Faculty of Management Graduate Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/82352

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Access status: Open Access ,
Career Persistence of Underrepresented Technology Professionals in Secondary-City Labour Markets: Anchoring Conditions and Barriers in Nova Scotia
(2026-04-14) Karimy, Pourya; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; Guy Paré; Not Applicable; Dana Kabat-Farr; Paola A Gonzalez
Canada's digital economy grows unevenly, with secondary cities struggling to attract and retain skilled tech professionals, particularly from underrepresented groups. Yet existing research focuses predominantly on large urban markets, leaving career sustainability in smaller regional ecosystems largely underexplored. This thesis addresses that gap by examining career persistence among underrepresented technology professionals in Halifax, Nova Scotia — defined as the ability to establish, navigate, and sustain a career in place despite structural, organizational, and external constraints. Using an interpretivist, abductive design, the study draws on 13 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with technology executives and HR leaders, analyzed through thematic analysis. Six interrelated themes spanning entry pathways, labour-market structure, workplace inclusion, organizational capability, economic sustainability, and individual strategies inform a multi-level model centered on anchoring mechanisms that reduce exit pressure. The study reframes persistence as a place-based phenomenon and offers practical insights for building more inclusive regional tech ecosystems.
Access status: Open Access ,
Ethical Capital and Cybersecurity Behaviour: Exploring Large Language Model (LLM) Use in Organizations
(2026-01-30) Ayeni, Adebimpe; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; na; Not Applicable; Dr Rita Orji; Dr Phillippe Mongeon; Dr Binod Sundararajan
This study examines how ethical orientations and organizational factors shape users’ ethical cybersecurity behaviour when interacting with large language models (LLMs). Using a quantitative design supported by thematic insights, it investigates how ethical capital and responsible LLM use influence cybersecurity ethics. Findings show that ethical capital affects behaviour primarily through responsible use of LLMs rather than through direct effects. Demographic factors, including age, gender, discipline, education, country, and usage frequency, did not significantly predict behaviour, suggesting that the rapid evolution of LLMs places users from diverse backgrounds on a similar learning curve. Complementary qualitative analysis highlights that human behaviour, organizational culture, and governance structures are as critical as the technology itself. Themes such as output oversight, responsible prompting, data protection, and overreliance reveal persistent human-centred vulnerabilities and the need for adaptive governance. Overall, the study identifies responsible LLM use as a key behavioural pathway for strengthening cybersecurity ethics and underscores the importance of continuous oversight, inclusive training, and human accountability in LLM deployment.
Access status: Open Access ,
NARCISSISM AND STOCK RETURNS: AN ASSET PRICING TEST
(2026-01-30) Khorram, Nakisa; No; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Dr.Fooladi; Dr.Hebb; Dr.Attig; Dr.Sy
This study looks at how CEO narcissism, measured by pronoun use in earnings call transcripts, relates to abnormal stock returns. Previous research connects narcissism to company outcomes, but it is still unclear how financial markets respond to it. We use data from U.S. firms in COMPUSTAT and CRSP to build monthly strategies based on CEO narcissism and test their performance with standard asset pricing models, such as CAPM, and the Fama-French factor models. We find that companies with highly narcissistic CEOs have meaningful higher returns than those with non-narcissistic CEOs, with a monthly spread return of about 0.29%. However, the return differentials driven by narcissistic CEOs is not statistically significant -at the standard 5% level- after controlling for different factors. Since the abnormal return is positive and marginally economically significant, investors can benefit from the strategy where they long firms managed by highly narcissistic CEOs and short those managed by non-narcissistic ones.
