{"title":"The Role of Industry 4.0 Readiness, Knowledge Management Capabilities, and Sustainability Culture in Driving Circular Economy Practices","authors":"Doe Precious","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70135","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study extends the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory by examining how Industry 4.0 readiness influences circular economy practices in resource-constrained manufacturing contexts. The research challenges established theoretical assumptions about sustainability culture's role and circular economy implementation hierarchies while investigating the mediating mechanisms of knowledge management capabilities. Data from 704 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana was analyzed using an innovative two-stage PLS-SEM and artificial neural network approach that captured both linear and nonlinear relationships between constructs. This methodical triangulation revealed complex interaction patterns that traditional modeling might miss. The study makes three significant theoretical contributions: (1) Industry 4.0 readiness enhances circular economy practices even at basic levels of technological sophistication, challenging technology-deterministic theoretical perspectives; (2) knowledge management capabilities transform technological inputs into circular outcomes through mechanisms that differ from those in resource-rich contexts, emphasizing informal knowledge sharing rather than formal codification; and (3) sustainability-orientated culture functions as the strongest direct predictor of circular economy practices rather than as a moderator, contradicting Western-centric theoretical frameworks. The study reconceptualizes how NRBV theory applies in resource-constrained environments by demonstrating that circular economy implementation hierarchies are context-dependent rather than universal; value creation from technological resources depends more on effective orchestration than sophistication; and sustainability culture functions differently in collectivist contexts than is theorized in individualistic societies. These theoretical extensions transcend the specific Ghanaian context to offer generalizable insights into how resource endowments and cultural contexts shape sustainability capability development.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Driving Sustainable Development Goals: The Nexus Between Sustainability Performance and ESG Investment","authors":"Zain Ul Abideen","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70130","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the influence of sustainability performance on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment in Chinese-listed firms, addressing a critical gap in understanding the specific dynamics of sustainability performance within the Chinese context and its role in attracting ESG-focused investment. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research analyzes secondary data from the WIND database, focusing on A-share non-financial companies listed on the China Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2023. The findings reveal that comprehensive sustainability performance, including environmental, social, and governance dimensions, has a significant positive impact on ESG investment. Firms with robust and transparent sustainability disclosures are more likely to attract ESG-oriented investors, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in influencing investment decisions. The study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by contributing to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the promotion of increased corporate sustainability practices, SDG 13 (Climate Action) by encouraging investments in environmentally responsible firms, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by advocating for stronger governance mechanisms. The findings highlight the strategic importance of sustainability performance as a tool for promoting responsible investment and advancing sustainable development goals in China's evolving corporate landscape.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Green Human Resource Management, Green Organisational Citizenship Behaviour and Organisational Sustainability in the Post-Pandemic Era: An Ability Motivation Opportunity and Resource Based View Perspective","authors":"Ragini Gupta, Harleen Kaur, Dada Ab Rouf Bhat","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70126","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The purpose of the current study is to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the usefulness of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices toward achieving organisational sustainability with the moderating effect of non-governmental organisations and labour unions, drawing on the integrated approach using AMO (Ability-Motivation-Opportunity) theory and RBV (Resource-Based View). The data was collected from 371 (depicted using G* power software) managers of manufacturing units in India's Jammu and Kashmir. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis of survey data revealed that the post-COVID-19 era has accelerated the adoption of green HRM practices within an organisation. Additionally, these eco-friendly HRM techniques are closely related to establishing organisational sustainability in the post-COVID-19 era. Further, the findings suggest a significant moderating role of NGOs in shaping and encouraging voluntary pro-environmental behaviours among employees and intend to guide industrial organisations seeking to enhance their environmental performance.