing on their operational success and business sustainability. Using a qualitative methodology, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected restaurant owners to investigate how they integrate stakeholder interests into business strategies, leverage government support, and adapt engagement practices across different sectors. The findings reveal three key challenges: insufficient frameworks for integrating stakeholder interests with business strategies, inadequate government support mechanisms, and inconsistent stakeholder engagement practices. The study identified successful informal approaches to stakeholder management, particularly in balancing cultural authenticity with market demands. However, it …

Exploring Leadership In Physical Therapy: How Clarity, Connection, And Communication Influence Team Engagement, Burnout, And Achieving Organizational Objectives, Jason Collin

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how highly effective PT leaders use the three competencies of HPTs (clarity, connection, and communication) to increase engagement, prevent burnout, and achieve organizational objectives. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that highly effective PT leaders perceive the three HPTE core competencies impact their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: The mixed methods study identified and described eight PT leaders’ perceptions of how they use clarity, connection, and communication to build and sustain HPTs. PT leaders were selected through purposive and snowball …

Navigating Loyalty: Exploring Perceptions In Family-Owned Businesses, Elisabeth Ann Arthur

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Family businesses are crucial to the global economy, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing a diverse workforce. Like any other business, familyowned businesses are not immune to employee turnover. Employee perception of business stability is a key indicator of the business's health and resilience. This study aims to examine the relationship between employee perceptions of family business stability, business community involvement and turnover intentions using a quantitative survey. The survey was developed using validated scales and received approval (IRB #2206773) from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Marshall University prior to administering to family business employees …

Convenience And Price: What Leads To Repurchase Intent?, Brittany Thierman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study strives to understand drivers of repurchase intent for service-based small businesses in terms of firm attributes and service conveniences. This study also examines the impact of customer satisfaction on repurchase intent in service-based small businesses. The theories used for this research are Economic Utility Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. This research aims to identify which factors are most important when starting the customer journey with a service-based small business, including signing up for the service, realizing the benefit, and the customer’s intention to repurchase. This research will compare firm attributes, including price discounts and service conveniences. …

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 …

A Different Risk-Return Relationship, Aydin Selim Oksoy, Matthew R. Farrell, Shaomin Li

Management Faculty Publications

We challenge the widely accepted premise that the valuation of an early-stage firm is simply the capital invested (USD) divided by the equity received (%). Instead, we argue that this calculation determines the break-even point for the investor; for example, investing USD 1.0 in exchange for a 10% equity sets a firm-level free cash flow target of USD 10.0, resulting in a 0% return for the investor. The design of our study is that of a descriptive analysis of the phenomenon, based on three assumptions: that angel investing is a two-issue negotiation, that negotiation positions are communicated sequentially from capital …

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 …

A Mixed Methodology Study On Effective Products And Services For Consulting Firms, Doc S. Dillard

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study evaluated organizational effectiveness within small- to medium-sized educational technology and technology-adjacent organizations for consulting firms to develop appropriate products and services for clients. This allowed consulting firms to develop innovation in their approaches. More specifically, this research supported consulting firms specializing in educational technology in developing products and services for industry leaders to improve organizational effectiveness. The research employed a mixed methodology consisting of 10 educational technology leaders. Data were collected from survey questions and through evaluating related literature. The literature compiled included organizations across education, technology, and technology-adjacent industries. The research evaluated organizations through McKinsey’s 7S framework. …

The Oprah In Me: Becoming Sidney O., Sidney Opal Young

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Oprah Winfrey is a staple in American History and the world. She has infiltrated American media pop culture with a range of experience and expertise in various forms of media: television, literature, radio, Internet and film. Oprah has influenced popular culture. She continuously shared her ‘truths’ through her experiences and successes both good and bad making her extremely relatable. Oprah educates and inform the public about pressing issues in media and the world. Oprah has stood as an icon for many women, including me.

Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation: Scale Development And Validation, Daniel R. Clark, Jeffrey G. Covin, Robert J. Pidduck

Management Faculty Publications

Recent research introduced and laid the foundation for a new individual-level entrepreneurial orientation conceptualization (Ind.EO) within the entrepreneurial orientation family of constructs. Building directly from this work, this article theoretically defines a measurement model for the construct and develops and validates a scale. We define and measure disposition-based behavior constructs for autonomy, competitiveness, innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking, thus providing psychometrically validated tools that support research in the burgeoning Ind.EO domain. Scale items are generated deductively from our definitions, and then tested through four data collections with academics, the lay population, entrepreneurs, and business managers. Strong validation data across these multiple …

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 …

Entrepreneurship: A Practical Guide For Business Success, Jalleh Sharafizad, Violetta Wilk, Kerry Brown, Aglae Hernandez Grande, Fleur Sharafizad, Dorothy Wardale

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This book is tailored for entrepreneurs in their startups or moving to the next stage of their businesses, micro and small business owners, as well as individuals who are considering starting their own ventures. It brings together essential insights, practical tools, and valuable resources developed through two Western Australian government initiatives focused on entrepreneurial training and support. In addition, it draws on a range of business concepts from other sources, refining and simplifying them to suit the specific needs of emerging and growing enterprises.

