The Virtual Enterprise: enterprise transformation enabled by strategic digital acceleration

Purpose The Virtual Enterprise model expands potential for extreme digitalization, extended value chains and intelligent workflows, along with new partnership and ecosystem approaches. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of a new survey of more than 7000 C-suite executives conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) provides new and striking insights into what operational, organizational and cultural environments are most conducive to effective and enduring digital transformation. Findings The Virtual Enterprise re-imagines how and where work is done, re-evaluating the necessity for physical assets, infrastructure and talent. Practical/implications The single most important characteristic of the Virtual Enterprise is “openness”, which brings value at three levels: inside the enterprise, with partners outside the enterprise and with the wider ecosystem. Originality/value The research found that the high technology adopters who focus on “openness” and “ecosystems” enjoy a 40 percent revenue growth performance premium over their advanced competitors.

Exploring pro-environmental behavior in Azerbaijan: an extended value-belief-norm approach

Purpose This paper aims to explore pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in Azerbaijan. Therefore, the authors used value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, extended by the construct of social norms (SN), as a basis. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by establishing a link within various social media platforms. The final sample consisted of 407 respondents. The authors analyzed four dimensions of PEB using higher-order structural equations. The authors also examined both direct and (serial) indirect effects for cross-cultural validation of the extended VBN theory. Findings The authors were able to confirm the VBN theory in its entirety. However, SN, which are influential in collectivistic and Sunni-majority states, do not contribute significantly to explaining PEB in predominantly Shiite Azerbaijan. Research limitations/implications The authors could not establish a direct effect of SN on PEB within this study. However, the authors observed an indirect “values-beliefs-norms-behavior” effect. The different (partly abbreviated) effect channels of the four tested value antecedents provide interesting insights for marketing research. Practical implications Based on the results, it seems crucial to make Muslim consumers aware of the negative outcomes of their consumption behavior and to emphasize individual responsibility. However, SN may not need to be addressed depending on cultural and/or religious values. Originality/value The authors examined PEB in Azerbaijan by testing the serial mediation effects in the VBN model. Further, the authors tested the influence of SN within the framework of the original VBN theory, contributing to a better understanding of the possibility of integrating components of the theory of planned behavior.

Assessment of Technological Developments in Data Analytics for Sensor-Based and Robot Sorting Plants Based on Maturity Levels to Improve Austrian Waste Sorting Plants

Sensor-based and robot sorting are key technologies in the extended value chain of many products such as packaging waste (glass, plastics) or building materials since these processes are significant contributors in reaching the EU recycling goals. Hence, technological developments and possibilities to improve these processes concerning data analytics are evaluated with an interview-based survey. The requirements to apply data analytics in sensor-based sorting are separated into different sections, i.e., data scope or consistency. The interviewed companies are divided into four categories: sorting machine manufacturers, sorting robot manufacturers, recycling plant operators, and sensor technology companies. This paper aims to give novel insights into the degree of implementation of data analytics in the Austrian waste management sector. As a result, maturity models are set up for these sections and evaluated for each of the interview partner categories. Interviewees expressed concerns regarding the implementation such as a perceived loss of control and, subsequently, a supposed inability to intervene. Nevertheless, further comments by the interviewees on the state of the waste management sector conveyed that data analytics in their processes would also be a significant step forward to achieve the European recycling goals.

Enhancing Livelihoods Fund: Final report

Over a quarter of the world’s population makes a living farming and working on small areas of land. These smallholder farmers contribute significantly to global food supply chains, but despite this make up a large proportion of the world’s poorest people, with many living on less than $2 a day. Between 2015 and 2020, Oxfam, Unilever and the Ford Foundation worked in close partnership on a joint initiative, the Enhancing Livelihoods Fund (ELF). The fund’s main objective was to improve the livelihoods of smallholders linked to Unilever’s extended value chains. It focused in particular on women, innovative pilots and learning. This report highlights key results and lessons learned. It is intended for NGOs, companies and donors who have an interest in improving smallholder-based value chains, especially through multi-stakeholder partnerships between NGOs and the private sector.

Casino employees' intention to participate in corporate community involvement activities – an extended value-attitude-intention model

PurposeThe success of corporate community involvement depends on employees' perception of and intention to participate in the associated activities. This paper explores personal and perceived organizational factors that influence casino employees' intention to participate in community involvement activities using the extended value-attitude-intention model.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review on corporate community involvement in the hospitality industry and the value-attitude-intention hierarchy, a theoretical model that links perceived societal value to employees' behavioral intention was established. The model was tested using responses from 322 Macao's casino employees.FindingsResults of structural equation modeling showed that perceived societal value of corporate community involvement and perceived societal pressure significantly influenced employees' attitude toward community involvement while perceived societal pressure also significantly influenced perceived facilitating conditions. Additionally, employees' attitude toward corporate community involvement and perceived facilitating conditions affected their intention to participate in corporate community involvement activities.Originality/valueCasinos use corporate community involvement as a way of counteracting the negative impacts of commercial gaming and supporting local communities. Hence, it is vital to understand the mechanism of engaging casino employees in corporate community involvement activities.

Kinerja Keuangan: Intellectual Capital Performance dan Investment Opportunity Set

This study aims to examine the factors that affect financial performance, i.e. Intellectual Capital Performance measured using the Extended Value Added Intellectual Capital Plus and Investment Opportunity Set methods measured using investment-based joint proxy. The population used for the object of research is manufacturing sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2014-2018 period. Based on the purposive sampling method, a sample of 15 companies was obtained with a study period of 5 years so that the research data amounted to 75 data. By using multiple linear regression analysis techniques, this study proves that the Intellectual Capital Performance and Investment Opportunity Set influences the positive and significant direction of Financial Performance. The results of the study indicate an increase in Intellectual Capital Performance and Investment Opportunity Set will improve the company's financial performance in the aspect of profitability.

The Impacts of Young Consumers’ Health Values on Functional Beverages Purchase Intentions

Internationally, there is increasing recognition of the importance of proper diet values and habits, a balanced intake of healthy food products, and rates of obesity control encompassing information on fat content and calories. In this context, some beverage manufacturers have shifted to marketing their products as having fewer calories and more functional benefits. This study aims to develop an extended value–attitude–behavior (VAB) research model that includes three constructs, namely, cue to action, self-efficacy, and health orientation, to explore the impacts of university students’ health values on their purchase intentions concerning functional beverages. The results indicated that university students’ interest in functional beverages was significantly affected by their health values. Besides, both interests in functional beverages and health orientation were significant predictors of purchase intention, while cue to action and self-efficacy were not. Based on these results, enhancing consumers’ education about food security is suggested. Furthermore, the findings provide crucial insights for marketing channels, suggesting the beverage industry can target consumers’ health values concerning health beverages as the key to purchase intention and attract business by developing practical marketing strategies.