Finance and Financial Management Commons^™

Communication Of Fiduciary Risk For Workplace Retirement Plans, George Blount

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than 100 new 401(k) plan complaints were filed between 2016-2017, the highest two-year total since 2008-2009. Plan sponsors of retirement plans face personal financial liability for the risks associated with litigation focusing on their fiduciary responsibility. Grounded in the behavioral governance framework, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the communication of risk for workplace retirement plans. The participants comprised 10 business leaders who are fiduciaries responsible for their company’s retirement plan with a national geographic footprint. Data were collected from semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Themes of benchmarking, the efficacy …

Relationship Between Csr Reporting, Csr Indices, And Financial Performance Of Hardware And Software Organizations, Cesar Castellanos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational leaders around the world spend millions of dollars on ineffective corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and CSR reporting strategies. Understanding the relationship between CSR reporting, CSR indices (CSRi), and financial performance is necessary to minimize unnecessary expenditures among organizational leaders. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study, grounded in Frederick’s CSR theory and Freeman’s stakeholder theory, was to examine the relationship between CSR reporting, CSRi, and financial performance of hardware and software organizations. Data were collected from the Security Exchange Commission and the official websites of 25 hardware and software organizations that were part of Fortune 500 between the …

Financial Advisory Firms’ Strategies For Diversifying And Growing Clients’ Portfolio, Gerald Lee House

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Less than half of all U.S. households have some form of retirement assets. Advisors who fail to use alternative investment strategies may not accumulate enough retirement assets for their clients. Grounded in Markowitz's modern portfolio theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore alternative investment strategies financial advisors use to enhance the growth and diversification of their clients' retirement assets. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents from 4

financial advisors in Georgia and South Carolina who had successfully incorporated alternative investments in their clients' retirement portfolios. Thematic analysis was used to analyze …

Relationship Of Organizational Structure And Capital Structure On Financial Performance Of Banks, Adam Kakande

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor financial performance is a challenge for policy makers, industry regulators, investors, bankers, and business leaders. Understanding the relationship between organizational structure, capital structure, and financial performance is vital for business leaders to promote their long-term survival. Grounded in agency cost theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between organizational structure, capital structure, and financial performance of new commercial banks in Uganda to promote their long-term survival. Archived data were analyzed using 60 bank-quarter observations of 5 Ugandan commercial banks closed within 5 years after opening, restructuring, merging, or undergoing an acquisition by another …

Financial Illiteracy Of Nigerian Immigrant Entrepreneurs In Houston, Adewole M. Omogunsoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial literacy is an essential determinant of entrepreneurial success as it helps entrepreneurs to access credit and make rational financial decisions. However, financial literacy remains low especially among immigrant communities, who form the bulk of the low-income earners in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the financial literacy of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs living in Houston, Texas, in order to sustain growth in their business by successfully using the U.S credit system. The research question for the study examined the actions Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs in Houston need to take to be financially literate …

Examining Liquidity, Growth Strategy, Capital Structure, And Earnings Growth, Steven R. Posey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many businesses experience financial deterioration after a growth period. Business leaders of firms with market capitalization value between $50 million and $300 million, known as microcap companies, might have an incomplete understanding of growth drivers. Grounded in the firm growth theory, the purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationship between liquidity, growth strategy, capital structure, and earnings growth. The population consisted of the more than 1,400 constituent firms from the 2019 Russell Microcap Index. Archival data from the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database were collected, organized, and analyzed for 119 randomly selected firms. Multiple regression …

Differences In Financial Literacy Across Generations, Audra R. Sherwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States federal government allocates $670 million annually towards financial literacy despite the fact 73 million adults are struggling financially, and over 65% of Americans are financially illiterate and unable to manage their finances. The specific management problem addressed in this study was the awareness of the differences in financial literacy between Millennials and Generation Xers who have and have not taken personal finance courses in high school in the United States. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, causal-comparative study was to test the self-efficacy theory and goal-setting theory in determining the differences between the two generational groups of …

