Administrative Sciences

23 pages, 381 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Governance and Reported Corporate Carbon Emissions Among Saudi Firms

by Khaled Salmen Aljaaidi

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090428 (registering DOI) - 5 Sep 2026

This study aims to examine whether sustainability governance mechanisms are associated with reported corporate carbon emissions among firms listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) and to assess their potential implications for carbon accountability associated with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, and 16. [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine whether sustainability governance mechanisms are associated with reported corporate carbon emissions among firms listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) and to assess their potential implications for carbon accountability associated with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, and 16. Using an unbalanced panel of 188 firm-year observations from 51 firms during 2014–2021, the study estimates pooled ordinary least squares models with firm-clustered robust standard errors and industry and year fixed effects. Sustainability committee presence, stand-alone sustainability reporting, and external assurance are examined separately and through a 0–3 composite score. In the joint individual-mechanism model, external assurance is positively associated with reported emissions, whereas committee presence and reporting are nonsignificant. In a separate composite model, the sustainability governance score is positive and significant. The composite coefficient remains positive and significant in the asset- and revenue-scaled carbon-intensity and one-year-lagged specifications, although the assurance result is sensitive to the intensity denominator. The findings are consistent with an interpretation in which stronger governance is associated with greater visibility and completeness of reported carbon exposure; however, the observational data cannot distinguish this mechanism conclusively from differences in underlying emissions or endogenous governance adoption. Improved visibility may support responsible reporting (SDG 12), climate accountability (SDG 13), and transparent institutions (SDG 16). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility into Business Strategy for Sustainable Advantage)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1791 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent, Predictive and Ethical Management Control in the Age of AI: An Empirical Study of Professional Transformations in Morocco

by Oumaima Hair, Abdeslam Boudhar and Mohamed Oudgou

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090427 - 4 Sep 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly and is gradually transforming traditional management control practices into intelligent management control, characterized by automation, analysis and decision-making. This research aims to explore this transition from traditional management control, focused on retrospective monitoring, to intelligent management control, [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly and is gradually transforming traditional management control practices into intelligent management control, characterized by automation, analysis and decision-making. This research aims to explore this transition from traditional management control, focused on retrospective monitoring, to intelligent management control, by highlighting two further paradigms: predictive and ethical management control. The methodology is based on semi-structured interviews with Moroccan management controllers working in various sectors. These interviews provided in-depth insights into their experiences of using AI tools, the perceived benefits and the limitations encountered in their use. The results highlight that artificial intelligence makes several significant contributions to the work of management controllers, improving the efficiency of analyses, the quality of information and the speed of decision-making processes, thereby allowing them to focus on activities with higher added value. However, the study also highlights the need to develop new capabilities in prompt engineering, strategic communication and the management of human–machine relationships, in order to adapt to these transformations. Nevertheless, this evolution is facilitating a gradual repositioning of the management controller towards a more strategic role. Furthermore, it documents the specific characteristics of technology adoption in the African context, which is characterized by the phenomenon of shadow AI. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 675 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Voluntary Certification Schemes to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy: Bridging the Gap for Workforce Reporting Requirements in SME Hospitality

by Melinda Ratkai and Lea Zimmermann

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090426 - 4 Sep 2026

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability, yet many struggle to translate voluntary sustainability practices into structured, strategic business models. This study examines how this gap can be bridged between voluntary certification frameworks and emerging regulatory requirements, with [...] Read more.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability, yet many struggle to translate voluntary sustainability practices into structured, strategic business models. This study examines how this gap can be bridged between voluntary certification frameworks and emerging regulatory requirements, with a specific focus on workforce-related sustainability reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Using a qualitative case study of a Green Globe-certified, family-owned hotel, the research conducts a comparative gap analysis between existing organisational practices and corporate disclosure requirements, applying a Policy–Action–Target–Metric (PAT&M) framework. The findings reveal strong alignment in Policies and Actions (89%) but limited alignment in Targets and Metrics (14%), indicating a gap between sustainability activities and strategic performance management. The results highlight the need to transition from compliance-oriented initiatives to integrated, data-driven management systems. The findings also suggest that voluntary certification schemes, such as Green Globe, can be a useful first step in order to achieve better corporate reporting capabilities related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. As practical implications, a roadmap solution is proposed to support system-level integration, transparency, and measurable outcomes for better business resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Sustainable and Tech-Driven SMEs: Strategies for Growth, Resilience, and Innovation)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1217 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ambidextrous Green Advertising on Social Media: The Role of Green Trust in Green Purchase Intention

