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 Supply Chain Management
Description
In this thesis, I explore the differences between proto-orthodox and gnostic proselytization beliefs and practices as expressed in their respective texts during the era of doctrinal conflict before the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE in an attempt to explain why these differences existed and how proto-orthodox Christian leaders saw their sect’s emphasis of proselytization as an important distinction between themselves and their gnostic counterparts. Proto-orthodox texts reveal a strong belief in global proselytization, and proto-orthodox leaders stressed that evangelism was a divine command from God that contemporary Christians were supposed to obey. However, gnostic religious texts, commentaries, and letters do not place nearly as much emphasis on proselytization and do not see proselytization as a command from God or something that gnostic believers should practice. Rather, gnostic texts reveal that gnostic believers should focus on internal revelation and special knowledge. While gnostic Christians clearly shared their faith with others, the doctrinal importance of proselytization differed from that of the proselytization focused proto-orthodox Christians. These varying beliefs on evangelism and its relative importance demonstrate a contrast in proselytization beliefs as it relates to the doctrinal discussion between proto-orthodox and gnostic believers in the first 4 centuries CE that has not been comprehensively examined by academia. While some of the practicalities of proto-orthodox proselytization were likely similar in some respects to gnostic proselytization practices, such as not sharing complicated doctrine at once, proto-orthodox Christian leaders argued that the differences in proselytization were doctrinally significant and was a point of contention between these two sects.
ContributorsConsalvo, Nathaniel (Author) / Bruhn, Karen (Thesis director) / Bruner, Jason (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
Digital transformation can be defined as, “the acceleration of business activities, processes, competencies, and models to fully leverage the changes and opportunities of digital technologies and their impact in a strategic and prioritized way,” (Edmead, Mark, and IDG Contributor Network, 2016). Following the industrial revolution, digital transformation has taken shape as the current revolution and innovative process. When industry’s and businesses engage in digital transformation, they create disruption and pave the way for enhanced customer value, efficient operational processes, and innovative business models. The prospect of this thesis is to: (1) understand how digital transformation strategy helps to propel innovation for the self-driving car, (2) understand how this innovation will create value in the grand schema for digital transformation, (3) develop a GIS-based (location analytics) study to understand the market opportunity for such technology and innovation. We outline how digital transformation as a whole represents a modern form of creative destruction, that is rewarding to businesses who engage in transformation for efficiency and innovation, and addresses the implications of those that do not. We discuss how digital transformation has affected the auto industry to invest in innovating self-driving cars. Finally, we perform location analytics to develop an opportunity analysis in five big markets around the Phoenix Metropolitan area in the State of Arizona to identify the potential markets for self-driving cars. We conclude this study with a discussion on how technology strategy is transforming the world.
ContributorsReichman, Allison (Author) / Satpathy, Asish (Thesis director) / Deitrick, Stephanie (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
Innovation has been the cornerstone of Amazon’s business strategy and rise to success. After positioning itself as close as possible to the customer and facing new challenges with its logistics providers, Amazon has desperately tried to inhouse last-mile delivery as it slowly matures its shipping fleet. In response to the faster delivery promises that it made to its customers, Amazon developed two gig-economy-inspired business ventures, AmazonFlex and Delivery Businesses Partners, to satisfy growing demand in the short run and stunt rising shipping costs. However, in its attempt to regain control of its last-mile, Amazon undervalued the administrative burden needed to manage its contractors: chiefly to process packages quickly and maintain customer satisfaction. It also has not released AmazonFlex nationwide, as its platform is not robust enough to handle all the traffic generated by matching transactions or offer any data about the individualities of each delivery (building type, building access, safe parking, etc.). Even though Amazon Flex resembles the UberEats platform, Amazon does not capture customer responses on last-mile delivery specifically. It therefore has no way of gauging whether this gig-economy solution can offer the same on time delivery targets and equal care in package handling as seasoned carriers.
This paper analyzes why Amazon can further deploy its last mile by partnering with Uber for the short term. By utilizing Uber’s large transactional repository and subject matter expertise on meal delivery, Amazon can refine its short-term solutions, limit inherent risks, and maintain customer satisfaction. Uber stands to profit from the partnership by locking in the necessary demand volume to become profitable, while limiting its marketing expenses and lowering the cost per mile traveled. Uber Drivers will have more “jobs” available to remain logged into Uber’s platform and have the ability to execute multiple deliveries in parallel while having to drive less miles. Amazon already has the necessary physical infrastructure to dispatch packages and would barely need to adjust current operations, considering that all last-mile deliveries are executed by contractors in vans and standard sedans. Likewise, Uber would adapt quickly since its service-level monitoring of over 200,000 restaurants would be reduced to only one stakeholder and routes would often originate at the same point. Lastly, Amazon will not have to continue investing in additional equipment, as drivers will drive their own cars and utilize the Uber platform and its refined safety features.
