Search Results (49)

Corporate resilience, a critical metric assessing firms’ capacity to withstand risks, recover rapidly, and maintain growth in dynamic environments, has garnered increasing attention from academia and industry. This study employs China’s Green Factory certification policy within its green manufacturing system as a quasi-natural experiment, utilizing a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to evaluate the impact of green manufacturing implementation on corporate resilience. Results confirm that Green Factory certification significantly enhances firms’ resilience. Mechanism analyses identify three reinforcing pathways: alleviating financing constraints, optimizing resource allocation efficiency, and fostering green technological innovation. Heterogeneity analyses reveal more pronounced effects among heavily polluting industries, firms with low reputations, and those with higher levels of managerial myopia. Furthermore, the certification exhibits significant spillover effects, transmitting resilience improvements to industry peers and geographic clusters. This research expands the theoretical boundaries of corporate resilience literature while offering practical implications and empirical evidence for enterprises undergoing green manufacturing transitions. Full article

Due mainly to tightened regulatory frameworks and rising stakeholder expectations, sustainability reporting has become essential to corporate governance. This study examines the perceptions of middle and senior management about sustainability reporting and the degree of implementation in Poland’s food industry. One hundred eighteen respondents from 26 food businesses participated in a poll to provide their opinions. This study examines the respondents’ awareness of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks, their understanding of sustainability reporting, and compliance with pertinent standards. The results show that the industry is becoming more conscious of sustainability reporting. However, there are still a lot of differences in how it is interpreted and applied, especially regarding the size of the organization. Compared to smaller companies, managers at larger organizations typically have a deeper understanding of ESG principles and reporting standards. The most commonly cited issues in the field under study are the complexity of reporting frameworks, a lack of knowledge of ESG reporting standards, and a lack of internal resources. Most respondents agree that sustainability reporting is crucial for enhancing a company’s reputation and maintaining long-term competitiveness in the market. This article provides recommendations for expanding educational and training programs that could help increase awareness and develop managerial skills related to sustainability in the food sector. 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

Effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation is essential for construction enterprises to achieve sustainable development. However, existing reviews on CSR indicators and performance measures predominantly employ a single review method or focus on non-construction sectors, with limited exploration of their interrelationships. To address this gap, this state-of-the-art review synthesizes findings from 77 relevant papers published over the past two decades in Scopus, adopting a combined methodological approach that integrates science mapping and systematic review techniques. The scientometric analysis, conducted using VOSviewer, examines annual publication trends, key journals, prominent keywords, contributing countries, and influential documents. A subsequent systematic discussion utilizing content analysis identifies seven critical CSR indicators (e.g., environmental sustainability, corporate practices, and employee well-being) and eight performance dimensions (e.g., customer satisfaction and corporate reputation). A conceptual linkage framework is developed to elucidate the relationships between these indicators and performance dimensions, highlighting the most influential CSR factors. To enhance the robustness of the findings, a post-survey interview method is employed to validate and compare the systematic discussion results, revealing several cognitive gaps between academic perspectives and industry practices. Finally, future research directions and study limitations are discussed. By integrating the mixed-review results with voices of the construction industry, this review provides an objective and holistic reference for CSR scholars in the construction sector and offers managerial and policy insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers. Full article

Rising uncertainty in the business environment has coincided with a significant increase in unethical behaviors within organizations, posing substantial financial and reputational risks. Unethical conduct is estimated to cost organizations around the world more than USD 4.5 trillion per year, impacting corporate financial stability, investor confidence, and market integrity. Traditional risk assessment and predictive models, which rely on historical data, often fail to account for behavioral responses to uncertainty, creating blind spots in financial risk management and economic forecasting. This paper advances the literature by applying experimental methodologies to investigate the underlying emotional, fear-based mechanisms (namely short-term focus and self-concern) impacting decision-making under uncertainty. By utilizing two distinct types of experimental studies (comprising three studies in total), we empirically examine how uncertainty influences the types of unethical behaviors that are prevalent in today’s organizations. Our findings contribute to the fields of financial risk management and behavioral economics by offering evidence-based insights into the psychological drivers of unethical decision-making. We conclude with managerial implications, outlining proactive strategies to mitigate the financial and operational risks associated with individuals’ responses to uncertainty. Full article

