Search Results (41)

This study examines how hand-drawn comics became a site of critical and creative resistance during fieldwork at Artist Village Aso 096k in rural Japan. The international artists in residence initially came to learn about the professional environment of the Japanese manga (comics) industry and to publish original works. However, the corporate-led system revealed barriers that constrained their early careers. In response, I employed Arts-Based Research (ABR) to invite the artists to create comics by hand, in contrast to the digital tools central to their daily workflow. This shift from digital to material practice foregrounded the affective and epistemological potentials of slowness, irrevocability, and embodied storytelling. The analog process functioned not only as an introspective tool for artists but also as a form of care that resisted the restrictive logic of Japan’s immigration policy. I argue that reflective drawing, as a situated and material practice, provides new ways of navigating social precarity. By centering comics as a research method, this study calls for renewed attention to the ethics and politics of artistic labor—particularly for international artists whose social and economic stability is increasingly threatened by xenophobic discourse. Full article

Background: Despite evidence of potential benefits, variability in exercise types, psychological outcomes, and methods hinders comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation, framed through Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) theory. In this context, Workplace Physical Activity-Based Programs (WPABPs) serve as environmental stimulation that influences employees’ emotional states, which in turn shape mental health outcomes and behavioral responses. Research Purpose: This systematic review examines WPABPs through the social dimension of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG-S) framework, with a focus on their impact on employees’ mental health. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, eligibility was assessed via the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. The ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) aligned keywords and Boolean operators. Results: Of the 961 articles identified, 15 studies (2021–2025) met the inclusion criteria. WPABPs were found to improve employee mental health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Individualized interventions supported targeted psychological benefits, while group formats promoted social cohesion and engagement. Variations in type, duration, and delivery, as well as accessibility barriers for underrepresented employees, were noted. WPABPs enhance employee well-being and organizational outcomes, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Conclusions: Hybrid models combining individual and group approaches with managerial and digital support are recommended. Integrating WPABPs within ESG-S and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks can institutionalize sustainable workplace health promotion, while future research should focus on standardized, inclusive, and long-term evaluations. Full article

The global construction industry faces significant environmental and social sustainability challenges that hinder its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study investigates the impact of country-level corruption and trade tariffs, and the moderating role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, on construction firm SDG engagement. A quantitative analysis was conducted using an original dataset of 195 observations of construction firms across 31 countries collected from 2003 to 2022, with SDG engagement scores derived from public sources and country and institutional data from the World Bank and the Heritage Foundation. Ordinal logistic regression tested the direct and moderated effects of corruption, tariffs, and IPR on SDG engagement, controlling for other variables. The findings reveal that higher perceived home-country corruption and higher home-country tariffs are significantly and negatively associated with company SDG engagement scores. Stronger home-country IPR protection was found to weaken the negative impact of corruption and enhance the positive effects of lower tariffs on SDG engagement. Finally, the results highlight that institutional environments have a critical role in shaping firms’ sustainability actions, suggesting that effective governance, an open trade perspective, and intellectual property protection are key enablers of corporate SDG alignment. These findings contribute to the literature by providing evidence of how institutional quality can foster responsible business strategies in the construction industry and offer practical insights for policymakers seeking to reduce barriers to sustainable development. Full article

Reverse Logistics (RL) plays a fundamental role in supply by addressing returns, undelivered or damaged products, exchanges, and environmental concerns, directly contributing to more sustainable supply chain practices. Although firms recognize the importance and benefits of this concept, their supply chain remains focused on direct logistics, often overlooking RL’s potential to enhance sustainability performance. The aim of this article is to analyse the interaction between the barriers that challenge or prevent the implementation of RL in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). First, a literature review identified 22 barriers to developing RL in SMEs. Then, through experts’ opinions gathered in a Focus Group (FG), an Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) model was used to understand the hierarchy relations between barriers, and a Matrix Cross Impact Matrix Multiplication (MICMAC) analysis was carried out to aggregate the barriers in four categories according to their influencing power and dependence. Applying the methodology to the Portuguese case resulted in an ISM model with seven hierarchical levels and a MICMAC diagram without dependent barriers. Moreover, six key barriers emerged, namely, Lack of adequate organizational structure and support for RL practices, Lack of corporate social responsibility, Complexity of the operation, Lack of shared understanding of best practices, Difficulty with members of the supply chain, and Lack of support from supply chain players, which proved to be the most critical as they are positioned at the highest hierarchical levels of the ISM model and fall within the independent variable quadrant of the MICMAC analysis, thus revealing a strong driving power over the other barriers. The findings highlight that overcoming these barriers is crucial for SMEs to unlock the full sustainability potential of RL and transition towards supply chain models that are greener through a reduced carbon footprint, improved resource efficiency, and the adoption of circular economy practices. Academically, this research advances the literature by applying the ISM–MICMAC approach to SMEs, offering novel insights into the structural role of barriers in reverse logistics implementation. Full article

