Search

• Insights on CIOs' involvement at the micro and meso firms' level are offered. • The paper emphasizes the openness to disruptive technologies within SMEs. • An empirical analysis on a large-scale sample of 754 CIOs was performed. • Individual TAC is triggering the use of disruptive technologies. • Solutions for leveraging of disruptive technologies in SMEs The pervasive dissemination of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligences (AI) is rapidly changing the way small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are evolving and becoming more innovative. Individual technology absorptive capacity (TAC) is triggering the use of such technologies in a more effective, efficient, and easy mode by Chief Information Officers (CIOs). The CIO, albeit involved in the firm's micro level, encourages firms' TAC at meso level. Although the CIO encourages the use of disruptive technologies, studies on this field are still scarce. This research bridges the gap in the literature, offering an empirical analysis of a large-scale sample of 754 CIOs from knowledge-intensive SMEs to evaluate TAC under a micro-foundation lens. The analysis provides detailed stimuli in rethinking the enhancement of CIOs, emphasizing the effect of the micro level in intercepting disruptive technologies, and optimizing investments in research and development in SMEs. The paper is part of a research line that highlights the relevant role of CIOs and the ability of firms' TAC in Industry 4.0 at micro and meso levels. The study contributes to expanding solutions in the leveraging of disruptive technologies in the digital transformation era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the literary corpus on the role of human resources in non-financial reporting pursuant to EU Directive 2014/95/EU. It provides a quantitative overview of the academic literature that constitutes this field, discussing whether the entry into force of the directive in 2017 on social and environmental issues extends and deepens the dissemination of human resources as a lever for sustainability. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on a database containing 108 publications in English language with a publication date from 2013 to 2019. The findings show that research published on non-financial reporting per the Directive focuses on performance, trust, and quality of disclosure in terms of social and environmental issues, while the human resources discussed in the Directive are still under investigation. Besides, considering that the Directive is in line with the 2030 Agenda, the findings also outline the existing literary framework on the and sustainability reports and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The article contributes to the existing literature systematizing the studies on the topic. It represents a start point for the scholars to develop future research on non-financial disclosure focused on human resources and related sustainable practices adopted by companies as key factors for sustainable organizations towards SDGs. • This paper provides an SLR on HR in NFR per Directive 2014/95/EU. • The SLR has been carried out by Bibliometrix, an open-source tool for quantitative research. • This study is based on a database containing 108 publications from 2013 to 2019. • The paper discusses on HR and related sustainable practices in NFR to achieve also SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the sustainable entrepreneurship issues faced during the pre-seed and seed phases of the life cycle of entrepreneurial ventures, which are considered the protagonists of innovative changes towards a cleaner environment. Specifically, it investigates the role innovation plays in the life cycle of entrepreneurial ventures seeking to create sustainable business models and tools for measuring the social impact of such ventures in sustainability assessment systems designed to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN 2030 Agenda. The study conducts a rigorous literature review and bibliometric analysis of 166 English-language articles on entrepreneurship and sustainability published between 2001 and 2021, and formulates a map for the knowledge produced and disseminated in previous investigations. The results advance our understanding of how sustainability assessment can be integrated into the life cycle phases of innovative entrepreneurial ventures. This review can aid in the development of a comprehensive framework and of research propositions for sustainable entrepreneurship issues in the pre-seed and seed phases. The study also extends institutional and stakeholder theories to provide decision support for sustainable entrepreneurial ventures in their pre-seed and seed phases. It explains how stakeholders' participation and engagement with institutional structures can be invigorated and how this affects the decision consequences for sustainable entrepreneurs. Our results can help practitioners and researchers accurately interpret 'innovation' in the life cycle of entrepreneurial ventures and sustainability assessment systems, thus allowing them to formulate policies, strategies, and guidelines for promoting a sustainable development agenda. • This study investigates the role of innovation in the life cycle of entrepreneurial ventures for sustainable business models. • This study provides a retrospective review of published content in the field of entrepreneurial ventures and sustainability. • The findings highlight that business models are responsible for achieving the SDGs by integrating sustainability assessment into the life cycle phases of innovative entrepreneurial ventures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the influence of social media on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure. The purpose is to understand if and how followership behaviours (e.g., likes, comments, sharing) impact CSR disclosure to achieve legitimacy by stakeholders. A systematic literature review has been conducted on a data collection of 78 scientific articles published between 2001 and 2021. Under the lens of the Legitimacy Theory, this study provides insights into key topics through a retrospective review of the published content by scholars in CSR disclosure and social media issues. The findings highlight that field research has mainly focused on the influence of emerging social media on marketing and advertisement. In contrast, less attention has been paid to how CSR disclosure changes or is affected by social media, particularly followership behaviors. The study offers theoretical and practical implications on the legitimacy companies seek through CSR disclosure and exogenous factors, such as social media. In fact, followership behaviors could represent an accelerator of the disclosure process, influencing responsible business strategy based on knowledge sharing within a virtual community. • This study discusses the role of followership behavior in CSR Disclosure. • The study is based on a bibliometric analysis of 78 articles published between 2001 and 2021. • −The study highlights the need for legitimacy for world companies through CSR disclosure and followership behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes water governance models in the context of sustainable development. Specifically, it aims to understand which dimensions of these models need to be rethought to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda, especially SDG#6, considering the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We present a broad review of the literature from a database containing 118 publications from 2015 to 2020. The data collection process was structured in two phases: collecting articles from the ISI Web of Science and Google Scholars and a content analysis of the selected papers. The findings highlight that collaboration, coordination and stakeholder engagement are the crucial elements that water governance models should include to address the global sustainability challenge. How these principles can be translated into practice to enhance water resource management at the local level appears crucial but has been under-investigated in the literature, so a clear pathway toward sustainability is lacking. Implications for academia and management are discussed. • This study analyzed water governance models in the context of sustainable development. • This study is based on a database containing 118 publications from 2015 to 2020. • Cooperation, coordination and citizen involvement are key attribute for sustainable water governance models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]