Weijie Tan, Yiqian Liu, Qi Dong and Xihui Haviour Chen
National spirit, as a powerful legitimacy trait, shapes the consistency of a firm’s financial decisions, employee engagement and sustainability strategies. Combining this with…
Abstract
Purpose
National spirit, as a powerful legitimacy trait, shapes the consistency of a firm’s financial decisions, employee engagement and sustainability strategies. Combining this with resource-based view (RBV) theory, the study empirically examines the dual impact of national spirit on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilizes data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2022 and employs machine learning methods to construct enterprise-level indicators of national spirit. In addition, the paper scrapes nearly 3 million ESG-related online news articles from the Baidu news website and uses machine learning methods to measure media ESG attention and sentiment.
Findings
The findings reveal that national spirit significantly enhances corporate ESG performance, operating through both internal and external channels: promoting social financing and boosting employee morale. Further analysis indicates that the positive influence of national spirit on corporate ESG performance is more pronounced in private enterprises, companies facing higher levels of credit constraints and firms in polluting industries. Additionally, managerial shortsightedness weakens the sustainable value of national spirit, while external media ESG attention and regional ESG governance efforts further strengthen this effect. Furthermore, different dimensions of national spirit exhibit varying impacts on corporate ESG performance.
Practical implications
This study provides new insights for promoting sustainable development systems in emerging economies and understanding the role of national spirit in corporate social responsibility investments.
Originality/value
This paper shifts the study of national spirit from macro-level cultural analyses to a micro-level perspective. It bridges gaps in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of national spirit as a soft resource that influences corporate financial behavior and employee morale. This study provides new insights into promoting sustainable development systems in emerging economies and understanding the role of national spirit in corporate social responsibility investments.
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Monica Law, Kin-Hon Ho and Xiling Cui
This study aims to analyze online responses to gain insights into public attitudes and concerns regarding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among Hong Kong residents. By…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze online responses to gain insights into public attitudes and concerns regarding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among Hong Kong residents. By addressing gaps in understanding public sentiment, this study contributes to the development of effective health-care policies.
Design/methodology/approach
Responses were collected from Baby-Kingdom.com using Python, gathering 17,568 TCM-related comments from 2016 to 2023. Analysis involved an eight-theme codebook and sentiment and semantic network analyses with DiVoMiner.
Findings
Most responses expressed positive sentiments and attitudes toward TCM. The analysis revealed recurring topics related to conditioning and specific diseases, including gynecological problems. Clinic service quality, fair pricing and convenient locations were also highlighted.
Research limitations/implications
This study examines the networked public sphere and the Theory of Planned Behavior regarding TCM, emphasizing online forums’ impact on attitudes and highlighting gaps in service access, using big data and an interdisciplinary approach.
Practical implications
The findings of this study from Baby-Kingdom.com emphasize the need to improve the accessibility of TCM-related discussions. An official platform for professionals is proposed, with government support for reliable information and partnerships with local universities to expand services.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable insights into the popularity of TCM in Hong Kong, which may encourage uptake and use of TCM services in the health-care sector in not only Hong Kong but also the Greater Bay Area, China and potentially other countries in the future.
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Asma Javed, Qian Li and Abdul Basit
In the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse repercussions of climate change. Based on organizational learning and resource dependence theories, the aim of this research is to know how green supply chain external integration (GSCEI) and green supply chain internal integration (GSCII) influence ambidextrous green innovation (AGI). It also examines the mediating roles of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and green knowledge integration capability (GKIC), as well as the moderating role of green technology dynamism (GTD).
Design/methodology/approach
To assess the hypothesized model, data were obtained with 386 questionnaires from managers employed in manufacturing firms in Pakistan applying a cross-sectional approach. A partial least square structural equation modeling technique was implemented to evaluate the data.
Findings
The results revealed that GSCEI and GSCII substantially impact AGI. Moreover, GAC and GKIC serve as mediators between GSCEI and AGI. GAC and GKIC also intervene in the relationship between GSCII and AGI. GTD was significant as a moderator for the correlation between GSCEI and AGI. However, it does not moderate the relationship between GSCII and AGI.