by Lina Zhang, Sujinda Popaitoon and Atthaphon Mumi

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090425 - 4 Sep 2026

Abstract

Despite the growing use of social media to promote green agricultural products, firms still face challenges in translating green advertising into purchase intentions. Drawing on dynamic capability theory and an ambidexterity perspective, this study examines two parallel consumer acceptance pathways involving user-generated content [...] Read more.

Despite the growing use of social media to promote green agricultural products, firms still face challenges in translating green advertising into purchase intentions. Drawing on dynamic capability theory and an ambidexterity perspective, this study examines two parallel consumer acceptance pathways involving user-generated content (UGC)-based social media green advertising and targeted green advertising on social media, with green trust as a mediating mechanism and sustainability-focused value orientation as a boundary condition. Survey data from 739 respondents were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that acceptance of both advertising approaches is positively associated with green trust and green purchase intention, with green trust partially mediating both relationships. Sustainability-focused value orientation strengthens the relationship between acceptance of UGC-based social media green advertising and green purchase intention but does not significantly moderate the relationship between acceptance of targeted green advertising on social media and green purchase intention. These findings extend the ambidexterity perspective to consumer-facing green advertising by showing how distinct advertising approaches operate through parallel acceptance pathways and converge on green trust as a shared psychological mechanism. The study also offers practical implications for designing more effective social media strategies to promote sustainable consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section International Entrepreneurship)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 5915 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Competitiveness of IT Companies in Kazakhstan: A Stakeholder Assessment of Ecosystem Coordination and Clusterization Potential

by Nurgul Yesmagulova, Nurkhat Ibadildin, Rymkul Ismailova and Ruslan Omirgaliyev

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090424 - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study examines the perceived competitiveness of information technology companies in Kazakhstan from a governance and innovation-ecosystem perspective. In emerging digital economies, firm competitiveness depends not only on technological capabilities, but also on the state’s ability to coordinate fragmented actors, support human capital [...] Read more.

This study examines the perceived competitiveness of information technology companies in Kazakhstan from a governance and innovation-ecosystem perspective. In emerging digital economies, firm competitiveness depends not only on technological capabilities, but also on the state’s ability to coordinate fragmented actors, support human capital development, improve innovation infrastructure, and create functional mechanisms for cooperation between business, government, universities, and research institutions. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines survey data from 200 respondents across all 20 regions of Kazakhstan with 26 semi-structured expert interviews. All constructs are perception-based: the study assesses how sectoral stakeholders evaluate the determinants of competitiveness and does not measure firm performance. The results show that stakeholders perceive IT-company competitiveness as a systemic outcome shaped by human capital, technological competencies, innovation infrastructure, government support, business–science interaction, and clusterization. Human capital, innovation infrastructure, technological competencies, and clusterization-related mechanisms received the strongest evaluations. Correlation analysis further indicates that competitiveness factors are positively interconnected, supporting an ecosystem-based interpretation rather than a firm-centered explanation. The findings also reveal persistent constraints, including talent shortages, weak investment depth, regulatory instability, technological dependence, and insufficient coordination among ecosystem actors. The study contributes to administrative and strategic management research by showing that stakeholders regard clusterization as a governance mechanism for strengthening state capacity, public–private–academic coordination, and digital-sector development in an institutionally uneven emerging economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Administrative Strategies and Practices for Economic Growth and Development: Governance, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 2288 KB

Open AccessReview

Leadership Styles, Strategic Behavior, and Strategic Choices in Family Firms: A Systematic Literature Network Analysis

by Ovidiu Niculae Bordean and Hamza Nidaazzi

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090423 - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Family firms are distinctive organisational forms in which ownership, governance, leadership, and strategic decision-making are closely intertwined. Although prior research has examined leadership, succession, governance, and strategy in family firms, the literature remains fragmented regarding how leadership styles are associated with both strategic [...] Read more.

