Alexandra-Codruţa Bîzoi and Cristian-Gabriel Bîzoi
Purpose: This study critically explores the phenomenon of corporate greenwashing within global supply chains, aiming to dissect the ethical dilemmas corporations face when their…
Abstract
Purpose: This study critically explores the phenomenon of corporate greenwashing within global supply chains, aiming to dissect the ethical dilemmas corporations face when their environmental claims do not match their practices. It seeks to understand how corporations navigate the tension between appearing environmentally responsible and implementing sustainable practices.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a qualitative analysis framework, the study analyses notable instances of corporate greenwashing case studies. It applies ethical theories such as Utilitarianism, Deontological Ethics, Corporate Responsibility (CR), Global Economic Inequality, stakeholder and shareholder theories, short-term gains versus long-term sustainability, Ethical sourcing, and Economic Realism to evaluate the decisions and behaviours of corporations. This approach allows for a comprehensive examination of greenwashing practices’ motives, strategies, and outcomes.
Findings: The research uncovers that greenwashing is often a result of the complex interplay between market pressures for environmental responsibility and the challenges of genuinely implementing sustainable practices. Corporations frequently use greenwashing to meet consumer expectations without substantially changing their operations.
Research Limitations/Implications: The study acknowledges limitations, primarily due to the selection of case studies and the subjective interpretation of ethical theories. Future research could expand the range of case studies and explore additional ethical frameworks for a more nuanced understanding of greenwashing.
Practical Implications: The findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory frameworks and transparent reporting standards to discourage greenwashing. It suggests that corporations adopt a more integrated approach to sustainability, aligning their environmental claims with actual practices.
Social Implications: By shedding light on the discrepancy between corporate environmental claims and actions, the study calls for greater corporate accountability. It emphasises the role of informed consumer advocacy in demanding transparency and genuine sustainability efforts from corporations.
Originality/Value: This paper contributes to the business ethics literature by providing a detailed analysis of greenwashing within global supply chains through ethical theories. It offers a novel perspective on the ethical considerations involved in corporate environmental claims, enhancing our understanding of corporate sustainability challenges.
Plain Language Summary: This research analyses companies that make themselves seem more environmentally friendly than they are – a practice known as greenwashing. By examining real-life examples and using ethical principles, the study reveals why companies do this and how it can mislead consumers. It suggests that to stop greenwashing, there should be stricter rules and more transparent reporting about companies’ environmental actions. The research also encourages people to demand truthfulness from companies about their environmental efforts, highlighting the importance of genuine sustainability over mere appearances.
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Irune Gómez Pescador and Paula Arzadun
The purpose of this paper is to examine the overall state and trends of the SDGs concerning business model backgrounds. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the overall state and trends of the SDGs concerning business model backgrounds. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations in 2015, encompassing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there has been a substantial increase in publications highlighting the contributions of the SDGs. Recent research underscores the pivotal role of business models and management frameworks in advancing the SDGs. However, key information, such as theoretical approaches, the most influential authors, journals, articles, and keywords, has yet to be fully determined. To address this gap, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on 167 high-impact articles in the relevant field.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative bibliometric analysis (performance analysis and science mapping) with qualitative content analysis.
Findings
Bibliographic coupling analysis has illuminated the intellectual structure of the literature connecting SDGs and business models, revealing six primary clusters: frameworks, management systems and reporting tools; sustainable business models (SBMs); circular business models; stakeholder and community involvement, industrial ecology and consumption; inclusive and responsible innovation; and sharing and collaborative economy business models. For Ibero-America, these findings highlight both opportunities and challenges. While there is notable progress in advancing SBMs, the analysis also points to a lack of interlinkages between countries, suggesting potential barriers to knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation within the region.
Research limitations/implications
For Iberoamerica, these findings highlight both opportunities and challenges. While there is notable progress in advancing SBMs, the analysis also points to a lack of interlinkages between countries, suggesting potential barriers to knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation within the region.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this research are manifold. The identification of prolific authors such as Di Vaio, Palladino and Hassan, and leading journals such as Sustainability andJournal of Cleaner Production, underscores the importance of these sources for practitioners seeking to understand the intersection of SDGs and business models. The prominence of Spain and Italy, along with key institutions such as the University of Naples Parthenope and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, highlights regions and organizations that are at the forefront of this research. Practitioners can look to these sources for insights into effective strategies and frameworks for integrating SDGs into business practices. The prominence of certain clusters, such as SBMs and circular economy, suggests areas where businesses can focus their efforts to align with sustainable practices and leverage innovations in the field.
