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Divine Discourse: Ontological Arguments for God’s Existence
No full textThesis (B.A. in Humanistic Studies, Minor in Philosophy Art History and Studio Art)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.The divine and our concept of it, whatever it may be, is a fundamental building block of society. Commonality in religion is where many societies are born, and diversity where countless conflicts spur. What is so special about this concept to warrant such actions? That is a question for another time. For now, in this paper, rather than looking at the application of the concept, known as religion, will place focus on the concept itself, specifically the monotheistic concept of an all-powerful God. Who, or what, is God? How do we define the notion of God? What logic do we cling to in order to defend our faith? Following will be an analysis of the premises used in the so-called ontological argument for God’s existence. Philosophers such as the 13th century Thomas Aquinas, 11th century Anselm of Canterbury, and 20th and 21st century works by contemporary philosopher, Alvin Plantinga, will all be judged on the merits of their arguments. These three philosophers, who all attempt to put logic to faith, are essential to understand as building blocks of the common notion of a divine entity referred to as God. This paper will give a chronological account of their findings and highlight the advancements made in their respective works. Subsequently, it will provide the reader with an understanding of what it means to speak about a divine entity beyond the context of religious texts. With that knowledge, the question will be posed as to whether or not it is rational to reject God’s existence on the grounds of scientific or logical understanding. The answer, after close examination of the aforementioned teachings must undoubtably be that those who blankly reject the divine on such grounds fail to comprehend the very logic they assume to defend
Motivations for ESG Investment Among Leaders in the MICE Industry
No full textThe Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry faces mounting pressure to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns over its environmental impact. This research investigates the driving forces behind ESG investment decisions among MICE industry leaders. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study begins with an exploratory expert interview, followed by targeted questions for focus groups involving senior industry figures. Insights from the focus group discussions inform the development of a comprehensive questionnaire, capturing key motivators identified by participants. The survey was subsequently distributed to a broader cohort of MICE industry leaders, resulting in responses from 76 individuals.The findings highlight that leadership responsibility and the desire to inspire others are pivotal motivators for ESG investment, transcending company size and revenue. Simultaneously, external pressures—such as talent attraction and reputation enhancement—also play a significant role. However, the presence of opaque and localized regulations poses a formidable obstacle, hindering genuine commitment from all MICE industry leaders. This research contributes unique insights to this industry, and further investigation is warranted to understand motivators for ESG investment not only in the MICE industry but also in comparable growing sectors
Navigating the CSR Landscape: A Comparative Study of Amazon's Strategies in Developed and Emerging Markets
No full textThis paper aims to examine the nature and extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and reporting practices of companies in developing and developed countries. Based on the findings of our comparative analysis of Amazon's operations in India and the United States, CSR application developed from a purely ethical obligation to a core element of the business' worldwide strategic marketing mix. However, we found a massive difference in the application of CSR in developed and developing countries. Amazon applied a voluntary CSR strategy in developed countries; indeed, in developed countries, CSR focuses more on transparency, diversity, and inclusion. On the other hand, in developing countries, Amazon's CSR practices focus on the compliance with local regulations, and the improvement of education and healthcare. Still, in developed and developing countries, CSR enhances Amazon's consumers' engagement and its reputation. Overall, our study shows that MNEs must balance global CSR strategies with local adaptation, responding to varying stakeholder demands and regulatory frameworks. Integrating CSR practices in corporate strategic decision-making has become a crucial element for MNEs to be competitive
Sustainability in the Energy Sector: A Study of Proactive and Reactive Approaches. The Case of Enel and Eni
No full textThis study investigates different CSR and sustainability practices, and the various benefits and limitations of first and second movers within the renewable energy market. Through exploratory interviews with sustainability experts and a comparative analysis of Enel S.p.A and Eni S.p.A, we examine the differences of developed and developing countries in implementing sustainable practices, the benefits and limitations of first and second movers, and how relationships between
companies and stakeholders improve with the implementation of sustainable practices, ultimately impacting the financial performance of companies. Overall, our study shows that, even though both companies are applying different strategies, implementing CSR initiatives in the business plan generally implies an improvement in financial performance
Does Having Different Information Receiving Habits Impact Generational Cohorts on Their Perceptions of Free and Fair Elections in the United States?
