Search Results (8)

Grassroots communities in the 21st century take on the role of social innovators and contribute to addressing market failures and system failures through innovative action. The aim of this empirical study is to evaluate the various modes in which social innovations (products and services) arise in the conditions of community-led grassroots initiatives, to compare the patterns of social and economic value creation through these innovations and to elaborate the possibilities of their commercial exploitation. Drawing from data on 63 innovative products and service of 106 grassroots, taking the optics of grounded theory and adopting the approach of comparative analysis, this study sheds a light on the emergence of “pure”, “bi-focal”, and “market-exposed SI” products and services. Furthermore, the results suggest that it is possible to conceptualize the demand for community-led products and services. The majority of identified innovative products and services of grassroots generate a mix of social and economic outcomes that address both the social needs within one’s own community and needs of various stakeholders, or marginalized groups. The differentiation of SI into “pure”, “bi-focal”, and “market-exposed” was found to be relevant. Also, we identified a rationale for further elaboration of the evolutionary patterns of SI development, as we found that some “pure” SIs have the potential to be introduced to market within the later stages of the SI life-cycle. Some of the investigated products and service had to be commercially exploited due to a paradox—some social, public beneficial solutions need to be commercially exploited to be provided sustainably in the long term. Full article

In this study, a behavioral influence model based on cognitive theory was developed to investigate foremen’s influences on construction workers’ safety behavior. In the model, three foreman behaviors were considered, such as leading by example (LE), safety teaching (ST), and safety monitoring (SM). Five cognitive stages of a worker are also considered in the model, such as situation awareness, safety knowledge, subjective norm, safety attitude, and taking action. To obtain empirical data for the model parameters, a survey was conducted on a construction site in Seoul, South Korea, where the foreman–worker behavioral interactions and workers’ unsafe behavior of taking shortcuts were observed. The model was established as Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) using AnyLogic software. Four scenarios of foremen’s behavior were simulated using the model. The result shows that LE behavior has a positive, but weak significant influence on workers’ safety behavior. ST was found to have a positive and the most significant influence on workers’ safety behavior. Moreover, it should be provided with appropriate safety monitoring to maximize its effectiveness. The research findings promote stakeholders’ understanding of the influence of foremen on workers’ safety behavior and lead to the formation of informed policies and future research directions in the study field. Full article

Our paper focuses on the role of e-government in relation to economic development within the post-COVID era. Nowadays, e-government represents the service which utilizes digital technology to create electronic pathways to improve the efficiency of public services, increase economic prosperity, and improve the standard of living. In this paper, we argue that e-government presents the only proper and viable model for public administration in the 21st century by embedding internet-based technologies to ensure smooth interactions between the government and its citizens, solving the most socially important problems, enabling internal communication between public servants, and delivering public services to the entire population regardless of age or gender. In addition, we show that stakeholders and policymakers should foster the development of an adequate and non-discriminatory environment for e-government through regulatory frameworks, policy guidelines, and government guarantees. Our study is based on the results of our own survey that was administered using a snowball and quasi-random sample of 400 respondents (aged 19–26 years; 56.2% females and 43.8% males) from the Czech Republic (N = 136) and the Russian Federation (N = 264), of whom 58% were women and 42% were men (M ± SD = 45.53 ± 11.46, median age 44). Our results show that the e-government enhancement concept has been perceived as an effective tool for fostering economic prosperity, tackling corruption, and helping to avoid uncertainty. Based on the theories of customer-focus and relationship marketing, this study suggests that the most significant factor influencing the success of e-government projects is citizen orientation, followed by channel and channel orientation, and technology orientation. We show that the governments of developing countries should prioritize e-government applications in their requests for international assistance and cooperation, as well as international financial support. Moreover, we argue that digital transformation should become the key element of the changing business and market needs in the post-COVID era. Full article

Although considerable research has been conducted on improving sustainability performance, many important questions remain. Drawing on Social Learning Theory (SLT) and Stakeholder Theory (ST), our model suggests a mechanism, Environmental Organizational Citizenship Behavior (EOCB), through which Environmental Transformational Leadership (ETL) influences Organizational Sustainability Performance (SP). In addition, employees’ Work Passion (WP) will moderate the relationship between ETL and EOCB. A total of 240 full-time employees in Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industries submitted responses via survey questionnaires, and the proposed hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis. Results were consistent with the hypothesized conceptual scheme in that ETL indirectly impacts SP through EOCB. In the meantime, the WP of employees plays a moderating role in the relationship between ETL and EOCB as well as in the indirect effect of ETL on SP via EOCB. As a way to improve their sustainability performance, organizations must hire and nominate ETLs who can influence their employees to become aware of environmental protection and instill these values. Furthermore, employees’ passion for their work encourages them to engage in voluntary environmental behaviors. A discussion of the findings, implications, limitations, and future research avenues is included. Full article

