International Journal of Business Environment (20 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• The journey of service quality to loyalty: a gender-based multigroup analysis in car-hailing service  
  by Wajeeha Aslam, Imtiaz Arif, Kashif Farhat 
  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.
  Keywords: car-hailing; loyalty; sharing economy; mobile app; service quality; trust; satisfaction.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10053894
   
  
• The determinants of non-consumption disposables plastic: application of an extended theory of planned behaviour  
  by Joaquim A. Casaca, Ana Loureiro 
  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.
  Keywords: sustainable consumption; disposable plastics; theory of planned behaviour; social media engagement; lifestyle; structural equation modelling; PLS-SEM.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2024.10059680
   
  
• An exploratory perspective on reciprocal pharmaceutical export operations and their underlying dynamic capabilities  
  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 capabilities framework, we designed this study to: 1) explore major export operations in pharmaceutical firms; 2) investigate their underlying dynamic capabilities; 3) 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
   
  
• Impact of marketing policies and strategies on the advancement of sustainable development goals: a systematic review  
  by Marta Marco-Gardoqui, Almudena Eizaguirre, María García-Feijoo 
  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.
  Keywords: SDG; 2030 Agenda; sustainable development goals; SDGs; marketing.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10056654
   
  
• Determinants of entrepreneurship and self-employment for older people in Chile  
  by Julio J. Guzman, Juan I. Merlo 
  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.
  Keywords: entrepreneurship; mature-aged entrepreneurship; old-age entrepreneurship; senior entrepreneurship; self-employment; older workers; bivariate probit models with sample selection; Chile.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2023.10056686
   
  
• Business environment and competitiveness in Portugal  
  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
   
  
• How and when does green transformational leadership affect environmental performance?  
  by Mohammed 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 con?rm that GTL has a positive, direct effect on EP and indirectly through GHRM. This study also con?rms 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
   
  
• Motivation, challenges and strategies of female social entrepreneurs in the micro-lending sector  
  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
   
  
• Sustainable intellectual capital as a roadmap to sustainability: a systematic literature review  
  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
   
  
• The impact of marketing signals on the performance of foreign subsidiaries in the COVID-19 pandemic  
  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)  
  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  
  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  
  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
   
  

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

• Green management, perceived barriers to sustainability, and innovation performance in Latin American SMEs  
  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  
  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  
  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.  
  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  
  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  
  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  
  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