Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán Author-X-Name-First: Gonzalo Author-X-Name-Last: Maldonado-Guzmán Title: Barriers affects application of lean practices and financial performance in Mexican manufacturing SMEs Abstract: In the literature, emphasis has been placed on identifying the barriers that affect the application of lean practices, in order to improve financial performance. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on the analysis of the barriers that limit the application of lean practices in SMEs, in addition to the fact that most of these studies have focused on the application of a methodology of lean studies individual cases. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the status of the application of lean practices, as well as their barriers and financial benefits in manufacturing SMEs in Mexico. The results obtained suggest that technical and human barriers have effects on the application of lean practices and on financial performance, in turn, lean practices also have effects on the financial performance of SMEs. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 247-264 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: lean; lean barriers; lean practices; financial performance; manufacturing industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139787 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:247-264 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wajeeha Aslam Author-X-Name-First: Wajeeha Author-X-Name-Last: Aslam Author-Name: Imtiaz Arif Author-X-Name-First: Imtiaz Author-X-Name-Last: Arif Author-Name: Kashif Farhat Author-X-Name-First: Kashif Author-X-Name-Last: Farhat Title: The journey of service quality to loyalty: a gender-based multigroup analysis in car-hailing service Abstract: The study examines the role of car-hailing service (CHS) online and offline service quality on satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, it examines the impact of satisfaction on trust and its impact on loyalty, and the differences in the perception of males and females. The data was collected through a questionnaire from people who had experience using CHS. PLS-SEM and multigroup analysis (MGA) was used for hypotheses testing. The findings revealed that online and offline service quality both affects satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, significant relationships were found between satisfaction, trust, and loyalty. The results of MGA showed that offline service quality predominantly affects the satisfaction and loyalty of females. Moreover, trust predominantly affects the loyalty of males in comparison to females. The study offers valuable insights to CHS providers as the findings benefit in developing strategies that help in catering to male and female users. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 1-24 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: car-hailing; loyalty; sharing economy; mobile app; service quality; trust; satisfaction. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=135692 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:1:p:1-24 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fernando G. Sánchez-Henríquez Author-X-Name-First: Fernando G. Author-X-Name-Last: Sánchez-Henríquez Author-Name: Ángel Sevil Author-X-Name-First: Ángel Author-X-Name-Last: Sevil Author-Name: Roberto S. Vassolo Author-X-Name-First: Roberto S. Author-X-Name-Last: Vassolo Title: Limits of open innovation: bridging boundaries between technological and non-technological innovation Abstract: Research on open innovation has mainly focused on managing knowledge flow across organisational boundaries for technological (product and process) innovations. However, the effect of external knowledge sources on non-technological innovation (process, marketing, managerial) has not been assessed yet. Thus, this paper extends the study of open innovation to non-technological (organisational and marketing) innovations, arguing that the effect of external knowledge sources on innovation is contingent on the type of innovation an organisation pursues. Using a panel data from 3,977 firms-year observations obtained from three consecutive panels of the Chilean Innovation Survey (2009-2014), we show that external knowledge sources have a u-shape relationship with technological innovations but a positive relationship with non-technological innovations. We contribute to innovation literature by proposing a conceptual model of innovation openness and creating a theoretical bridge between the emerging open innovation literature and the growing literature on organisational innovation. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 265-292 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: innovation; technological innovation; non-technological innovation; Chile. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139788 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:265-292 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Joaquim A. Casaca Author-X-Name-First: Joaquim A. Author-X-Name-Last: Casaca Author-Name: Ana Loureiro Author-X-Name-First: Ana Author-X-Name-Last: Loureiro Title: The determinants of non-consumption of disposable plastic: application of an extended theory of planned behaviour Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to explore a framework to predict the non-consumption of disposable plastics behaviour, using the theory of planned behaviour and a further extension adding two new variables to the model: social media engagement and lifestyle values. The empirical research builds on a survey with a sample of 466 individuals using an online questionnaire. Data analysis followed a PLS-SEM approach, to test the group of hypotheses. The group of predictors of social media engagement, lifestyle values, attitude, perceived behaviour control, and intention explain 39.7% of the variance of the expected behaviour of no-use of disposable plastic, which is considered a high value in the consumer behaviour domain. Together, the results show that the theory of planned behaviour proved its applicability in explaining social behaviour and that social media engagement is a very relevant predictor of lifestyle. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 87-116 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: sustainable consumption; disposable plastics; theory of planned behaviour; social media engagement; lifestyle; structural equation modelling; PLS-SEM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=135693 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:1:p:87-116 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marta Marco-Gardoqui Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Marco-Gardoqui Author-Name: Almudena Eizaguirre Author-X-Name-First: Almudena Author-X-Name-Last: Eizaguirre Author-Name: María García-Feijoo Author-X-Name-First: María Author-X-Name-Last: García-Feijoo Title: Impact of marketing policies and strategies on the advancement of sustainable development goals: a systematic review Abstract: Through this research study, we aim to shed light into the discussion on the role that marketing strategies and policies plays in the attainment of SDGs. Companies that promote sustainability through their marketing initiatives have been proven to achieve greater appreciation than those that do not. Moreover, actions performed by organisations in different sectors within the sustainability framework demand the need to create a clear and comprehensive scheme that helps combine and clarify the typology of these actions and their contribution to SDGs. The main objective of this research is to understand the specific role played by marketing strategies in the achievement and progress towards a more sustainable world using the systematic review methodology. The major finding is to understand where the research on the topic is focused regarding the economic sector (secondary sector), the addressed goal (Goal 12), and the main marketing strategies and actions considered (being 'marketing orientation' the most mentioned and 'price' the least). In addition, this study provides some implications for researchers, managers and policy makers, related to the understanding of the SDGs, the actions to be taken and the relevance of citizens' education. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 63-86 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: SDG; 2030 Agenda; sustainable development goals; SDGs; marketing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=135694 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:1:p:63-86 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Julio J. Guzman Author-X-Name-First: Julio J. Author-X-Name-Last: Guzman Author-Name: Juan I. Merlo Author-X-Name-First: Juan I. Author-X-Name-Last: Merlo Title: Determinants of entrepreneurship and self-employment for older people in Chile Abstract: In most countries self-employment rates move up along with age. This may reflect that people are expelled from wage-work as they age, facing more precarious job conditions. However, labour statistics tabulated by age might be affected by survival bias, that is, older people who remain in the labour force might differ from those who exit the labour force. To attack this problem, we estimate bivariate probit models with sample selection using Chilean data to assess the effect of aging on self-employment choices, controlling for the decision to remain working. We find that the age gradient in self-employment almost vanishes for all groups once we control for observable characteristics and for potential selection bias. These results suggest that self-employment is more frequent among older people mainly because of differential labour market exits between wage workers and self-employed, and not necessarily because of large transitions to self-employment at older ages. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 25-40 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: entrepreneurship; mature-aged entrepreneurship; old-age entrepreneurship; senior entrepreneurship; self-employment; older workers; bivariate probit models with sample selection; Chile. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=135695 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:1:p:25-40 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shams Tamimi Author-X-Name-First: Shams Author-X-Name-Last: Tamimi Author-Name: Ramshah Arshad Author-X-Name-First: Ramshah Author-X-Name-Last: Arshad Author-Name: Saif ul Haq Author-X-Name-First: Saif ul Author-X-Name-Last: Haq Author-Name: Muhammad Ahsan Chughtai Author-X-Name-First: Muhammad Ahsan Author-X-Name-Last: Chughtai Title: Application of green HRM and its impact on environmental performance: a case of construction projects Abstract: In the recent era, environmental performance (EP) has gained the attention of academicians and practitioners. Green human resource management (GHRM) is considered very crucial as GHRM practices may help organisations to improve EP. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the impact of GHRM on EP in construction projects in Pakistan. Moreover, this study investigates the moderating effect of organisational culture (OC) on the relationship between GHRM practices and EP. Data were collected from the construction industry and structural equation modelling (SEM) through SmartPLS-3.3.5 was used to analyse the data. It is found that green recruitment (GR), green training (GT), and green compensation significantly influence EP whereas OC moderates the relationship between GR and EP but does not have any moderating effect on the relationships between GT, green compensation with EP. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 41-62 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: green human resource management; GHRM; green recruitment; green training; green compensation and benefits; organisational culture; environmental performance; structural equation modelling; SEM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=135698 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:1:p:41-62 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad Zarei Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Author-X-Name-Last: Zarei Author-Name: Amir Zolfaghari Author-X-Name-First: Amir Author-X-Name-Last: Zolfaghari Author-Name: Behrouz Zarei Author-X-Name-First: Behrouz Author-X-Name-Last: Zarei Title: An exploratory perspective on reciprocal pharmaceutical export operations and their underlying dynamic capabilities Abstract: To gain a sustainable competitive advantage, it is vital for firms to nurture capabilities that are hard for others to imitate, specifically in rapidly changing business environments. Based on the dynamic capability framework, we designed this study: 1) to explore major export operations in pharmaceutical firms; 2) to investigate their underlying dynamic capabilities; 3) to establish associations between them. We conducted in-depth interviews with 11 pharmaceutical export firms and analysed data using a grounded inductive approach. The study yielded an integrative process model that explains how pharmaceutical export firms manage their dynamic capabilities by establishing associations between export operations and their underlying dynamic capabilities. The interviews highlighted leadership as an agent for developing dynamic capabilities, although the literature has no satisfactory explanations for its cognitive mechanisms. We see this gap as a starting point for developing a new concept - <i>export leadership</i>. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 146-169 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: dynamic capabilities; pharmaceutical export firms; internationalisation; business environment; export leadership; opportunity recognition; entrepreneurial orientations; inductive grounded approach. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=137802 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:146-169 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ricardo Teixeira Author-X-Name-First: Ricardo Author-X-Name-Last: Teixeira Author-Name: Leandro F. Pereira Author-X-Name-First: Leandro F. Author-X-Name-Last: Pereira Author-Name: José Crespo de Carvalho Author-X-Name-First: José Crespo de Author-X-Name-Last: Carvalho Author-Name: Rui Vinhas da Silva Author-X-Name-First: Rui Vinhas da Author-X-Name-Last: Silva Author-Name: Ana Simões Author-X-Name-First: Ana Author-X-Name-Last: Simões Title: Business environment and competitiveness in Portugal Abstract: The context for this research was the lack of data and studies on how to improve the business competitive environment and make it more interesting for foreign direct investment, in particular in Portugal economy. Two research questions were formulated to understand the main perspectives of Portugal competitiveness and main ideas to Portuguese companies become more competitive using a qualitative methodology based on in depth interviews of 67 persons from entrepreneurs, economist, researchers and academics. The main findings identify a set of factors that turns the Portuguese economy more competitive, as well the types of investments that matches with Portuguese dynamics and environment, and a roadmap for economic development. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 117-145 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: market selection; business competitiveness; economic competitiveness; Portuguese competitiveness; foreign direct investment; FDI; Portugal. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=137804 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:117-145 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed A. Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Hakimi Author-Name: Mohammed A.K. Zaid Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed A.