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Nationwide, community college administrators are attempting to maintain financial stability amid extreme budget challenges. The problem that was addressed through this study is that some community college administrators at a large Northeastern state lack strategies to sustain financial stability, which threatens the 14 institutions' ability to continue to operate as a viable educational choice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the strategies that community college administrators at multiple institutions of varying financial stability use. The conceptual framework that grounded the study was Porter's five forces framework. Research questions focused on what strategies are used, why these strategies are used, and in what way they support financial stability currently and in the future. For this case study, purposive sampling was used and semi structured interviews with 10 community college administrators were conducted. Data was analyzed by transcribing interviews, participant member checking, and the use of an online tool to identify codes and themes. The themes that emerged are budget control, marketing strategy, industry attractiveness, and competitive environment. These findings led to the development of a policy paper with the following recommendations: develop committees to share best practices on cultivating auxiliary revenue and competitive advantage strategies, adopt new marketing and outreach strategies, and invest in professional development for college administrators related to business strategies. These recommendations provide the potential of positive social change by supporting continued operations of the community colleges not only allowing the faculty and staff to continue their employment but also serving students that depend on community colleges. Educated students, in turn, serve their communities and society. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The following thesis investigates the saturated conditions of the paper goods and gift industry, while addressing how the problem of competition discourages start-up brands. Targeted towards rising creative entrepreneurs with ambition to enter the marketplace, the thesis affirms opportunity for breakthrough created by the Maker Movement and identifies strategies for success through attention to customer experience. Based on the trending demand for experience, suggested strategies highlight the primary areas with opportunity for visual application, including brand, product, packaging, social media, and point of purchase. Scholarly research employs primary and secondary resources, along with case studies of successful brands in a variety of saturated industries, non-exclusive to paper goods and gifts alone. The final visual deliverables exemplify how creative entrepreneurs may increase impact in the five areas of experience, as demonstrated in the development and launch of a start-up paper goods and gift e-commerce brand. In conclusion, the thesis affirms continued opportunity, asserting that entrepreneurs who remain attentive to curating memorable customer experiences will increase brand value and potential for success in the saturated marketplace of paper goods and gifts.

Information technology (IT) has in the recent times dominated all aspect of the business world, and, for this reason, today's business environment is more challenging and more dynamic than in previous years. Therefore, this study focused on examining job satisfaction of Information Technology professionals in the D.C. area, paying particular attention to two of the most important factors of job satisfaction for IT workers: autonomy and the opportunity for advancement. Job satisfaction in the information technology industry is a major concern of IT professionals. This paper reviewed existing literature to find what other researchers have done to ensure that IT professionals get job satisfaction. The paper went further to identify the most pertinent job satisfaction factors as follows: personality trait, values: extrinsic and intrinsic, working condition and social influence. Other pertinent factors are assertiveness, emotional resilience, extraversion, openness, teamwork disposition, customer service orientation, optimism, and work drive. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

IT has permeated to the very roots of organizations and has an ever increasingly important role in the achievement of overall corporate objectives and business strategies. This paper presents an approach for evaluating the impact of existing Enterprise Architecture (EA) implementations. The papers answers questions such as: What are the challenges of achieving high architecture agility and coherence for development of IT initiatives, and how may these capabilities be achieved? How can architecture agility and coherence enable the attainment of IT goals that are aligned with business objectives. How can an existing EA implementation support architecture agility in response to new IT development initiatives while maintaining architecture coherence? This paper also presents the challenges with existing EA implementations to balance the ever increasing demands of new IT requirements against the constraints of having coherent and standardized EA components. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between the ability of an Enterprise to quickly respond to changing requirements, which is described as Architecture agility while maintaining Architecture Coherence. Industry has experienced increasing demands for both agility and coherence and there is need to successfully manage the tradeoffs between architecture agility and coherence. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This research reports the results of an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach performed to reveal variables and insights to high employee turnover in higher education business office environments. A quantitative and qualitative phase is performed using 30 participants to answer survey questions and interview questions about different aspects of their current job positions. IBM SPSS Statistical Software was utilized to tabulate and analyze all responses received from participants in the study. There is intention at the end of this paper to compare the quantitative data with the qualitative data in order to locate a reconciling factor explaining why employees are vacating their jobs in higher education business office at higher than normal rates. All findings from the study and emerging theories are discussed in detail. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

In discussing the intersection between business and politics, Robert Dahl claimed that there is "no dearth of important and even urgent questions." This dissertation tackles one such question: How do economic firm intervention in the development of the state influence modern outcomes? I argue that when institutions are in transition, firms and state actors both face uncertainty, and as a result, they enter an arrangement in which the state actor consistently provides the firm with public resources in return for patronage. I define this as state capture. Across my three papers, I find that when we focus on the role of firms in political development, there are widespread and long-term consequences for the state and local populations when the state is captured. Across all three of these papers, I explore these ramifications in Appalachia Kentucky.State capture is not a novel concept, but its usage is uneven and unclear, and there is no cohesive intellectual conversation. The first paper ameliorates this by taking this literature and synthesizing a concept from which we can derive clearer implications. I use Kentucky and the Appalachian coal region to explore this concept. I collect archival data to test one observable implication of the concept---lack of democratic commitment and non-competitive elections. I find the inverse of what I expect to observe, elections in Appalachia Kentucky, for the locally elected sheriff and tax commissioner are more competitive than my theory predicts. I discuss this finding considering my concept and argue that this represents a need for understanding how economic firms can influence political outcomes.The second paper applies the conceptualization of state capture more deeply to the case of Appalachia Kentucky, to create a model to better understand the region's persistent economic underdevelopment. I argue that compared to previous Appalachian development models, understanding the region's local politics as captured is empirically useful in creating observable implications and testable hypotheses. Using data from a Kentucky Department of Revenue audit of the county Property Valuation Administrator, I show that more historical coal production is associated with more inequitably assessed properties decades later. I argue that we find this dynamic due to the coal industry's incentives in skirting property taxation and that we can trace this modern trend to historical accounts of the region that claim the coal industry's capture of the property valuation administrator position.The third paper explores the impact of coal industry control beyond political institutions. When resource extracting firms enter new geographies, they often need to create novel community institutions around extraction areas to increase production efficiency. I argue that some firms take advantage of this institutional creation to formulate a set of identities centered on resource extraction. As a result, local populations become invested in resource extraction in the long term despite its negative externalities. To test this claim, I use the case of Appalachia Kentucky, measuring the level of coal interference in counties, and trace this to the exhibition of an Appalachian identity using place-based business names, which were collected via Google Places API.

The library of McDonald and Company Securities is important to the success of the business and its employees. This study assesses the needs and expectations of the library users, and analyzes how well the current library services are meeting those needs and expectations. A questionnaire was distributed to a large random sample of the firm's employees. The results were compiled, and a statistical analysis was performed to analyze the relationships that existed among various items evaluated on the questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluated: frequency of library use; method of requesting library services--phone, fax, e-mail, interoffice mail, or visiting the library; method of receiving information; length of time the library takes to answer user's request; frequency of use of specific services; ability of librarians to find the information sought and reason if librarians are unable to; importance of specific library services; importance of the library for job performance; the degree of value the library adds to presentations to clients and colleagues; overall level of satisfaction with the library; user's position in company and branch location; and a write-in section for additional comments. The survey achieved a response rate of 66% (n=258). Of the respondents, 69% indicated that they had used the library. Overall, the survey revealed that employees are very satisfied with the current performance of the library. The librarians must continue to work to ensure that employees are aware of what information is available, and that the information is accessible quickly and efficiently. The cover letter and questionnaire are appended. (Contains 26 references.) (SWC)

