Matching Items (13)
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- All Subjects: Sustainability
- All Subjects: Software
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Description
This thesis is a technical project management overview of development of software for a student startup venture named TableTop. There were many changes made throughout the process in order to address new conditions as to keep the vision of the project on the most direct and reasonable path. Development followed the agile product development model in order to adapt as the concept pivoted or as hurdles presented themselves. The goal at the end of the project was to have a well-defined business model based off of the lean startup business model canvas. The business model would shape development of the software that needed to be functional and ready for testing by the completion of the thesis. Functional was defined as having completed the user and merchant side of the application including communication between both. Ultimately, a user needed to be able to complete a transaction that a merchant had submitted on the software.
ContributorsMaloney, Ryan Daniel (Author) / Mayron, Liam (Thesis director) / Peck, Sidnee (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Arts, Media and Engineering (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
CourseKarma is a web application that engages students in their own learning through peer-driven social networking. The influence of technology on students is advancing faster than the school system, and a major gap still lingers between traditional learning techniques and the fast-paced, online culture of today's generation. CourseKarma enriches the educational experience of today's student by creating a space for collaborative inquiry as well as illuminating the opportunities of self and group learning through online collaboration. The features of CourseKarma foster this student-driven environment. The main focus is on a news-feed and Question and Answer component that provides a space for students to share instant updates as well ask and answer questions of the community. The community can be as broad as the entire ASU student body, as specific as students in BIO155, or even more targeted via specific subjects and or skills. CourseKarma also provides reputation points, which are the sum of all of their votes received, identifying the individual's level and or ranking in each subject or class. This not only gamifies the usual day-to-day learning environment, but it also provides an in-depth analysis of the individual's skills, accomplishments, and knowledge. The community is also able to input and utilize course and professor descriptions/feedback. This will be in a review format providing the students an opportunity to share and give feedback on their experience as well as providing incoming students the opportunity to be prepared for their future classes. All of the student's contributions and collaborative activity within CourseKarma is displayed on their personal profile creating a timeline of their academic achievements. The application was created using modern web programming technologies such as AngualrJS, Javascript, jQuery, Bootstrap, HTML5, CSS3 for the styling and front-end development, Mustache.js for client side templating, and Firebase AngularFire as the back-end and NoSQL database. Other technologies such as Pivitol Tracker was used for project management and user story generation, as well as, Github for version control management and repository creation. Object-oreinted programming concepts were heavily present in the creation of the various data structures, as well as, a voting algorithm was used to manage voting of specific posts. Down the road, CourseKarma could even be a necessary add-on within LinkedIn or Facebook that provides a quick yet extremely in-depth look at an individuals' education, skills, and potential to learn \u2014 based all on their actual contribution to their academic community rather than just a text they wrote up.
ContributorsCho, Sungjae (Author) / Mayron, Liam (Thesis director) / Lobock, Alan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Arts, Media and Engineering (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This software can process transactions for small businesses and store those transactions for reporting purposes. The specific build is tailor made for a small business run by the author and their partners. The software is a customized, in house solution for maintaining accurate accounting information. It uses C# code and windows forms to create a unique GUI to both enter and retrieve data. The code for each form is attached at the end of the user manual.
ContributorsGodfrey, David Emmanuel (Author) / Olsen, Christopher (Thesis director) / Anderson, Dennis (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This honors thesis examines community gardens from throughout Phoenix, Arizona. It shows that community gardens have the potential to both support and hinder sustainability efforts, encourage community development, and increase food access. By measuring the temperature at various community gardens throughout Phoenix, AZ, community gardens were shown to minimize local effects of the urban heat island. Because they use water to survive and Phoenix, AZ is in a desert, this contributes to a depleting water supply. Interviews of gardeners from community gardens throughout Phoenix depicted that community gardens can provide sites for community development as well as promoting food access.
ContributorsBowersox, Diane Kathleen (Author) / Haglund, LaDawn (Thesis director) / Lyon, Mich (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The goal of this research was to analyze the impact of consumer behavior on the sustainability of the fast fashion industry, specifically in regards to the framework of the Triple Bottom Line. First, a review of relevant literature investigating the three aspects of the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, and economic) as it pertains to the fast fashion industry was conducted to provide context for this research. Research methods utilized scholarly articles and journals along with companies’ CSR reports to determine the course of development of the fast fashion industry over time. Additionally, the impact of consumer behavior was investigated and linked to trends observed in the production and business practices of the industry over time. Based on the analysis of the influence of past consumer behavior on the industry, it was clear consumers play a major role in the industry and its sustainability in terms of the Triple Bottom Line. This suggests that the unsustainability of the fast fashion industry is due in part to consumer behavior and the retailers themselves, which is important to understand for the industry going forward as it aims to improve overall sustainability.
ContributorsStoller, MacKenzie (Co-author) / Beltran, Gabriella (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Sewell, Dennita (Committee member) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
This study aims to identify the self-reported sustainability goals, practices, and results of the five largest hotel companies that are headquartered in the United States through a comprehensive content analysis of each of their websites. The five companies included in the study are Best Western International, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, and Marriott International. The main focus centered on the qualitative information they shared about their goals and implemented practices across the hotels owned and operated by each company. In addition, the published qualitative data was analyzed to look at the reported results of their implemented practices. The results showed a large variety in the level of information that was shared by each of the five companies.
