The School of Business was represented by a number of student groups presenting their research findings at the 2018 UFV Student Research Day on Thursday April 05. We are proud of all our student’s accomplishments and hard work. Featured below are highlights of a few projects, and information on the groups that won prestigious awards.
The social issue of homelessness is not a typically discussed topic in business classes. However, Business students Courtney Kelley, Danielle Dorish, and Deanna Goodfellow did just that when, under David Dobson’s supervision, they conducted a mixed-methods research project examining university students’ perspectives on homelessness. Their research showed that students recognize homelessness as an important issue in their community but felt they were unable to contribute to the solution. The study found that students would like to address homelessness within their communities, but there is not enough information readily available on what they can do, or how they can get involved. As students spend much of their time on campus, they are more likely to be involved in combating homelessness if universities create awareness and provide information. The study recommends that universities develop an applied interdepartmental credit course focused on social engagement within their community.
Alex Terhart and Tanner Timmer (pictured above) studied factors affecting the price of townhomes and detached homes. Their analysis showed different factors effect the price. Factors associated with detached homes include frontage, square footage, and property taxes; and, the factors associated with townhomes include number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and property taxes. Property taxes and square footage were factors that both types of homes had in common. One of the research questions studied was if investing in a townhouse ‘investment mix’ created more wealth compared to a detached home? They found that investing in a townhouse and investing the difference in other mid-risk investments does not provide nearly as much wealth as solely investing in a detached home. The duo were awarded the Dean, Faculty of Professional Studies Award. Their faculty supervisor was David Dobson
Lastly, Lindong Zhang, Brady Lawlor, Colby Fleming, Mitchell Trainor, & Hardeep Singh undertook a customer analytics project for a fitness center to identify opportunities for member engagement. One of the recommendations the group made was to increase childminding hours beyond 9-5 to serve young families. This would open up membership to parents who do not have access to after work childminding. Extending the childminding hours beyond 5 pm (for example, adding another block of time from 7:00 to 8:30 pm) would allow working parents time to get home from work, eat dinner and then come to the fitness center. The students were awarded the Associate VP Research, Engagement & Graduate Studies Award for their research. They are pictured with their faculty supervisor, David Dobson
Well done to all our winners and participants!