Matching Items (473)
Description
Axon Enterprise, Inc. is a publicly traded company founded in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. The company went public on June 7th, 2001. The inspiration for this topic is our interest in equity research. We believe that understanding how to fundamentally research a company is not only beneficial for our careers, but for our own personal financial learning. One thing that stood out about Axon was its dominant control of the stun gun market. Axon captures around 90%.. Because of this, we wanted to dive deeper. Surely, this has to be a good investment. What company owns almost all of the market share but isn’t a good investment? In our heads, none. But that wasn’t enough. We wanted to dive deeper and examine the fundamental business mechanisms of the firm to determine for ourselves why this is, and why we believe the company really does have tremendous growth potential. By connecting with Axon executives, developing an investment thesis, and understanding the fundamental business drivers behind Axon, we will develop a thorough understanding of Axon’s financial standing. Our goals; fundamental analysis of Axon, determine a one year price target, convince readers that Axon is a rewarding and appealing investment opportunity.
ContributorsGreife, Torsten Markus (Co-author) / Bailey, Eric (Co-author) / Budolfson, Arthur (Thesis director) / Licon, Lawrence (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The purpose of this thesis is to imagine and predict the ways in which humans will utilize technology to feed the world population in the 21st century, in spite of significant challenges we have not faced before. This project will first thoroughly identify and explain the most pressing challenges the future will bring in climate change and population growth; both projected to worsen as time goes on. To guide the prediction of how technology will impact the 21st century, a theoretical framework will be established, based upon the green revolution of the 20th century. The theoretical framework will summarize this important historical event, and analyze current thought concerning the socio-economic impacts of the agricultural technologies introduced during this time. Special attention will be paid to the unequal disbursement of benefits of this green revolution, and particularly how it affected small rural farmers. Analysis of the technologies introduced during the green revolution will be used to predict how 21st century technologies will further shape the agricultural sector. Then, the world’s current food crisis will be compared to the crisis that preceded the green revolution. A “second green revolution” is predicted, and the agricultural/economic impact of these advances is theorized based upon analysis of farming advances in the 20th century.
ContributorsWilson, Joshua J (Author) / Strumsky, Deborah (Thesis director) / Benjamin, Victor (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Through the lens of the physical and non-physical flows within the supply chain, this paper will analyze the societal implications of the transition to centralized factory operations following the Industrial revolution of the 18th century. The industrialized means of mass places heavy value on centralized operations as a means of establishing competitive advantages in economies of scale and standardized quality. With the emergence of new technologies such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence and blockchain, the direct labor required to produce goods and services greatly diminishes. The current trend towards the automation of physical production processes highlights a fundamental shift towards a service-based economy. This will serve as the foundation and introduction to assess the current production landscape and propose a theoretical model for labor and management “Contractor.io” to serve as a task management protocol for the contracting of labor as society transitions into an increasingly digital serviced based economy.
ContributorsYarbrough, Dylan Antonio (Author) / Antonios, Printezis (Thesis director) / Keane, Katy (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Young professionals in the US face fierce competition unlike that of any other generation. This creates an environment where the only way to truly realize success is to diligently work and plan your future, potentially years before you know where you really want to end up, and even then, you can still fail. As a young millennial on the cusp of college graduation, I understand this situation especially well. I want anyone who is willing to take the time and initiative over their life to have a chance at succeeding. I hope my book will help others realize that success is within their reach.
ContributorsBrenner, Shale Madison (Author) / Allen, Craig (Thesis director) / Glenn, Bruce (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The Innovation Space program is a joint venture among the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and W.P. Carey School of Business in order for transdisciplinary students to develop a product that creates social change. LG was the sponsor for 2018-2019 class with the goal of creating comfortable cooling that is better for the environment. Throughout seven phases, the Sumo team developed three product ideas, selected one product idea, developed a business plan and implementation plan. The Ciel vent system was picked and tested for any assumptions made in the initial business plan. After adjustments were made to the final phase seven business plan, a reflection was completed about the W. P. Carey School of Business and Innovation Space experience.
ContributorsHarris, Madison Nicole (Author) / Rhett, Trujillo (Thesis director) / Craig, Hedges (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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
Imagine you and your significant other are relaxing at home watching your favorite Netflix show. You are embraced equally between the arm of your couch and the arm of your significant other right in front of your television. While the living room is small, you both work long days to be in this very position, some would call this your natural environment. In your brief moment of bliss as you sink further into your couch, you have a shiver creep down your spine as you are pressed between your two loves. As you are disgruntled from either the approaching winter or your requirement to simply move, you reach up to turn your ceiling fan off. When you attempt to recover what comfort you peeled yourself out of, you discover a greater inconvenience as the fan blades begin to slide to a stop. Dust, grime and the results of dirty air are caked on the fan blades. You think of climbing onto your coffee table and wiping the blades as all the dust falls on you and your living room. With a sigh, you surmise to deal with the eye sore another day and hope you find the motivation to deal with it another day.
This business report examines the go-to-market strategy and value proposition of a new wind comfort solution for LG. Beyond the analysis of the product, the program itself is reflected upon at the end to provide feedback for future years. The product, Flow ends the days of bad gifts being the only thing collecting dust in your house. The new ceiling fan gives you the ability to clean your home while circulating air, taking air quality off your shoulders and fixing it above your head. Flow takes the features from our normal ceiling fans we know and love but improves upon them to make them seamless to clean the blades and clean the air you breathe. Flow puts air purification in motion, so you can breathe easy in your own home.
This business report examines the go-to-market strategy and value proposition of a new wind comfort solution for LG. Beyond the analysis of the product, the program itself is reflected upon at the end to provide feedback for future years. The product, Flow ends the days of bad gifts being the only thing collecting dust in your house. The new ceiling fan gives you the ability to clean your home while circulating air, taking air quality off your shoulders and fixing it above your head. Flow takes the features from our normal ceiling fans we know and love but improves upon them to make them seamless to clean the blades and clean the air you breathe. Flow puts air purification in motion, so you can breathe easy in your own home.
ContributorsScott, Tanner James (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Hedges, Craig (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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
Description
This thesis explores the likely impacts of climate change on agricultural production globally and in the state of Arizona, and on agricultural supply chains. It shows increases in severe weather, including hotter temperatures and droughts, will have a negative impact on crop production in the state and on global agricultural supply chains. It also shows the effects on the environment caused by our current cradle-to-grave supply chains. As a partial remedy, this thesis explores the benefits of vertical farming systems and shows how they could be of value to the residents of Arizona.
ContributorsKing, Emily Marie (Author) / Kirby, Andrew (Thesis director) / Carter, Craig (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05