Family firms are distinctive organisational forms in which ownership, governance, leadership, and strategic decision-making are closely intertwined. Although prior research has examined leadership, succession, governance, and strategy in family firms, the literature remains fragmented regarding how leadership styles are associated with both strategic behaviour and strategic choices. This study addresses this gap by conducting a Systematic Literature Network Analysis of 59 studies on leadership and strategy in family firms. Combining systematic review procedures with bibliographic network analysis, this paper maps the intellectual and thematic structure of the field and synthesises the evidence around five research questions. The findings show that the literature is theoretically rich but not yet fully consolidated, with socioemotional wealth, upper echelon theory, agency theory, stewardship theory, and the resource-based view serving as dominant lenses. Leadership appears to be connected with strategy mainly through affective, political, and cognitive mechanisms, while the procedural core of strategic decision-making, including participation, dissent, consensus formation, and formal planning, remains underdeveloped. This review also shows that leadership is more frequently studied in relation to identity-relevant strategies, such as sustainability, innovation, succession, digital transformation, and professionalisation, while scale-and-scope strategies remain less examined. This study contributes by proposing an integrative framework of five leadership-to-outcome pathways and by outlining a future research agenda for leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic renewal in family firms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Family Firms: Leadership and Entrepreneurship)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 1787 KB

Open AccessArticle

Workplace Romance and Its Dark Side: The Sequential Mediation of Ostracism and Envy and the Buffering Effect of Organization-Based Self-Esteem

by Anwar A. Almajed, Abdelrahman A. A. Abdelghani, Sameh Fayyad and Hebatallah A. M. Ahmed

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090422 - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Workplace romance presents a paradoxical challenge for organizations, capable of enhancing employee engagement while simultaneously triggering destructive interpersonal dynamics. This study probes the darker contours of this phenomenon within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding hospitality and travel sectors—a context where Vision 2030’s ambitious tourism [...] Read more.

Workplace romance presents a paradoxical challenge for organizations, capable of enhancing employee engagement while simultaneously triggering destructive interpersonal dynamics. This study probes the darker contours of this phenomenon within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding hospitality and travel sectors—a context where Vision 2030’s ambitious tourism agenda renders workplace social processes especially consequential for organizational sustainability. While prior research has predominantly examined either the benefits of workplace romance or its isolated negative outcomes, limited empirical attention has been devoted to understanding how romance-induced social mechanisms jointly translate into counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) and whether psychological resources can buffer these adverse effects. Integrating the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework with Conservation of Resources theory, this study develops and tests a model wherein workplace romance (WR) functions as a relational stimulus that elicits workplace ostracism (WO) and employee envy (EE), which subsequently foster CWBs, with organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) moderating the WR–WO and WR–EE linkages. Survey data from 434 employees across international hotels and travel agencies were analyzed using PLS-SEM, demonstrating robust measurement properties. The results reveal that higher levels of workplace romance are statistically associated with higher levels of workplace ostracism and employee envy, each of which shows a significant indirect association between workplace romance and counterproductive work behaviors. In the hypothesized order, workplace romance is associated with workplace ostracism and employee envy, and these variables jointly exhibit a serial indirect association with counterproductive work behaviors consistent with the proposed model, although this pattern should be interpreted as correlational rather than causal given the cross-sectional design. Furthermore, OBSE significantly attenuates the positive effects of WR on both WO and EE, underscoring its function as a protective psychological reservoir. While the cross-sectional, self-report design and single-country focus constitute notable limitations, they also underscore the imperative for multi-source, longitudinal investigations. Practically, these findings suggest that proactively managing workplace romance, mitigating ostracism and envy, and cultivating OBSE may support organizational efforts that are consistent with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) within Saudi Arabia’s tourism-led development trajectory, even though these goals were not directly measured in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thriving Through People: Human-Centered Strategies for Organizational Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 471 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Employee Engagement Instrument (MEEI): A Mixed-Methods Scale Development Study

by Bruce Winston, Debra Dean, Lisa Foster, Julie Headley, Jorge Salcedo and Sherrie Lynn

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090421 - 2 Sep 2026

Abstract

Employee engagement remains one of the most widely studied constructs in organizational research. However, the ever-increasing involvement of Generation Z and Generation Y employees in the workplace raises the question of whether current employee engagement measuring tools are appropriate. The literature states that [...] Read more.

