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Description
Supply chain is changing. The focus has always been on information and how it is used to get a product to the right place at the right time. But now, there is a greater emphasis on speed. Speed in how information is transferred and how decisions are made. In the

Supply chain is changing. The focus has always been on information and how it is used to get a product to the right place at the right time. But now, there is a greater emphasis on speed. Speed in how information is transferred and how decisions are made. In the new era of Supply Chain 4.0, companies in every industry are in a race to use digital technologies to achieve this speed. These digital technologies include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, and Blockchain.

The challenges that companies face when digitally transforming the supply chain can often be self-inflicted. This paper will address those challenges and provide a structured approach to a successful transformation. It will also share insight from interviews conducted with the CIO and directors of three different companies as well various studies from outside sources. The purpose is to urge business leaders to re-evaluate the way they approach digital transformation in the supply chain to close information gaps and provide value to the whole organization.
ContributorsRamesh, Sanjana (Author) / Davila, Eddie (Thesis director) / Blackmer, Cindie (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor, Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
The purpose of this research paper is to examine the fundamentals of blockchain technology and how the application of blockchain could serve as a future platform for identity. An identity is used, as the name suggests, to identify who or what an entity is. Although seen as a trivial concept,

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the fundamentals of blockchain technology and how the application of blockchain could serve as a future platform for identity. An identity is used, as the name suggests, to identify who or what an entity is. Although seen as a trivial concept, defining what truly makes up an identity can become quite difficult. Is an identity the thoughts, feelings, or tendencies of a person? Are more tangible assets like a Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport a person’s identity? Can nonhuman entities like businesses or organizations possess an identity? The true definition of an identity may never be known; however, it is certain that several pieces of identifying data lay scattered across multiple databases. Often a person may not have control or even access to these third-party databases that hold their information. Moreover, what information, for how long, and in what way the data is being used may be unclear. Blockchain provides a solution to the identity problem by providing a visible, secure single source of truth. On a blockchain platform, a person would no longer have to trust the goodwill of third parties to secure their data or be uncertain about how the data is being used. Instead, a user could secure their own data and only permission those deemed necessary. The signal immutable ledger would serve to replace current tangible identities as a means to verify yourself in a digital age.
ContributorsRuggaard, Kyle Russell (Author) / Taylor, Todd (Thesis director) / Collins, Gregory (Committee member) / Thunderbird School of Global Management (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
The purpose of this thesis is to gain insight into the work of Arizona State University Supply Chain professors, as well as Supply Chain faculty from around the world. In order to gain a more thorough understanding of the research, a summary and reflection will be provided for each of

The purpose of this thesis is to gain insight into the work of Arizona State University Supply Chain professors, as well as Supply Chain faculty from around the world. In order to gain a more thorough understanding of the research, a summary and reflection will be provided for each of the seminars attended. Summaries will include a brief background of the presenters, a summary of their research, and my personal takeaways. The seminars include research from Dr. Srimathy Mohan and Dr. Adegoke Oke from Arizona State University. Each of these professors will cover the topic of their past and/or current research in addition to their findings and key conclusions. Additionally, research from Dr. Barb Flynn of Indiana University and Dr. Seyed Emadi of University of North Carolina will be included. Research from Dr. Flynn is on the subject of understanding adaption to sustainable technologies, specifically within a manufacturing context. Research from Dr. Emadi is on the topic of determining the most effective policies to reduce attrition, specifically in call center businesses.
This thesis also includes a literature review on the subject of consumer responses to service failure. Specifically, it covers 10 articles related to the overarching subject of consumer responses to service failures in a variety of scenarios and industries. Additionally, it includes a section of potential areas for future research, with an emphasis on the growing online cloud services industry. There is room for additional research to be completed in terms of determining where consumers will place their blame for service failures that occur on cloud service platforms such as online gaming.
ContributorsElton, August (Author) / Printezis, Antonios (Thesis director) / Oke, Adegoke (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
Environmental friendly, green, or sustainable practices are a growing concern in the international hospitality industry. This exploratory study seeks to assess the complex motives that drive hotels on becoming environmentally active by examining the benefits and barriers for hotels to adapt sustainable practices. With this assessment, the study strives to