"Fortune" Global 500 Corporations understand that achieving alignment between information and communication technology and enterprise is a major issue. There is much evidence that supports the notion that strategic alignment of information and communication technology (ICT) and enterprise are drivers of economic growth. Addressing information and communication technology and enterprise alignment issues for competitive advantages is critical for "Fortune" Global 500 Corporations. Enterprises are finding ways to benefit from obtaining ICT/enterprise alignment. Prior studies indicate that there is an association between achieving ICT/enterprise alignment and the firm's ability to compete. The purpose of the quantitative method study was to assess the key performance indicator (KPI) technology factors as a potential influencer of ICT/enterprise strategic alignment. In addition, correlate the maturity level associated with each KPI technology factor and ICT/enterprise strategic alignment from ICT and enterprise leaders in "Fortune" Global 500 Corporations. The KPI technology factors consist of consist of financial, reliability, computer-based applications, security, and state-of-the-art information and communication technology. Relating KPI technology factor maturity to ICT/enterprise strategic alignment could contribute to the creation of smarter systems that are more reliable, secure, predictable and cost-effective. This dissertation addresses the lack of ICT/enterprise strategic alignment. The study described in this paper attempted to fill the research void through a quantitative study. First, the author assessed the KPI technology factors as a potential influencer of ICT/enterprise strategic alignment. Second, the author compared the relationship between the maturity level associated with each KPI technology factor and ICT/enterprise strategic alignment. Third, the author performed a series of statistical analyses to examine the relationship between KPI technology factors and ICT/enterprise alignment. In order to leverage the relative importance of KPI technology factors and ICT/enterprise strategic alignment, regression analyses were performed to obtain a further understanding of the relationship. To stay competitive, "Fortune" Global 500 Corporations in energy, hi-tech, health & wellness, and pharmaceutical industries will need to understand ICT/enterprise alignment. Further research involving the relationship between KPI technology factors and ICT/enterprise alignment in other industries should be considered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The purpose of this research is to explore the business strategies of a firm seeking to develop and profitably market a mobile smartphone application to understand how small, digital entrepreneurships may build sustainable business models given substantial market barriers. Through a detailed examination of one firm's process to try to commercialize their mobile app, we identify various business model decisions and marketing strategy approaches that hindered the company's efforts. The case study describes two distinctly different business models adopted in succession, as well as the various adjustments the firm makes to its target market, distribution and pricing approach that led to their current strategy. This research looks closely at business-to-business-to-consumer distribution arrangement for mobile apps and in doing so challenges the rising positive bias that exists for the app store as the dominant actor in the mobile value chain. For practice, this paper suggests unanticipated hurdles small digital entrepreneurs may face if they rely heavily on mobile advertising and the app store to launch and sustain their business. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This systematic literature review of current scholarship on business intelligence, individual decision-making behavior, strategy as practice, and strategic planning offers a roadmap for firms seeking to increase their competitive advantage through data driven decision-making. Planning, deciding, and using information is a single phenomenon where individuals make joint decisions. Corporate managers control critical tangible and intangible assets by integrating information and decision-making processes to sustainable competitive advantages. This paper builds on scholarly research and current practice methods to show how complex interactions form organizational cognition. Existing scholarship offers various methods of strategic planning and how individuals make sense of information. Business Intelligence (BI) is a suite of business practices and tools used in organizing corporate information. The three topics of strategic planning, sensemaking, and BI come together in two maturity models of strategic decision-making. Each maturity model has five levels that depend on subordinate levels in both models. Components in the BI maturity model, chiefly tangible assets, include data warehousing and data mining. The Social Interaction model is chiefly intangible assets, such as visioning and expression of diverse thoughts. Due to the interaction between components, a company's organizational cognition is not a sum of its maturity in the two models, but instead is the product of the two scales. Thus, a balanced approach to advancing through the maturity levels amplifies organizational cognition to its greatest extent. A company's assessment in both maturity models can lead to a roadmap for greater effectiveness in organizational cognition and sustainable competitive advantages. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The purpose of the three studies in this dissertation was to enhance career and technical education in the area of agriculture, business, and family and consumer sciences. This dissertation contains three papers: (1) a Delphi study identifying the purpose, expected outcomes, and methods of documenting preservice teacher early field experience (EFE) activities in agricultural teacher education programs; (2) a national descriptive study describing agricultural teacher education early field experience (EFE) practices using the EFE Model; and (3) a national descriptive study describing business, and family and consumer sciences teacher education early field experience (EFE) practices using the EFE Model. For all studies an early field experience (EFE) was defined as all field experiences that occur prior to student teaching and the experiences could be offered within or outside of the agricultural education curriculum. Programs required minimum number of contact hours and minimum number of lessons to be taught while in the field. The most commonly identified student assessments included: the university supervisor's review of documents, cooperating teacher signatures, reflective writing, and student journaling. The studies supports the career and technical education profession by identifying differences and similarities in EFE programming in an effort to provide a more congruent EFE experience for preservice teachers. All three studies can be used to modify and improve EFE in career and technical education in the area of agriculture, business, and family and consumer sciences. The studies will aid the profession in providing a more congruent EFE experience for preservice teachers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This dissertation consists of three chapters. The primary objectives of this dissertation are: (1) to provide a methodological framework of IT (Information Technology) portfolio management, and (2) to identify the effect of IT synergy on IT portfolio selection of a firm. The first chapter presents a methodological framework for IT project selection. As the size of IT investment in firms dramatically increases, the demand for strong methodologies of IT project selection increases. We use the efficient frontier as a tool to solve the IT project portfolio problem. We propose a model of IT portfolio selection with this view. Our method is unique in that IT synergy measures are systemically incorporated in the portfolio selection. The second chapter examines how firms can use IT synergy to optimize their IT portfolios. We begin by developing a framework for IT portfolio selection by identifying three types of IT synergy. Next, we examine the effect of different types of synergy on the IT portfolio selection by using this framework. Analytical models are developed to present the roles of different types of synergy. The analysis in this paper establishes conditions where firms obtain superior IT portfolios by enhancing IT synergy. In the third chapter, we develop a project portfolio selection model, focusing the issues of the non-linear return/risk relationship of IT investment and non-standardized measures of IT risk. Taking advantages of the benefits of the DEA method, we present a project selection model and an extended model, and demonstrate the validity of the model using computational studies. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Increased energy costs and a move toward environmental stewardship are driving many organizations, including universities, to engage in awareness efforts to reduce both energy consumption and their carbon footprint. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether organizational programs aimed at energy and environmental awareness have a significant impact on reducing utility consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the organization. Universities and organizations all across America are investing resources--time and money, into awareness programs, marketing campaigns, and administrative policies with hopes of reducing energy consumption thereby decreasing operations costs and emissions; very little has been published on the actual effect of such programs. Not has much been published to determine if a significant reduction in energy and GHG emissions comes from downstream behavior modifications of daily routines. Documentation is often lacking to support that an increase in energy and/or environmental awareness will reduce the consumption or the associated carbon emissions. Businesses and industries are looking to change policies and implement procedures to reduce waste, and energy consumption hoping in turn to decrease green house gas emissions. This study tries to measure the effectiveness of an energy and environmental initiative aimed at students living on campus at a large university located in the northeastern United States. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The problem addressed in this qualitative case study focused on the limited amount of scholarly research addressing the use of information and communication technology in U.S. motor carrier operations. The trucking industry is part of the service sector which contributes approximately 67.8 percent to the gross domestic product of the United States. Most scholarly research addressing increases in motor carrier productivity due to information and communication technology was dated or was focused geographically. Researchers did not address opportunities offered by the sharing of information and communication technology. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to explore usage of information and communication technology in the U.S. motor carrier industry on a national basis. The study was aimed at analyzing information and communication technology usage and identifying factors affecting the adoption of information and communication technology. The study described in this paper attempted to fill the research void through a qualitative case study investigation. Qualitative research models were applied to using multiple sources of information to collect specific data to build knowledge within the area of study. A three phase qualitative case study was utilized in this study. During each phase an iterative inductive analysis of U.S. Census data, surveys, and semi-structured interviews of U.S. Motor Carriers was used to determine technology categories and subcategories. Data triangulation was used to link the use of different technologies discovered in each phase. A qualitative thematic analysis was accomplished at the end of phase three to determine emerging trends. Phase one research results revealed that use of technology increased as technology costs decreased and technology capability increased. Phase two research results revealed cell phones, on-board computers, satellite communication, and transponders were the predominate technologies used by U.S. motor carriers from 1987 to today. Phase three results revealed that emerging business strategies linked to information communication technologies are driven by the need to increase motor carrier operational efficiencies, decrease operational expenses while improving revenues and to strategically position that motor carrier for the future. Improved communications and automated information technologies can bring newer business strategies improving operational efficiencies. To stay competitive, motor carrier operations managers will need to invest in information and communication technology. Further research involving the use of technology for efficient distribution of multiple products to multiple destinations should be considered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