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Zaid Author-Name: Mohammed Farooque Khan Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed Farooque Author-X-Name-Last: Khan Author-Name: Moad Hamod Saleh Author-X-Name-First: Moad Hamod Author-X-Name-Last: Saleh Author-Name: Dhanraj Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Dhanraj Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Author-Name: Ruchita Verma Author-X-Name-First: Ruchita Author-X-Name-Last: Verma Author-Name: Murad Baqis Hasan Author-X-Name-First: Murad Baqis Author-X-Name-Last: Hasan Title: How and when does green transformational leadership affect environmental performance? Abstract: Conceptual and empirical advancement has failed to keep pace with the industry's increasing interest in green leadership and environmental performance (EP) in the context of manufacturing SMEs in least-developed countries. Therefore, this study investigates whether green human resources management (GHRM) mediates between green transformational leadership (GTL) and EP among manufacturing SMEs in Yemen, a least developed country. Furthermore, it evaluates the moderating effect of corporate environmental ethics (CEE) on that relationship. Through a survey questionnaire, data were collected from 262 Yemeni manufacturing SMEs and analysed through hierarchical regression analysis. The empirical results confirm that GTL has a positive, direct effect on EP and indirectly through GHRM. This study also confirms that GHRM is positively associated with EP which increases when firm employees have CEE. Finally, our study extends our knowledge of EP with respect to GTL and its underlying mechanism and conditional effect. It contributes to the green management literature and has managerial implications for firms to improve EP more effectively. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 170-192 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: green transformational leadership; GTL; corporate environmental ethics; CEE; green HRM; environmental performance; EP; SMEs; least developed countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=137807 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:170-192 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chijioke Nwachukwu Author-X-Name-First: Chijioke Author-X-Name-Last: Nwachukwu Author-Name: Helena Chládková Author-X-Name-First: Helena Author-X-Name-Last: Chládková Author-Name: Hieu Minh Vu Author-X-Name-First: Hieu Minh Author-X-Name-Last: Vu Title: Motivation, challenges and strategies of female social entrepreneurs in the micro-lending sector Abstract: The study highlights the motivations and challenges of female social entrepreneurs and their responses to these challenges. The study employs a qualitative research approach and in-depth interviews of 13 female social entrepreneurs in Southwest Nigeria. We observed that financial empowerment for low-income earners, support for the family, and a better society are main motivation of social entrepreneurship. We observed that women entrepreneurs face business and institutional challenges, like lack of access to fund and infrastructure, gender bias, institutional corruption, lack of awareness about rules and regulations and bureaucratic bottlenecks. The study advances the field by identifying the role of female social entrepreneurs in providing financial services to low-income segments of society and solving societal issues in the emerging market context. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 220-237 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: female social entrepreneurship; institutional theory; feminist theory; challenges; motivations; strategy; Nigeria. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=137819 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:220-237 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Javier Martínez-Falcó Author-X-Name-First: Javier Author-X-Name-Last: Martínez-Falcó Author-Name: Bartolomé Marco-Lajara Author-X-Name-First: Bartolomé Author-X-Name-Last: Marco-Lajara Author-Name: Patrocinio Zaragoza-Sáez Author-X-Name-First: Patrocinio Author-X-Name-Last: Zaragoza-Sáez Author-Name: Pedro Seva-Larrosa Author-X-Name-First: Pedro Author-X-Name-Last: Seva-Larrosa Author-Name: Lorena Ruiz-Fernández Author-X-Name-First: Lorena Author-X-Name-Last: Ruiz-Fernández Title: Sustainable intellectual capital as a roadmap to sustainability: a systematic literature review Abstract: The research aims to analyse the evolution of scientific production on sustainable intellectual capital (SIC) and to identify the fundamental characteristics of this type of studies. To this end, a systematic review has been carried out, analysing a total of 32 articles from 2008 to 2021. The study shows a notable increase in the number of publications dealing with SIC in the last three years, with 71.87% of the research published in that period. In terms of the methodologies used, it is worth noting the existence of a greater number of studies that apply quantitative methodologies as opposed to qualitative ones. Regarding the sector, the selected studies have focused on the analysis of companies in the secondary sector, more specifically manufacturing companies. Moreover, these studies have been prominent in developing countries such as Taiwan, Thailand and China, with the case of Taiwan being particularly significant. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 193-219 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: sustainable intellectual capital; SIC; systematic literature review; sustainability; sustainable intellectual capital-based view. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=137820 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:193-219 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Germán Rojas-Cabezas Author-X-Name-First: Germán Author-X-Name-Last: Rojas-Cabezas Author-Name: Ronald Mora-Esquivel Author-X-Name-First: Ronald Author-X-Name-Last: Mora-Esquivel Author-Name: Nicolás Márquez Álvarez Author-X-Name-First: Nicolás Márquez Author-X-Name-Last: Álvarez Author-Name: Susana Chacón-Espejo Author-X-Name-First: Susana Author-X-Name-Last: Chacón-Espejo Author-Name: Victor Nocetti-Nuñez Author-X-Name-First: Victor Author-X-Name-Last: Nocetti-Nuñez Author-Name: Juan Carlos Leiva Bonilla Author-X-Name-First: Juan Carlos Leiva Author-X-Name-Last: Bonilla Title: Green management, perceived barriers to sustainability, and innovation performance in Latin American SMEs Abstract: The promotion of sustainable development is a paramount objective in Latin America, and it is crucial to comprehend how companies can contribute to this goal. This study examines the relationship between green management, perceived barriers to sustainability, and innovation performance in Latin American SMEs. Using a structural equation modelling methodology based on a primary dataset of 5,716 managers from 18 Latin American countries, the study finds that green management positively relates to SMEs' the innovation performance of SMEs in Latin America. However, perceived barriers to sustainability partially mediate this positive relationship. Theoretical implications suggest that sustainable practices can lead to improved innovation performance, while practical implications highlight the importance of addressing perceived barriers to sustainability in order to fully realise these benefits. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing evidence of the positive impact of green management on innovation performance in Latin American SMEs and offers suggestions for future research avenues. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 429-450 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: innovation performance; green management; perceived barriers; sustainability; Iberoamerican SMEs observatory. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139669 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:429-450 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Darío Milesi Author-X-Name-First: Darío Author-X-Name-Last: Milesi Author-Name: Carlos Aggio Author-X-Name-First: Carlos Author-X-Name-Last: Aggio Author-Name: Vladimiro Verre Author-X-Name-First: Vladimiro Author-X-Name-Last: Verre Title: Technological learning in natural resources-based activities: the role of idiosyncratic knowledge and knowledge intensive business services Abstract: This paper discusses the relationship between productive specialisation and the accumulation of technological capabilities. In particular, it analyses a potential move towards a more knowledge-intensive economic structure through technological learning in natural resources-based activities as opposed to the conventional thinking in which learning occurs only as a result of the creation and expansion of a high-tech manufacturing industry. Using evidence from the sectors of seeds, non-conventional oil and gas and wind energy from a multiple case study, the paper discusses the specificities of innovation in natural resources-based activities and the role of the idiosyncratic knowledge needed to develop such activities both as a source of technological capabilities accumulation and sustainable innovation. As part of this, the paper shows that the development of local knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) based on general-purpose technologies can be the main driver of productivity gains and environmental preservation. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 358-383 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: natural resources; idiosyncratic knowledge; sustainable innovation; technological learning; development. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139676 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:358-383 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antonios Georgopoulos Author-X-Name-First: Antonios Author-X-Name-Last: Georgopoulos Author-Name: Eleftherios Aggelopoulos Author-X-Name-First: Eleftherios Author-X-Name-Last: Aggelopoulos Author-Name: Elen Paraskevi Paraschi Author-X-Name-First: Elen Paraskevi Author-X-Name-Last: Paraschi Author-Name: Maria Kalogera Author-X-Name-First: Maria Author-X-Name-Last: Kalogera Title: The impact of marketing signals on the performance of foreign subsidiaries in the COVID-19 pandemic Abstract: An interesting research issue that has not yet been satisfactorily explored is the investigation of business strategic responses in periods of crisis and their performance effects. To shed light on this issue, we take the COVID-19 pandemic as a paradigm and explore the impact of marketing signals such as brand name, advertising, warranties, and pricing on the perceived performance of 165 subsidiaries of multinational enterprises located in Greece. We find differentiated performance effects of the four signals under examination. In particular, brand name and advertising have positive performance effects, whereas pricing negatively affects performance and warranties have a statistically insignificant influence. Further, the perceived performance impact of the specific signals varies across diverse industries. In addition, our research reveals the enhancing performance effect of e-commerce as a means of distribution during the pandemic. The findings suggest that an entrenched marketing policy in the COVID-19 pandemic should be applied selectively and targeted in terms of marketing tools and industry types. Our results are robust for various performance indicators and have marketing, performance, and crisis management implications. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 451-471 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: marketing signals; signalling theory; perceived performance; COVID-19 pandemic; Greece. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139677 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:451-471 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sandra Yesenia Pinzón-Castro Author-X-Name-First: Sandra Yesenia Author-X-Name-Last: Pinzón-Castro Author-Name: Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán Author-X-Name-First: Gonzalo Author-X-Name-Last: Maldonado-Guzmán Author-Name: Raymundo Juárez-Del Toro Author-X-Name-First: Raymundo Juárez-Del Author-X-Name-Last: Toro Title: Eco-innovation drivers really improve firm performance? Sustainable performance mediating role in Mexican automotive industry Abstract: The increasing pressure that manufacturing companies must reduce pollution levels and environmental degradation by society, is forcing firms to implement new strategies that allow them to produce environmentally friendly products, without neglecting their economic measures. In this sense, the literature is increasingly considering eco-innovation as a strategy that allows firms not only to improve firm performance, but also sustainable performance. However, little is known about the influence of eco-innovation on sustainable performance and firm performance. The objective of this study is the analysis of the existing relationship between eco-innovation, firm performance, and sustainable performance, since there are relatively few studies published in the literature that analyse these three constructs together. Likewise, a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 460 companies in the automotive industry in Mexico, analysing the dataset through PLS-SEM. The results obtained suggest that eco-innovation have a positive influence on both firm and sustainable performance of the automotive industry. In conclusion, empirical evidence has been provided that demonstrated that eco-innovation has a positive effect on firm and sustainable performance, as sustainable performance significantly improves the relationship between eco-innovation and firm performance. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 293-314 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: eco-innovation; innovation; sustainable performance; firm performance; automotive industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139682 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:293-314 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Aimar Basañez-Zulueta Author-X-Name-First: Aimar Author-X-Name-Last: Basañez-Zulueta Author-Name: Jon Barrutia-Güenaga Author-X-Name-First: Jon Author-X-Name-Last: Barrutia-Güenaga Author-Name: Arturo Rodriguez-Castellanos Author-X-Name-First: Arturo Author-X-Name-Last: Rodriguez-Castellanos Author-Name: Emelina Gracia-Ramos Author-X-Name-First: Emelina Author-X-Name-Last: Gracia-Ramos Title: The B2B relationship in industrial companies from the position of hidden champions: knowledge-intensive services for small business Abstract: SME access to advanced services is explored from a business and territorial perspective. Based on the term knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), advanced services are conceptualised from this approach to define the existence of a <i>KIBS function</i>, which is not necessarily linked to organic structures explicitly declared as KIBS. A theoretical framework in which hidden champions are linked to KIBS has been established for this purpose and two propositions have been set forth. A qualitative analysis is used in two territories, the Basque Country (Spain) and the department of Antioquia (Colombia) to check them. The propositions were confirmed in both territories and a comparative analysis was also performed, which increases the robustness of results as the two areas belong to different geo-economic zones. The main conclusion is that hidden champions can act as KIBS to benefit SMEs in the area and territory where they are located. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 384-407 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: competitiveness; innovation; knowledge-intensive business services; KIBS; sustainability; hidden champions. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139699 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:384-407 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jorge Peña Author-X-Name-First: Jorge Author-X-Name-Last: Peña Author-Name: Alejandro Flores Author-X-Name-First: Alejandro Author-X-Name-Last: Flores Author-Name: Jorge Heredia Author-X-Name-First: Jorge Author-X-Name-Last: Heredia Title: Exploring the influence of digitalisation on the formalisation process of informal businesses: a comparative strategic management in China and Peru Abstract: The formalisation of informal businesses is a complicated process that has been the subject of numerous attempts to find a satisfactory solution. Achieving this transition is an aspiration of academics, policymakers, and the government. To address this problem, our explorative and theoretical research focuses on the influence of digitalisation as a new strategic variable for the formalisation process of informal businesses. For this purpose, we employ comparative strategic management (CSM) in Peru and China businesses to know the factors that drive the formalisation process in heterogeneous contexts. This article demonstrates significant similarities and differences in the formalisation process's economic, institutional, and strategic environments. Also, from the experience learned from businesses in China, identify factors that could be useful for the Peruvian experience. Finally, this research presents propositions that explain the adaptation mechanisms of digitisation to increase the rate of business formalisation to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs), researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 408-428 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: formalisation process; digitalisation; Peru; China; comparative strategic management; CSM; sustainable development goals; SDGs. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139705 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:408-428 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fabio Blanco-Mesa Author-X-Name-First: Fabio Author-X-Name-Last: Blanco-Mesa Author-Name: Ernesto León-Castro Author-X-Name-First: Ernesto Author-X-Name-Last: León-Castro Title: Innovation in strategic planning through fuzzy methodologies: a study of the industrial context of Bogota, Colombia during COVID-19 Abstract: The paper analyses the strategic planning in the industrial context of Bogota, Colombia during COVID-19. Because of the different perspectives and subjectivity of the topic, the objective is to use an innovative methodology based on different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) characteristics and fuzzy logic to analyse the problem. The methodologies used were the Bonferroni ordered weighted average (OWA) operator and the Pitchat algorithm. The study was based on five sectors with seven strategic scopes. Among the main results was possible to visualise that all the sectors find the most important scope in marketing and the less important scope in Formalisation. Finally, some specific analyses of the results for each sector are presented to visualise how the scopes of the strategic planning can change depending on the sector. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 338-357 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: innovation; strategic planning; MCDM; industrial context. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139722 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:338-357 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jean Pierre Seclen-Luna Author-X-Name-First: Jean Pierre Author-X-Name-Last: Seclen-Luna Author-Name: Pablo J. Moya-Fernández Author-X-Name-First: Pablo J. Author-X-Name-Last: Moya-Fernández Author-Name: Javier Fernando Del Carpio Gallegos Author-X-Name-First: Javier Fernando Del Carpio Author-X-Name-Last: Gallegos Author-Name: Elizabeth Aylas Florez Author-X-Name-First: Elizabeth Aylas Author-X-Name-Last: Florez Title: Innovation in KIBS firms: the effects of innovation activities, employees' level of education, and the sources in the supply chain Abstract: There has been a growing interest in the study of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) due to the important role that they play in the business processes of their clients. Even though extant literature assumes that KIBS firms are innovators, there is evidence that not all KIBS are equally innovative. Our exploratory research uses data gathered from the National Survey of Innovation in the manufacturing and KIBS industries and uses the LOGIT model on a sample of 311 Peruvian KIBS firms. The effects of innovation activities, employee level of education and the sources in the supply chain on developing innovations are determined. Findings indicate that not all innovation activities positively affect innovation. We found that most of these activities are related to technological innovation, rather than non-technological innovation, and the hiring of graduated personnel favours the development of organisational innovation. However, the interplay with customers, suppliers and competitors gives no benefit concerning the development of innovation. Journal: Int. J. of Business Environment Pages: 315-337 Issue: 3/4 Volume: 15 Year: 2024 Keywords: technological innovation; non-technological innovation; innovation activities; knowledge-intensive business services; KIBS; employees' level of education. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=139727 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:15:y:2024:i:3/4:p:315-337