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In recent years, companies have been expanding their business efforts on a global scale. This project explores this expansion of American-based multinational corporations (MNCs) in Ireland, and the comparison of how their culture motivation in the workplace. We did a cultural study using Hofstede and Trompenaars' cultural dimensions of the two countries then used McClelland's Needs Theory, Equity Theory, and Herzberg's Motivation-Hygiene Theory in order to create three research questions. (1) How does the manager define success for the firm as a whole and for their employees, (2) How is the definition of success reflected in the company's corporate culture (i.e. values, norms and practices), along with how cultural values, norms and practices affect the company, and (3) How do external forces (i.e. governmental factors, workplace technology, etc.) affect the workplace environment and motivation for employees? With these we hypothesized that for research question 1, we hypothesized that from our study of Hofstede's and Trompenaars' cultural frameworks, Irish employees will show a greater tendency to favor affiliation, nAff, as opposed to a need for achievement, nAch, in American employees, according to McClelland's Needs Theory. For research question 2, we predicted that motivation would be administered through style of feedback to employees and office norms, such as autonomy, flexible hours, and work-life balance. For research question 3, we hypothesized that Ireland would have an impact from external factors such as government and technology, whereas the U.S. employees would face no clear impact. We conducted eight, qualitative interviews using a questionnaire, either in person or via video conference. The interviewees were all managers in some facet and have all had some international experience. Through the analysis of the interviews, we found that the Irish employees focused on how employees are able to help or contribute to a group (nAff), instead of looking at how the contribution of a group can be used to meet individual goals (nAch). The American companies reflected Trompenaars' definition of individualism in which employees focus on collaborating in teams, as long as individual goals are met, and benchmarked collaboration as a performance measure, tying in the need for achievement, for research question one. For the second research question, we found that employees in Ireland had a focus on teamwork in the workplace and much higher respect for work-life balance. American firms, in contrast, had a greater focus on making sure employees were contributing, meeting their goals, and getting their work done. While American firms did acknowledge work-life balance and its importance, there was a priority for coming in early and/or staying late to make sure a job got done. Findings for our third question showed that government factors did impact Ireland more, due to labor laws such as required vacation days in Ireland, and that technology had less of an impact than expected, for both countries. More importantly was our finding that the companies in Ireland were greatly impacted by the decisions made by the business executives in the United States.
ContributorsSong, Jenny Jungwon (Co-author) / Brown, William (Co-author) / Arrfelt, Mathias (Thesis director) / Moore, James (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
DescriptionI made a full business plan and pitch to investors for a company I plan on starting next semester.
ContributorsOramas, Michael (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Naumann, Gary (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
The focus of this project is developing a business plan for faith-based counseling for college students. Renewed Living Counseling Center (RLCC) is a faith-based counseling center in the Tempe area serving Arizona State University students. RLCC strives to bring healing and wholeness to each student who comes through the doors, to empower them to realize and live out their potential, by providing them with the skills to accomplish their dreams and live full lives, through counseling, motivation, education, and treating studentʼs behaviors to become whole and successful. Research indicates that the proposed center, Renewed Living Counseling Center (RLCC), has great potential for success because:
1. Spirituality and faith are increasingly recognized as important aspects in a personʼs life. National research shows that 66% of people feel counseling should include spirituality. Research with ASU students found that students reflect this statistic, as they feel spirituality is an important part of counseling. Students also feel spirituality is appropriate to include as part of counseling services offered by centers referred to by ASU.
2. There is a need for counseling at ASU. Nationally,approximately1,100 college students commit suicide each year. At ASU, almost one-third of students reported feeling so depressed that it is difficult to function, and 0.9% report having attempted suicide within the past year.
3. Surveys of ASU students indicate that students who describe themselves as being religious are more desirous that counseling include a spiritual dimension. Surveys of campus pastors indicate that over 80% believe there is a need for faith-based counseling and would refer students to a local center.
4. Price is an issue. Indeed, a survey of campus pastors indicated that they believed cost of counseling to be one of the primary deterrents to students seeking help. One way to control costs is to use a mixture of residents and licensed counselors. As in medicine, students must complete coursework along with a period of residency or internship to obtain licensing. Both religious and secular masters programs in counseling exist in the greater Phoenix area. Thus, there is a potential supply of students who could work as residents, permitting RLCC to offer counseling services at reasonable prices.
1. Spirituality and faith are increasingly recognized as important aspects in a personʼs life. National research shows that 66% of people feel counseling should include spirituality. Research with ASU students found that students reflect this statistic, as they feel spirituality is an important part of counseling. Students also feel spirituality is appropriate to include as part of counseling services offered by centers referred to by ASU.
2. There is a need for counseling at ASU. Nationally,approximately1,100 college students commit suicide each year. At ASU, almost one-third of students reported feeling so depressed that it is difficult to function, and 0.9% report having attempted suicide within the past year.
3. Surveys of ASU students indicate that students who describe themselves as being religious are more desirous that counseling include a spiritual dimension. Surveys of campus pastors indicate that over 80% believe there is a need for faith-based counseling and would refer students to a local center.