It is generally believed that Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce has a great impact on business performance improvement. Considerable research also shows that another dependent variable, B2B e-commerce success, can be a good overall measure of B2B systems. This paper investigated and examined the impact of several factors, which are either internal or external to the firm on B2B performance improvement and B2B e-commerce success. It is suggested that the various factors affect B2B success through business performance improvement. A research model was developed to test and evaluate these factors. A survey instrument was developed to examine the relationships between these factors and business performance. Survey data was collected online from 143 companies in the U.S.A. and Taiwan where their B2B e-commerce systems were operational for more than 1 year. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the measurement and the structural model. Analyses and results of the pooled survey data suggest that the following factors are significant in the B2B e-commerce environments: (a) alignment of business and e-commerce strategy has a positive impact on business performance, (b) strong relationships between the trading partners have a positive influence on business performance, and (c) B2B e-commerce success is significantly influenced by business performance improvements. Thus, firms that seek to implement successful B2B systems should focus on business performance improvements. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This study was designed to determine the degree to which learner affective and personal characteristics affect student achievement through multimedia and paper-mediated instruction. Two research questions were examined: (a) Is there a difference in gain between pretest and post test for the paper-mediated instruction group and the multimedia instruction group; (b) What is the effect of paper-mediated and multimedia instruction on achievement, when controlling for affective and personal characteristics? The statistical procedures used to examine the research questions were dependent t-tests and analysis of covariance. Participants were 61 students from four classes enrolled in introductory computer classes in a high school in the Roanoke region of Virginia. The classes were randomly assigned to either a paper-mediated or multimedia treatment. Procedures involved having the participants from both groups complete five stages, either on paper or on the computer, based on group assignment. First, they completed a personal characteristics form. Second, they completed an attitude toward computers Likert-type scale, consisting of four subscales (anxiety, confidence, liking, usefulness). Third, they completed a 20-question pretest on networking terminology. Fourth, they reviewed instructional material in either a paper or multimedia presentation form. Upon completion of the paper or multimedia computer tutorial, the participants completed a 20-item posttest on networking terminology. Based on the results of two dependent t-tests on the pretest and posttest for each treatment group, students did realize a gain in achievement from the pretest to posttest in both groups. In testing research question two, the analysis of covariance revealed a significant treatment effect and gender as a significant covariate. Students in the paper-mediated group performed better than those in the multimedia group. Females performed higher regardless of the treatment group.

This practicum addresses the creation of an economically viable school in the private sector to meet the educational and social needs of cognitively developmentally accelerated preschool-age children. Anticipated outcomes of the practicum included development of a well-documented philosophical approach to preschool gifted education, curriculum guidelines for preschool gifted children, and a case study of the process of establishing a preschool/day care center. Program development involved a comprehensive literature search for philosophical approaches and curricula appropriate to gifted preschoolers. In addition, program planning involved an examination of processes involved in the business of establishing a school. These considerations included purchase or lease of property; appropriate planning for property modification; zoning variance procedures; licensure; incorporating and establishing an administrative structure; and budgeting (including funding sources, bookkeeping and accounting, taxation, insurance, and curriculum). Procedures followed are outlined in sufficient detail so that a similar program could be duplicated in other localities. Appended are community care license application forms; a prelicensing site visit request form; equipment lists of the Suisun Valley, California, Children's School; a staffing plan; policy statements; budget and financial plans; job descriptions; incorporation bylaws; a county use permit application; personnel policies; a parent handbook; a publicity flyer; an enrollment application; registration packet materials; publicity articles; a letter to the Health Department; a traffic flow plan; a parking plan; advertising; posting requirements; and application and tax forms. (RH)

This thesis presents three papers on fiscal policy. The first paper "Macroeconomic impacts of fiscal policy shocks in UK; a DSGE analysis" (joint with Keshab Bhattarai) uses an estimated new-Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model to analyse the effects of fiscal policy in the UK. We show that positive shocks in government consumption and investment result in the highest stimulus in the short term, whereas the capital tax cut and the positive public investment shock in the longer horizon. On the government’s expenditure side public investment remains the most stimulating instrument even if we allow for a constant elasticity of substitution index of private and public consumption in utility. We also find that, the nominal and real frictions present in the model tend to influence stronger the level of labour and capital tax multipliers and less public expenditure multipliers. The second paper "Credit constraints, the housing market, and fiscal policy" investigates the effects of fiscal policy in an estimated new-Keynesian open-economy DSGE model with a housing market and indebted households. We show that house prices drop following a negative shock to government transfers, and a positive shock to public spending, public investment and taxes. The results reveal that the financial deregulation increases the sensitivity of fundamentals to fiscal policy. In particular, in the case of a stimulus, the financial deregulation contributes to a weakening of multipliers in the case of government consumption and investment and tends to improve multipliers for public transfers and tax cuts. The third paper "Who is afraid of austerity? The redistributive impact of fiscal policy in a DSGE framework" (joint with Richard McManus and Gulcin Ozkan) explores the distributional consequences of fiscal austerity using a medium scale new-Keynesian DSGE model with a richly specified fiscal sector. We show that agents who are credit constrained are most exposed to austerity in contrast to agents with full access to financial markets. This is particularly true in the case of rises in taxes on labour income and cuts in transfers. In general, tax based consolidations exhibit more conflict than spending based ones. Our results also reveal that the distributive impacts of fiscal consolidations are amplified the longer the austerity persists; the slower the policy reversal and when monetary policy reaches its zero lower bound.

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative and predictive correlational design study is to examine how workload, surface acting, work group inclusion, and emotional exhaustion impact African-American and Caucasian American managers in domestic, white-collar roles. A critical variable is emotional exhaustion which has been identified as a key characteristic and predictor of burnout in the workplace. While many current burnout studies have excluded underrepresented minorities and focused on job performance and job demands in human service industries, this study addresses relevant psychological workplace factors that have been associated with detrimental mental and physical conditions of underrepresented minorities - emotional dissonance and lack of inclusion. Such conditions impact organization commitment, engagement, and job satisfaction. This has been a gap in literature as well as a call for future studies. Four instruments were used to measure the variables workload, surface acting, work group inclusion and emotional exhaustion via an online survey - workload subscale of the Areas of Worklife Survey, surface acting subscale of the Emotional Labour Scale, Work Group Inclusion Scale, and the emotional exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, respectively. The following paper provides an introduction, literature overview, method detail, and findings of the study. Using quota sampling and snowball sampling techniques, 146 participants were included in the study. Keywords: burnout, job demand, emotional dissonance, surface acting, emotional labor

The focus of this paper is on the topics of artificial intelligence and supply chain management and how artificial intelligence-enabled supply chains provide organizations with competitive advantages. The supply chain’s adoption of data collection technologies as part of digital transformation and movements of industry 4.0 creates a strong foundation for artificial intelligence analytics. Artificial intelligence has three branches sensing and interacting, decision-making, and learning. Each branch uses its algorithms and serves a different purpose for the business. Artificial intelligence-enabled supply chains create unique, inimitable competitive advantages that fit Michael Porter’s five forces.

Cognitive Engineering has been advocated as the discipline which could ensure the effective use of interactive computing technologies. Yet Cognitive Engineering currently exists only as an idea; the present day design of cognitive tools and work is a much more informal practice. Development of the Air Traffic Management system typifies current practices of cognitive design. The informality and inconsistent success of those practices is particularly apparent in efforts made to replace the paper flight progress strip with an interactive software system. Controllers use the flight strip in monitoring, planning and controlling traffic movements, and so far, all attempts to design its replacement have met with rejection. This thesis is intended to contribute towards a Cognitive Engineering discipline. The idea of Cognitive Engineering is first investigated and essential components of the discipline identified. One component is a 'conception'; this is a technical expression of the discipline's ontology. A conception would provide the general concepts needed for reasoning about cognitive design problems. A second component is 'exemplars'; these are formulations of particular cognitive design problems - formulations which use, and so exemplify, the conception. The thesis proposes a conception for Cognitive Engineering, and then constructs an exemplar. The exemplar is a formulation of the Cognitive Engineering design problem of a reconstructed Air Traffic Management system. Finally, the thesis investigates how the design issues of the paper flight strip could be rationalised as a better basis for designing an interactive software system in the short-term. The research demonstrates how the exemplar can be used to rationalise the flight strip design issues in the case of the reconstructed system.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key source of technology transfer, economic growth and development, but many resource-rich economies attract less FDI compared to resource-poor countries. In light of this, it is surprising that there are very few studies available on the effects of natural resources on both the composition and volume of FDI. This thesis investigates the impacts and determinants of sectoral FDI in oil-exporting and producing economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), using three empirical papers and considering several aspects. The thesis starts by investigating the impacts of natural resource abundance (oil) on the behaviour of FDI inflows to GCC countries, utilising two different data sets and different estimators to control for the issue of endogeneity. The empirical findings show that natural resources decrease aggregate inflows of FDI to GCC economies. More specifically, the resource sector (oil) attracts more FDI inflows but deters FDI to the nonresource sector. These results confirm the so-called FDI-Natural resource curse, through crowding out effect. This thesis also examines the relationship between aggregate FDI and sectoral FDI (resource and non-resource) inflows on economic growth, using a unique data set on sector-level FDI developed by the Financial Times: fDi market. The empirical results indicate a negative relationship between total FDI inflows and GDP per capita growth in the GCC economies. Moreover, two-sector analysis (resource and non-resource) shows that resource-based FDI hinders economic growth and non-resource FDI has insignificant effects on GDP per capita growth. This gives an indicator of the presence of the natural resource curse via the FDI channel. Finally, the third chapter of this thesis explores the effects of total FDI (inflows and outflows) and sectoral FDI inflows on public and private domestic investments in GCC countries. Aggregate estimations show that FDI inflows contribute significantly to public domestic investment but discourage private domestic investments. Also, FDI outflows promote private domestic economic activities, while in contrast, they negatively affect public domestic investment. Disaggregate data shows that greenfield FDI inflows to the oil sector yield a significant and positive effect on public domestic investment. Non-oil FDI has an ambiguous effect on domestic investment.

