Forthcoming and Online First Articles

International Journal of Business Environment

International Journal of Business Environment (IJBE)

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International Journal of Business Environment (24 papers in press)

Regular Issues

  • The impact of marketing signals on the performance of foreign subsidiaries in the COVID-19 pandemic   Order a copy of this article
    by Antonios Georgopoulos, Eleftherios Aggelopoulos, Elen Paraskevi Paraschi, Maria Kalogera 
    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.
    Keywords: marketing signals; signalling theory; perceived performance; COVID-19 pandemic; Greece.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058506
     
  • Personality, self-efficacy and self-esteem as predictors of psychological well-being of workers: the flourishing scale (5-FS)   Order a copy of this article
    by María José Serrano-Fernández, Elena Pérez-Moreiras, Maria Boada-Grau, Jordi Assens-Serra, Joan Boada-Grau 
    Abstract: Flourishing refers to a person’s perceived feelings that life is going well. The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of the flourishing experience, one of the psychological processes that occur in professional contexts. It aims to determine the relationship between flourishing and personality, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Participants in the study were 856 workers selected through non-probability sampling and the data collected were processed with the SPSS 25.0 program. The factor obtained has adequate reliability and evidence of validity. A positive relationship is established between self-esteem, self-efficacy and flourishing. Regarding personality, the relationship is positive in relation to emotional stability and negative in relation to openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness. Emotional stability, self-efficacy, conscientiousness, self-esteem and agreeableness are the variables that account for greater variance when predicting flourishing.
    Keywords: flourishing; work; personality; self-esteem; self-efficacy.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058910
     
  • Factors influencing dynamic capabilities of entrepreneurial-led organisations to achieve analytical transformation   Order a copy of this article
    by Sandhya Kalale Srinivas, Arti Arun Kumar, N. Elangovan 
    Abstract: Entrepreneurial spirit transforms the economic scenario resulting in a significant contribution to society. Analytical transformation enables entrepreneurs with superior effective decision-making capability through information gathering, advanced technology adoption and data analysis. Effective analysis leads to superior organisational performance. However, in entrepreneurial-led large Indian organisations, the adoption of analytics is limited to predicting results. The study aims to identify the key factors that impact analytical transformation. The study also aims to identify key dynamic capabilities to achieve such transformation. This article identifies base theories related to the identified concepts. This article aims to develop an analytical transformation capability model for entrepreneurial-driven large industries. This study also empirically validates the proposed research model. The study concludes that entrepreneurial-led large Indian technology-driven industries lag behind their technology peers in adopting prescriptive analytics. The study also proposes an analytical transformation theory that aims to provide necessary techniques to improve organisational effectiveness.
    Keywords: analytical decision making; dynamic capability; prescriptive analytics; analytical transformation; organisational effectiveness; information processing; organisation efficiency; entrepreneur led organisation; analytical orientation; data centralisation; data infrastructure; networking capability; evidence-based decision making; advanced analytics; predictive analytics.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10060241
     
  • Competitive domestic markets and marketing capabilities: the mediating effect of online presence in SMEs   Order a copy of this article
    by Guillermo Barquero-Chaves, Juan Carlos Leiva, Ronald Mora-Esquivel 
    Abstract: Marketing capabilities are essential to exploit opportunities and sustain competitive advantages in domestic markets. It is therefore fundamental to identify elements affecting these capabilities. This research aims to verify if there is a positive relationship between competitive domestic markets and marketing capabilities, and whether online presence of companies exerts a mediating effect between both factors. The empirical analysis uses OLS regressions and a mimic of process method in Stata software package on a sample of 205 SMEs from Costa Rica. The findings confirm a positive relationship between competitive domestic markets and marketing capabilities, and that online presence exerts a mediating effect on this relationship, with a total effect of greater relevance for SMEs, especially in the manufacturing sector. This implies that as organisations adapt their resources and generate actions to promote the use and adoption of their online presence, they are also having a positive impact on their marketing capabilities.
    Keywords: competitive domestic markets; online presence; marketing capabilities; SME; competitiveness.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10060508
     
