Search results

1 – 8 of 8
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 21 February 2025

Xiaohong Wang, Meilin Zhao and Lei Cheng

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) greenwashing is a form of social responsibility response that appears compliant but is substantively oppositional. As an abnormal social…

10

Abstract

Purpose

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) greenwashing is a form of social responsibility response that appears compliant but is substantively oppositional. As an abnormal social behavior, existing research has rarely focused on the deep-seated strategic logic behind ESG greenwashing. Business strategy emerges as the linchpin for companies undertaking a series of decision-making actions. Consequently, this research seeks to provide new insights into the strategic drivers behind corporate greenwashing and the role of institutional investors in mitigating these practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes empirical analysis based on data from Chinese A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2022. ESG performance data is sourced from the Bloomberg ESG Disclosure Ratings and Thomson Reuters’ Asset4 database. Business strategy is assessed using six key indicators. The study employs institutional theory as the analytical framework, examining the impact of business strategy on ESG greenwashing and investigating the internal mechanisms driving these behaviors.

Findings

The study finds that compared with defender strategies, prospector strategies are more likely to lead to ESG greenwashing behavior. Specifically, aggressive business strategies tend to facilitate corporate ESG greenwashing. Mechanism analysis indicates that, compared to defenders, prospectors induce ESG greenwashing by increasing information asymmetry (reputation effect) and being constrained by financing limitations (profit-seeking effect). From an external governance perspective, this study finds that institutional investor ownership can mitigate the impact of business strategy on ESG greenwashing. Furthermore, additional research confirms that in heavily polluting industries, the positive effect of business strategy on ESG greenwashing is more pronounced, whereas implementing the Environmental Protection Tax Law curtails the impact of business strategy on ESG greenwashing.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the role of business strategy in ESG greenwashing, particularly in the context of emerging economies such as China, contributing uniquely to the literature on corporate decision-making and green management. The research extends the application of institutional theory to the field of corporate environmental strategy and introduces the concepts of reputation and profit-seeking effects, offering fresh perspectives on understanding ESG greenwashing behavior. It also provides empirical evidence of the governance role of institutional investors in addressing managerial opportunism related to ESG greenwashing, enriching the existing theoretical framework. Finally, the study highlights the need to establish stronger institutional and managerial mechanisms to effectively tackle corporate greenwashing, offering valuable insights for future research and practice.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 19 February 2025

Prince Kumar Maurya, Rohit Bansal and Anand Kumar Mishra

This study aims to systematically review the literature on how various factors influence investor sentiment and affect financial markets. This study also sought to present an…

25

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to systematically review the literature on how various factors influence investor sentiment and affect financial markets. This study also sought to present an overview of explored contexts and research foci, identifying gaps in the literature and setting an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature investigation yielded 555 journal articles, with few other exceptional inclusions. The data have been extracted from the two databases, i.e. Scopus and Web of Science. For bibliometric analysis, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny by R have been used. The period of investigation is from 1985 to July 2023.

Findings

This systematic literature review helped us identify factors influencing investor sentiment and financial markets. This study has broadly classified these factors into two categories: rational and irrational. Rational factors include – economics and monetary policy, exchange rate, interest rates, inflation, government mandatory regulations, earning announcements, stock-split, dividend decisions, audit quality, environmental, social and governance aspects and ratings. Irrational factors include – behavioural and psychological factors, social media and online talk, news and entertainment, geopolitical and war events, calendar anomalies, environmental, natural disasters, religious events and festivals, irrationality caused due to government/supervisory body regulations, and corporate events. Using these factors, this study has developed an investor sentiment model. In addition, this review identified research trends, methodology, data and techniques used by researchers.