This contribution presents the SuLo (Sustainable Logistics) framework developed through a systematic literature review of the drivers and barriers to implementing sustainable sustainability in logistics, with a focus on warehousing. As global trade expands, logistics operations face increasing pressure to balance economic efficiency with environmental and social responsibility. Warehousing plays a crucial role in supply chains, contributing significantly to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite growing interest in sustainable logistics, research on sustainable warehousing remains fragmented. This paper synthesizes the existing literature to identify key drivers, barriers, and best practices for sustainable warehousing. The findings reveal that regulatory policies, cost savings, and stakeholder expectations are primary drivers, while high implementation costs, lack of awareness, and operational complexity hinder progress. A structured framework is proposed to guide sustainability integration, incorporating renewable energy, waste reduction, automation, and employee well-being initiatives. The study highlights the necessity of a holistic approach that aligns environmental, economic, and social dimensions. While challenges remain, sustainable warehousing offers long-term benefits, including reduced environmental impact, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced corporate reputation. In conclusion, future research should explore empirical case studies and technological innovations, particularly artificial intelligence, to further advance sustainability in warehousing. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous economic impact on society. One of the little-known links is the impact of the pandemic on corporate social responsibility. The main aim of this research was to compare the situation before and during the pandemic, which allows the assessment of the impact of the pandemic on the rates and ways of implementing CSR in different organizations. A new research model incorporating all CSR dimensions was created to examine the implementation rates through 83 indicators. The findings indicate an overall decrease in CSR activities during the pandemic. Employee and community activities were the most affected. However, the biggest disparities were recorded in the environmental dimension. The originality of the study lies in the development of a novel methodological approach to documenting the CSR involvement in organization and its application to compare the pandemic and post-pandemic levels. By understanding the effects of major adverse events, it is possible to further develop its evolution and combat the barriers that led to a decrease in CSR areas during the pandemic. Full article

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure plays a pivotal role in mitigating “blue” (labor standard) and “green” (environmental standard) trade barriers, optimizing the foreign trade ecosystem, fostering sustainable development of export-oriented enterprises, and advancing societal welfare objectives—all critical to maintaining high-quality social order in China. Grounded in institutional and strategic management theories, this study systematically investigates the effects of CSR disclosure on corporate export performance, focusing on mediating and moderating mechanisms, and conducts rigorous empirical testing using comprehensive firm-level CSR disclosure data from Chinese listed companies. The results reveal the following key findings: (1) CSR disclosure positively influences corporate exports; (2) enterprise financing capacity and innovation output serve as dual mediating mechanisms, through which CSR disclosure enhances export performance by improving access to external capital and stimulating product/service innovation; (3) environmental regulations amplify the export-promoting effect of CSR disclosure, indicating that institutional environmental constraints incentivize firms to leverage disclosure as a strategic response to global sustainability demands; (4) heterogeneity analysis reveals that large enterprises derive the strongest export benefits from CSR disclosure, followed by medium-sized and small enterprises; and (5) private enterprises exhibit significantly greater export gains from CSR disclosure compared to state-owned enterprises. These results underscore the context-specific and multi-dimensional nature of CSR disclosure’s impact on exports, highlighting how firm size and ownership structure shape the efficacy of disclosure strategies in global markets. This study contributes to both academic literature on corporate sustainability and practical policy by demonstrating how strategic CSR disclosure can serve as a tool for overcoming institutional barriers and enhancing international competitiveness. Full article