Abstract This paper covers the viable options that the United Kingdom may take to avoid economic and political crisis as they exit the European Union. There are several benefits and detriments to the exit. Some benefits include economic and political freedom from a slowly degrading system and increased options for global expansion. Detriments include loss in Foreign Direct Investment and trade with their larger European Union partners. The options as they exit are to either join the European Economic Area or leave with no deal and set up trade agreements later. This paper draws on recent studies on the effects of Brexit on economics and politics and uses those studies to decide the least damaging option for the United Kingdom. Post-Script: Currently, England still faces many issues presented in this paper; however, as Brexit officially happened on January 28th, 2020, England does face a declining economy amidst the backlash from the official leave. Their current deals are still in effect until the end of 2020, and England will need to determine how they will approach future deals with the European Union. Keywords: Brexit, economic separation, crisis avoidance plans, European Union, United Kingdom

[From the Introduction]: The divestiture of formerly nationalised public utilities during the 1980s and 1990s in the UK and elsewhere was accompanied by the vertical unbundling of their natural monopoly elements, i.e. the physical distribution networks, from upstream activities such as electricity generation and gas supply and downstream activities such as retail in order to facilitate competition in the latter. The expectation was that opening up these upstream activities to private firms would foster competition, which would in turn lead to improvements in efficiency, lower prices and increased consumer welfare. There are, on the other hand, possibilities for considerable rents to be made; these could be in the form of profits, but given the regulation that the firms face and the degree of informational asymmetry between utility managers and other stakeholders, such as regulators, shareholders, and customers, they may also take the form of slack within the firm, and the maximisation of managerial utility. We analyse the effect of RPI-X regulation on the efficiency of the UK’s water and sewage and electricity distribution industries using stochastic frontier analysis. We extend the literature in several ways; first, in the case of the water and sewage industry, we look at efficiency not only on the cost side, but also on the revenue side. Second, following the findings of Restrepo-Tobón and Kumbhakar (2014) on the shortcomings of the direct estimation of the alternative profit frontier, we show that the profit maximisation problem of a monopolist with fixed scale characteristics separates into separate cost minimisation and revenue maximisation problems, then derive an alternative specification for the revenue frontier with a firmer basis in theory. Third, we include the publicly-owned Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water, and the three former Scottish Water Authorities that preceded the latter, in our water cost and revenue analyses, and likewise include Northern Ireland Electricity in one of our cost analyses, providing an original insight into the performance of these utilities relative to their English and Welsh and Great British counterparts, respectively. In addition, we use more recent samples than those found in the literature, providing new evidence relating to the latest price control periods in both industries. We derive two new formulae for calculating the marginal effects of environmental variables on efficiency, and apply these to analyse the impact of annual price caps and time trends on revenue and cost efficiency, giving an insight into the static and dynamic impacts of RPI-X regulation, while also examining the impact of board composition variables and public ownership. This thesis is organised into seven chapters. In the remainder of Chapter 1, we give a short history of the UK water and electricity industries. In Chapter 2, we introduce basic efficiency-related concepts, before moving on to discuss issues of market power and firm performance in utility firms, and the theory relating to utility regulation. In Chapter 3, we review the literature on frontier analysis, introducing some of the main data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) methods in particular. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each method are considered, and the features of the method used in the subsequent empirical chapters are discussed. Chapter 4 reviews the empirical literature on the performance of water and electricity utilities in the UK and internationally, along with several papers on the impact of regulation on the performance in other utility industries. Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 apply SFA to analyse the efficiency of UK water and sewage and electricity distribution utilities, respectively. Efficiency predictions are discussed and compared, trends are discussed, and the marginal effects of our environmental variables on the various efficiency measures are derived and discussed at length. Finally, Chapter 7 summarises the conclusions from our analyses and relates them back to the existing literature, and discusses implications for utility performance and policy. The limitations of this thesis, and suggestions for future research, are also discussed.

This thesis investigates the experiences of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation. The focus is on the form of FDI, and how each investor responds, and adapts, to the Russian operational environment. This is achieved through extensive qualitative, and multiple methods research on three manifestations of FDI: corporate, privately-funded investment; corporate, publically-funded investment; and smaller, individual private investment. Of interest are the Russia-specific constraints that may be largely underprepared for by foreign investors, and unexpected events that occur in the Russian space that hamper the efforts of investors. This thesis, thus, informs the reader of the variable nature of the Russian agricultural sphere, and the problems that exist within its boundaries, and presents the stories of some of the foreign investors that have tried to penetrate its market, mostly since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The thesis consists of four papers that have either been published, or submitted for publication, in academic journals, and utilises fieldwork that was conducted between 2013 and 2014. This thesis finds that all of the foreign investors studied have experienced - in certain aspects - failure on the Russian frontier, though there have also been certain successes. It seems that financial success is dictated by the business model of each investor; those who are afforded longer time horizons, more time to adapt on the frontier, and a source of funds that does not place short-term pressure on the business, are more likely to succeed. The Russian operating environment is unique, peculiar, and unpredictable, with a tendency to produce substantial obstacles that, for investors, are difficult to overcome; for agricultural FDI to avoid these struggles, these environmental conditions need to be anticipated and prepared for, with clear strategies painstakingly thought through before any venture physically begins on Russian soil.

This thesis investigates economic growth in Africa using three empirical papers from a number of different angles. The thesis begins by investigating the effects of different natural resources on economic growth in Africa. Three exogenous natural resources proxies (for agriculture, fuels and minerals) have been constructed to account for endogeneity issues. Empirical results show that agriculture has a strong positive effect on economic growth, while fuels and minerals affect growth negatively in all specifications even after controlling for endogeneity, quality of institutions and economic policy. The results reject the notion for generalized natural resource curse and argue that the amalgamation of natural resources components into one measure may obscure differences in their respective growth impacts. The thesis also investigates the effect of total and sectoral (primary, manufacturing and services sectors) FDI inflows on total factor productivity (TFP) at a macro level, using a new dataset for TFP developed by UNIDO-World Productivity Database and employing instrumental variables 2SLS estimation technique to control for endogeneity problem. Empirical findings show positive and statistically significant effects from total and sectoral FDI inflows on TFP growth. The findings also show that services sector has the highest potential to accelerate TFP growth (especially through communications, and trade and business sub-sectors). Finally, the thesis considers the role of economic transformation in the form of increased manufacturing share in aggregate output in accelerating growth and reducing growth volatility in Africa. It examines the key determinants of growth in the share of manufacturing output (in GDP) and its relationship with real GDP growth and (growth) volatility. Empirical results indicate that real GDP growth and domestic investment are among the key drivers of growth in the share of manufacturing output and that growth in the latter has, in turn, the potential to raise GDP growth and reduce growth volatility.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role that nonprofit organizations can play in utilizing economic development to alleviate poverty. The thesis components will be analyzed by answering six research questions (RQ): (1) What is economic development in developing countries? (2) What is the connection between economic development and poverty alleviation? (3) What are some examples of economic development lessening poverty? (4) What are the essential features of a nonprofit organization? (5) What can nonprofit organizations do to create economic development? and finally, (6) What are archetypical examples of nonprofits creating economic development and reducing poverty? To understand economic development, this paper will show that many tools are necessary, including: trade, entrepreneurship, education, and political stability – to name a few. Secondly, it will be explained how these tools can be used not only for growth but even to better the living conditions of every participant in an economy. A few examples of each will be provided. Next, the essential features of a nonprofit organization will be provided. With this comprehensive understanding, the primary objective can be more fully appreciated. The thesis looks at how two of the major tools of economic development – trade and entrepreneurship – can be applied by nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to provide opportunities for the low-income individuals to better their own circumstances. Finally, specific NPOs will be provided that are carrying this vision out in their operations. Throughout this thesis, it will be seen how nonprofits can utilize economic development to alleviate poverty.

