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Climate change reports from New Zealand claim that climate change will impact some cities such as Auckland from a heating-dominated to a cooling-dominated climate. The benefits and risks of climate change on buildings' thermal performance are still unknown. This paper examines the impacts of climate change on the energy performance of residential buildings in New Zealand and provides insight into changes in trends in energy consumption by quantifying the impacts of climate change.

The present paper used a downscaling method to generate weather data for three locations in New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The weather data sets were applied to the energy simulation of a residential case study as a reference building using a validated building energy analysis tool (EnergyPlus).

The result indicated that in Wellington and Christchurch, heating would be the major thermal load of residential buildings, while in Auckland, the main thermal load will change from heating to cooling in future years. The revised R-values for the building code will affect the pattern of dominant heating and cooling demands in buildings in Auckland in the future, while in Wellington and Christchurch, the heating load will be higher than the cooling load.

The findings of this study gave a broader insight into the risks and opportunities of climate change for the thermal performance of buildings. The results established the significance of considering climate change in energy performance analysis to inform the appropriate building codes for the design of residential buildings to avoid future costly changes to buildings.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and also apply the values-attitudes-behavior framework in the context of entrepreneurial behavior.

A quantitative approach is used to test the hypothesis. The paper employs empirical survey data and partial least squares path modeling in the analyses.

The analyses reveal that owner-manager's intrinsic work values are strongest drivers of innovative and proactive behaviors, but also other work values are related to EO. Furthermore, growth-oriented attitude is positively related to innovativeness and proactiveness, while more survival-oriented managers exhibit less risk-taking behavior.

In this exploratory study the authors did not control for sector differences. Yet, as sector characteristics may influence the drivers of EO behavior.

The paper provides implications for policy makers and practitioners. Entrepreneurial activities and start-ups play a crucial role in many countries as they are vital for economic growths and the countries’ well-being. Given this importance any effective public policy intended to promote new firm creation or entrepreneurial growth of existing small businesses will have to recognize the heterogeneity of entrepreneurs and identify the potential or existing entrepreneurs who are likely to be affected by such policies.

The paper is one of the first works linking the entrepreneur's work values and attitudes to EO.

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the direct effect of extra-industry network (EIN) and organization–stakeholder relationships (OSR) on absorptive capacity (ACAP). In addition, this study explored indirect effects of EIN and OSR on performance through ACAP among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman by considering the moderating role of big data analytics (BDA) outsourcing.

This study utilized quantitative method through survey questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested with a sample size of 202 surveys completed by SME owners. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 4.0 software.

The analysis revealed that EIN and OSR had an indirect effect on performance through ACAP, while propensity to outsource BDA was found to have a positive moderating role between EIN and performance. Interestingly, propensity to outsource BDA was found to have a negative moderating influence on the relationship between ACAP and performance.

This research is beneficial for entrepreneurs who wish to learn about the specific intangible resources significant for venture growth, to devise effective strategies to expand their EIN and OSR and to consider the significance of the correlations established in this study through ACAP. The result also assists managers in a way that the propensity to outsource BDA strengthens the positive effect of EIN on performance and weakens the positive effect of ACAP on performance.

This research appears to be among the first empirical studies that attempt to provide insights into the importance of ACAP as the key mechanisms to transform the advantages of EIN and OSR to enhance performance by considering the moderating role of propensity to outsource BDA.

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the indirect effect of big data analytics capability (BDAC) on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by considering the moderating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).

This study utilized a quantitative method through a survey questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested with a sample size of 202 surveys completed by SME owners. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 4.0 software.

The analysis revealed that BDAC had an indirect effect on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking. ACAP strengthened the relationship between risk-taking and performance and also enhanced the link between BDAC and performance. Interestingly, ACAP weakened the connection between innovativeness and performance.

From a practical standpoint, our study offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs in the process of implementing BDAC. The mediating roles of innovativeness and risk-taking underscore their potential as drivers of SME performance. Also, it is crucial for managers to leverage lower-order capabilities (BDAC) to build higher-order organizational capabilities (innovativeness and risk-taking) and improve performance. Finally, managers are advised to utilize ACAP to identify external opportunities that contribute to performance.

The current study leverages the resource-based view (RBV) to provide new insights into the significance of innovativeness and risk-taking as key drivers to harness the benefits of BDAC for improving the performance of SMEs. Moreover, this study presents evidence of the moderating role of ACAP in the above relationships.

This study aims to examine the relationship between a founder’s knowledge of international markets and the firm’s ability to acquire and orchestrate resources for its international operations.

This investigation uses an empirical methodology using data obtained from SMEs engaged in exporting activities in the Middle East. The data collection used a random sampling approach, reaching 284 samples from SMEs that are privately held and engaged in international ventures within the past five years, deriving more than 35% of export sales directly. The relationships within the data were scrutinized through partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

The examination recognizes a positive and direct correlation between founders’ knowledge of international markets and SMEs resource orchestration ability. The results find support for both of mediated and moderated paths and uncover the mediated role of SMEs resource acquisition ability in relationship between founders’ knowledge and SMEs resources orchestration ability. Level of SME internationalization and degree of innovation initiatives positively moderate this relationship as well.

The study’s results contribute to the theory and practice of international entrepreneurship and cognitive psychology, but there are a few limitations to be conscious of. For example, the relationship between founders’ knowledge, resource acquisition and resource orchestration is strengthened by SMEs’ levels of internationalization and their degree of innovativeness. However, to anticipate resource acquisition, future studies might model a direct link between SMEs level of internationalization and degree of innovativeness.