Online banking services have emerged as pivotal drivers of customer satisfaction and sustainable development. However, the mediating role of customer experience in linking online banking service clues to satisfaction remains underexplored. Grounded in Haeckel’s model, this study examines how functional (technical execution), mechanic (interface usability), and humanic (behavioral interactions) service clues shape satisfaction among 400 individual and corporate online banking users in Northern Cyprus, analyzed via Structural Equation Modelling. By framing age and occupation as proxies for risk aversion and post-crisis distrust—key barriers in Cyprus’s banking sector—this study advances regionally tailored strategies for sustainable digital adoption. The results reveal functional clues positively impacted satisfaction only for individual customers, while mechanic clues enhanced satisfaction across both groups, contributing to sustainable development. Humanic clues showed no significant effect. Although online service clues improved overall customer experience, a key corporate social responsibility, this experience did not mediate the clue–satisfaction relationship. Demographic factors (e.g., age, user type) moderated these dynamics. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing mechanic and functional clues in digital banking interfaces to bolster satisfaction and align with sustainable development goals. This study advances Haeckel’s theory in digital contexts and offers actionable insights for banks seeking to balance technological innovation with customer centricity. Full article

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a vital component in addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. In the context of the construction industry, due to the widespread presence of irresponsible practices, CSR implementation studies have gained significant attention, particularly in developing countries. This study consists of a systematic literature review of 58 articles published between 2018 and 2024, seeking to explore the internal and external factors affecting CSR implementation in emerging construction nations. The analysis employs the PESTEL framework, which refers to external impact factors, including political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal aspects. Additionally, the SWOT framework is utilized to identify the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is then applied to prioritize the identified factors. The results demonstrate that institutional pressures and economic progress are the most influential external opportunities. Internal weaknesses, including subcontracting and quality challenges and financial constraints of SMEs, are significant barriers. This study contributes to the CSR literature by integrating external macro-environmental factors and internal organizational dynamics, offering a strategic and actionable framework for the advancement of CSR implementation in the construction industries of developing countries. Full article

The hospitality sector’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) is dynamic and constantly evolving. This article examines CSR implementation in the hospitality industry and investigates the growing prevalence of CSR initiatives. This research examines the implementation and challenges of CSR in the hospitality sector through a qualitative literature review methodology. The study highlights trends such as community engagement, ethical labour practices, and sustainable resource utilisation while identifying barriers like financial constraints and stakeholder resistance. Moreover, it examines the determinants that influence these patterns, including consumer inclinations, governmental policies, and industry recognition of the social and ecological repercussions. This research enhances the field of theory by consolidating and expanding upon current knowledge regarding CSR, building on Archie Carroll’s Pyramid theory’s focus on economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities and R. Edward Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory’s emphasis on business ethics and corporate governance. Modifications are made to these frameworks to adhere to the precise requirements of the hospitality industry. This research presents an alternative perspective on the intricate relationship between environmental sustainability, social accountability, and financial prosperity within the hospitality sector. This study questions the idea that CSR is either a mandatory obligation or an optional behaviour. Key findings reveal that integrating CSR into business strategies enhances operational efficiency, stakeholder trust, and financial performance. By building on established theoretical frameworks, this research provides actionable insights. It contributes to the global discourse on sustainability, offering a nuanced perspective on the hospitality industry’s evolving role in advancing environmental, social, and financial prosperity. Full article

Background: The increasing global focus on sustainability has made Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) a critical strategy for businesses to balance environmental responsibility with operational efficiency. Despite its benefits, GSCM adoption in developing countries faces significant challenges. This study addresses the gap by investigating these barriers within the Thai context, providing actionable insights for policymakers and businesses. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 480 business owners, executives, and supply chain employees, and expert analysis using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The ISM technique was used to determine the relationships and hierarchy among key barriers to GSCM implementation. Results: The findings reveal that weak legal frameworks, insufficient supplier engagement, and a lack of social responsibility are the most significant barriers. Secondary factors, such as low consumer demand and minimal competitive pressure, exacerbate these challenges. The ISM analysis highlighted the cascading effects of foundational barriers on other dimensions of GSCM adoption. Conclusions: Strengthening environmental regulations, promoting supplier collaboration, and embedding sustainability in corporate culture are key to overcoming GSCM barriers to sustainably enhance Thailand’s competitiveness. Full article

