Finance and Financial Management Commons^™

Lululemon Strategic Audit, Tessa Mozingo, Olivia Eno, Molly Mitchell, Connor Morrissey, James Eshleman

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This case study focuses on lululemon, a prominent athleisure apparel company. Our team conducted an audit of the company revolving around strategic business management principles. Our research used publicly available information that included the company’s website, SEC filings, news articles, lululemon’s annual reports, financial statements, IBIS industry reports, and online sources. The goal of this strategic audit is to develop an understanding of lululemon’s business activities and strategies, collect and analyze both internal and external data, and evaluate lululemon based on strategic management concepts.

In this strategic audit, we conduct internal, external, performance, and competitive analyses and an examination of …

Topgolf Callaway Brands, Corp. Strategic Analysis, Sean Smith

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Topgolf Callaway Brands, Corp. (the “Company”, “Topgolf Callaway”, “Topgolf”, or “Callaway”) is an industry-leading golf and active lifestyle company that provides golf entertainment experiences, designs and manufactures premium golf equipment, and sells golf and active lifestyle apparel and other accessories through their family of brand names. They operate under the Topgolf, Callaway, Jack Wolfskin, OGIO, TravisMathew, Odyssey and Toptracer logos for their various product and service offerings. This report seeks to understand the industries in which the firm operates, the forces present in those industries, the resources and advantages of the firm, risks associated with their operations, and recommends several …

The Cost Of Student Mandatory Fees: An Examination Of The Longitudinal Growth In Student Mandatory Fees At Four-Year Public Universities In Texas And Their Impact On Student Retention Rates, Charles Matthew Crouse

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The ever-increasing costs and debt incurred by US college students is a hotly contested issue. In March 2022, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) released a refreshed strategic plan for the stateâ??s higher education: Building a Talent Strong Texas. The refreshed plan concentrated on access for minority populations, enhanced student completion goals, and expanded the focus on reducing student debt. Texas set out to lead the nation in the least college student debt reported. One of the least examined or understood college costs is student mandatory fees (Arnott, 2012; Black & Taylor, 2018; Kelchen, 2016; Reinagel & Cooper, 2020). …

Estate Planning Toolkit - A Beginner's Guide To Estate Planning In Utah, Amanda Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Kristilyn Wilkinson, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Jerevie Canlas, Alicia Nelson-Bell, Lisa Schainker, Melanie Dabb, Justin Baer, Jared Hawkins

All Current Publications

Normalizing the estate planning conversation can help eliminate emotional distance or fear when discussing important life planning matters. Approaching discussions in a loving and calm manner can bring family closer together and minimize or avoid contention and resentment. Talking about estate planning doesn’t have to be uncomfortable and emotional. Where possible, start conversations early to have a more positive experience, rather than planning at the time of a life crisis. If you have children, start these conversations when they are young to help normalize the process. The Estate Planning Toolkit is a helpful preparation resource that covers wills, trusts, life …

College Of Charleston (Cofc) Experiential Learning Program In Ghana, Spring 2024, Matthew J. Zittritsch

Capstone Collection

This study evaluates the impact and outcomes of an experiential learning program in Ghana for students with a declared business major or minor at the College of Charleston. The research focuses on the personal, academic, and professional growth experienced by program participants, as well as their immersion in Ghanaian culture and entrepreneurial experiences. The study utilizes the ADDIE model, encompassing the stages of Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate, to assess the program's effectiveness. The qualitative data collected provides a holistic overview of the participants' experiences and perceptions, allowing for the identification of areas of success and improvement. The findings …

The Effect Of Massage Therapy On Test Anxiety Experienced By Traditional-Aged Undergraduate Business Students, Jorge A. Pazmiño

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Test anxiety impacts traditional-aged undergraduate business students and influences their academic performance and overall well-being. This study explored the efficacy of massage therapy (MT) as a means of mitigating test anxiety within this demographic. Building on existing literature that addresses the consequences of anxiety and alternative coping mechanisms, this research study focused on MT as a potential strategy for test anxiety management. The study employed the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale–College Version (AMAS-C) to gather data from participants at a private liberal arts institution in the East South-Central region of the United States. An experimental group received an MT intervention, while …

