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The non-existence of the corporate governance (CG) concept for practices by non-financial medium-sized firms (MSFs) in Nigeria informed. This study aims to determine whether CG practices influence firms’ performance and whether sustainability initiative (SI) mediates the relationship between CG and MSFs’ performance in Nigeria.

A total of 300 firms were selected on convenience sampling basis from South Western Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. The authors used Statistical Package for Social Sciences for exploratory data analysis and hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

The results show that CG has a significant positive effect on performance [financial performance (FNP) and non-financial performance (NFP)] and SI. SI has a mixed impact on performance, e.g. a significant positive impact on NFP but insignificant negative impact on FNP. Similarly, SI has a combined mediating effect in the relationship between CG and performance, e.g. fully mediates CG → NFP and does not mediate CG → FNP. Firms are to invest in social and environmental initiatives substantially. CG codes will complement the International Financial Reporting Standards for MSFs.

This study supports the assumptions of theories (institutional, stakeholder and agency) as the basis for the usage of multiple approaches to determine the outcome of hypotheses, especially in developing climes.

The study contributes to CG and performance literature by examining the mediating effects of SI. The paper also shows the necessity to emphasise NFP aspect. Policymakers should evolve CG codes to encourage stakeholders to believe more in the corporate existence of MSFs for strengthening capital-base and quality personnel engagement.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical attempts showing the evidence on the relationship between CG and NFP in Nigeria.

Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), this study aims to examine the key factors that influence users’ renewable energy (RE) continuance intention. More importantly, the mediating role of excitement and the moderating role of technology infrastructure (TEC) and anxiety in the renewable energy continuance intention (RECI) is explored.

A survey was conducted among RE users in Malaysia and the results of a questionnaire survey of 397 were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling.

The study’s findings highlight the significant roles of excitement and anxiety in RE intentions, emphasizing the impact of psychological factors and government policy on RE adoption in Malaysia. It also proves the moderating effect of perceptual dimension attributed to TEC.

This study significantly advances the understanding of RECI, offering a replicable research framework that can be examined across regions and countries. Scholars can leverage the framework for further exploration, whereas managers should recognize reinforcement sensitivity influences on RECI and the impact of perceived technology infrastructural support.

Given that this study is a pioneer attempt to investigate the approach and inhibiting factors relating to RECI through the application of RST, It provides novel insight for future research on RE among researchers and practitioners, thereby contributing to the limited body of knowledge on the psychological dynamics of RECI of an emerging economy.

The goal of this study is to examine the factors (e.g. enjoyment, skills, challenge, telepresence and flow) that influence players’ purchase intention toward Dota 2 virtual in-game as well as examine the effect of flow toward purchase intention of Dota 2 through the critical mechanism (i.e. continuous intention). Notably, the analysis of the moderating role of enjoyment of buying on the relation of (a) flow and purchase intention of Dota 2 in-game, as well as (b) between flow continuous intention and finally (c) between continuous intention purchase intention of Dota 2.

The data were gained from 331 users using Google Forms and posted to respondents on social media platforms and forums such as Facebook and Reddit, as these websites have the closest reach to gamers.

The study revealed that enjoyment, skill, challenge and telepresence have a positive effect on flow. Also, the flow was significantly related to purchase intention. The continuous intention has significantly mediated the relationship between flow and purchase intention. Importantly, this study found that the moderating role of buying enjoyment increases the relationship between flow and purchase intention (H7a) and between continuous intention and purchase intention (H7c). In contrast, the moderating role of buying enjoyment on the relationship between flow and continuous intention (H7b) was not supported. Hence, this study sheds a new light on the notable Dota 2 in-game and continuous intention purchase intention of the users.

In response, this study's main research question can be highlighted on testing how enjoyment, skills, challenge, telepresence, in-game virtual items influence purchasing intention when the enjoyment of buying moderates the proposed relationship? Therefore, this study aims to examine the significant elements like enjoyment, skills, challenge telepresence toward flow, and subsequently, the effect of flow toward purchase intention of Dota 2 in-game through continuous intention as a key mechanism which is urgently needed to minimize the gap in-game virtual items literature. Significantly, this study also intends to explore the contingent role of enjoyment of buying on the relation of flow and purchase intention of Dota-2 in-game, as well as between flow and continuous intention and finally between continuous intention and purchase intention.