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.: In recent years, the American public has witnessed an increasingly widening divide along partisan lines. At the same time, political media continues to permeate further into our private lives through our dependence on cellular devices, bringing along the rise of “Fake News” exposure. It is becoming evident that not all generations have equal experience for navigating such a media rich environment, and therefore, are unequally prepared to be exposed to and engage with political media to the extent we are. Such a disparity has caused different generational cohorts of Americans to consume political media in their own distinct ways, sometimes deliberately, such as turning on the news on the home television and sometimes incidentally, while scrolling through social media or while messaging people. This contrasts with the past when previous generations of Americans were exposed to the same and consistent levels of traditional media, thanks to scheduled news programs or the morning news paper. Given that political media and “Fake News” are now omnipresent in our lives and considering that not all generations are equally used to and prepared for this actuality, the question arises on to what extent attitudes towards political media, democracy and perceptions of free and fair elections vary between different generational cohorts. To what extent have political media outlets influenced these trends? Is the political divide within the United States more aligned to political affiliation, does it reflect the growing political cleavages that distinguish and identify members to a political party, or is the political divide rooted in different habits and interests cross generationally
Augustus and the Creation of a Deified Legacy
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History, Minor in Classical Studies and Psychology)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.My research question and purpose of this paper relates to the intended deification through propaganda of Augustus, the first emperor and founder of the Roman Empire. Deification of emperors was a common practice in Imperial Rome made by the senate after the death of the emperor. Although Augustus’ use of propaganda and the deification of emperors is subject often under scrutiny, there are still questions regarding Augustus’ intentions of deification while he was still alive. As is known, Rome had a negative view on kings and monarchies, so elevating his image to that of a god is peculiar, especially considering Augustus was intended to be the restorer of the republic. Augustus’ use of propaganda with material culture such as coins and monuments, as well as his influence with literary works like Vergil’s Aeneid hint at more ambiguous intentions regarding his desire to become a god before he died. To assess the effectiveness of Augustus’ deification and use of propaganda, the Roman authors Suetonius and Tacitus provide ample commentaries not only on the character of Augustus but also on his impact on Roman history and politics. In the end, conclusions point at Augustus having intertwining goals of glorifying Rome and implementing a deified legacy. This was the case even though it was never explicitly stated by the emperor. The expression in monuments, coinage, and literature to slowly guide the Roman people to accept his deified legacy would cement Augustus as one of the crucial figures in Roman history
Beyond the Numbers: Exploring the Multifaceted Impact of Big Data Analytics on Auditing
No full textThis article investigates the impact of implementing big data analytics in external auditing firms on audit quality, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, and risk. A survey with 123 auditors collected quantitative data on the benefits and drawbacks of big data analytics in auditing. Big data analytics implementation improves audit efficiency and effectiveness, but the impact on audit risk varies. Integrating big data analytics enhances audit effectiveness and efficiency, enabling auditors to prioritise value-added tasks and gain a better understanding of audited organisations. This study is pioneering in that it investigates the components of audit quality - effectiveness, efficiency, and risk - individually within a single research endeavour. The segmented analysis based on the size of the auditors' engagement portfolios adds a unique dimension to the study. Auditors' engagement portfolio size affects the impact of technology adoption, crucial for firms' technology roll-out planning
The Role of Immigrants in the Italian Fertility Crisis
No full textThesis (B.A. in International Affairs, Minor in Legal Studies and Economics)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.The decline in fertility has been an ongoing topic of discussion among Italian politicians and journalists. Due to the increase in immigration from high-fertility countries, many see immigrants as a solution to the fertility crisis. Academic research on the behavior of immigrants finds different theoretical models but is limited to quantitative studies and focused mostly on the US. This thesis instead focuses on immigrants’ fertility and family-building trends in Italy. The data is collected through qualitative interviews, which reveal unexpected and discriminatory elements of the Italian state, especially concerning healthcare and the job market. The main result of the study is that, while immigrants differ significantly in their fertility and family-building behavior, the discrimination and struggles they face also drastically vary depending on their ethnic and religious identities. Therefore, although research and policy recommendations are given, the study concludes that the causes of the issue are mostly structural
Divine Discourse: Ontological Arguments for God’s Existence
No full textThesis (B.A. in Humanistic Studies, Minor in Philosophy Art History and Studio Art)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.The divine and our concept of it, whatever it may be, is a fundamental building block of society. Commonality in religion is where many societies are born, and diversity where countless conflicts spur. What is so special about this concept to warrant such actions? That is a question for another time. For now, in this paper, rather than looking at the application of the concept, known as religion, will place focus on the concept itself, specifically the monotheistic concept of an all-powerful God. Who, or what, is God? How do we define the notion of God? What logic do we cling to in order to defend our faith? Following will be an analysis of the premises used in the so-called ontological argument for God’s existence. Philosophers such as the 13th century Thomas Aquinas, 11th century Anselm of Canterbury, and 20th and 21st century works by contemporary philosopher, Alvin Plantinga, will all be judged on the merits of their arguments. These three philosophers, who all attempt to put logic to faith, are essential to understand as building blocks of the common notion of a divine entity referred to as God. This paper will give a chronological account of their findings and highlight the advancements made in their respective works. Subsequently, it will provide the reader with an understanding of what it means to speak about a divine entity beyond the context of religious texts. With that knowledge, the question will be posed as to whether or not it is rational to reject God’s existence on the grounds of scientific or logical understanding. The answer, after close examination of the aforementioned teachings must undoubtably be that those who blankly reject the divine on such grounds fail to comprehend the very logic they assume to defend
The Russian Dog and the Little Devil: The Gendered Studio Practice of Marina Abramović and Ulay, 1976 - 1980
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History, Minor in Art and Design)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.Marina Abramović and Ulay’s practice was unique in form and dynamics. Their domestic space and studio space were based in the movable confines of their Citroën van from 1976 to 1980. The van as a space and site of production, management, and domesticity has been overlooked by scholars. As an artist couple, the division of work in that space further complicates the issue and prompts us to look at the gendered dynamics of this legendary pair of performance artists. Art-historical and critical examination of their duo has largely limited itself to either their work or to a mysticized approach to their collaboration. Throughout the years, the rise in popularity of Marina Abramović as a solo artist has also prompted the erasure of Ulay’s effect not only on her work but in the history of performance art as a whole. This thesis will explore the collaboration between these two artists by retracing their collaboration between 1976 to 1980, including their respective roles in studio management and domestic labor; it will constitute their physical and conceptual actions by reviewing primary sources, such as interviews, photographs, videos, their manifesto, and their performances, as case studies for their gender distribution such as Imponderabilia, Talking about Similarity, and Relation in Movement. Finally, the thesis will examine the reception and legacy of their work, including canonization of their body of work before and after their separation, through video recordings of their past performances, documentaries in which both present their own point of view in retrospective, increasing museification of Marina Abramović’s work self-reflective re-enacting of her performances, and the reception of Ulay’s body of work