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Within the evolving landscape of contemporary business, where sustainability and innovation intertwine, our study explores a strategic gap, presenting the rationale behind choosing green intellectual capital (GIC), absorptive capacity (AC), green innovation (GI), environmental regulations (ERs), and competitive advantage (CA) as main constructs. This model investigates the complex nature of the competitive landscape of SMEs within the vibrant manufacturing sector using the latest version of SmartPLS 4 for analyzing complex data. Drawing upon the theory of the natural resource-based view (NRBV), this study uncovers that GIC advances GI and AC, driving SMEs toward sustainable CA, particularly within the context of ER. These findings propose vital insights for SMEs looking to leverage their valuable resource, contributing to greening operations and reaching sustainable competitiveness while also contributing to theoretical developments in understanding resource-based perceptions on greening the manufacturing of SMEs. Findings reveal the significant impact of GIC on AC and GI and their subsequent impact on CA. Furthermore, ER uncovers the essential role in shaping the link between GIC and AC, thus enhancing SMEs’ capacity to achieve sustainable competitiveness. This study discloses how SMEs utilize GIC to identify ER and achieve CA and how the NRBV develops an understanding of SMEs utilizing their unique resource endowments to drive GI and achieve CA. This study examines the mediating role of AC and GI in this relationship.

ObjectiveTo establish a method for the determination of food additive theaflavins by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.MethodsAfter dissolved in water， the sample solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and 2.5% sodium bicarbonate solution in turn. A certain volume of ester phase was fixed with ethanol， and then it was quantified by spectrophotometry. The maximum absorption wavelength， sample quality， concentration of sodium bicarbonate solution and extraction time by sodium bicarbonate solution were researched.ResultsUnder the best conditions， four theaflavin monomers had good linear relationships within their respective concentration ranges， and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.999. The limit of quantitation was 3%， the standard recoveries were 95.2%-108.4%， and the relative standard deviations were less than 5%.ConclusionThis method has good repeatability， precision and stability， and is suitable for the determination of food additive theaflavin.

E-commerce is transforming business experiences for both sellers and buyers equally at a fast pace. This study investigates the complex relationship between green entrepreneurship, environmental strategy, digital transformation, and environmental knowledge within the Chinese e-commerce industry. The data were collected from 283 small and medium-sized enterprises indulged in online businesses within Jiangsu Province. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS (4.0). Findings show that green entrepreneurship significantly affects eco-efficient E-commerce. While digital transformation and environmental strategy positively and significantly to eco-efficient E-commerce both directly and through the mediation path from green entrepreneurship. Likewise, the findings revealed a positive and significant moderating role of environmental knowledge on the relationship between green entrepreneurship and eco-efficient E-commerce. Considering the pressure from domestic and global legislative bodies to maintain and report environmental sustainability activities by e-businesses, this study offers values theoretical and practical insights. Several theoretical and practical implications are explained in this study to add into the existing literature, assist e-businesses, policymakers, and future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social capital is a concept that describes good quality social relations that can lead to mutu­al benefits. The social capital theory thrives on relationships in networks to gain access to resources, especially information benefits not available to non-members of the network. The study reports the effects of social capital on firm performance. The study further examines the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between social capital and firm performance; and the mediating role of dynamic capabilities in the relationship between social capital and firm performance. Using SmartPLS software 3.2.8 to analyze primary data collected from 787 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ghana, the results show that social capital has a positive and direct relationship with firm performance in Ghana. The findings suggest that EO moderates the relationship between social capital and firm performance. Again, dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between social capital and firm performance. The study also provides managers with practical ways of building relationships within their networks for achieving competitive advantage in the current business environment. Keywords: Social capital, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Dynamic capabilities and firm performance JEL Classifications: L31, M1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.8108

The swift development and implementation of technology have forced enterprises in China to constantly enhance their capabilities to accomplish innovation objectives. In response to the need to improve innovation performance to stay competitive in the industry, enterprises in the region of Jiangsu have adopted a green technology orientation to develop sustainable technologies and regional market orientation to fulfil the needs and wants of environment‐conscious customers. This study assessed the relationship between green technology and regional market orientation and innovation performance and the moderating role of structural and relational embeddedness. The study performed a quantitative assessment using a survey method to collect data. This study gathered data from 386 respondents from small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from Jiangsu, which showed that both green technology and regional market orientation are essential predictors of