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AbstractInternationalization makes possible the competitive development of firms. This study proposes a methodology for the selection of international markets that identifies the most favourable international destinations for the paper and paperboard export industry in Colombia. For this purpose, a set of 23 factors divided into 5 categories are defined through literature: costs, trade barriers, logistics, environment and culture, and economy. This comprehensive model is applied to a set of 15 exporting firms and a combination of the multi-criteria models Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) is used for its development. The results indicate that the priority factors when choosing an international market are import costs (0.1974), transit time (0.1392), transport frequency (0.1174) and international transport costs (0.0971). Also, considering these priorities, the most viable markets for companies in this sector are Netherlands (0.9894), the United Kingdom (0.9740), Belgium (0.9409) and Germany (0.9351). The results obtained represent the identification of new possible alternative markets for Colombian companies in the paper sector to expand their international reach and develop in significantly more attractive and convenient markets according to their priorities. Also, this article contributes significantly to the development of methodologies for international markets exploration.

Vietnam’s pulp and paper industry has contributed significantly to socio-economic growth but is also one of the industries with a very high risk of environmental pollution. Stems from the goal of economic growth coupled with environmental protection operations in Vietnam, this study examines the factors affecting the implementation of environmental management accounting (EMA) in manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam’s pulp and paper industries. The data used in the study were collected through survey questionnaires in the form of face-to-face interviews or sent by e-mail or post to survey respondents at 290 manufacturing enterprises pulp and paper in provinces and cities of Vietnam. Survey subjects are managers (directors, deputy directors, chief accountants) and accountants who have knowledge of EMA in these enterprises. The survey results were obtained from 250 valid survey questionnaires used in this study. This study uses Cronbach’s alpha analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and linear regression analysis using SPSS 20 statistical software. The results show that coercive pressure, normative pressure, awareness of the benefits of applying EMA, environmental strategy, managers’ perception, and qualifications of accountants have a positive impact on EMA implementation. In which, coercive pressure has the strongest impact, and awareness of the benefits of applying EMA has the weakest impact on EMA implementation in these enterprises.

Purpose – The paper describes patterns of study on innovation in the regional economic resilience literature regarding methods and findings. Design/methodology/approach – This study is a descriptive one and it uses, as a method, the scoping review based on Scopus and Web of Science databases. Forty-eight theoretical-empirical papers were thematically coded, and analyses were conducted using R packages and MaxQDA. Findings – Innovation has been used narrowly in the regional resilience literature, considering the variables, the types of shocks and the analyzed loci. From the sampled papers, this study suggests that, depending on the operationalization, the addressed relationship can be positive or negative, which still needs further investigation. In addition, the study identified two lines of research. The first, characterized by quantitative research, secondary sources and multivariate analyses, focuses on testing predictive regional resilience models based on innovation-related variables. The second, characterized by qualitative or multi-method approaches, is more concerned with explaining the knowledge accumulation and the learning capacity related to regional innovation. Research limitations/implications – The paper’s findings show a restricted view of the innovation–resilience relationship. Although this study does not present a meta-analysis, it reveals gaps for future research. Some suggestions can be highlighted, such as (1) expanding knowledge about innovation as a predictor of resilience, (2) the theoretical development of this relationship to guide empirical investigations and (3) studies that consider the meso or micro level, approaching the role of actors in fostering innovation in the regional resilience process. Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need to investigate how innovation has been operationalized in regional resilience empirical research.

Purpose: Doing a bibliometric analysis of the papers on Total Quality Management published in Algerian Scientific Journals Platform (ASJP). Methodology/Approach: Following Bibliometric analysis approach that reaches the export of scientific papers from ASJP during 2005-2022 and using Bibiloshiny based on the R language (RStudio). Findings: The study highlighted the prominent authors, universities, and journals, identifying both opportunities and research advancements in TQM research and urging scientific collaboration. TQM practices in different sectors remain a current and relevant research topic, however, the analysis outlined some conceptual structure gaps within particular areas. The outputs provide insights and suggestions for scholars and practitioners in the field of TQM. Research Limitation/Implication: The study examines only papers published in ASJP until 2022. Findings could be useful for TQM stakeholders in emerging countries. Practitioners benefit from experiments to deal with the TQM method. Originality/Value of paper: In Algerian context, the study’s substantive contribution denotes that Industrial and Health care Areas constitute knowledge and empirical gaps in the TQM field; for future, researchers should exploit key words used by prominent authors; the TQM performance and higher education are the most explored topics as Motor themes; organisational culture as emerging theme had grown interest need exploration; total quality or continuous improvement themes are important for the TQM research require further works.

AbstractSolid waste management has become one of the critical environmental concerns in developing countries. Information and communications technology have revolutionized traditional organizational management processes, increased efficiency, and significantly reduced paper use. The recruitment process in higher education institutes (HEIs) includes job applications and certificates of degree, and previous job-related documents. Such recruitment policies are causing paper waste and need the attention of policymakers. This study aims to provide empirical evidence for a policy shift that can have a broader impact on the environment. The current study aims to contribute to the existing research by considering the traditional recruitment approaches of public sector HEIs in Pakistan as a source of solid waste. The study highlights the previously disregarded aspect of the research on solid waste and explores the traditional practices of government-owned HEIs that lead to excessive amounts of paper waste. A mixed-methods approach is performed to confirm this hypothesis. We observed newspaper advertisements and then floated a questionnaire among employees of the HEIs. Findings confirm that traditional recruitment is one of the primary antecedents of paper waste generation. Results suggest that technology-driven recruitment reduces paper waste and leads to sustainable development.

Purpose: Islamic, as well as modern literature, on the issue of halal/haram (permissible and prohibited), primarily circulates around the product’s ingredient aspect, categorizing a particular object specifically into one of the mentioned dichotomist heads. On contrary to the usual individualistic consumer/product-centric approach, this paper discusses several macros, systems-level models, which follow the top-bottom approach. Methodology: A discourse, through conceptual framework analysis, this paper discusses the concept of halal and haram, to understand the nature and antecedents to the concepts as narrated in the revealed texts of Quran and Hadith. Findings: It is proposed that although the terms of halal and haram are elaborated extensively in literature, there are several gaps in the understanding of the concept at the systems level. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive understanding through conceptual framework of halal/haram using the conceptual analysis method, which grounds into Islamic literature to trace the phenomenon’s major concepts and dimensions at various systems levels, such as society and environment. Conclusion: The research would enrich the understanding of how the Creator has created filters to provide the believers the best to consume and balances the cosmic systems through commandments to individuals, compliances to which supplement and support the Islamic lifestyle and Islamic social structure and sustained global development.