Worldwide, gender equality remains a barrier for women seeking career advancement in corporations. Despite the globalization of corporate social responsibility programs, women have not achieved positional parity with men within the managerial hierarchy. The purpose of this integrative review was to investigate the breadth of the gendered organization literature, summarize the evidence, and inform future research about the career advancement of women in privately owned and publicly traded corporations. Twelve databases were searched between January 1990 and December 2023 for published evidence. Of the 1914 documents screened, 55 articles were included in this review. The gendered organization literature is slowly evolving as a critical area for management research even though fully developed substantive and formal theories are lacking. However, gendered organizations can be conceptualized for theoretical development as a constellation of metaphors embedded in the corporate culture. These metaphors include firewalls, glass ceilings, glass cliffs, glass escalators, labyrinths, queen bees and beehives, and sticky floors. Notably, few intervention studies were reported in the literature. Corporate social responsibility programs had a surprisingly limited impact on eliminating deep-seated structural attributes contributing to gendered organizations. Therefore, management scholars need to engage in theoretical development and research to advance a comprehensive theory of the gendered organization, and studies should investigate why the identified metaphors continue to adversely impact the career advancement of women despite the presence of corporate social responsibility programs. Finally, existing evidence needs to be translated into intervention recommendations for policymakers and corporate leaders. Full article

This paper delves into the concept of socially responsible marketing and its significance in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizational environments. It elucidates the connection between marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR), showcasing methods of integrating social responsibility into marketing activities. Ethical principles inherent in socially responsible marketing are delineated, along with examples of CSR programs and projects within marketing initiatives. Furthermore, the paper explores the context and nature of diversity management policies and practices in organizations, highlighting the need for aligning marketing efforts with inclusive practices. It delves into the perception of various antecedents and consequences of diversity, equity, and inclusion at individual, group, and organizational levels, emphasizing the role of marketing in shaping perceptions and fostering inclusivity. Additionally, the paper addresses systemic, structural, organizational, institutional, cultural, and societal obstacles related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, underscoring the importance of socially responsible marketing in overcoming these challenges. It provides insights into how marketing initiatives can contribute to dismantling barriers and promoting diversity and inclusion within diverse organizational settings and workplaces. In conclusion, the paper underscores the pivotal role of socially responsible marketing in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion agendas within organizational settings. It emphasizes the need for ethical and inclusive marketing practices and offers recommendations for incorporating social responsibility into marketing strategies to foster a more inclusive and equitable business environment. Full article

An increasing number of investors is including sustainability considerations in their investment processes. This can improve both financial and corporate sustainability performance. The emergence of sustainable investing as an academic research field has been accompanied by considerable interest from the industry. Despite its importance, there is still no uniform understanding of what a socially responsible investment (SRI) comprises. There is a multitude of similar terms that are not clearly defined and delineated, accompanied by a lack of a uniform understanding of how sustainability should be measured in the investment context. The resulting confusion hinders conceptual clarity, a material barrier for both scholarly and practitioner endeavours in the field. We try to address these issues by conducting a structured literature review based on database searches and cross-reference snowballing. We aim to provide a synthesised and unified definition of SRI and ancillary terms and to draw attention to the exact sustainability measurements. We (1) outline the history of the concept, (2) concisely define SRI and related terms, (3) propose a trinomial sustainability indicator framework (the Cambridge SRI indicator framework) for conceptualisation, and (4) use this framework to provide a structured overview of sustainability indicators for SRIs. Full article

Green human resources management (GHRM) has proven its efficiency in many industries and services, including the hospitality and hostel industries. Additionally, applying green human resources management practices reflects an organization’s environmental awareness and responsibilities. Given that the adoption of these practices cannot be accomplished without the appropriate support from decision makers, the aim of this paper is to analyze the relationships between green human resources management and the hotel industry, identify the possible barriers they may face and provide decision makers with the ability to choose the appropriate combination of GHRM practices based on an understanding the full picture presented in this study. This study depended on a systematic review technique to analyze the scientific production in this area. A total of 59 GHRM articles were extracted from Scopus and WoS and analyzed using three primary levels of analysis. This study revealed that: (i) Green human resources management practices can be summarized into four main categories (employees, marketing systems and corporate social responsibility, leadership and management, and organizational behavior and culture); (ii) the importance of green human resources management goes beyond environmental objectives; and (iii) there are significant barriers that should be taken into consideration when applying GHRM practices in the hotel industry. Full article