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We analyse the practices of distributed leadership exercised by principals in two Spanish primary schools. We provide evidence in this area. The study is framed in the Spanish context, in which autonomy is limited and the trend from the administration is the promotion of a distributed leadership model.

We carried out a multi-case study using interviews and shadowing sessions with the principals, observation records of meetings and interviews with other non-formal leaders from each school. The qualitative analysis identified actions and limitations that reflect the leadership exercised by the management.

The outcomes reflect the remarkable role of executive action and the preeminence of formal and bureaucratic components in the development of distributed leadership. Likewise, the difficulties derived from its implementation allow us to conclude that leadership is caught between a bureaucratic supervision that conditions its development and certain attempts and initiatives, not fully resolved, to move towards a collective leadership that incorporates other members of the school.

Lies in the methodological approach employed. And in the use of instruments that have required researchers’ constant and prolonged presence in schools. In the cases studied, collaboration and interactions are gradually building new forms of leadership. Principals are becoming aware of their role and how to improve their schools by giving their teachers greater autonomy and prominence, gradually contributing to the development of collective leadership. The need to change bureaucratic structures, furthering interactions and diverting attention to other non-formal leaders, is reinforced.

We explore the skills required for digital leadership for reshaping existing business models toward digital models. Digital leadership is pivotal in gaining a competitive advantage and achieving successful digital transformation. However, little is known with regard to the underlying mechanisms related to digital leadership and transformation.

Data are collected through semi-structured interviews involving 20 participants from five Pakistani textile companies. Thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis tool.

Findings show that certain skills such as technological know-how, innovativeness, adaptability, ability to lead and steer, honesty, integrity, transformative vision, communication and collaboration are conducive to successful digital transformation in textile manufacturing firms. Similarly, digital leaders can significantly enhance business model innovation, create value for the firm, help develop new products (value proposition) and create Ecosystem partnerships (value network).

This article bridges gaps between existing literature on digital transformation and leadership. Digital leadership skills for digital transformation and the role of digital leaders in business model innovation have not been explored before. The conceptual framework is put forth, propositions are proposed and the findings offer some future research directions.

Drawing on the attribution theory, this study re-examined the effect of supervisor-subordinate guanxi (SSG) on counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) by highlighting the critical moderating role of job self-efficacy and the mediating role of psychological entitlement, with the aim of revealing the potential drawbacks of SSG.

Three-wave matched data were collected from 434 employees working in China. The authors adopted path analysis in Mplus 7.4 to test the hypotheses proposed in this study.

The results suggested that among subordinates with high job self-efficacy, SSG triggers psychological entitlement, which subsequently leads to CWBs.

This research challenges the prevailing consensus regarding the beneficial effects of SSG on subordinate management from the social exchange theory perspective by revealing when and why high-quality SSG can also engender subordinates’ psychological entitlement and subsequent CWBs. By doing so, this study provides a more dialectical view of the impact of establishing high-quality SSG in human resource management.

Lean construction (LC) consists of very effective techniques; however, its implementation varies considerably from one industry to another. Although numerous lean initiatives do exist in the construction industry, the research topic related to LC implementation is still unexplored due to the scarcity of validated assessment frameworks. This study aims to provide the first attempt in developing a structural model for successful LC implementation.

This study developed a Lean construction model (LCM) by critically reviewing seven previous LC frameworks from different countries, defining 18 subprinciples grouped into 6 major principles and formulating testable hypotheses. The questionnaire was pre-tested with 12 construction management experts and revised by 4 specialized academics. A pilot study with 20 construction units enhanced content reliability. Data from 307 Moroccan construction companies were collected to develop a measurement model. SPSS V. 26 was used for Exploratory Factor Analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS version 23. Finally, a structural equation model statistically assessed each construct's contribution to the success of LC implementation.

This work led to the development of an original LCM based on valid and reliable LC constructs, consisting of 18 measurement items grouped into 6 LC principles: Process Transparency, People involvement, Waste elimination, Planning and Continuous improvement, Client Focus and Material/information flow and pull. According to the structural model, LC implementation success is positively influenced by Planning and Scheduling/continuous improvement (β = 0.930), followed by Elimination of waste (β = 0.896). Process transparency ranks third (β = 0.858). The study demonstrates that all these factors are mutually complementary, highlighting a positive relationship between LC implementation success and the holistic application of all LC principles.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to develop a statistically proven model of LC based on structural equation modelling analysis, which is promising for stimulating construction practitioners and researchers for more empirical studies in different countries to obtain a more accurate reflection of LC implementation. Moreover, the paper proposes recommendations to help policymakers, academics and practitioners anticipate the key success drivers for more successful LC implementation.