In the era of digital marketing, where consumers and enterprises frequently interact with each other, consumers hold different attitudes toward the different sources of information, including corporate social responsibility information. Negative corporate social responsibility can have direct impacts on corporate reputation. Choosing appropriate channels to publish the negative social responsibility information of enterprises in order to reduce the impact of these negative social events on corporate reputation is imperative for corporate image management. This research examines the differences in the impact of enterprise-generated content and -co-generated content on consumer attitudes using second-hand data analysis and then investigates how different information sources influence corporate reputation through empirical experiments. The results indicate that co-generated content performs better than other sources of information on corporate reputation, while professional user-generated content has the most negative impact. We further identify the external attribution as a mediation mechanism in the relationship between information sources and corporate reputation. The theoretical contributions and managerial implications of the research findings are discussed. Full article

The pursuit of sustainable development has become a global priority, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) serving as a comprehensive framework for addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges. Employing the stimulus–organization–response (SOR) model, this study examines the impact of customer’s perceptions of the firm’s compliance with the SDGs on customers’ perceptions and loyalty through the mediation roles of image, trust, and reputation in the customer’s evaluation of the firm in the banking sector in Turkey. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative research approach was used, and 455 valid responses were collected from retail banking customers through an online survey. Data from the study were statistically analyzed using partial least-squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal significant positive relationships between SDG implementation and customers’ perceptions of banking institutions’ image, trust, and reputation. Furthermore, favorable image, trust, and favorable reputation are found to positively influence customer loyalty in the banking sector. The mediation analyses confirm that each of the mediating variables partially mediates the relationships between SDG implementation and customer loyalty, underscoring the significance of these intermediate variables in shaping customers’ loyalty behaviors. This research contributes to both theoretical and practical domains by providing insights into the role of SDG implementation in enhancing customer perceptions and loyalty in the banking sector. Managerial implications are discussed, and recommendations are provided for banking institutions seeking to leverage the SDGs to strengthen customer relationships and achieve sustainable growth. Full article

University senior management teams are reacting to an evolving trend of identifying and eliminating institutional racism in universities along the North Atlantic Rim. They are tasked with designing and constructing processes for the implementation of remedial antiracist policies, in conjunction with minority employee interest groups, in a putatively inclusive but also hegemonically White environment. Evidence is presented from an international academic survey of non-managerial university minorities, comprising mainly academics and conducted in 2021. This reveals a trend whereby Sara Ahmed’s model of performativity and non-performativity in antiracism is shown to be contingent upon the reputational interests of university senior management, as predicted in Derrick Bell’s convergence theory. This article presents a new synthesized model to explain and predict the trend of non-performativity in university antiracist practices, and then identifies further strands of research that might focus on closing the convergence gap to make antiracism leadership more substantive. Full article

In this study, we use a dataset collected from eBay to analyze buyers’ negative feedback ratings and associated textual comments. By using text mining and sentiment analysis, we identify seven key reasons why buyers post negative ratings: communication problems, shipping issues, product defects, payment refund problems, customer service issues, fraud, and product packaging. These seven reasons can be classified into three categories: (1) sellers’ malicious fraudulence toward buyers, (2) factors likely under the control of sellers, and (3) factors not likely under the control of sellers. Drawing on these categories, we discuss how sellers can effectively reduce the likelihood that buyers post negative ratings. The most important things sellers can do to avoid negative ratings are to improve communications with buyers and to handle product shipping issues properly. In addition to posting the reasons for their negative ratings of sellers, the textual comments associated with negative feedback ratings may also include direct denouncements of sellers, such as buyers explicitly claiming a seller is a liar and warning other buyers to be cautious of the seller. We collectively call these actions buyers’ denouncements against sellers. These denouncements have significant negative impacts on sellers’ reputations. In this study, we use correlation analysis and logistic regression to investigate the factors that motivate buyers to denounce sellers. We find that, of the three categories of reasons why buyers post negative ratings, sellers’ malicious fraudulence toward buyers and factors likely under the control of sellers are more likely to lead to buyers’ denouncements of sellers, while factors not likely under the control of sellers are not likely to lead to buyers’ denouncements of sellers. In addition, buyers’ strong negative sentiment is also more likely to lead to their denouncement of sellers. Managerial implications of these findings are discussed. Full article