Knowledge Management Assets Available To Mid-Level Managers During A Merger, Joy Nwulari Emole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The failure rate of mergers in the United States is high at over 70%. One of the contributing factors to merger failure is mid-level managers do not have sufficient strategies for knowledge management. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to understand the merger-related knowledge management assets used by mid-level managers in the retention of employees at recently merged medium-size information technology firms in California from 2014 to 2019. The conceptual framework was Nonaka and Takeuchi’s 4 modes of knowledge conversion: socialization, externalization, internalization, and combination. Twelve mid-level managers working in California were recruited from LinkedIn to participate …

Workforce Agility Strategies For Improving The Success Rate Of Change Initiatives, Marvia Herfah Evangelist-Roach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure to implement change initiatives is a direct result of low employee resilience and adaptability. Successful agility strategies are important to financial business leaders to remain competitive in financial markets. Grounded in the dynamic capabilities theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore workforce agility strategies used by financial business leaders to improve the success rate of change initiatives. The participants were 4 financial business leaders in Jamaica who successfully improved the success rate of change initiatives. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, organizational strategic plans, annual reports, and change management plans. Four themes emerged through …

Financial Management Strategies For Sustaining Small Entertainment Businesses, Michael Nana Nitto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of effective financial management control strategies results in many small business entertainment owners (SBEOs) failing within their first 5 years of operations. Without strategies to develop and maintain adequate financial management controls, SBEOs may lose market share and potentially go bankrupt, which would result in the loss of jobs and income for employees. Grounded in the mental budgeting theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore financial management strategies successful SBEOs use to improve productivity and profitability to sustain business operations beyond 5 years. The participants comprised 4 successful SBEOs in Northern Virginia who effectively …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Financial Technology To Support Financial Socialization And Literacy Levels, Patricia M. Page

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current generation of emerging adults are ill-equipped to navigate the evolving financial landscape, which can further exacerbate socioeconomic inequality. Extant research rooted in Gudmunson and Danes’ family financial socialization theory and Brown et al.’s situated cognition theory, which served as the conceptual framework for this study, acknowledged the long-standing influence of parents and authentic learning opportunities on child(ren)’s financial literacy and well-being. This study’s research questions explored parents’ experience with, and perceptions of, a family-managed virtual bank and prepaid debit card service designed for children ages Pre-K through college. The basic qualitative approach and semistructured interviews provided context to …

Cash Conversion Cycle Strategies To Avoid Business Failure, Brian Savino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At the end of 2018, the leading 2,000 U.S. and European companies had more than $2.5 trillion of cash unnecessarily tied up in working capital. The efficient management of working capital will lead to more cash invested in profitable projects leading to long term stability. This research will benefit chief financial officers (CFO) looking for strategies to manage working capital, which leads to higher profits and will help CFOs better manage economic downturns. Using the resource dependence theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore cash conversion cycle (CCC) strategies used by …

Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation In Higher Education: Cost Containment Strategies, Tysha K. Tolefree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of effective cost containment strategies to support enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementations within higher education institutions (HEIs) result in budget overruns 50% of the time. Grounded in Gartner’s IT cost containment techniques, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies HEI project directors use to support a successful ERP implementation on time and within budget. The participants comprised 5 project directors and managers from HEIs and another public organization in the state of Washington. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, archival data, and organization documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and …

Factors Affecting Electronic Banking Adoption In Barbados, Jacqueline Delores Bend

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The low rate of customers' adoption of electronic banking services affects retail banks' profitability. The operating cost for a financial transaction performed by bank tellers averages US$1.07 compared to US$0.01 using electronic banking channels. It is paramount for retail banking leaders to understand the factors influencing customer adoption of electronic banking to sustain competitive advantage. Grounded in the technology acceptance model framework, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and customer adoption of electronic banking in Barbados. The validated technology acceptance model survey instrument was used …

Financial Advisor Retention Strategies, Anthony Latere Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective retention strategies can negatively impact business productivity and profitability. Financial advisor managers who struggle to maintain productivity and profitability because of ineffective retention strategies are at a high risk of failure. Grounded in Herzberg's two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies successful financial advisor managers used to retain financial advisor employees and maximize productivity and profitability. The participants comprised 5 financial advisor managers from 5 different financial service firms in Houston who effectively used retention strategies to maximize productivity and profitability. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company website documents. Yin's …

