Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University proudly showcases the work of undergraduate honors students by sharing this collection exclusively with the ASU community.
Barrett accepts high performing, academically engaged undergraduate students and works with them in collaboration with all of the other academic units at Arizona State University. All Barrett students complete a thesis or creative project which is an opportunity to explore an intellectual interest and produce an original piece of scholarly research. The thesis or creative project is supervised and defended in front of a faculty committee. Students are able to engage with professors who are nationally recognized in their fields and committed to working with honors students. Completing a Barrett thesis or creative project is an opportunity for undergraduate honors students to contribute to the ASU academic community in a meaningful way.
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- Creators: Department of Finance
- Creators: School of Accountancy
Description
The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness about the problem nonrevenue sports face today by analyzing the key factors of the failing Division 1 model and providing some unforeseen consequences in the elimination of nonrevenue sports. The first section will explore the elimination and financial trends of NCAA Division 1 in a historical and contemporary context. The second section will provide the deep-rooted problems associated with collegiate sports. Lastly, the third section will analyze unforeseen consequences for athletic departments that should be accounted for when contemplating the elimination of a nonrevenue program.
ContributorsBelshay, Cade Michael (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mowka, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
The concept of constant feedback through direct access to advanced technological devices has shaped the way consumers approach shopping for desired goods. Nowadays, people want their items faster, cheaper, of higher quality, and on their schedule. Consumer preferences such as these have provided an avenue for innovative thinkers to develop new business categories through the assistance of websites and smart phone apps. An example of one of these up and coming fields is the e-grocery industry. With the swipe of a thumb, customers can order and have their groceries shipped directly to their doorstep, sometimes within hours of placing the order. As time progresses and firms learn from operating experience, culture shifts such as this shopping method may become the new norms in society. This thesis outlines a business proposal for existing retailers such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Target to get in front of the curve in this wave of online shopping and gain market share in this space through utilizing their current competitive advantage in logistics structures. We will attempt to encompass all aspects of the new venture by including an overview of the opportunity at hand, a census from the direct end customers providing proof of concept, methods for carrying out operational requirements, financial models forecasting future cash flows and returns on investment, established marketing materials appealing to end users, and a means to expand the outreach of the business. The end goal of this project is to provide a platform for an existing retailer to adopt into its current business structure and launch a trial run of the proposal in the near future.
ContributorsMakis, Jordan (Co-author) / Makis, Jenna (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Maltz, Arnold (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
We were driven by the question: what is happening to the popularity of Major League Baseball? In order to answer this question we compared the league structure of Major League Baseball with that of the National Football League. We were able to speak with five former or current members of the respective leagues in order to gain some insight into how the two leagues operate. The main focus of our research was around the payroll structures of the two leagues as well as their revenue sharing policies. In the end, we discovered that Major League Baseball is becoming highly regionalized. The sport is still growing in popularity in terms of revenue and fan involvement, but it is becoming less popular on a national stage. The league is benefitting greatly from factors like the increasing importance of "TiVo proof programming" and a lack of competition. Each league is very different in its own right. While the NFL promotes a perception of competitive balance, Major League Baseball can be plagued by the negative perception it creates surrounding some of its smaller market teams.
ContributorsHeath, Cameron (Co-author) / Linamen, John (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Creating a strong brand enables companies to create a loyal customer base that leads to success and profitability. Companies can acquire this success through the right mix of marketing techniques and company strategies that consumers see as important. They may need to think outside of traditional marketing and focus on how they can create a unique experience that their customer will enjoy and only be able to receive from that specific company. The Starbucks Corporation has been able to create this experience that has created an astonishing customer base and loyalty to their brand. Through the initial research of various marketing and sociological perspectives, an experiment was created that could measure whether consumer loyalty was the driving force behind consumer purchases. In order to measure this, it is necessary to distinguish between a desire for the products and a loyalty to the brand.
ContributorsSinger, Fallon Alicia (Co-author) / Yu, Michelle (Co-author) / Machas, Melina (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Fey, Richard (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This project is an investigation into the many financial issues professional athletes face. These issues include bad spending habits, poor investments, freeloaders (posses/entourages), and more. Following is an explanation of Financial Planning and Wealth Management, and how the application of these strategies and tactics - specifically the use of Sustainable Withdrawal Rates in a Capital Sufficiency Analysis - can help to avoid such issues. An illustration of these practices "in action" is given through a case study of fictional athletes and portfolios. Lastly, recommendations are given on potential solutions that could help prevent these problems from affecting more athletes.