Practical implications
This research offers significant comprehension and an innovative approach for manufacturing organizations to curb environmental corrosion by stimulating AGI through green SC integration. It suggests to practitioners that integrating internal knowledge with external partners expands communication and collaboration to ensure that resources connected with environmental preservation flow smoothly.
Originality/value
This research is a valuable addition to the field, as it explores for the first time the missing link among the studied constructs. It opened the black box of how knowledge-related capabilities facilitate knowledge resources to elicit AGI, an area that has not yet been explored.
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Abdullah Kaid Al-Swidi, Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi and Mohammed Saad Alyahya
Despite the importance of green supply chain integration (GSCI) in advancing green innovation (GI) is recognized, it remains unclear how firms can translate their GSCI efforts…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the importance of green supply chain integration (GSCI) in advancing green innovation (GI) is recognized, it remains unclear how firms can translate their GSCI efforts into GI. Therefore, this study aims to understand how GSCI affects GI, with its dimensions (exploitative GI and exploratory GI), as well as to investigate the mediating role of green knowledge integration capability (GKIC) and the moderating role of blockchain technology (BCT) adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
On the basis of data collected from 247 managers working in Indian firms in the automotive industry, the authors tested the proposed model using the PROCESS macro tool via SPSS software.
Findings
The empirical results indicate that GSCI is positively associated with both exploitative and exploratory GI, with a higher effect on exploitative GI. In addition, GKIC mediates the link between GSCI and exploitative GI in contrast to exploratory GI. Notably, the relationship between GSCI and GKIC is stronger when BCT adoption is high.
Originality/value
This study opens the black box of how GSCI affects exploitative and exploratory GI by revealing the mediating role of GKIC and the moderating role of BCT adoption. It provides valuable insights for practitioners to translate GSCI efforts into GI through developing GKIC and adopting BCT.
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Yingxuan Zhang, Monica Law, Xiling Cui and Lingman Huang
This study aims to examine the mechanisms underlying social media commerce by investigating the interplay between platforms, people and information. Drawing upon trust transfer…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the mechanisms underlying social media commerce by investigating the interplay between platforms, people and information. Drawing upon trust transfer theory, the research model proposes that the platform’s information provision enhances the credibility of the information source, leading to increased information usefulness, adoption and sharing, ultimately influencing purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design used in this study was a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey method. The study developed a research model based on trust transfer theory and hypothesized relationships between the platform’s information provision, information source credibility, information-related responses and purchase intention. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data and test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The findings supported most of the hypotheses and provided valuable insights into the role of information credibility in shaping consumers’ purchase intentions. Specifically, the study revealed that the platform’s information provision enhances the credibility of the information source, leading to increased information usefulness, adoption and sharing. Furthermore, information usefulness and adoption mediate the relationship between information source credibility and purchase intention.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this research include the use of convenience sampling, which may not represent the broader population, and the cross-sectional design, which does not provide an in-depth understanding of the adoption process. The reliance on self-reported data and the limited scope of investigation with only six constructs are additional limitations. Future studies should consider national random sampling, longitudinal designs, multiple data sources and explore negative effects and other potential mediating variables. Despite these limitations, this research contributes to the understanding of social media commerce mechanisms and provides valuable insights for practitioners in the field.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide valuable insights for platform providers and marketers in the social media commerce environment. First, the study emphasizes the importance of effective messaging in improving information credibility. Platform providers should focus on delivering accurate and trustworthy information to enhance consumers’ perceptions of product quality and increase purchase intentions. Second, marketers can leverage the information-related factors identified in this study, such as information usefulness and adoption, to optimize their marketing efforts. By understanding how consumers perceive and interact with information on social media platforms, marketers can tailor their strategies to effectively engage and influence potential customers. Overall, these practical implications can enhance success in the competitive social media commerce landscape.
Social implications
The social implications of this study are significant for social media commerce practitioners. The findings highlight the importance of effective messaging and information provision on social media platforms in improving information credibility, thereby enhancing purchase intention. By understanding the mechanisms that drive consumer behavior in the context of social media commerce, platform providers and marketers can optimize their marketing efforts. This includes focusing on delivering trustworthy and useful information, fostering information adoption and sharing among users and ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful transactions. These insights provide valuable guidance for practitioners to navigate the competitive landscape of social media commerce and enhance their chances of success.