Access status: Open Access ,
THE SHADE EFFECT: HOW COLOURISM AND SKIN TONE SHAPE SOUTH ASIAN CONSUMERS’ PERCEPTION IN ADVERTISING
(2025-12-22) Tassnim, Zarin; No; Master of Science; Business; Received; N/A; Not Applicable; Dr. Dr. Hamed Aghakhani; Dr. Mohammed El Hazzouri; Dr. Alexandria West; Dr. Valerie Trifts; Dr. Thomas K.B. Koo
Colourism, the preference for lighter skin tones over darker ones within and between racial and ethnic groups, remains a persistent issue across many cultures, particularly among South Asians, as well as in media and advertising. Yet very little marketing research has examined how skin-tone representation in advertising shapes South Asian consumers’ perceptions when viewing another South Asian individual with a lighter or darker skin tone. This research investigates whether South Asian consumers respond differently to advertisements featuring lighter-skinned versus darker-skinned South Asian models. Using an experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to view either a lighter- or darker-skinned South Asian model and then evaluated the model and the advertisement. They also completed measures of ideal self/model congruence, Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), and Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA). Contrary to expectations, there were no significant differences in consumer responses across the two skin-tone conditions. Ideal self/model congruence did not mediate the relationship between skin tone and attitude toward the model and ad. Likewise, neither SDO nor RWA moderated the association between skin tone representation and ideal self/model congruence. These findings suggest that consumers responded similarly to both lighter and darker-skinned models, highlighting the need for future research to examine whether colourism-based perceptions continue to shape South Asian consumers’ perceptions, how these attitudes may be changing, and what factors might contribute to such shifts in a multicultural context.
Access status: Open Access ,
REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS IN GHANA
(2026-01-05) Otoo, Daniel; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Business; Not Applicable; NA; Not Applicable; Joyline Makani, PhD; Paola Gonzalez, PhD; Kyung Young Lee, PhD
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping organizational operations and strategic decision-making, with significant implications for project management (PM). As a core organizational function, PM plays a pivotal role in achieving corporate objectives through the successful execution of projects. The integration of AI into PM processes offers opportunities to enhance efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making. Despite growing scholarly interest, existing literature lacks a comprehensive framework that holistically examines AI’s influence across PM knowledge areas, process groups, and performance domains. Furthermore, methodological limitations persist, as prior studies predominantly employ singular approaches such as systematic literature reviews (SLRs) or quantitative surveys, while qualitative insights remain underexplored. Addressing these gaps, this study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining an SLR with key informant interviews (KIIs) of industry professionals in Ghana—a region underrepresented in current research yet notable for its advancements in ICT adoption. Guided by the Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the SLR synthesizes findings from six reputable databases on the impact of AI on the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, while KIIs provide contextual insights into practical challenges and opportunities. The research seeks to answer two primary questions: (1) How do AI-driven tools and techniques influence PM practices, including principles, process groups, and performance measures? (2) What challenges arise in implementing AI within PM in Ghana, Africa? Findings are expected to contribute theoretical and practical perspectives, offering actionable recommendations for organizations and future research directions (with four propositions). This study underscores AI’s transformative potential in PM and highlights the need for integrative frameworks to guide its effective adoption.
Access status: Open Access ,
REAL GOOD FOOD: MOTIVATIONS FOR CONSUMER PATRONAGE AT FARMERS’ MARKETS IN NOVA SCOTIA
(2025-10-07) Pritchard, Kaitlyn; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Business; Received; NA; Not Applicable; Yes; Dr. Hamed Aghakhani; Dr. Albert James; Dr. Peggy Cunningham
This research paper examines the motivations underlying consumers’ patronage of farmers’ markets in Nova Scotia. This study utilizes qualitative methods in the form of semi-structured interviews with two participant groups, ten farmers’ market consumers and ten farmers’ market vendors, to identify participants’ shared lived experiences regarding farmers’ markets, utilizing thematic analysis. Three major themes were identified within the data and linked to three types of authenticity: moral authenticity, pure/literal authenticity, and approximate/symbolic authenticity. The three major themes included supporting local, product features communicating authenticity, and market experience. Price was an additional theme identified outside of the authenticity framework. A key contribution of the study is the emergence of community as a central influence on authenticity perceptions. This work contributes to and expands on existing literature on authenticity and intends to shed light on how the definition of authenticity differs among individual consumers.