Environmental friendly, green, or sustainable practices are a growing concern in the international hospitality industry. This exploratory study seeks to assess the complex motives that drive hotels on becoming environmentally active by examining the benefits and barriers for hotels to adapt sustainable practices. With this assessment, the study strives to identify small measures the less environmentally active hotels can adapt to their daily operations. An initial study was first conducted in international hotels located in Beijing, China, as international hotels are considered more environmentally proactive and their standards are in keeping with the latest industry trends. The preliminary findings suggested that environmental participation may be affected by the age, size and management structure of the hotel. The actual study, which was conducted in three cities across Arizona, United States, took into account of the initial analysis and looked at both large chain hotels and smaller independents hotels located in urban areas. A quantitative and qualitative research methodology using a questionnaire along with an interview was used to collect the data. The findings show that the decision for hotels to implement environmental practices goes beyond the financial and operational sphere. The results point to the role played by political and upper management policies and how their decisions trickle down to the entire organization. Although unexpectedly, there seemed little influence linking customer satisfaction and the hotel’s environmental commitment. Instead, hotels tend to focus their efforts mainly on backroom operations as opposed to measures that directly impact the consumer experience. It is recommended that hotels increase employee and customer awareness of its environmental policies and reveal the statistic impact of each.
ContributorsLi, Hanjing (Author) / Lee, Woojin (Thesis director) / McWilliams, Claire (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Community Resources and Development (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
Drilling in Section 1002 has been an ongoing debate since the region was designated as a potential area for drilling projects, pending congressional approval in 1980. In 2017, the area was officially opened up for oil and gas development through its passage in the GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Drilling in Section 1002 has been an ongoing debate since the region was designated as a potential area for drilling projects, pending congressional approval in 1980. In 2017, the area was officially opened up for oil and gas development through its passage in the GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This act requires 2 lease sales of 400,000 acres, with an allowed 2,000 acre physical footprint (not including pipelines, ice roads, or gravel mines). Using Social-Life Cycle Assessment methodology to assess the process of oil extraction in Section 1002, significant benefits and drawbacks of drilling in this region, with economic, cultural, and social impacts ranging from the local level to the state level to the national level were identified.

Stakeholders impacted by oil development in the Section 1002 region include the Kaktovik community who lives within the Program Area, the Gwich’in people who live south of ANWR, the corporations who will be leasing the land, as well as the employees who will be working on the projects. These stakeholders share similar values and interests, however, when it comes down to the attainment of these values, there are significant differences in opinion. This debate comes down specifically to the desire to ensure stability for one’s family and community, as this means 2 different things to the majority stakeholders on this issue: The Inupiaq and the Gwich’in. The Inupiaq ,who live in Kaktovik specifically ,are particularly keen on the idea of drilling in the Section 1002 region, because the revenues and opportunities that come with the oil and gas development provide access to better standards of living and a more westernized way of life. The Gwich’in, however, value their relationship to the land and the caribou that are at risk of significant change. These 2 groups are critical to the debate, but the state and federal governments have the final say, and a financial incentive to move forward with the lease sales.

Utilizing the S-LCA framework, life cycle impacts of drilling on society are found using indicators that are identified and assessed using both qualitative and quantitative means. Although some conclusions are uncertain due to the forward-looking nature of this S-LCA, the Increasing/Decreasing trends can be identified and confidently attributed to the specific indicators.

Significant Results:
Significant issues this study has highlighted include the resulting impacts, both positive and negative, on the communities affected by oil and gas development in Section 1002. Significant stakeholders include the Kaktovik community, the Gwich’in people, the oil and gas workers in the state of Alaska, and the oil and gas companies themselves. The local residents are the most affected by the impacts of development, with significant issues pertaining to potential for significant lifestyle change, the increased risk of impact on subsistence species, the risks associated with pollution, and the effect on the economy through revenues and job availability.
ContributorsJunglas, Hillary L (Author) / Pasqualetti, Martin (Thesis director) / Breetz, Hanna (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
Over the past decade, corporate social responsibilities and sustainability has become more of a trending topic; not only amongst citizens, but within many private firms as well. Aligning operations with sustainable practices within a for-profit firm or organization has evolved into a critical focus area in order for a company

Over the past decade, corporate social responsibilities and sustainability has become more of a trending topic; not only amongst citizens, but within many private firms as well. Aligning operations with sustainable practices within a for-profit firm or organization has evolved into a critical focus area in order for a company to be more sustainable.
Having sustainable practices in place can be significant, but it is also important to consider employees and their perspectives, as they are the ones who implement them. The majority of the employees that work within an organization, not those that create these policies, are the ones who’s perspectives should be more strongly considered. In order to effectively implement these practices, firms can educate their employees about the initiatives or newly implemented changes to current practices. Sustainability education for employees, covering company-specific policies, improves the likelihood of participation within initiatives. Increased employee education has the potential to raise the probability that companies will see the benefits that come with enacting sustainable practices.
ContributorsCourrier, Leandra Denaye (Co-author) / Campbell, Hannah (Co-author) / Fischer, Daniel (Thesis director) / Molly, Cashion (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
The Golf Equipment Industry is flooded with many competitors, all looking to expand and grow with their various customer bases. In an industry which demands rapid new-product developments and offerings, companies must position their various brands in a way that appeals to both current and future customers. In tailoring product