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in its application of trust transfer theory to investigate the mechanisms driving social media commerce. By examining the interplay between platform, people and information, the study specifically focuses on the role of the platform’s information provision in enhancing information credibility and its impact on information-related responses and purchase intentions. This study extends the understanding of the trust transfer mechanism between customers and sellers/brands in customer-to-customer social commerce by emphasizing the importance of effective messaging and information credibility in shaping consumer behavior. The empirical findings contribute to the understanding of information trust transfer and provide a unique perspective on the underlying mechanisms that drive social media commerce.
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Qian Wang, Sabahat Azam, Muhammad Hamid Murtza, Junaid M. Shaikh and Muhammad Imran Rasheed
This study is designed to investigate a critical association between social media addiction and employee sleep while considering its implications for employee well-being and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is designed to investigate a critical association between social media addiction and employee sleep while considering its implications for employee well-being and performance in the hospitality industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on adapted measures for the study variables, an electronic questionnaire was designed and used for the survey administered in the chain-restaurants of Pakistan. Through a non-probability convenient sampling survey, a total of 347 usable responses were obtained and analyzed for testing the hypothesized research model.
Findings
Results reveal negative associations between social media addiction, sleep quality, employee performance and well-being. The results have further shown sleep quality as an underlying mediating reason that explains the associations between social media addiction, employee performance and well-being.
Originality/value
The study addresses a gap in the literature by examining rarely explored factors such as social media addiction and sleep quality at the same time investigating its impact on performance and well-being of service employees. Significant implications for scholars and practitioners of the hospitality industry have been discussed while highlighting limitations and directions for future research.
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Yuxue Luo, Young Un Kim, Lei Li and Xiaojun Tang
This study aims to examine how the parent firm’s foreign direct investment (FDI) motive influences the roles of corporate boards and CEO appointment of foreign subsidiaries in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how the parent firm’s foreign direct investment (FDI) motive influences the roles of corporate boards and CEO appointment of foreign subsidiaries in the context of emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs). Based on the agency and resource dependence theories, foreign subsidiary boards mainly serve two governance roles: an internal role focusing on monitoring subsidiary operations and resource flows with parent firms and an external role aimed at securing local operational effectiveness. This paper specifically examines the composition of foreign subsidiary boards in terms of board independence and expatriate director ratio, and whether the CEO is an expatriate, which reflects the emphasized role.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper collects data on listed foreign subsidiaries of Chinese MNEs between 2005 and 2021. The final sample includes 754 subsidiary-year observations across 20 host economies. The analysis is conducted using Hausman–Taylor estimation.
Findings
This paper finds that strategic asset-seeking FDI motive is associated with a lower expatriate director ratio, a higher independent director ratio and a higher likelihood of hiring nonexpatriate CEOs. In contrast, foreign subsidiaries established with the motive of institutional escape to tax havens result in a higher expatriate director ratio, lower independent director ratio and lower likelihood of hiring nonexpatriate CEOs.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore how FDI motives influence board composition of foreign subsidiaries and appointment of subsidiary CEOs. Theoretically, this paper draws upon agency theory and resource dependence theory to extend their application to foreign subsidiaries of EMNEs. The findings enhance the understanding of international corporate governance.
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Joseph Lok-Man Lee, Noel Yee-Man Siu, Tracy Junfeng Zhang and Shun Mun Helen Wong
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of cultural factors (concern for face and stability of attribution) in the relationships among service recovery…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of cultural factors (concern for face and stability of attribution) in the relationships among service recovery quality, postrecovery satisfaction and repurchase intention. Based on the politeness theory, this paper proposes a theoretical model for understanding how concern for face and stability of attribution may affect collectivists’ consumption behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected in a field survey of 600 Hong Kong consumers who had experienced a telecommunications service failure. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the theoretical hypotheses.