This study proposes a decision model for privatization of newsprint paper industry. Newsprint paper has very demanding market requirements, ones that must be adapted in quality and quantity with consumers’ media preferences. In Iran, there is one newsprint paper producer that supplies 70% of domestic use. Privatization of this producer will enable increased production and reduce the necessity of imported newsprint. Four possibilities are examined as possible solutions: Encouragement for investment; Reformation of rules and regulation; Reformation of firms’ structure; and Liberalization of prices. The Analytical Network Process was used to synthesize and analyze the model. A value-weighted competency model was calculated with the influence of external factors on the competency model. Paired comparison matrices associated with the degree of importance of each of the competencies were achieved. Finally, subsets of competencies’ weighted values and their suboptions were identified through combination of the competencies and the best solution was obtained.

Human capital and employees’ performance are recognized as the premium key resource for organisational competitiveness. However, changes in global finance and organisations are affecting many organisations, including public sectors. Albeit changes, employees across sectors are constantly required to sustain accountability towards performance. Thus, to survive changes while sustaining competitive advantage, organisations and its employees are recommended to initiate new practices and behaviours. For example, the current financial’s condition restricted the public university libraries' abilities to better serve the community. To accommodate this situation, public universities are recommended to practice self-funding, despite their anticipating role as a public service provider. This direction creates dilemma to micro units such as the libraries, which existence is solely to serve its community. The libraries are constantly criticised as a cost centre and being opted to cease service as its functions may be replaceable by other information provider such as Google. Thus, it is important that, the librarians must voluntarily make efforts to re-tool their current competencies and revise their patrons’ preferences as well. The efforts are critically needed if the librarians desire to survive the changes and stay relevant. Thus, this paper postulates a multi-construct antecedents, which consist of entrepreneurial inclinations which may be useful. The overarching theory is based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Resource Based View. This paper reviews literatures associated with the constructs and recommend the advantages of applying it accordingly. It is hopeful that this investigation will contribute additional knowledge on the influence of those constructs towards individuals’ work performance as well as adding optional information.

The study was motivated by the novelty of Gamification and the possible impact of its growth in the marketing space. It synthesizes information gleaned from gamification literature, to isolate common themes in order to produce a set of researchable propositions that can in turn be quantitatively tested, and to link those common themes to well-known academic grounding theories in order to advance further understanding of the concept. The study was based on the review of available literature on gamification and on the five theories that are deemed relevant for better understating of the gamification industry, and concludes by giving a list of propositions and suggesting a research framework which shows the linkages between access to gamification technology, customization of technology, congruence between expectations of gamification instigators and users, communication between companies with gamified interventions and customers, the attractiveness of the gamification technology, and the feelings of reciprocity as perceived by customers. The proposed framework, in turn, shows how these variables are related to getting people motivated to adopt gamification as a marketing tool. As the study was based on available literature, it shares the limitations contained therein. Keywords: Gamification, grounding theories, customization, motivation, congruence, reciprocity, attractiveness JEL Classifications: L86; M3; M16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.7174

The increasing pressure on natural resources and the climate has been noted by businesses and governments worldwide, who now face the difficult task of integrating paths of environmental sustainability and economic growth. One promising approach to sustainable development, reducing the pressure on natural resources and solving waste problems is circular economy. From different ways of implementing circular economy, this study focuses on the productization of industrial side streams, which carry a great deal of underutilized potential. In this article, the productization of pulp and paper industry side stream, fiber sludge, for commercial use as a dust-binding agent is studied via a descriptive, in-depth case study. Apart from inconsistent quality, fluctuating supply, cost of storage and logistics, what makes industrial side stream utilization challenging is the lack of knowledge that stakeholders have about side streams and their utilization and the lack of new value chain development for their commercial use. Therefore, it is essential for all parties involved to have a clearer vision of what is being sold for what purposes, through productization. This study found that the productization of side streams follows the same steps as the productization of any other traditional product, and the productized side streams can be added to the company’s product portfolio as by-products.

The aim of this study is to use material flow cost accounting (MFCA) to assess the level at which cleaner production (CP) can improve both environmental and economic performance of an organization. Higher energy and raw material prices are causing CP to grow in relevance and importance. The amount of waste to landfill is increasing steadily. Most companies are using inefficient processes and technologies that are obsolete resulting in higher production costs, which, in turn, affect their profitability and competitiveness. This study was a case study based on a paper manufacturing company using an exploratory qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The MFCA approach was used to assess the efficiency of the steam production process using coal-fired boilers. The results indicated that the process was inefficient resulting in significant negative environmental and economic impact. Environmental costs were hugely underestimated by management, as non-product output costs were not included as part of environmental costs calculated by company. Benefits and barriers to CP was also brought to the forefront at the conclusion of this research.

Using the stewardship theory and theory of fear of failure as the underlying theory, the study focuses on investigating CEO characteristics and disability employment of listed firms in India. The study employed descriptive statistics and feasible generalised least square (FGLS) assumption to analyze data from 80 Indian listed firms with 800 firm-year observations from 2010 to 2019. We find that CEO age and CEO tenure have a strong and positive correlation. The first findings show that ageing CEOs are insignificant to exhibit any levels of disability employment in India. This study suggests that ageing CEOs do not see disability employment as a welfare cost or employment that can lead to a consequential profit. The second findings show that firms with long-tenured CEOs exhibit a higher level of disability employment. This outcome does not conflict with the assumption that the CEO has a sense of responsibility to achieve what is right and protect the firm’s assets. Lastly, the study shows that female CEOs exhibit higher levels of disability employment in India. The study is limited to firms with data on people with disabilities. Using the Indian stock market as the only study source may affect the study’s generalisation. Also, small firms that employ disabled persons are not on the stock market and may potentially undermine the study’s scope. Examining CEO characteristics (CEO age, CEO tenure and CEO gender) on disability employment deepens disability studies in emerging markets.

In this paper, we discern recruiters’ and applicants’ tendencies towards recruitment channels. By drawing on the contextual perspective of human resource management (HRM), we argue that the national institutional environment of a country greatly influences recruiters’ choices of recruitment channels and applicants’ level of attractiveness towards jobs. Using an experimental study (n = 200 graduate students) and in-depth interviews of 10 human resource managers, we find that a) although recruitment channels positively affect applicants’ perceptions of organizational attractiveness, they have no significant impact on applicants’ intentions to apply for the job and b) even though online recruitment channels are widely believed to have a greater impact on organizational attractiveness, recruiters in the south Asian context continue to prefer the paper-based recruitment channels. The study provides interesting insights for recruitment literature, by explicating that socio-cultural and economic context enormously shapes recruiters’ and applicants’ preferences of recruitment channels.

Recently, the issue of metaphors in organizational studies has fascinated researchers’ attention and interests, leading to a substantial body of research generating theoretical understandings, philosophical concepts, insightful meanings, and experiential interpretations. In this review paper, the researchers critically approached reading and reviewing the studies which have been undertaken so far in order to achieve an orientation in metaphorical research on organizations. So, at first, Gareth Morgan’s Images of Organization in terms of different metaphors were discussed and elaborated. Then, the review of a number of papers illustrated that a majority of research works on this issue focused on the theoretical and conceptual aspects of organizational metaphors without taking their practicality in real contexts into account. Based on this review paper, it is suggested that in order to enrich this area with innovative ideas, understandings, and insights, there is a need for further research which targets the practical use of metaphors in organizations.