Originality/value

This review comprehensively explains how various factors affect investor sentiment and the stock market using the investor sentiment model. It further proposes an extensive future research agenda. This study has implications for stock market participants.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 23 January 2025

Lakshmi Devaraj, Thaarini S., Athish R.R. and Vallimanalan Ashokan

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of thin-film temperature sensors (TTS), focusing on the interplay between material properties and fabrication techniques. It…

18

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of thin-film temperature sensors (TTS), focusing on the interplay between material properties and fabrication techniques. It evaluates the current state of the art, addressing both low- and high-temperature sensors, and explores the potential applications across various fields. The study also identifies challenges and highlights emerging trends that may shape the future of this technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically examines existing literature on TTS, categorizing the materials and fabrication methods used. The study compares the performance metrics of different materials, addresses the challenges encountered in thin-film sensors and reviews the case studies to identify successful applications. Emerging trends and future directions are also analyzed.

Findings

This study finds that TTS are integral to various advanced technologies, particularly in high-performance and specialized applications. However, their development is constrained by challenges such as limited operational range, material degradation, fabrication complexities and long-term stability. The integration of nanostructured materials and the advancement of wireless, self-powered and multifunctional sensors are poised to drive significant advancements in this field.

Originality/value

This study offers a unique perspective by bridging the gap between material science and application engineering in TTS. By critically analyzing both established and emerging technologies, the study provides valuable insights into the current state of the field and proposes pathways for future innovation in terms of interdisciplinary approaches. The focus on emerging trends and multifunctional applications sets this review apart from existing literature.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 45 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 15 October 2024

Xin Yang, Jingwei Bao and Kezhen Zhang

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and tone management in the annual report. This is based on…

288

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and tone management in the annual report. This is based on the notion that managers, driven by personal interests, may use their ESG accomplishments by using an abnormal positive tone to enhance their reputation or career prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data from Chinese listed companies from 2010 to 2022, this study first investigates the relationship between ESG performance and abnormal tone management. The study then uncovers this relationship is mediated through the mechanisms of equity-based incentive and analyst coverage. The conclusions of this paper hold even after a series of robustness tests, such as propensity score matching, Heckman two-stage method and two-stage least squares with instrumental variables.

Findings

This study finds a positive correlation between ESG performance and the presence of abnormal positive tone in annual reports. Furthermore, the mechanistic analysis reveals that managers in companies with strong ESG performance are motivated to use an overly positive tone, largely due to their vested interests in equity-based compensation. Moreover, in an effort to alleviate the pressure stemming from heightened financial analyst coverage and enhance the impression conveyed through analysts' reports, managers with superior ESG performance also tend to inflate the tone within their annual reports.

Practical implications

This study provides significant insights into the ongoing dialogue surrounding ESG-related equity incentives, which incentivize managerial manipulation of stock prices through the use of abnormal positive tone. The findings call upon investors to exercise greater vigilance in examining narrative information in annual reports, as abnormally positive tones may not always faithfully represent performance but rather reflect managerial self-interest.

Social implications

There is an emphasis on the importance of robust oversight mechanisms within corporate governance bodies to curb the manipulation of tone for managers’ personal gain.

Originality/value

This study enhances the theoretical foundation of ESG studies, offering a holistic perspective on the intricate interplay among ESG performance, managerial behavior and financial markets, with potential implications for researchers, investors and regulators.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 October 2024

Yang Li, Zhicheng Zheng, Yaochen Qin, Haifeng Tian, Zhixiang Xie and Peijun Rong

Drought is the primary disaster that negatively impacts agricultural and animal husbandry production. It can lead to crop reduction and even pose a threat to human survival in…