Nonprofits’ Financial Health And Healthy People 2020 California Program Outcomes, Tammie Vanessa Johnson-Lozolla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are essential for implementing U.S. health promotion policies such as the Healthy People 2020 Nutrition and Weight Status 9, 10.4, and 15.1 program goals. Obtaining and sustaining NPO funding are pervasive problems. Prior research has focused primarily on NPO financial measures without taking into consideration a conjoint assessment of program outcomes connected to their primary mission. This study examined the influence of financial, accountability, and transparency measures on a selection of California NPOs whose program goals focused on Healthy People 2020 nutritional outcomes. Using Mohr’s program theory lens, this quantitative study examined financial strategies and administrative components …

The Relationship Between Customer Relationship Management, Employee Retention, And Revenue, Bui Thanh Van

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Downsizing campaigns and employee layoffs can result in poor customer service leading to service revenue losses. Understanding lost service revenue predictors is critical for leaders and managers to maintain and increase organizational growth and financial performance. Grounded in the service-profit chain theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM), employee retention, and service revenue. Data were analyzed for 80 leaders and managers working in Vietnam’s industrial service field. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated the full model, containing the 2 predictor variables (CRM and employee retention), was able …

Financial Viability Strategies For Leaders Of Small, Private, Nonprofit Universities, Elizabeth Ann Postlewaite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The percentage of full-time college students decreased by 7% in the United Statesbetween 2010 and 2018. Modern university leaders confront difficult decisions regarding their institutions' future because of financial challenges related to reduced tuition revenue. Grounded in the theory of diffusion of innovations and the balanced scorecard, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies leaders of small, nonprofit, private universities use to remain financially viable in a highly competitive environment. The participants included 6 university leaders from 2 small, private, nonprofit universities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States who implemented successful …

Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs’ Strategies For Financial Inclusion: A Generic Qualitative Inquiry, Oluwatoyin Madein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women in Nigeria are approximately 50% of the population and operate significantly in the micro, small, and medium enterprises. Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria are experiencing business failure, early exit, stagnant growth, and low return on investment due to inadequate finance. This study’s specific management problem is that many women entrepreneurs in Nigeria lack strategies to develop financial literacy and access to external loans for business sustainability. Using the concepts of financial inclusion and financial exclusion, the purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to explore the strategies women entrepreneurs use and whether they have the required experience and knowledge of financial …

Executive Leadership Challenges In Today’S Environment, Herbert J. Degraffe Jr.

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract

Individuals in top management positions often have conflicting interpretations concerning the authoritative qualities that align with the intrinsic and external relations of an organization. Although, researchers may still debate about the extent to which athletic development personality factors are important internal components of an individual. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine if athletic development personality factors correlate with decision making at the executive leadership level. The research questions focused on determining if there was a relationship between athletic development personality factors and decision making. Social exchange theory, social representations theory, and leadership theories comprised the theoretical …

Retail Employee Motivation And Performance, Angela Michelle Addair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retail industry leaders seek effective strategies to improve employee motivation to increase levels of workforce productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the strategies successful retail industry leaders used to motivate their employees to achieve higher levels of workforce productivity. The conceptual framework for the study was Vroom's expectancy theory of motivation. The research participants consisted of 2 retail store managers from the same retail store located in southeastern mid-Atlantic region of the United States who successfully motivated their employees. Data collection consisted of semistructured interviews, direct observation, and review of company documents. Data analysis included …

Strategies To Manage Transfer Pricing Risks, Emmanuel Lah Kanee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transfer pricing compliance related issues continue to pose challenges to leaders of multinational entities (MNEs) and tax regulators. MNE leaders strive to mitigate the risks of non-compliance violations and double taxation, while tax regulators seek to minimize profit shifting and revenue losses. This multiple case study explored strategies for managing transfer pricing risks against the backdrop of various risks MNE leaders face for non-compliance violations. The cost contribution agreement theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. Data were collected from organizational documents and semistructured interviews conducted with 6 finance executives representing 2 multinational entities in the midwest and …

Relationship Between Regulatory Compliance Cost, Operation Cost, And Profitability Of Credit Unions, Maher Shbaita