Originality/value
This study offers valuable insights into the evolving relationship between business models and the achievement of SDGs and proposes a novel research agenda for exploring this dynamic in Iberoamerica.
Objetivo
Desde la adopción de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible por las Naciones Unidas en 2015, que incluye los 17 Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), ha habido un aumento significativo en las publicaciones que destacan las contribuciones de los ODS. La investigación reciente subraya el papel fundamental de los modelos de negocio y de gestión en el avance de los ODS. Sin embargo, el estado de situación y las tendencias sobre los ODS en relación con los modelos de negocio siguen siendo inciertos, y aún no se ha determinado información crucial como los autores, revistas, artículos, palabras clave y enfoques teóricos más influyentes. Para abordar esta brecha, se realizó un análisis exhaustivo de 167 artículos de alto impacto en el campo relevante.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque metodológico
Este estudio emplea un enfoque de métodos mixtos, combinando análisis bibliométrico cuantitativo (análisis de rendimiento y mapeo científico) con análisis cualitativo de contenido.
Resultados
El análisis de acoplamiento bibliográfico permitió descubrir la estructura intelectual de la literatura que conecta los ODS y los modelos de negocio, revelando seis grupos principales: (1) Esquemas y modelos de gestión, y herramientas de informes; (2) Modelos de negocio sostenibles; (3) Modelos de negocio circulares, (4) Participación de los grupos de interés y de la comunidad, ecología industrial y consumo, (5) Innovación inclusiva y responsable, (6) Modelos de negocio de economía colaborativa.
Para Iberoamérica, estos hallazgos destacan tanto oportunidades como desafíos. Aunque hay un progreso notable en el avance de los modelos de negocio sostenibles, el análisis también señala la falta de interconexiones entre los países, sugiriendo barreras potenciales para el intercambio de conocimientos y la innovación colaborativa en la región.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio ofrece valiosas perspectivas sobre la relación evolutiva entre los modelos de negocio y el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), y propone una nueva agenda de investigación para explorar esta dinámica en Iberoamérica.
Objetivo
Desde a adoção da Agenda 2030 para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável pelas Nações Unidas em 2015, que engloba os 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), houve um aumento substancial nas publicações destacando as contribuições dos ODS. Pesquisas recentes enfatizam o papel fundamental dos modelos de negócios e dos marcos de gestão no avanço dos ODS. No entanto, o estado geral e as tendências dos ODS em relação aos modelos de negócios ainda são incertos, e informações cruciais, como os autores mais influentes, revistas, artigos, palavras-chave e abordagens teóricas, ainda precisam ser determinadas. Para preencher essa lacuna, foi realizada uma análise abrangente de 167 artigos de alto impacto na área relevante.
Desenho/metodologia/abordagem
Este estudo utiliza uma abordagem de métodos mistos, combinando análise bibliométrica quantitativa (análise de desempenho e mapeamento científico) com análise qualitativa de conteúdo.
Resultados
A análise de acoplamento bibliográfico iluminou a estrutura intelectual da literatura que conecta os ODS aos modelos de negócios, revelando seis clusters principais: (1) Marcos, sistemas de gestão e ferramentas de relatórios; (2) Modelos de negócios sustentáveis; (3) Modelos de negócios circulares; (4) Envolvimento das partes interessadas e da comunidade, ecologia industrial e consumo; (5) Inovação inclusiva e responsável; (6) Modelos de negócios de economia colaborativa e compartilhada
Para a Ibero-América, esses achados destacam tanto oportunidades quanto desafios. Embora haja um progresso notável no avanço dos modelos de negócios sustentáveis, a análise também aponta para a falta de interconexões entre os países, sugerindo barreiras potenciais para o intercâmbio de conhecimento e inovação colaborativa na região.
Originalidade
Este estudo oferece insights valiosos sobre a relação evolutiva entre os modelos de negócios e a conquista dos ODS, propondo uma nova agenda de pesquisa para explorar essa dinâmica na Ibero-América.
