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This study aims to explore the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees in the relationship between board characteristics and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, specifically within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Based on a panel of 178 firms spanning 2015–2022, the analysis uses Baron and Kenny’s (1986) mediation approach, supplemented by structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis for robustness.

The findings demonstrate that CSR committees play a significant mediating role in the impact of board size, expertise and gender diversity on ESG performance. Furthermore, the study confirms the direct, positive influence of both board characteristics and the presence of CSR committees on ESG performance, underscoring their strategic importance in fostering sustainability in this regional context.

The findings highlight the strategic importance of diversifying and enhancing board skills to improve ESG performance. Companies are encouraged to recalibrate their governance frameworks to leverage the mediating influence of CSR committees and promote sustainable business practices.

By demonstrating the positive effect of CSR committees on ESG performance, this study aligns with global trends in responsible business conduct and highlights the importance of corporate governance in addressing environmental and social challenges. This alignment is critical for achieving sustainable development goals and reinforcing stakeholder trust in the region.

This research provides novel empirical insights into the mediating effect of CSR committees within the MENA region, offering a unique contribution to the discourse on corporate governance and sustainability. By highlighting region-specific governance dynamics that shape ESG outcomes, it deepens the understanding of effective governance practices.

A significant increase in the number of private sector banks has intensified the level of competition in the Indian banking industry (IBI). This increase in the number of banks has a considerable impact on the existing players, which calls for prioritizing customer satisfaction (CS) and enhancing bank reputation (BR). Our study seeks to investigate the enablers of CS and BR in the IBI.

The study adopted a cross-sectional design for gathering responses from retail bank customers across the selected banks through a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to evaluate direct and indirect linkages among the identified constructs by examining mediating and moderating effects.

The study puts forward crucial antecedents of CS and BR. The findings exhibit that perceived trust (PT) and relationship commitment (RC) magnify CS and BR, respectively, while CS amplifies repurchase intention (RI). The study advances that BR and CS partially mediate between the underlying constructs. In addition, fairness and risk exhibit moderating effects between CS and customer repurchase intention (CRI) and BR and CRI.

The study illustrates the crucial enablers of BR, CS and CRI that may assist banking professionals in enriching customer experience and holding on to their customers.

There is a shortage of research on RC, service innovation (SI) and BR in the IBI. Accordingly, our study builds on the prior studies by considering these constructs using a comprehensive conceptual framework by extending the application of signaling theory (ST) in the banking domain and scrutinizing the dual moderating effects of fairness and risk.

We empirically investigate the impact of fintech innovation on dividend payout (DP) decisions. In addition, we also examine the mediated and moderated role of intellectual capital (IC) and board characteristics (BC) respectively in the fintech innovation-DP relationship.

Using a sample of 9,441 firm-year observations over the period 2014–2022, we develop a structural model that encompasses fintech innovation, IC, BC and DP decisions. We utilize fixed effects regression to empirically test the model. A battery of tests such as the two-step Generalized Method of Moment, Heckman’s two-stage selection correction and Difference-in-Difference regression are used to check the robustness and sensitivity of the estimates.

Our results suggest that fintech innovation significantly and positively impacts DP decisions and IC partially mediates the fintech innovation–DP relationship. In addition, BC such as independence, age and gender diversity are found to moderate this relationship.

This study’s originality lies in its micro-level analysis of the impact of fintech innovation on DP decisions, considering a novel firm-level innovation metric derived from patent applications. To our knowledge, no previous work has empirically examined the mediating role of IC and the moderating influence of BC in the fintech innovation–DP relationship, offering a unique perspective on the complex interactions shaping dividend policies in the digital era.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cognitive factors mediate the relationship between parental knowledge/support and delinquency escalation.

Using data from early adolescent youth enrolled in the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) study, two analyses were performed. The first analysis cross-lagged parental knowledge and cognitive impulsivity as predictors of delinquency escalation and the second analysis cross-lagged parental support and moral neutralization as predictors of delinquency escalation.

In both analyses, the indirect effect of a change in parenting on delinquency escalation via a change in cognition attained significance, whereas the indirect effect of a change in cognition on delinquency escalation via a change in parenting did not. In neither case did the direct effect of parenting on delinquency achieve significance.

This study was limited, however, by exclusive reliance on self-report measures to assess all variables in this study and the use of explicit rather than implicit measures of cognitive impulsivity and moral neutralization.

The practical implications of these results are that they point to ways in which improved parenting can lead to crime deceleration; reduced cognitive impulsivity and moral neutralization can lead to crime deceleration.