Access status: Embargo ,
WHEN CHATBOTS MEET EMOJI: THE EFFECTS ON CONTINUED USAGE INTENTION
(2025-08-05) Wang, Xiaoxu; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Kyung Young Lee; Colin Conrad; Qi Deng; Jenny Chen
Chatbots are increasingly adopted in customer service to offer convenient and timely assistance. However, the effect of adding emojis on user experience remains underexplored. This thesis seeks to fill this gap by investigating how emoji usage influences users’ continuance use intention in different service situations, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms. Results from two experiments indicate that emojis in customer service chatbots positively affect users perceived social presence and attitudes toward the chatbot, which in turn increase their intention to continue using the service. Moreover, the outcome of the service (successful vs. unsuccessful) plays a moderating role. This thesis applies the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) theory and Language Expectancy Theory (LET) to explore how emoji usage influences user expectations based on service outcomes. Additionally, the findings provide valuable insights for managers and chatbot designers, offering practical guidance on how to improve chatbot services and enhance user satisfaction.
Access status: Open Access ,
Empowering Personal Support Workers: Enhancing Job Satisfaction and Reducing Turnover through Co-operatives, Supported by Role Theory and Social Exchange Theory - A Case Study
(2025-04-08) Peart-Mollison, Teianna; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Faculty of Management; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Anika Cloutier; Shuna Ho; Simon Berge
Canada’s aging population is growing rapidly, creating a need for stable and quality home care services. Despite this growth the Personal Support Worker (PSW) workforce is declining, with many PSWs leaving their roles within the first year. There is a lack of research exploring how role standardization and workplace empowerment affect PSW job satisfaction and turnover intentions. This study is supported by Role Theory and Structural Empowerment Theory to examine how job clarity and organizational structure influence PSW experiences. A case study approach was used to explore the impact of a worker co-operative model on PSW job satisfaction and retention. The research used a triangulated method, including five interviews (n=5) with PSWs, a co-op CEO, and a Canadian Standards Association representative, along with surveys from eight PSWs (n=8) and document analysis. The central research question asked: How does job role standardization and structural empowerment within a co-operative model affect job satisfaction and turnover intentions among PSWs? Findings demonstrated that PSWs reported that the co-operatives provide clearer job expectations, greater autonomy, and higher job satisfaction compared to other home care settings. The co-operative model offered a structured, transparent, and empowering work environment, contributing to lower turnover intentions. This study highlights the importance of role clarity and participatory governance in improving PSW retention. Future research should explore the scalability of the co-operative model and its long-term impact across diverse care settings.
Access status: Open Access ,
Deceptive Marketing: The Inequality of Gendered Brands
(2025-04-08) Capozzi-Davis, Sophia; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Dr. Peggy Cunningham; Dr. Alexandria West; Dr. Hélène Deval; Dr. Sergio Carvalho
This research examines consumers' asymmetric perceptions of norm violations associated with gendered, humanized brands, particularly in instances of brand transgression, like deceptive marketing. Building on gender role congruity theory, we hypothesized that consumers would perceive greater norm violations when feminine brands engaged in norm-violating behaviours (deception) compared to masculine brands. A 3 (brand personality: feminine vs. masculine vs. undifferentiated) x 2 (marketing practice: deceptive vs. honest) experiment showed that consumers perceive heightened norm violations when feminine brands engage in deceptive practices compared to masculine brands. This research contributes to understanding asymmetric consumer responses to brand transgressions in the context of humanized brands and highlights essential considerations for marketing strategies related to gendered brands.
Access status: Open Access ,
Investigating the Role of Sentiment Measures in Explaining Anomalies
(2025-04-09) Zhang, Jiamiao; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Prof. Kodjovi Assoe; Prof. Oumar Sy; Prof. Najah Attig
This thesis provides a comprehensive examination of the role of investor sentiment in explaining market anomalies that challenge both weak‑form and semi‑strong‑form market efficiency. It integrates twelve sentiment measures—spanning survey‑based indices, composite market indicators, and novel textual‑based metrics derived from corporate earnings calls and financial reports—alongside seventeen well‑documented anomalies. Using monthly data, a reduced‑form vector autoregression (VAR) framework, complemented by Granger‑causality tests, impulse response analysis, and variance decomposition, uncovers the dynamic causal relationships between sentiment shocks and anomalous return patterns across contrarian, momentum, reversal, and many other factor strategies over short and long horizons. Textual‑based sentiment indices deliver the strongest explanatory power, especially for weak-form market anomalies, outperforming traditional survey and composite indices. These findings advance the behavioral asset‑pricing literature by quantifying the added value of soft‑information extraction method. They also underscore the practical implications for integrating sentiment metrics into forecasting models, risk assessments, and trading strategies. By considering multiple sentiment dimensions and anomaly categories, this study fills a critical gap in behavioral finance and offers actionable insights for academics and investment professionals alike.
