Search Results (23)

This study examines the role of green digital transformational leadership (GDTL) in enhancing sustainability performance in the hotel industry through the mediating mechanism of circular economy (CE) practices and the moderating effects of otel green efficacy (HGE). Grounded in the dynamic capabilities theory, natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory, and social exchange theory, a novel conceptual model that bridges digital innovation, ecological stewardship, and organizational psychology was proposed. The study adopted a quantitative approach and used a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data from 402 employees across green-certified hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Participants were recruited using a stratified sampling method to ensure sectoral representation. Data analysis techniques included performing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 3.0. Key findings reveal that GDTL directly influences the three key aspects of sustainability performance in hotels, including environmental, economic, and social aspects. Likewise, CE practices significantly mediate the linkage between GDTL and hotel sustainability performance. Notably, HGE strengthens the GDTL-CE relationship, underscoring the critical role of employee empowerment in translating leadership vision into regenerative practices. These results add to the growing literature on sustainable leadership by revealing how digital tools like AI, blockchain, and closed-loop systems can synergize to support economic growth and conserve natural resources. Full article

Green supply chain integration (GSCI) has emerged as a significant technique for improving sustainable performance by promoting collaboration with supply chain partners and breaking down organizational barriers to utilize complementary resources. This study investigates the relationships among GSCI, supply chain agility (SCA), digital orientation (DO), and sustainable performance, grounded in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Contingency Theory (CT), based on survey data from 288 Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. Using mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation analyses, the findings indicate that SCA serves as a mediator between GSCI and sustainable performance. Significantly, DO strengthens both the direct effect of SCA on sustainable performance and the overall mediating pathway; nevertheless, it does not substantially boost the association between GSCI and SCA. This study’s innovation lies in elucidating the significance of GSCI as a resource for sustainable performance within the pharmaceutical enterprises, while further delineating the pathways and contingent elements for achieving sustainable performance in a digital context. This study offers valuable implications for both academic research and managerial practice. Full article

This study aimed to identify patterns of sustainability engagement based on circular economy (CE) strategy implementation, CE-oriented collaborative relationships, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as to investigate whether these dimensions predict corporate reputation. Data were collected through a survey of 235 upper-level managers in the Brazilian agribusiness sector. A two-step analytical approach was applied, with cluster analysis identifying groups exhibiting distinct patterns regarding sustainability engagement (“Very Sustainable” and “Low-Sustainable”), followed by logistic regression, which singled out six key predictors among 28 variables, namely avoiding non-sustainable materials, repurposing by-products, fostering a shared CE vision, adhering to ethical guidelines, ensuring financial transparency, and fair labor practices. The final model achieved 83.4% accuracy, underscoring how an integrated approach to sustainability enhances corporate reputation. Considering its theoretical contributions, this study extends the NRBV and RV theories by demonstrating that CE strategies, CE-oriented collaborative relationships, and ESG performance strengthen pollution prevention initiatives, sustainable product development efforts, and trust among partners, among other achievements, thereby enhancing firms’ reputation and sustainable performance. Methodologically, the study integrates cluster analysis and predictive modeling to assess sustainability’s impact on reputation. From a managerial perspective, findings emphasize that corporate reputation benefits from circularity, governance integrity, and stakeholder engagement. However, the cross-sectional design, industry-specific sample, and reliance on self-reported data limit generalizability. Future research should adopt longitudinal and cross-industry approaches, examining regulatory shifts, technological advances, and evolving stakeholder demands in the sustainability–reputation nexus while incorporating external data sources to assess variations across institutional and cultural settings. Full article

A significant portion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are usually allocated to the construction sector, which plays a vital role in many economies. SMEs currently face serious concerns regarding the pursuit of sustainability. Limited financial resources (FRs) frequently prevent SMEs from implementing sustainable practices. Therefore, these enterprises should mitigate expenses to invest in environmentally friendly initiatives. Enhancing resources and developing ways to accelerate Turkish SMEs’ shift toward sustainability is vital. Moreover, adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and green innovation strategies (GISs) can boost sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) and lead them to success. This study utilized the natural resource-based view theory (NRBV), developed to compensate for the RBV’s shortcomings by incorporating the natural environment into the RBV’s framework. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the causal effect between the study variables based on the responses received from 228 executives within SMEs in Turkey’s construction sector. The findings of this study reveal that FRs significantly impact the SCA among SMEs, while GIS serves as a mediator in the relationship. Additionally, the moderating impact of AI adoption promotes sustainability development in this industry. This study is significant because it contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the relationship between the study’s constructs that align with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), presented by the United Nations in 2015. This goal promotes robust infrastructure, encourages sustainable and inclusive industrialization, and stimulates innovation in the SME construction industry. Although these variables have been studied individually in previous studies, this study integrates them into a thorough framework that emphasizes the function of GIS as a mediator in the relationship between FRs and SCA, and the interaction effect of AI adoption. This study offers useful information to managers, stakeholders, politicians, and SME leaders, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about sustainable practices. Full article