Employee engagement remains one of the most widely studied constructs in organizational research. However, the ever-increasing involvement of Generation Z and Generation Y employees in the workplace raises the question of whether current employee engagement measuring tools are appropriate. The literature states that Generation Z employees are different than Generation X and the Baby Boomers. In this study, we developed and provided initial validation for a contemporary multidimensional measure of employee engagement using DeVellis and Thorpe’s nine-step scale development process. A sequential mixed-methods design integrated a comprehensive literature review, completed in 2024, phenomenological interviews with employees representing Generations X, Y, and Z, and psychometric evaluation of the resulting instrument. Contrary to expectations derived from portions of the generational literature, participants described a remarkably similar understanding of what employee engagement is across generations. However, the final factors show that the first factor of the six-factor instrument focuses on Person-Job Values/Passion/Purpose Fit, which is supported in the 2024–2025 literature; with factors two, three, and four aligning with the contemporary literature: Person-Colleague Fit, Person-Supervisor Fit, Person-Community Fit. The fifth factor focused on Person-Job Flexibility Fit, which is supported in the 2024–2025 literature. The sixth factor reflects Person-Organization Fit and aligns with the contemporary literature. Confirmatory factor analyses and validity testing provided initial evidence supporting the reliability and construct validity of the Multidimensional Employee Engagement Instrument (MEEI). The findings suggest that employee engagement is not simply an individual psychological state, but a multidimensional person–environment fit construct reflecting employees’ alignment with higher-order values: work, colleagues, supervisors, community, flexibility, and organizations. This study contributes a theoretically grounded and psychometrically supported instrument for advancing employee engagement research and practice. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

38 pages, 32531 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cartographic Design of Nano-Scale Family Productive Systems: Actions, Leadership, and Spatial Resignification by Women Entrepreneurs

by Karen Paola Ramírez-López, Ma. Sandra Hernández-López, Gilberto Herrera-Ruiz, Humberto Aguirre-Becerra, Adriana Rojas-Molina, Magdalena Mendoza-Sánchez and Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090420 - 1 Sep 2026

Abstract

This article examines the cartographic design of nano-scale productive systems led by women nano-entrepreneurs, understood as family-based productive arrangements embedded in everyday domestic spaces. In rural contexts, many women-led ventures operate at a nano-scale and are organized around household dynamics, where entrepreneurial leadership, [...] Read more.

This article examines the cartographic design of nano-scale productive systems led by women nano-entrepreneurs, understood as family-based productive arrangements embedded in everyday domestic spaces. In rural contexts, many women-led ventures operate at a nano-scale and are organized around household dynamics, where entrepreneurial leadership, family labor, and productive activities intersect. Drawing on a qualitative territorial research approach, the study combines semi-structured interviews, fieldwork, and cartographic design to identify productive actions and the spaces in which they take place. The findings show that these nano-scale productive systems function through the articulation of multiple actions rather than formal organizational structures, and that women exercise entrepreneurial leadership by coordinating family-based activities within and beyond the home. As a result, everyday spaces, particularly the household, are resignified as workshops, points of sale, and centers of management, giving rise to locally embedded family-based enterprises in emerging rural economies. Using cartographic design as an analytical tool, the article contributes to research on family entrepreneurship and leadership by highlighting how women-led nanoenterprises reshape spatial organization, and productive practices within emerging family firms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Family Firms: Leadership and Entrepreneurship)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 262 KB

Open AccessArticle

Foreign Direct Investment as a Catalyst for Sustainable Knowledge-Economy Transitions: Skill Demand, Institutional Co-Creation, and Human Capital Formation in Morocco (1975–2020)

by Fatine El Ghali Ghorafi

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090419 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Sustainable development depends on whether emerging economies can convert foreign direct investment (FDI) into durable, knowledge-based capabilities rather than transient, low-skill employment. This paper asks how FDI catalyzes sustainable human-capital formation and whether multinational enterprises (MNEs) can help build the institutions that underpin [...] Read more.

