Search Results (837)

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in emerging markets often face resource and capability constraints, highlighting the need to leverage digital innovation for improved performance. Although entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is widely recognized as a driver of firm performance (FP), the capability-based mechanisms linking EO to performance through digital innovation remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study develops and empirically validates a Digital Innovation Opportunity Transformation (DIOT) framework, which explains how EO enhances FP through sequential capability mechanisms—digital opportunity recognition and digital opportunity exploitation—and how IT-environmental support (ITES) strengthens these effects. Using survey data from 286 Ethiopian MSEs and structural equation modeling, the findings reveal that EO has a significant positive impact on FP (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) and generates indirect benefits through internal digital innovation capabilities. Additionally, ITES amplifies these indirect pathways, suggesting that supportive digital infrastructures enhance the outcomes of EO-driven innovation efforts. The study advances theoretical understanding by validating the DIOT framework and elucidating the internal mechanisms linking EO to FP. It also offers practical insights for managers, technology providers, and policymakers seeking to promote EO-led digital innovation in resource-constrained emerging economies. Full article

The growing demand for transparency in sustainability reporting has compelled enterprises to look far beyond the boundaries of classical financial ratios when assessing their own performance. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators have dominated recent academic debate—primarily because of mounting regulatory and societal pressure. By contrast, the significance of other non-financial performance indicators (NFPIs), such as operational efficiency, quality management, and employee turnover, has been insufficiently explored, despite their importance for long-term competitiveness. Existing research is fragmented and provides limited integrative insights, which creates a clear gap regarding how ESG and non-ESG indicators collectively influence organisational performance. To address this gap, this study synthesises the NFPI landscape through (1) a combined bibliometric and systematic literature review, (2) detailed manual content analysis used to construct a theoretical framework integrating ESG and non-ESG indicators, and (3) expert validation to recommend a concise set of NFPIs for the manufacturing sector. Findings indicate that experts prioritise sustainability-related indicators, even when presented with a broader NFPI framework. This highlights a practical misalignment between theoretical expectations and industry focus. The study contributes a validated NFPI set and an integrative framework that aids more informed managerial decisions. Full article

This study attempts to examine the interconnections between digital transformation, leadership, organizational culture, and organizational sustainability among Greek enterprises in the Industry 4.0 context. A quantitative research design was utilized to attain this objective, employing survey data gathered from 412 managerial-level participants across several industries. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to validate the measurement model, followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the proposed correlations among the constructs. The findings reveal that digital transformation, leadership, and organizational culture each have a substantial positive influence on organizational sustainability, with digital transformation exhibiting the most pronounced benefit. Furthermore, their alignment has a synergistic effect that amplifies the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability. These findings validate the multifaceted character of sustainability within the Industry 4.0 framework and underscore the interrelation of technological, human, and cultural competencies. The research contributes to the field of theory by offering a comprehensive framework for sustainable organizational transformation and practical implications for managers and policymakers who are in the process of developing strategies that are oriented towards sustainability, innovation, and resilience in digitally evolving environments. Full article

In this study, we examine the impact of government green subsidies on corporate ESG performance. We employ the method of double machine learning for causal inference. We use all A-share listed companies in China from 2013 to 2023 as the research sample. After excluding financial and insurance companies, those in ST/*ST/PT status, and those with missing key indicators, we ultimately obtain 2337 sample observations. Our baseline results based on double machine learning reveal government green subsidies significantly enhance corporate ESG performance. The findings suggest that this enhancement occurs notably through the mediating variables of digital technology innovation and technology conversion efficiency. We also introduce heterogeneous dimensions such as the level of digital inclusive finance, the intensity of environmental regulations, and the scale of enterprises. Meanwhile, we adopt multiple robustness test methods, including changing the dependent variable, excluding data from special years, controlling for exogenous policy shocks, using instrumental variable methods, and resetting the double machine learning model—adjusting the sample partition ratio from the original 1:4 to 1:9 and replacing the prediction algorithm from random forest to gradient boosting, lasso regression, and ensemble machine learning methods—to ensure the reliability and scientific nature of the research conclusions. Additional tests indicate that the regression coefficient remains positive and is significant, indicating the robustness of our conclusions. This research offers implications for further optimizing the design of government green subsidy policies, and to promote the improvement of enterprises’ ESG performance and economic green transformation. Full article