The arrangement of this thesis is as follows: Chapter 1 will provide background information and list the complexities of last mile delivery. Chapter 2, Amazon’s Competitive Environment, will investigate Amazon’s external risks from a competitive analysis standpoint. Chapter 3 will cover how Amazon has leveraged the gig-economy to deliver its last-mile. Chapter 4 will dive into Uber’s threats and weak financial standing. Finally, Chapter 5 will conclude with the incentives and success metrics that support the proposed partnership.
This paper analyzes why Amazon can further deploy its last mile by partnering with Uber for the short term. By utilizing Uber’s large transactional repository and subject matter expertise on meal delivery, Amazon can refine its short-term solutions, limit inherent risks, and maintain customer satisfaction. Uber stands to profit from the partnership by locking in the necessary demand volume to become profitable, while limiting its marketing expenses and lowering the cost per mile traveled. Uber Drivers will have more “jobs” available to remain logged into Uber’s platform and have the ability to execute multiple deliveries in parallel while having to drive less miles. Amazon already has the necessary physical infrastructure to dispatch packages and would barely need to adjust current operations, considering that all last-mile deliveries are executed by contractors in vans and standard sedans. Likewise, Uber would adapt quickly since its service-level monitoring of over 200,000 restaurants would be reduced to only one stakeholder and routes would often originate at the same point. Lastly, Amazon will not have to continue investing in additional equipment, as drivers will drive their own cars and utilize the Uber platform and its refined safety features.
The arrangement of this thesis is as follows: Chapter 1 will provide background information and list the complexities of last mile delivery. Chapter 2, Amazon’s Competitive Environment, will investigate Amazon’s external risks from a competitive analysis standpoint. Chapter 3 will cover how Amazon has leveraged the gig-economy to deliver its last-mile. Chapter 4 will dive into Uber’s threats and weak financial standing. Finally, Chapter 5 will conclude with the incentives and success metrics that support the proposed partnership.
ContributorsZelizer Cobos, Alexandra (Author) / Konopka, John (Thesis director) / Vitikas, Stanley (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
The nation is currently facing an affordable housing crisis. One of many potential solutions is the creation of tiny homes. The following thesis is an essay from a student who worked as a tiny home champion for three years, culminating with an analysis of how a state bill encouraging tiny home development could be passed at the state level.
ContributorsHanson, Sage David (Author) / Melnick, Dr. Rob (Thesis director) / Schoon, Dr. Michael (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The following case study covers Avnet, Inc., a global technology distributor and supply chain service company with a headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona and customers in over 125 countries within North America, Asia and Europe. The case includes a strategic overview of Avnet’s unique 100-year history and transformed business model, while also highlighting the company’s current business strategies. The hallmark of Avnet’s growth and success has been through over one hundred mergers and acquisitions which make up Avnet’s 2020 company ecosystem. The strategies presented in this case focus specifically on the automotive initiative, a strong growth area within the semiconductor industry, which consists of a two-part global transportation strategy for Avnet. The strategy accommodates both Strategic Supply Chain customers as well as Strategic Design Change customers, two main transportation customer types. The case then further explores the transformation of Avnet’s automotive strategy team from a regional to global focus. This research is accomplished through a literature review of market research from various sources on semiconductor market trends and best industry practices. The research also investigates the impacts on demand creation for Avnet through customer relationships. In addition to research and analysis, other information included in the case is derived from direct collaboration with Avnet employees on the cross-functional global team and employee interviews. The research and recommendations in this paper are presented with the goal of providing proof of concept on the global automotive initiative for Avnet and will be shared with the strategy team following completion of the case study.
ContributorsStabile, Kristina Marie (Author) / Rabinovich, Dr. Elliot (Thesis director) / Holmes, Nancy (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The purpose of this honors thesis project is to gather information and expand upon current research within the field of Supply Chain Management. The first step taken to effectively learn about research within the field was the attendance of supply chain seminars geared toward PhD level students. After attending these research seminars, summaries and personal reflections have been created to synthesize the material and highlight the topics discussed. After an analysis of each of the research seminars, an in-depth literature review for the specific topic of “Production Process Moves” is given. This literature review will expand upon the areas of research from this seminar, as well as explore various topics with a focus on knowledge transfer that could have been incorporated into these studies.