This study aims to address a research gap by analyzing the role of technology adoption as a determinant of the circular economy in relation to sustainability-oriented innovation and environmental performance. This study uses an advanced structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) approach to address methodological rigor issues, including multigroup analysis and bootstrap methods to ensure reliability and validity. Data were collected from 201 Indonesian SMEs, and 603 responses were collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that technology adoption contributes significantly to the circular economy and sustainability-oriented innovation but is insignificant to environmental performance. Furthermore, the circular economy and sustainability-oriented innovation are key to improving environmental performance. This study presents an advanced mediation model using serial mediation analysis with bias-corrected confidence intervals to ensure methodological robustness. This study develops a theoretical framework by integrating the natural resource-based view (NRBV), environmental concern theory, and stakeholder theory in the context of SMEs, providing a more comprehensive overview for understanding the mechanisms of environmental conservation. The results also highlighted the role of the circular economy and sustainability-oriented innovation as serial mediators in the relationship between technology adoption and environmental performance. In terms of theoretical implications, this study incorporates the natural resource-based view, environmental concern theory, and stakeholder theory to improve our understanding of environmental conservation. In terms of managerial contribution, the main implication for SME managers is to invest in sustainable practices by focusing on circular practices and improving the understanding of efforts to improve environmental performance. Full article

Owing to global warming and changing environmental factors, the world has been experiencing negative and major changes. Society is showing a strong reaction to these environmental problems through marches, protests, and political initiatives, which also demonstrate the need for a new understanding of leadership. In this respect, green transformational leadership emerges as a potential solution. The current study aims to determine the mediating role of green innovation and environmental performance in the effect of green transformational leadership on sustainable competitive advantage. With this aim, a model was formed by utilizing the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) theory. To test the model, data were collected through a survey answered by 412 people working in SMEs in Istanbul and analyzed via the Smart-PLS program. The results indicate that green innovation had a moderate mediating role, and environmental performance had a low mediating role in the effect of green transformational leadership on sustainable competitive advantage. In light of these results, the sustainable competitive advantage predicted by the NRBV theory was found to have been achieved. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal in driving economic growth and sustainability, necessitating a strategic focus on innovation and knowledge application to navigate dynamic markets effectively. Grounded in the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Knowledge-Based View (KBV) theories, this study investigates the interplay between sustainability innovation, knowledge application, environmental awareness, and entrepreneurial success among SMEs in Turkey. The research adopts a cross-sectional design, using purposive sampling to survey 402 SME owners and managers from Istanbul and Ankara. Data were collected via electronic surveys and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS to validate the measurement model and test hypotheses through the PROCESS macro for mediation and moderated mediation analysis. The findings reveal that sustainability innovation significantly enhances entrepreneurial success by allowing businesses to develop products and services that address environmental and social concerns. Essentially, by integrating sustainability innovation, entrepreneurs create a growing market demand for eco-conscious solutions. Moreover, knowledge application positively influences entrepreneurial success and mediates the relationship between sustainability innovation and entrepreneurial success. Environmental awareness moderates this mediation, with the indirect effect being stronger for SMEs with higher environmental awareness. These results underscore the critical role of integrating sustainability and knowledge-driven strategies in achieving entrepreneurial success. Practical implications include fostering eco-innovation, enhancing knowledge-sharing practices, and promoting environmental awareness to achieve sustainable business growth and competitiveness in resource-constrained environments. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners to support sustainable entrepreneurship. Full article

The global push for sustainability has driven firms to adopt green supply chain management (GSCM) practices to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance performance. However, the link between GSCM and environmental performance (EP) remains inconclusive, particularly in developing economies and polluting industries, such as textiles. This study investigates the impact of GSCM on EP in the Turkish textile sector, addressing gaps in the understanding of the mediating role of competitive pressure (CP) and the moderating influence of adaptive green culture (AGC). Grounded in the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and stakeholder theory, this study employs a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a structured survey of 408 Turkish textile industry managers using purposive sampling. The findings confirm that GSCM positively affects EP and CP and that CP mediates the relationship between GSCM and EP. AGC further enhances the direct and indirect effects of GSCM on EP. This research contributes by demonstrating how cultural adaptability and competitive pressure optimize green practices, providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to advance sustainable supply chains in emerging economies. Full article