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Keywords
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Business models
- Business model innovation
- Circular economy
- Sustainable development
- Bibliometric analysis
- Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible
- Modelos de negocio
- Innovación en modelos de negocio
- Economía circular
- Desarrollo sostenible
- Análisis bibliométrico
- Objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável
- Modelos de negócios
- Inovação em modelos de negócios
- Economia circular
- Desenvolvimento sustentável
- Análise bibliométrica
Alessandro Paravano, Giorgio Locatelli and Paolo Trucco
Projects are increasingly becoming the key means of benefits realisation through sustainable innovation. Yet, the literature has predominantly focused on the “sustainability of…
Abstract
Purpose
Projects are increasingly becoming the key means of benefits realisation through sustainable innovation. Yet, the literature has predominantly focused on the “sustainability of projects”, emphasising traditional project short-term success metrics like time, cost and quality. This narrow perspective falls short of explaining how organisations should leverage sustainable innovation to generate broader project benefits. Our research addresses this gap by taking the recent “sustainability by project” conceptualisation. We answer the questions: (RQ1) “How do projects realise benefits through sustainable innovation?” and (RQ2) What are the drivers and challenges for organisations developing these projects?”
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical context is the European Space Economy. We performed a single case study regarding the European Space Agency Business application program, which aims to foster sustainable innovation to realise the benefits to society. Following a grounded theory approach, we conducted and analysed 44 interviews with managers and triangulated them with secondary data.
Findings
We build a theoretical framework explaining how projects realise benefits through sustainable innovation. We found that the drivers for benefits realisation are (1) envisioning a common sustainable future and (2) opening to the project ecology. Challenges are (1) struggling to take off sustainable innovation and (2) having a short-sighted view of the future. We also identified the practices and conditions managers consider antecedents of the drivers and challenges.
Practical implications
Managers may implement the identified practices to activate key drivers and navigate challenges in achieving project benefits through sustainable innovation. Policymakers could utilise these insights to shape policies that foster a project ecology conducive to sustainable innovation and long-term benefit realisation.
Originality/value
Our paper contributes to reconciling sustainable innovation and project benefit realisation. We offer a new empirical-grounded perspective to pivot from the “sustainability of projects” toward the “sustainability by projects”, showing the drivers and challenges for project benefits realisation.
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Thi Thanh Huong (Jenny) Tran, Thi Be Loan Pham, Kate Robinson and Nicholas Paparoidamis
The new teleworking conditions imposed by extreme events such as the COVID-19 pandemic blur the border between home and official working space, amplifying the conflicting demands…
Abstract
Purpose
The new teleworking conditions imposed by extreme events such as the COVID-19 pandemic blur the border between home and official working space, amplifying the conflicting demands of family and work life experienced by employees across national cultures. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study explores cross-national variances in the underlying mechanism of how family–work conflict (FWC) affects employees’ operational and marketing productivity in the global epidemic-induced teleworking context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducts a large-scale and cross-national survey of 710 remote employees who worked from home partially or fully during the COVID-19 outbreak across three countries: the USA, the UK and Vietnam.
Findings
The results show that FWC drives affective commitment, leading to greater employees’ operational and marketing productivity when teleworking. We also find distinct moderating effects of organizational factors (i.e. task control) and employees’ psychological factors (i.e. emotional exhaustion) on the FWC–operational productivity link across the three countries. Moreover, centralization positively moderates the effect of operational productivity on marketing productivity in the teleworking context in Vietnam, while it is not the case in the USA and the UK.
Originality/value
This study fills a gap in the literature by revealing cross-national differences in the underlying mechanism of the FWC effects on employees’ operational and marketing productivity in the pandemic-induced teleworking conditions. It extends extant studies in the work–family literature by introducing affective commitment as an important mediator in translating the negative consequences of FWC to operational and marketing productivity gain in crisis-driven teleworking across national cultures. We also provide insights into the distinct moderating roles of task control and emotional exhaustion in determining the FWC effect on operational productivity as well as that of centralization in driving marketing productivity. The findings have substantive implications for teleworking design and management to improve employee productivity across different national settings.