Access status: Open Access ,
ASSESSING THE STABILITY OF ESG INVESTMENTS USING A GARCH (1,1) MODEL
(2025-04-07) Huajian, Miao; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Faculty of Management; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Leonard MacLean; Oumar Sy; Yonggan Zhao
This study investigates the volatility, stability, and resilience of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) securities compared to non-ESG securities under varying market conditions. Using the GARCH (1,1) model, we analyze daily financial data from 2020 to 2024 to evaluate how ESG securities respond to market shocks and volatility dynamics. Our analysis focuses on three key dimensions: whether ESG securities exhibit lower volatility, maintain stability over extended periods, and recover more effectively from external disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results show that ESG securities demonstrate significantly lower conditional volatility, with faster reversion to stable states than non-ESG counterparts. During market turbulence, ESG securities experience smaller price declines and quicker recovery, highlighting their resilience. Sector-specific analysis reveals that renewable energy and technology sectors benefit most from ESG integration, while traditional industries show limited improvements. These findings suggest that ESG investments mitigate financial risk and enhance long-term securities sustainability. This research contributes to the sustainable finance literature by empirically validating the risk-management advantages of ESG strategies. It provides practical insights for investors and policymakers seeking to align financial goals with sustainability objectives. While the study relies on historical data and aggregated ESG metrics, future work could explore dynamic ESG scoring and cross-regional comparisons to refine the understanding of ESG financial impact further.
Access status: Open Access ,
DIVERSITY SPILLOVER EFFECTS IN SUPPLY CHAINS
(2024-12-12) Sadeghi Morad, Sanaz; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Oumar Sy; Sadok El Ghoul; Najah Attig
Gender diversity is a top priority and trend subject that has gained increased attention recently. This thesis addresses two novel research questions. First, it investigates the extent of gender diversity diffusion within the supply chain by exploring the relationship between the workforce gender diversity of suppliers and that of their major customers. It then examines the extent to which the gap in workforce gender diversity has economic implications by addressing its impact on corporate value. Findings show a significant spillover effect, where customer firms with strong gender diversity policies positively influence diversity among their suppliers. This shows how important customer relationships are in helping diversity grow across companies.
Access status: Open Access ,
On the Economic Implications of Human Capital Disclosures: Evidence from the SEC’s Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
(2024-12-15) Kuri, Pranto Kumar; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; Professor Sadok El Ghoul; Not Applicable; Professor Oumar Sy; Professor Najah Attig
This study examines the economic implications of human capital disclosure (HCD) on corporate value. Utilizing a lexicon developed through advanced machine learning techniques, specifically word embedding models, we quantify firm-level HCD by measuring the proportion of discussions dedicated to human capital topics in quarterly earnings conference calls. Our analysis explores how these disclosures influence corporate value, as measured by Tobin's Q. We leverage the introduction of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) 2020 amendment to Regulation S-K, which mandates firms to discuss their human capital management practices, as a natural experiment to investigate whether the relationship between HCD and corporate value differs before and after this regulatory change. Additionally, we assess whether the presence of a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) moderates the impact of HCD on firm valuation. We also examine the moderating effects of other governance mechanisms, such as the presence of female directors and female CEOs, on the HCD–corporate value relationship. Our findings reveal a robust positive association between human capital disclosures and corporate value, indicating that investors value transparency in human capital management. The presence of a CHRO and other governance mechanisms do not significantly alter this relationship. Moreover, the SEC's regulation did not significantly change the impact of HCD on corporate value, suggesting that investors may have already incorporated human capital considerations into their evaluations prior to the mandate. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on corporate transparency and accountability, highlighting the strategic importance of human capital disclosures in enhancing corporate value and informing stakeholder engagement.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring The Effects of Virtual Entertainers versus Human Entertainers on Consumer Purchase Intention of Music and The Products They Endorse as Influencers
(2024-12-10) Johan, Tausifur Rahman; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Bo Yu; Paola A Gonzalez; Thomas K. B. Koo; Kyung Young Lee
