Search results

This study examines the relationship between higher education improvement and tacit knowledge importance. In this context, the scarcity of empirical and theoretical studies on acquiring tacit knowledge to enhance academic performance in higher education suggests that this research area holds significant importance for experts and policymakers. Consequently, this study aims to explore the factors that influence academic research performance at Chinese universities by acquiring tacit knowledge.

To achieve the study aims, the current approach utilizes the research technique based on the socialization, externalization, internalization and combination (SECI) model and knowledge management (KM) theory. To analyze the study objective, the authors collected data from post-graduate students at Chinese universities and analyzed it using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the model and hypotheses.

The results indicated that social interaction, internalization and self-motivation have a positive impact on academic research performance through the acquisition of tacit knowledge. Furthermore, the findings suggest that academic researchers can acquire more knowledge through social interaction than self-motivation, thereby advancing research progress.

This study addresses the critical issues surrounding the acquisition of tacit knowledge and presents a comprehensive framework and achievements that can contribute to achieving exceptional academic performance.

This study aims to explore green practices within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their implications for determining environmental performance. Targeting SMEs in Pakistan, the study examines the influence of green intellectual capital (GIC), innovation and creativity on environmental performance.

A comprehensive survey addressed top, middle, and lower-level managerial perspectives. A sample of 243 respondents was statistically selected, and the survey questionnaire was used to measure the key constructs of the study. Using a 5-point Likert scale, the study captured the respondents' insights regarding green practices. Data analysis was executed using SPSS for descriptive tests and Smart-PLS 4 for advanced structural equation modeling (SEM).

GIC significantly enhances green innovation within SMEs, leading to improved environmental performance. Green creativity is a crucial moderator, indicating that SMEs have higher creative approaches to counter environmental challenges. These findings accentuate the importance of fostering an environment that stimulates green creativity to uplift GIC in achieving environmental performance.

The study offers a profound understanding of how SMEs in Pakistan leverage GIC to elevate their environmental performance, thereby providing strategic insights for businesses aiming for sustainable growth.

Quality assessment of textile products is of prime concern to intimately meet consumer demands. The dilemma faced by textile producers is to figure out the stability among quality criteria and efficiently deal with target specifications. Hence, the basic devotion is to attain the optimum value product which entirely satisfies the views and perceptions of consumers. Selection of best fabric among several alternatives in the presence of contradictory measures is a disputing problem in multicriteria decision-making.

In the current study, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE) are proficiently used to solve the problem in selection of branded woven shawls. AHP method verifies comparative weights of the criteria selection, while the ranking of fabric alternatives grounded on specific net-outranking flows is executed through PROMETHEE II method.

The collective AHP and PROMETHEE approaches are applied for the useful accomplishment of grading of branded shawls based on multicriteria weights, used for effective selection of fabric materials in the textile market.

In the apparel industry, fabric and garment manufacturers often rely on hit-and-trial methods, leading to significant wastage of valuable resources and time, in achieving the desirable fabric qualities. The implementation of the findings can assist apparel manufacturers in streamlining their fabric selection processes based on multiple criteria. By adopting this method, industry players can make informed decisions, ensuring a balance between quality standards and consumer expectations, thereby enhancing both product value and market competitiveness.

The methods of Visual PROMETHEE and AHP are assimilated to offer a complete method for the selection and grading of fabrics with reference to multiple selection criteria.

This study employs the norm activation model (NAM) and the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) to investigate the drivers of consumers’ buying intent (BUI) for eco-friendly products (EFP). The primary emphasis is on eco-consciousness, which includes environmental literacy (ENL) and environmental concern (ENC). The research further examines the mediating role of ENC in the relationship between ENL and BUI while also considering the sequential mediation effects involving both ENC and eco-responsible practices (ERP). Additionally, the study explores the moderating influence of attitude (ATT) on the relationship between ENC and ERP and its effect on ERP and BUI.

Employing purposive sampling, 412 online survey responses were statistically analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

The findings of this study demonstrate that ENL exerts a significant and positive influence on ENC, subsequently enhancing BUI. Moreover, there is a positive relationship between ENC and ERP and ERP and BUI. This research further indicates that ENC positively mediates the relationship between ENL and BUI. Additionally, ENC and ERP sequentially and positively mediate the relationships involving ENL and BUI. Furthermore, the results suggest that the strength of the association between ENC and ERP marginally decreases (trivial), and the strength of the relationship between ERP and BUI decreases (small).