Designed to be both flexible and supportive, the book serves multiple roles throughout your entrepreneurial journey. …

The New Professional: Intentional Goal-Setting For 2025, Amrita Patel D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article emphasizes the importance of intentional goal setting, networking, and leadership for new dentists to achieve long-term success. It advocates for setting clear, measurable goals, breaking them into manageable milestones, and focusing on building strong professional relationships. Networking with mentors and peers, engaging in social media, and participating in dental organizations are highlighted as ways to foster growth and opportunities. Leadership roles, even in small capacities like volunteering or joining committees, are seen as critical steps toward personal development and career advancement. These strategies collectively help new dentists establish a solid foundation for achieving their professional aspirations.

J Mich Dent Assoc January 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 January issue sets the tone for February, the observance of Children’s Dental Health Month.

Michigan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President Jessica Bentoski welcomes readers to this special issue, which features a cover feature on “Approaches to Care for Children with Special Needs in Dental Settings: Desensitization and Teledentistry” and a supporting article on “General Dentists’ Education, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Concerning the Effects …

Investigating The Relationship Between Employee Financial Literacy Education And Small Business Performance In The Southwest Region Of Texas, Blake Beltran

Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Investigating the Relationship Between Employee Financial Literacy

Education and Small Business Performance in the Southwest Region of Texas

December 2024

Blake Beltran, Doctor of Business Administration

University of the Incarnate Word

Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ernesto Escobedo

This study addressed the relationship between employee financial literacy education and the performance of small businesses in the Southwest Region of Texas, focusing on critical performance indicators, such as revenue growth, cost efficiency, and net profit margins. The researcher aimed to assess how financial literacy education among employees can impact the financial decision-making processes and, consequently, the performance metrics of small …

Impact Of State-Level Family Policies On Female Labor Force Participation And Entrepreneurship, Kathryn Staczek Rudloff

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aims to investigate the impact of state-level family policies on women's participation in the labor force in the United States, focusing specifically on the rise of self-employment and solopreneurship among women. The research seeks to answer the following question: "How do family policies at the state level impact participation of American women in the labor force?"

The study utilized a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A composite index of state level family policies was created to conduct cross-sectional exploratory data analysis of female labor force participation. Additionally, a qualitative phenomenological study of solopreneurs provided a deeper understanding of the …

Social Capital, Post-Industrial Society, And Faulty Industry Experience: Higher Education’S Engagement Opportunity In Applied Disciplines, Asa B. Wilson, Steven A. Stovall, Edward Crowley

Journal of the North American Management Society

Higher education faces two currents - declining social capital support and the post-industrial transition. Both impact the academy and its students. The associated challenges are discussed as engagement opportunities for the academy in applied disciplines. Also, the instructional value of faculty industry experience (IE) is defined as an attribute of social capital. It fosters student engagement while building an experiential learning bridge from the classroom to the workplace. A composite case based on faculty social capital backgrounds illustrates how faculty IE augments program development, academic rigor, student readiness, research creativity, industry linkages, and community impact. Follow-up research opportunities are identified.

Journal Management, Administration, And Promotion: The Power And Impact Of The Jnams Relaunch, Michael Dobbs, Heather S. Mcmillan

Journal of the North American Management Society

No abstract provided.

Refereed Research - Religiosity And Sociality As Sources Of Resilience For Women Subsistence Entrepreneurs During The Pandemic, Rozina Akther

Subsistence Marketplaces

This study examines challenges faced by subsistence women entrepreneurs during COVID-19, the crisis of 2020, and their resilience in addressing the circumstances. The results of qualitative interviews with 13 subsistence marketplace women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh are presented in this article. In the current study, two themes are found to best capture the experiences and resilience of women business owners in the subsistence marketplaces. Furthermore, the study provides important insights from informant interviews, showing how women business owners navigate their operations during a pandemic. It highlights attributes such as relational strength and faith in a higher power that contribute to their …

Empowering Entrepreneurial Evolution: A Beyond Founder Strategic Approach To Small Business Growth, D. Jared Knisley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Growing a business beyond its founder’s capacities and talents presents a challenging undertaking. When a founder is no longer involved or motivated to grow the business, firm decline is a likely outcome. Small businesses often have a deep and, at times, hindering reliance on their early founders for development. Therefore, a continuous engaging plan to advance entrepreneurial success is needed to grow a small business.

My research objective aims to find methods and designs, through academic literature and practitioner interviews, that transition leadership responsibilities and increase team empowerment within a small business, enabling these firms to continue growing as the …