innovation performance. Moreover, this study found a substantial moderating impact of structural and relational embeddedness on the relationship between green technology and regional market orientation and innovation performance of SMEs. The current study has several practical implications for leaders of SMEs to enhance their innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow milk is an important source of protein, but it is also a food that can cause allergies. In this research, a novel photoelectrochemical immunosensor based on CdWO4–CdS type-II heterojunction was constructed for the detection of allergen α -lactalbumin (α -Lac) in milk. CdWO4–CdS heterojunction was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method. Compared with pure CdWO4, the CdWO4–CdS heterojunction significantly improved the photocurrent intensity. The polydopamine (PDA) was used as a crosslinking agent to couple basis materials and biomolecules. Ascorbic acid was used as an efficient electron donor to eliminate the photo-generated holes and inhibit the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the photocurrent intensity reduced linearly with the logarithm of α -Lac concentration ranging from 0.001 ng ⋅ mL − 1 to 10 ng ⋅ mL − 1 and the limit of detection was 0.17 pg ⋅ mL − 1 . The constructed photoelectrochemical immunosensor exhibited excellent stability, selectivity and reproducibility, which provided a novel ideal for sensitive detection of α -Lac and shed light on monitoring of other allergenic proteins in foods. In this research, the CdWO4–CdS heterojunction was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. Under CdS sensitization, CdWO4–CdS exhibited excellent visible light performance. On this basis, using polydopamine as a cross-linking agent to couple the substrate material and biomolecules, a new type of photoelectrochemical immunosensor was constructed, which provided a new method for the detection of α-lactalbumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator and openness as moderator. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 209 employees of SMEs using a convenient sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS was used to analyze the various constructs. Findings: The results exhibit a positive and significant relationship in NE and absorptive capacity. Also, this study found a positive and significant relationship in absorptive capacity and innovation performance. Moreover, absorptive capacity has a positive and significant mediation role in the relationship between NE and innovation performance. Also, openness positively moderated the relationship of NE and absorptive capacity. Practical implications: SMEs should try to implement the functions of NE, such as interaction with other firms in higher frequency, developing trust among all parties, clear alliance among the partners to enhance innovation performance. Similarly, SMEs should focus on absorptive capacity and openness to enrich innovation performance. Originality/value: This study adds in the current literature of the chosen constructs and empirically contributes the effects in the manufacturing industry of Jiangsu Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: SMEs could achieve their innovation goals, either through exploitation, exploratory, or ambidextrous learning strategies. This study presents ambidexterity as a more effective and efficient strategy that offers superior innovation advantage to SMEs. We also present the role of openness in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical analysis was based on 388 SMEs in Ghana. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using Ordinary Least Squares approach, run using SPSS (v. 20). Findings: Findings indicate that although exploitative and exploratory learning strategies individually had a positive significant effect on SMEs' innovation performance, organizational learning ambidexterity was found to have a greater positive impact on innovation performance among SMEs. High levels of openness further boosted the effect of organizational learning ambidexterity on SMEs' innovation performance. Research limitations/implications: This study was conducted without recourse to some specific factors that could influence organizational learning ambidexterity among SMEs. Future studies should thus pay particular attention to the determinants of organizational learning ambidexterity among SMEs. Practical implications: Innovation performance is very critical for the sustainability of firms, and SMEs in particular. Management of SMEs must therefore seek to simultaneously adopt both learning strategies, as that gives firms greater advantage, compared to the adoption of only one strategy. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that organizational learning ambidexterity had a superior effect on SMEs' innovation performance. High levels of openness further boosted the effect of organizational learning ambidexterity on SMEs' innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study explored the mediating role of potential and realized absorptive capacities in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: Empirical analysis was based on 357 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using ordinary least squares approach, run using SPSS (v. 20). Findings: Findings revealed that potential and realized absorptive capacities significantly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs. Further, it was identified that ambidexterity in absorptive capacity also had a greater effect on radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs. Research limitations/implications: Since the data used were cross-sectional, the relationships measured represent only a snapshot of time. Longitudinal studies could therefore be adopted in the future to complement the cross-sectional conducted. Practical implications: While managers of manufacturing SMEs seek to achieve higher radical innovation performance through entrepreneurial orientation, it should also be noted that both potential and realized absorptive capacities have a significant role to play in this relationship. Managers must therefore also seek to invest time to build both potential and realized absorptive capacities, as they define greater innovation success. Originality/value: Some past studies