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Description
As of 2021, over $124 billion of Microfinance has been distributed by the World Bank amongst 140 million borrowers globally. Systems of credit and finance are spread unevenly around the world; in under-developed countries credit bureaus are uncommon and banking networks are more selective regarding loans. Therefore, a system of microloans has emerged, which has targeted small business owners who would not typically qualify for traditional loans from banks and other financial institutions. With approval, microloans typically provide the full loan amount upfront and charge the borrower monthly repayments with interest. On a broad scale, the difference between traditional finance and Microfinance lies within their scope. Microfinance is focused on the individual level to those defined as poor or impoverished by the World Bank, while traditional finance is focused on whole economies or corporations. The primary concern with Microfinance options like this is the higher probability of borrowers defaulting on their loans. This engenders an inescapable cycle of late payments and increased interest rates ultimately resulting in the borrower spending more money than they borrowed. However, Microfinance plans of this type are often the option for individuals stuck in impoverished countries or dismantled economies.
At its core, Microfinance is a profit-focused industry that targets individuals that have proved they are not able to repay loans on the conditions of lenders. This arguably sexist industry has presented itself as an opportunity for those less fortunate to obtain funding for dreams currently unattainable given their circumstances. Thus, it is the institutions behind the Microfinance industry that are the problem, not the loans themselves.
ContributorsSchoennagel, Jake (Author) / Niebuhr, Robert (Thesis director) / Suk, Mina (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2022-12
Description
This paper investigates the influence of regulatory sentiment on investment-based crowdfunding across various global markets. Crowdfunding, a capital-raising method where individuals collectively invest in projects, businesses, or causes, has significantly evolved with the advent of digital platforms. The emergence of lending-based and investment-based crowdfunding has led to the development of diverse regulatory frameworks worldwide. This study focuses on the relationship between regulatory sentiment and two critical dimensions of crowdfunding markets: investment volume and platform count. By conducting a multivariate analysis using data from the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance and GDP statistics from the OECD, the paper examines whether investor sentiment about regulation impacts these two variables across seven developed markets.
The research centers around three primary questions: the existence and nature of any statistically significant relationships between regulatory sentiment and investment volume/platform count; and which type of sentiment (adequate, excessive, or inadequate) has the strongest relationship with these variables. The analysis includes a detailed review of regulatory frameworks in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Malaysia.
The findings reveal a statistically significant relationship between adequate and excessive regulatory sentiment and both investment volume and platform count, with adequate sentiment showing a positive impact and excessive sentiment demonstrating a negative effect. The results highlight the importance of balanced regulatory frameworks in fostering healthy crowdfunding ecosystems and provide insights into how investor perceptions of regulation can influence market dynamics. Future research could further explore these relationships, potentially using more objective measures of regulations and examining the bidirectional influence between market performance and regulatory sentiment.
ContributorsKonstantinov, Phillip (Author) / Lindsey, Laura (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2023-12
Description
Waiting in line for attractions is an unavoidable part of every theme park visit. Many theme park designers have tried ways to make these waits shorter and more enjoyable. Such techniques include offering a separate ‘fast lane’ for certain Guests or creating additional load platforms for higher Guest throughput. Both the queues themselves as well as the attraction’s operation have an enormous effect on how many Guests can experience it in a day, and relatedly, how long they will have to wait for that experience.
This paper will utilize both queueing theory and personal work experience to analyze the queues and operations of two attractions at the Magic Kingdom Park: the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. I use my own personal experience working at these attractions as well as queueing data I recorded to show areas for improvement in queue design and operations, as well as potential solutions to increase efficiency and lower operational costs.
ContributorsMarples, Maddy (Author) / Eftekhar, Mahyar (Thesis director) / Lauterborn, Tracey (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor)
Created2023-12
Description
Nike, the largest athletic apparel company in the world, has a very complex wide-reaching supply chain. As pioneers of outsourcing production and products, they have dealt with many challenges and problems since their beginning in 1964. As Nike has faced their controversial history of labor strikes, protests, boycotts, and much more, they began to restructure their business model and supply chain practices. Following this came audits, minimum age requirements, factory condition monitoring, and public disclosures of locations. With these new initiatives and growth in Nike’s supply chain, an overarching analysis of Ports of Lading, Shipment Origins, Ports of Unlading, Shippers/Suppliers, and Carriers can give a glimpse into the world-wide network of their apparel. Finally, through my data analysis and secondary source research, I will explain how Nike's supply chain emerged, adjusted, and changed given different textile regulatory environments over the years.
ContributorsCrippen, Julia (Author, Co-author) / Wiedmer, Robert (Thesis director) / Sewell, Dennita (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-05
ContributorsTong, Ethan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kelly, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12
ContributorsTong, Ethan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kelly, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12
ContributorsTong, Ethan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kelly, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12
ContributorsTong, Ethan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kelly, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12
DescriptionInvestment thesis and recommendation of Outbrain (NYSE: OB), a leading AdTech Company
ContributorsTong, Ethan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kelly, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12
Description
There is a common sentiment in the financial services industry that your financial advisor must be a fiduciary. In this thesis, I explore whether that is truly the case. I present the two main groups of financial advisors: broker-dealers and registered investment advisors (RIAs). I compare the two groups by examining 4 key comparisons: regulation, standards of care, compensation, and investment behavior. At the end, I share my personal opinions regarding where I believe investors should seek their financial services.
ContributorsBaltman, Bradley (Author) / Licon, Wendell (Thesis director) / Arrfelt, Mathias (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-12