This study investigates whether Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) represent the superior alternative to conventional vehicles for last-mile delivery, with a particular focus on large enterprises that prioritize both economic feasibility and environmental performance. Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost methodologies are applied to evaluate both technologies across the full cradle-to-grave life cycle within a unified framework. The functional unit is defined as one kilometer traveled by a BEV or FCEV in last-mile transportation, and the system boundary includes vehicle manufacturing, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment. The environmental impacts are assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method implemented in OpenLCA 2.0.4, and normalization follows the standards provided by the official ReCiPe 2016 framework. The East China Power Grid serves as the baseline electricity mix for the operational stage. Regarding GHG emissions, FCEVs demonstrate a 12.36% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to BEVs. This reduction is particularly significant during the operational phase, where FCEVs can lower CO₂ emissions by 53.51% per vehicle relative to BEVs, largely due to hydrogen energy’s higher efficiency and durability. In terms of economic costs, BEVs hold a slight advantage over FCEVs, costing approximately 0.8 RMB/km/car less. However, during the manufacturing phase, FCEVs present greater environmental challenges. It is recommended that companies fully consider which environmental issues they wish to make a greater contribution to when selecting vehicle types. This study provides insight and implications for large companies with financial viability concerns about environmental impact regarding selecting the two types of vehicles for last-mile transportation. The conclusions offer guidance for companies assessing which vehicle technology better aligns with their long-term operational and sustainability priorities. It can also help relevant practitioners and researchers to develop solutions to last-mile transportation from the perspective of different enterprise sizes. Full article

Leveraging the exogenous shock of Chinese commercial banks’ adoption of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (UNPRB) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study employs a Time-Varying Difference-in-Differences (TV-DID) approach to investigate how formally committed responsible credit, augmented by Fintech, enhances ESG performance in private enterprises. The findings reveal that banks adopting UNPRB significantly improve the post-loan ESG performance of their private enterprise borrowers compared to non-adopting banks, with Fintech serving as a positive moderator. Mechanism analysis indicates that, under the empowerment of financial technology, commercial banks that extend loans to enterprises are influenced by the signing of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (UNPRB). Banks promote the sustainable development of enterprises through pre-loan “screening effects” and post-loan green “governance effects”. Heterogeneity analysis indicates stronger ESG improvement effects for enterprises in environmentally sensitive industries, those with high capital intensity, and those holding long-term loans. Extended research further identifies a significant enhancement in ESG alignment between banks and enterprises following UNPRB adoption. By examining responsible credit investment, this study not only broadens the scholarly discourse on sustainable finance and Fintech but also offers empirical insights from a representative emerging market context. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is gradually integrating into the entire process of green supply chain management (GSCM), providing a systematic solution for enterprises to improve productivity and performance. This paper focuses on Chinese manufacturing enterprises, aiming to explore the multi-factor synergistic mechanism influencing differences in GSCM levels from a temporal perspective under the drive of AI. Based on 2019–2023 panel data of enterprises, this paper innovatively integrates the random forest algorithm with dynamic qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to reveal the configurational effects of technological, organizational, and environmental factors in enterprises’ GSCM practices. The findings demonstrate that no single factor is a necessary condition for enterprises to implement GSCM; configurational analysis identifies two driving models: “AI technology innovation-driven (Configuration 1 and Configuration 2)” and “strategic resource-driven (Configuration 3)”; Configuration 1 combines research and development (R&D) investment and green awareness among executives with the enabling role of government subsidies; Configuration 2 couples R&D Investment with strong funding capacity, again facilitated by the presence of government subsidies; Configuration 3 combines AI technology adoption and green awareness among executives, supported by the necessary funding capacity and government subsidies. Additionally, inter-group analysis reveals no significant temporal effect among configurations but shows phased evolutionary characteristics. This paper has thoroughly explored the complex paths for enhancing GSCM of manufactory enterprises under the influence of AI. It is recommended that the government refine and strengthen targeted subsidy policies to better support the adoption and integration of AI in advancing GSCM within the manufacturing sector. Concurrently, manufacturers must align technology, organizational structure, and external factors, specifically through core AI technology improvements, enhanced executive green awareness, and the mobilization of government and external funding. These advancements have led to high-level GSCM within enterprises, allowing them to achieve high-quality and sustainable development. Full article