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decline in the profitability of credit unions with less than $10 million in assets harms the number of small credit unions available to serve local communities. Grounded in the financial intermediation theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between regulatory compliance costs, operation costs, and profitability. The population of this study consisted of federally insured credit unions with less than $10 million in assets and located in the state of Texas. Archival data from the National Credit Union Administration database were collected and analyzed. Multiple regression was used to identify a statistically significant …

The Role Of Strategic Leadership In The Profitability Of Large Organizations, Bernard Yaw Owusu-Boadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Large organizations in the United States endure a 30%-50% failure to achieve profitability. Senior executives' lack of strategies to ensure profitability diminish performance and economic growth. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies senior executives use to ensure profitability in large tax preparation organizations. The conceptual framework for this study was the resource-based view theory. The sample consisted of 2 board members and 3 senior leaders from a large tax preparation organization located in the United States. Study site participants had at least 15 years of experience in enhancing organizational profitability and 5 years of …

Relationship Between Regulatory Compliance Cost, Operation Cost, And Profitability Of Credit Unions, Maher Shbaita

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decline in the profitability of credit unions with less than $10 million in assets harms the number of small credit unions available to serve local communities. Grounded in the financial intermediation theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between regulatory compliance costs, operation costs, and profitability. The population of this study consisted of federally insured credit unions with less than $10 million in assets and located in the state of Texas. Archival data from the National Credit Union Administration database were collected and analyzed. Multiple regression was used to identify a statistically significant …

Leadership Strategies To Reduce Occupational Fraud In Banking, Vincent Dewayne Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Banks are in a precarious position due to increasing corporate losses from prolonged instances of employee-driven occupational fraud. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the leadership strategies some bank leaders used to reduce corporate losses from occupational fraud. The fraud triangle theory was the conceptual framework for this study. Data collection consisted of semistructured interviews with 11 bank managers at various levels within the bank, and a focus group session with 8 frontline managers. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis process, which entailed descriptive coding and sequential review of the interview transcripts. Member checks …

Transfer Pricing Legislation: Effect On Multinational Enterprises In The United States, Ravi Taklalsingh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) engage in tax-planning strategies between their related parties that affect their profit and consequently their tax liability. Transfer pricing (TP) legislation addresses these tax planning strategies of MNEs resulting in increased tax revenues. Despite the updated 2006 TP legislation, shifting of profit and taxes is still occurring by MNEs; therefore, the implications of this legislation need to be examined. The purpose of this study was to compare the reporting of profit, before and after change in legislation, as well as to examine the cost of services mediation of the relationship between the status of the legislation and …

Incorporating Data Governance Frameworks In The Financial Industry, Tarlochan Singh Randhawa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Data governance frameworks are critical to reducing operational costs and risks in the financial industry. Corporate data managers face challenges when implementing data governance frameworks. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that successful corporate data managers in some banks in the United States used to implement data governance frameworks to reduce operational costs and risks. The participants were 7 corporate data managers from 3 banks in North Carolina and New York. Servant leadership theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. Methodological triangulation involved assessment of nonconfidential bank documentation on the data governance framework, …

Strategies Small Business Owners Use To Remain Sustainable, Desire Luamba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, 41% of small retail businesses fail to succeed for longer than 5 years. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies small retail business owners used to remain sustainable for more than 5 years. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was Schumpeter's innovation theory. The sample size of this research included 4 successful retail business owners located in the southeastern region of the United States who have successfully started and managed their business activities for more than 5 years. Data were collected using semistructured face-to-face interviews with successful owners of small retail …

Strategies To Reduce Risks Associated With Corporate Social Responsibility Lending, Victor Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bank managers have transacted six trillion dollars of new loans in low and moderate income (LMI) communities because of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) mandate. CRA originated mortgages accounted for over 42% of the defaulted loans because of limited risk strategies. Based on the Aguilera conceptual framework, the purpose of this exploratory single case study was to explore the strategies CSR bank managers used to reduce the risks associated with lending in LMI communities. Data were collected and analyzed from semistructured interviews of five bank managers working in one financial organization located within the U.S. Northeast. Data also included the …