ContributorsDonovan, Jasmine Marie (Author) / Oke, Adegoke (Thesis director) / Keane, Katy (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
This thesis aims to explore the power that my personal struggle with sibling overshadowing and bullying had on my personal development, perspective, and character. To accomplish this analysis, I review many current theories in the areas of self-identity, self-confidence, and sibling relationships. I find that there exist theories from psychologists and sociologists, such as Stets, Brody, Kohlberg, and Hetherington, that can provide insight as to why I felt as I did. I discover scientific concepts that explain my stress from being constantly compared to very accomplished siblings. Also, I find that there exists significant research that confirms my inability to trust compliments and feedback in light of at-times low self-esteem. In this personal story, I will apply sociological truths to help decipher my struggle with academic achievement and overshadowing, confidence, and identity. The hope is that this explanation may provide assistance to others in similar circumstances.
In Section 1, I highlighted the 8-year struggle that I faced that had a central focus and emphasis on bullying. I discussed many important ideals, including how grave the bullying in elementary and middle school was and how it shaped me as an individual. I also discussed how sibling overshadowing and comparison contributed to my struggle and growth over the 8-year period in chronological order.
After telling the story in Section 1, I then discussed and did an unbiased theory exploration that attempted to discuss and uncover the theories, relationships, and trends found across three central “themes” presented in Section 1: Sibling Relationships, Self-Identity, and Self-Confidence. I discussed what theories were argued and presented across many famous and well-known researchers, how their work relates to the central theme of interest, and how these theories relate to each other. I found that there were many theories from Stets, Brody, Kohlberg, and Hetherington that provided insight as to why I felt weak and frail. I also found that there was significant research that confirmed my inability to trust compliments and feedback. I lastly discussed some opposing theories by individuals who argued against these same ideas along with the respective amount of weight that they carry over others.
In Section 3, I then took the theories, trends, and relationships presented on these themes in Section 2 from various researchers and integrated them with Section 1, my life experience. Section 3 represents a hybrid discussion of how the theories argued, debated, and explored by researchers relate specifically to moments throughout my life and 8-year struggle. In this section, my goal is to help readers understand how these theories can or can’t relate to someone’s personal experience. I also discussed which theories carry more weight than others based on the volume of research conducted.
In Section 1, I highlighted the 8-year struggle that I faced that had a central focus and emphasis on bullying. I discussed many important ideals, including how grave the bullying in elementary and middle school was and how it shaped me as an individual. I also discussed how sibling overshadowing and comparison contributed to my struggle and growth over the 8-year period in chronological order.
After telling the story in Section 1, I then discussed and did an unbiased theory exploration that attempted to discuss and uncover the theories, relationships, and trends found across three central “themes” presented in Section 1: Sibling Relationships, Self-Identity, and Self-Confidence. I discussed what theories were argued and presented across many famous and well-known researchers, how their work relates to the central theme of interest, and how these theories relate to each other. I found that there were many theories from Stets, Brody, Kohlberg, and Hetherington that provided insight as to why I felt weak and frail. I also found that there was significant research that confirmed my inability to trust compliments and feedback. I lastly discussed some opposing theories by individuals who argued against these same ideas along with the respective amount of weight that they carry over others.
In Section 3, I then took the theories, trends, and relationships presented on these themes in Section 2 from various researchers and integrated them with Section 1, my life experience. Section 3 represents a hybrid discussion of how the theories argued, debated, and explored by researchers relate specifically to moments throughout my life and 8-year struggle. In this section, my goal is to help readers understand how these theories can or can’t relate to someone’s personal experience. I also discussed which theories carry more weight than others based on the volume of research conducted.
ContributorsMionis, Julia (Author) / Fey, Richard (Thesis director) / Martinez, Elizabeth (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
Using the case of the ocean plastic supply chain in Southeast Asia, this creative project serves to educate the audience about the differences between “informal” and “formal” supply chains, while also providing context for why these differences are so important for the global economy. Most people are not familiar with the idea of an informal supply chain, though they account for more than 60% of the employed population and over 80% of all global enterprises. These chains are hard to manage and are extremely unpredictable, yet most formal supply chains, like those of major corporations that we know and love, utilize informal supply chains in some capacity. The focus of my research was through hands-on experiences and interviews in Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines, with additional outside research from academic and other publications.