Findings
A cultural factor of concern for face is found to negatively moderate the relationship between service recovery quality and postrecovery satisfaction. Face also positively influences the relationship between postrecovery satisfaction and repurchase intention. Another cultural factor, stability of attribution, is found to negatively moderate the relationship between service recovery quality and postrecovery satisfaction and to negatively moderate the relationship between postrecovery satisfaction and repurchase intention.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the understanding of the relevance of concern for face and stability of attribution in collectivists’ consumption behavior. The findings have significant implications for managers in a position to exploit the cultural value mechanisms of collectivist consumers.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this has been the first research to examine the impact of concern for face and stability of attribution among service recovery quality, postrecovery satisfaction and repurchase intention.
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Zi Wang, Dechang Zheng, Yajuan Cui and Shangjie Liu
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether negative reports by state-controlled media affect firms’ CSR performance. Negative reports by state-controlled media indicate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether negative reports by state-controlled media affect firms’ CSR performance. Negative reports by state-controlled media indicate the signals of deteriorating relationships between firms and the government and then generate greater political pressure on firms, which may force firms to engage in more CSR activities. This study first examines the influence of negative reports by state-controlled media on CSR performance. Then, we further figure out whether the degree of dependence on the government exhibits an impact on the relationship between negative reports by state-controlled media and firms’ CSR performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample for this study is based on all Chinese A-listed firms from 2010 to 2020. The study employs CSR scores data released by HEXUN to measure firms’ CSR performance. HEXUN is one of the most professional institutions that sell CSR-related products. Following You et al. (2018) and An et al. (2022), the authors identify the nine most popular media consisting of state-controlled media. The ordinary least squares (OLS) method is adopted for regression, and various robustness tests are conducted including using alternative measures, expanding the regression model and instrumental variable method.
Findings
The empirical results show a significant positive relationship between negative reports by state-controlled media and firms’ CSR performance. The cross-sectional analyses indicate that the effect of negative reports by state-controlled media on firms’ CSR performance is stronger for firms with mandatory CSR disclosure requirements, firms with political connections and firms with more severe financial constraints. Furthermore, improved CSR performance resulting from negative reports by state-controlled media indeed helps repair firms’ relationship with the government and thus leads them to attain government benefits, such as more government subsidies and lower tax rates.
Research limitations/implications
This study finds that media reports issued by state-controlled media can be treated as signals of the relationships between firms and the government, which generate political pressure to push firms to take CSR as a strategic management tool to repair their relationships with the government. It helps policymakers and investors more comprehensively understand firms’ incentives behind their improved CSR performance and develop more effective policies. This study focuses on firms’ overall CSR performance. We anticipate that future research can extend the analysis of the impact of negative reports by state-controlled media on specific aspects of CSR investment.
Originality/value
This study illustrates the significantly positive effect of negative reports by state-controlled media in promoting CSR performance. It fills the research gap in studying the role of state-controlled media in CSR, especially for emerging markets. Moreover, the study also contributes to the strand of literature on strategic CSR management.
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Tianyu Hou, Wei Wang, Liang Zhang, Julie Juan Li and Bin Chong
Although research on how the downstream calculations of a patent’s profit potential influence invention renewal decisions is extensive, the impact of the upstream knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Although research on how the downstream calculations of a patent’s profit potential influence invention renewal decisions is extensive, the impact of the upstream knowledge creation stages is overlooked. The purpose of this study is to address this theoretical vacuum by examining the intra-organizational configuration of knowledge networks and collaboration networks.
Design/methodology/approach
The data consist of 491 global pharmaceutical firms that patent in the USA. Drawing on patent records, the authors simultaneously construct intra-organizational knowledge networks and collaboration networks and identify network cohesion features (i.e. local and global). The authors employ panel fixed-effects models to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that local knowledge cohesion and local social cohesion decrease invention renewals, while global knowledge cohesion and global social cohesion increase renewals. Moreover, the marginal effects of local and global social cohesion are stronger than those of local and global knowledge cohesion, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The hypotheses are tested using the pharmaceutical industry as a research setting, which limits the generalizability of our findings. In addition, potential formal and informal contingencies are not considered.
Practical implications
Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable implications. First, managers are cautioned against the adverse effects of local cohesion structures on invention renewal. Second, firms can dynamically adjust their local and global network configuration strategies to harmonize the generation of valuable inventions and the retention of good ideas.
Originality/value
Complementary to previous research that focused on inventions’ performance feedback, this study delves into upstream knowledge creation stages to understand invention renewals.