  • Consumer sentiments in automotive purchases before and after COVID-19: a text-mining study   Order a copy of this article
    by Ashok Bhattarai, Jiaxi Luo, Shih Yung Chou, Charles Ramser 
    Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to shortages in the automotive industry due to a limited supply of semiconductor chips, which has created a nonlinear dynamic and chaotic business environment in the industry. This leads to the following important yet unanswered questions: 1) Is there a divergence in consumer emphases placed on the car buying process prior to and after COVID-19?; 2) How do consumer sentiment patterns affect their ratings of car dealerships prior to and after COVID-19? To answer these questions, we utilise a text-mining approach and perform an ordered probit regression analysis. Results illustrate the following. First, the sentiment keyword fast had a positive impact on consumer online ratings after COVID-19, whereas clean had a positive impact on consumer online ratings before COVID-19. Third, the sentiment keyword wait had a negative impact on consumer online ratings after COVID-19. Fourth, the sentiment keyword willing had a negative impact on consumer online ratings both before and after COVID-19. Finally, the sentiment keyword mess had a negative impact on consumer online ratings both before and after COVID-19.
    Keywords: automotive purchase; COVID-19; consumer sentiments; text mining.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10060886
     
  • Delineating corporate governance and earnings management - a bibliometric review and future directions   Order a copy of this article
    by Kashish Sharma, Shridev Devji, Tonmoy Choudhury, M.D. Abubakar Siddique 
    Abstract: In this study, we outline the significant topics and present dynamics in the corporate governance and earnings management domain, in addition to research directions for the future. Utilising the bibliometric analysis technique, a total of 319 studies were examined from Scopus Database for a period starting from 1988 to 2021. We performed a publications trend analysis and found the most prominent authors, sources, and articles based on their citations and publications. Additionally, using the technique of bibliographic coupling, we performed the thematic analysis and identified six themes that represent the intellectual structure of literature on corporate governance and earnings management. Besides, despite the immense popularity of the research field, potential avenues exist for future growth. Therefore, we provide the possible future research directions that the upcoming scholars can explore to strengthen the concerned research domain.
    Keywords: corporate governance; earnings management; bibliometric analysis; bibliographic clustering.

  • A review of two decades of research on language in international management (1997-2022)   Order a copy of this article
    by Yung-Hwal Park, Kevin Lehnert 
    Abstract: This research reviews over two decades of research on language within international management. This comprehensive review codes and summarises 263 articles, highlighting the impact of language in various strategic areas of management: language policy; HRM and organisational behaviour; internationalisation; HQ-subsidiary relationship; knowledge sharing; corporate reporting and governance; and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and inter-firm strategic collaboration. This study also highlights two major needs within the discipline (internal vs. external focus of language and level of analysis - individual, group and organisational), and addressed the call for a broader future research agenda.
    Keywords: literature review; language; management; international strategy; communication.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10061123
     
  • The spill-over effects of foreign direct investment on technical efficiency of domestic supporting industry firms in Vietnam   Order a copy of this article
    by To Trung Thanh, Nguyen Quynh Trang 
    Abstract: The relationship between domestic supporting industry (SI) firms and foreign direct investment (FDI) firms plays an important role in the development of many developing countries, including Vietnam. To better understand the impact of FDI on the domestic SI firms in Vietnam, the paper investigates two channels of FDI spill-overs: horizontal and backward spill-over effects. Utilizing the approach of Stochastic Frontier Analysis, the paper considers the impacts of FDI spill-overs on the Technical Efficiency of domestic SI firms for the period 2014-2018. Interacting variables are included in the models to see how the absorptive capacity of the domestic firms may influence the spill-over effects. The results show that FDI firms in both horizontal and backward linkages bring negative impacts and the domestic SI firms with higher-skilled workers may mitigate the negative backward spill-over effects. The findings suggest policy implications not only for Vietnam but also for other developing countries to better attract FDI and improve domestic SI firms’ performance.
    Keywords: FDI spillover effects; domestic supporting industry; absorptive capacity; Technical Efficiency.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10061156
     
  • ESG disclosure and financial performance in the European oil and gas industry   Order a copy of this article
    by Federica Doni, Antonio Corvino, Silvio Bianchi Martini 
    Abstract: Lately, the disclosure of sustainability issues has played a pivotal role in corporate reporting. In the academic debate, some scholars noted the need for more concerning the influence exerted by environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues over the corporate image, reputation and value creation. To bridge the last gap, this study investigates the relationship between ESG disclosure and financial performance by analysing a sample of European-listed large-sized companies operating in the oil and gas industry from 2010-2014. The methodological choice for that period resides in the intention to investigate the earlier relationship before the entry into force of the EU Directive 95/2014 on disclosure of non-financial information. Our findings demonstrate that financial performance dimension, pertinent to corporate profitability or the firms financial autonomy, can positively affect ESG disclosure policies. These empirical findings can highlight the effectiveness of ESG disclosure by confirming the relevance of the EU initiatives.
    Keywords: environmental; social and governance; ESG; disclosure; EU Directive; integrated reporting; financial performance; oil and gas industry; Europe.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2024.10061582
     