ContributorsCastellani, Robert Thomas (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Cassidy, Nancy (Committee member) / Judge, Evan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Collegiate athletes have long been deemed amateurs and have not been entitled to payment. However, recent law changes as well as social movements have made this a topic of discussion in the current sports climate. This thesis serves to educate the reader on the history of the NCAA, why athletes are currently not compensated, current actions being taken to compensate athletes, along with possible solutions. The historical section seeks to inform readers how we got to the current status of the NCAA, notably the NCAA’s assignment of amateur status to current collegiate athletes. This ties in to the analysis section which draws down the NCAA’s current rules and regulations regarding athlete compensation. The current changes section seeks to get the reader up to speed with the current climate of the NCAA. Lastly, the recommendations serve to offer the reader a source of consideration for how these issues can be approached moving forward given what we currently know.
These statements are backed by both primary and secondary data collections which were garnered at various NCAA member institutions. This thesis further explores opinions and views of other researchers and offers counterarguments to opinions regarding future actions deemed necessary by the NCAA. The thesis lays out the Issues, Analysis of the issues, draws conclusions and gives final recommendations. Strong consideration is given to the recent advancements in the areas of Name, Image and Likeness laws. It is further explored the avenues that NIL can create the greatest impact moving forward in the NCAA.
These statements are backed by both primary and secondary data collections which were garnered at various NCAA member institutions. This thesis further explores opinions and views of other researchers and offers counterarguments to opinions regarding future actions deemed necessary by the NCAA. The thesis lays out the Issues, Analysis of the issues, draws conclusions and gives final recommendations. Strong consideration is given to the recent advancements in the areas of Name, Image and Likeness laws. It is further explored the avenues that NIL can create the greatest impact moving forward in the NCAA.
ContributorsKnight, Brendan W (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The purpose of this thesis is to cover the multiple aspects of Major League Baseball Expansion from 30 to 32 teams. The thesis can be divided into two parts with the first being the preparation and consideration for expansion, and the second half is about the execution and implementation of adding two expansion teams to the league.
For years, Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted and brought about the idea of adding two more teams to Major League Baseball (Mitchell). The growth of the game is of utmost importance, and they have made many changes to try to expand the growth of fans the past few years particularly catered to new and young fans. New rules like a pitch clock and mound visit limitations are examples of in game changes made to speed up the game, but they have also experimented with spring training and regular season games internationally or at new venues. In just the past decade, games have been played or planned (due to COVID-19 cancellations) in Monterrey, Mexico City, London, Tokyo, San Juan, Montreal, Las Vegas, Williamsport, and even Iowa. With the exception of the Williamsport Little League Classic and the Field of Dreams game in Iowa, all these locations had games to see what the atmosphere and logistics would be like with expansion in mind as a possibility in the future. With this in mind, this thesis will analyze and come to a conclusion on the following cities for the best fits for expansion: Monterrey, Mexico City, San Juan, Vancouver, Montreal, Las Vegas, Portland, Nashville, Raleigh, and San Antonio.
For years, Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted and brought about the idea of adding two more teams to Major League Baseball (Mitchell). The growth of the game is of utmost importance, and they have made many changes to try to expand the growth of fans the past few years particularly catered to new and young fans. New rules like a pitch clock and mound visit limitations are examples of in game changes made to speed up the game, but they have also experimented with spring training and regular season games internationally or at new venues. In just the past decade, games have been played or planned (due to COVID-19 cancellations) in Monterrey, Mexico City, London, Tokyo, San Juan, Montreal, Las Vegas, Williamsport, and even Iowa. With the exception of the Williamsport Little League Classic and the Field of Dreams game in Iowa, all these locations had games to see what the atmosphere and logistics would be like with expansion in mind as a possibility in the future. With this in mind, this thesis will analyze and come to a conclusion on the following cities for the best fits for expansion: Monterrey, Mexico City, San Juan, Vancouver, Montreal, Las Vegas, Portland, Nashville, Raleigh, and San Antonio.