The deliverable for my project was, in this case, a video that helps to visualize the differences between these supply chains, while also educating the listener about various key facts that make this problem so complex. It utilizes an adapted framework to visualize the main stakeholders in the supply chain, providing explanations and photos of each level. It then dives into further detail of the first level in the supply chain: Pickers.
The deliverable for my project was, in this case, a video that helps to visualize the differences between these supply chains, while also educating the listener about various key facts that make this problem so complex. It utilizes an adapted framework to visualize the main stakeholders in the supply chain, providing explanations and photos of each level. It then dives into further detail of the first level in the supply chain: Pickers.
ContributorsLacourse, Aaron (Author) / Dooley, Dr. Kevin (Thesis director) / Blackmer, Cindie (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-12
Description
In this paper, I assess the current state of the opioid epidemic in the United States which has caused countless deaths since the 1990s. I analyze the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and how it is involved in perpetuating the opioid crisis in the United States through its supply chain. I identify four main issues which lead to the continuation of the opioid crisis: the shift to a continuous manufacturing model, the consolidation of pharmacy benefit managers, pharmaceutical companies' influence on medical professionals prescribing opioids to patients and the creation of an informal supply chain in which patients distribute their unused prescription pills. To address these issues and alleviate the problem of the opioid crisis caused by supply chains I propose that pharmacy benefit managers implement blockchain technology to increase supply chain visibility, increasing buyer power in the market and developing a reverse logistics system within the supply chain to dispose of unused prescriptions.
ContributorsHicks, Kyle (Author) / Keane, Katy (Thesis director) / Konopka, John (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
As sustainability has become more prevalent it has become clear that companies have a pressing need to incorporate sustainability into their business. The purpose of this study is to analyze the ways that integrating sustainability can actually provide a financial benefit for a company. Through interviews and extensive research, we will target sustainability initiatives that work for both small and large businesses. This is another key part of our research; addressing the discrepancy in how businesses of different sizes are able to use sustainability, and then finding sustainability initiatives that recognize this discrepancy and are effective for businesses of all sizes.
As sustainability has become more prevalent it has become clear that companies have a pressing need to incorporate sustainability into their business. The purpose of this study is to analyze the ways that integrating sustainability can actually provide a financial benefit for a company. Through interviews and extensive research, we will target sustainability initiatives that work for both small and large businesses. This is another key part of our research; addressing the discrepancy in how businesses of different sizes are able to use sustainability, and then finding sustainability initiatives that recognize this discrepancy and are effective for businesses of all sizes.
Through the interviews of three large corporations (Amazon, Dell, and Lowes), and four small businesses (Exel Shirts, Goode Deals, Desert Dream Ice Cream, and FitzGerald and Sons Contracting) we were able to discover several very effective sustainability initiatives, such as ocean plastics recycling at Dell or packaging advertisements at Amazon. This thesis then discussed what characteristics of these plans are easiest to transfer and implement for businesses of all sizes, classifying the “ideal” sustainability initiative. Possible revenue earners like reusing scrap, and the intangible benefits like saved labor of telecommuting as some of the most significant financial value that sustainability can provide for companies of all sizes.
As sustainability has become more prevalent it has become clear that companies have a pressing need to incorporate sustainability into their business. The purpose of this study is to analyze the ways that integrating sustainability can actually provide a financial benefit for a company. Through interviews and extensive research, we will target sustainability initiatives that work for both small and large businesses. This is another key part of our research; addressing the discrepancy in how businesses of different sizes are able to use sustainability, and then finding sustainability initiatives that recognize this discrepancy and are effective for businesses of all sizes.
Through the interviews of three large corporations (Amazon, Dell, and Lowes), and four small businesses (Exel Shirts, Goode Deals, Desert Dream Ice Cream, and FitzGerald and Sons Contracting) we were able to discover several very effective sustainability initiatives, such as ocean plastics recycling at Dell or packaging advertisements at Amazon. This thesis then discussed what characteristics of these plans are easiest to transfer and implement for businesses of all sizes, classifying the “ideal” sustainability initiative. Possible revenue earners like reusing scrap, and the intangible benefits like saved labor of telecommuting as some of the most significant financial value that sustainability can provide for companies of all sizes.
ContributorsFitzgerald, John Haviland (Author) / Keane, Katy (Thesis director) / Iryna, Printezis (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05