Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students.
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- Creators: Department of Supply Chain Management
Description
Humanitarian aid organizations, while providing aid services, require inputs and utilize business processes like other for-profit firms. Many charity organizations depend on donations for revenue. The level of public trust in charities can affect donations. To support the American public and protect individuals from dishonest charity agencies, charity watchdog organizations publish ratings of charities to assist the public in donation decisions. The ratings focus on a variety of topics orienting how much of donation funds go directly to the cause not administrative or soliciting costs. In the American Red Cross, a new process was engineered to make procuring consulting services more efficient and cost effective. This project was focused on investigating areas of improvement for the new process. Deliverables included process suggestions for business unit managers, process suggestions for sourcing managers, and detailed process flowcharts highlighting potential modifications in the new process. Overall, it is critical to keep consulting costs low to ensure that watchdog organizational ratings stay positive and public trust in the American Red Cross remains high.
ContributorsDonahue, Nancy Elizabeth (Author) / Brooks, Daniel (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
The following thesis analyzed the non-profit organization, Welcome to America Project (WTAP) to understand and identify effective marketing techniques for non-profits. The primary focus of the WTAP, a non-profit organization helping newly arrived refugees in Arizona is to provide them with basic necessities by collecting monetary and in-kind donations from volunteers. WTAP's limited resources require the organization to use creative marketing techniques to solicit donations effectively and efficiently. Through an analysis of WTAP's current marketing techniques and the marketing methods of three benchmark organizations, Project C.U.R.E., Feed My Starving Children, and Maggie's Place, we have identified several opportunities for WTAP to consider.
ContributorsVasoya, Charmi (Co-author) / Chan, Dona (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / O'Connor, Megan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
Blue House Coffee is a company started by four friends with a passion for roasting fresh, quality coffee. The company's current business operations include online sales through a company website and beverage sales from a bicycle-driven coffee cart. Blue House Coffee offers a diversity in variety of high-quality roasted coffee and a top-of-the-line iced coffee as its core products. The Marketing Plan is the next step in solidifying the company's goals and will play an integral role in better understanding the business, the customers, and a strategy for success.
ContributorsZeigler, Zachary Alan (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Entering into my final year of W. P. Carey, I decided I wanted my thesis to combine what I've learned over the course of my undergraduate Marketing degree with my passion for baseball. Furthermore, I wanted my thesis to contain both a research element and creative application. I felt the best way to achieve the integration of these goals was to research and then select an MLB team to relocate to a more attractive American market. After performing research to determine an ideal team and city for relocation, I created a comprehensive marketing strategy to best cater this team for its new market. The first half of my thesis focuses entirely on the research required to select an optimal team and attractive market for relocation. I begin my thesis by performing an external analysis of the current MLB landscape. To elaborate, I gathered W-L records and fan attendance records for all 30 MLB teams between 2000 and 2016. I also collected the most recent team revenues and valuations before putting all of this data in Excel to create visual graphs. Using this data, I determine a list of the top 4 most attractive teams for relocation based on consistently poor performance in the metrics I collected data on. After selecting the Tampa Bay Rays as the ideal team to relocate, I then dive deeper into the organization through an internal analysis. Then, I focus on performing an external analysis of the most attractive markets for relocation before ultimately selecting Charlotte, NC as the best city. My research ends with a comprehensive external analysis of the Charlotte, NC market to help in creating a brand that caters to the makeup and culture of the distinct city. My analysis of Charlotte focuses on the city's demographics, population growth, local economy, political environment and trends that could impact target market segments. After performing extensive research on identifying the best team and city for a relocation, I switch gears to developing a comprehensive marketing strategy to best help the team achieve success in its new market. This begins with creating a unifying segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategy to outline the direction the team will take. These strategies place tremendous emphasis on the need for the Charlotte team to create an "irresistible cultural experience" that expands the traditional MLB mold to attract young Millennial fans to games that normally wouldn't be interested in attending games. Next, I begin by developing key elements of the brand including the team name, logos, uniforms, sponsors, and stadium. With the stadium, I even go as far as determining an ideal location along with unique features, such as lawn seating and even local vendors that have appeared on Food Network to add to the cultural experience of the brand. Then, I focus on a unifying initial marketing campaign through TV/print ads, radio ads, social media, and public relations to help the team seamlessly transition into its new home. My thesis ends with recommendations for future steps to take to ensure the relocated organization achieves lasting success in its new city.
