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Integrating Sentiment Analysis in Predictive Models: A Comparative Study on Game Popularity on Steam
Get PDFOver the past decades, the gaming industry has managed to evolve into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Gaming platforms such as Steam foster unprecedented amounts of engagement among players worldwide daily. In this thesis, we investigate the effect of incorporating sentiment-driven metrics, specifically YouTube view counts and positive reviews, into predictive models for game popularity. In addition, by comparing our linear regression sentiment-based approach to the Bayesian hierarchical folded normal model used by De Luisa et al. (2021), we can understand the many differences, strengths, and limitations of each methodology. In our thesis, we focus on three games. Each is of varying popularity and is also the same three games used by De Luisa et al.: Dark Souls 3, Subnautica, and Redirection. For more popular games, sentiment-driven variables demonstrated moderate correlations with player counts, suggesting their limited, but existing utility in gauging game popularity. However, our linear regression model performed significantly more poorly for lesser-known games, as data sparsity undermined its predictive reliability. On the other hand, the Bayesian model developed by De Luisa et al. continuously produced reliable predictions for games of all popularity levels, albeit with diminishing accuracy for exceptionally popular games. These findings underline the importance of data availability and methodological adaptability in predictive modeling for games. While sentiment analysis does offer valuable insights for high-engagement games, integrating it with more flexible and adaptable techniques, such as Bayesian modeling, may provide a more balanced framework for predicting player engagement across diverse gaming contexts
Comparing ESG Reporting and Market Dynamics in the Technology and Consumer Industries: Analyzing Investor Reactions and Understanding the Future of Corporate Reporting
Get PDFThe increasing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting has sparked debate about its influence on market reactions and corporate transparency. This thesis investigates the impact of ESG disclosures on investor behavior and market dynamics within the technology industry specifically, focusing on the correlation between ESG performance and stock price volatility, as well as other financial ratios. This relationship will be compared to those of various companies within the consumer business industry, to determine whether investors have the same reactions towards consumer business companies compared to consumer-facing technology companies and other technology companies. Additionally, the study explores whether investors in the technology sector genuinely value ESG initiatives or if their purchasing decisions are driven solely by product quality and innovation. By combining quantitative financial analysis with qualitative insights from industry experts, the research reveals that comprehensive ESG reporting can lead to more stable market reactions and enhance investor confidence. Standardized reporting practices across industries will be essential as ESG continues to evolve in response to both consumer demand and political pressures. The results reveal that while aggregate ESG scores positively influence stock prices across both industries, Environmental and Social scores show consistent negative effects. Governance scores, however, have a significant positive impact on P/B ratios and ROE, underscoring the importance of strong governance in enhancing market confidence and driving financial performance. The study highlights the need for tailored ESG strategies that address investor concerns about cost and risk while leveraging governance as a stabilizing factor
Systems Plagued by Colonial Roots and Familial Dynasties: An Analysis of the Cyclical Nature of Democracy in the Philippines
No full textThe World Bank, Freedom House, and V-DEM Institute are various democracy rating scales that utilize specific indicators to assess the extent to which democracy is “achieved” in a nation. From assessing electoral processes to the accessibility of individual rights, these tools certainly tell a story. For the Philippines, that story is a tumultuous relationship with democracy. With data traced back to the 1900s and reporting to the present day, it is revealed that the country has experienced a fluctuating and, in more recent years, deteriorating democracy. While it may be clear that colonial rule and occupation marked grim years for democracy, what is unclear is why the Philippines continues to struggle despite gaining its independence almost eight decades ago.