ContributorsLieberman, Jake Robert (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / McIntosh, Daniel (Committee member) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The Arizona Fall League is a baseball league affiliated with Major League Baseball to provide further development to seven of each MLB team’s top minor league prospects. The games are played at the same stadiums as spring training in Arizona but historically draw a very low attendance in comparison. The marketing strategies currently used to promote and advertise the Arizona Fall League are not sufficient to meet the goal of increased attendance and increased profits as a result. The league currently markets its core product to the customer, meaning the actual baseball game itself along with the highly talented players, rather than the actual product provided to fans, meaning the social utility they gain from their experiences at an Arizona Fall League game along with the game. The league needs to focus mainly on two target markets: men and women ages 18-25 and families with children under 18. In order to shift the focus to the actual product, the league’s marketing staff should run promotions (alongside their current promotions) in association with local sports bars or restaurants and places that provide entertainment, such as Top Golf. They also should revamp their social media accounts to integrate a more fan-focused base for their posts, making fans feel like they are a greater part of the experience. These improvements would drive up attendance and generate more profits for the Arizona Fall League.
ContributorsMcCann, Matthew Donald (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / McIntosh, Daniel (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This thesis explores revenue management within the domestic United States airline market from a broad research base including peer-reviewed journals, professional articles, industry studies, government statistics, and consumer surveys. Among other topics, the thesis synthesizes data from these sources to effectively understand how airlines turn a profit in one of the world’s most competitive industries. Within that scope, the thesis explores the history of the industry, how technology affects revenue management strategies, how deregulation affected competition, and how different costs impact an airline’s operations. This is accomplished primarily with the literature review, governmental statistics, and professionals in the field. Moreover, the surveys provide a human element to these numbers. Namely, how does the public perceive the airline industry? Moreover, what drives the decision to purchase a seat on a particular airline over another? The research suggests four main trends in the US’ airline industry: increase in low-density long-range routes, high-density short-range routes, redefining high-density routes’ capacity utilization, and expansion of the Low-Cost Carrier. The former, due to the scope of this thesis, will be diminished in its analysis. The latter three will be expanded upon. A case study of three U.S. airports identified as small, medium, and large is present at the end to expand upon a hypothesis presented.
ContributorsEledge, Andrew (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor, Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The landscape of professional sporting venues within the United States is changing. From 1990-2018, within the four main American professional sports leagues, 20 new NHL arenas, 24 new NBA arenas, 22 new NFL stadiums, and 26 new MLB stadiums were built. As the industry morphs, a handful of new initiatives are being worked into the construct of these venues including increased commercial areas for shopping and restaurants and sharing of the venues between two organizations in an attempt to increase the overall utilization of the spaces. Additionally, in Detroit, San Francisco and Atlanta, where new stadiums and arenas were just recently introduced, the municipalities are using the venues to catalyze further growth and development within the city. However, these trends, while innovative, are tethered to high prices.
This thesis seeks to analyze the changes in how current stadiums are being funded, the public’s reaction to and perception of those financing plans and what the future might hold. Research showed that tax dollars are increasingly unpopular and that teams are moving away from using public money to fund sports venues. Gathered for this report, survey data of 815 Arizona State University students supported anecdotal evidence that people within a community are relatively unhappy with the idea of their money being used to partially subsidize wealthy sports organizations’ infrastructure. Altogether, recent evidence suggests that multi-use facilities funded in majority by private wealth are more popular and generate greater economic impact for the municipality than earlier in history, when heavily subsidized venues allowed teams to take advantage of local government and created fan mistrust. Additionally, sporting organizations can increase value to their consumer by incorporating additional commercial properties into the venue and by collaborating with the public regarding the financing structure of the venue.
This thesis seeks to analyze the changes in how current stadiums are being funded, the public’s reaction to and perception of those financing plans and what the future might hold. Research showed that tax dollars are increasingly unpopular and that teams are moving away from using public money to fund sports venues. Gathered for this report, survey data of 815 Arizona State University students supported anecdotal evidence that people within a community are relatively unhappy with the idea of their money being used to partially subsidize wealthy sports organizations’ infrastructure. Altogether, recent evidence suggests that multi-use facilities funded in majority by private wealth are more popular and generate greater economic impact for the municipality than earlier in history, when heavily subsidized venues allowed teams to take advantage of local government and created fan mistrust. Additionally, sporting organizations can increase value to their consumer by incorporating additional commercial properties into the venue and by collaborating with the public regarding the financing structure of the venue.
ContributorsCwiakala, Alec (Co-author) / Kleen, Brendon (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / McIntosh, Daniel (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05