4. Price is an issue. Indeed, a survey of campus pastors indicated that they believed cost of counseling to be one of the primary deterrents to students seeking help. One way to control costs is to use a mixture of residents and licensed counselors. As in medicine, students must complete coursework along with a period of residency or internship to obtain licensing. Both religious and secular masters programs in counseling exist in the greater Phoenix area. Thus, there is a potential supply of students who could work as residents, permitting RLCC to offer counseling services at reasonable prices.
ContributorsMatthews, Rachel Leigh (Author) / Steinbart, Paul (Thesis director) / Chung, Sally (Committee member) / Sanders, Ben (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The following business plan will delve into the financial feasibility of a business venture into niche pet product markets: more specifically, the market for pet products both sourced and made in the USA, which is a distinction also discussed in the body of the paper. The paper begins by detailing the anecdote that brought about the vision for the company and then segues into a description of the products that will be carried by the company. These include pet toys, beds, leashes, vitamins, soaps, treats and more, which is followed by a list of potential product suppliers who have all already expressed interest in the venture. The plan then discusses the possibility of expanding into markets abroad such as China and the feasibility of carrying products outside of those strictly for dogs and cats. An in-depth market analysis includes a series of statistics reinforcing the potential profitability of the business, including the fact that a recent study has found that 81 percent of pet owners consider their dogs to be "bonda fide family members" and that online spending on pet supplies increased 67 percent between July 2015 and July 2016. It also includes the projection that the industry is intended to reach $91.72 billion in sales by 2019. The discussion then transitions into the company's target market, which, at the most specific level, will be white, married individuals age 55 to 64 living in rural areas with an annual household income of $125,000 or more. The plan then delves into a target market segment strategy, which addresses how marketing and business strategies will target certain demographics to appeal to them individually, whether it be through a "family-owned" impression or an appeal to their sense of patriotism or social consciousness. Next, the plan addresses potential competition within the pet product market, first discussing the super giants PetSmart and Petco and how these corporations hardly cater to this niche market and then smaller companies who do meet the same demand, such as myusapetsupplies.com, but fall short in terms of strategy and marketing. Marketing for the business venture will be almost entirely digital, ranging from pay-per-click services to mass newsletters and online social media contests and giveaways. The paper then transitions to location, facilities, shipping, and licensing, discussing the layout, which will be in a residential garage that meets all city regulations. A best-in class e-commerce experience is vital to the success of the business. By optimizing our e-commerce platform and search marketing, we can level the playing field and standout from our competition. Therefore, Shopify will be used as the content management system and the domain name "petsuppliesusa.com" has been selected. Three potential logo designs and reasoning for each are examined. Next, the plan discusses the company and management, stating that decision making will lie in the hands of the founders even after a larger employee pool is hired and a flatter structure is employed. Lastly, the plan lists a pro forma for the business and a projection that the first year will reap final profit of $125,000 at the end of the first year of operation.
ContributorsGish, James (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Gray, Nancy (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
During the Innovation Space program, my team and I (which included graphic design, industrial design, engineering, and business majors) created a product that solves a problem posed by our sponsor Johnson & Johnson. This year long project involved researching biological aggressors, specifically mosquitoes, brainstorming over sixty ideas, developing a business plan for the final 3 ideas ("ago", "WANDELAR", & "FIL"), and eventually pursing and finalizing the final idea chosen. We chose to further develop "ago", a stroller seat insert that creates an air barrier between the child in the seat and any insects flying nearby. This portable seat fits in most strollers and also cools the child's back so they don't overheat while outside. The team created a design book, design model, and prototype of "ago" including the seat, fan, and hose. As the business member of the group, I developed three business plans, a final business plan, and conducted primary research by surveying our target market, parents. This business plan included customer research and validation efforts, cost structure, entry market, competition, and other crucial information required to sell "ago". Along with the final presentation of our product to our sponsors, I also completed a reflection paper about my experience working on an interdisciplinary team and the similarities and differences I found the Innovation Space program has to a real world product development team. I also included how my experience in Barrett and W.P. Carey contributed to my success in the program as well as any personal takeaways I had from the program.