This chapter dives deeper into how the circular economy is important for the tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a region known for its remarkable growth and innovative endeavors, this chapter meticulously investigates how the principles of the circular economy hold the potential to not only shape the trajectory of sustainable development but also to become a catalyst for heightened economic growth and an embodiment of environmental stewardship within the UAE's dynamic tourism sector. It begins by explaining the multifaceted concept of the circular economy and its compelling relevance to the diverse realm of tourism. It also emphasizes the role of community involvement in making these principles work. The chapter showcases successful case studies in UAE's tourism sector, from eco-friendly hotels to innovative food services and community-based tourism. Finally, it ends with recommendations for stakeholders to work together for sustainable tourism development. As the chapter draws toward a conclusion, it ends with a collection of recommendations that underscore the essence of collaborative engagement among stakeholders – a driving force that is poised to propel the narrative of sustainable tourism development forward with unwavering resolve and unwavering impact.

This study aims to assess how envy, both directly and indirectly, through negative behaviors such as ostracism, negative word-of-mouth and alignment with the negative behaviors of superiors, influences innovative behavior based on the cultural dimension of individualism versus collectivism.

The data was collected using a survey applied to 305 individuals between October 2022 and June 2023. The model developed was analyzed and validated using partial least squares estimation with structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and PLS-SEM multigroup analysis techniques.

The results suggest that for individualistic individuals, negative word-of-mouth exerts a greater positive mediating influence on the relationship between envy and ostracism, and that envy exerts a greater positive influence on both alignment with the negative behaviors of superiors and on ostracism. In addition, the results indicate that negative word-of-mouth and ostracism together negatively influence the relationship between envy and innovative behavior.

This research provides empirical evidence that envy triggers negative behavior in both individualistic and collectivist individuals. Thus, in practical terms, envy can be considered as something more primitive that goes beyond the accepted values of sociability, especially in the organizational environment.

The main contribution of this research is to understand the effects of envy on innovative behavior, based on a conceptual model that considers the mental programs that differentiate one group of individuals from another. In addition, it presents theoretical and empirical implications that provide descriptive evidence of behaviors, making it possible to broaden the psychological understanding of them. In this specific sense, this research differs from other organizational studies, whose objectives are to standardize behavior.

The fishing cat's unique hunting strategies, including ambush, detection, diving and trapping, inspired the development of a novel metaheuristic optimization algorithm named the Fishing Cat Optimizer (FCO). The purpose of this paper is to introduce FCO, offering a fresh perspective on metaheuristic optimization and demonstrating its potential for solving complex problems.

The FCO algorithm structures the optimization process into four distinct phases. Each phase incorporates a tailored search strategy to enrich the diversity of the search population and attain an optimal balance between extensive global exploration and focused local exploitation.

To assess the efficacy of the FCO algorithm, we conducted a comparative analysis with state-of-the-art algorithms, including COA, WOA, HHO, SMA, DO and ARO, using a test suite comprising 75 benchmark functions. The findings indicate that the FCO algorithm achieved optimal results on 88% of the test functions, whereas the SMA algorithm, which ranked second, excelled on only 21% of the functions. Furthermore, FCO secured an average ranking of 1.2 across the four benchmark sets of CEC2005, CEC2017, CEC2019 and CEC2022, demonstrating its superior convergence capability and robustness compared to other comparable algorithms.

Although the FCO algorithm performs excellently in solving single-objective optimization problems and constrained optimization problems, it also has some shortcomings and defects. First, the structure of the FCO algorithm is relatively complex and there are many parameters. The value of parameters has a certain impact on solving optimization problems. Second, the computational complexity of the FCO algorithm is relatively high. When solving high-dimensional optimization problems, it takes more time than algorithms such as GWO and WOA. Third, although the FCO algorithm performs excellently in solving multimodal functions, it rarely obtains the theoretical optimal solution when solving combinatorial optimization problems.

The FCO algorithm is applied to the solution process of five common engineering design optimization problems.

This paper innovatively proposes the FCO algorithm, which mimics the unique hunting mechanisms of fishing cats, including strategies such as lurking, perceiving, rapid diving and precise trapping. These mechanisms are abstracted into four closely connected iterative stages, corresponding to extensive and in-depth exploration, multi-dimensional fine detection, rapid and precise developmental search and localized refinement and contraction search. This enables efficient global optimization and local fine-tuning in complex environments, significantly enhancing the algorithm's adaptability and search efficiency.