These results imply that social variables like parental knowledge and support stimulate a change in cognition as part of the process by which delinquency escalates during early adolescence.

The unique contribution this study makes to the field is that it highlights the role antisocial cognition plays in mediating between social factors and delinquency as part of the crime acceleration process that often occurs in early adolescence.

This study utilizes Bourdieu’s concepts of field, capital and habitus to investigate the networking strategies of Asian and Black knowledge workers in the London Insurance Market. It also examines the factors contributing to the success or failure of these strategies. The trading activities of the London Insurance Market are underpinned by interdependent relations among its participants. It provides an appropriate context for examining the networking strategies adopted by Asian and Black workers to accelerate their careers.

This research employed a qualitative methodology, gathering data from 24 participants through semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected using purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling methods. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data and develop aggregated concepts from the identified themes and subthemes.

The London Insurance Market accords great importance to networking. Interpersonal connections significantly influenced career progression, often overshadowing educational attainments. Asian and Black workers faced systemic nepotism and limited access to influential networks in this field. Participants strategically used their interactions to overcome these challenges and advance their careers. Many believed that their careers had a better chance of progressing through informal networks than through formal channels such as Human Resources. Some participants declined to engage in the commonly accepted networking practices, choosing alternative ways to further their careers.

Findings underscore the need for implementing specific organizational policies to address systemic biases and nepotism, particularly in front-office recruitment. Such policies could include prioritizing merit-based hiring practices and developing targeted initiatives to reduce the underrepresentation of minority ethnic workers in front-office positions. By adopting these measures, organizations can create more equitable career advancement opportunities and leverage the full potential of their diverse workforce.

This study contributes to the existing literature on minority ethnic workers' careers, networking theory and workplace diversity. It provides insights into the networking strategies of Asian and Black workers within the London Insurance Market, revealing that these strategies are dependent on contextual factors. The study also highlights the pervasive practice of nepotism deeply ingrained in the habitus of the London Insurance Market and which acts as a barrier for gaining access to influential networks.

This study aims to identify a value co-creation framework for live streaming through tourism scenes (LStTS). It also clarifies the value attributes of LStTS and makes an empirical test.

The study used a mixed-method approach. In Study 1, a total of 12,216 pieces of viewers’ comments and ten web news reports were coded and analyzed employing a grounded theory approach. In Study 2, data were collected from 587 Douyin e-commerce users. Exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling were used to test the value co-creation framework of LStTS.

In Study 1, six value attributes in three categories were identified based on a content analysis of viewers’ comments. In Study 2, a three-order factorial model of value co-creation in LStTS was identified and tested.

Our study is limited by the preponderance of female respondents in the sample and the unique nature of the research context.

Merchants and streamers should consider whether there is a fit between the merchandise and the tourism scene when selecting the tourism scene for live streaming marketing; they can select novel and beautiful natural tourism scenes to attract viewers. Detailed and comprehensive product information should be provided in the process of live streaming marketing and sharing with consumers.

The novelty of our study lies in the provision of a new value co-creation framework in LStTS, which offers a theoretical basis for analyzing the value of the tourism scene in live streaming marketing.

This study explores the factors influencing knowledge hiding (KH) in international construction projects (ICPs), focussing on the role of ethnic minorities (EMs) and interpersonal distrust (ID). It also aims to understand how these factors influence KH and explore the mediating effect of ID on the relationship between EMs and KH.

A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to professionals participating in ICPs. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse 294 valid responses, examining the effect of EMs, ID and demographic variables on KH behaviours. Our approach integrates insights from social identity theory (SIT) and actor network theory (ANT) to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the observed dynamics.

The findings reveal that EMs significantly influence KH behaviours, with ID partially mediating this relationship. Additionally, demographic variables such as gender and age also play significant roles in KH behaviours. However, the degree of education did not show a significant impact on KH. Our results emphasise the critical importance of addressing ID and fostering inclusive environments to reduce KH.

While our study sheds light on the complex dynamics of KH in ICPs, further research could explore additional contextual factors and organisational influences. While our study emphasises the importance of inclusive practices and trust-building to mitigate KH, it also recognises the need for a deeper understanding of power dynamics and organisational contexts.

Our findings underscore the importance of creating transparent and inclusive cultures of knowledge sharing (KS). Implementing inclusion initiatives and providing cultural awareness training can enhance project outcomes and organisational success. We also propose a practical framework to mitigate KH by promoting trust, inclusivity and effective KS practices.

