3030 research outputs found
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Grow Modesto Fund: increasing access to capital and training for Modesto’s low-income entrepreneurs
No full textIn today’s credit-driven and increasingly complex business environment, low income entrepreneurs struggle to obtain the financing they need to startup and grow. Too small to attract investors and business bankers, many don’t know where to turn. Traditional banking standards require at least two (profitable) years in business, strong credit history, and collateral to obtain a loan. Equity investors require quick returns in high growth industries. As a result, many of Modesto California’s microenterprises rely on high interest private loans, credit cards, and payday/title loans to start and grow their operations. Modesto’s non-profit alternative lenders have had difficulty being effective in this environment, as has project host Fresno Community Development Financial Institution (Fresno CDFI). This project aimed to establish a revolving loan fund for micro-entrepreneurs left out of mainstream financial markets through an innovative and collaborative approach that leveraged local partnerships to increase access to capital and technical assistance. After ten months of development, the Grow Modesto Fund was formally announced by Modesto’s Mayor Marsh on August 27, 2015. This paper explores the challenges and successes met by the team that developed the Fund and looks at preliminary indicators of how effective the Fund may be in growing jobs and businesses in Modesto. (Author abstract)Hofer, J. (2015). Grow Modesto Fund: increasing access to capital and training for Modesto's low-income entrepreneurs. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)Community Economic DevelopmentSchool of Community Economic Developmen
Aquinas on law and justice: Conflict of human law and justice in the orderly society
No full textCullen, Patrick. (2015). Aquinas on law and justice:
Conflict of human law and justice in the orderly society. Conference paper presented at the XXVIII World Congress of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, Georgetown Law Center, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed
Role-playing game
No full textI will be developing a role-playing/survival video game set in medieval times. The game combines many popular elements from current role-playing games, such as World of Warcraft, Runescape, and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. To keep it simple, and since I am working by myself, I will attempt to include a little bit of modeling, art, animation, programming, and music. The player will be able to start the game, talk to a non-player character to receive a quest, craft a weapon, kill an enemy, and turn in the quest to level up. Additional functionality will be added based on time constraints. (Author abstract)Undercofler, M. (2015). Role-playing games. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed
On intentions and goodness in “Spec Ops: the Line”
No full textJoseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness and its many adaptations approach central themes of madness and the uncertainty of man through a variety of differing settings. Each of these adaptations ask and present the viewer with questions of their own, or from the source, which influence the progression of each respective portrayal. Yager Games' particular rendition, “Spec Ops: The Line,” questions the morality of one's actions in the context of their outcomes in contrast with their intentions. Is the goodness of the character's and player's actions determined solely by their outcome? By their intentions? Or by some combination of both? The questions posed in “Spec Ops” are presented through a series of choices that, while similar in generalized outcome, are vastly different in an emotional context which leads to another philosophical inquiry: Does the character's, and by extension, the player's emotional or psychological state have an influence on the morality an action? What is particularly interesting about this rendition of Conrad's classic is that it does not seek to give its own answers to these questions of morality; rather, it leaves the message up to the interpretation of the player. Unlike a book or a film, a video game of this nature requires the audience to both make these choices themselves and act upon them, making the player ultimately responsible for the events on the screen. This paper will seek to analyze and present a clearer image of morality in terms of the aforementioned factors using the conditions and presentation of “Spec Ops: The Line” as an example of the emotional investment an individual can have during life's many decision points. (Author abstract)Ayers, R. (2015). On intentions and goodness in “Spec Ops: the Line.” Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed
Market research for Fresh Start Farms
No full textFresh Start farms is a CSA organization that works with refugee farmers in Manchester NH. We will be surveying the organizations members. This descriptive research to assess what the experience of the CSA members has been with the quality and variety and their experience of the service provided. Fresh Start Farms is operated by the Organization for Refugees and Immigrant Success (ORIS) and located in Manchester NH. The profits of the farm are wholly returned to the New American farm entrepreneurs. The surveys will be conducted by phone. The CSA has 70 members who will be contracted for the survey. (Author abstract)Biggins, C., & Welch, K. (2015). Market research for Fresh Start Farms. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed
Innovation and firm performance: A comparative study of rapidly developing economies and the European Union
No full textThis dissertation analyzes the innovation efforts of large, technology-intensive firms as they pertain to firm performance. The research examines two distinct groups of technology intensive firms deriving from countries with opposing stages of economic development and contrasting demographics of their populations: Rapidly Developing Economies (RDEs) and European Union (EU) countries. Technology enables firms to re-imagine their core competencies, improve existing processes, and model improved processes and routines. By understanding the return on investing in innovative pursuits, firms could adapt strategic business models to capture firm growth that has previously been under-developed and secure a competitive advantage. Likewise, local and national government agencies could offer specific incentives to help ensure longevity and sustainability to their position in world markets and identify previously untapped trading partners and strategic alliances. In addition, strategists would be better equipped to support and target R&D initiatives during declines in the market and/or industry. The results are reported according to manufacturing and service industries. The studies indicate that the most profitable firms derive from the service sector versus manufacturing. Custom Computer Programming firms represents the highest profit margins in EU countries and Computer Programming Services represents the highest profit margins for RDE countries. Despite more firms being represented from RDE than the EU, these firms do not spend more than large, technology firms from the EU. Upon investigating which group acquired more patents, it was found that RDE countries have more patents granted than EU countries. In addition, RDEs currently have more high-tech exports as a percentage of manufactured goods per capita than EU countries. The impact of the global recession appeared to have an impact on large, technology-intensive firms in the EU in particular, while a majority of RDE firms have already returned to or have exceeded pre-recession levels. The incorporation date was also examined to determine both the age of firms included in the study, as well as the labor capital of both groups. It was determined that RDE firms included in the study hire significantly more employees than EU firms, and more manufacturing employees were hired than those in the service sector.(Author abstract)Caron, M.I. (2015). Innovation and firm performance: A comparative study of rapidly developing economies and the European Union. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduDoctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)International BusinessSchool of Busines
Media, tigers, and bats, oh my: Hysteria in the media
No full textThis research explores various news outlet coverage of breaking news. In an age when media is continuously developing and reaching larger audiences, news outlets are consistently writing to outdo one another and bring readers to their story. This often leads to misrepresentation of content and an urge of public hysteria. The research examines this issue by placing a focus on the poaching and trading of tigers, as well as the spread of zoonotic diseases in bats. These two areas of news represent two different aspects of breaking coverage. By exploring the issues associated with tigers, audiences will often discover news relating to a tiger being on the loose or an attack that has occurred. Very little is reported in terms of encroachment on their natural habitat or a poaching arrest that has been made. This type of breaking news represents an area of underrepresentation. On the other hand, research has demonstrated that through zoonotic diseases in bats, the recent Ebola outbreak took center stage across news media outlets. In this particular case, coverage was misrepresented, sensationalized, and induced hysteria across large audiences. Curating performed through Health Map lends direct access to the breaking of accurate, authentic, news stories. Outside of this manner of reporting, stories are often misconstrued and duplicated to reach broader audiences. However, by curating news stories this can be prevented while the reliable source is found and accurately portrayed as the breaking source. This research examines the accurate approach to news coverage and the effects that result from misrepresentation and intensification of false news. (Author abstract)Drylie, D., & Renaud, E. (2015). Media, tigers, and bats, oh my: Hysteria in the media. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed