Global challenges, sustainable development, and their implications for organizational performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Busaya Virakul
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Sustainability Policy ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to propose an effective response by business organizations to the impact of global challenges and sustainable development (SD). It also presents an overview model of organizational performance employing such an approach. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a conceptual work based upon a review of theories, research findings and reports gathered from relevant literature. The review yielded the following research framework: many countries are facing global challenges; these global challenges are affecting business organizations as external factors; SD is a concept employed to address these challenges; SD can be applied in business organizations through corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance (CG) and sustainability policy and practices; and embedding CSR, CG and sustainability concepts at a strategic level is an effective response to global challenges. Findings – Global challenges are impacting on business organizations and will continue to do so into the future. CSR, CG and sustainability concepts are increasingly being adopted by leading business organizations throughout the world. Embedding CSR, CG and sustainability concepts at a strategic level can sustain long-term organizational performance, as they help businesses face global challenges in a positive manner and maintain their position in societies on good terms with all stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – Different cultural or socio-economic environments may limit the interpretation and application of the findings or propositions in this research. Practical implications – How CSR, CG and sustainability concepts can be holistically implemented in business practices. Social implications – The role of business in lessening the effect of global challenges and supporting SD is illustrated in the proposed model. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates connections among the following critical influences on organizational performance: global challenges; SD; and CSR, CG and sustainability.

A model for business responses to global challenges and sustainable development

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Busaya Virakul ◽  
Darlene F. Russ-Eft
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Challenges

Purpose This study aims to validate a model of organizational performance embedding corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance (CG) and sustainability concepts at a strategic level. The model has been created in response to two significant global influences: global challenges and sustainable development (SD). Design/methodology/approach To validate the model created, executives from 10 of Thailand’s leading companies that have received CSR, CG, or sustainability awards during 2010-2015 were asked to complete a questionnaire and were later interviewed. Findings The findings indicate the appropriateness of the model in addressing the two significant global influences and highlight the critical issues in its implementation. Research limitations/implications Types of interviewees who are information sources, organization’s features such as size and industry and culture, appear to be critical factors in affecting the research findings and in limiting the interpretation and applications of the research model. All of those limitations have been explained in the research paper so that future research could be improved. Practical implications The model presents additional knowledge in relation to SD, business strategy, organizational performance and organizational sustainability. It shows how businesses can participate and respond to SD by embedding CSR, CG and sustainability concepts at the strategic level. It also shows that the outcome of such an approach will help business organizations sustain their existence by balancing financial, social and environmental dimensions. Social implications Business is one of the three key players (government, business and citizens) in managing global challenges and promoting SD. A business sector contains huge valuable resources (e.g. physical; financial; human; technology) for development capabilities. Therefore, this research shows a model which helps business organizations understand their significant role in SD. Originality/value Due to increased human population, climate change and deterioration of natural resources, social thinkers all around the world have been warning the seriousness of global challenges and the importance of SD. However, not many studies combine and connect the key concepts of global challenges, SD, CSR, CG and sustainability, all together to address the important role of business organizations. This research answers/gives such overall picture through a field research work for validation.

Social cryptocurrencies as model for enhancing sustainable development

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Mora ◽  
Mario R. Morales-Morales ◽  
Francisco A. Pujol-López ◽  
Rafael Mollá-Sirvent
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Growing inequality and socioeconomic and environmental degradation concerns forces us to think about how innovative technologies can contribute to reduce this problem. This study aims to analyze the potential of social cryptocurrencies to enhance the community development and cooperation between small businesses of the near environment. The evolution of these technology-based schemes could be key factors for generating innovative social enterprises, improving the quality of life in the community; in this way generate a conceptual model to sustainable development, while being more transparent, efficient and scalable as they are supported by technological applications. Design/methodology/approach Based on an in-depth study of the relevant literature, a conceptual model was designed. The concept of social cryptocurrency is proposed as a new approach to virtual currencies for social purposes and sustainable development. Findings The key findings point out that actors such as innovation and social entrepreneurship will come together in a new generation of social currencies, extending cryptocurrency technology to social business domains. Research limitations/implications The impact of this will result in a better quality of life for society and the achievement of several sustainable development goals. However, a limitation would be that its scope depends on certain characteristics of the local environment. Furthermore, the proposed model will require validation in later phases through social experiments. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is in structuring a formal model that, based on empirical experiences and the use of the technology that underlies cryptocurrencies, proposes a set of constituent elements and characterizes them to contribute to achievement of sustainable development.

The impact of fire and rescue service first responders on participant behaviour during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN)/Hazmat incidents

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-298
Author(s):  
Francis Long ◽  
Georgia Bateman ◽  
Arnab Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rescue Service ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
The Impact

PurposeDecontamination following chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN)/Hazmat incidents is a critical activity carried out in order to mitigate and contain the risk posed by any hazardous materials involved. Human behaviour plays a crucial role in such incidents, as casualties will have little understanding of the situation they find themselves in, leading to uncertainty in what actions to take. This will result in very difficult circumstances within which first responders must operate. However, the importance of human behaviour appears to be a fundamental element being missed in the preparation, training and planning assumptions being made by emergency services and planners in preparation for these events.Design/methodology/approachThis paper looks to understand the scope of this omission by reviewing relevant literature on the subject and engaging with Fire and Rescue Service personnel and managers in the UK. This study utilised semi-structured interviews with 10 Fire and Rescue Service Mass Decontamination Operatives, four Fire and Rescue Service Hazardous Material Advisers and three Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Officers participating. These interviews were then analysed using a thematic framework to identified key themes from the research which were then validated using two independent researchers to provide an inter-rater reliability measure. Finally, a follow-up validation questionnaire was also developed to test the validity of the themes identified and this was completed by another with 36 Fire and Rescue Service Mass Decontamination Operatives.FindingsBoth the literature review and interviews undertaken with emergency responders and mangers demonstrated the crucial importance of accounting for behavioural aspects in these situations especially in regards to the likely levels of compliance to be expected by responders and the potential problem of casualties not remaining at the scene of an incident to undergo decontamination.Originality/valueThis research identifies a number of key themes so far not recognized through any other research and in doing so offers insights into potential flaws in the UK Fire and Rescue Service response planning for CBRN/Hazmat incidents requiring mass decontamination. It is intended that this research will inform further study into the areas identified in order to ensure gaps in planning, training and strategies for mass decontamination operations can be more fully informed and if required allow for a more effective response.

The impact of religiosity, environmental marketing orientation and practices on performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 841-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pramono Hari Adi ◽  
Wiwiek Rabiatul Adawiyah
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Environmental Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Marketing ◽  
Marketing Orientation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the environmental marketing orientation of Muslim entrepreneurs and looks at its relationship with environmental marketing and organizational performance in the context of small and medium enterprises in Indonesian. The study also examines the role of religiosity as a moderator on the relationship between environmental marketing orientation and green marketing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is empirical and quantitative in nature. The sample of the study is Muslim entrepreneurs in West Java and Central Java Indonesia. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least square analysis.FindingsEnvironmental orientation has a positive relationship with environmental marketing and operational and economic performance. Nonetheless, the study suggests no significant influence of environmental marketing on commercial performance due to “greenwashing” practices. Religiosity appears to moderate the relationship between environmental orientation and environmental marketing practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe lack of papers on Islamic marketing makes the depth of discussion somewhat limited.Practical implicationsThe recommendation of this study provides a new path to the local government in mitigating the issue of environmental destructions occurring because of entrepreneurs’ business practices. This study has demonstrated the importance of cultivating religious values among society and specifically entrepreneurs as moral guidelines to further strengthen ethical behavior while conducting businesses. The government may endorse more teaching hours on Islamic curriculum at school to create the generation of religious entrepreneurs.Social implicationsThe act of preserving the environments while conducting businesses is one form of worship in Islam as such we call for the elaboration and application of strategies to instill the paradigm of excellent merchants among Muslim.Originality/valueThis paper is the first of its kind which empirically testing the relationship between environmental marketing and firms performance with religiosity as a moderator among Muslim entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