This study advances the existing body of knowledge by integrating NAM and ELM to examine the drivers of consumers’ BUI toward EFP thoroughly. The research offers novel insights into the relationship between ENL and ENC and their effects on ERP and BUI, underscoring the significant role of consumers’ eco-consciousness. The findings have practical implications for businesses and policymakers who seek to formulate strategies that align with consumers’ psychological, cognitive, and behavioural processes in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), which can contribute to the global effort to foster more eco-friendly products and a sustainable future.

This study explores the integration of workplace spirituality in organizational practices and its contribution to sustainability. By investigating three organizations in Pakistan’s social sector and microfinancing, the research seeks to identify convergences with known workplace spirituality dimensions and uncover new spiritual practices of case study organizations promoting sustainability.

To investigate WS practices in the selected organizations, a qualitative multiple-case research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and organizational document analysis were used to gather data. The elements of workplace spirituality and their connections to sustainability were identified and categorized using thematic analysis. With a focus on concrete insights into the real-world applications of WS in promoting sustainability, the study is driven by a pragmatic approach.

Empathy, meaningful work, ethical conduct and employee well-being are among the WS elements identified by the research that are in line with the body of current literature. These dimensions foster social cohesiveness, moral decision-making and comprehensive employee support. Unique contributions to economic empowerment and sustainability are highlighted by new aspects including halal earnings, volunteer assistance through Qarz-e-Hasana (interest-free loans) and a triple bottom line emphasis. These actions highlight WS’s vital role in attaining long-term sustainability and empowering marginalized populations.

The study’s scope is restricted to three microfinance and social sector organizations in Pakistan, which can limit the findings’ applicability to other industries or geographical areas. Furthermore, subjectivity is introduced by the use of qualitative approaches and context-specific cultural elements may affect how workplace spirituality is interpreted. For a more comprehensive knowledge of the effect of WS on sustainability, future studies might broaden the scope by including a variety of sectors and using mixed-method techniques.

For businesses looking to incorporate workplace spirituality into their operations to ensure sustainability, this research offers practical insights. Organizations may improve employee engagement, establish trust and advance social well-being by using strategies like encouraging empathy, encouraging moral behavior and aiding underprivileged populations. To ensure sustainability, the results urge leaders to match their organizational goals with spiritual concepts. Furthermore, a triple-bottom-line approach and the introduction of novel practices like Qarz-e-Hasana provide a path forward for resolving societal injustices and advancing holistic development.

In addition to examining new and developing issues in the literature on workplace spirituality, this research looked at how workplace spirituality is constructed in Pakistani organizations and offered suggestions for new, sustainable organizational practices.

Intellectual capital (IC) plays a pivotal role in determining corporate risk profiles in the contemporary knowledge era. Consequently, this study aims to analyze the impact of IC on firm risk (FR) among the manufacturing companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

The authors have adopted the modified value-added intellectual model which combines human capital efficiency, structural capital efficiency, efficiency of capital employed and relational capital efficiency. FR has been used as the dependent variable, measured as the standard deviation of the daily stock prices. The study has used panel data from a sample of 40 manufacturing companies listed in the KSE-100 Index from 2015 to 2021.

The results suggest that IC has a significant impact on the FR of manufacturing companies listed on the benchmark index of PSX. Moreover, this relationship is direct; thus, an increase in IC would also increase FR measured by the change in stock prices.

The current study has only used linear techniques. Future researchers may consider investigating the impact of IC at varying levels of FR using nonlinear techniques.

This study provides corporate managers and policymakers valuable insight into the need to strike a balance between investment in IC and their FR, particularly in an emerging market context.

IC is frequently associated with firm performance. However, the relationship between IC and FR has generally been underexplored. This study adds to the strand of limited IC literature by investigating the impact of a modified IC model on FR in an emerging economy.

Food waste constitutes a critical global dilemma, presenting substantial environmental, economic and social challenges, with around one-third of all food intended for human use being discarded annually. This waste depletes essential resources, increases greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies food poverty. Comprehending the factors contributing to food waste is crucial for formulating effective methods to alleviate this issue.