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144148552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fostering Sustainable Consumer Behaviors: Integrating Minimalism, Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability, and Collectivist Culture Through the Theory of Planned Behavior","authors":"Khanh Huy Nguyen, Mai Dong Tran","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70127","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study integrates the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework to examine how minimalism and the lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) shape sustainable consumer behaviors, especially within collectivist cultures. A survey of 485 consumers served as the empirical foundation, with data analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results show that minimalism and LOHAS both significantly enhance consumers' sustainable behaviors by strengthening attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—key components of TPB. Furthermore, collectivist cultural values heighten the impact of minimalism and LOHAS on certain TPB constructs, indicating that communal support and shared environmental goals can amplify pro-sustainability mindsets and actions. These findings underscore the importance of lifestyle-driven approaches to sustainability, suggesting that firms and policymakers tailor marketing and policy initiatives to cultural contexts and highlight both the health and ecological benefits of minimalist, LOHAS-aligned choices. By bridging personal lifestyle orientations with collective cultural norms, this research offers actionable strategies for promoting sustainable consumption in emerging markets.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144117891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mapping Environmental, Social, and Governance Controversies and Corporate Financial Performance: Insights From Bibliometric and Content Analyses","authors":"Nejla Ould Daoud Ellili, Richard Yeaw Chong Seow","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70125","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explores the relationship between ESG controversies and corporate financial performance, focusing on key trends, influential contributions, and dominant theoretical frameworks and research methods in this area. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving research landscape and its associated implications. It conducts a systematic literature review utilizing PRISMA protocols along with bibliometric and content analyses. Data were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, resulting in a final selection of 37 high-quality articles published between 2004 and 2024. The analysis identified stakeholder, legitimacy, and agency theories as the most frequently used theoretical frameworks. Results reveal a significant increase in publications since 2022, with ESG controversies affecting corporate financial performance through financial risks and reputational challenges. Key gaps include limited sector-specific research, short-term financial measures, the dominance of quantitative methodologies, and the incorporation of emerging technologies. The study is limited to the WoS and Scopus databases, focusing on peer-reviewed articles in English. It highlights opportunities for future research in emerging markets, sector-specific studies, and integrative qualitative and mixed-method approaches. The findings emphasize the importance of board independence and corporate social responsibility initiatives in addressing ESG controversies. Companies should align their corporate governance structures with ESG strategies to improve transparency, stakeholder trust, and financial resilience. This study offers a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of ESG controversies and corporate financial performance, providing valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers to explore this research area.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143944794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Attitudes Toward ESG Reporting in a Crisis Economy: Insights From Interviews With Ukrainian Agricultural Enterprises","authors":"Volodymyr Metelytsia, Vladislav Valentinov, Taras Gagalyuk","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70123","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This article explores how ESG reporting practices evolve in high-risk, low-institutional contexts by examining Ukrainian agricultural enterprises operating under conditions of war, economic instability, and EU integration pressures. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, we show that, unlike highly institutionalized ESG models in the Global West, Ukrainian agricultural companies adopt pragmatic, survival-oriented approaches to sustainability. ESG engagement centers on business continuity and community support—balancing moral imperatives with operational needs. A low level of institutionalization fosters authenticity and reduces greenwashing risk, yet widespread skepticism persists regarding the feasibility of reporting without clear financial incentives. These findings challenge the assumptions of global ESG frameworks and highlight the need to reorient standards toward financial materiality in crisis economies. We propose an adaptive ESG reporting model that reduces compliance burdens for SMEs and outline policy measures—including advisory services, simplified procedures, financial incentives, and targeted education—to facilitate context-sensitive ESG integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bsd2.70123","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143938961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Nur Alam, Syed Shamim Hasan, Imtiaz Masroor, Md. Noor Un Nabi, Md. Rabiul Islam