ContributorsRefermat, Jocelyn Rae (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Montoya, Tara (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Within the beauty industry, a common issue that exists is the lack of diversity in product colors that suit consumers of darker-skinned ethnicities. Ethnic diversity in makeup products is often difficult to find, particularly in regard to more affordable brands. Over the years, the makeup and beauty industry has focused their attention on Caucasian females, thus excluding many other races, ethnicities, skin colors, and even genders. Although the lack of diversity in the cosmetics world is often related to people with darker complexions, this issue can affect any individual of any ethnicity or skin tone. This lack of diversity causes a negative psychological impact on individuals and causes people to experience feelings of frustration, anxiety, and exclusion. The purpose and significance of this research is further outlined in Chapter I. To address this issue, I developed an overarching research question: How might I create a custom makeup product that provides value to my audience? In order to answer this overarching question, I conducted research to answer the following areas: (1) Who is my audience? (2) What are my audience's perceptions and attitudes about makeup? (3) What challenges does my audience face when searching for or purchasing makeup? (4) Why does my audience value my product? and (5) What does my audience believe about my product? These questions allowed me to gather an in-depth understanding of the customer, including their tastes, preferences, needs, values, and demographic characteristics. Chapter II is comprised of the literature search which explores four themes: (1) the changing perception of the makeup industry, (2) diversity in makeup, (3) makeup's psychological impact on individuals, and (4) custom makeup & the market. Chapter III describes the research design and process while Chapter IV presents and analyzes the data and findings. The compiled research informed the business plan and influenced the conception and creation of the brand. Based on my qualitative and quantitative research -- which included a literature search, multiple depth interviews, and a survey -- I created Flesh and Bone Cosmetics. Flesh and Bone Cosmetics is an inclusive custom cosmetics brand that addresses the lack of diversity in the makeup industry by offering Liquid Foundation Drops. This product is a highly pigmented range of tints that recolors and adjusts any existing liquid foundation -- this allows individuals to discover their perfect color match at an affordable price range. Chapter V provides recommendations on forming a business model and marketing strategy for Flesh and Bone Cosmetics.
ContributorsCuenca, Sondra Camille (Author) / Gray, Nancy (Thesis director) / Samper, Adriana (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Gamification is the idea of “gamifying” work, to make it more intrinsically motivating. This is an incredibly important aspect of management theory because it gives a different approach to the age old question, how do I motivate my employees to perform better? This study not only looks at gamification, what it is, and how it is used successfully and unsuccessfully; but also looks at gamification from a different light. This study dives into the idea of employee gamification, or when employees “gamify” their own work to keep themselves motivated, without the direction or guidance of a manager. Most importantly, this study looks at the correlation between gamification, likeness of manager, enthusiasm, physical engagement, and a few other variables to figure out what truly is the driving force behind employee motivation. Without the study and proper application of gamification, both managers and employees could be missing out on the potential to increase motivation dramatically, thus in turn creating a more efficient and productive work environment. At the end of the day, every single company is concerned with efficiency; and increasing it should be of the highest concern. This study looks at the potential benefits of gamifying work, while also figuring out what truly is the driving force behind workplace motivation.
ContributorsRosen, Joshua Harry (Author) / Baer, Michael (Thesis director) / Welsh, David (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Hybrid schedules have become a popular mode of learning during the last decade as new classroom technologies have emerged. Universities have utilized online learning as a format to include more accessibility, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. College students are often given the option of choosing different learning modalities when scheduling courses. The objective of this study is to determine how multi-modal schedules impact preference, motivation, and learning. Fifty undergraduate students at Arizona State University were asked several questions pertaining to their academics. These included the types of courses they have taken in the past year, their motivation to learn in these modalities, and how they think they retained the information from their courses. Participants showed much higher motivation and learning within in-person classes, but an overall higher satisfaction for multi-modal schedules. These results show that Arizona State University should make an effort to increase student motivation for online and asynchronous classes, in addition to adding a variety of learning modes that best accommodate undergraduate students and their needs.
ContributorsGreer, Ashley (Author) / Underwood, Brooke (Co-author) / Kappes, Janelle (Thesis director) / Lewis, Stephen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis analyzes the importance of positive relationships between managers and their
employees. It attempts to define what a positive work relationship is and how it can influence the
work environment. Through information found from case studies and surveys it is clear that a
good manager, as defined in this work, has a large impact on employee job satisfaction,
motivation and perceived retention rate. Using popular theories and studies I will show the
support I have for the analysis of my results as well as studies which prove my results to be
flawed.
employees. It attempts to define what a positive work relationship is and how it can influence the
work environment. Through information found from case studies and surveys it is clear that a
good manager, as defined in this work, has a large impact on employee job satisfaction,
motivation and perceived retention rate. Using popular theories and studies I will show the
support I have for the analysis of my results as well as studies which prove my results to be
flawed.
ContributorsAmmons, Karilee Rose (Author) / Hom, Peter (Thesis director) / Eric, Knott (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The Community Assistant position at Arizona State University is dealing with an issue of poor year-to-year retention. Currently, a large number of Community Assistants who could return for another year are choosing not to, which is further exacerbated by the fact that graduating Community Assistants cannot stay even if they wanted to because the position must be held by active students. Through research, interviews, and testimony, this paper constructs what the Community Assistant role entails and the priorities that the role instills in current Community Assistants at ASU. It then seeks to answer the question of why low levels of year-to-year retention matter and why so many are choosing to move to different positions after their first year has ended. By building from the information provided by current Community Assistants and various management theories from a variety of sources, this paper offers actionable recommendations for Arizona State University Housing to increase retention and motivation within the Community Assistant position.
ContributorsKnauer, Remington (Author) / Arrfelt, Mathias (Thesis director) / Hom, Peter (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05