In the spring of 2016, the tax-evasion revelations from the Panama Papers regarding the international clients of Mossack Fonseca shook the financial world. This article sheds light on whether taxing the rich will generate the tax-evasion effect, if the evasion behavior will affect the portfolio choice, and finally, the broader economic impacts of such tax evasion. The main insights are: (1) the evidence from the Panama Papers demonstrates that the supply of tax evasion services explains that evasion behavior rises steeply with wealth; (2) we also affirm that higher tax rates induce greater tax evasion activity and explain why the taxation system introduced by Hollande, which levied high tax on millionaires, failed in France; and (3) the primary components of billionaires’ asset allocation involve adequately weighting long-term stock holdings. Finally, these findings provide some evidence on the sustainability of taxing the rich and the sustainable investing behavior of the ultra-wealthy.

Purpose – Since 2015, China has made efforts to reform its intellectual property rights (IPR) system to better protect and stimulate innovation. These reforms are a result of the demand for more stringent intellectual property (IP) protection from China’s domestic, innovative industries and a measure to ease the pressure exerted by its foreign trading partners, particularly against the background of the US-China trade dispute that started at the beginning of 2018. This paper summarizes these reforms and their implications. Design/methodology/approach – This paper combines a variety of sources, including academic articles, government websites, news reports, industry surveys and expert opinions, to offer insights in China’s IPR system and its recent reforms. Findings – This paper summarizes and discusses (1) the state’s law amendments, including the 2015 amendment of the “Law on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements”, the second amendment of the “Anti-Unfair Competition Law” with regard to trade secret protection, the fourth amendment of the “Patent Law”, and the legislations and regulations addressing the criticisms of the US administration over China’s so-called “forced” technology transfer policies; (2) the establishment of the specialized IP courts and tribunals since 2014; (3) the restructuring of the State IP Office; and (4) the issuing of an “Outline for Building an IPR Powerhouse (2021–2035)”. Originality/value – This paper highlights China’s efforts to make its IPR system stronger and more just. It also discusses international observers’ reactions and pinpoints specific areas for further improvement.

Purpose This paper explores the relationship between exchange rates, exports, and foreign direct investment in South Africa. Methodology The paper utilized Johansen cointegration, vector error correction model (VECM), and Granger causality test on annual data from 1986 to 2022. Findings The study reveals a substantial causal relationship between the Real Exchange Rate (RER) and Real gross domestic product per capita (GDPPC). The RER implies that an increase in the value of the home currency causes a decline in exports (EXP). Disregarding the economic conditions in South Africa, in essence, only demonstrates that any upward or negative movement in RER causes GDPPC to grow or fall since any rand depreciation offers a pathway to reduce domestic imports while raising local exports, which leads to greater GDPPC. Conclusion This study concludes that adopting laws that support RER, exports, and foreign direct investment is important for South Africa's economic development. These policies can also be useful during national unrest, such as pandemics and emergencies. It is also important to consider the stability of domestic funds and how they affect foreign and domestic business sectors when developing a financial strategy and carefully managing foreign direct investment.

The paper presents an analysis of the evolution of the improvement of the civil servants in the mayoralties of Romania in the period before the COVID 19 pandemic compared to the pandemic and post COVID 19 period, focusing on the need to digitize public institutions, a strong need for the challenges posed by the pandemic to both public institutions and private organisations, and last but not least to citizens as consumers of public services. The study presented in the paper aims to analyze how the professional training process was conducted in the 3 mentioned periods, to identify the advantages, respectively, the disadvantages of carrying out professional training programs among civil servants and identify the most efficient and preferred way for civil servants to carry out professional training.

In an era where digital transformation (DT) reshapes industries, the role of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) in bridging academic insights with industrial innovation becomes crucial. This study conducts a comprehensive scientometric analysis of 360 academic papers spanning from 2013 to 2023 to map the evolving landscape of KTP in the context of DT. By employing advanced visualization tools including generative visual networks and keyword co-occurrence analysis through CiteSpace, critical research gaps and trends, particularly addressing how KTP can mitigate technological obsolescence and enhance innovation management within enterprises are identified. The findings reveal a significant escalation in research output related to KTP, with a pronounced focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality and fostering market adaptability. This study charts the exponential growth of literature and highlights strategic areas of research entities, global geographical coverage, and advanced digital trends where KTPs are pivotal in enhancing organizational resilience and competitive advantage in a rapidly digitizing world. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge of KTP by identifying the patterns and trends of on-going research and offering an evolutionary model to guide theoretical development and practical business operations and policy making.

This study aims to assess the extent to which blockchain technology (BCT) may constitute an alternative to the conventional stock trading system and emphasize the changing roles of the key parties. It is expected that BCT would enhance the performance of the process across the three stages (i.e. trading, clearing and settlement within the stock exchange environment). A thorough literature review is conducted to understand the BCT performance modeling techniques and approaches (empirical and analytical) and to examine the theoretical potentials and capabilities of BCT in the financial markets. The case study and simulation methods are used to evaluate the impact of BCT implementation in optimizing the process of trading, clearing and settlement in Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) stock-trading activities. This paper presents a simulation analysis comparing a blockchain system with a traditional trading system in the context of stock market. The simulation procedures involve modeling processes over different durations and transaction volumes, using metrics such as process time and cycle time to evaluate performance. The performance index combines these metrics with weights to ensure accurate and consistent measurements. Simulation results reveal that the blockchain system significantly outperforms the current trading system, especially at higher transaction volumes, highlighting its scalability and efficiency. A threshold of 30,000 transactions is identified as the point where blockchain’s benefits become apparent. The analysis shows that blockchain significantly elevate the process efficiency. It reduces both cycle time and process time across varying transaction volumes, maintaining consistency and reliability. Additionally, a simple simulation using the Hyperledger Fabric platform demonstrates the practical implementation of a permissioned blockchain for clearing transactions, emphasizing the system's capability to manage high transaction volumes efficiently and securely. The use of blockchain network for handling seamless transactions using pre-defined smart contracts significantly improves the performance of the stock trading processes, specifically in the clearing phase. Interestingly, the BCT system drops the need for a “third party” (i.e. stock custodian) across the three stages. At the end of the paper, we propose a thereat mitigating model for stock trading with a new blockchain system.