Generational differences in the workplace are a perceived challenge that can present hidden opportunities. The workplace currently consists of four generations shaped by the political, social, and economic environments that marked their formative years. These generational differences have resulted in differing workplace values. Employee engagement balances productivity in one’s job with enjoyment in one’s work, optimizing both employee satisfaction and organizational outcomes. The key to engaging employees lies in the meaning each employee finds in the work environment and job functions. This paper aims to address whether or not engagement is affected by generational differences in the workplace and how an employee can tailor the training practices in order to cater to the needs and preferences of each generation.

Companies seek to strategically utilize their resources and personnel to obtain an advantage over competitors. With generational diversity being a relevant topic, emphasis is placed on the strategic management of its personnel as they are essential in the innovative practices’ companies implement to evolve organizations and enable them to be viable in a dynamic business environment. The aspect of leadership methodologies is demonstrative in not only their verbal communication, but also nonverbal behaviors. Contributors to leadership styles displayed through communication cues may be emblematic of cultural upbringings and demographic differences. As organizations develop the skillsets of their personnel, diversification should be instrumental in the process particularly in emerging leaders from an array of backgrounds into leadership positions. As the variety in the organization’s demographical makeup is transforming with societal norms, it is beneficial to analyze the leadership styles and the reception of their subordinates. In delving into the peculiarities of leaders, this paper will explore the upbringings of leaders in conjunction with demographical considerations, which is inclusive of generational miscellany.

This study seeks to understand, through a qualitative phenomenological design, the meaning of happiness at work for clinic managers who work for a mission-driven healthcare organization. There exists many organizational dynamics that can influence happiness at work; nevertheless, for the scope of this investigation, this paper converged on three theoretical premises: (1) Positive Psychology: Happiness at work which is divided into eudemonic and hedonic happiness, (2) Intrinsic Motivation Theory: Self-determination, and (3) Extrinsic Motivation Theory: Self-determination. The evidence discovered in this study demonstrates the importance of understanding the context for what happiness at work means for management-level caregivers/employees. The clinic managers that participated in this study overwhelmingly displayed a strong sense of intrinsic motivation/eudemonic happiness, in part, because they take happiness to work and they display a strong desire to help develop and grow their respective staff. Yet the study also realized that extrinsic factors influenced their happiness at work. For example, a key extrinsic factor on the clinic manager’s happiness was his/her direct supervisor, a prime illustration, if the clinic manager’s direct supervisor fails to recognize the clinic manager’s skills/abilities and if the direct supervisor of the clinic manager was a micromanager. Notwithstanding, when clinic managers utilize their full skills and when they were able to support, encourage, and develop their direct reports, it seems that clinic managers maintained a sense of happiness at work despite any external negative experiences. Several contributions have been realized based on the findings of this study. Most interestingly, the phenomenon of happiness at work has been found to be dynamic and multidimensional.

At a global level, changes in the higher education environment - such as changing funding mechanisms, regulations and audit processes, increasing customer demands, competition and internationalization, and ongoing reduction in state resources for funding Higher Education has resulted in increased interest by academics and practitioners on leadership in the higher education sector. Recent studies have noted that there has been very limited research conducted on the question of which forms of academic leadership are associated with individual academic performance. Globalisation of higher education environment can bring many benefits to higher education organisations, but it can also expose them to a number of risks and challenges. The purpose of this study was to explore how leaders in the higher education sector are using their leadership abilities and skills to bring about enhanced academic performance from their academic colleagues and subordinates’. Therefore, in this research aims to identify which specific aspects of academic leadership skill-set have the maximum impact on academics’ performance. This research used six measures; namely visionary, adaptable to change, competency, effective leadership, transformational style and charisma, for quantifying academic leadership. Individual academic performance was measured by the construct titled work-related attitude (i.e. work-related attitude was considered to be a proxy for individual academic performance). Work-related attitude was quantified by three measures; namely job satisfaction, career satisfaction and organizational commitment. Both academic leadership landscape and academics’ work-related attitude were modelled as latent constructs. Based on data from fifteen interviews and a survey of faculty members of 261 academic staff from twenty Malaysian public universities, factor analyses was used to explore four groups of academic leadership constructs; namely innovative, effective, executive and adaptive. Similarly, factor analyses were used to establish four groups of work-related attitude constructs; namely organizational commitment, career satisfaction, job satisfaction and job skills. Regression analyses suggest that academic leadership was positively associated with work-related attitude. Further, multiple regression analyses suggests executive and innovative academic leadership behavioural traits were positively associated with organizational commitment, career satisfaction, job satisfaction and job skills of work-related attitude. Unfortunately, behavioural traits titled “effective” and "adaptive" had no association with any work-related attitude (i.e. academic performance). The implications of the results for theory and practice are significant. This research provides empirical evidence for the development of a theoretical model for academic leadership grounded in self-leadership theory. Further, this study also proposes a general definition of academic leadership according to faculty members’ perspectives and a diagnostic instrument for measurement of academic leadership and work-related attitude. The study gives a new perspective on factors that contribute toward academic leadership and work-related attitude. This study revealed which contributing factors of academic leadership and work-related attitude have significant impact on professional leadership in academia. Empirically, the study reveals the underpinning factors that influence the faculty members in understanding and exploring academic leadership and work-related attitudes. This study can assist faculty members of public universities in Malaysia in dealing with the challenges and demands in academia. University administrators (especially the vice chancellors), may urge their human resources departments to encourage their faculty members toward demonstrating executive and innovative behavioural traits in pursuing their academic life. Finally, this study contributes towards testing a model, instrument and research process that is based in the US in an Asian country – Malaysia. Moreover, the proposed model has the potential to be replicated in other countries. The main originality and value of this study is that it has addressed a research gap concerning academic leadership approaches to assessing and enhancing individual academic performance in a global context. The paper has identified which forms of academic leadership are associated with enhanced individual academic performance. In this context, this study proposes a new categorisation for measuring which specific aspects of academic leadership skill-set have the maximum impact on academics’ performance, and offers a characterisation of academic leadership skill-set on academics’ performance.

Morale is a commonly used term both in business and society but the concept of morale is relatively poorly defined and understood. In a recent paper Liefooghe et al. (2004) expressed surprise that "when reviewing the literature, no strong theory to explain morale as such is in evidence, nor are there many empirical studies that offer solid ground to advise organisations"(p 1). This thesis aims to provide these theories and this empirical evidence in order to produce a better understanding of morale. This research identifies a number of deficiencies in the current understanding of morale. These range from elision with other concepts to disagreement about whether it is an individual or group phenomenon. In this study, four principal domains are examined: (i) what morale is; (ii) how it differs from other concepts; (iii) the antecedents of morale and (iv) its consequences. A mixed methods approach was adopted combining idiographic and nomothetic research. The idiographic phase of the research adopted a Straussian (1998) grounded theory approach, involving data collection from seven different organisations. The data was accrued from a combination of site visits, informal contacts, external research, and 203 semi-structured interviews which were supplemented with psychometric instruments. The data were then coded and analysed. Morale could be readily differentiated from other concepts and emerged as a phenomenon with three dimensions: affective, future/goal and interpersonal. It was also viewed as a single phenomenon which was generalisable across situations and rooted in the individual although perceived members of the group exerted considerable influence. The antecedents of morale impacted on the three dimensions outlined above. Its consequences were the zeal with which tasks are undertaken, creativity and engagement. The nomothetic element of the research developed a number of measurement scales, grounded in the qualitative phase. These allowed morale to be differentiated from other phenomena and offered insights into individual and group perceptions of morale and the influence of personality variables. Further quantitative research confirmed the three dimensional structure of the concept. The results of these two phases were then integrated to provide a picture of the phenomenon of morale, differentiate it from other concepts and elucidate its antecedents and consequences. An appraisal of the limitations of the research is also made. Finally the implications of this research for both academic researchers and practitioners are discussed along with suggestions for future research.