Implementing Universal Design For Learning In Financial Literacy Education, Andreas Kotsironis

Honors Projects in Finance

The purpose of the study is to understand what students currently know regarding financial literacy, what learning style they use in the classroom, and how to fuse the two into a simple and informational version of financial literacy education. Financial literacy education can be used to increase household savings for retirement, personal financial goals, and risk management purposes. By joining the concept of UDL and Financial Literacy Education, each obstacle listed can be improved upon. Learning styles focus attention onto three different approaches to teaching that are based in auditory, visual, and kinesthetic pedagogies. UDL focuses on curating individual learning …

Nonprofit Leader Experiences In Sector-Bending After Lean Six Sigma Training: Tension, Concepts, And Changed Behaviors, Beverly Codallos

Dissertations

Government, business, and nonprofit represent three distinct types of organizations governed by different legal frameworks designed to facilitate collective action (DiMaggio & Anheier, 1990). The emergence of hybrid forms and increasing isomorphic pressures in the nonprofit sector (Bromley & Meyer, 2017; McCambridge, 2014) have challenged the traditional separation of organizational forms. This study explored the phenomenon popularized as sector-bending, “a wide variety of approaches, activities, and relationships that are blurring the distinctions between nonprofit and for-profit organizations, either because they are behaving more similarly, operating in the same realms, or both” (Dees & Anderson, 2003, pg. 16). This qualitative study …

Money Doesn’T Grow On Trees: How Financial Literacy Is Learned And Developed Within American Childhood, Nate Lewis

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

Financial literacy refers to the ability to process and utilize economic information to make informed decisions for their wellbeing. Given concerning indicators of financial outcomes within the United States, it is crucial to understand how and when strong financial behavior is developed. Efforts to enhance financial education have explored incorporating financial concepts into children’s literature and games. Yet, research indicates that financial literacy is far more rooted in the habits learned from one’s family, despite the emphasis often placed on schooling and socioeconomic status. It is therefore evident that efforts to promote financial literacy must always involve empowering family members …

Development Of A Safety Performance Decision-Making Tool For Flight Training Organizations, Marisa Aguiar, Carolina L. Anderson, Dothang Truong, Gregory S. Woo, Kenneth Byrnes

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The purpose of the research was to create and validate a safety performance decision-making tool to transform a reactive safety model into a predictive, decision-making tool, specific to flight training organizations, to increase safety and aid in operational decision-making. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the study conducted simulation runs based on operational ranges to simulate the operating conditions with varying levels of controllable resources in terms of personnel (Aviation Maintenance Technicians and Instructor Pilots) and expenditures (active flight students and available aircraft). Four What-if Scenarios were conducted by manipulating the controllable inputs. Changes to the controllable inputs are reflected by variations …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Budgeting 102: Trip Budgeting, Kyla Harden

Goal 2: Life Skills Narrative

The purpose of this program is for students to gain knowledge on how to create a trip budget.

Ua25 Salaries, Wku Provost, Wku Strategy, Operations & Finance

WKU Administration Documents

Email to faculty & staff regarding salary increases to be given in 2024.

Fin4260 Short-Term Financial Management, Yannick J. Roger Post

KSU Distinguished Course Repository

This short-term financial management course is an elective for upper level, undergraduate finance majors. It focuses on working capital and treasury management topics that are vital for anyone interested in a career in corporate finance.