Thus, this thesis aims to uncover certain factors that have inhibited the Philippines from achieving true democracy. In order to do so, this thesis looks into the colonization of the Philippines and the lasting impacts it had on a post-independent democracy. What is found is that Philippine democracy faces a cyclical threat. This threat originates from forces established during colonial times and deeply embedded in society ever since. The most apparent example is seen with elitism and social structures introduced as early as the Spanish colonial rule. This has manifested into not only wealthy politicians controlling elections and distorting public goods, but also familial dynasties being primed to replace one another to guarantee continuous control. Ultimately, this thesis unpacks the corruption that plagues Philippine democracy and hints at the inherent need for increased accountability and systemic change
The Pleasure of Self-Creation: Reconciling Pleasure and Commitment Through the Construction of the Self
No full textIn this thesis, I aim to reconcile two seemingly incompatible goals: living for the maximization of pleasure and constructing a self. I propose and defend my view by first explaining two views that oppose each other on this issue, namely the arguments of authors A and B in Søren Kierkegaard’s “Either/Or.” I begin by explaining A’s argument that since most people have nothing else to live for other than sensual pleasure, they should work to maximize their experience of sensual pleasure by never making commitments. I then present B’s counterargument to A, where he argues that one can only construct a self through commitments to social institutions. This set-up of the tension between A and B allows me to introduce my own view by deploying Jean-Paul Sartre’s argument against objective morality. I concede that living for sensual pleasure and constructing a self are two incompatible goals. Thus, most people who have nothing else to live for other than pleasure, and who want to construct a self, can live for a type of pleasure which is non-sensual. I propose that this is the pleasure of self-creation, which relies on making commitments that construct a self. However, I reject B’s conclusion that everyone must make commitments to social institutions by arguing in support of Sartre’s lack of objective morality. Ultimately, I conclude that most people live for the pleasure of self-creation, which they derive from making commitments that are not guided by an objective morality
Social Media as a Catalyst for Change: Examining the Marketing Strategies of Nike, Adidas, and New Balance
No full textSocial media has become a central platform for communication, engagement and a place to exchange ideas revolutionizing how individuals and businesses connect and build relationships. The rapid growth of digital platforms has allowed companies opportunities to enhance visibility and drive sales by reaching billions of users globally. This has turned social media into a powerful marketing tool, enabling brands to showcase their values through impactful athlete-driven campaigns. While many brands use social media advertisements to promote their products, few companies use it to address their commitment to social issues, inclusivity, and individuality to foster a deep emotional connection.
This thesis addresses the impact of social media marketing strategies, with a focus on sports brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance, which have leveraged digital platforms and social media campaigns to drive positive change. It explores how advertisements enhance brand identity and allows brands to showcase their commitment to diversity, gender inclusivity, and self-improvement, setting them apart from competitors. Highlighting the effectiveness of these campaigns examines how it utilizes athlete sponsorships to enhance and build consumer loyalty, while addressing the challenges and risks of partnering with high-profile athletes. This study inspects the transformative power of social media in digital marketing and its ability to foster connections within the digital landscape
The Lacey Act: Balancing the Scales of Federal Authority and Individual Liberty
Get PDFThis thesis examines the balance between federal authority and individual liberties within the framework of American federalism, using the Lacey Act as a case study. Enacted in 1900 to regulate wildlife trafficking, the Lacey Act has undergone significant amendments that expanded federal authority and reshaped the balance of power between state governments and individual rights. By integrating theoretical insights from scholars such as Martha Derthick and Dennis LaGory, this thesis explores the federal government’s transition from a cooperative model to a coercive one, particularly during the Rights Revolution of the 1960s. The analysis highlights the legislative history of the Lacey Act, including critical amendments in 1969 and 1981, which extended federal control to previously state-level domains. These regulatory expansions were situated within large social movements to achieve national goals, including protecting the civil rights of African Americans and encouraging environmental conservation. An application of Derthick’s theoretical framework to the Lacey Act and its legislative history reveals that while the Lacey Act serves vital wildlife-management goals, it undermines localized governance and personal liberties. The paradox that Derthick uncovers, wherein the fight of individual rights during the 1960s effectively expanded a federal apparatus that compromised the autonomy of states and their citizens, is exemplified by the Lacey Act. This thesis further examines the ways in which this paradox manifests in the priorities of reptile keepers, whose livelihoods and personal liberties have been disproportionately affected by the Act’s regulatory reach. By analyzing the Lacey Act’s legislative evolution and its impact on individual freedoms, this study demonstrates that federal policies often prioritize national objectives at the expense of localized decision-making and personal autonomy. This insight underscores a broader challenge within the American federal system: achieving a balance between safeguarding collective interests, such as environmental conservation, and preserving the foundational liberties enshrined in the Constitution. Ultimately, this thesis argues that the Lacey Act serves as a case study of federal overreach, providing a critical lens through which to evaluate the intersection of individual rights and federal authority in contemporary policy making