ContributorsSchwartz, Justin David (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Humans have traveled since the dawn of humanity over 200,000 years ago. As time progressed and technology increased, so too did human motivations and drivers for travel. This thesis aims to understand these human motivations and drivers, ultimately answering the question, "Why Travel?" To answer this question, this research starts from the earliest of humans, classifying groups of individuals across time into respective buckets based on a similar motivation. In doing so, four traveler segments were identified: the Survivors, the Inventors, the Adventurers, and the Colonists. Each segment describes an era in time of a specific group of humans, each distinctly aligning with a specific reason for travel. In the early 1800s, the advent of commercial travel altered the future of travel. This began with the invention of the locomotive and was followed by the airplane and automobile. With this onset of commercial travel, transportation arrives to its current state in 2018 with a new type of traveler: the Modern Traveler. This is a turning point in the history of travel, as prior to commercial travel, groups of individuals could be grouped under one specific reason. Post commercial travel, human motivations and drivers become diverse and discrete, with no two individuals sharing the same motivations. To further understand this human desire for travel in a modern sense, a survey was administered to uncover these drivers. The findings revealed one broad reason: humans travel for the experience. With this overarching view of travel, five drivers were also apparent. First, humans travel to visit friends and family. Secondly, family vacations are an important factor in the motivation to travel. Third, humans desire the ability to experience a culture different than their own. Fourth, humans are intrigued by new places and can be motivated to travel by the ability to have new experiences. Fifth and finally, rest and relaxation are a key driver in human travel. With a greater understanding as to "why humans travel," and the drivers behind the "experience" individuals seek through travel, such understandings could be used to segment these individuals into distinct traveler profiles. These segments, the Backpacker, the Solo-Traveler, the Groupie, the Cultural Traveler and the Party Lover, were used to better group motivations for travel. One conclusion can be drawn from this research: travel is diverse and so are travelers. One reason cannot define the motivations of a modern traveler, rather today's traveler is bound by multiple. However, segmenting an individual provides valuable insights into their own diverse traveler persona.
ContributorsCheney, Elizabeth Marie (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Las Vegas, Nevada has been considered the "Entertainment Capital of the World" bolstering what seems like endless possibilities and attractions for those who come looking to have a good time. From the many storied casinos that line The Strip, to replicas of wonders of the world, and the countless attractions the city hosts such as the world-renowned shows and other blockbuster events, Vegas seems to have it all. However, one thing seems to be missing \u2014 professional sports. This project highlights the introduction of Las Vegas' first ever professional sports franchise, the Golden Knights, along with the journey it took to get there. Beginning with origins of professional hockey and the foundation of the NHL in 1927, the League has grown substantially in size that spans over 19 states, from coast to coast, across the country. From the NHL's first expansion in 1967, the league has witnessed immense growth through the influence of broadcasting rights and seen through increased television ratings, in-game attendance numbers, and youth hockey registration numbers in markets throughout the United States. The growth and promotion of hockey culture in regions outside the North and Northeastern part of the nation have led to the recent expansion of hockey into Las Vegas. This thesis covers the steps in which the new Vegas franchise was formed, in addition to the key factors that led to the team's incredible inaugural season success which has marked them the most successful expansion team ALL North American sports history. Finally, after displaying the contributions the Golden Knights have had on the ice, this thesis illustrates the impact the team has made off the ice both for the Las Vegas economy and the local community. Through the construction of Vegas' state of the art arena, the franchise's ticket and merchandise sales, the media value and attention the team has brought to Las Vegas, and the increase in jobs created for the city, the Golden Knights have been generating hundreds of millions of dollars for Las Vegas. As the city's first professional sports franchise, the Golden Knights have truly become a successful addition to the "Entertainment Capital of the World," and to the NHL itself.
ContributorsDickson Darr, Gage (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
White Dove Thrift Shoppes, two stores in Phoenix run by Hospice of the Valley, serve a vital function in the city. These stores allow members of the community to donate and shop while furthering the Hospice cause. Many aspects of the stores run smoothly but there is always room for improvement. While no formal goals have been established, it seems likely that management is looking for ways to increase sales and improve brand awareness. To determine how this can be accomplished, I conducted an external audit interviewed White Dove personnel. To remain competitive, White Dove needs to emphasize its strengths. Among these is the sense of community White Dove provides for its volunteers, customers, and management. The store offers high quality merchandise at a low price, which is essential for the thrift industry. The stores also are quite innovative, which will serve them well in the future. Along with its strengths, White Dove has some areas for improvement. To maximize profitability, it is recommended that White Dove engage in business practices that it is currently not exploring. In terms of marketing, the stores could advertise more within Hospice and the local community. Store tangibles could also be modified to make customers feel more comfortable. Additionally, White Dove should improve training methods for its volunteers and make all volunteers feel appreciated. Finally, managers have indicated that they would like to expand to a younger demographic. To accomplish this, White Dove can utilize ASU students and Greek life. If White Dove can successfully implement these recommendations and continue to highlight its strengths, the stores will remain competitive in the future.
ContributorsMcLellan, Brittany Ann (Author) / Ostrom, Amy (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Hutchman, Elizabeth (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2013-05
DescriptionThis paper details my journey into children's publishing (as a Supply Chain major fairly unfamiliar with the industry) and culminates with my attempt at writing a picture book.
ContributorsGillmore, Lauren Emily (Author) / Brooks, Dan (Thesis director) / Gopalakrishnan, Mohan (Committee member) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
The purpose of this project was to examine the retail grocery industry in the United States. Focusing on three highly successful regional grocery chains, I used primary and secondary research to determine if these chains should expand nationwide for increased revenue and profitability.
ContributorsIsrael, Dylan (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2021-12
Description
The gender pay gap is a well-known issue that many organizations seek to mitigate. While great strides have been made, even more concerning is the gender wealth gap: the disparity between the wealth owned and retained by women in modern society. Solving this issue is even more difficult due to the engrained beliefs and behavior women exercise in regards to finance. To address the core issues of education and confidence within this realm, this thesis creative project centered around researching female financial values, knowledge, and confidence across nuanced disciplines to inform the brand strategy and messaging for a website housing financial literacy competencies for young females.
ContributorsSwanton, Gabrielle (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2022-05