123

Abstract

Purpose

Drought is the primary disaster that negatively impacts agricultural and animal husbandry production. It can lead to crop reduction and even pose a threat to human survival in environmentally sensitive areas of China (ESAC). However, the phases and periodicity of drought changes in the ESAC remain largely unknown. Thus, this paper aims to identify the periodic characteristics of meteorological drought changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The potential evapotranspiration was calculated using the Penman–Monteith formula recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, whereas the standardized precipitation evaporation index (SPEI) of drought was simulated by coupling precipitation data. Subsequently, the Bernaola-Galvan segmentation algorithm was proposed to divide the periods of drought change and the newly developed extreme-point symmetric mode decomposition to analyze the periodic drought patterns.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant increase in SPEI in the ESAC, with the rate of decline in drought events higher in the ESAC than in China, indicating a more pronounced wetting trend in the study area. Spatially, the northeast region showed an evident drying trend, whereas the southwest region showed a wetting trend. Two abrupt changes in the drought pattern were observed during the study period, namely, in 1965 and 1983. The spatial instability of moderate or severe drought frequency and intensity on a seasonal scale was more consistent during 1966–1983 and 1984–2018, compared to 1961–1965. Drought variation was predominantly influenced by interannual oscillations, with the periods of the components of intrinsic mode functions 1 (IMF1) and 2 (IMF2) being 3.1 and 7.3 years, respectively. Their cumulative variance contribution rate reached 70.22%.

Research limitations/implications

The trend decomposition and periods of droughts in the study area were analyzed, which may provide an important scientific reference for water resource management and agricultural production activities in the ESAC. However, several problems remain unaddressed. First, the SPEI considers only precipitation and evapotranspiration, making it extremely sensitive to temperature increases. It also ignores the nonstationary nature of the hydrometeorological water process; therefore, it is prone to bias in drought detection and may overestimate the intensity and duration of droughts. Therefore, further studies on the application and comparison of various drought indices should be conducted to develop a more effective meteorological drought index. Second, the local water budget is mainly affected by surface evapotranspiration and precipitation. Evapotranspiration is calculated by various methods that provide different results. Therefore, future studies need to explore both the advantages and disadvantages of various evapotranspiration calculation methods (e.g. Hargreaves, Thornthwaite and Penman–Monteith) and their application scenarios. Third, this study focused on the temporal and spatial evolution and periodic characteristics of droughts, without considering the driving mechanisms behind them and their impact on the ecosystem. In future, it will be necessary to focus on a sensitivity analysis of drought indices with regard to climate change. Finally, although this study calculated the SPEI using meteorological data provided by China’s high-density observatory network, deviations and uncertainties were inevitable in the point-to-grid spatialization process. This shortcoming may be avoided by using satellite remote sensing data with high spatiotemporal resolution in the future, which can allow pixel-scale monitoring and simulation of meteorological drought evolution.

Practical implications

Under the background of continuous global warming, the climate in arid and semiarid areas of China has shown a trend of warming and wetting. It means that the plant environment in this region is getting better. In the future, the project of afforestation and returning farmland to forest and grassland in this region can increase the planting proportion of water-loving tree species to obtain better ecological benefits. Meanwhile, this study found that in the relatively water-scarce regions of China, drought duration was dominated by interannual oscillations (3.1a and 7.3a). This suggests that governments and nongovernmental organizations in the region should pay attention to the short drought period in the ESAC when they carry out ecological restoration and protection projects such as the construction of forest reserves and high-quality farmland.

Originality/value

The findings enhance the understanding of the phasic and periodic characteristics of drought changes in the ESAC. Future studies on the stress effects of drought on crop yield may consider these effects to better reflect the agricultural response to meteorological drought and thus effectively improve the tolerance of agricultural activities to drought events.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 19 February 2025

Siamak Ghadami-Badrlou, Mohsen Khajehzadeh and Mohammad Reza Razfar

This paper aims to study the elasto-dynamic behavior of additively manufactured metallic lattice implants and compare them with human lower-body bone. This work is a step toward…

3

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the elasto-dynamic behavior of additively manufactured metallic lattice implants and compare them with human lower-body bone. This work is a step toward producing implants with high similarity of material properties to bone by developing a dynamic design approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A suitable topology was selected and admissible design space was established. Implants were fabricated by selective laser melting. Material dynamics, including elastic modulus, damping and natural frequency, were analyzed with experimental and finite element method methodology.