The increasing prominence of virtual entertainers (VEs) in digital marketing has generated considerable interest in their effectiveness in influencing consumer behavior, particularly in comparison to human entertainers (HEs). This study investigates whether VEs can perform as effectively as HEs in driving viewer purchase intentions for entertainment products, such as music, and the products they endorse as influencers. Grounded in Persuasion Theory and Social Influence Theory, this research examines the roles of physical attractiveness (PAT), social attractiveness (SAT), attitude homophily (ATH), and trustworthiness (TWN) in shaping consumers’ behavioral intentions. A simulated lab experiment and survey research were conducted with participants who were exposed to two Korean-pop (K-pop) music groups (one with VEs and the other with HEs), followed by survey data collection, yielding 381 complete responses, which were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0. The results reveal that PAT and SAT significantly influence TWN across both VE and HE models, while ATH only enhances TWN in the HE model. TWN was found to be significantly associated with the purchase intention of music (PIM) in both groups, with emotional arousal (EMR) moderating this relationship. However, the direct effect of TWN on the purchase intention of endorsed products (PIP) was not supported, demonstrating that the PIM fully mediates the relationship. The Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) identified minimal differences between the VE and HE groups for the hypothesized relationships. This research adds to the existing body of knowledge by expanding the application of Persuasion Theory and Social Influence Theory to both virtual and HEs, providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of VEs in influencing consumer behavior. The practical implications highlight the potential of VEs as scalable and cost-effective alternatives to HEs in digital marketing strategies, particularly for engaging younger, tech-savvy audiences.
Access status: Open Access ,
Does The Adoption Of Digital Wealth Management Platforms (DWPs) Result In Positive Net Benefits? From Retail Investors’ Perspective On DWPs Success
(2024-12-10) Yong, Yin; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Bo Yu; Colin Conrad; Kyung Young Lee
The growing adoption of Digital Wealth Management Platforms (DWPs) has revolutionized portfolio management for retail investors. Despite their potential, the factors driving DWP adoption and their benefits for individual investors remain underexplored. This study investigates these aspects using an integrated framework combining the Information System Success Model (ISSM), the Service-Profit Chain Model, and the Behavioral Investor Types (BITs) framework. An online survey of 250 global DWP users was conducted. The research analyzed the effects of service, system, and information quality on system use and satisfaction using structural equation modeling. The results show that service and information quality significantly influence system use and satisfaction, while system quality impacts satisfaction but not use. BITs moderate these relationships, with aggressive investors benefiting more. Customer loyalty enhances platform engagement.
Access status: Open Access ,
Too much or not enough? Navigating ethnic minorities' role portrayal in public health advertisements
(2024-12-09) Saeed, Areeba; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Dr. Alexandria West; Dr. Hélène Deval; Dr. Mohammed El Hazzouri; Dr. Justin McManus
I examined how the role portrayal of ethnic minority models— featuring in major, minor, or equally major roles with White models— in public health ads influences the behavioral intention of ethnic minority members. Using an experimental design, I explored whether an ethnic minority model featured alone in a major role as opposed to (1) an equal role with a White model or (2) a minor role as opposed to a White model in a major role, leads to perceptions of negative stereotyping. Further, I investigated how this impacts perceived benevolence and behavioral intention. I also examined whether an ethnic minority model featured alone in a minor role as opposed to (1) an equal role with a White model or (2) a minor role as opposed to a White model in a minor role, leads to perceptions of social exclusion. Further, I investigated how this impacts perceived benevolence and behavioral intention.
Access status: Open Access ,
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING: UNRAVELING THE MEDIATING INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND MODERATING EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
(2024-12-09) Kazeminezhad, Noushin; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Received; n/a; Not Applicable; Dr. Bill Foster; Dr. Oksana Shkurska; Dr. Binod Sundararajan
This research investigates the relationship between cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and knowledge sharing while examining social capital as a potential moderator. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected from participants within Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management. Likert-scale questionnaires were used to collect data related to measuring variables, and participants’ professional networks were mapped to evaluate social capital through an egocentric network analysis. SPSS was employed for descriptive statistics, UCINET for network analysis, and SmartPLS for hypothesis testing. The results confirm the mediating role of emotional intelligence in enhancing the link between cultural intelligence and knowledge sharing, though social capital did not show a significant moderating effect. These findings underscore cultural and emotional intelligence's importance in fostering knowledge exchange within diverse organizational contexts.