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Hadija Mnyausi Mcheka and Moshi Amsi Mislay
This study aims to examine the nature and extent of political dynamics (power struggles and contestations) among internal and external school stakeholders in the school evaluation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the nature and extent of political dynamics (power struggles and contestations) among internal and external school stakeholders in the school evaluation processes and their influence on the objectivity and consistency of evaluations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a purposive sampling method to examine seven secondary schools in Dodoma Region, which were key in piloting the School Quality Assurance (SQA) policy implementation in 2018. The selected schools were government boarding institutions with long histories, managed by School Management Teams and Governing Boards that influenced school decision-making. These schools had regular SQA visits and produced School Self-Evaluation and Whole-School Evaluation reports, which served as the primary data sources. Data were analysed using a method that involved sorting, coding, identifying patterns and applying theory to interpret the findings. The analysis focused on discrepancies and power dynamics in school evaluations, particularly how internal and external evaluators’ roles were represented in the reports. Ethical considerations were ensured through confidentiality, pseudonymizing participants and obtaining clearance from relevant authorities. This study’s reliability and trustworthiness were enhanced through consistent data collection protocols, a transparent coding framework and triangulation of sources. This research offers insights into the politics of SQA policy implementation, highlighting tensions and power dynamics in school evaluations and revealing gaps between policy and practice.
Findings
This study identifies the SQA policy discourses that were tools and sites of power struggles and contestations among internal and external evaluators in all six quality domains. These political dynamics impacted the objectivity and consistency of evaluation outcomes due to subjectivity among evaluators. Internal evaluation had a positive image by offering higher quality indicators than external evaluation in most case study schools.
Research limitations/implications
Policy documents provide a high-level overview, often missing the nuanced realities of school implementation. While updated periodically, they may not reflect current practices or challenges. These documents typically present an idealized vision of education, which might not align with actual outcomes. Analysing them alone can overlook the perspectives of teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders directly impacted by the policies. Informal practices and adaptations in response to policy directives may not be documented, and the interpretation of such documents can vary widely, leading to subjective analysis. In addition, policy documents lack empirical data on the effectiveness and impact of the policies.
Practical implications
This study highlights the need for clear and consistent evaluation criteria to reduce discrepancies between internal and external evaluators. It also underscores the importance of training and support for school-based evaluators to ensure reliable assessments. Moreover, this study calls for addressing political dynamics influencing evaluation objectivity, ensuring that evaluations genuinely reflect school performance. Finally, the findings advocate for involving all stakeholders in the evaluation process to enhance transparency and accountability.
Social implications
This study has important social implications. It reveals how political dynamics can affect the fairness and transparency of school evaluations, potentially impacting stakeholders’ trust in the education system. This study highlights the need for equitable and unbiased evaluation practices to ensure that all schools are fairly assessed and supported. This can lead to better educational outcomes, as schools receive appropriate feedback and resources. Moreover, involving community members in the evaluation process can foster greater accountability and community engagement in educational development.
Originality/value
This study provides original value by addressing the intersection of political dynamics and educational evaluation. It uniquely examines how power struggles and political influences affect the objectivity and consistency of quality assurance practices. By highlighting discrepancies between internal and external evaluators, this study offers fresh insights into the challenges of implementing educational policies. This research contributes to the broader discourse on educational reform by advocating for more transparent and equitable evaluation processes, thereby enhancing policy effectiveness and educational outcomes.
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Carlos Eduardo de Morais and Simone Sehnem
To analyze the role of technologies in digital transformation (DT) and innovative business models (IBMs) in the financial industry (FI) from the perspective of strategic…
Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the role of technologies in digital transformation (DT) and innovative business models (IBMs) in the financial industry (FI) from the perspective of strategic stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted with articles written between 2008 and 2023, utilizing Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Wiley databases.
Findings
The adoption of innovative technologies, digital platforms and automation was identified as the key outcome. The connection between stakeholder involvement and technologies in DT is emphasized. A theoretical framework integrating DT into organizational objectives is proposed.
Research limitations/implications
The study presents limitations in the selection of databases and suggests a deeper exploration of stakeholder involvement.
Originality/value
This systematization resulted in the framework presented in figure 6, comprising strategic elements that can be used as a managerial tool by managers seeking to internalize the principles of DT.
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Eduardo Starling do Rego Monteiro, Erick Cardoso da Silva Figueira and Sandra Regina da Rocha-Pinto
This study aimed to understand how administrative employees of an oil company perceive the role of software solutions in their routines.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to understand how administrative employees of an oil company perceive the role of software solutions in their routines.
Design/methodology/approach
Starting from an interpretive perspective, we used the phenomenographic method to analyze software solutions based on users’ experience, by means of 20 interviews carried out between November 2020 and May 2021.