In this study, we investigate whether analysts in China can effectively function as watchdogs to monitor managerial ESG greenwashing practices or if they inadvertently play a role in fostering such practices. Analyzing a sample of 8498 annual records from 1282 firms listed on the Chinese A-share market from 2012 to 2022, our linear regression analysis in Stata reveals that firms with significant analyst coverage are more prone to ESG greenwashing, even after controlling for firm-level variables such as leverage (Lev), return on assets (ROA), and cash flow. This finding supports the analyst pressure hypothesis. Notably, the effect is particularly pronounced in poorly performing firms but diminishes when star analysts are involved. Furthermore, we examine the moderating effect of corporate reputation on the relationship between analyst coverage and ESG greenwashing. The results indicate that a robust firm reputation amplifies the impact of analyst scrutiny on ESG greenwashing, especially by raising stakeholder expectations. Our aim is not to undermine the role of analysts but to highlight the need for strengthened ESG regulations to enhance analyst oversight and reduce ESG greenwashing. While our findings, influenced by their Chinese context, may not be universally applicable across all regions, they offer valuable insights for emerging markets seeking to implement effective ESG practices. Full article

Major projects are the important platform for enhancing a country’s comprehensive national power and strengthening its capacity for independent innovation. Although major projects in China have made remarkable achievements, willingness to cooperate and innovate has not achieved the desired target. In this paper, the evolutionary game model of cooperative innovation behavior of general contractors and subcontractors is constructed by considering reputational factors. Through theoretical derivation, the influence of the distribution ratio of collaborative innovation benefit, spillover technology absorption capacity, and reputation discounting coefficient on innovation behavior is analyzed. Finally, MATLAB software is used to simulate the dynamic evolution process of strategy selection. The results show that (1) a reasonable benefit distribution coefficient can promote the evolution of innovation behavior in a positive direction; (2) both the reduction of innovation cost and the increase of spillover technology absorption capacity can make the innovation subject more inclined to choose the active collaborative innovation strategy; and (3) it is the higher-than-threshold reputation loss that can effectively inhibit the “free-rider” behavior. The research conclusions and managerial implications can provide reference for improving the willingness to cooperate in major projects’ technology innovation. Full article

Companies depend on the trust and confidence of the general public to thrive. The integrity of financial reporting practices plays a pivotal role in establishing and sustaining stakeholders’ confidence. This trust serves as a foundational cornerstone in managerial decision-making processes and in facilitating the active participation of a diverse spectrum of stakeholders within organizational frameworks. Despite its reputation for ethical and transparent conduct, the field of accounting often grapples with a perception of mundanity, particularly among student populations. This study uses a structural equation modeling approach to assess the impact of students’ perceptions of the accounting profession on their motivation in academic coursework, using a sample of 92 undergraduate students of accounting and taxation subjects. Additionally, it seeks to investigate how this motivation directly influences their perceptions of future career and how it operates indirectly through their active engagement in accounting and taxation courses. The research findings indicate that students’ perceptions of the accounting profession have a direct and positive effect on the perceptions of future career of individuals enrolled in both accounting and taxation courses. This influence is further mediated by the levels of motivation and engagement observed in the academic domain. Moreover, the results highlight the direct and positive influence of students’ motivation and engagement in their coursework on their perceptions of future career. Full article