Access status: Open Access ,
On Accessibility and Sustainability for Rural Communities: Optimal Models for Integrated Passenger and Freight Transportation
(2024-12-06) PARMAKSIZ, DERYA; No; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Yes; Dr. BAHAREH MANSOURI; Dr. ARMAGAN OZBILGE; Dr. M. ALI ULKU; Dr. Heidi Weigand
Transportation plays a vital role in providing access to essential services such as education and healthcare. However, rural communities often struggle with inadequate transportation systems due to low population density, forcing individuals to depend on personal vehicles or transport modes that may pose safety risks, such as walking or hitchhiking. To address these challenges, this study proposes implementing an integrated passenger and freight transportation system utilizing public transportation and parcel lockers. This integration involves transporting people and goods on the same vehicle with dedicated capacities. Considering that public transport vehicles are not too occupied in rural areas compared to urban, utilizing the free space in the vehicle for carrying small parcels presents a resource-efficient solution. Two models have been developed for this proposed network. The first model decides on the number and location of bus stops and parcel lockers. The second model establishes public transport’s route, schedule, and capacity allocations. The proposed model is compared with another model where passenger and freight services operate independently to demonstrate the added value of freight integration. The results indicate that the proposed model reduces the total operational cost and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, by providing this service, the rural residents’ accessibility to essential services is enhanced. The proposed network is also discussed in the context of cultural sustainability, and avenues for future research are outlined.
Access status: Open Access ,
On Decarbonizing City Logistics: Analytical Models for Sustainable Package Delivery and Pickup
(2024-12-06) TOKTAS, DOGUKAN; No; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Yes; DR. BAHAREH MANSOURI; DR. ARMAGAN OZBILGE; DR. M. ALI ULKU; DR. M. AHSAN HABIB
City logistics significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) due to the extensive use of conventional vehicles. GHGs are the main driver of climate change (CC) and reducing them is essential to achieving greener cities. Following a comprehensive literature review on decarbonizing city logistics (DCL), this study proposes a two-stage mathematical model for last-mile business-to-customer (B2C) e-commerce operations. The first stage of the model assigns customers to the nearest parcel locker (PL) to optimize zoning. The second stage is formulated as a variant of the vehicle routing problem (VRP) that addresses a critical gap in the DCL literature by considering home deliveries, package returns, and missed deliveries simultaneously while utilizing PLs. We evaluated the proposed model regarding quadruple bottom line pillars (QBL) of sustainability—environment, economy, society, and culture. A benchmark model is also developed to evaluate the proposed model’s results. Our findings indicate that implementing the proposed model could reduce CO2 emissions by 17% and operational costs by 9%. Furthermore, our model offers several social and cultural benefits. We conclude the study by discussing future research directions.
Access status: Open Access ,
How the Source of the Advertisement Influences Susceptibility to Greenwashing: The Roles of the Type of Ad, Perceived Ad Authenticity, and Environmental Concern
(2024-11-26) Goulart Natali, Nicole; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Rowe School of Business; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Sergio Carvalho; Christopher Bennett; Hamed Aghakhani; Peggy Cunningham
Companies are increasingly making eco-friendly claims, some of which mislead consumers about their true environmental impact: a phenomenon named greenwashing. This research investigates how the source of an advertisement—shared by a firm or its employees—affects consumer susceptibility to greenwashing. In an experiment, participants viewed an advertisement featuring either a genuine or greenwashing claim shared by one of these sources. The findings reveal that while the source alone does not influence susceptibility, greenwashing advertisements shared by employees are perceived as more authentic, increasing consumer vulnerability. In contrast, consumer evaluations of genuine advertisements remained consistent across sources, while responses to greenwashing claims varied. Environmental concern did not moderate these effects, indicating that even environmentally conscious consumers may fall victim to misleading claims. These results emphasize the need for stricter green marketing standards to address the role of ad sources in amplifying the impact of deceptive environmental messaging.

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