International Journal of Economics and Business Research (3 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Open Access

  Credit control and firm performance: evidence from Vietnam’s listed real estate sector with firm size and corporate governance quality as moderators ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Nguyen Tan Dat  
  Abstract: The paper aims to assess the impact of credit control on the firm performance of 51 listed real estate enterprises in Vietnam during the period 2012-2023 and analyse the moderating role of enterprise size and corporate governance quality in this relationship. The study uses quantitative methods, applying regression techniques feasible generalised least squares and generalised method of moments to address heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and endogeneity. The results show that credit control positively impacts performance, but this impact gradually decreases as enterprise size increases, reflecting the moderating role of size. This study contributes to literature by extending prior research that often focused on direct effects of credit policies in developed markets, whereas our analysis emphasises the significant role of moderators in an emerging market context. In practice, the study proposes appropriate credit policies for each group of enterprises to optimise capital use efficiency and control risks in the real estate industry.
  Keywords: credit control; corporate governance quality; CGQ; firm performance; firm size; real estate enterprises; Vietnam.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076602
   
  

• Open Access

  Expert-elicited weights in multi-criteria decision analysis: theory and practice ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Shu-ya Chang 
  Abstract: The expert weighting method has been applied in decision-making for years but lacks a firm theo-retical basis. This study introduces a mathematical framework to address this gap. Due to the addi-tive-only nature of the 5-point Likert scale, a 100-point system was adopted. Experts rated each variable based on a baseline of 1, and matrix multiplication was used to generate proportional importance values, overcoming the limits of ordinal comparisons. Mathematical induction shows that, with equal initial scores, variables with higher variance receive lower importance. This supports the logic of the weighting process and improves the scale’s sensitivity in distinguishing variable significance. By analysing internal variance, the method allows for clearer importance ranking and enhances evaluation precision. While the Likert scale is common, its statistical limits reduce reliability. Incorporating the expert weighting method addresses these flaws and improves evaluation tools.
  Keywords: expert weighting method; decision-making evaluation; 100-point scoring system; mathematical induction.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076713
   
  

• Open Access

  Modelling entrepreneurial passion, self-leadership and resilience as drivers of innovative behaviour among SMEs: a social cognitive theory perspective from Indonesia ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Pudji Herijanto, Nilawati Fiernaningsih, Anna Widayani 
  Abstract: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a central role in economic development and business innovation, particularly in emerging markets. However, many SMEs struggle to sustain innovative behaviour due to resource constraints and capability gaps. Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study develops and empirically tests a behavioural model explaining how entrepreneurial passion, self-efficacy, self-leadership, and entrepreneurial resilience jointly influence innovative entrepreneurial behaviour. Data were collected from 400 SME owners in East Java, Indonesia, and analysed using SmartPLS structural equation modelling. The findings show that entrepreneurial passion significantly strengthens self-efficacy, self-leadership, and resilience, which subsequently enhance entrepreneurial intention and innovative behaviour. Self-leadership and resilience act as key mediators linking passion to innovation performance. This study contributes to the innovation and entrepreneurship literature by integrating affective and cognitive factors. Practically, the results suggest that fostering passion, confidence, and self-leadership can improve SMEs’ innovation capability and competitiveness in developing economies.
  Keywords: entrepreneurial passion; self-leadership; resilience; innovative behaviour; small and medium enterprises; SMEs; social cognitive theory; SCT; Indonesia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.10076795