This study contributes to the understanding of knowledge management in multicultural project teams by integrating SIT and ANT, offering a comprehensive perspective on the factors driving KH in ICPs. The findings pave the way for future investigations into power dynamics and organisational contexts within ICPs.

This study investigates the potential of low-income countries to mitigate technological lock-ins by exploiting windows of opportunity (WOOs). Given their inherent inclination toward path dependency, these countries often face challenges in diversifying beyond their established technological trajectories. We examine the pivotal role of adopting shorter cycle times of technologies (CTTs) in opening technological WOO, triggering unrelated diversification and accelerating technological catch-up.

Using fixed-effect regression models, we analyze country-level patent data within the neurotechnology domain from 1995 to 2021 – a period marked by significant technological change since 2010. Our focus lies in comparing diversification and catch-up trends between low-income and high-income countries, while evaluating the performance of CTT.

Our findings reveal that as low-income countries increase their knowledge complexity (KC), they tend to be locked into existing technological paths. To mitigate lock-in risks, they can strategically adopt technologies with shorter CTTs. These technologies act as catalysts, opening up technological WOOs and stimulating unrelated diversification. KC presents a double-edged sword in the catch-up process, but unrelated diversification can eliminate this dilemma.

Our study introduces the KC-CTT framework, proposing practical strategies to enhance and sustain countries’ competitive advantages.

Diversification and catch-up emerge from two separate bodies of literature but present a conceptual overlap. This research bridges the gap between the two literatures by investigating the impact of CTT as their predictor variable.

Only recently have historic concrete buildings received attention and the need for their protection has been understood. Their listing as architectural heritage in most countries is ruled by legislations. The research carried out within the framework of the CONSECH20 JPI project on the conservation of historic concrete buildings in the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Italy and the Netherlands has allowed to study the legislations in the four aforementioned countries and how these are brought to practice. This paper aims at the evaluation of these legislations and of their function in practice.

The legislations have been examined focussing on the protection of historic buildings and the guidelines to achieve a correct technical conservation. These were assessed in practical situations. The situations of the four countries were studied and the parameters used allowed comparisons.

Concrete buildings are at risk and the guidelines should be further developed to meet actual conservation needs, including historical and aesthetical compatibility. The re-use of listed concrete buildings often means transforming and adapting these to a variety of modern needs and norms: the complexity of this assignment asks for a multidisciplinary teamwork. The bottom-up Dutch programme for quality in conservation, striving to bring ethical and technological principles to practice, could be a sound basis for developing respectful conservation strategies of heritage concrete buildings.

The research concerns the four countries involved in the CONSECH30 project and could be extended to include more countries.

More stakeholders have to be involved in the process of conservation and transformation of heritage concrete buildings. This should be directed by the legislation.

No direct social implications are foreseen from the outcome of the research. However, the suggestion is made that social involvement is essential in planning concrete building transformations.

The study focussed on the application of theory (the legislation) to practice (thus showing the limits of the legislation), which is an innovative way of contributing to the conservation of historic concrete buildings.

The European Union (EU) Medical Device Regulations (MDR) 2017/745 entered into force on May 2021 with changes related to strengthening the clinical evaluation requirements, particularly for high-risk devices. This study aims to investigate the impact of these strengthened requirements on medical device manufacturers by investigating the challenges they encounter while generating an MDR-compliant clinical evaluation report.

A systematic literature review was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method of peer-reviewed literature and various government jurisdictional reports and legislation.

The findings from the study understanding what constitutes sufficient clinical evidence poses the biggest challenge to the generation of an MDR-compliant clinical evaluation report. Resulting from the challenges they are facing, manufacturers of certain CE-marked medical devices are planning to remove (and have removed) devices from the EU market upon expiration of their certificate, and in the case of new and innovative devices, some manufacturers are planning to launch in other markets ahead of the EU. These challenges will lead to a potential shortage of certain medical devices in the EU and a delay in access to new devices, thereby negatively impacting patients’ quality of life.

This study provides a unique insight into the challenges currently experienced by medical device manufacturers as they transition to the MDR clinical evaluation requirements and the subsequent impact on the continued availability of medical devices in the EU. A limitation is the lack of literature analysing the regulations and their effects.

This study has both theoretical contributions in that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first detailed and systematic review of the new MDR Regulations and has implications for practice as manufacturers and policymakers can leverage it alike to understand the challenges of the new MDR.