Sustainable development depends on whether emerging economies can convert foreign direct investment (FDI) into durable, knowledge-based capabilities rather than transient, low-skill employment. This paper asks how FDI catalyzes sustainable human-capital formation and whether multinational enterprises (MNEs) can help build the institutions that underpin a knowledge-economy transition. Using a single-equation instrumental-variables (2SLS) model for human-capital formation, with secondary-school enrolment as the dependent variable over 46 annual observations for Morocco (1975–2020), we find a positive and statistically significant FDI effect (β = 0.0029 per million USD of FDI inflow, p = 0.006), robust in sign and significance across OLS, 2SLS, and Dynamic OLS specifications. The result is consistent with a skill-demand channel through which knowledge-intensive MNEs are associated with higher private and social returns to education and with increased targeted public and private training investment. Sectoral evidence from Morocco’s aerospace and automotive clusters shows enrolment in vocationally oriented program growing 312% between 2005 and 2022, concentrated in curricula co-designed with foreign investors. Communications infrastructure carries a positive and significant coefficient across all four estimators but loses significance once urbanization is added as a control, so we do not treat it as a confirmed independent channel, while public education expenditure carries a negative and significant coefficient that is not stable in sign under Fully Modified OLS, indicating that its independent contribution is not well identified with the present instrument set. We interpret these findings through a sustainability lens, linking the mechanism to Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and growth) and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and we specify three boundary conditions—skill specificity, investor commitment, and state coordination capacity—and argue that the mechanism should be expected to transfer to other developing economies, including in the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa, only where these conditions co-occur, rather than as a general claim. The study advances the literature on MNE-led institutional co-creation and offers policy guidance for designing FDI strategies that support inclusive, sustainable knowledge-economy development across the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

36 pages, 1066 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Toward an Integrated, Multidimensional View of Individual Performance: A Systematic Literature Review of Its Distinctions, Overlaps, and Antecedents

by Vlad Ionuț Oniță, Anca Mihaela Oniță and Laura Bacali

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090418 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes theoretical, meta-analytic, and empirical evidence from 85 studies to clarify the conceptual boundaries and overlaps among five core job performance dimensions: task performance (TP), contextual performance (CP), adaptive performance (AP), creative and innovative performance (CIP), and counterproductive work behavior [...] Read more.

This systematic review synthesizes theoretical, meta-analytic, and empirical evidence from 85 studies to clarify the conceptual boundaries and overlaps among five core job performance dimensions: task performance (TP), contextual performance (CP), adaptive performance (AP), creative and innovative performance (CIP), and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). In doing so, it addresses two gaps in the literature. To our knowledge, no prior study has: (1) systematically examined the distinctions and overlaps among all five dimensions simultaneously, across a broad range of occupations, rather than in isolated pairs, or (2) synthesized their antecedents into a single integrative framework. The synthesized evidence indicates that these dimensions are empirically and conceptually distinct yet correlated, and that multivariate, dimension-specific models can account for both shared and unique variance across dimensions, consistent with more targeted performance management. As the review’s central contribution, we propose a two-stage conceptual model. In the expression stage, the degree to which the work role prescribes a behavior (prescribed, discretionary, proscribed, or unscripted) determines which determinant class (ability, motivation, or opportunity) remains free to vary and hence to predict each dimension, with proximal states (e.g., task knowledge and skill, engagement, psychological capital) carrying these effects into behavior. In the evaluation stage, behavior is converted into dimension scores against standards that are themselves prescription-dependent, explaining why rater and measurement effects pattern differently across dimensions. The model yields testable propositions, most distinctively that formalizing a previously discretionary behavior should shift both which antecedents predict it and how it is scored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behavior)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2710 KB

Open AccessArticle

How News Media Frame Regulatory Conflict in Emerging Industries: Evidence from Structural Topic Modeling of South Korean Press Coverage, 2018–2022

by Sung-Geun Kim and Seung-Hun Hong

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090417 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Regulatory reforms in emerging industries require renegotiating the distribution of burdens between incumbents and new entrants, and the news media constitute the principal arena through which the public encounters and evaluates such conflicts. This study examines how regulation-related conflicts are represented in South [...] Read more.