The aviation industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation, particularly in airline emissions, noise pollution, and bird strikes. Despite the growing concern for sustainability in aviation industries, there is a lack of research on how passengers perceive airlines’ efforts to manage airlines’ environmental degradation. This study addresses this gap by investigating how passengers perceive airlines’ intrinsic and extrinsic environmental practices toward these issues. Using a scenario-based experiment, this study found that passengers are more likely to use an airline and spread positive word of mouth when environmental practices form part of intrinsic management efforts rather than extrinsic environmental practices, suggesting that airlines should focus on implementing sustainable practices that align with their core values rather than simply adopting superficial measures for public relations. The findings of this research have important theoretical and managerial implications for airline managers in terms of enhancing their sustainability practices. By prioritizing intrinsic management efforts, airlines can improve their environmental performance and enhance their reputation among environmentally conscious passengers, ultimately leading to increased profitability and long-term sustainability for the industry. Full article

The objective of this study was to investigate the concept of perceived corporate philanthropy (PCP) among consumers of luxury goods and examine the differences these consumers perceive in terms of philanthropic actions, particularly within the luxury sector. To address this question, we adopted the following approach: (1) Defining the concept of PCP through an extensive analysis of 2590 articles using GEPHI methodology. (2) Developing a measurement scale for the PCP construct. (3) Exploring the impact of PCP on perceived brand authenticity by comparing consumers of luxury hotels and standard hotels. The results of our multigroup analysis indicated a significant difference among consumers. Corporate philanthropic strategies had a notably stronger influence on the perception of PCP among luxury hotel consumers. This finding underscores the substantial divergence within the luxury marketing literature. These consumers seek brands that align with their desire to associate themselves with robust and authentic brands that carry symbolic significance, which allows them to identify and connect with these brands. By consuming these brands, they are able to attain their desired status. This study sheds light on a significant variable in contemporary marketing, namely, PCP, which provides new avenues for differentiation and leverage within the luxury goods industry. As a result, this study provides valuable managerial recommendations to companies and NGOs, aiming to assist them in tailoring their philanthropic strategies to effectively resonate with their target audiences and bolster their brand reputation. Full article

In response to the need for sustainable solutions to address perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination, we have developed an eco-friendly approach for synthesizing two types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles via a one-pot microwave-assisted strategy. Our innovative method not only avoids the initial depolymerization of PET bottles but also promotes environmental conservation by recycling waste materials. The La-MOF and Zr-MOF materials exhibit remarkable surface areas of 76.90 and 293.50 m²/g, respectively, with La-MOF demonstrating greater thermal stability than Zr-MOF. The maximum experimental PFOA adsorption for La-MOF and Zr-MOF was obtained at 310 and 290 mg/g, respectively. Both MOFs follow the Langmuir isotherm closely, with the adsorption of PFOA following a pseudo-2nd-order kinetic model. In packed-bed column tests, breakthrough positions of 174 and 150 min were observed for La-MOF and Zr-MOF, respectively, with corresponding bed volumes of 452 mL and 522 mL based on the PFOA limit of 0.07 µg/L in drinking water. These findings indicate that these MOFs can be used in industrial packed-bed columns to remove PFOA from contaminated water sources in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Importantly, the sorption performance of the fabricated MOFs for PFOA remained stable, decreasing by less than 10% over seven cycles. This study underscores the potential of recycled PET bottles and the one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis of MOFs as an effective and environmentally friendly solution for PFOA remediation. This innovative approach has several managerial implications, such as the use of waste materials as a feedstock, which can reduce the cost of production and minimize environmental impact by promoting recycling and repurposing, enhancing the reputation of companies operating in the chemical industry, and improving their sustainability metrics. By integrating sustainability principles and waste recycling, our approach offers promising avenues for addressing PFOA contamination while promoting resource efficiency and environmental conservation. Full article