Findings
Interviewees ranked the function of software solutions in their routines in three categories: (1) information repository; (2) orchestration mechanism and (3) guidelines for action. Four explanatory dimensions were identified: (1) artifact performance; (2) configuration between actors; (3) degree of automation and (4) accountability aspects.
Research limitations/implications
The results expand knowledge on the role of software solutions in organizations. As players consider software essential to their routines, human agency in actions tends to decrease. Furthermore, the incorporation of digital elements in routines varies, based on how actors perceive their integration, from external tools to dominant elements that shape actions.
Practical implications
Respecting the autonomy of the actors involved in automated routines; ideally, automating routine steps that add value to the process.
Originality/value
The study explores the function of software solutions in organizational routines through the phenomenographic approach, presenting different concepts of that event.
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Jitender Kumar, Archit Vinod Tapar and Somraj Bhattacharjee
The study aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand the current status of research on social media usage among the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). The…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand the current status of research on social media usage among the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). The purpose of this study is to identify the research gaps in this domain and review future research agendas by using theory, context, characteristics and methods [TCCM] framework.
Design/methodology/approach
An SLR, keywords co-occurrence and TCCM analysis were used to analyse and synthesize insights from 44 studies gained from Web of Science and Scopus databases.
Findings
The findings suggest that the USA and India are popular contexts for studying BOP. The BOP population uses social media to gain utilitarian, hedonic and social values. Further, social media can help BOP explore “entrepreneurship” opportunities, value co-creation and bring innovations.
Originality/value
This study expands the intellectual boundaries of social media at BOP and suggests multidisciplinary research. Additionally, adopting novel theoretical lenses helped determine social media's impact on BOP.
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Pavanpreet Kaur and Maninder Singh
In the era of Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0, the integration of digital technologies, automation and data-driven insights has generated a broad wave of transformation across all…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0, the integration of digital technologies, automation and data-driven insights has generated a broad wave of transformation across all industries, including the insurance sector. The study focuses on determining how the adoption of these technologies (InsurTech) is changing the life insurance industry, ultimately enhancing the level of customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The data analysis has been performed with 304 useable responses from the policyholders of life insurance in the north-west region of India. The methodology adopted for this study is partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM). To investigate the predictive relevance of customer satisfaction, the PLS predict technique has been used. Also, importance performance map analysis (IPMA) has been applied to assess the important and performing dimensions of customer satisfaction.
Findings
The outcomes show that the adoption of InsurTech has a positive impact on customer satisfaction. Customer service management and policy management are among the strongest predictors of customer satisfaction, and the predictive relevance is reported to be moderate. IPMA results have suggested that improvements in online distribution of insurance services and customer service management lead to higher customer satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The conceptual model can be tested with the moderating effect of different demographic factors (age, gender etc.), and future research can be done to analyze the mediating role of customer satisfaction between InsurTech adoption and customer loyalty.
Practical implications
The study offers valuable contributions to the marketing literature, shedding light on the influence of InsurTech adoption on customer satisfaction within the Indian life insurance sector. The research offers a practical approach that could help marketing professionals and policymakers comprehend the utilization of online insurance services, and this understanding can help industry experts to develop customer-oriented products and services.
Originality/value
This research is the first of its kind to test the association between InsurTech adoption and customer satisfaction in the life insurance sector in the Indian context. Research also provides novel insights for policymakers to enhance the satisfaction of customers towards using online insurance services in the near future in developing countries like India.
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Shengmin Liu and Pengfan Cheng
The proactive activities, as well as the traditional management mode of enterprises, have undergone profound changes in response to the wave of digital transformation…
Abstract
Purpose
The proactive activities, as well as the traditional management mode of enterprises, have undergone profound changes in response to the wave of digital transformation. Consequently, understanding the impact of enterprise digitalization on employee taking charge and its underlying influence mechanisms has become a crucial topic for organizational researchers to explore. Taking a self-determination perspective, this study aims to investigate the mechanism through which enterprise digitalization influences employee taking charge.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this objective, using multi-level structural equation model and bootstrapping, the study collected multi-source data from 358 samples from 30 technology enterprises.
Findings
These results reveal that enterprise digitalization exerts a significant positive effect on employee taking charge via three parallel mediators of job autonomy, self-efficacy and closeness with companions.
Originality/value
Overall, the study expands upon the relationship between enterprise digitalization and employee challenge behaviors while offering valuable insights for implementing enterprise digitalization initiatives and facilitating employees' absorption of digitized practices.