{"title":"Building Resilience Through Reputation Risk Management: A Study on Export-Oriented Shrimp Firms of Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Nur Alam, Syed Shamim Hasan, Imtiaz Masroor, Md. Noor Un Nabi, Md. Rabiul Islam","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70124","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study attempts to identify the drivers of the reputation risk affecting the resilience toward sustainability of export-oriented shrimp firms in the Southwest Region of Bangladesh. The study is based on grounded theory and uses an inductive approach. The data was collected through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of top-level individuals from five shrimp exporting firms. Content and thematic analysis was conducted to identify the drivers of the reputational risk of export-oriented shrimp businesses. The results suggest that economic factors, environmental factors, certification and awards, product quality and safety, technological factors, and customer satisfaction influence their resilience towards sustainability. The study identifies the drivers of the reputational risk of export-oriented shrimp firms. This study fulfils the need for qualitative research on drivers of reputational risk of export-oriented shrimp firms in Bangladesh. Based on the influencing factors identified, export-oriented firms could formulate strategies to manage their reputational risk better.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143938963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Do Thi Thanh Phuong, Andri Dayarana K. Silalahi, Wei-Ru Chang, Adi Prasetyo Tedjakusuma, Ixora Javanisa Eunike
{"title":"To Adopt or Not to Adopt: Configurations for GenAI Recommendation Adoption in Sustainable Consumer Behavior","authors":"Do Thi Thanh Phuong, Andri Dayarana K. Silalahi, Wei-Ru Chang, Adi Prasetyo Tedjakusuma, Ixora Javanisa Eunike","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70122","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Generative AI (GenAI) holds considerable promise for fostering sustainable consumer behavior, yet the mechanisms of trust-building and adoption remain underexplored. This study investigates how cognitive and motivational factors shape trust in GenAI-driven sustainability recommendations. Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data from 577 participants in Indonesia, the findings show that high adoption arises from configurations of perceived information quality, relevance to sustainability, ease of implementation, and interaction quality. In contrast, low adoption is associated with a lack of trust and delicate perceptions of complexity and risk. The influence of perceived complexity varies across pathways, highlighting its contextual nature. Trust consistently stands out as a crucial condition for high adoption, underscoring its role in sustaining GenAI use. The study offers practical guidance for developers and policymakers, emphasizing the need to foster trust, streamline user interactions, and align GenAI solutions with broader sustainability goals. By addressing trust gaps and reducing complexity, GenAI can evolve into a transformative tool for advancing consumer-driven sustainable practices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143938962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andri Dayarana K. Silalahi, Ixora Javanisa Eunike, Do Thi Thanh Phuong, Edgar Octoyuda, Novianita Rulandari
{"title":"A Configurational Model of Green Consumerism Integrating Ethical Obligations, Collective Efficacy, and Environmental Concerns Using Fuzzy Sets Qualitative Comparative Analysis","authors":"Andri Dayarana K. Silalahi, Ixora Javanisa Eunike, Do Thi Thanh Phuong, Edgar Octoyuda, Novianita Rulandari","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70120","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The pressing demand for sustainable consumption stems from environmental challenges such as global warming and resource depletion. However, many studies fail to capture the complex relationships among personal, social, and technological factors influencing green purchase behavior. Building on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this research explores how these factors interact to promote or hinder sustainable consumption. Using survey data from 400 Indonesian consumers with experience in purchasing green products, the study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify configurational pathways. The results highlight unique combinations of intrinsic factors, such as ethical obligation and environmental concern, alongside extrinsic influences, including social media engagement and subjective norms, that drive green purchasing. While various configurations lead to high green purchase behavior, the absence of critical elements, particularly environmental knowledge, emerges as a significant barrier. By adopting a configurational perspective, this study moves beyond linear models, uncovering dynamic pathways that shape green purchase behavior. It provides an integrated framework that considers personal, social, and technological dimensions to address the context-specific challenges of fostering sustainable consumption.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Innovation, Gender Diversity, and Labor Productivity: Evidence From Moroccan Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises","authors":"Mounir Boumhamdi, Marouane Ikira, Yassine Boudi","doi":"10.1002/bsd2.70116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70116","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper aims to analyze how innovation and gender diversity combine to affect labor productivity within the context of Moroccan SMEs, using data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys and the Enterprise Survey Follow-up on COVID-19. Several studies have shown that female-led firms, though much more reluctant to innovate than their male counterparts, performed equally in productivity compared to firms with male owners when they eventually did so. Using the CES production function and System GMM analyses, we deal with the endogeneity problem and show coherent results. Our results indicate that female-led firms have a lower propensity to engage in innovation activities. However, when they do, their level of productivity is very close to that of their male-led counterparts. In addition, we found that nearly 70% of the gap in productivity levels can be attributed to higher technological levels. Conclusions stress the importance of the policy recommendations, where the focus is made on increasing the support to women entrepreneurs, improving the conditions for financing the companies, as well as providing specific incentives and training.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36531,"journal":{"name":"Business Strategy and Development","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143925936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}