The Golf Equipment Industry is flooded with many competitors, all looking to expand and grow with their various customer bases. In an industry which demands rapid new-product developments and offerings, companies must position their various brands in a way that appeals to both current and future customers. In tailoring product offerings and leveraging existing brand equity, effectively manipulating brand portfolios, companies must assess the risk of brand dilution effects when fulfilling company-wide growth initiatives. The following project will present research-based marketing principles with marketplace examples from various industries; specifically looking at marketers’ strategies in manipulating brand portfolios through the use of brand architectures, upward/downward line stretches, and brand extensions. Essentially, this paper will present the importance of manipulating brand portfolios in a variety of industries (including the golf industry), exciting current and new customer bases, eventually establishing an understanding of the risks associated with each leveraging strategy.
With a deep emphasis on the criticality of mitigating brand dilution whilst manipulating product offerings, this paper will then provide a golf-specific industry trend analysis, diving into the various ways marketers at TaylorMade Golf, Callaway Golf, and Cleveland/Srixon/XXIO Golf leverage brand equity while mitigating brand dilution risks. With a greater understanding of marketing-theory based principles and research conducted on the current customer trends prevalent in the golf industry, supplemented by marketing-personnel survey responses, I will be able to translate branding-based principles into recommendations for companies competing in the golf equipment industry.
ContributorsMilroy, Thomas Carlo (Author) / Montoya, Detra (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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Description
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to map the process by which Division I sports are added at universities and to create a blueprint for any passionate and driven individual who would like to see their sport of choice added at any college.

Methods: Information for this study was

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to map the process by which Division I sports are added at universities and to create a blueprint for any passionate and driven individual who would like to see their sport of choice added at any college.

Methods: Information for this study was gathered through qualitative interviews with sports administrators at eleven of the twelve universities in the PAC-12 conference. This primary research was supplemented with secondary research of media sources and
PAC-12 and NCAA documents.

Results: Four key factors are involved in adding a new Division I sports program at any university. These factors are: funding, Title IX status, conference and sport status, and administrative mindset.

Conclusion: The four factors stated above are critical in the addition of any new sports program, though there will be significant variations from sport to sport and from university to university. In the case of men’s wrestling at USC, the group of advocates needs to demonstrate the significant value adding wrestling will bring to the athletic department and school. They should also follow this up with a clear plan of how they will navigate the funding, Title IX requirements and conference status.
ContributorsSmall, Conner (Author) / Nelson, Kelly (Thesis director) / Jones, Zeke (Committee member) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
We faced many struggles of starting college together, one of which, being the difficulty of mealtime once you are officially on your own. To the two of us and many of our friends, it was difficult no longer having a meal that felt like it turned a house to a

We faced many struggles of starting college together, one of which, being the difficulty of mealtime once you are officially on your own. To the two of us and many of our friends, it was difficult no longer having a meal that felt like it turned a house to a home. Our goal of this project was to help those who may be experiencing similar feelings.

For our Thesis Project we wanted to create a cookbook that was designed specifically for college students who are living in the dorms. Our cookbook includes recipes that are low cost and easy to make for beginners. To be sure to capture our target audience, our cookbook will only included recipes which can be created using the given appliances in most standard dorms, which are limited to a microwave, blender, refrigerator and small freezer.

For the recipes specifically, we used a lot of family recipes and recipes from peers and colleagues. A great deal of time was spent actually testing out the potential recipes so we could narrow down which would be best for our book.

As two seniors who have grown immensely over the past few years at Arizona State, we recognize the issues that students may face when moving into a dorm. It was our goal to use our own experience and knowledge combined with research of those people who have also gone through this process, to create a book that we feel would have tremendously helped us navigate through our freshman year of college.
ContributorsGeorge, Grace Meredith (Co-author) / Ickes, Kamrie (Co-author) / Grgich, Traci (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Peasant communities on the Italian Peninsula relied on local climate and geography to produce fruits, vegetables, and grains. Over centuries, these peasant communities developed a system of food practices which became part of an integrative lifestyle people on the Italian Peninsula are still engaged in today. Through social and familial

Peasant communities on the Italian Peninsula relied on local climate and geography to produce fruits, vegetables, and grains. Over centuries, these peasant communities developed a system of food practices which became part of an integrative lifestyle people on the Italian Peninsula are still engaged in today. Through social and familial traditions that passed down through generations, these food practices were coined in the 20th century as the “Mediterranean Diet”. “Diet” in this context is defined by using the etymology of the Greek word ‘diaita’, which means “way of life”. The Mediterranean Diet represents a relationship with food, communities, and environments that promote health in several spaces. From peasant roots, the Mediterranean diet encourages the consumption of whole ingredients from fruits, vegetables, grains, and fish, with little emphasis on meats, poultries, and processed sugars, while also preparing and eating those foods with others. In the 21st century, these traditional food practices represent Personal, Social, and Environmental benefits which occur naturally from plant-based diets and socially minded eating practices. This thesis and creative project discusses the history, culture, science, and relevance of the traditional food practices of the Italian Peninsula and how it can be applied to one’s life. This is accomplished through a synthesis of comprehensive research related to the history and science of the Mediterranean Diet and its relationship to the body, society, and the environment, and engages the reader utilizing creative elements. This thesis encourages the reader to ask and answer the following questions: What does the food we eat mean in our lives? How does the food we eat reflect our values? How does our relationship with food affect our relationships with others? And how does the food we eat affect the world around us?
ContributorsPearce, Austen (Author) / Juliann, Vitullo (Thesis director) / John, Eaton (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05