Although a great deal of work has been done to develop new educational innovations, in the field of engineering, few innovations have found widespread acceptance in the classroom. Therefore, frameworks that conceptualize the interactions among the variables that influence successful dissemination are critical. In this dissertation, dissemination is defined as a process of first creating an awareness of an educational innovation, then influencing the intention to adopt, the actual adoption, and finally the routine use of that innovation (Fincher, 2000; Gravestock, 2002; Hutchinson & Huberman, 1994; King, 2003). This dissertation establishes the importance of achieving three research goals: 1) developing a framework that describes the interrelationships among the characteristics of educational innovations and an organizations’ readiness to disseminate, 2) having an expert panel rank the characteristics of the educational innovations and readiness of faculty members, administrators, and students to disseminate, and 3) testing whether important characteristics of educational innovations and readiness of faculty members variables are significant predictors of successful dissemination. Three papers using different methodologies were sequentially developed to achieve the research goals: 1) a systematic literature review of recent dissemination literature, 2) a Delphi study of grant recipients who had disseminated educational innovations, and 3) a survey of electrical engineering and computer science faculty members. Analysis of the results from these papers led to the following findings: 1. Ease of use of an educational innovation and care about student learning outcomes were significant predictors of intention to adopt that innovation; 2. Efficacy of faculty members toward change and valence moderated the relationship between ease of use and intention to adopt educational innovations; 3. Attitude to educational innovation moderated the relationship between ease of use and intention to adopt educational innovations and moderated the relationship between intention to adopt and adoption; and 4. Awareness of others using an educational innovation was a significant predictor of adopting an educational innovation. The results of this dissertation may be leveraged by developers, faculty members, department chairs, college deans, and grant program managers, to successfully disseminate educational innovations in engineering and technology disciplines.

Currently the provision of corporate financial information through the internet is a new issue confronting providers and users of financial information in Egypt. It is expected to be important as financial information would be disseminated worldwide and this availability of information could encourage people to invest in any part of the world. Studying internet reporting in Egypt will help in providing on line timely information, thus encouraging investors to invest in Egypt. It will meet stakeholders� demands for greater speed and volume of financial information. Businesses must find better and more effective ways of communicating financial information with these stakeholders. Therefore, there is a need to examine the role played by the internet in communicating financial information in Egypt, in order to find out how that role may be enhanced. The major objectives of the study were to 1) identify the extent of internet corporate financial reporting in the Egyptian companies; 2) identify factors which influence Egyptian listed companies to voluntarily adopt internet-based corporate financial reporting; 3) evaluate the effectiveness of voluntary internet financial reporting and disclosure to selected groups of users; and 4) explore the role of Investor Relations and auditors regarding internet financial reporting and their functions or procedures are affected. Innovation diffusion, institutional change, and economic-based theories were employed to explain the adoption of internet financial reporting in Egypt. To accomplish these objectives, a sequential explanatory triangulation design was employed, employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative methods were used to achieve the first and second objectives. A disclosure index was constructed to determine the level of voluntary internet financial reporting of the 100 most active listed Egyptian companies for the year ended 2004. Ten hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship between the level of voluntary financial internet disclosure and the company�s characteristics. It was found that 27 companies had no websites, the websites of 9 companies were under construction, 62 companies had websites and 35 companies disclosed their financial information on their websites. The average disclosure rates of financial information were 30% for the Egyptian companies which had websites and 44% for companies having websites and disclosing financial information. 100% of communication companies and 67% of financial services companies disclosed financial information on their websites and all communication companies had disclosure scores over 50%. The results of Univariate analysis revealed that firm size variables (total assets, total sales); leverage variables (Total Debt /Total Assets and Long term Debt/ Total Assets); foreign listing; industry type; and audit firm size are significantly associated with the extent of internet disclosure at least at the 5% level of significance. The results of multiple regressions indicated that profitability, foreign listing and industrial sector (communications and financial services) are important factors affecting the amount and presentation formatting of financial information disclosed on Egyptian companies� websites. Qualitative method was used to accomplish the second, third and fourth objectives. Seventeen interviews were conducted with stakeholders [Investor relations officers, financial analysts & fund managers, audit partners & key managers from Egyptian Stock Exchange]. A framework was developed which includes six main factors affecting companies� disclosure of financial information on the internet, which include companies� characteristics [Size, Foreign listing, Industrial sector (banking and communications sectors), Capital structure (Foreign investors, Governmental ownership, Number of shareholders)], management style, amount of paper-based disclosure, imitation, rules and regulations, and number of analysts covering the company. Investor relations officers should be responsible and decide upon the financial information to be published on companies� websites but this is not the case in Egypt. Auditors have no responsibility regarding internet financial reporting in Egypt. This study makes the following contribution to knowledge: - This study is the first which undertakes an empirical investigation regarding internet financial reporting and disclosure of Egyptian listed companies. - This is the first study to examine the effects of culture, organizational structure and demographic characteristics on the adoption of voluntary internet reporting and disclosure. - One of the significant features in this study is that it employed quantitative and qualitative methods to identify the factors which affect companies� adoption of voluntary internet financial reporting and disclosure in Egypt. - This study will contribute to the understanding of the concept, functions and activities of Investor Relations within companies and this might draw the attention to the importance of Investor Relations and help in the development of Investor Relations in Egypt. This is the first time that the role of Investor Relations has been investigated in Egypt, or indeed any Arab country. - The disclosure index used was modified to be suitable for companies working in the Egyptian environment context. This index could be used by other researchers to investigate internet financial reporting and disclosure for companies working in other Arab countries that are experiencing similar economic changes.

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact in a two-family-owned business of the management succession process to the second generation. The research explored the use and makeup of a management team in transferring the leadership of the company. The study looked at the preparation and determination of which members of the family would assume positions formerly held by the two patriarchs and who would assume executive responsibilities as president. The research endeavored to answer the following question: How is succession planning for multiple senior executive positions in a two-family-owned business accomplished in a second-generation family-executive team? The research study used case study methodology to look at a business located in Southern California. The case study focused on the two patriarchs of the business and the nine members of the executive management team. The findings of this research contributes to the body of information on management succession in a family-owned business and the importance of using a management team to facilitate the process of transferring leadership to the next generation.

Despite the efforts of many leadership development programs, more than 80 percent of new leaders transitioning into the first role as a leader fail to make a successful transition (Korn Ferry Leadership Principles, 2018). This paper studied a leader’s failure to shift his or her thinking and behaviors from an individual contributor mindset to a people leader mindset. This research is suggesting that organizations adopt two tools to improve leadership transition effectiveness: Leadership Transition Readiness Assessment, and Start, Stop, Change, and Transition questionnaire.

While agile software development is being adopted in more organizations recently, many products using the methodology are still failing in the market due to inadequate customer collaboration despite the purported benefits. Within start-ups, where speed and early market penetration can be the death or success of a company, understanding if using agile software development including adequate customer collaboration makes a significant difference is important. A study which investigates the impact of including customer collaboration in the agile product development process could uncover whether or not a product is successful within technology focused start-up’s in the Pacific Northwest. This research could allow technology focused start-ups to learn how to emulate success and avoid pitfalls using agile software development to create better, more transformative products for the world. The research question is: how does the inclusion of customer collaboration in the agile product development process by product owners impact the overall success of the product within Pacific Northwest technology start-up companies? This concept paper includes information on the nature of the study, the significance, relationship to cognate, a literature review beginning, and a significant amount of research related to the hypothesis.

