Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pardeep Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Pardeep Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Author-Name: Sumit Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Sumit Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Title: TPM as an organisational motivator for gaining business excellence and sustainability in competitive environment: an empirical exploration Abstract: Total productive maintenance (TPM) is a globally acknowledged business management tool utilised by industry for improving equipment and people for attaining business excellence. This paper aims to examine how TPM implementation at XYZ Auto Limited, India contributed in motivating its leadership, employees, suppliers and dealers for improving their performance capabilities. This industry adopted TPM for attaining long term sustainability in the ever growing and highly competitive automobile market. TPM implementation facilitated the industry in imparting higher job satisfaction through empowerment, knowledge enrichment and appreciation among its employees, suppliers and dealers in an effort to improve its business performance. After TPM implementation, the overall plant efficiency increased to 90%, warranty claims reduced by 68%, in-process defects reduced by 95%, manufacturing cost reduced by 37% and lead time reduced by 25%. This study is a novel and distinctive empirical exploration that establishes a relationship among TPM, organisational motivation and business performance. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 19-39 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: total productive maintenance; TPM; organisational motivation; employee motivation; business excellence; quality management; organisational capabilities. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150873 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:19-39 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rakhee Chhibber Author-X-Name-First: Rakhee Author-X-Name-Last: Chhibber Author-Name: A.K. Srivastava Author-X-Name-First: A.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Srivastava Title: Confusion to clarity: role of online reviews on purchase decision of online customers Abstract: The research is for the study of the impacts of the importance of review, nature of review and nature of customers on a purchase decision of online customers. A quantitative research methodology was used and using 208 online customer's data of Delhi/NCR. The factor analysis was implemented on collected data using SPSS 22 and then structural equation modelling was applied using Smart PLS. In this research, first of all, the statements regarding the impact of online reviews for the purchase decision of customer had been converted into factors using SPSS 22. Eighteen statements were converted into four variables - three independent variables like importance of review, nature and need of customers and of review and nature of reviews [qualitative/quantitative (scale or rating)] and one dependent variable as purchase decision of online customers. The outcomes of this study also indicated that the obtained independent variables have a substantial positive effect on consumer's purchase decisions once they do online shopping. The conclusions of this study offer an understanding of the importance of the selected factors in the consumer's purchase decision in the online shopping industry. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-18 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: purchase decision; nature of customers; online review; star rating; need of customer; scale rating. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150874 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:1-18 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Carlos Ferro-Soto Author-X-Name-First: Carlos Author-X-Name-Last: Ferro-Soto Author-Name: Carmen Padín Fabeiro Author-X-Name-First: Carmen Padín Author-X-Name-Last: Fabeiro Author-Name: Isolde Lubbe Author-X-Name-First: Isolde Author-X-Name-Last: Lubbe Author-Name: Göran Svensson Author-X-Name-First: Göran Author-X-Name-Last: Svensson Author-Name: Nils M. Høgevold Author-X-Name-First: Nils M. Author-X-Name-Last: Høgevold Title: A META-RELQUAL framework for B2B sales partnerships: empirical findings from Spain Abstract: The purpose of this study is to verify the validity and reliability of a META-RELQUAL (MRQ) framework in B2B sales partnerships. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of Spanish businesses across a variety of industries that have a B2B focus. The study confirms the satisfactory validity and reliability of the MRQ-framework in B2B sales relationships. The MRQ-framework can be applied with salespeople in a Southern European B2B partnership settings, specifically Spain. The study also provides guidance to manage B2B purchase and sales partnerships based on a ten-dimensional foundation of concepts. Furthermore, the study amplifies the universal applicability of the MRQ-framework in B2B sales partnerships, specifically in a different country setting. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 40-76 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: relationship marketing theory; salespeople; relationship quality; META-RELQUAL; social exchange theory; SET; transaction cost analysis; TCA; business to business partnerships; Spain. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150875 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:40-76 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chen Yu Author-X-Name-First: Chen Author-X-Name-Last: Yu Author-Name: Md Jahidur Rahman Author-X-Name-First: Md Jahidur Author-X-Name-Last: Rahman Author-Name: Md Moazzem Hossain Author-X-Name-First: Md Moazzem Author-X-Name-Last: Hossain Title: Liquidity management and profitability: evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises in China Abstract: This study examined the relationship between the profitability and liquidity of Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its effects by using ten-year data of 249 Chinese SMEs listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2018. A pooled regression analysis and a pairwise Granger causality test were performed to examine the relationship between the liquidity and profitability of these SMEs. Multiple proxies were utilised to measure SME performance, including: 1) return on asset (ROA); 2) return on equity; 3) net profit ratio (NPR). Results show cash conversion cycle (CCC) has a significantly negative relationship with SME performance. In the robustness test, results of a pairwise Granger causality test revealed that liquidity affects the profitability of Chinese SMEs, especially between ROA and cash ratio and between NPR and CCC. Regardless of the type of company, capital structures and working capital management are basic transactions in corporate finance. This research offers comprehensive information on the selected topic to compensate for the lack of evidence supporting the profitability and liquidity management of Chinese SMEs. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 101-121 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: liquidity; Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; profitability; Granger causality; China. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150876 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:101-121 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ayat 'Mohammad Esam' Saed Mohammad Author-X-Name-First: Ayat 'Mohammad Esam' Saed Author-X-Name-Last: Mohammad Author-Name: Sulieman Ibraheem Shelash Al-Hawary Author-X-Name-First: Sulieman Ibraheem Shelash Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Hawary Author-Name: Lina Hamdan Al-Abbadi Author-X-Name-First: Lina Hamdan Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Abbadi Author-Name: Rawan Odeh Khalaf Alshawabkeh Author-X-Name-First: Rawan Odeh Khalaf Author-X-Name-Last: Alshawabkeh Author-Name: Ali Zakariya Farhan Al-Quran Author-X-Name-First: Ali Zakariya Farhan Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Quran Title: Impact of green supply chain management on extractive industries performance of Jordan Abstract: The study's goal is to determine the influence of green supply chain practices on Jordan's extractive industries' performance. The current study's population consisted of senior executives from extractive firms, totalling (647) executives. The current study's data was gathered through a self-report survey distributed to senior executives at Jordanian extractive industries. Because this questionnaire was created using Google forms and disseminated to the study sample by email, environmental responsibility was taken into account. The study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). According to the findings, the green distribution had the greatest impact, followed by the green production. Green design came in third, followed by green suppliers, with green procurement having the least impact. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 122-140 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: green supply chain management; GSCM; performance; extractive industries; Jordan; structural equation modelling; SEM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150881 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:122-140 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: John A. Parnell Author-X-Name-First: John A. Author-X-Name-Last: Parnell Author-Name: Ruzita Jusoh Author-X-Name-First: Ruzita Author-X-Name-Last: Jusoh Author-Name: Tarannum Azim Baigh Author-X-Name-First: Tarannum Azim Author-X-Name-Last: Baigh Title: Competitive intensity, market and non-market strategies, and firm performance: evidence from Malaysia Abstract: This paper reports on findings from a survey of 129 managers in Malaysia. Cost leadership, differentiation, and political non-market strategy (NMS) were significant drivers of firm performance. Competitive intensity was positively associated with performance and negatively moderated the relationship between cost leadership and performance but did not moderate the relationship between differentiation and firm performance. Political NMS positively moderated the competitive intensity-firm performance link. In conjunction with the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) crafted to pursue high-income nation status by the year 2025, the results of this study can help Malaysian firms identify strategic tools to enhance global competitiveness. The findings also help Malaysian policymakers and regulators strengthen their mechanisms to fight corruption and mitigate Malaysian firms from engaging in political NMS. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 77-100 Issue: 1 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: non-market strategy; NMS; corporate political analysis; uncertainty; strategic competitive intensity; performance; Malaysia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150882 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:1:p:77-100 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Duy Hung Nguyen Author-X-Name-First: Duy Hung Author-X-Name-Last: Nguyen Author-Name: Tuan-Anh Truong Author-X-Name-First: Tuan-Anh Author-X-Name-Last: Truong Title: Capital structure decisions and business excellence: benchmarking financial performance in Vietnamese listed companies Abstract: This study investigates how capital structure decisions affect business performance and financial excellence among 184 non-financial firms listed on Vietnam's HOSE and HNX exchanges during 2019-2023. Using feasible generalised least squares (FGLS) regression to correct for heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation, firm performance is assessed through return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin's Q. Capital structure is measured by debt-to-assets, total debt, short-term debt, and equity-to-capital ratios. Results show that higher debt-to-assets ratios significantly reduce ROA and Tobin's Q, consistent with financial distress theory, while total debt positively affects ROE, indicating optimal leverage enhances shareholder returns. Short-term debt weakens profitability, while earnings volatility shows positive effects, indicating firms' adaptive capabilities during uncertainty. The findings suggest Vietnamese firms should maintain moderate leverage for financial flexibility. This study contributes to business excellence research by providing empirical benchmarks for financial resilience and value creation in emerging markets. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 29-46 Issue: 5 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: capital structure; financial performance benchmarking; business excellence; performance measurement; emerging markets; Vietnam; financial resilience; feasible generalised least squares; FGLS. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151277 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:5:p:29-46 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammed Atiah Alharbi Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed Atiah Author-X-Name-Last: Alharbi Title: The impact of applying corporate governance principles on enhancing the strategic operational performance of family businesses in Saudi Arabia: a field study Abstract: This study investigates the impact of implementing corporate governance principles on enhancing the strategic operational performance of family businesses in Saudi Arabia. A sample of 384 firms was drawn from the 278,680 registered family enterprises across the Kingdom. Employing a descriptive survey design and a structured questionnaire, data were analysed using AMOS 24. The findings indicate a statistically significant positive effect (p < 0.05) of governance practices on competitive, operational, and financial performance dimensions. The study underscores the importance of establishing qualified boards of directors that include both family and non-family members, as well as encouraging regular stakeholder meetings within family businesses. It also recommends future research exploring the governance-performance relationship through alternative variables to deepen understanding in this domain. These insights aim to foster sustainable growth and strategic competitiveness for family enterprises in emerging markets (EMs), particularly within the Saudi context. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-28 Issue: 5 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: corporate governance; strategic operational performance; family businesses; Saudi Arabia; board of directors; emerging markets; EMs. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151281 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:5:p:1-28 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jetssy F. Yshikawa-Arias Author-X-Name-First: Jetssy F. Author-X-Name-Last: Yshikawa-Arias Author-Name: Pablo J. Arana-Barbier Author-X-Name-First: Pablo J. Author-X-Name-Last: Arana-Barbier Title: Knowledge management in the public sector of emerging economies: a literature review Abstract: This study analyses knowledge management (KM) in the public sector of emerging economies, aiming to identify patterns, gaps, opportunities, and facilitators to strengthen KM practices through evidence-based recommendations. Using a systematic literature review of 23 articles with an integrative and theoretical-empirical approach, it finds that KM enhances innovation and institutional resilience by enabling adaptation to complex and changing contexts, positioning KM as a key strategic tool for improving efficiency. However, technological limitations and restrictive organisational cultures remain critical barriers that hinder knowledge retention and exchange, potentially leading to the loss of key personnel and reduced KM effectiveness. The study contributes originality by examining KM sharing strategies, barriers, maturity levels, retention outcomes, and innovation, emphasising the importance of achieving organisational maturity and identifying future research directions in KM within emerging economies. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-21 Issue: 6 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: knowledge management; international best practices; knowledge sharing strategies; emerging economies; institutional barriers; organisational innovation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151398 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:6:p:1-21 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Meena Bhatia Author-X-Name-First: Meena Author-X-Name-Last: Bhatia Title: Annual reports and company announcements utility for investment decisions: an Indian study Abstract: This study explores the perceptions towards corporate annual reports and its sections, and other announcements used for investment decisions by Indian individual investors; and to study differences in perceptions between user groups based on occupation. The data were collected through a questionnaire; descriptive statistics, and KruskalWallis tests were used to analyse the results. Findings reveal that the three financial statements are most important, and performance highlights are the most understandable section in annual reports. Announcements made on stock exchanges are the most frequently used among other types of announcements, and users reported that they provide new information. User groups differed significantly in their perceptions about the importance and understandability of various sections of annual reports, and other announcements used for investment decisions. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 180-200 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: annual reports; emerging markets; investment decisions; occupation; investors; other announcements; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151655 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:180-200 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Deependra Singh Author-X-Name-First: Deependra Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Author-Name: Naval Bajpai Author-X-Name-First: Naval Author-X-Name-Last: Bajpai Title: Modelling the drivers of brand love for encapsulating purchase intention of customers in the stores of hypermarket brands Abstract: The study aims to form a research framework for the relationship of various branding determinants with brand love. This report also examines the potential impact of brand love on customers' purchasing intentions within the stores of their preferred hypermarket brands. To achieve the objectives, we collected a sample of 513 customers through a structured questionnaire. The sample size is analysed using structural equation modelling and logistic regression. The research model supports the proposed hypotheses and recommends that brand love is positively influenced by the branding determinants. Furthermore, this study also expresses the pivotal function of brand love for developing customers' purchasing intention in the stores of hypermarket brands using a logit model. Thus, the current study adds to the relevant literature by outlining a framework for forming customer-brand love in the research setting of hypermarket brands, which represents a relatively underresearched context for studying customers' affectionate relationships with brands. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 223-239 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: brand love; customer-brand relationship; purchase intention; hypermarket brand stores; structural equation modelling; logistic regression analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151656 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:223-239 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Preeti Devi Author-X-Name-First: Preeti Author-X-Name-Last: Devi Author-Name: Tejinder Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Tejinder Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Title: Adoption of insurance products among low-income consumers (subsistence marketplaces) Abstract: Insurance is of utmost importance for the people at subsistence marketplaces as they are more prone to financial and life-related risks than others. However, the rate of adoption of insurance products is very low as far as the subsistence marketplaces are concerned. Keeping this in view, the study investigates the major determinants contributing towards the adoption of insurance products at subsistence marketplaces. Initially, a qualitative survey has been conducted through a personal interview method followed by a primary research survey with 422 respondents (who are already insured or are willing to get insured) belonging to subsistence marketplaces in the Haryana state of India. The factors extracted from exploratory factor analysis are taken as input for applying the regression analysis and artificial neural networks techniques. The study concludes that customer relations, service quality and influence of reference groups are the major factors having a significant impact on the adoption of insurance products at subsistence marketplaces. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 201-222 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: subsistence marketplaces; adoption; insurance products; customer relations; service quality; influence of reference groups; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151657 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:201-222 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Sreepriya Author-X-Name-First: J. Author-X-Name-Last: Sreepriya Author-Name: K.R. Suprabha Author-X-Name-First: K.R. Author-X-Name-Last: Suprabha Title: Impact of CSR spending on corporate financial performance – empirical evidence from the Indian manufacturing sector Abstract: The article's prime objective is to explore the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending on the corporate financial performance (CFP) of Indian manufacturing firms. The study examines a sample of 233 manufacturing firms listed on the Nifty 500 index over six years from 2014 to 2019. The author has used the generalised method of moments (GMM) to study the impact of CSR spending on corporate financial performance. Additionally, the pooled ordinary least square (POLS) and random effect model (REM) were employed to confirm the validity and robustness of the model. The findings add to the existing discussion by revealing a mixed but significant association between CSR spending and CFP. CSR investment has a short-term negative impact on profitability, however, a positive influence in the long run. Furthermore, both long- and short-term CSR spending positively affects firm value. The study's outcome delivers insights for managers, policymakers, and academics. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 240-261 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: CSR spending; corporate financial performance; generalised method of moments; GMM; Indian manufacturing sector. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151658 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:240-261 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kiran Kumar Devulapalli Author-X-Name-First: Kiran Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Devulapalli Author-Name: Rama Krishna Gupta Potnuru Author-X-Name-First: Rama Krishna Gupta Author-X-Name-Last: Potnuru Title: Emotional intelligence and employee innovativeness: mediating role of employee psychological well-being Abstract: The study aims to address the uniqueness of a model of mediation in which a test is conducted to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and employee innovation (EInn) in the presence of employee psychological well-being (EPWB). Two hundred and ninety-six workers were contacted, and replies were recorded through email, with the respondents' and researcher's conveniences in mind to maximise resources such as time, effort, and money. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to evaluate the model. The connections between emotional intelligence and employee innovation were shown to be important in the presence of employee psychological well-being. Based on the dynamic link between emotional intelligence and employee innovation, it is feasible to claim that psychological well-being would predict employee innovation. At the same time, it has the potential to boost employee innovation. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 160-179 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: emotional intelligence; EI; employee psychological well-being; EPWB; employee innovation; EInn; mediation model; business excellence. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151659 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:160-179 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S.A. Mufeed Author-X-Name-First: S.A. Author-X-Name-Last: Mufeed Author-Name: Juman Iqbal Author-X-Name-First: Juman Author-X-Name-Last: Iqbal Author-Name: Shameem Shagirbasha Author-X-Name-First: Shameem Author-X-Name-Last: Shagirbasha Title: Revisiting work-family conflict and affective commitment among healthcare professionals: mediating role of psychological safety Abstract: Work-family conflict has grown in importance as a study subject in organisational behaviour. The phenomenon of work-family conflict of doctors is particularly imperative as healthcare providers are exposed to high job demands. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mediating role of psychological safety between work-family conflict and affective commitment among doctors in North India. Data was collected from 357 respondents and was tested by structural equation model using SPSS AMOS 21. The results indicate that work-family conflict has significant negative impact on affective commitment and psychological safety while psychological safety mediates (partially) the relationship between workfamily conflict and affective commitment. The work-family conflict and affective commitment association has been largely investigated, and is firmly established in the literature, however there is an absolute dearth of studies which has studied this association with psychological safety as a mediator, especially in healthcare sector. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 141-159 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: work-family conflict; WFC; affective commitment; psychological safety; doctors; hospitals; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151660 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:141-159 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nikolaus T. Butz Author-X-Name-First: Nikolaus T. Author-X-Name-Last: Butz Author-Name: Reed Stratton Author-X-Name-First: Reed Author-X-Name-Last: Stratton Author-Name: Abigail Schmidt Author-X-Name-First: Abigail Author-X-Name-Last: Schmidt Author-Name: Emily E. Gruber Author-X-Name-First: Emily E. Author-X-Name-Last: Gruber Title: Grit won't quit: how hiring for grit may help reduce employee turnover Abstract: Employee turnover has the potential to cause considerable financial liability for any organisation, regardless of size or locality. Therefore, assessing job candidates with hiring criteria that will identify applicants least likely to quit is essential. One overlooked hiring criterion is grit, passion plus perseverance toward long-term goals (Duckworth et al., 2007). While grit has long been studied in psychology and education for predicting success, research connecting it to turnover is limited, especially in business. This longitudinal study explored grit's potential relationship to turnover. Online survey data were collected at two time points from 53 employers in the Midwest USA. Results indicated that, when hiring, companies valuing grit effort, the perseverance portion of passion plus perseverance, at time 1 saw lower turnover at time 2. Even while controlling for other skills commonly associated with job performance, companies hiring for grit effort tended to see lower turnover. Recommendations for grit-focused hiring are provided. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 262-286 Issue: 2 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: grit; turnover; hiring; applicant screening; human resource management; retention; passion; perseverance; interest; effort; longitudinal study; competitive advantage. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=151661 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:2:p:262-286 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S.S.J. Patabendige Author-X-Name-First: S.S.J. Author-X-Name-Last: Patabendige Author-Name: L.M. Kasthuriarachchi Author-X-Name-First: L.M. Author-X-Name-Last: Kasthuriarachchi Author-Name: P.U.S. Fernando Author-X-Name-First: P.U.S. Author-X-Name-Last: Fernando Author-Name: S.A.C.L. Senarath Author-X-Name-First: S.A.C.L. Author-X-Name-Last: Senarath Title: Environmental, social and governance reporting quality and firm lag vs. lead performance: evidence from Sri Lankan listed companies Abstract: ESG reporting is now standard practice, yet its performance implications remain contested. Prior studies have been largely fragmented, taking a biased stance on selected ESG dimensions or focusing on financial lag indicators with little interest in lead indicators, resulting in an incomplete understanding of ESG disclosures and their impact. Using five-year panel data from 60 listed firms, this paper fills these gaps. Following the 2023 GRI guidelines, four disclosure quality indices, both individual and composite, are constructed and examined against lag indicators (ROA, ROE, ROS) and a lead indicator, MV. Findings reveal that composite ESG acts as a signal of value creation with a stronger correlation with ROS and MV. However, when disaggregated, possible temporal differences emerge, with environmental reporting primarily associated with lead and the other two with lag indicators, suggesting that ESG disclosure is part of an intentional strategy rather than a response to external pressures. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-21 Issue: 7 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: environmental; social; governance; ESG disclosures; lead indicators; lag indicators; organisational performance; GRI guidelines; Sri Lanka. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=152018 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:7:p:1-21 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dinko Herman Boikanyo Author-X-Name-First: Dinko Herman Author-X-Name-Last: Boikanyo Title: Competitive advantage versus cooperation in strategic management: a framework for success Abstract: Strategic management has traditionally emphasised competitive advantage as the cornerstone of firm success through frameworks such as Porter's positioning and the resource-based view (RBV). However, globalisation, digital transformation, and interfirm interdependencies have made cooperation an equally critical strategic logic. This conceptual paper addresses the gap in literature that treats these logics as mutually exclusive by proposing an integrated framework for achieving coopetitive advantage, the simultaneous pursuit of competition and cooperation. Drawing on RBV, dynamic capabilities theory, and coopetition grounded in game theory, the framework identifies drivers of competitive and cooperative advantage, contextual moderators, and strategic outcomes, including innovation, resilience, and value co-creation. The paper contributes theoretically by unifying fragmented perspectives and practically by offering guidance for managers operating in ecosystems, platform markets and global supply chains. It also outlines directions for empirical validation and contextual extension. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-20 Issue: 8 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: alliance strategies; competitive advantage; cooperation; coopetition; dynamic capabilities; game theory; resource-based views; RBV; strategy; strategic alliance; strategic management; value co-creation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=152364 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:8:p:1-20 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Subhamoy Chatterjee Author-X-Name-First: Subhamoy Author-X-Name-Last: Chatterjee Author-Name: R.P. Mohanty Author-X-Name-First: R.P. Author-X-Name-Last: Mohanty Title: Evaluating financial performance excellence through application of interest rate derivatives: a research study Abstract: This study covers the usage of interest rate derivatives (IRD) in financial risk management. It was conducted on Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and Jhajjar Power Limited to understand the implications of risk management on Balance sheet management. This paper is diagnostic and uses exploratory and longitudinal case study methodology following Yin (2018). There are wider implications for strategic risk management as elaborated by Chatterjee and Mohanty (2023). Götze and Rudolph (1994) examined how financial risks affect a corporation over time, and these cases underline impact of not using adequate risk management strategies. The report concludes that utilisation of IRD demonstrates planned risk management for companies where external financing is a growth driver. The outcome of this study would enable risk strategies to evolve in debt-intensive sectors. Academic case studies are also few, and this case is an academic exercise in understanding the link between risk and business excellence. Journal: Int. J. of Business Excellence Pages: 1-24 Issue: 9 Volume: 38 Year: 2026 Keywords: case study in derivatives; risk and organisational excellence; interest rate derivatives; IRD; integrated risk strategy; culture and strategy; innovation; hedging; business excellence with risk management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=152632 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijbexc:v:38:y:2026:i:9:p:1-24