Regulatory reforms in emerging industries require renegotiating the distribution of burdens between incumbents and new entrants, and the news media constitute the principal arena through which the public encounters and evaluates such conflicts. This study examines how regulation-related conflicts are represented in South Korean news media, applying structural topic modeling (STM) to 21,266 articles collected from BigKinds for 2018–2022, the formative period of Korea’s regulatory sandbox and the peak of its mobility-platform disputes. The analysis derives 30 topics and shows that coverage is dominated by announcements of regulatory innovation agendas and new-industry promotion, while concrete processes of conflict resolution are nearly invisible. Resolution-relevant topics declined over the observation period and appeared mainly in regional newspapers and IT–science sections rather than in mainstream national outlets. We interpret this pattern as an invisible middle of regulatory conflict: the media report the outbreak and formal conclusion of disputes, but not the negotiation through which regulatory bargains are reworked. This informational gap deprives governments of the informed public support needed to legitimize negotiated regulatory change, and we draw implications for how regulatory authorities should communicate reform as conflict mediation rather than industrial promotion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2412 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intercultural Marketing as a Tool for Enhancing Corporate Competitiveness

by Marcela Malindzakova and Timea Šimonová

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090416 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Despite the growing importance of intercultural marketing in global consumer markets, limited research has examined how intercultural marketing factors interact and contribute to corporate competitiveness within internationally recognised consumer brands. Therefore, this case study investigates these relationships using the example of a globally [...] Read more.

Despite the growing importance of intercultural marketing in global consumer markets, limited research has examined how intercultural marketing factors interact and contribute to corporate competitiveness within internationally recognised consumer brands. Therefore, this case study investigates these relationships using the example of a globally recognised consumer brand. Drawing on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and intercultural marketing literature, this study investigates the relationships between event marketing, consumer behaviour and sales factors using the case of Red Bull in the global energy drink industry. Data obtained from 50 respondents were analysed using affinity diagrams, relationship diagrams, linear regression and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results confirmed positive relationships between event marketing and consumer behaviour (r = 0.401) and between consumer behaviour and sales factors (r = 0.400). The study contributes to international marketing literature by proposing an integrated framework linking intercultural marketing activities with corporate competitiveness and identifying the most influential marketing sub-criteria. The study further focuses on the identification and comparison of sub-criteria using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behavior)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1309 KB

Open AccessArticle

Technological Factors and Digital Innovation Adoption: Insights from Family-Owned MSMEs in an Emerging Economy

by Raymond Patrick Mutura, Shelley Maeva Farrington and Elmarie Venter

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090415 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Innovation through digital technologies, or digital innovation adoption (DIA), is of great importance to the success of family-owned micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in today’s rapidly changing digitally driven business environment. These digital changes, which impact markets and business models, as well [...] Read more.

Innovation through digital technologies, or digital innovation adoption (DIA), is of great importance to the success of family-owned micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in today’s rapidly changing digitally driven business environment. These digital changes, which impact markets and business models, as well as products and services, are becoming increasingly frequent and highlight the technological influences on family businesses. Given the need to understand these influences on DIA in the context of family businesses, this study investigated the relationships between several technological factors and DIA among Kenyan family-owned MSMEs, as well as the relationship between DIA and the financial performance of these businesses. An online survey was administered, and a structured measuring instrument was used for data collection. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses, based on 355 usable questionnaires. The findings highlighted that the technological factors, particularly compatibility and cost, were related to DIA, and that DIA, in turn, was related to the perceived financial performance of Kenyan family-owned MSMEs. The study expanded family business research to non-Western contexts and responded to calls to investigate both digital innovation and the external factors that influence innovation adoption in the context of family businesses. These findings provide valuable insights to researchers, practitioners and policymakers working with smaller family businesses in Kenya that have relatively low levels of digital maturity, particularly regarding technological factors associated with DIA, and the MSMEs’ ability to compete in an increasingly digital global environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Business Strategy in the Digital Age: Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth)