Analyzing the effects of knowledge management in higher education is challenging because of various aspects of tasks such as teaching effectiveness, administrative services, and research communications. Employees' job performance is crucial in higher education institutions in order to disseminate innovations, knowledge, and collaboration. Thus, studying the relationship between knowledge management practices and job performance is essential. Therefore, this literature review and topic analysis aims to provide a concept-driven approach for synthesizing and analyzing numerous available literature bases. Collected journal articles and conference papers were scrutinized based on this research work's above-mentioned aim. Finally, 41 relevant papers have been studied in this work. The presented work advances the understanding of the role of knowledge management processes in higher education institutions in increasing job performance. Findings suggest that individual, national, and professional teams, language issues, and trust can impact knowledge-sharing practices and job performance of higher education institutes' employees.

In today’s business world, digital technologies have become vital for implementing processes in any company, including the healthcare industry. By utilizing the latest technologies to collect, process, analyze, and transmit data through smart devices and IT infrastructure, it is possible to implement trends in medicine as a value approach, personalization, predictability, and participation. Considering these trends, it is necessary to develop a methodology for creating a management system for medical organizations that can comprehensively and interconnectively develop various elements of the system. This includes business process systems, information systems and application architectures, hardware, and ''smart'' medical equipment that can fully participate in hospital information exchange. These elements should be developed within a single model. An architectural approach can be used to create a model of a medical organization. This paper examines the integration of smart infrastructure in medical organizations, develops requirements for smart infrastructure services, and creates architectural models based on the findings and requirements. Architecture models were developed for the following elements of the Smart Infrastructure: smart wards, wearable devices and telemedicine stands as the most necessary elements in everyday healthcare. The key discovery of the study is the architecture models of the mentioned elements and their integration with the medical organization IT architecture, described in the form of visual models and data exchange tables. The proposed models can be used both for further research or for practical implementation as the reference models to check up and adopt to each individual case. The solutions proposed in the paper give an example of open innovation philosophy, as they are developed on the basis of open information about the innovation activities of various medical organizations, and, at the same, time the results themselves are openly published and open for adaptation by the scientific and practicing medical community.

Over the last decade, the Nigerian government has undertaken a wide ranging policy, institutional, and legal initiatives to enhance the country’s public service delivery. Despite these efforts, the nation has grappled with a myriad of issues that still undermine good governance and political security. These challenges include weak institutional capacity, corruption, poor leadership, inadequate public service delivery, political instability, limited resources, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled human resources. This paper examines the strategies and mechanisms employed by public administrators in Nigeria to enhance good governance and political security, analyses the impact of effective public administration on political stability and security and identifies the challenges affecting the implementation of good governance principles through public administration in Nigeria. The study has adopted the New Public Management Theory proposed by Hood in 1991 and relied on secondary data. Findings from the study show that Nigerian public administration has undergone a series of reforms to enhance good governance and political security through various strategies and mechanisms such as capacity building, international cooperation, and ethical conduct. The study also reveals that corruption and lack of accountability, bureaucratic bottlenecks and insufficient capacity among others have been identified as challenges of the implementation of good governance principles in Nigeria. The paper recommends that the encouragement and promotion of transparency and accountability be given top priority; citizen participation should also be encouraged in the planning and decision-making process; empowering local governments through the allocation of adequate resources to foster political security. The paper also recommends the establishment of a proper recruitment base to promote professionalism and meritocracy in the public service.

This paper delves into the transformative role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies—Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, and Blockchain—in reshaping strategic intelligence and dynamic capabilities in businesses. It presents an in-depth analysis of how these technologies enhance strategic decision-making, predictive analytics, and operational agility, thereby contributing to a sustainable competitive advantage in rapidly evolving markets. The paper also explores the synergistic effects of integrating these technologies and the resulting challenges and opportunities, including cybersecurity risks, workforce displacement, and ethical considerations. Furthermore, it proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates technology adoption with organizational strategy, emphasizing continuous learning, sustainability, and ethical practices. This study concludes by discussing the implications for practitioners and policymakers and suggesting directions for future research, particularly in understanding long-term impacts, cross-industry applications, and societal implications of 4IR technologies. This paper aims to provide valuable insights for businesses and policymakers navigating the complexities of the 4IR era.

Research on creative organizations often questions how artistic practices can be squared within the rational decision-making of economic thinking. This paper examines how the relational language, or conversation, between artistic and economic rationales unfolds for creative entrepreneurs. Through ethnographic work with a designer-entrepreneur, this paper presents a fine-grained analysis of the conversation the designer cultivates between artistic and economic rationales through work practices. We contribute to the literature about artistic and economic rationales at work, and more specifically to the concept of conversation. First, we show that high levels of conversing make way for low levels of conversing and vice versa. In the studio, the designer’s engagement with either rationale varies as the creative process progresses. Second, on a more global dynamic, we demonstrate the conversation is continuous. It relies on its variations, which ensure the balance between rationales in the long run. We also contribute to the field of creative entrepreneurship research. We identify here one type of creative entrepreneur, with what we call a ‘small is beautiful’ attitude. Far from the mythical figure of the entrepreneur, this unconventional entrepreneur aims for sustainable use of creative resources rather than growth at all costs.

PURPOSE: Nowadays enterprises operate in a very turbulent environment characterized by frequent, significant, and often unpredictable changes. Such conditions, including crises, force enterprises to take quick actions to adapt to changing conditions. The aim of the paper is to identify chances and timing strategies used by tourism entrepreneurs in conditions of large-scale emergencies (such as COVID-19) and show how they can serve organizational resilience. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative research was conducted in the form of 12 individual in-depth interviews and 4 focus group interviews with 22 representatives of selected industries in the tourism sector. The concept of chance management and timing strategies is used to present how, according to our interviewees, changes in the environment caused by the pandemic contributed to the survival and development of their entities in the tourism market. FINDINGS: The research findings showed that changes caused by the pandemic allowed entities to identify several chances. These chances mainly concerned the introduction of changes to the offer (accelerating previously planned changes and enabling the introduction of unplanned changes). Moreover, they provided the chances to use held digital competences and time to think about the company’s development strategy, as well as establishing and developing relationships with stakeholders. Additionally, our research identified four timing strategies used by tourism entrepreneurs in the time of crisis, i.e. chance-grasping strategy, chance-entraining strategy, chance-riding strategy, and chance-creating strategy. IMPLICATIONS: Tourism enterprises are highly exposed to operating in crisis conditions. Therefore, chance management can be very useful in their activity and our research findings can be also useful regarding its theoretical and practical implications. From the theoretical point of view, we show how the concept of chance management (in particular timing strategies) can be useful for analyzing the reactions of tourism entrepreneurs to changes in times of crisis and taking advantage of opportunities arising from crisis situations. From a practical point of view, we show what strategies, depending on entrepreneurs’ subjective assessment of the current and future conditions for implementing changes, can serve organizational resilience in times of crisis. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This paper fills a research gap related to the use of the concepts of chance management and timing strategies from the perspective of tourist enterprises resilience, previously not used in this context and to a limited extent used in the general management literature so far.

PURPOSE: This paper answered the research gap on entrepreneurial orientation with a sample of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) export performance and the mediating role of innovation capability and international networking accessibility that has not been tested in previous research. This study also tested the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on SMEs’ export performance in the global market. The mediating role of international networking accessibility and innovation capability on SMEs’ export performance also became another focus of this study. METHODOLOGY: This paper implemented a quantitative approach with 282 owners or managers of the SMEs brass industry cluster in Boyolali, Indonesia, who were examined using purposive sampling. FINDINGS: The findings of this study revealed that entrepreneurial orientation did not significantly affect SMEs’ export performance but did significantly affect innovation capability and international networking accessibility. Another empirical test found that innovation capability had significantly affected SMEs’ export performance and the international networking accessibility. International networking accessibility also significantly affected the performance of export SMEs. This study also found an important mediating role of international network accessibility and innovation capability in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and SMEs’ export performance. IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to research investigating the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on performance by conducting in-depth studies on innovation capabilities and international networking accessibility. Many studies have tested the mediating role of innovation capability and international networking accessibility. The practical implication of this study is that it can help managers or owners of SMEs better understand and find optimal solutions through enhancing innovation capability and international networking accessibility, which can be instilled in the characteristics of SME owners or managers to improve performance. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The results of this study indicate the mediating role of innovation capability and accessibility of international networking on SMEs’ export performance. Therefore, the main contribution of the study is to determine the mediating role of innovation capability and international network accessibility in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance by integrating the theoretical perspective of the resource-based view (RBV).

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the differences and similarities in the innovation systems of developing vs. developed countries that influence SMEs’ adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. There is a notable absence of comparative research between National Innovation Systems (NIS) of developing and developed countries. Additionally, the current scholarly conversation lacks a holistic view of NIS. Our study aims to fill these gaps by employing Lundvall’s framework to explore both developed and developing countries’ systems comprehensively. METHODOLOGY: The data was collected through a Systematic Literature Review, identifying a total of 695 publications from SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS), and ProQuest. The PRISMA process was adhered to, resulting in 32 papers undergoing quality evaluation using Gough’s ‘weight of evidence’ guidelines. Twenty-nine primary papers were selected, comprising twelve from developed countries, another twelve from developing countries, and the remainder from both categories. Using Qualitative Meta-synthesis (QMS) with ATLAS.ti, a systematic alignment of codes with research inquiries pertaining to NIS ensued, revealing a multifaceted spectrum of findings across these scholarly investigations. FINDINGS: We found that there are similarities and differences between the innovation systems of developed and developing nations. The similarities include the intra-firm interactions taking place between managers and workers, inter-firm relations between the SMEs and Academia and other SMEs, as well as the role of the government in providing funding and regulation (albeit at significantly varying degrees). The most significant differences observed were in the funding mechanisms, the role of the government, and the R&D systems. It was found that governments in developed countries provided SMEs with substantial incentives, tax credits, and subsidies to adopt 4IR technologies, which appears to positively impact the adoption rate. We conclude by developing a conceptual framework for the NIS necessary for the adoption of SMEs’ 4IR technologies in developing countries. IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to the literature on innovation systems by examining the NIS of both developed and developing countries. This analysis allows us to gain deeper insights into how specific aspects of each country (developed or developing) affect (positively or negatively) SMEs’ adoption of 4IR technologies. Practically, it informs governments in developing countries on which aspects to focus on in their NIS to increase the rate of the adoption of 4IR technologies by SMEs. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: A distinctive aspect of this study lies in the creation of a comprehensive conceptual model delineating the essential components of the innovation system pivotal for the successful integration of 4IR technologies within SMEs. This model is designed to serve as a practical tool for governments in developing countries, providing a structured framework to facilitate and enhance the strategic development of their innovation landscapes.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the development and evolution of industrial innovation ecosystems of Around-Tongji Knowledge Economy Circle from the three levels mentioned above, focusing on knowledge-producing populations, core populations and service-supporting populations, and to further develop this research framework by combining with the latest developments. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the five-helix theory and economic census statistical data, this paper adopts geographic information system technology and examines the characteristics of the industrial innovation ecosystem and the synergistic evolution process in Around-Tongji knowledge economy circle. Findings – The knowledge product populations lead the development of industries in Around-Tongji Knowledge Economy Circle. It contributes political capital output for the government. It innovates community cooperation and governance mode, and it improves the natural ecological environment. In the face of the changes and challenges in the development environment, the future development must be recognised from the height of the iterative development of the interaction mode between university knowledge production and economic and social development. Originality/value – Based on the five-helix theory and economic census statistical data, this paper examines the characteristics of the industrial innovation ecosystem and the synergistic evolution process in Around-Tongji Knowledge Economy Circle. It further expands the research framework used to develop a synergistic evolution model, which reveals the interactive and synergistic relationship among the populations and the evolution characteristics of the entire industrial innovation ecosystem. This paper also provides useful perspectives for the study of the industrial innovation ecosystem.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of data assets and how companies can assetize their data. Using the literature review methodology, the paper first summarizes the conceptual controversies over data assets in the existing literature. Subsequently, the paper defines the concept of data assets. Finally, keywords from the existing research literature are presented visually and a foundational framework for achieving data assetization is proposed. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a systematic literature review approach to discuss the conceptual evolution and strategic imperatives of data assets. To establish a robust research methodology, this paper takes into account two main aspects. First, it conducts a comprehensive review of the existing literature on digital technology and data assets, which enables the derivation of an evolutionary path of data assets and the development of a clear and concise definition of the concept. Second, the paper uses Citespace, a widely used software for literature review, to examine the research framework of enterprise data assetization. Findings – The paper offers pivotal insights into the realm of data assets. It highlights the changing perceptions of data assets with digital progression and addresses debates on data asset categorization, value attributes and ownership. The study introduces a definitive concept of data assets as electronically recorded data resources with real or potential value under legal parameters. Moreover, it delineates strategic imperatives for harnessing data assets, presenting a practical framework that charts the stages of “resource readiness, capacity building, and data application”, guiding businesses in optimizing their data throughout its lifecycle. Originality/value – This paper comprehensively explores the issue of data assets, clarifying controversial concepts and categorizations and bridging gaps in the existing literature. The paper introduces a clear conceptualization of data assets, bridging the gap between academia and practice. In addition, the study proposes a strategic framework for data assetization. This study not only helps to promote a unified understanding among academics and professionals but also helps businesses to understand the process of data assetization.