Short-term financial management refers to the utilization of the firm’s current assets and liabilities in order to maximize shareholder wealth and reduce financial risk. This course begins by reviewing the time value of money concepts, and the basics of financial statement analysis. The focus then shifts to short-term operating assets and short-term operating liabilities, and a discussion of the cash conversion cycle and the importance …

Northern Oil & Gas Strategic Audit, Jacob Hansen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Northern Oil & Gas is an energy company that operates in various basins across the United States. The company utilizes a non-operating model, meaning it does not drill wells or operate rigs, but rather partners with operators and acquires fractional working interests in drilling units. This report seeks to understand Northern Oil & Gas’ business model by examining its competitive strategy, advantages, and resources. Internal and external environmental factors are also analyzed using both PESTEL analysis and Porter’s Five Forces. In addition, key challenges facing the company are explored and recommendations are given on how Northern Oil & Gas can …

Perceptions Of Student Loan Debt: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Black Undergraduate Students' Experiences., Pilar Prather

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rising cost of higher education concerns many families in the United States, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The purpose of this study is to explore the phenomenon of Black students' perception of their student loan debt and how their financial knowledge influences their decisions at a public institution. This qualitative research provides space to empower individuals to share their stories through semi-structured interviews to get an account of their experiences. Grounded in Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth Theory, the study seeks to capture the unique ways Black students make financial decisions. The dissertation is divided into five chapters: …

Money And Energy, Admin Stem For Success, Natalie Wilson

STEM for Success Showcase

Money is related to physics concepts to teach students about work, potential energy and conservation of energy

Indebted To My Education: Examining College Graduates’ Perceptions Of Student Loan Repayment, Vincent D. Carales, Mauricio Molina

Journal of Student Financial Aid

In this paper, we examine college graduates’ perceptions of entering student loan repayment and how they navigated this process. Findings highlight the importance of helping students make informed borrowing decisions, particularly as they begin repaying their student loan debt. Policy makers wishing to hold institutions accountable for keeping college affordable while enhancing financial aid policy will gain further insight.

Blackstone Launchpad University Of Montana Strategic Analysis/Jacob Treece Honors Capstone Report, Jacob R. Treece

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

Financial Statement Analysis Project: "The Big Simulation", Luna Y. Goldblatt, João Branco Chaves, Andrew M. Landman, Salmin B. Mwinjuma, Braden C. Vitelli

Open Educational Resources

This project uses real-world financial statements (for Best Buy Co. Inc. and Nvidia Corporation) and creates a role-playing game where students can choose to be one of 4 capital market participants: an innovator that designs a brand-new accounting system, a company that prepares its best version of financial statements, an investor that chooses its ideal portfolio stocks, and a forensic accountant that looks for evidence of earnings management. The project helps student learn to conduct financial statement analysis and appreciate the impact of these statements on company financial ratios and capital market performance.

Exploring Mortgage Loan Opportunities For Native 360, Donald Nam, Brooks Douglass, Michael Buehre Stackpole, Broderick Diez

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Native 360 is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that aims to provide affordable capital, credit, and assistance to develop strong and self-sufficient Native Americans. Native 360 currently accomplishes this by specializing in providing personal and business loans. However, Native 360 would like to expand into home mortgages as an additional offering. Native 360 has reached out to us to have us develop a strategy to raise capital for their ambitious new business line in an attempt to strengthen the Native American community through home ownership.

A Primer On The Income Tax Consequences Of The Ncaa’S Name, Image And Likeness (Nil) Earnings For College Athletes, Marena M. Messina, Frank M. Messina

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

NCAA domestic college athletes can now financially benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The purpose of this article is to “educate” athletes on the new NIL rules in financial literacy. With new NIL income flowing to athletes, federal income tax consequences of these transactions must be addressed. This article results in a detailed introduction to the applicable federal tax rules regarding NIL income for athletes to stay in compliance with those laws. From understanding NIL income, to how the tax formula works, what tax forms apply, and what taxes may be due, this article provides a comprehensive toolkit …

Teaching Users About Real World Of Finance, Aurobindo Ghosh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In a commentary, SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) and Director of Citi-Foundation SMU Financial Literacy Programme for Young Adults Aurobindo Ghosh shared his views on the metaverse and the opportunities to make money in the metaverse economy. While pointing out that lowering the cost of service and standardising service, as a virtual banking establishment, might increase customer experience for financial services, Asst Prof Ghosh cited a 2021 survey conducted by the Citi-Foundation SMU Financial Literacy Programme which found evidence that financial inclusion among young adults reduces impediments to banking like access to branches and documentation requirements.