31 pages, 1832 KB

Open AccessArticle

Who Sits at the Table Matters: Board Composition and Committee Architecture as Signals of ESG Risk Governance in Greece

by Ioannis Kalialakis, Christos Grose, Antonios Kostas, Michail Fygkioris and Dimitrios N. Koufopoulos

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090414 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

ESG risk is financially relevant, yet ratings and disclosure scores primarily capture external evaluations or reported outcomes rather than the internal arrangements through which risks are anticipated, challenged, and monitored. This study examines how board composition, leadership structure, gender representation, and committee architecture [...] Read more.

ESG risk is financially relevant, yet ratings and disclosure scores primarily capture external evaluations or reported outcomes rather than the internal arrangements through which risks are anticipated, challenged, and monitored. This study examines how board composition, leadership structure, gender representation, and committee architecture signal ESG risk governance capacity in Greek listed firms included in the ATHEX ESG Index during 2021–2024. Using hand-collected firm-year data from annual reports, corporate governance statements, sustainability reports, and company disclosures, it develops a descriptive longitudinal baseline. Board size and director-role composition remained stable; independent non-executive directors were the largest category; executives occupied about one-third of board seats; female representation rose from 24.0% to 28.1%; CEO–chair separation predominated but was not universal; and the number of disclosed board committees remained stable. These patterns indicate visible formal monitoring arrangements but do not establish substantive effectiveness. The study contributes by distinguishing executive, dependent non-executive, and independent non-executive roles and integrating leadership and committee architecture into ESG risk governance assessment. It provides longitudinal evidence from Greece and a baseline for future research linking governance architecture to independently measured ESG risk outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Corporate Governance, Sustainable Innovation and Social Responsibility)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 913 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Discrepancy Evaluation of Workforce Capacity and Emerging Skills: A Utah Case Study

by Lendel K. Narine, Paul A. Hill and Andreé Walker-Bravo

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090413 - 31 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study examined employer-perceived competency discrepancies, anticipated competency requirements, hiring barriers, and valued educational experiences in Utah. Survey data were collected between September and October 2025 from 226 individuals with hiring responsibility in Utah-based organizations. The Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) quantified discrepancies between [...] Read more.

This study examined employer-perceived competency discrepancies, anticipated competency requirements, hiring barriers, and valued educational experiences in Utah. Survey data were collected between September and October 2025 from 226 individuals with hiring responsibility in Utah-based organizations. The Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) quantified discrepancies between respondents’ ratings of competency importance and their satisfaction with demonstrated employee proficiency. Respondents reported the largest discrepancies for time management, critical thinking, conflict resolution, ethical judgment, and verbal communication of ideas. Respondents rated communication, collaboration, analytical thinking, and lifelong learning highest among competencies anticipated to matter most over the next five to ten years. Most employers identified AI and machine learning as the most disruptive emerging technology. Our study provides timely evidence to inform organizational recruitment strategies, education administration, and workforce development policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Administrative Strategies and Practices for Economic Growth and Development: Governance, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1706 KB

Open AccessArticle

Is Your Cup Full? How Does Job Satisfaction Explain the Relationship Between Leadership and Work Performance?

by Ana Inácio, Ana Palma-Moreira, Armanda Antunes, Ivo Dias and Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090412 - 27 Aug 2026