Information was examined using thirteen indicators of sustainability. Eight indicators were chosen that represented environmental sustainability, plus five indicators that represent social and economic sustainability. Based on the information analyzed, each company received a score for each indicator according to the level of information disclosed. This created a sustainability scorecard, with Marriott and Hilton scoring the highest, Wyndham and Best Western scoring the lowest, and Choice Hotels falling in the middle .In summary, it was determined that Hilton is reporting at the highest level, based on the measured indicators in addition to receiving external assurance on their disclosed results from implemented practices, The other four companies have further steps they should take to better communicate their sustainable practices and overall commitment to sustainability.
Information was examined using thirteen indicators of sustainability. Eight indicators were chosen that represented environmental sustainability, plus five indicators that represent social and economic sustainability. Based on the information analyzed, each company received a score for each indicator according to the level of information disclosed. This created a sustainability scorecard, with Marriott and Hilton scoring the highest, Wyndham and Best Western scoring the lowest, and Choice Hotels falling in the middle .In summary, it was determined that Hilton is reporting at the highest level, based on the measured indicators in addition to receiving external assurance on their disclosed results from implemented practices, The other four companies have further steps they should take to better communicate their sustainable practices and overall commitment to sustainability.
ContributorsStefanowski, Stacey Rita (Author) / Nyaupane, Gyan (Thesis director) / Chhabra, Deepak (Committee member) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The direction of artificial intelligence is one of the most important and popular topics of technological development. Both experts and the average person agree AI will continue to play a massive role in virtually all industries. Despite this shared belief, AI has continued to progress at a limited rate, limited by conventional schools of thought and mathematical approaches. In order for truly intelligent technology to exist, one must succeed in modeling the human brain as a system, not its functionalities. Conventional AI attempts to account for all the variables and permutations of a given situation rather than creating a closed system that can implicitly utilize data to form completely unique conclusions without human intervention. By bridging the gap between mathematics, biology, and neurology, Igni will become the world's first hyper intelligent artificial intelligence system. In order to understand Igni, one must first understand the progression of conventional AI and its limitations. Then they can understanding the major components of Igni and how this technology overcomes conventional limitations in its journey to revolutionize most industries.
ContributorsYu, Vince Winghang (Co-author) / Patel, Ishan (Co-author) / Dawson, Gregory (Thesis director) / Garverick, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-12
Description
In order to graduate with honors from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, I have completed the following thesis under the direction of Dr. Craig Carter and Dr. John Eaton. The purpose of this thesis is to perform preliminary and proprietary research on the sustainability of components of the supply chain of local business within the greater Phoenix, Arizona area in order to determine practices that can lead to and even increase success in a competitive niche of already competitive industries, especially during times of supply chain stress. My hypothesis is that preliminary and proprietary research will both display that the consumer aspect of the supply chain of local business is the most essential, especially if other aspects of the supply chain experience distress. My preliminary research involved breaking down the title of this thesis into four parts: sustainability, supply chain, local business, and the Phoenix local business market and then performing internet research and interviews in order to form a solid understanding of such concepts. Then, I performed my proprietary research, which involved conducting a consumer survey and three interviews with local business owners. Though my hypothesis is not supported, I have learned a lot on the topic of this thesis itself, as well as on the thesis writing process.
ContributorsBrunacini, Maria Abigail (Author) / Carter, Craig (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Three dimensional printing is a growing field and an excellent medium for rapid prototyping. Its expansion has accelerated over recent years due to the increased affordability of the technology. It is now at the point where the startup cost to get into the field is down to the hobbyist price point. This means that there is an extremely high demand for affordable printing media. Current media such as ABS and PLA is extremely easy to form, but expensive and petroleum intensive to create. A recycling system that could work with a large variety of waste products could change the way that the maker community recycles. This Honors Thesis, or "Creative Project" will be centered on the product launch of small business 3DCycler. Although this launch will require pulling information and skills from various branches of both Business and Science, the scope of this project will be limited to specifically the market entrance of our small business/ product. Within this blanket goal, the project aims to define our target market/ its niche(s), develop proper IP/ lockout strategies, define future manufacturing strategies, and to fully define our beta product. The research was empirical in nature. Through data gathering techniques (e.g., consultations, interviews, survey), exploration was performed. Through these techniques the company 3DCycler took several calculated pivots in order to prepare the company for a strategic product launch and eventual acquisition.
ContributorsFarber-Schaefer, Blaine (Author) / Cho, Steve (Thesis director) / Goodman, Tom (Committee member) / Engineering Programs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
When you get to a point in your day where you need a drink of water, what type of bottle do you reach for? A plastic bottle? In the US alone, over 500 billion bottles are used daily (or in a year), and this leads to an exorbitant amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, oceans, and finally, our bodies. Uni Flask is a unique solution tailored to meet the needs of college students throughout the US. Through the pairing of reusable, university themed bottles with our daily reminders and challenges, eliminating plastic waste is at the heart of our group's solution. The themed bottles will be available to not just students, but to anyone who is interested. The reminders you receive can be modified to your exact needs, and can be sent daily, weekly, or even monthly. Regardless of which option you choose, our team will include you in any competitions and challenges available, as our goal at Uni Flask is to not only cut down on plastic waste and consumption, but to help you achieve a healthier, hydrated lifestyle.
ContributorsMohandes, Nasim (Author) / Owen, Alexander (Co-author) / Algibez Flores, Lola (Co-author) / Li, Amanda (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Satpathy, Asish (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2022-05