  • Comparative analysis of community pharmacies and retail pharmacy chains: the case of Chile   Order a copy of this article
    by Luis Felipe Vergara Maldonado, Ines Gabriela Rodriguez Morales, Eduardo Barrueto Mercado, Víctor Manuel Yáñez Jara, Andrés Antonio Rubio Rivera 
    Abstract: A strategic analysis of Chiles pharmaceutical industry has revealed strong competitive dynamics, in which three main competitor pharmacy chains have a high concentration, representing about 80% of the sector; pharmacy Ahumada, Cruz Verde y Salcobrand, followed by other pharmacies and mid-range chain pharmacies such as Dr. Simi, Dr. Ahorro, Knop and Galenica. The growth of community or peoples pharmacies in the Chilean pharmaceutical market can be observed as a result of the collusion case between the large pharmacy chains Cruz Verde, Ahumada, and Salcobrand, between 2007 and 2008. This research was conducted through a comparison of the Communal Pharmacy of Chillan, Chile, with retail or chain pharmacies. The analysis included a comparison of the Communal Pharmacy and large retail chain pharmacies in terms of competitive advantages. One of the main findings was a significant difference in the prices of drugs sold by the communal pharmacy of Chillan versus chain pharmacies, with some cases observing a difference of up to 400%.
    Keywords: pharmaceutical industry; community pharmacies benchmark studies; market; retail chain; drugs; prices; competitive advantages; Chile.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2024.10061907
     
  • Does institutional framework shape the corporate social responsibility?   Order a copy of this article
    by Assem Orazayeva, Muhammad Arslan 
    Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability are important to corporations for several reasons. This study applied a novel institutional framework to answer the question of why firms in developing and emerging economies undertake CSR issues. We explored the role of the state, financial markets, human capital, social capital, corporate governance and financial performance in shaping CSR based on a sample of 108 firms from 26 countries representing Asian, African, Latin American, East European and Middle Eastern regions for the period 2016 to 2020. By employing a dynamic linear model (GMM), we found support for propositions that underdeveloped financial markets can facilitate firms’ relationships with external stakeholders while weak labour rights and CSR are inversely related. We also found a statistically significant positive coefficient of CSR with corporate governance. The results showed an insignificant relationship for other propositions on the roles of financial performance, social capital and government ownership in shaping CSR. We found significant positive relationship of CSR with size while insignificant with leverage.
    Keywords: corporate social responsibility; CSR; institutional framework; corporate governance; understudied countries; generalised method of moments; GMM; sustainability; labour rights.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2024.10061997
     
  • Business strategies on service quality for expanding Taiwanese restaurant chain overseas: the application of TRIZ theory and ISM   Order a copy of this article
    by Yi-Hsiang Hsu, Tzong-Ru Lee, Ching-Hua Yeh, Rika Ampuh Hadiguna 
    Abstract: A Taiwan restaurant chain’s business strategy to expand overseas is an exciting topic. The strategy intends to implement a Taiwanese restaurant chain to expand overseas stores. This study examines comprehensively by involving several methods: grey relational analysis (GRA), TRIZ and interpretive structural model (ISM). This study proves that market expansion is possible if supported by a timely innovation strategy and the right market segment. A restaurant chain concept is a new approach to global market penetration and cultural recognition. This paradigm is interesting as a new study topic for several countries with food variety, tourism potential and high-value cultures.
    Keywords: business strategy; restaurant chain; grey relational analysis; GRA; TRIZ; interpretive structural model; ISM.