Impact of human resource (HR) practices on organizational performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Habib Rana ◽  
Muhammad Shaukat Malik
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
Training Compensation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the impact of human resource (HR) practices on organizational performance and moderating effect of Islamic principles on the impact in Pakistani business organizations. It aims at finding efficacy of HR practices as well as the role of Islamic teachings in business. Design/methodology/approach Five broad categories of HR practices: selection, training, compensation, performance appraisal and employee participation, have been taken as independent variables and their impact has been assessed on organizational performance: dependent variable, keeping the application of the Islamic principles as moderating variable. Data were collected from employees of mobile telecommunication service providers operating in Pakistan through a questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale and then analyzed in SPSS. Findings HR practices, including selection, training, compensation, performance appraisal and employee participation, have been found to be significantly and positively related to organizational performance. Moderation by the application of Islamic principles was observed to be positive. Its magnitude generally displayed decreasing trend with an increase in level of application. Research limitations/implications Measurement of Islamic work ethics and organizational performance has been unidirectional, gauged only on the basis of employees’ judgment. Inclusion of organizational and market data in future studies will add to the value of the outcome. Understudy business organizations grudgingly provided required information, in spite of personal connections and liaison, because of their organizational policies, commitments and limited concern with the research. Lists of employees were not shared with the researchers, which left only the option of convenient sampling. More reliable sampling techniques are recommended for future research on the subject. Moreover, the sampling frame was limited to the province of Punjab because of shortage of resources. Future research on the subject is suggested to have a broader base, including organizations interested to participate in the exercise of research. Practical implications Outcome of the study will provide useful guidelines to the business organizations by clarifying whether business is a religion-neutral affair or not. It is also expected to provide a line of thought for self-assessment and improvement. The concept of maximization of profit for a business organization can be evolved to a win–win arrangement by the maximization of benefit for all stakeholders. This is a logical and certain outcome once a business organization takes care of its employees, society, environment and, definitely, its shareholders. Originality/value A few studies exist on human resource management in Islamic as well as Pakistani context; however, the role of the religion and its contribution toward organizational performance has not been amply crystallized. This is just an endeavor in hitherto less frequented direction.

scholarly journals Formulating Modes of Cooperative Leaning for Education for Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3465
Author(s):  
Jordi Colomer ◽  
Dolors Cañabate ◽  
Brigita Stanikūnienė ◽  
Remigijus Bubnys
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Professional Life ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
The Face ◽  
Contemporary Education ◽  
The Impact

In the face of today’s global challenges, the practice and theory of contemporary education inevitably focuses on developing the competences that help individuals to find meaningfulness in their societal and professional life, to understand the impact of local actions on global processes and to enable them to solve real-life problems [...]

Cultural influence on brand loyalty of rural consumers in the Indian context

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Ranjan Parida ◽  
Sangeeta Sahney
Keyword(s):  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Market Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Rural Market ◽  
Rural Consumers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop a scale to identify and measure cultural factors and brand loyalty among rural consumers. The study also seeks to analyze the impact of identified cultural factors on the overall brand loyalty of rural consumers. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to measure cultural factors and brand loyalty of rural consumers. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to identify cultural factors, and a regression analysis was carried out to study the impact of the identified factors on brand loyalty. Findings Four dimensions of culture were identified from the study, i.e. virtuousness, religion, sociability and ethnocentrism. The analysis reveals that virtuousness is the most influencing factor on brand loyalty of rural consumers, followed by sociability and religion. Ethnocentrism was found to have insignificant influence on brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications The Indian rural market is a market of opportunity and unlimited business potential. An understanding of the cultural factors of rural markets and their influence on brand loyalty would help marketers and business organizations build an appropriate market strategy to explore benefits. Originality/value The paper attempts to explore the influence of certain cultural factors on the brand loyalty of Indian rural consumers, which has not been researched extensively. This provides a good insight for all marketers who want to succeed in this market.

The prisoner’s dilemma in the workplace: how cooperative behavior of managers influence organizational performance and stress

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Spurný ◽  
Ivan Kopeček ◽  
Radek Ošlejšek ◽  
Jaromír Plhák ◽  
Francesco Caputo
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Prisoner's Dilemma ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Cooperative Behavior ◽  
Prisoner’S Dilemma ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The aim of the paper is to analyze the impact of cooperativeness of managers who occupy central positions in interaction networks on the performance and stress levels of a whole organization. Design/methodology/approach To explore this relationship, a multi-parameter agent-based model is proposed which implements the prisoner’s dilemma game approach on a scale-free network in the NetLogo environment. A description of the socioeconomic aspects and the key concepts implemented in the model is provided. Stability and correctness have been tested through a series of validation experiments, including sensitivity analysis. The source code is available for further exploration and testing. Findings The simulations revealed that improving the stress resistance of all employees moderately increases organizational performance. Analyzing managers’ roles showed that increasing only the stress resistance of managers does not account for significantly higher overall performance. However, a substantial increase in organizational performance and a decrease in stress levels are achieved when managers are unconditionally cooperative. This effect is stronger for the lowered stress resistance of employees. Therefore, the willingness of managers to cooperate under all circumstances can be a key factor in achieving better performance and building a more pleasant, stress-free working environment. Originality/value This paper aims to present a model for analyzing cooperation, specifically in the organizational context, extending the prisoner’s dilemma with novel concepts and mechanisms. Although the results confirm the existing theories about the importance of central nodes in complex networks, they also provide further details on how the cooperative behavior of central nodes (i.e. the managers) might benefit the organization.

Do brand rumors matter? The role of brand equity and response strategy to brand rumor

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihee Choi ◽  
Soobin Seo
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Restaurant Industry ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Brand Crisis ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate consumer responses to brand rumors and corporate rumor response strategies in the restaurant industry. Design/methodology/approach A scenario-based experimental design was used to examine changes in consumers’ brand evaluation depending on level of brand equity and corporate choice of response strategy. Findings It was found that the impact of brand rumors on consumer responses is more negative when the restaurant’s brand equity is low compared to when it is high. It was also found that a company's use of active response strategies is more effective in combating brand rumor than a strategy of simple denial. Practical implications The findings have significant implications for both academics and practitioners in terms of developing effective response strategies for counteracting brand rumors. Originality/value Given the frequency of brand rumors in the restaurant industry and their serious negative impacts, this study extends the existing brand crisis communication literature by demonstrating how consumers respond to a rumor and the effectiveness of different corporate rumor response strategies.

Implementing capabilities-based quality management and marketing strategies to improve business performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1124-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Mehra ◽  
Joshua T. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Management Practices ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of successfully coordinating infrastructural capabilities, such as technology, and structural capabilities, such as people, on the performance of service businesses. Effective coordination of these two types of capabilities is shown to impact the implementation of quality management practices and the design of marketing strategy, both of which when utilized properly, lead to enhanced organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed retail banking firms for this study to analyze empirical data on infrastructural and structural capabilities. Results were corroborated on the basis of in-depth interviews with several banking managers to provide real world verification of the findings. Findings Results indicate that both infrastructural and structural capabilities positively impact the design of marketing strategy, while only structural capabilities impact the implementation of quality management practices. Both, successfully implemented quality management ideals and a well-designed marketing strategy, are shown to enhance overall organizational performance. Research limitations/implications Research was conducted on a specific sector of the service industry, the banking sector. Also, the relatively small size of the study sample may have impacted the outcome of research applicability in some large businesses. Continuously emerging financial regulations could not be incorporated in the study. On the positive side, strong managerial feedback provides guidance toward adopting the study results, and lays the foundation for future research. Originality/value As today’s rapidly evolving society pushes people out of service encounters, replacing them with efficient and cost-saving technology, roles of both the people and the technology in an organization must be fully understood. This paper shows that, despite the exponential growth of technological innovation, both people and technology are critical to enhancing organizational performance through sound quality management practices and supportive marketing strategies.

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