Due to increasing concerns and pressure from stakeholders, firms are eager to initiate green initiatives to produce ecofriendly products and services, which are less harmful for the environment. Consumers are willing to pay high prices for ecofriendly products and services. Thus, firms need a motivated workforce to achieve their green objectives. This is only possible if firms adopt their green policies in their green shared vision and start socially responsible activities to gain society’s and stakeholders’ attention, which is possible if firms start CSR activities at regular intervals. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of “Green Human Resource Management” (GHRM) on the relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR), green shared vision (GSV), and voluntary green work behavior (VGWB). Employees of manufacturing companies were the participants of the present study and a non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed to determine the sample size. Data were gathered from manufacturing companies using a cross-sectional survey method. The total number of firms included was 100, and information on the firms included in the study included cement (10), sugar (26), leather (22), steel (8), food (21), beverages (2), furniture (3), construction (2), pharmaceutical (2), plastic (2), and dairy (2). The total number of questionnaires distributed among employees of the above-mentioned manufacturing firms was 700, and 500 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis, thus yielding a response rate of 71.42%. Using the smart PLS partial least square software (Version 4), the structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was applied for the statistical analysis. It was evident from the results that the measurement model had established convergent and discriminant validities. A structural model for testing hypotheses was established in the second step. Findings of the study revealed that CSR, GSV, and GHRM practices and VGWB were significantly related with each other. CSR, GSV, and GHRM have significant effects on VGWB. Additionally, it can be inferred from the results that GHRM significantly mediated the relationship between corporate social responsibility and green shared vision and VGWB. From Pakistan’s perspective, the research study has applied and validated the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory, and practitioners and researchers may benefit from its findings. This study has opened doors and paved a path for future studies to use this model and come up with interesting findings by adding more mediating variables. For any organization, it is imperative to have a motivated team which is capable enough to help firms to achieve their green targets. Hiring talented and hardworking employees and initiating socially responsible activities help firms to obtain a competitive advantage and enhance the VGWB of their employees. Full article

The current study aims to evaluate the role of environmental orientation (EO) on green dynamic capabilities (GDCs), organization green culture (OGC), and green innovation (GIN) toward business sustainability (BUS) in the context of Chinese textile and apparel manufacturing firms. Natural resources-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capabilities view (DCV) were used as the theoretical lenses of the research. This study is quantitative, and a purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data from the managers working in textile and apparel manufacturing firms in China. The sample size consisted of 339 managers. Partial least-square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The study’s findings show that EO significantly and positively influences OGC and GDCs. However, the positive influence of EO on GIN was insignificant. Moreover, the result indicates that GIN is a significant mediator in the relationships between OGC and BUS and GDCs and BUS. The results demonstrate how the Chinese textile and apparel industry EO improves GDCs, GIN, and OGC, which, in turn, benefits achieving long-term business sustainability. Full article

Green innovation has become one of the mainstream concepts to address environmental issues. However, research on green innovation, especially at the firm level, is still evolving. Building upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and resource-based theory (RBT) lenses, this study proposes a research framework to explore determining factors of green innovation adoption (GIA) in the Brazilian cassava agribusiness sector. The research design from the semi-structured interviews method was employed in firms associated with ABAM (Brazilian Association of Starch and Cassava Producers) and SIMP (Union of Cassava Producers in Paraná). The findings suggest that behavioral factors for GIA, such as collaborative behaviors, productivity, safety behaviors, and green behaviors, are directly associated with other determining factors, such as knowledge, operating costs, stakeholder pressure, economic benefits, information access, customer assessment, organizational compatibility, and business support. Furthermore, GIA can lead to the effective implementation of sustainable practices to enhance economic performance and effective environmental management. The originality of this work stems from including behavioral factors for managers’ decision-making regarding resource allocation for GIA. It also includes a guideline to increase competitiveness in active green markets. It also contributes to a vision of GIA to evolve NRBV and RBT theories. Full article

The contribution of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to economic prosperity and expansion is widely acknowledged worldwide. However, the empirical evidence in the literature on enhancing sustainable performance in manufacturing industries, specifically SMEs in developing countries living under constant unstable economic and political environments such as Palestine, is still insufficient. Referring to the theory of Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Contingency Theory (CT), Natural Resource Based View (NRBV) and the relevant literature on sustainable performance in business firms, this study aims to explore the effect of competent human capital (CHC), strategic flexibility (SF) and turbulent environment (TE) on the sustainable performance (SP) of SMEs industries in the context of Palestine. Based on 380 random samples in manufacturing SME industries in the country, 245 useful questionnaires were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling for analysis by the Smart PLS 4.0 software. The findings indicate that several enablers could improve the performance of SMEs in Palestinian industries in terms of sustainability. One of these aspects is adopting a supportive governmental policy to strengthen the sustainability concept in the industrial sector and encouraging industries to move toward circularity and greening their operations. Nevertheless, SMEs need to implement proper managerial tools at the firm’s level that enhance sustainable performance, including investment in competent human capital, developing flexible strategies and proper analysis of the surrounding turbulent environment, since all of these will positively impact and improve the sustainable performance of those SMEs. The contribution of this study to the literature develops current knowledge of sustainable performance in SMEs in manufacturing industries, specifically in countries that suffer from political and economic turbulence, by providing a conceptual framework focusing on managerial and business aspects that contributes to achieving desired sustainable performance. Consequently, the study’s findings also show how CHC, SF and TE are essential managerial tools for organizations and SMEs operating in an extremely competitive and turbulent market. Full article