Purpose: This paper draws on the Upper Echelon Theory and the Agency Theory to explore a special aspect of managers’ behavioral characteristics—managerial myopia—as a driving factor in firms’ ESG performance, a key metric for sustainable development. This study utilizes a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2021. It integrates data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database, the Wind database for corporate ESG performance, a managerial myopia index constructed through text analysis, machine learning, and dictionary methods, internal control data from the DIB Internal Control Database, and the Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) index. The study examines the relationship between managerial myopia and ESG performance and explores the moderating effects of internal control, corporate transparency, and EPU. This study finds that managerial myopia significantly impedes corporate sustainability by significantly negatively impacting ESG performance. This finding underscores a critical challenge to sustainable development: short-term managerial orientation can compromise long-term environmental and social goals. However, robust internal governance mechanisms, such as effective internal control and high corporate transparency can mitigate this negative impact, while higher EPU exacerbates it. Additionally, the detrimental effect of managerial myopia is more pronounced in firms with higher business complexity, smaller firm size, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This paper suggests that, in addition to demographic characteristics and management experience, corporate governance and hiring practices should consider managers’ temporal orientation to foster sustainable business practices. Firms should focus on establishing a robust internal control environment and increasing corporate transparency to safeguard long-term sustainability objectives from short-sighted managerial behavior, especially in situations of high economic policy uncertainty and in organizations with higher business complexity, smaller firm size, and SOEs. The main limitations of this study include the lack of analysis on the influencing mechanisms and not fully addressing the endogenous problem, and the international generalizability of the finding should be further expanded in future. This paper contributes to sustainability science by extending the current literature focusing on the behavioral drivers of firms’ ESG performance, emphasizing the under-explored role of managerial myopia. This provides meaningful insight into the role of executive characteristics in shaping corporate sustainability, particularly in emerging market contexts. It also adds value by identifying how internal governance and external environmental factors condition this relationship, offering insights for policymakers and corporate leaders aiming to advance sustainable development. Full article

This paper proposes a strategic architecture of sustainable system development (SSD) for ESG enterprise transformation, demonstrating its application through a real-world case study on large multi-purpose sports venues (LMPSVs). The research integrates systems thinking, computer-aided dynamic business modeling and digital technologies to support ESG enterprise transformation strategies and business operations. An ESGI (environmental, social, governance, and innovation) framework is proposed to demonstrate the transformation process through empirical data and scenario analysis. Furthermore, this study develops an integrated strategic enterprise architecture (ISEA) to integrate strategic planning with enterprise execution, wherein strategic architecture (SA) takes precedence over enterprise architecture (EA). The SSD-driven SA provides directional strategic guidance integrated with EA. This study prioritizes the construction of SA required for enterprise ESG transformation, serving as a research blueprint for future construction of EA at the technical implementation level. The findings indicate that LMPSVs must adopt integrated transformation strategies, strengthen digital capabilities, and embed ESGI as a core concept to sustain a competitive advantage in volatile environments. The framework offers a systematic and dynamic approach emphasizing inclusive growth, operational resilience, value creation, and sustainable development goals. The study’s originality lies in the SSD-based ESGI framework, which translates conceptual ideas into advanced operational models for scientific management and performance improvement. By integrating cross-disciplinary knowledge, the framework provides a systematic, dynamic, and multi-value-oriented analytical tool that bridges the gap in the existing literature, offering significant value for both theoretical development and practical application. Full article

This study explores the impact of sustainable leadership (SL) on environmental performance (EP), focusing on the mediating role of employee well-being (EW) and the moderating role of eco-anxiety in green companies in Turkey. The framework is founded on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) paradigm and is enhanced by Sustainable Leadership Theory, Bottom-Up Spillover Theory, and Terror Management Theory. Data were collected from 289 employees at five environmentally sustainable enterprises in Turkey, using a standardized questionnaire to evaluate characteristics through validated multi-item scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS4 was employed to assess reliability, validity, and the suggested correlations. The study’s findings demonstrate that SL has a substantial and favorable impact on EP, both directly and indirectly, through the enhancement of staff well-being. Furthermore, research indicates that eco-anxiety mitigates the association between SL and well-being, suggesting that increased eco-anxiety diminishes the beneficial effects of leadership. These findings underline the significance of robust, SL and proactive management of eco-anxiety to enhance employee well-being and optimize corporate environmental results. The outcomes indicate that firms should allocate resources to leadership development initiatives and staff support frameworks to alleviate climate-related anxiety and enhance resilience. The study advances Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by demonstrating how psychological health and leadership synergize to enhance environmental performance. It also offers practical implications for sustainable workplace practices. Full article

Against the backdrop of the global manufacturing green transition, this study investigates the pathway through which green supply chain integration (GSCI) influences corporate green innovation performance. Grounded in the triple bottom line (TBL) theory, the empirical analysis is conducted using sample data from 364 manufacturing enterprises across 10 countries. It is important to note that a significant portion (56%) of the responses originated from China, providing a valuable but contextually specific perspective that should be considered when interpreting the results. Grounded in the TBL theory, our empirical analysis covers three key industries: electronics, machinery, and transportation components. The research examines two key relationships: first, the mediating role of new product launch speed (NPLS) in the links between GSCI (including green supplier integration, green customer integration, and green internal integration) and corporate environmental, financial, and social performance; second, the moderating effect of enterprise intelligence level (EIL) on the GSCI-NPLS relationship. This research validates the performance enhancement pathway of a market-responsive green product development model, whereby GSCI drives green innovation performance through accelerating NPLS, with EIL strengthening this acceleration effect, providing empirical support for manufacturing enterprises to optimize green supply chain management and improve green innovation efficiency. Full article