When financial statements are public, the choice between alternative reporting regimes constitutes a signal that addresses external stakeholders. Generally, the choice of more complex regimes acts as a complement of firms' transparency. However, in the absence of audits, opportunistic behaviors could be incentivized. This study aims to test whether SMEs' choice between alternative accounting regimes is associated with earnings quality.

Drawing on the literature about accounting choices and earnings quality, this study investigates whether the same conclusions are confirmed for SMEs. Using a sample of 4,054 Italian companies and 12,114 observations, it compared four earnings quality proxies of a group of companies that opted for the “Full” rules and those of a subsample of the population of companies that applied the Simplified rules.

The results suggest that the signaling power of accounting rules' choice could lead to wrong conclusions for SMEs. Indeed, a positive relationship emerged (H1) between the choice of the “Full” rules and income smoothing behaviors, while the same choice appears to reduce the probability to disclose SPOS. Moreover, the results suggest that opportunistic behaviors are more frequent for firms that have settled in a “non-cooperative” social environment (H2).

This study could foster research on financial reporting quality in private firms.

Comparing the quality of financial statements drawn up according to two alternative accounting regimes could provide useful suggestions for both users and regulators.

The results contribute to the limited literature on the implications of differential reporting. Finally, it enriches the literature about heterogeneity in accounting quality within private firms.

When eyewitnesses talk to each other after witnessing a crime, they can contaminate each other’s memory. However, laboratory research shows that collaborative interviewing can also result in correction of mistakes and retrieval of more new information. The aim of this study is to examine whether these laboratory findings would generalise to real police interviews in The Netherlands. Because little is known about which interviewing techniques Dutch police detectives use, the secondary aim was to examine how Dutch detectives approach individual and collaborative eyewitness interviews.

In a field study, witnesses of serious incidents (e.g. police shooting) were interviewed individually and then collaboratively by real investigators, resulting in 15 interviews of 1–2 h each from five witness pairs (5,534 details in total). Transcripts were coded for detail type, forensic relevance, verifiability, retrieval strategies and interviewing techniques. Results were described using both quantitative descriptive data and a qualitative analysis of interview excerpts.

On average, collaborative interviews resulted in 131 new details, over half of which were considered highly relevant to the police investigation. Interview excerpts demonstrated how content-focused retrieval strategies (acknowledgements, repetitions, restatements, elaborations) can elicit new and highly relevant details. Interviewers mostly asked clarifying questions and equal numbers of open, closed and yes/no questions, but rarely allowed for uninterrupted free recall. Interviewers asked a higher proportion of open questions during collaborative interviews than during individual interviews.

Limitations included the small sample size and lack of a control condition.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of the Collaborative Eyewitness Interview in real-world settings.

Content analysis was used to measure corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions with robust standard errors are used to examine the relationships for a sample of 168 firm-year observations listed on the Palestine Exchange during 2018–2021. A logistic regression is also utilized as an alternative measurement for CSR quantity disclosure and to ensure the robustness of the author’s main findings.

Based on 168 observations listed on the Palestine Exchange (PEX) between 2018 and 2021, this study examines the impact of women's representation on the CSR reporting of Palestinian firms' boards. Moreover, the moderating effect of ownership concentration on the relationship between BGD and CSR reporting is examined. In order to test the hypotheses, the author’s employ OLS regressions with robust standard errors. A logistic regression is also utilized as an alternative measurement for CSR quantity disclosure and to ensure the robustness of the author’s main findings.

The results reveal that Palestinian companies with more women on their boards have higher CSR practices and disclosure levels. In addition to the validity of agency, stakeholder and legitimacy theories, the findings show the relevance of gender socialization and critical mass theories in explaining the favorable influence of women's presentation on boards in promoting best practices among Palestinian firms, such as CSR disclosure.

The study contributes to the limited literature in the MENA and Arab region countries by examining the influence of BGD on CSR reporting in Palestine, an emerging economy characterized by highly political and economic instability. The study offers a novel contribution by examining the impact of BGD, on not only the CSR reporting quantity but also the reporting quality. However, the generalizability of the study is limited due to the small sample size.

The findings of the study may bring the issues of CSR disclosure and female representation on board of directors to the attention of Palestinian firms' board of directors and managers, investors, professional associations, policymakers and regulators. While listed firms are only required to provide general information that falls under the scope of CSR in their annual reports under the Palestinian code of corporate governance, women representation on boards of directors is not addressed.

This study adds to the very limited literature on the role of the BGD in promoting CSR reporting in the Middle Eastern and Arabic markets in general, and in the Palestinian context in particular. This paper not only investigates but also seeks to theorize this role.