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the potential explanatory mechanisms linking leader–member exchange (LMX) and a perceived supportive environment for corporate entrepreneurship. Specifically, this paper develops and tests a hypothesized moderated mediation model of the relationship between LMX and a perceived supportive environment for corporate entrepreneurship through psychological empowerment as conditional upon the level of control orientation. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a sample of 682 full-time working adults in the USA and were examined in a moderated mediation model in PROCESS. Findings – The findings suggest that higher LMX augments perceptions of a supportive environment for corporate entrepreneurship with a mediating role for psychological empowerment and a moderating role for control orientation on that conditional relationship. Research limitations/implications – This research suggests that high quality LMX relationships may enrich the human capital of firms, helping them to innovate and outperform competitors in the context of modern competitive dynamics. The study findings are limited by several factors including a cross-sectional design and a student-recruited sampling approach. Originality/value – The study offers unique contributions to the leadership and entrepreneurship literature by being among the first to empirically investigate the relationship between LMX and a perceived supportive environment for corporate entrepreneurship as mediated by psychological empowerment and moderated by control orientation, yielding important insights regarding effective leadership practices for facilitating innovative behaviors and corporate entrepreneurship.

This paper introduces the problem of scheduling jobs on parallel plastic extrusion lines where each line is composed of one or more than one extruder. Although there are some similarities between the introduced problem and the non-identical parallel machines scheduling problems with sequence-dependent setup times, limited additional resources and machine eligibility restrictions, the problem considered in this paper is a generalization of the parallel machine scheduling problem. This is because in parallel machines scheduling each job requires only one machine but in our case some jobs require more than one machine. Thus, our problem reduces to the parallel machine scheduling problem if all jobs require only one machine. This paper describes the problem of scheduling parallel extrusion lines, its industrial context, and develops a mixed-linear formulation to model the problem. This formulation allowed solving instances of up to 15 jobs. In addition, we developed four metaheuristics: a simulated annealing algorithm, a tabu search heuristic, a genetic algorithm, and a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure. These metaheuristics can be used to solve real-life instances of the problem. A numerical experiment shows that the proposed metaheuristics produce excellent solutions. Some of the proposed simulated annealing adaptations and of the tabu search heuristics obtained solutions with less than 2% deviation from the optimum.

This paper evaluates the rise of “Generative Artificial Intelligence” (GAI) in its myriad forms, with the highest profile being the “Large Language Models” (LLMs). More importantly, it analyses the potentially disruptive impact of this ascendant technology on higher education and the global workplace. The findings of this paper indicate that students pursuing higher education tend to perceive GAI favourably, as it frees them from the toil of rote-learning. However, the view is rather mixed in the case of educators, who are still coming to grips with this seemingly disruptive technology. In the case of the global labour market, GAI has the potential to decimate legions of white-collar jobs once it eliminates inherent issues of biases, security and misinformation. Despite the media’s constant labelling of GAI as a disruptive technology that has suddenly burst onto the technological scene, it is evidenced in this paper that the technology has taken nearly eight decades to reach today’s level of technological advancement. Further, it is far from reaching its full potential, as it is still incorporating advances in pattern recognition, planning and problem solving, and quantum computing technologies. This study also warns of concentrating the power of this game-changing technology in the hands of a few major corporate titans.

This research investigates the complex interplay between carbon dioxide emissions, population dynamics, migration patterns, foreign direct investment, and gross domestic product in Vietnam. The paper uses the unrestricted fixed and random panel data method. The data is collected from the World Bank and Vietnam General Office of Statistics. This study employs a multidimensional analytical framework in the country's rapid economic growth context, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to unravel the nuanced relationships within this nexus. The main finding of this study reveals significant correlations between carbon dioxide emissions, population, migration, FDI- foreign direct investment inflows, and GDP- gross domestic product growth, highlighting the pivotal role of these factors in shaping Vietnam's economic landscape. The study draws on comprehensive datasets spanning multiple years. The research reveals significant correlations, notably the positive link between foreign direct investment inflows and gross domestic product growth. Simultaneously, the study sheds light on the environmental challenges associated with urbanization and the socioeconomic impacts of internal migration. The findings of this paper contribute to the theoretical understanding of these interconnected factors, emphasizing the need for an integrated policy approach. Policy recommendations include sustainable urban development strategies, sector-specific foreign direct investment initiatives, and inclusive migration policies. Additionally, fostering green technologies, community engagement, and international collaborations are proposed to advance Vietnam's sustainable development goals. This research is a foundation for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders, offering actionable insights to guide Vietnam toward a balanced and resilient future. The study's methodology, findings, and policy implications contribute to the academic discourse on sustainable development and provide remarkable guidance for navigating the complexities of economic growth and environmental stewardship in emerging economies.

This paper is constructed to study the sustainable practices that project managers follow and their contribution to sustainability. This study divides the sustainability section into three pillars (Economic, Environmental, and social). Sustainability is still an emerging concept with multiple interpretations globally. This paper also discusses several scenarios comparing and contrasting those practices to draft suitable recommendations. Moreover, this paper studies the link between sustainability and agility. As this paper is conceptual in nature, only scholarly articles ranging from Q1 to Q4 can be accepted to report findings and critique academically. Primary methods will not be utilized in this paper. As per each contribution the findings are also categorized into three pillars of sustainability. The findings are linked codes to each sustainable practice as cited earlier including agility being an independent variable. The research recommends testing the hypothesis and propositions in case the study develops further. The findings from past literature will be utilized to create critical success factors and recommended models. As this paper is conceptual research, the paper lacks empirical data, and it uses inductive philosophy to create themes and findings.

This paper contributes to the understanding of market categorisation processes. More specifically, it analyses the evolution of the independent music category, characterised as a fuzzy category by its instability and as an alternative category by its power relations with the dominant mainstream music category. Based on a sociohistorical approach, we show how external forces such as boundary reconfigurations on the one hand and internal forces such as tension around category representations on the other shape the definition and evolution of the independent music market category. Our findings show the joint action of these dynamics in the emergence and evolution of alternative categories. They highlight the interest of simultaneously examining these multiple dynamics and their relationships in the study of market categories. Our paper also reveals the strategic and ideological issues associated with the alternative – mainstream dialectic, which constitutes a key factor in the structuring and evolution of many other industries.

The Nadler–Tushman congruence model stands out as a well-known and effective framework for navigating organizational change (Nadler & Tushman, 1989, 1997). Despite the prevalent discussions on organizational ambidexterity in recent years, few people are aware that both of these concepts originated from the same researcher around the same period. Although these ideas followed separate developmental paths, their shared origins underscore a common research interest. This paper aims to explore Tushman's research and respond to the convergence of these two concepts after approximately 30 years. Based on Tushman's suggestion that the integration of multiple logics through an overarching identity is necessary, this paper considers and suggests a new integrated model. This model can help formulate a paradigm for dynamic organizational change that aligns with today's organizational environment.