Findings

Generally, porosity improves dynamic properties up to an optimum point, which depends on printability, that is, ∼70%. Regarding elastic modulus and natural frequency, it is possible to achieve enough similarity with bone. But, considering damping, the similarity is <23% and <12% with dry and fresh bone, respectively. Damping and strain rate sensitivity increase with porosity. The natural frequency decreases with porosity. Bone ingrowth into lattice implants improves damping substantially while increasing elastic modulus.

Originality/value

Designers, dominantly had quasi-static approach, which considered only elastic modulus. But, the human body is a dynamic structure and experiences dynamic loads; meanwhile, bone, with its damping and natural frequency, regulates dynamic events like shock absorption and elastic wave filtering. Importantly, bone cells sense no load in quasi-static loading and must receive impact loads near their natural frequencies and special accelerations to conduct optimum mechanotransduction. So, it is necessary to develop a dynamic strategy which is comprehensive and describes bone duties.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 25 February 2025

Hongjie Lin, Faqun Qi, Yuxin Liu, Xiang Chen and Wenfei Zha

This paper aims to develop an optimal maintenance and spare parts policy for an urban micro wind power system, focusing on two urban micro wind farms (UMWF). The reliability and…

2

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an optimal maintenance and spare parts policy for an urban micro wind power system, focusing on two urban micro wind farms (UMWF). The reliability and efficiency of these systems are sought to be enhanced by considering the relationship between urban wind parameters and wind turbine degradation.

Design/methodology/approach

A proportional hazards (PH) model is utilized to describe how urban wind conditions impact turbine degradation. The maintenance strategy includes preventive maintenance (PM), corrective maintenance (CM) and opportunistic maintenance (OM). A multi-objective optimization algorithm is developed to optimize the joint policy of OM plans and spare parts resource allocation.

Findings

The proposed maintenance and spare parts policy effectively balances the trade-offs between PM, CM and OM strategies. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the policy improves the reliability of UMWF, reducing downtime and maintenance costs while ensuring the availability of spare parts when needed. The results show a significant enhancement in system performance compared to traditional maintenance approaches.

Originality/value

A novel maintenance policy and spare parts management approach for urban micro wind power systems is proposed. A multi-objective optimization algorithm is developed to optimize the OM schedule and maintenance spare parts resource management strategy for wind farms in urban wind environments.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Wenhai Tan, Yichen Zhang, Yuhao Song, Yanbo Ma, Chao Zhao and Youfeng Zhang

Aqueous zinc-ion battery has broad application prospects in smart grid energy storage, power tools and other fields. Co3O4 is one of the ideal cathode materials for water zinc-ion…

55

Abstract

Purpose

Aqueous zinc-ion battery has broad application prospects in smart grid energy storage, power tools and other fields. Co3O4 is one of the ideal cathode materials for water zinc-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, simple synthesis, low cost and environmental friendliness. Many studies were concentrated on the synthesis, design and doping of cathodes, but the effect of process parameters on morphology and performance was rarely reported.

Design/methodology/approach

Herein, Co3O4 cathode material based on carbon cloth (Co3O4/CC) was prepared by different temperatures hydrothermal synthesis method. The temperatures of hydrothermal reaction are 100°C, 120°C, 130°C and 140°C, respectively. The influence of temperatures on the microstructures of the cathodes and electrochemical performance of zinc ion batteries were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry curve, electrochemical charging and discharging behavior and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test.

Findings

The results show that the Co3O4/CC material synthesized at 120°C has good performance. Co3O4/CC nanowire has a uniform distribution, regular surface and small size on carbon cloth. The zinc-ion battery has excellent rate performance and low reaction resistance. In the voltage range of 0.01–2.2 V, when the current density is 1 A/g, the specific capacity of the battery is 108.2 mAh/g for the first discharge and the specific capacity of the battery is 142.6 mAh/g after 60 charge and discharge cycles.

Originality/value

The study aims to investigate the effect of process parameters on the performance of zinc-ion batteries systematically and optimized applicable reaction temperature.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

1 – 8 of 8
Per page
102050