Retailers are introducing new store brands at a rapid pace, and annual sales of store brands in the U.S. now exceeds $108 billion. In the literature on store brand decisions, it is commonly assumed that (1) the retailer is a downstream monopolist; (2) either the store brand quality level is fixed, or, the marginal cost of production is constant and independent of the quality level of the store brand; and (3) the retailer either produces the store brand in-house, or sources it from a non-strategic manufacturer. Although these assumptions significantly simplify the analysis, they do not capture what is commonly seen in practice. As a consequence, the insights from these studies may not apply more broadly. Assumption (1) needs to be relaxed in order to study retailers' product assortment decisions (in terms of store and national brands) and related pricing decisions at two competing retailers, along with pricing decisions of a leading national brand manufacturer. Assumption (1) and (2) need to be simultaneously relaxed in order to investigate a retailer's store brand quality-positioning decision when facing competition from another retailer that already carries a store brand. Assumptions (2) and (3) need to be relaxed simultaneously in order to study how a retailer's optimal quality-positioning strategy changes across various sourcing arrangements and various pricing power relationships among retailers and manufacturers. This dissertation contributes to the store brand literature by analyzing models based on more realistic assumptions than those in the literature.This dissertation consists of three stand-alone papers. The first paper (in Chapter 2) investigates a retailer's product assortment and pricing problem when she has the option to carry a store brand, a national brand, or both. I compare her decision when she is a downstream monopolist and when she faces competition from another retailer who may also oer the same national brand and a competing store brand. Specifically, I assume the quality levels of the products are exogenous and analyze a manufacturer-Stackelberg game involving a national brand manufacturer and two competing retailers. The national brand manufacturer sets a wholesale price for the national brand product (the same for both retailers; I assume they are similar in size and can therefore secure the same wholesale price). Then, observing the wholesale price, the retailers engage in a Nash game in which they set the retail prices for the product(s) they choose to carry. Finally, customers decide whether and what to purchase. Customers are heterogeneous in two dimensions: location, which can be interpreted as the degree of loyalty to one retailer or the other, and willingness to pay per unit of quality. Each customer visits the retailer where he can obtain the maximum surplus (willingness to pay less purchasing and transportation costs) among the offered products. After the customer arrives at the selected retailer, the transportation cost is now sunk, so he buys the offered product with the larger difference between his willingness to pay for the product and its price, if it is non-negative. The second paper (in Chapter 3) addresses store brand quality positioning decisions for retailers facing retail competition. Specifically, I assume one of the two retailers (Retailer 2) already carries a store brand product whose quality level is fixed, and both retailers may offer the national brand product with a fixed quality level. The representation of customer preferences and the resultant demands are the same as in the first paper. I model the dynamics via a two-stage game. In the first stage, Retailer 1 decides whether to introduce a store brand product, and if so, its quality level. Then the three parties engage in a manufacturer-Stackelberg pricing game. Finally, customers decide whether and what to purchase. In the first stage, Retailer 1 anticipates the outcome of the second-stage game. I analyzed the second stage game in the first paper; it is a subproblem in the second paper. I also analyze a setting in which both retailers may choose the quality levels of their store brand products simultaneously.The third paper (in Chapter 4) studies a retailer's equilibrium quality-positioning strategy under three sourcing structures, and for each sourcing structure, I consider three types of channel price leadership. Specifically, I study games between (among) a retailer, a national brand manufacturer and a strategic third-party manufacturer, where applicable. The retailer carries a product (with a fixed quality) offered by the national brand manufacturer, and is considering introducing a store brand whose quality can be decided. Customers are heterogeneous in their willingness-to-pay (WTP) per unit of quality. The utility a customer derives from either product equals her WTP per unit of quality times the product quality. Each customer chooses the product that gives her the greatest surplus (utility less price), provided that it is non-negative. The unit production cost of both products is strictly convex and increasing in the quality level of the product. I derive the retailer's equilibrium store-brand quality decision under three sourcing arrangements and three pricing power scenarios. The three sourcing arrangements are in-house (IH), a leading national brand manufacturer (NM) (whose product the retailer also carries), and a strategic third-party manufacturer (SM). The three power scenarios are the ones most commonly seen in the literature: Manufacturer-Stackelberg (MS), Retailer-Stackelberg (RS), and Vertical Nash (VN). In sum, I examine nine (i.e., three times three) combinations of sourcing and pricing power (or game) scenarios, and compare the retailer's optimal quality positioning decision and other equilibrium results (including prices) across the nine scenarios. In all nine combinations of sourcing and pricing power scenarios, the retailer moves rst in setting the quality of her store-brand (during the product development phase) before any pricing decisions are made. I derive subgame perfect equilibria for all scenarios. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first to present a comparison of equilibria for these nine realistic combinations of sourcing and pricing power in this context.This dissertation makes several contributions to the literature on store brand strategies. First, the majority of papers on store brand strategies consider a monopolist retailer. The few papers that consider retail competition are based on restrictive assumptions concerning factors such as product quality (e.g., assuming store brand products have equal quality levels) or product offering (e.g., both retailers must oer the national brand product). My work in papers 1 and 2 takes a first step in presenting a model that is general enough to allow me to study retailers' strategies in a context with store and national brands, and with retail competition. Second, prior research utilizes demand models that are limited in their ability to capture customers' joint selection of a retailer and a product. My work in papers 1 and 2 is based on a model of customer preferences that allows me to incorporate both quality differentiation among the products and the degree of customer loyalty to retailers, both of which are important in my problem context. This model is flexible enough to support a fairly rich representation of demands. Third, in paper 3, I take a first step in studying the interaction between store-brand sourcing and positioning decisions, and the interplay of these decisions with the retailer's pricing power. From a comparison of the retailer's equilibrium store brand quality levels for the nine combinations of sourcing and game structure, I obtain a full characterization of the ordering of store-brand quality, retailer's prot, retail prices and consumer welfare across the nine combinations. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first to present a comparison of equilibria for these nine realistic combinations of sourcing and pricing power in the store brand context. I also show that sourcing of store brands plays a key role in the competitive interaction between a retailer and a national brand manufacturer. Whereas the marketing and economics literatures have emphasized the role of store brands in helping retailers elicit price concessions from national brand manufacturers, I find that having a preferable sourcing arrangement for a store brand product is more valuable than having pricing power.

The following paper is intended to provide prospective entrepreneurs, who desire to incorporate humanitarian aid into fashion-oriented startup ventures, with information regarding current business models and prominent companies. A discussion of approaches to humanitarian relief and their effectiveness will assist prospective entrepreneurs as they assess the best manner in which their individual startups may serve people in need. Three commonly utilized models of aid to be discussed include employment-based, tangible goods-based, and monetary donation-based that exist with the intentions to provide relief for causes such as food, health, clean water, education, clothing, job creation, and freedom. Through the compilation of case studies of TOMS Shoes, Krochet Kids, and Hello Somebody, the author identifies extractable lessons for prospective entrepreneurs, including concerns of product development, method of distribution, marketing, and consideration of causes to support. The objective of the paper is to develop awareness of matters to consider throughout the initial phases of preparation and execution so that prospective entrepreneurs may increase their chances for success.

This paper investigates how the brand Apple markets their product so that consumers feel obligated to buy their product. By looking at five main categories of brand loyalty, environmentally friendly practices, being up-to-date with technology, pricing with value and customer service, this paper will rhetorically analyze how successful of a job it does. To get an inside look at what the public thought on the the way that Apple fulfilled their altercasting this paper analyzed what people said about Apple verses competing technology brands. By drawing overall conclusions, recording trends and making observations about the way that people had been altercasted this paper will give insight to the reader about how to effectively brand their product, how to implement altercasting to a consumer and to gain understanding on the how Apple has fulfilled altercasting.

Immigration is a major aspect of globalization. As the world becomes increasingly integrated, it becomes important to learn more about the effects of immigration on global economic growth. According to Robert Solow’s long run growth model, technological advance is the only form of economic growth sustainable in the long run. Those who contribute to technological advance – highly skilled labor – however, increasingly emigrate from lesser developed to more developed countries in a process known as brain drain. This process has been shown to lead to a permanent increase in income and growth in the host country relative to the source country. This paper investigates whether brain drain migration can lead to technological advance in the source country. More specifically, do migration flows to the United States (US) lead to knowledge from the US? To answer this empirically, I use a proxy for technology flows and regress it on immigration and other control variables. Technology flows are measured as the number of forward citations a US patent receives from inventors in a given sample country during a given year. The sample contains thirteen countries over the years 1995-2010. Given the characteristics of the data, a fixed-effects Poisson distribution model was applied to conduct the regression analysis. The immigration was found to be positive and statistically significantly related to technology flows. The result is fairly robust for different regression specifications; all but one model show that the effect of immigration is statistically significant and all of the models show the effect to be positive. These results support the hypothesis that brain drain migration leads to technology flows back to the source country. Although my sample countries are considered economically developed, there is evidence to suggest they too suffer from brain drain migration to the US. Thus, the results found are significant and relevant for the sample countries analyzed in the paper. Advisor: Hendrik van den Berg

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the important place that tentmaking holds or should hold in missions strategy. It is the belief of the author (supported by almost 20 years of ministry experience overseas) that visas and money are often barriers to ministry effectiveness. This paper would like to provide a solution (i.e. tentmaking) to these common tensions that most missionaries encounter. The value of the topic is very personal to the author's ministry: first because I am currently serving on the mission field (needing a visa and money), and second because of the potential tentmaking holds for engaging the local community on a deeper level through the "how to" techniques this paper provides. Missionaries everywhere can and will benefit, just as I have from the practical findings and instructions that have come to light from this project. Specifically they will discover that tentmaking is a biblical missions methodology that not only acts as a financial supplement but also provides access to the necessary visas and legitimizes the missionary's presence in the eyes of the local authorities. The research for this paper will be approached from a biblical or theological direction. The history of tentmaking will be explored and the modern day examples will be examined. Interviews with tentmaking missionaries will be conducted and personal illustrations will be given. The various aspects of tentmaking will be discussed, such as legal issues, the ideal types of businesses, and the necessary teamwork.