High School Student Perspective: My Njit Stem For Success Internship Experience, Michael Mora

STEM Month

During the 2020-2021 school year, I was a senior at the Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (AMSE) in Rockaway, NJ. At AMSE, a STEM-focused four-year magnet high school program hosted at Morris Hills High School, participating in an extended internship senior year is a cornerstone of the learning process. Required to complete a STEM-related internship to graduate, Academy students are encouraged to seek out an internship they’re passionate about in a field of their choice. The internship, which must be conducted under the mentorship of an industry professional, must meet the New Jersey-approved standards for a work-based learning experience …

Strategies That Financial Managers Use To Effectively Conduct Corporate-Responsible Financial Reporting, Wendelin Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The primary role of financial managers is to produce accurate financial reporting that shows financial health. Financial managers may experience negative effects on the financial stability of their business organizations if they do not conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting effectively. Grounded in the international accounting standards board’s framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies financial managers use to conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting to achieve financial stability. The participants comprised three financial managers in Georgia, US, with strategies to conduct corporate-responsible financial reporting to achieve financial stability. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, organizational documents, and …

Exploring The Use Of Rasch Models To Construct Measures Of Firms’ Profitability With Multiple Discretization Ratio-Type Data, Chen Qiu

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Ratio-type data plays an important role in real-world data analysis. Mass ratios have been created for different purposes, depending on time and people’s needs. Then, it is necessary to create a comprehensive score to extract information from those mass ratios when they measure the same concept from different perspectives. Therefore, this study adopts the same logic of psychometrics to systematically conduct scale development on ratio-type data under the Rasch model. However, it is first necessary to discretize the ratio-type data for use in the Rasch model. Therefore, this study also explores the effect of different data discretization methods on scale …

Policymaker Discourse In Colorado Public Higher Education Appropriations, Nathan Willers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

State funding for higher education is one of the most pressing issues facing both institutions and policymakers in 2022. Colorado has seen significant declines in the amount of state funding per student over the past two decades, resulting in increases in student burdens for tuition. Policy discourse analysis through a poststructural and neoliberal lens provided insight towards the legislative process and the discursive themes utilized by Colorado policymakers during the 2021-22 legislative budgeting cycle. Twelve artifacts were analyzed, including a mix of policy briefs, hearings, and budget and appropriations reports, for discursive data related to the state’s appropriations for public …

Long-Term Analysis Of A Savings Program In Elementary School, Jennifer Davidson, William Walstad

Department of Economics: Faculty Publications

The prevalence of in-school savings programs (ISSPs) for children and youth is widespread, but research on their effectiveness is limited. This study investigates the long-term effects of an ISSP conducted in one U.S. elementary school. Survey data were collected on the financial behaviors of high school students, who participated in or did not participate in an ISSP while attending the same elementary school at the same time. The results from a probit analysis of data controlling for demographic variables showed that ISSP participants compared with non-participants were more likely to have a bank account in high school. They also were …

Student Loan Debt And First-Generation Community College Students, Sandra A. Fuentes

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The rising costs of college attendance and changes in financial aid packages leave students with little option other than to incur a debt of some amount. Unfortunately, colleges often fail to provide adequate financial literacy and student loan information so prospective students planning to attend college can make informed decisions. Student loans may seem attractive in the short term because, unlike other loans, repayment does not begin immediately. However, the accrual of student loan debt leads to long-term financial consequences, including the opportunity to build economic wealth after graduation. Utilizing a basic qualitative research design, I explored first-generation community college …

University Student Descriptions Of Their Financial Knowledge Of Student Loan Debt, Dr. Loraine Edwards Griffiths

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

University students and university personnel are important contributors to the economy of the United States regarding excessive student loan debt. As such, a lack of financial literacy is a significant problem. The purpose of this single descriptive qualitative case study was to describe the experiences of certain individual university students about their financial knowledge of their student loan debt. Bandura's social learning theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was used to analyze the results of this study. The research questions asked how university students describe their experiences regarding student loan debt and their financial acuity, and how do university …