This research offers practical recommendations for owner–managers of SMEs in the field of international entrepreneurship in emerging market environments, particularly regarding the use of founders’ knowledge in resource orchestration and when it is most useful. To be more precise, entrepreneurs should prioritize the transfer of their knowledge of international markets as a knowledge base to obtain resources for their international operations. This includes both the acquisition of resources and the orchestration of these resources concerning the utilization of product–market opportunities to create economic value.

This research provides unique perspectives on the interaction between founders’ knowledge of international markets and firms’ resource orchestration ability. The findings have significant implications for the advancement of theory and managerial implications in the fields of cognitive psychology, international business and entrepreneurship.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of propolis on glycemic indices in type 2 diabetic patients.

Web of science (ISI), Embase, Scopus and PubMed were systematically searched to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of propolis intake on glycemic controls in type 2 diabetic patients, from inception up to September 1, 2020. A random-effects model was used to pool weighted mean difference (WMD). Meta-regression was performed to detect the potential sources of inter-study heterogeneity.

Seven trials were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to controls, propolis intake significantly improved serum fasting blood sugar (FBS) (WMD = −13.62 mg/dl, 95% CI = [−23.04, −4.20], P = 0.005, I2 = 58.5%) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (WMD = −0.52%, 95% CI = [−0.86, −0.18], P = 0.002, I2 = 64.0%). In contrast, receiving propolis did not change serum insulin (WMD = −1.46 (uIU/ml), 95% CI = [−2.94, 0.02], P = 0.05, I2 = 75.0%) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = −0.98 (%), 95% CI = [−2.00, 0.04], P = 0.06, I2 = 82.3%) compared to controls.

The present meta-analysis demonstrated that propolis intake significantly reduces serum FBS and HbA1c in diabetic patients but does not alter serum insulin and HOMA-IR. Further large-scale RCT’s are needed to approve these effects.

This study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of organizational stakeholder’s relationship on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

This study used the cluster sampling method to select the study sample and the questionnaire survey approach to 580 SMEs established in Tehran. A total of 150 completed questionnaires were returned. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 3.0 software.

The survey outcomes revealed that organization-stakeholder relationship had an indirect effect on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking. The results indicated positive links for organization-stakeholder relationship and innovativeness, as well as the organization-stakeholder relationship to risk-taking.

This research is beneficial for entrepreneurs who wish to learn about the specific resources significant for venture growth, to devise effective strategies to expand their relationship with stakeholders and to consider the significance of the correlations established, in this study, through innovativeness and risk-taking.

This research is one of the few attempts that have addressed the importance of innovativeness and risk-taking as the key mechanisms to transform the advantages of organization-stakeholder relationships to enhance performance.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the differential effects of national export promotion policies (EPPs) on firms’ early internationalization using the institution-based view (IBV) as our theoretical foundation. Early or speedy internationalization is an important topic for academics, executives and policy makers. However, the effect of the regulatory dimension of institutions incorporating governmental policies on firms’ early internationalization remains unexplored in the literature.

The study was survey-based and the authors engaged in quantitative analysis using data drawn from the apparel industry in a least-developed country (LDC), i.e. Bangladesh. The authors employed 174 valid questionnaires in the analysis. To test the proposed hypotheses, an ordered-logistic regression modeling technique was used.

The findings reveal a positive effect of those national policies focusing on market development, guarantee-related and technical support schemes. Two individual elements of direct finance-related assistance, namely, bank loans and cash subsidy are also found to be influential.

The study contributes to the literature and extends the IBV by establishing that the industry-specific regulatory policies designed by home country governments can play a critical role in international expansion of new ventures from an LDC. In particular, the study established the critical role of national EPPs in driving firms’ early internationalization and thereby, contributing to the international marketing and international entrepreneurship (IE) literature. Least-developed countries provide different institutional environments for entrepreneurship. They thus provide an atypical context within the field of IE. By incorporating sample firms from an LDC, the authors address the knowledge gap related to those countries. The implications of the authors’ findings for national and enterprise development policies are also considered.

The purpose of this study is to examine the dimensions of organizational learning (OL), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), personal value toward the firm performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in North Sumatera, Indonesia.

This study used a quantitative methodology using Smart partial least squares of the structural equation model. A survey is done by distributing the questionnaires to the respondents (owner-managers) of SMEs across sectors. Using a convenient sampling technique, 128 respondents are selected. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 11 hypotheses are tested.

It is found that the innovativeness of EO and personal value both have a significant relationship with firm growth. While OL is significantly related to the innovativeness of EO, risk-taking of EO and proactiveness of EO. Then, both innovativeness of EO and proactiveness of EO significantly mediate the relationship of OL and firm growth. However, OL, proactiveness of EO and risk-taking of EO are insignificantly related to firm growth, while risk-taking of EO also insignificantly mediates the relationship of OL and firm growth.

EO (innovativeness, risk-taking and proactiveness) is deemed a crucial factor in running businesses by SMEs, while OL and personal value play a significant role in creating a competitive advantage that is needed for growth.

Ambidexterity has become essential for organisations to remain competitive. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationships among information technology resources, absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity. Further, this study examines the moderating role of social interaction in the absorptive capacity–individual ambidexterity relationship.

A quantitative approach was used in this study through analysis of survey data from 475 employees in the Iraqi telecommunications sector. Structural equation modelling with AMOS was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

This study noted a positive relationship among information technology resources, absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity. The results of this study also showed that individuals with a higher degree of social interaction were more likely to strengthen the association between absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity.

The results indicate that managers should pay attention to the important relationship between IT resources, absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity in the Iraqi telecommunications firms. It is also suggested to design strategies to promote social interaction among their employees and facilitate cooperation and information transfer.

This study shows that information technology has influence on absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity and argues the importance of social interaction as a boundary condition on absorptive capacity and individual ambidexterity relationship for telecommunications firms in Iraq a context that neglected in previous studies.