In an era where technology rapidly reshapes society, Kuwait stands at the forefront of digitalization and the realization of smart cities. This chapter examines the impact of this technological revolution across diverse sectors within Kuwait. From integrating digital infrastructure in urban development to the role of social media in political, health, and corporate realms, it provides a comprehensive exploration of digitalization’s influence. The chapter begins by highlighting Kuwait’s $10 billion investment in 2024, marking a significant step toward becoming a smart city. It investigates the evolving role of social media in political campaigns, demonstrating how digital platforms shape political narratives and voter behavior. In public health, the chapter underscores the Kuwaiti government’s strategic use of social media to disseminate vital health information, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing public behavior and community engagement. Furthermore, the discussion focuses on Kuwait’s Vision 2035, examining how governmental social media campaigns mold public perception and awareness. The chapter also explores the private sector, showing how companies leverage social media for innovation, performance enhancement, and talent acquisition. Additionally, it scrutinizes the influence of social media on political candidates’ brand personalities and voter behavior, providing insights into digital political communication dynamics. Finally, the chapter addresses the surge in online shopping during emergencies, discussing its implications for e-commerce, consumer behavior, and the challenges it presents in terms of infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital divide.

This research aims to explore the impact of social media marketing (SMM) activities on brand equity (BE) in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Moreover, brand love and brand trust are examined as a mediator of SMM activities and BE.

Data were collected from a total of 289 banking customers in Bangladesh through a structured questionnaire and the hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM).

The results validated that SMM activities have no significant influence on BE directly. Furthermore, brand love fully mediates the linkage between SMM activities and BE. Likewise, brand trust was found to have a partial mediation effect on SMM activities and BE.

This study was based on a specific sector in a particular geographic area. Hence, cross-cultural studies on different sectors need to be conducted to generalize the findings of the current research.

The study offers useful insights for bank marketers to successfully manage SMM activities that can generate consumer interest toward a bank's brand and prevent switching behavior. Furthermore, the proliferation of authentic brand-related information over a firms' social media pages can build strong brand trust, which in turn contributes to BE for the banks.

The study further extended the current knowledge by showing that how SMM activities influence BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Also, this study empirically corroborates the mediation influence of brand love and brand trust on SMM activities and BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh, which was rarely tested in prior studies. Hence, the findings will add value to the nascent literature of BE from an SMM perspective.

Based on the theory of identity, this paper aims to examine the centrality role of entrepreneurs’ identity in the prevalence of the entrepreneurial process in online platforms. Identity is a kind of internal energy that stimulates the neurons of entrepreneurs. Thus, leveraging identity effectively in the digital business cycle is a global challenge of paramount importance.

This study uses a quantitative approach, specifically the covariance-based structural equation modeling method, to examine data collected from a sample of 153 entrepreneurs operating on social media platforms.

The findings highlight the positive impact of social media on entrepreneurs’ identities, revealing three distinct identity types: digital identity, social identity and entrepreneurial identity. However, only entrepreneurial and social identities emerge as significant factors in sustaining the entrepreneurial process. Entrepreneurs operating on online platforms strive for recognition as entrepreneurs while also cultivating trust-based relationships with social media users. This recognition and trust contribute to the overall success of their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Identity centrality in the entrepreneurial process presents itself as a highly sophisticated tool to help young entrepreneurs on social media platforms to identify, construct and even harmonize the different identities they may adopt to adapt to the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. In fact, social media provide several opportunities that foster entrepreneurial aspirations and provide a fertile ground for shaping entrepreneurs’ identities, ensuring the success of their entrepreneurial ventures. The emerging generation of entrepreneurs should prioritize cultivating their entrepreneurial and social identities while maintaining an acute awareness of the importance of having a coherent and relevant online presence.

The results of this study significantly elucidate the mechanisms governing identity formation and its dynamics’ influence on the development of entrepreneurship on social media.

This study aims to explore the implementation of operational excellence (OpEx) within the Moroccan automotive industry, focusing on its perception, adoption and integration into organizational structures.

This research uses a qualitative, exploratory design, using semi-structured interviews with eight key experts from various ecosystems within the Moroccan automotive industry. A purposive expert sampling method was used to select participants with significant experience in OpEx, ensuring a deep, context-specific understanding of its implementation.

This study reveals that Moroccan automotive firms adopt OpEx practices in a phased, structured manner, beginning with foundational methodologies such as Lean manufacturing, 5S and Kaizen, before progressing to advanced tools like Six Sigma. The integration of these practices is typically supported by dedicated teams within engineering and production departments, with some firms establishing specialized OpEx departments reporting directly to plant directors. While notable progress has been made in the adoption of OpEx, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the technical expertise required for advanced methodologies like Six Sigma. Nevertheless, strong support from international parent companies and Morocco’s highly integrated automotive ecosystem has been identified as key enablers in accelerating the adoption of OpEx best practices.

The generalizability of this study is constrained by its focus on a specific industry and region. While the qualitative findings provide valuable insights into the Moroccan automotive sector, further research is needed to broaden the scope across different industries and geographical contexts. Future studies could explore the application of OpEx practices in other developing economies or investigate the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in enhancing OpEx outcomes.

This study contributes to the limited body of research on OpEx implementation in developing economies, offering empirical insights from the Moroccan automotive industry. The findings provide practical insights for industry practitioners and theoretical contributions toward understanding how OpEx practices can be adapted and scaled within the unique context of emerging economies.