Abstract Social sustainability and, in particular, its measurement and reporting are gaining importance in society, politics and business but are facing major challenges. This is because there are no standardized and uniform approaches or frameworks. The existing approaches cover social issues, but no systematic presentation has been proposed. Moreover, there is no approach that can be applied in both management accounting and financial reporting. The aim of this paper is to present a catalog of criteria for addressing this issue and thus to close the research gap. For this purpose, frameworks utilizing catalogs of criteria for social sustainability assessment and reporting are analyzed and critically reviewed. One major weakness found is that all frameworks are oriented around only socially protected values in their catalogs. As social sustainability is focused on the impact on stakeholders, these are frequently missed. One solution to this problem is to adopt a 1:1 ratio of socially protected values to stakeholders, which is developed and described in this paper via a catalog of criteria. Furthermore, a systematic presentation of social issues using a four-level structure is proposed. Social indicators are, in turn, assigned to subcategories, to supercategories, and finally to stakeholders. This not only improves transparency and comprehensibility but also simplifies decision-making. A procedure model for the application of the catalog is also suggested. Such a catalog has not been described in previous research.

This paper examines and reviews the fundamental challenges that academicians face when using the event study methodology to assess the long-term consequences of financial events on the economy and to describe market reactions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that businesses can experience abnormal returns from 1 to 5 years after major financial events. Also, this paper investigates the long-run price performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). The sample period expands from 2018 to 2022. Various findings are obtained by employing several analytical methods. First, long-run price performance of IPOs is negative, and a strong evidence shows that the long-run performance is sensitive to the benchmark employed. To assess the long-term performance of IPOs, I used both cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) and buy-and-hold abnormal returns (BHAR) as aggregated models. I explained the methodology which is adopted in this study in detail for the event–time approach. However, I used the crucial values for the skewness-adjusted t-statistic to infer statistical tests. Even though BHAR provided weaker results, all methods indicated negative long-run abnormal returns for IPOs. Yet this performance varied when comparing the performance utilizing ASEI, Fama–French three-factor (FF3F), and matching firm (MF) as benchmarks.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. In today's business landscape, characterised by a growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and technological innovation, organisations are faced with the challenge of aligning their corporate cultures with these emerging paradigms. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of case studies with quantitative examination of organisational practices, to investigate effective strategies for fostering a sustainable corporate culture amidst the challenges and opportunities presented by the green and digital economy. Methodology. The research methodology includes a comprehensive review of the literature on corporate culture, sustainability and digitalisation, supplemented by analysis of data collected from case studies of organisations operating in different industries. Qualitative data from interviews with key stakeholders and observations of organisational practices are complemented by quantitative analysis of survey responses and performance metrics. Results. The findings highlight several key strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. These include: leadership commitment to sustainability and innovation; integration of green practices into organisational policies and procedures; employee engagement and empowerment through training and development programmes; use of digital technologies to improve communication, collaboration and productivity; and continuous monitoring and evaluation of environmental performance metrics. Practical implications. The implications of this study have several practical implications for organisations seeking to cultivate a sustainable culture. First, they underscore the importance of strong leadership commitment to sustainability and innovation, and the need to integrate green practices into all aspects of organisational operations. Second, the findings highlight the critical role of employee engagement and empowerment in driving sustainable behaviour and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Finally, the study highlights the potential of digital technologies to enable organisations to adapt and thrive in the evolving landscape of the green and digital economy. Value / Оriginality. This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence and practical insights into the strategies for creating a sustainable corporate culture in the context of the green and digital economy. By combining qualitative analysis of case studies with quantitative examination of organisational practices, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the key factors influencing corporate culture in the contemporary business environment. In addition, the research highlights the importance of aligning organisational values with environmental and technological advances to enhance business sustainability and resilience. Overall, the paper provides valuable contributions to both theory and practice in the areas of corporate culture, sustainability and digitalisation.

Nowadays, there is an increasing recognition of the value of eco-innovation in both academic and practical spheres. Establishing the connection between eco-innovation and corporate performance is highly important. This paper aimed to analyze the correlation between eco-innovation, corporate performance, and company size. To accomplish this goal, the paper collected unique data from 383 global non-financial companies using the Refinitiv Eikon database from 2013 to 2022. This paper uses fixed effect and (generalized method of moment) GMM techniques to overcome possible endogeneity concerns. The strong empirical results display a positive relationship between eco-innovation and corporate performance. Importantly, this paper discovered that the size of companies significantly magnifies the effect of eco-innovation on corporate performance. Our findings are still robust to endogeneity concerns. The results confirm that prioritizing eco-innovation can benefit larger companies in multiple ways, including boosting productivity, avoiding penalties, expanding into new markets, improving green image, and gaining a competitive edge, all of which ultimately enhance corporate performance. Additionally, the extensive evaluation by stakeholders enables these larger corporations to generate increased profits. This paper aims to contribute the innovation literature by exploring an under-explored topic using extensive panel data and offering practical guidance for non-financial firm stakeholders. The implications of the findings have various impacts on future research and policy development. Furthermore, this paper aims to assist policymakers in establishing impactful mechanisms and guidelines that foster ecologically conscious attitudes. The conclusion assists managers in grasping the importance of context-based eco-innovation.

Due to rapid advances being made in computing technologies, open innovation methods are being used for better managerial forecasting and min-max efficient time for delivering final products to the marketplace. This requires that technology, time, human capital, efficient and sound production methods, and delivery are all high quality. This paper explores how ‘process development′ can connect all parties in managerial efficiency in time and cost to achieve targeted goals. Knowledge gaps concerning operations and technological forecasting of multiple development projects under open innovation infrastructure are filled in here. Overlapping consecutive tasks in the production process to reach the desired objective are described. The proposed model recognizes the trade-off between time-to-market reduction and devising a scheduling process that is minimized as much as possible, which demonstrates time to delivery effectiveness. The model serves to conduct an empirical study using Chinese data. We observe encouraging results in the modelling of operational excellence in technology development processes (lead time data) using Convex, Linear and Nonlinear models to achieve the goals. Overall, in open innovation, where collaboration spans boundaries and involves multiple stakeholders, effective overlapping scheduling isn't just about managing time; it's about orchestrating a harmonious collaboration that enables diverse groups to work cohesively towards a shared goal, and our paper contributes to providing a seminal toolkit and methodologies into it.

This paper illustrates how an industrial cluster can be created when there is little established industry from which the cluster can evolve. Industrial clusters are known to give firms superior performance by improving the competitiveness of regions. There is significant debate on effective strategies to create new industrial clusters.Incorporating evidence from a systematic literature review supported by quantitative data this study demonstrates that an industrial cluster can be created without a preestablished industrial base. The medical device cluster in Galway, Ireland is used for the study.The results show how government policies supported the cluster's creation. The engagement of key institutions and stakeholders improved the competitive factors in a self-reinforcing cycle. Using a theoretical model, the growth of the cluster is explained. The paper suggests measures to assess the health of a cluster and identifies the importance of geographic location. Policies to improve a cluster need to be focused on closely bounded regions and not dispersed.