have considered absorptive capacity as composite variable, therefore added both potential and realized absorptive capacities to form a single variable. Others also presented potential and realized absorptive capacities individually. This current study extends the body of knowledge by presenting an ambidexterity position between potential and realized absorptive capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of transformational leadership on employee retention in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and probes the mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and the moderating role of communication. Data were collected using convenience sampling from 505 employees of SMEs. A Smart PLS structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to estimate the various relationships. The findings of the study reveal a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and OCB. Similarly, this study finds a positive and significant relationship in OCB and employee retention. In addition, OCB had a positive mediating effect on the relationship between transformational leadership and employee retention. Furthermore, communication positively moderates the transformational leadership– OCB and OCB–employee retention relationships. Leaders at SMEs should implement the traits of transformational leadership such as developing a compelling vision for employees, focusing on goal achievement, having problem-solving techniques, having a sense of purpose, and spending time on the training and development of the team to enhance OCB and employee retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and simple process for the preparative extraction, separation, and purification of high-purity (–)-borneol and xanthoxylin, synchronously, from the leaves ofBlumea balsamifera(L.) DC was developed. Simultaneous distillation and extraction, silica gel column chromatography, and recrystallization were applied to the preparation. Two objective compounds with the purity of 98% were obtained, and the losses were minimal during the whole procedure. It is the first time that the preparation of high-purity (–)-borneol and xanthoxylin at the same time were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues have gradually gained attention in the last decade because of increased global warming and high waste production. Therefore, this article aims to add value to the environment management research by analyzing green product innovation through market orientation. Moreover, this study includes green self-efficacy as a mediator, being less focused in the past literature to examine employees' confidence in innovating green products according to customers' needs. In addition, resource bricolage is also introduced as a moderator because fewer studies display the empirical results about organizations producing or tend to produce innovated green products with a limited number of resources. Data were collected from 477 employees of small and medium-sized enterprises using a self-administered questionnaire in Pakistan. Empirical results revealed by SmartPLS software delineate that market orientation has a positive and significant impact on green self-efficacy and green product innovation. Moreover, green self-efficacy shows a significant mediation impact between market orientation and green product innovation. Additionally, resource bricolage also moderates the relationship between market orientation and green product innovation. Overall, the study contributes to theoretical and practical knowledge about green product innovation in tackling the world's environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic decisions like supply chain integration and interfirm value co-creation are significant to SMEs' performance. Therefore, this paper aims to find out the relationships between supply chain integration, interfirm value co-creation, and firm performance in Ghanaian SMEs. We employed a structural equation model (SEM) to estimate the responses of 473 SMEs registered with the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) to find the nexus between supply chain integration, interfirm value co-creation, and the performance of Ghanaian SMEs. Further, we test for the mediating role of innovation capability and stakeholder pressure in the relationships between supply chain integration and firm performance and the relationship between supply chain integration and interfirm value co-creation, respectively. We found a positive significant relationship between the variables. Innovation capability mediates the positive relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance. Interfirm value co-creation has a negative relationship with the innovation capabilities of SMEs. Therefore, Ghanaian SMEs can invest in technologies, which promote collaborations with external parties to create value while minimizing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid, specific and visible detection method for Salmonella enteric serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) was developed based on a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugated bifunctional oligonucleotide probe and aptamer. AuNPs were conjugated with bifunctional oligonucleotide probes and aptamer, then the target bacteria S. typhimurium cells were incubated with the conjugated AuNP. Since the aptamer had a higher affinity and specificity on binding with the cells and its configurations was therefore changed, AuNPs particles were released. These AuNPs particles would aggregate with NaCl and the color of the solution would turn blue from red. Under the optimal conditions, the correlation between the concentration of S. typhimurium and the intensity of the signals was observed to be linear within the range of 1.0 × 101∼1.0 × 106 cfu/ml (R2 = 0.9952), and the detection limit of the proposed method was observed to be 10 cfu/ml. This developed method offers the potential for rapid, sensitive, and visible detection of S. typhimurium in milk and shrimp samples. Practical applications: The developed method in this study can be used for the detection of S. typhimurium in food samples such as milk and shrimp. Furthermore, the developed method can be easily modified for the simultaneous detection of S. typhimurium and other bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]