My research interests are in the intersection of macroeconomics and information economics. I am particularly interested in the optimal design of incentives for individuals who interact over time in uncertain environments with imperfect information, and its consequences for aggregates. The dissertation is composed by three chapters that address three particular environments within this area.The first chapter studies the optimal contract in a principal-agent model where a risk-neutral principal delegates to a risk-neutral agent the decision of whether to pursue a risky project or a safe one. The return from the risky project is unknown and the agent can acquire costly unobservable information about it before taking the decision. The optimal contract suggests that the principal should only reward the agent for outcomes that are significantly better than the safe return. It is also optimal to distort the project choice in favor of the risky one as a mechanism to induce the direct revelation of the uncertain state. In a managerial context, the findings explain why options and profit sharing compensation induce better decision making from CEOs, as well as why excessive risk taking might be optimal.The second chapter explores the role of effort and human capital as mechanisms to alleviate the idiosyncratic risk faced by individuals in the presence of incomplete markets. I construct a DSGE model where effort and human capital determine the probability of being employed the next period. I show how in the stationary equilibrium individuals diversify between these mechanisms. As a result, I obtain a wealth distribution that better approximates the real one. The results shed light on the potential implication of combining policies of unemployment insurance and subsidies to education to improve the wealth distribution.The third chapter studies dynamic stochastic models where current actions are constrained by a current state and determine the distribution over future states. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general learning process that allows agents to take the optimal decision when these endogenous transitions are unknown. Our paper generalizes previous results by not imposing parametric restrictions on the unknown transition functions.

Organisations are increasingly deploying and using computer technology in various ways, involving the allocation of large amounts of capital and human resources. However, in many cases, computer deployment has been accompanied by failure, particularly in health care services. Therefore, information technology has raised grave questions, misunderstanding, fears, and hostility. This study emphasises the importance of computer deployment and development in developed and developing countries' health care services with examples from advanced and less advanced nations. It describes strategy development for IT/ISs using information system methodologies and explores the development of ISs strategy in the NHS in the light of fundholding and the internal market. A number of problems that commonly influence the success or failure of computer deployment and development are identified. These issues are explained through two case studies: the Omani health system and General Practices (GPRs) in the UK, which have introduced computers. The research focuses on five main sets of issues related to computer deployment and utilisation in health care: strategic planning; computer utilisation; computer fears; computer impact; and computer technical problems and performance. Users' overall satisfaction with systems in use is also considered. Data collection was carried out using two surveys. One survey was conducted in GPRs in Humberside and the other conducted in Royal Hospital and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman. Data sources included observations, review of relevant documents, such as reports, research papers and manuals, structured and non-structured interviews with selected users and a questionnaire. A number of conclusions can been drawn from this study: firstly, computer deployment, utilisation and development still faces problems in both the systems studied, more especially the Omani system. Secondly, GPRs have carried out strategic planning for computer deployment and utilisation and are prepared to use information system methodology for IT/IS strategy and there is a plan to use this for competitive advantage but Omani hospitals did not set a constructive strategic plan for their systems. Thirdly, the main problems of computer failure are related to human issues rather technical issues. The most important of these human issues are the style of the leadership planning, poor utilisation of computer applications, lack of skills and poor training. Finally, the results of the survey suggested that though the respondents were aware of the potential of computer technology, the problems of computer fears, training and lack of skills were experienced, and often, few individuals possessed computing knowledge. The author suggests several points to be considered: 1) that any thinking about computer deployment and development should employ appropriate information system development methodologies; 2) the decisions on computer deployment, use and development should be made by a special committee that has expertise in IT matters; 3) good strategic planning for computer deployment, use and development; should be connected to the organisation's overall strategy and 4) there is a need of mandate review for such development and planning. With these points in mind the researcher presents a diagram to help improving strategic planning and development of IT/IS methods with particular emphasis on the Omani environment.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an important trading phenomenon which takes place universally. FDI is one of the key drivers for world economic growth as it alleviates and promotes international business. In fact, the primary activities of multinational corporations make a significant contribution to the practice of FDI around the world. This paper initially discusses several benefits of both inward and outward FDI fluxes in developing and transition economies. Moreover, disclosure on potential risks from FDI inflows is presented. This research also mentions current scenarios and future prospects regarding FDI in the less industrialized regions based upon the annual World Investment Report. Lastly, alternative approaches for FDI recipients to appeal to more foreign investors will be suggested.

Crisis communication is an ever-evolving form of communication that is integral to a business’s success. When tragedy strikes, businesses must have a thorough plan of response that manages the situation and protects their brand. This paper discusses the definition of crisis communication, its history, and how modern trends like social media, have revolutionized it. This study is important because it influences a business’s public perception, and sustainability. Thorough knowledge of crisis communication is critical to a business student’s education and will prepare them for working in fast-paced communication and business environments. An analysis of this topic should yield an understanding of crisis communication and how it can be best applied in crisis situations.

These two companion studies theoretically and empirically examine managers' use of different cognitive frames in decision-making related to corporate sustainability. Study I is a theoretical undertaking aimed at highlighting potential zones of investigation arising from the introduction of paradox theory into managerial accounting. First, I examine extant literature on paradoxes to garner an understanding of its evolution and application in the management and psychology domains. Second, I use current constructs and typologies to identify multiple sustainability and managerial accounting tensions as paradoxical. Third, I make recommendations on how to apply paradox theory more effectively to the corporate sustainability tensions I identified. I conclude the first paper with research questions pertaining to managerial accounting in corporate sustainability. Study II is a behavioral experiment. In this study I examine the effects of business case and paradoxical case cognition on managers and seek to uncover which organizational performance measures better support each cognition. Scholars suggest that the tensions in corporate sustainability arise from the complicated and interdependent relationship among its dimensions. and oftentimes progress towards any single dimension, might have unintended consequences on the other dimensions Hence, the empirical question becomes, amid such tensions, how do managers make decisions that are not solely driven by the financial dimension of corporate sustainability? Applying paradox theory, with its emphasis on acknowledging and working through tensions, holds the potential to elucidate how managers can further explore the tensions inherent in management accounting and sustainability. Study II results show that managers operating in a paradoxical case cognition with broad performance measures made more sustainable decisions relative to their counterparts operating in a business case cognition with narrow performance measures. Together these companion studies generally support the use of paradox theory in studying sustainability decision-making and its use in moving beyond short-term economically focused organizational processes.

The grand narrative of the Bible could be broken into three distinct parts- Creation, Fall, and Redemption. The main focus of this paper will go through the distinct parts of Creation and the Fall, but the focus will be on Redemption specifically in the realm of work and how it relates to business marketing. In Creation, God created us in His image meaning we were gifted with the ability to create and to form relationships. We express God’s image through the dominion mandate, which is God’s command to us to be stewards of the earth through the act of work. After the Fall, work and business became distorted. Work, a thing created to glorify God, now had great potential to harm others. The Fall triggered humans to leverage their creativity and relationships, in business specifically, to manipulate others and to serve themselves rather than to serve God and others. Instead of perpetuating the effects of the Fall, business, specifically marketing, can be a catalyst for Redemption.

The higher education industry has faced increased competition in recent years from new institutions and learning platforms entering the marketplace. Public higher education institutions, in particular, have been forced to develop strategic plans due to limited state funding in recent years. These colleges and universities face the challenge of allocating their limited financial resources in a manner that will optimize financial strength and ensure long-term sustainability. Institutions classify their operating expenses into several different functional expense categories, including instruction, academic support, student services and operations and maintenance of plant. This paper analyzed the relationship between changes in state appropriations, allocation ratios of functional expenses, and an institution’s financial condition. Bivariate and multiple regression analysis was performed to determine how fluctuations in state appropriations and financial allocation ratios impact an institution’s financial condition. The research could aide higher education institutions in strategically allocating resources to improve their financial position. God has called us all to live in community and flourish. Higher education institutions promote community among students, faculty, and staff as well as provide knowledge and skills for individuals to flourish upon graduation.

Prior literature examines consequences (e.g., negative market reactions, higher subsequent audit fees, and debt covenant violations) audit clients face arising from missed regulatory due dates. These clients likely pressure the auditor to provide additional resources to perform the audit. This paper examines whether an audit office resource allocation shock stemming from late-filing clients is associated with the audit quality of the other timely-filing clients in that audit office. I find that timely-filing clients are more likely to subsequently restate their financial statements when there are late-filing clients in the same audit office. Using audit fees as a proxy for auditor effort (resource allocation), I also find evidence consistent with auditors allocating resources from timely-filing clients to late-filing clients. Subsequent tests indicate that office size mitigates the association between late-filing clients and audit quality of the timely-filing clients. Taken together, these findings support the argument that the observed relation between misstatements and late-filing clients can be linked, at least in part, to the implications of shocks to office-level resource allocation plans. Thus, my findings highlight an important factor for auditors to consider for their client acceptance and continuance decisions. These findings also have implications for standard setters considering the costs associated with regulatory due dates.