The market imperfection hypothesis posits that market frictions undermine economic efficiency and amplify economic fluctuations. As an emerging corporate evaluation framework and behavioral norm, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance helps mitigate such market imperfections. This study empirically examines the impact of corporate ESG performance on investment volatility and its underlying mechanisms. Using panel data from Chinese listed companies, we find that higher ESG ratings significantly reduce corporate investment volatility. Mechanism tests reveal that ESG practices curb investment fluctuations through two key channels: alleviating information asymmetry and reducing agency costs, thereby addressing fundamental market frictions. Moderating effect tests indicate that patient capital suppresses the smoothing effect of ESG on corporate investment volatility. Heterogeneity analysis further demonstrates that this stabilizing effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, larger firms, and financially constrained firms. These findings highlight the economic value of ESG practices in promoting corporate investment stability and provide relevant insights for policy design and market participants. Full article

In the context of China’s “dual carbon” strategy, building materials enterprises (BMEs) are in a critical period of digital and green transformation. Their diverse ownership structure and complex industrial types make them important objects of research. To address gaps in the existing literature, particularly regarding executive cognitive structure segmentation, ecological scenario (ES) influence mechanisms, and enterprise heterogeneity, this study uses Chinese BMEs as samples and incorporates industry characteristics, such as strong policy-driven conditions, a complete industrial chain, and diverse ownership types, to explore the relationship between executive cognition, ability reconstruction, and digital green innovation (DGI) performance (DGIP). Executive cognition is conceptualized through two dimensions: environmental protection cognition and digital intelligence cognition (DIC). A comprehensive test is conducted using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results show that (1) both executive cognition and capability reconstruction (CR) significantly promote DGIP, and executive cognition has a positive effect on CR; (2) competency reconfiguration plays a mediating role in the influence of executives’ cognition on innovation performance, with the ES having a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the two types of cognitive role competency reconfiguration; (3) the influence of executive cognition varies depending on the nature of the enterprise and the industry; and (4) three types of performance improvement paths emerge: environmental-cognition-driven, cognitive ability connection, and ES-guided paths. The research’s contributions include (1) dividing executive cognition into two dimensions to enrich its conceptualization; (2) introducing the ES to reveal the dynamic mechanisms of cognition–ability–performance; and (3) conducting a heterogeneity analysis based on the nature of enterprises to deepen insights into paths of differentiated influence. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical inspiration for BMEs to enhance their DGIP. Full article

Geopolitical risk (GPR) poses a significant obstacle to the achievement of sustainable development goals, yet its nuanced impact on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of multinational enterprises (MNEs) remains insufficiently examined. This study explores the influence of GPR on ESG performance by utilizing a comprehensive dataset of 12,699 subsidiaries of Chinese MNEs. The empirical results reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between GPR and ESG performance: at moderate levels of geopolitical risk, firms tend to proactively improve their ESG practices as a risk management strategy. However, as GPR intensifies beyond a certain threshold, this approach loses its effectiveness, leading to deteriorating ESG outcomes. Further investigation uncovers the moderating roles of firm-specific advantages (FSAs) and country-specific advantages (CSAs). Robust FSAs equip firms with a greater capacity to uphold ESG standards under rising geopolitical uncertainty, while high CSAs strengthen subsidiaries’ incentives to engage in ESG activities to buffer against external political threats. Subgroup analyses demonstrate that service-oriented MNEs, state-owned enterprises, and subsidiaries operating in high-income countries are particularly susceptible to the negative consequences of heightened GPR. By shedding light on the complex interplay between geopolitical risk and corporate sustainability, this study extends the ESG literature and provides practical implications for researchers, corporate strategists, and policymakers aiming to foster resilient and responsible global business operations. Full article

As a core component in constructing a green manufacturing system, green product design has become an essential strategy for promoting enterprises’ green transformation. This study aims to investigate the causal impact of green product design implementation on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, addressing a critical gap in understanding how design-level interventions drive sustainable development. Based on panel data of China’s A-share listed firms from 2015 to 2022, this study employs the officially released list of green product design enterprises as a quasi-natural experiment and applies a multi-period difference-in-differences model to address this research objective. The empirical results show that, first, green product design significantly and robustly enhances corporate ESG performance. Second, mechanism analysis reveals that green product design promotes ESG performance mainly through three channels: driving green technological innovation, optimizing supply chain governance, and improving operational efficiency. Third, heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive impact is more pronounced in regions with a higher degree of marketization, in firms with lower financing constraints, and in firms receiving greater media attention. This research contributes novel insights by establishing a comprehensive analytical framework that integrates multiple transmission mechanisms and contextual moderators, thereby advancing the theoretical understanding of green design efficacy. This study not only provides micro-level empirical evidence for the effectiveness of the green manufacturing system but also offers important implications for policymakers and enterprises aiming to achieve sustainable development through green design practices. Full article