Drawing upon the natural-resource-based view (NRBV), this study assesses the role of environmental strategy (ENS) and environmental awareness (ENA) in enhancing firms’ environmental and financial performance. Additionally, we hypothesize a mediating role of firms’ competitive advantage among these associations. We analyze several hypothesized relationships using survey data from 240 Bangladeshi manufacturing SMEs. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) findings suggest that environmental strategy strongly affects organizational competitive advantage and environmental performance. We also observe that environmental awareness substantially affects competitive advantage and environmental and financial performance. Finally, our statistical findings reveal that competitive advantage mediates the linkage between ENS and ENP as well as ENA and ENP. However, ENS was found to have an insignificant effect on firms’ financial performance. These crucial findings extend the NRBV, ENS, and ENA literature. Our research provides managers of manufacturing organizations and policymakers with a valuable model for managing environmental strategy and environmental awareness to enhance environmental and financial performance. It may assist manufacturing SME managers in strengthening their internal resources, such as ENS and ENA, to improve their competitive advantage and organizational outcomes. Full article

This study develops and tests a novel product quality framework for food supply chains (FSCs) that addresses sustainability. Issues including climate change, population growth, and the resources required by industrialized agriculture, as well as changing consumer preferences contribute to concerns about the social, ecological, and economic sustainability of FSCs. FSCs, therefore, need to be adapted to address changing supply and demand characteristics. We integrate the natural resource-based view (NRBV) with convention theory (CT) to develop a new set of quality dimensions. Placing social and ecological considerations within the domain of quality management advances theory in two ways. First, while social and ecological considerations are typically peripheral to business models, this framework allows social responsibility and the natural environment to occupy a central place within FSC operations. Second, the framework reflects the fundamentally socially embedded nature of FSCs, including the geographic, historical, and cultural associations of food quality. We then construct a typology of quality conventions and FSCs. We empirically test the typology using a case study methodology with cases from the United States of America (USA). The analysis explores how firms bundle quality conventions across FSCs for competitive advantage. We also find a set of paths through which FSCs transition via exploitation, exploration and organizational ambidexterity to generate competitive advantage, highlighting tradeoffs that may arise as FSCs evolve. These tradeoffs, which relate to maintaining or adapting quality conventions, are practically important because, if not managed appropriately, may result in lower performance and less sustainable FSCs. Full article

Background: Several studies have suggested the possibility of obtaining specific respiratory benefits by experiencing forests and other natural resources. Despite this, forests have never been considered according to such potential. This study aims to compare municipalities by considering the absence/presence of tree species generating ‘above threshold’ potential respiratory benefits. Methods: The autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy has been assumed as a research area. The natural resource based view (NRBV), postulating the strategic role played by natural resources in achieving both above-average (thus ‘valuable’) and ‘concentrated’ (thus ‘rare’ among competitors) performance, has been adopted. The literature reviews dealing with potential respiratory benefits of biogenic organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by trees, published within the ‘forest therapy’ research field, have been adopted. Three analysis models rating tree species by their potential respiratory benefits in ‘holistic-general’ (P1), ‘particular’ (P2), and ‘dynamic” terms (P3) have been outlined. The resulting overall potentials of tree species have been assessed by adopting the well-rooted Hollerith distance (HD) model. Tree species have been rated “1” when they satisfy one or more of 58 potential respiratory benefits. Municipalities have been ranked by considering the surface area covered by forest types whose dominant tree species achieve above-average potential respiratory benefits. QGIS software has been adopted to geographically reference the results obtained. Results: (P1) Valuable municipalities include those covered by both coniferous and deciduous forests; (P2–3) Municipalities achieving the highest potential respiratory benefits, in both particular and dynamic terms, have been mapped. Discussion: Forest-based initiatives that are running in the preselected municipalities can be both further improved and diversified in a targeted way. Conclusions: Despite some limitations mostly embedded in the concept of ‘model’, this study allows scholars to reduce uncertainties when locating municipalities in which to conduct local-scale experiments. Full article