  • Business environment and competitiveness in Portugal   Order a copy of this article
    by Ricardo Teixeira, Leandro F. Pereira, José Crespo de Carvalho, Rui Vinhas da Silva, Ana Simões 
    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.
    Keywords: market selection; business competitiveness; economic competitiveness; Portuguese competitiveness; foreign direct investment; FDI; Portugal.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10056810
     
  • An exploratory perspective on reciprocal pharmaceutical export operations and their underlying dynamic capabilities   Order a copy of this article
    by Mohammad Zarei, Amir Zolfaghari, Behrouz Zarei‬‬‬‬‬ 
    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 - export leadership.
    Keywords: dynamic capabilities; pharmaceutical export firms; internationalisation; business environment; export leadership; opportunity recognition; entrepreneurial orientations; inductive grounded approach.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10056653
     
  • How and when does green transformational leadership affect environmental performance?   Order a copy of this article
    by Mohammed A. Al-Hakimi, Mohammed A.K. Zaid, Mohammed Farooque Khan, Moad Hamod Saleh, Dhanraj Sharma, Ruchita Verma, Murad Baqis Hasan 
    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.
    Keywords: green transformational leadership; GTL; corporate environmental ethics; CEE; green HRM; environmental performance; EP; SMEs; least developed countries.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10057152
     
  • Sustainable intellectual capital as a roadmap to sustainability: a systematic literature review   Order a copy of this article
    by Javier Martínez-Falcó, Bartolomé Marco-Lajara, Patrocinio Zaragoza-Sáez, Pedro Seva-Larrosa, Lorena Ruiz-Fernández 
    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.
    Keywords: sustainable intellectual capital; SIC; systematic literature review; sustainability; sustainable intellectual capital-based view.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058504
     
  • Motivation, challenges and strategies of female social entrepreneurs in the micro-lending sector   Order a copy of this article
    by Chijioke Nwachukwu, Helena Chládková, Hieu Minh Vu 
    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.
    Keywords: female social entrepreneurship; institutional theory; feminist theory; challenges; motivations; strategy; Nigeria.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058432
     

Special Issue on: Innovation and Sustainability in Industrial Latin American Contexts

  • Green management, perceived barriers to sustainability, and innovation performance in Latin American SMEs   Order a copy of this article
    by Germán Rojas-Cabezas, Ronald Mora-Esquivel, Nicolas Márquez Álvarez, Susana Chacón-Espejo, Victor Nocetti-Nuñez, Juan Carlos Leiva 
    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.
    Keywords: innovation performance; green management; perceived barriers; sustainability; Iberoamerican SMEs observatory.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058034
     
  • Technological learning in natural resources-based activities: the role of idiosyncratic knowledge and knowledge intensive business services   Order a copy of this article
    by Dario Milesi, Carlos Aggio, Vladimiro Verre 
    Abstract: This paper discusses the relationship between productive specialization and the accumulation of technological capabilities. In particular, it analyzes 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.
    Keywords: natural resources idiosyncratic knowledge sustainable innovation technological learning development.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058505
     
  • Eco-innovation drivers really improve firm performance? Sustainable performance mediating role in Mexican automotive industry   Order a copy of this article
    by Sandra Yesenia Pinzon-Castro, Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán, Raymundo Juárez-Del Toro 
    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.
    Keywords: eco-innovation; innovation; sustainable performance; firm performance; automotive industry.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10058605
     
  • The B2B relationship in industrial companies from the position of hidden champions: knowledge-intensive services for small business.   Order a copy of this article
    by Aimar Basañez-Zulueta, Jon Barrutia-Güenaga, Arturo Rodriguez-Castellanos, Emelina Gracia-Ramos 
    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 KIBS function, 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.
    Keywords: competitiveness; innovation; knowledge intensive business services; KIBS; sustainability; hidden champions.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10059192
     
  • Exploring the influence of digitalisation on the formalisation process of informal businesses: a comparative strategic management in China and Peru   Order a copy of this article
    by Jorge Peña, Alejandro Flores, Jorge Heredia 
    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.
    Keywords: formalisation process; digitalisation; Peru; China; comparative strategic management; CSM; sustainable development goals; SDGs.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10059459
     
  • Innovation in the strategic planning through fuzzy methodologies. A study of the industrial context of Bogota, Colombia during COVID-19   Order a copy of this article
    by Fabio Blanco-Mesa, Ernesto León-Castro 
    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.
    Keywords: innovation; strategic planning; MCDM; Industrial context.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10060436
     
  • Innovation in KIBS Firms: The effects of innovation activities, employees’ level of education, and the sources in the supply chain   Order a copy of this article
    by Jean Pierre Seclen-Luna, Pablo J. Moya-Fernández, Javier Fernando Del Carpio Gallegos, Elizabeth Aylas Florez 
    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.
    Keywords: technological innovation; non-technological innovation; innovation activities; knowledge-intensive business services; KIBS; employees’ level of education.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10060731