The responses have been collected from Indian households using longitudinal techniques. In Study 1, 481 respondents responded to the questions, and in Study 2, finally, 453 respondents responded.

This study examines the relationship between attitudes about food waste, intents to mitigate waste and several influencing factors like price sensitivity, altruistic behavior, awareness of food waste and societal norms.

The study seeks to elucidate consumer behavior by analyzing these relationships and identify practical interventions that can encourage a more sustainable food consumption approach, thereby aiding in the reduction of food waste and the promotion of responsible consumption practices.

This study investigates how tourists’ local food consumption value, local food experiential value and food culture differences influence food destination image, with food destination attractiveness acting as the mediator. The moderating role of social media influencers is also analysed within this interrelationship.

This study employed a quantitative research design and purposive sampling to collect data. Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the research hypotheses, with 312 food tourists participating.

The results indicate that tourists’ local food consumption value, tourists’ local food experiential value and tourists’ food culture differences positively influence food destination attractiveness, which, in turn, mediates their impact on food destination image. However, the moderating role of social media influencers has a significant but negative effect on the relationship between food destination attractiveness and food destination image.

The research findings indicate that, by considering factors such as overall consumption experiences, cultural differences and social media management, destination stakeholders can capitalise on local food to enhance destination attractiveness and image significantly.

This study provides new insights into the significance of food consumption experiences and their values in tourism while highlighting the critical role of local food culture differences in enhancing each destination’s attractiveness and image. Additionally, it emphasises the subtle influence of social media influencers in promoting destinations, particularly within the context of food tourism.

The purpose of this paper is to identify a useful taxonomy of frugal innovation (FI) applied to women-led family businesses in rural communities in Oaxaca, Mexico when confronted with disruptive situations such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, thus achieving a greater understanding of FI in this context to provide these businesses with strategies that allow them to face crises more effectively.

The study was cross-sectional and quantitative. A scale was developed and applied to 160 family businesses run by women and located in four rural communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. A review of the literature from the period of 2018–2024 made it possible to identify the essential characteristics of FI.

Through an exploratory factorial analysis, four types of FIs were identified: new production and marketing models, new methods of operation, new financing methods and new organizational methods. Using a discriminant analysis to establish the functionality of the identified FIs, the authors found that shifting to new financing and organizational methods was more important for the survival of family businesses in times of crisis.

This study highlights the forms of FI that develop in small family businesses led by women; this is important for the survival of the family and the business. The research highlights innovation challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the global south.

Drawing on mindfulness theory, this study attempts to gain insights into whether leader-mindfulness (LM) influences workplace cynicism (WPC) among non-family employees (NFEs) working in small and medium-sized private family firms. Furthermore, the study leverages the self-determination theory to examine if the above relationship is mediated by the belongingness of the NFEs to the organization and leader–member exchange quality (LMXQ).

A conceptual framework with a set of hypotheses is developed. Using cross-sectional survey data collected from 376 NFEs working in small and medium-sized private family firms in Oman, the hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling that was analyzed through PLS-SEM.

The results indicate that LM influences WPC both directly and through the mediating effect of LMXQ. The findings also suggest that, while LM influences belongingness, and that belongingness also mediates the relationship between LM and LMXQ. However, belongingness does not mediate the relationship between LM and WPC, either by itself or serially.

The prevalence of WPC among NFEs in family firms hinders the ability of such organizations to retain talented employees that are outside the family circle. Hence, this study presents nuanced insights to those who manage such organizations, as it reveals that leading the family business mindfully can markedly reduce WPC among NFEs, particularly when LM enhances LMXQ.

The study makes four novel contributions. First, this appears to be the first study at the crossroads of the family business and organizational behavior literature to investigate the under-researched topic of WPC among NFEs in family firms. Second, the study provides insights into the relationship between LM and WPC by developing a conceptual framework that draws on mindfulness theory and self-determination theory. Third, it identifies the mediating role of LMXQ in the link between LM and WPC. Finally, it reveals that, although the belongingness of NFEs to their organization is influenced by LM, it does not automatically influence WPC.