This study aims to investigate the relationship of firm performance and corporate social responsibility reporting and the moderating role of a firm’s life cycle stages in Chinese listed companies. We used the sample of all A-share listed firms on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges for the period 2010 to 2020. The authors used pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) regression as a baseline methodology. Our regression results show that positive Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity significantly reduces the performance of the firm. In addition, the negative link between positive Corporate social responsibility and a firm’s performance is more pronounced for firms in mature life cycle stages. Our results are robust to alternative proxy measures of ROA for firm performance, corporate social responsibility reporting, and life cycle stages. To control the possible problem of endogeneity, we use a one-year lag and 2SLS least squares regression. We find that firm performance has a statistically significant influence on CSR reporting. Moreover, we see that firms with high performance are more likely to report CSR activities than low-performance firms. Additionally, six out of ten control variables (Independent Director, Board Shares, State Owned Enterprise, Board Meeting, Chief executive officer Duality, and Firm Growth) have positive influences on CSR reporting. These findings hold for a set of robustness tests. Our results have implications for the development of CSR reporting in developing countries such as China. Our research suggests that, in China, firms with better financial performance undertake more CSR reporting. This paper contributes to the existing literature by investigating the effect of firm performance on CSR reporting and the moderating role of a firm’s life cycle stages in Chinese listed companies. Additionally, this paper enriches the current literature on CSR reporting and highlights the importance of a firm’s financial performance for better environmental performance and reporting. Full article

Flipped learning empowers learners to take an engaging role in learning while educators assist the learning process. The employment of flipped learning has been confirmed to enhance the teaching and learning of English as a second language in previous studies. This study aimed to explore the application of the unified theory of technology acceptance and use of technology towards ESL lecturers’ intention to use flipped learning. This study used a quantitative research framework where a set of online questionnaires was used in collecting the data. A total of 206 English as a second language lecturers from four different universities participated in this study. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The result of this study indicates that only social influence is significant in predicting English as a second language lecturers’ intention to use the flipped learning approach. Furthermore, this study enriches the literature on 21st century education and the integration of technology in teaching and learning. In addition, this study could help educators and stakeholders in adapting or enhancing the flipped learning approach by distinguishing the distinct predictors of technology acceptance. Full article

Research Highlights: This research advanced understanding of stakeholder relations within the context of innovation using citizen science in a biosecurity sociotechnical system (STS) in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Background and Objectives: It draws on recent experiences in the United Kingdom, where analysis of stakeholder engagement in the development of biosecurity surveillance technologies and citizen science initiatives have occurred to support understanding and development of forest and tree health biosecurity. Early detection technologies are essential as biosecurity risks to the primary sectors increase with the expansion of global trade and shifting pest dynamics that accompany a changing climate. Stakeholder engagement in technology development improves the chances of adoption but can also challenge the mental models of users in an existing STS. Materials and Methods: Two conceptual models that embed stakeholder relations in new information and communications technology (ICT) design and development were applied: (i) a future realist view of the general surveillance system incorporating citizen experts as species identifiers; (ii) a social construction of the ICT platform to surface mental models of the system in use creating the groundwork for evolution of stakeholder relations within STS innovation. A case study demonstrating how we addressed some of the practical limitations of a proposed systems change by applying sociotechnical innovation systems (STIS) theory to the development and adoption of new technologies for surveillance in the existing biosecurity system was presented. Results: Opportunities to enhance the capacity for early detection were considered, where the needs of diverse factors within a central government biosecurity authority and the wider citizenry are supported by the development of a general surveillance network (GSN). Full article

Two rich knowledge domains have been evolving along parallel pathways in tourism studies: sustainable tourism (ST) and community-based tourism (CBT). Within both lie diverse definitions, principles, criteria, critical success factors and benefits sought or outcomes desired, advocated by different stakeholders ranging from quasi-governmental and non-profit organizations to public-private sector and academic interests. This poses significant challenges to those interested in theory building, research and practice in the sustainable development and management of tourism. The paper builds on a previous article published in Sustainability by presenting an integrated framework based on a comprehensive, in-depth review and analysis of the tourism-related literature. The study reveals not just common ground and differences that might be anticipated, but also important sustainability dimensions that are lagging or require much greater attention, such as equity, justice, ethical and governance issues. A preliminary framework of “sustainable community-based tourism” (SCBT) is forwarded that attempts to bridge the disparate literature on ST and CBT. Critical directions forward are offered to progress research and sustainability-oriented practices towards more effective development and management of tourism in the 21st century. Full article