Understanding the Ideological Transformation of FARC in Colombia
Get PDFIn 2016, the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) agreed to a peace deal that led to their disarmament. The former guerrilla group, FARC, integrated into Colombian politics by forming a new party called Comunes. FARC, thus, has taken a similar route to other former rebel groups in Latin America by pursuing its agenda as a political party after demobilizing. This thesis examines the ideological transformation and political evolution of FARC, analyzing its transition from a Marxist-Leninist insurgent group to a political party within Colombia’s democratic system. By exploring FARC’s historical role in the Colombian conflict and its ideological shift, particularly its embrace of Bolivarian principles in the 1990s, the study aims to understand the persistence and adaptation of its core political values following its disarmament in 2016. Using a case study approach, the thesis assesses how FARC’s ideology influences the peace process, its post-conflict political agenda, and its current role as the Comunes party within Colombia’s legislature. Ultimately, the research seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of rebel-to-party political transition, specifically in Latin America, by exploring whether FARC’s political platform and actions align with the ideological goals that fueled its insurgency
Engines of Division: The Trabant, Economic Lag, and Cultural Fragmentation in a Unified Germany
Get PDFThis thesis examines the Trabant, East Germany’s iconic yet inefficient automobile, as a critical lens through which to explore the enduring socio-economic and cultural disparities between East and West Germany in the aftermath of reunification. By tracing the Trabant’s trajectory from its inception within the GDR’s command economy to its rapid obsolescence in the face of Western market forces, this study reveals how the vehicle served as both a product and a symbol of East Germany’s industrial ethos, resilience, and identity. The Trabant, once a ubiquitous artifact of socialist life, embodied the constraints of a resource-scarce economy but also cultivated a shared cultural pride among East Germans. Its decline after reunification, alongside the dismantling of state-owned enterprises like VEB Sachsenring, mirrored the broader economic upheaval and cultural dislocation experienced by East Germans as they transitioned into a capitalist framework dominated by Western norms. This thesis contextualizes the Trabant’s story within the larger processes of reunification, analyzing how the privatization efforts of the Treuhandanstalt, the implementation of the Solidaritätszuschlag, and the rapid integration of East Germany into Western economic and cultural systems exacerbated regional inequalities and fueled a sense of alienation among East Germans. Through this lens, the Trabant becomes more than an emblem of industrial failure; it serves as a vehicle for understanding the socio-economic and psychological costs of reunification, particularly the marginalization of East German identity and the persistence of the “wall in the mind.
Sustainability Gaps: The Role of ESG Disparities in M&A Performance During the COVID-19 Era
Get PDFMy thesis investigates the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) score disparities between acquirer and target companies on cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from 2018 to 2022, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Bloomberg and Refinitiv Eikon datasets, I explore whether the ESG delta between merging firms influences financial outcomes, hypothesizing that higher ESG alignment enhances CAR (cumulative abnormal return). My preliminary findings indicate that larger ESG disparities positively affect acquirer CAR but may reduce target CAR, suggesting that ESG alignment benefits vary by stakeholder and merger dynamics. These results highlight the evolving role of ESG in M&A strategy and underscore the nuanced effects of ESG practices on firm value in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market
From Pixels to Proposals: Exploring the Effects of Empathy and Immersion on Economic and Moral Decision - Making in Video Games
Get PDFThis study explores the role of immersive environments, specifically video games, in shaping empathy and decision-making during economic exchanges like the Ultimatum Game. Traditional economic models emphasize rationality, but more recent research highlights the influence of emotions and empathy on decision-making. Using a 2x2 between-subjects design, this proposed study will investigate how varying levels of immersion (active gameplay versus passive observation) and fairness of offers (fair versus unfair) affect participants\u27 responses to non-human characters (NPCs). I plan to recruit eighty participants, aged 18-25, to engage with a video game, Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Games, 2018) either through playing or watching, incorporating fair and unfair offers from the Ultimatum Game. I expect findings to reveal that active gameplay fosters greater empathic engagement and emotional investment compared to passive observation. Participants in the Playing condition exhibited higher acceptance rates for unfair offers, driven by stronger parasocial relationships with NPCs. Conversely, participants in the Watching condition showed diminished empathy, leading to higher rejection rates for unfair offers and an increased propensity for punishment behaviors