The mining sector in most developing countries including Tanzania has become an important sector for the economy. However, the sector still faces many challenges to realize its full potential. This paper assesses whether mining companies complied with the regulatory framework of the mining sector based on community perspectives in Kahama District. A total of 215 households were sampled for the study based on Bailey’s method using a sampling per cent of 9.3%. Within villages, respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire, focus group discussions, observations and document reviews. While content analysis was used to analyse primary qualitative data, factor analysis was employed to reduce variables which were then analyzed to find extent of compliance of large-scale mining companies with regulatory framework for sustainable mining, and documentary review was used to analyse secondary data. The findings show that consultation for views on issues, publication of anticipated effects and benefits in communities were positively attained by the mining companies. However, mining companies’ operations to a large extent have negatively affected the qualities of water, soil, air and use of the available resources within operation areas. The paper concludes that although large mining companies are required in Tanzania, addressing the existing challenges would lead to achieving sustainable mining practices.

Visibility management is becoming an important task in organizations as work is increasingly made visible by digital technologies, but the consequences of increased visibility for management are still underexplored. Based on a qualitative study in heavily digitalized public organizations, the paper investigates managers’ experiences with visibility and control. New concerns arise relating to the risk of employee prying, increase in visualizations of workflow deviations, and the explosion in performance indications. These concerns entail new types of managerial work that we refer to as visibility management, consisting of technological mediation work, relation work, and compensation work. By identifying these types of work, the study challenges the assumption that more visibility, understood as increased ease of access to information, automatically eases control tasks for managers. The paper offers a vocabulary that can help practitioners describe and better understand new types of otherwise often invisible managerial work in digitalized organizations.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand whether or not the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model and the Shingo Model promote and are embedded into the three pillars of sustainability, as well as to propose a conceptual model for excellence in business towards sustainability. Methodology/Approach: Following the PRISMA methodology, 102 articles were included in the review. A bibliometric co-citation network was created based on those publications to understand the link between the topics, using the VOSViewer software. This paper presents a literature review on the topics of the EFQM and Shingo Model, Corporate sustainability (CS), and the relationship between the excellence models and CS. Findings: Findings from the literature review indicate that effectively the new version of the EFQM Model and the Shingo Model guide organisations towards achieving sustainable economic, social, and environmental results. Research Limitation/Implication: There are still a restricted number of articles on the Shingo Model and on the relationship between the Shingo Model and CS, as well as, on the latest version of the EFQM Model and therefore on the relationship between this model version and CS, which presents a limitation to this paper. Originality/Value of paper: This paper contributes to filling the literature gap regarding the lack of studies evolving the EFQM 2020 model version and the Shingo Model, as well as its relationship with CS.

Purpose – This paper investigates the roles and activities of the orchestrators of innovation networks constituted within cities. In this sense, the authors expected to contribute for research related to the roles and activities of the orchestrators of innovation networks constituted in the scope of cities given the large number and diversity of complex and multiple dimensions social actors (Castells & Borja, 1996; Reypens, Lievens & Blazevic, 2019). Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted an exploratory research with a single case study in depth. The case chosen for the paper is the case of Pacto Alegre. The case selection criterion was the relevance of the Pacto Alegre Case in the construction of an innovation network in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The Pacto Alegre network was proposed by the Alliance for Innovation (composed of the three main Universities in the city: UFRGS, PUCRS and UNISINOS) and by the Municipality of Porto Alegre. In addition to these actors, the network counts on financial and development institutions as sponsors, with media partners, with design partners, with an advisory board (composed of five professionals considered references in different themes) and composed by more than 100 companies, associations and institutions from different areas (Pacto Alegre, 2019). Data were collected from 09/20/2020 to 11/30/2020 through in-depth interviews, documentary research and non-participant observation. Findings – In this research, the authors highlighted the city as a community that involves and integrates various actors, such as citizens and companies, to collaborative innovation activities. For this, they proposed a framework on innovation networks and network orchestration. In this direction, seven dimensions of the “orchestration of innovation networks” were assumed as a result of the combination of previous studies by Dhanaraj and Parke (2006), Hurmelinna-Laukkanen et al. (2011) and da Silva and Bitencourt (2019). In the sequence, different roles of orchestrators associated with the literature were adopted based on the work by Pikkarainen et al. (2017) and Nielsen and Gausdal (2017). Research limitations/implications – The authors’ results advance in relation to other fields by promoting the expansion of the “orchestration of innovation networks” model with the combination of distinct elements from the literature in a coherent whole (agenda setting, mobilization, network stabilization, creation and transfer of knowledge, innovation appropriability, coordination and co-creation) and in the validation of its applicability in the context of the innovation network studied. In addition, when relating different roles of orchestrators to the seven dimensions studied, it was realized that there is no linear and objective relationship between the dimensions and roles of the orchestrator, as in each dimension there may be more than one role being played in the orchestration. Practical implications – Therefore, the findings suggest two theoretical contributions. First, the authors identified a role not discussed in the literature, here called the communicator. In the case analysis, the authors observed the communicator role through functions performed by a media partner of the innovation network and by a group of civil society engaged in the city's causes. Second, the authors indicated a new dimension of orchestration related to the management of communication in the innovation network and its externalities such as p. ex. civil and organized society, characteristic of an innovation network set up within a city. Originality/value – Although several studies have proposed advances in the understanding of the orchestration of innovation networks (Dhanaraj & Parkhe, 2006; Ritala, Armila & Blomqvist, 2009; Nambisan & Sawhney, 2011; Hurmelinna-Laukkanen et al., 2011), the discussion on the topic is still a black box (Nilsen & Gausdal, 2017). More specifically, the authors identified a gap in the literature about the role and activities of actors in the city level. Few studies connected the regional dimension with the roles and activities of the orchestrators (Hurmelinna-Laukkanen et al., 2011; Pikkarainen et al., 2017), raising several challenges and opportunities to be considered by academics and managers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the process of why a Brazilian digital startup company reached unicorn status the fastest. Design/methodology/approach – After the literature review, the authors conducted the questionnaire containing 13 questions used in 18 in-depth interviews conducted in the case study. Saturation point combined with the independent and in-depth analysis of the researchers is used to achieve internal and external validity. The primary data collected underwent an analytical approach, followed by a resource-based view (RBV). RBV does not deal with time. There is a gap in the literature and an opportunity here: to analyze the fastest company to become a unicorn under the RBV lens. Findings – The case reveals that value can be found in traditional sectors, as is the case of the real estate sector. This is a case of a company in the direct home-buying space. Practical implications – The contribution of this paper is both practical, with the seven lessons, and theoretical. Resources allocated to a specific context in a specific geographic region shift the attention away from the absolute value of resources to the timing of aggregating them. Thus, the contribution accounting for time is new to the RBV. Originality/value – The originality lies in the analysis of the dynamics of digital businesses with exponential growth.