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of leadership (transformational and transactional) on performance and to determine whether this relationship is mediated by job satisfaction and moderated by the sector. The sample for this study consists of 259 participants working [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of leadership (transformational and transactional) on performance and to determine whether this relationship is mediated by job satisfaction and moderated by the sector. The sample for this study consists of 259 participants working in Portuguese organizations. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study. The mediating effect was tested using hierarchical multiple linear regressions. The moderating effect was tested using the PROCESS macro (Model 1). The results of this study indicate that performance levels are significantly influenced by transformational leadership, contingent rewards, and job satisfaction. Transformational leadership and contingent rewards significantly increase job satisfaction levels. Job satisfaction was found to be the mechanism that partially explains both the relationship between transformational leadership and performance and the relationship between contingent rewards and performance. The sector in which the participant works alters the relationship between leadership (transformational and transactional) and performance, with this relationship being stronger for participants working in the social sector. Additionally, it was found that participants with daily contact with their direct supervisor report a higher perception of transformational leadership. It is hoped that these results will contribute to both the advancement of the literature and organizational practice. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1401 KB

Open AccessArticle

Constrained Agency Under Existential Threat: Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Expulsion

by Robertson Khan Tengeh

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090411 - 26 Aug 2026

Abstract

Structural and sociocultural constraints have long shaped African immigrant entrepreneurship in South Africa. The organised anti-foreigner campaigns of 2025–2026 echoed the earlier expulsions in Ghana (1969) and Nigeria (1983). What made the South African campaigns different was that the host society itself became [...] Read more.

Structural and sociocultural constraints have long shaped African immigrant entrepreneurship in South Africa. The organised anti-foreigner campaigns of 2025–2026 echoed the earlier expulsions in Ghana (1969) and Nigeria (1983). What made the South African campaigns different was that the host society itself became the organised source of existential threat. This article aimed to develop a theoretical framework accounting for how entrepreneurial agency changes when organised political mobilisation simultaneously threatens physical safety, legal presence, and venture survival. The framework was developed as a conceptual model by drawing on constrained agency theory alongside scholarship on institutions, social movements, scapegoating, and moral panic. Rather than being tested with primary data, it was illustrated through historical and contemporary African cases. CAT-ET suggests that when constraints become existential, agency tends to shift towards either adaptive persistence or strategic exit. Two interacting mechanisms were specified: functional institutional inaccessibility under violence, whereby protective institutions remained operational but selectively inaccessible, and the entrepreneur-as-symbol dynamic, whereby immigrant ventures became politically constructed as emblems of economic grievance. CAT-ET reframed organised expulsion as a recurring political-economic process and offered a basis for comparative research across the Global South. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 4277 KB

Open AccessReview

Chief Financial Officer Gender: Executive Diversity, Governance, and Organizational Financial Decision-Making

by Xinyu Wang and Elvan Aktas

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090410 - 26 Aug 2026

Abstract

This article reviews CFO gender as a role-specific executive diversity issue and addresses the fragmented literature in which gender effects are often interpreted without separating appointment selection from the authority and organizational context of the CFO position. Using a hybrid design, we combine [...] Read more.

This article reviews CFO gender as a role-specific executive diversity issue and addresses the fragmented literature in which gender effects are often interpreted without separating appointment selection from the authority and organizational context of the CFO position. Using a hybrid design, we combine bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review. A Web of Science title-and-abstract search reported through PRISMA 2020 and manual eligibility assessment identifies 68 peer-reviewed journal papers published from 2010 through 2026 across 46 outlets. The bibliometric stage maps publication growth, outlet distribution, recurring vocabulary, a ten-topic Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model, and term co-occurrence. The evidence shows a recent and dispersed field: more than four-fifths of the sample appear from 2019 onward, and the papers span governance, management, finance, accounting, ethics, and sustainability journals. The systematic stage compares evidence on the internal and external determinants and consequences associated with CFO gender across financial policy, earnings management, executive governance, capital markets, compensation and labor-market signals, and adjacent business fields. The findings do not support a universal gender effect. Observed associations depend on CFO authority, CEO power, board composition, incentives, task domain, institutional setting, and research design. Relative to broad reviews of executive characteristics, this article provides a current CFO gender-specific cross-outcome synthesis. The review concludes by identifying selection and endogeneity, direct measurement of CFO influence, review scope limitations, and underdeveloped applications as future directions, and developing implications for boards, executive recruitment, governance practice, professional development, and policy. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Description

Administrative Sciences

Latest Articles

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Highly Accessed Articles

Latest Books

E-Mail Alert

News

Topics

Conferences

Special Issues

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI