Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationship between intellectual capital (IC), organizational ambidexterity (OA) and emergent strategies (ES) within the hospitality industry in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the resource-based view theory and involves a quantitative design, where the survey data of 385 hotel managers is analyzed with the help of partial least squares methods. Findings It shows that relational and innovation capital have a strong relationship in improving ambidexterity in an organization, and that structural capital (SC) is a contradiction compared to traditional beliefs. Amazingly, the effect of human capital (HC) is nonsignificant. Moreover, IC and competitive advantage, as well as innovation capabilities, are correlated with OA. Remarkably, ES also moderate the relationship between innovation capital and ambidexterity positively. Originality/value This study investigates the dissimilar effects of IC on OA in Pakistan’s hospitality industry, with the identification of a counterintuitive negative influence of SC and an insignificant contribution of HC.
Purpose This study examines how the themes of innovation, start-ups and proximity are interconnected in the academic literature. Collaborations with various partners are recognized as enabling start-ups to overcome resource constraints and drive innovation. Managing proximities between partners is essential for achieving successful interrelationships. This study aims to analyze how existing studies relate these concepts and to identify possible research gaps. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis, complemented by content analysis, was conducted to evaluate the academic landscape at the intersection of innovation, start-ups and proximity. The methodology followed a structured review protocol to ensure rigor and transparency in data selection and analysis. Findings The analysis revealed some publications that explicitly explore innovation, start-ups and proximity together. Three main themes emerged from the literature: (1) proximity as an enabler of collaborative innovation in start-up ecosystems, (2) knowledge exchange and network dynamics among entrepreneurial actors and (3) proximity as a strategic resource for start-up development and legitimacy building. Based on these findings, the study identifies four futures research directions: (1) qualitative investigations of proximity dynamic in emerging digital start-ups, (2) comparative studies between high-tech and traditional industries, (3) integration of proximity perspectives with strategic management frameworks such as the resource-based view and (4) longitudinal research examining how proximity evolves throughout the start-up lifecycle. Research limitations/implications This review includes only publications indexed in selected academic databases and written in English, potentially excluding relevant studies published in other languages or from nonacademic sources. Nonetheless, the structured methodology offers a replicable approach for future updates and extensions. Originality/value This study offers a new contribution by combining the themes of innovation, start-ups and proximity into a single analytical framework. It recognizes that innovation is not only technological or organizational but also relational, as start-ups depend on proximities to access knowledge, legitimacy and opportunities. This integration connects fragmented research streams and provides both theoretical and managerial insights for fostering innovation in start-ups.
PurposeAs digital interactions increasingly replace traditional face-to-face exchanges, the ability to embed empathy into technological systems has become a critical frontier. This study aims to examine the growing role of artificial empathy (AE) in human–AI interactions, focusing on its transformative impact within the marketing domain, where empathy-driven technologies are increasingly vital for fostering long-term consumer relationships. Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a systematic literature review of AE research published over the past two decades. Relevant articles were identified through structured keyword searches in selected academic databases, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles, relevance to marketing and consumer behavior and English language publications). The final sample (n = 85) was analyzed using bibliometric mapping and qualitative content analysis to trace the conceptual development of AE, identify its key antecedents and consequences and propose future research trajectories. FindingsThe analysis reveals five dominant research streams: emotion recognition technologies, AI-driven emotional engagement, AE in marketing analytics, sentiment analysis in social media and emotion detection in wearable and immersive environments. Antecedents of AE include technological infrastructure, consumer emotional dynamics, human-centered design and relational marketing practices. AE is linked to both positive outcomes, such as increased trust, personalization and customer experience, and critical challenges. Research limitations/implicationsWhile this review synthesizes key trends and gaps in the literature, future empirical studies are needed to validate proposed frameworks and assess the real-world implications of AE adoption across diverse marketing contexts. Originality/valueThis study develops a theoretical framework of the antecedents and consequences of AE in marketing while providing a comprehensive and integrative overview of the field. It further identifies four emerging research frontiers that offer a strategic foundation for advancing theory and designing emotionally intelligent marketing systems.
PurposeThis study aims to identify, classify and discuss the digital technologies currently supporting the digital transformation of judicial systems worldwide, highlighting their benefits, risks and implementation trends. Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out following the PRISMA protocol and a PICO-based research question. Searches in Web of Science (n = 66) and Scopus (n = 65) (2016–2025) retrieved 131 records; after duplicate removal, screening and eligibility assessment, 41 peer-reviewed articles and 25 items of gray literature formed the final portfolio. Thematic analysis was then applied to map technologies and derive an analytical taxonomy. FindingsThe review catalogued 36 discrete technologies adopted in more than 40 countries and grouped them into four categories: online platforms, applications and case-management software, big-data infrastructures and artificial-intelligence, robot and blockchain solutions. Reported benefits include increased procedural speed, cost reduction, transparency and broader access to justice. Key challenges involve cybersecurity threats, algorithmic bias, inadequate regulatory frameworks and the digital divide accentuated by the COVID-19 acceleration of e-Justice. Research limitations/implicationsThe review is confined to publications in English, two databases and the 2016–2025 period; empirical impact evaluations remain scarce. Future research should expand database coverage, incorporate non-English studies and conduct longitudinal assessments of technological, ethical and social outcomes. Practical implicationsBy consolidating global experience and good practices, this study offers courts, policymakers and technology providers a reference taxonomy to guide adoption strategies, risk mitigation and capacity-building aligned with initiatives such as Brazil’s Justiça 4.0. Originality/valueThis paper contributes to addressing the scarcity in Brazilian and international scholarship by delivering the first systematic, evidence-based panorama of digital judicial technologies, clarifying their diffusion stage and articulating a research agenda for more inclusive and accountable digital justice.
Purpose This study aims to examine why innovation initiatives in microfinance institutions (MFIs) often remain fragile and uneven despite growing investment, policy attention and digital transformation. It develops an integrative framework centered on governance capacity to explain how hybrid MFIs convert institutional tension into durable innovation or allow it to produce fragmented change. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an integrative literature review with a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses-based selection process, synthesizing 128 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024 in Association of Business Schools-ranked (3/4/4*) journals. The analysis integrates evidence on organizational competence, innovation and sustainability to explain how innovation becomes institutionally embedded. Findings The review finds that innovation in MFIs depends on alignment with organizational competence and sustainability practices, rather than on technological adoption alone. Innovation remains fragile when these elements are disconnected but becomes more durable when governance capacity aligns competence, organizational routines and mission over time. Originality/value This study introduces governance capacity as the mechanism that explains whether hybrid MFIs transform institutional tension into durable innovation. It shifts the focus from technology adoption to the organizational conditions that make innovation endure.
Purpose This study aims to examine the evolution of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation in the European Union and assesses its practical effectiveness in Portugal. It seeks to understand whether a harmonized regulatory framework leads to consistent outcomes across Member States, and to what extent differences in performance can be associated with varying levels of innovation within WEEE management systems. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory case study approach is adopted, combining qualitative analysis of the legislative framework with a quantitative assessment of official statistical data. Portugal is analyzed in depth, while comparisons with other Member States are used to contextualize performance differences and identify key structural and innovation-related factors influencing implementation. Findings The findings show that, although Portugal has formally aligned its legal framework with EU directives and regulations, collection and recycling targets have not been consistently achieved. While traditional explanations such as limited enforcement capacity and consumer behavior remain relevant, the results point to a broader shortfall in innovation across the system. In particular, limited use of digital monitoring and traceability tools, weak coordination among institutional actors and a lack of effective incentive mechanisms help explain the observed performance gap. This suggests that regulatory alignment alone is not sufficient, and that policy effectiveness depends to a large extent on the capacity to integrate innovation into both design and implementation. Research limitations/implications The analysis relies on official data, which may not fully capture recent developments or informal waste flows. Future research could build on this work by incorporating longitudinal data and alternative methodologies to better account for innovation dynamics and hidden streams. Practical implications The study highlights the importance of strengthening innovation within WEEE systems, particularly through improved monitoring technologies, better institutional coordination, and more effective engagement with consumers. Social implications Advancing innovation in WEEE management can contribute to reducing environmental risks, improving resource efficiency and promoting more responsible consumption practices. Originality/value This paper contributes by linking the effectiveness of environmental regulation to the role of innovation, showing that differences in national outcomes under a common EU framework can be partly explained by uneven adoption of technological, institutional and behavioral innovation. The Portuguese case provides a useful illustration of how these dynamics shape policy performance in practice.
Purpose The study aimed to investigate the impact of tacit knowledge management systems (TKM) on organizational performance (OP) among Ghanaian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), addressing the function of employee performance (EP) and job satisfaction (JS) building on the knowledge-based viewpoint (KBV). Design/methodology/approach This study assessed the hypotheses in the established research model using structural equation modeling based on data collected from 320 participants from small- and medium-sized firms in Ghana. The results revealed significant and positive relationships between different dimensions of TKM systems and OP. Findings The findings show that the positive effects of TKM systems on OP are partially explained by the mediating role of JS. The results indicate that Ghanaian SMEs that engage in TKM systems and enhance EP and JS are more likely to achieve better OP. Research limitations/implications The research focused on Ghanaian SMEs, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. Future investigations could explore the relationships between TKM systems, EP, JS and OP in different industries and countries to validate the findings. Practical implications This study contributed to KBV theory and practice, highlighting the significance of implementing effective TKM systems and ensuring EP and JS in organizations. Originality/value Ensuring EP and JS within an organization can further enhance the positive influence of TKM systems on performance results.
Purpose This study aims to investigate how digital green innovation (DGI) influences sustainable project performance (SPP) in manufacturing firms, while examining the mediating role of green human resource management (GHRM) and the moderating role of digital leadership (DL). Although digital transformation and sustainability have received increasing scholarly attention, limited research examines how digital green initiatives translate into project-level sustainability outcomes, particularly in developing-economy contexts.Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 203 managers, supervisors and project team members in Ghanaian manufacturing firms using a structured questionnaire. The proposed hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), enabling simultaneous examination of direct, mediating and moderating effects within a unified framework.Findings The results indicate that digital green innovation has a significant positive effect on both green human resource management and sustainable project performance. Green human resource management significantly enhances sustainable project performance and partially mediates the relationship between digital green innovation and sustainable project performance, suggesting that digital technologies require aligned HR systems to generate sustainability outcomes. Furthermore, digital leadership positively moderates the relationship between green human resource management and sustainable project performance, strengthening the impact of green human resources practices on project sustainability performance.Originality/value This study advances a project-level perspective on digital green innovation by integrating technological capability, human resource systems and leadership mechanisms within a single explanatory model. Grounded in the resource-based view and ability-motivation-opportunity theory, this study provides empirical evidence from a developing economy and offers practical guidance on digitally enabled, sustainability-driven transformation strategies for manufacturing firms.
Purpose This study aims to build upon dynamic capabilities (DC) and triple bottom line (TBL) theories and investigates the influence of knowledge integration capability (KIC), reconfiguring capability (RC) and innovation orientation (IO) on sustainable performance (SP), and the impact of IO on KIC and RC. Design/methodology/approach This study uses structural equation modeling-partial least squares methodology on a sample of 156 employees of Egyptian small and medium-sized enterprises that operate in the food manufacturing industry. Findings The findings indicate significant positive effects of KIC, RC and IO on SP, which is consistent with DC theory principles. Furthermore, the statistical analysis emphasizes the significant impact of IO on KIC and RC. Originality/value First, this study reconceptualizes KIC, IO and RC within the sensing, seizing and transforming framework proposed by David Teece and colleagues (1997), offering a more granular operationalization of DC. Second, it reveals the central role of IO and its synergistic interaction with KIC and RC in driving SP. Third, the study advances the DC literature by positioning these capabilities as integrated antecedents of SP rather than examining them in isolation. Finally, it provides robust empirical evidence from an underexplored context, strengthening the explanatory power of DC theory in enhancing firms’ competitive positioning and sustainability outcomes.
Purpose Using the componential theory of creativity, the purpose of this study is to conceptualize creativity as the result of interactions among domain-related skills, creativity and intrinsic motivation. This framework is particularly suitable as it explains how green transformational leadership (GTL), green self-efficacy (GSE), green knowledge capability (GKC) and green knowledge sharing enhance employee green creativity within manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected from 279 employees and managers in Pakistani SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling was used to test direct and indirect relationships, and Amos was used for model fit results. Findings GTL significantly enhances employee green creativity both directly and through GSE and GKC. However, green knowledge sharing negatively moderates the impact of GSE and GKC on employee green creativity, indicating potential inefficiencies in knowledge-sharing processes. It may cause cognitive overload or diminish the positive effect of mediators on creativity. Practical implications Findings suggest that SMEs should invest in green leadership development and implement structured green knowledge-sharing practices, as uncontrolled knowledge sharing may undermine the positive effects of green leadership on employee-driven environmental innovation. Originality/value This study makes a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge. This research develops a mediated-moderated model to explain the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions that link GTL to employee green creativity. This study also provides empirical evidence from SMEs, a context that has been relatively understudied in previous research.
Purpose This study aims to examine how employee empowerment (EE) influences innovative work behaviour (IWB) through the mediating role of transformational leadership (TL). Drawing on conservation of resources theory, the study investigates the follower-driven antecedent pathway through which psychological and contextual resources interact to enhance innovation within hierarchical organisations. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 416 employees across multiple Indian organisations representing diverse industries. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test both direct and indirect effects among EE, TL and IWB. Findings Employee empowerment exerted a significant positive direct effect on innovative work behaviour (beta = 0.381, t = 6.361, p < 0.001) and on transformational leadership (beta = 0.529, t = 12.499, p < 0.001). Transformational leadership partially mediated the EE-IWB relationship (indirect effect = 0.155, 95% CI [0.094, 0.230]; VAF = 29%), confirming all three hypotheses. The model explained 28.0% of the variance in transformational leadership and 34.9% of the variance in IWB. Research limitations/implications This cross-sectional study limits causal interpretation. Future research should incorporate longitudinal and multi-source designs to establish bidirectional causality and capture dynamic resource interactions more effectively. Practical implications Managers can enhance innovation by fostering empowerment initiatives that enable employees to co-create leadership processes, thereby strengthening both autonomy and alignment within hierarchical structures. Originality/value This study advances organisational theory by conceptualising empowerment as a follower-driven antecedent of leadership rather than merely its outcome. It contributes to the understanding of how intra-organisational resource interactions drive innovation in non-Western, resource-constrained contexts.
Purpose The industrial Internet of Things (IoT) creates new possibilities for more effective supply chain management. However, its adoption and resulting outcomes remain one of the underexplored areas within the growing literature on IoT in supply chain management. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how institutional pressures link to industrial IoT adoption and further examine the relationship between this adoption and two types of supply chain innovation (SCI) in terms of the change and novelty introduced: radical SCI and incremental SCI. Design/methodology/approach A structured, online survey was used to collect data from managers of manufacturing firms in Jordan. The 241 responses the authors received were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling. Findings The authors found that coercive, normative and mimetic pressures positively relate to the adoption of industrial IoT. Additionally, industrial IoT adoption positively associates with radical SCI and incremental SCI, with a greater association observed with incremental SCI. Research limitations/implications This study delved only into the direct relationship between industrial IoT and SCI. Therefore, future scholarship may want to explore the boundary conditions under which industrial IoT does (or does not) enhance radical SCI and incremental SCI. Practical implications Managers need to enhance organisational, technological and human readiness to successfully integrate industrial IoT in the supply chain to reap its innovation benefits. Originality/value This study offers contextual insights into the role of institutional conditions in the adoption of industrial IoT in supply chain management in a developing country. This study also highlights the role of industrial IoT in shaping different dimensions of SCI.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of environment, social and governance (ESG) performance on green innovation of Chinese listed companies from the innovation element-driven perspective, which is a new channel that is different from previous studies. Design/methodology/approach Using the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2014 to 2023, constructing a multivariate panel regression model to measure the relationship between ESG performance and corporate green innovation, especially exploring the mediating effects of R&D investment, financing constraints and human capital structure. Findings ESG performance can significantly enhance corporate green innovation. The innovation elements of R&D investment, financing constraints and human capital structure play a mediating role. ESG performance promotes corporate green innovation more powerful for non-state-owned enterprises, heavily polluting enterprises and eastern region enterprises. Practical implications The results inspire companies to integrate ESG concepts into management activities, encourage companies to increase R&D funding and talent investment, improve relationships with investors and the government and recruit more high-quality talents for reserving innovative resources. Originality/value Innovation element-driven perspective developed in this paper is a novel and reliable theoretical mechanism for revealing the impact of ESG performance on corporate green innovation. The driving path and conclusion are new to the literature.
Purpose This study aims to investigate how Swedish biotechnology entrepreneurs perceive and navigate resource challenges across the early and development stages of firm growth. It focuses particularly on the evolving role of incubators and other support actors and how these influence firm development in science-based entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach Structured interviews were conducted with 16 biotechnology entrepreneurs in Sweden, comprising eight from early-stage and eight from development-phase firms. The interviews were analyzed thematically to identify patterns in resource constraints, financing experience, institutional support and incubator engagement across the biotechnology firms’ lifecycle. Findings Biotechnology firms face shifting resource needs as they grow. Early-stage firms relied heavily on incubators, universities and public agencies for technical support, legitimacy and network access, while development-stage firms exhibit greater strategic independence and reduced reliance on incubators. Funding challenges persisted across stages, with public agencies and business angels viewed as the most impactful support actors. The role of incubators is shown to be dynamic, evolving from high-intensity collaborators in early stages to occasional strategic partners in the development phase, offering more targeted support as firms gain internal capabilities and networks. Originality/value The study contributes to entrepreneurship theory by combining the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities and social capital theory to explain how biotechnology entrepreneurs perceive and navigate the mobilization and reconfiguration of critical resources. It offers a stage-sensitive view of network-building and strategic adaptation in science-based ventures.
Purpose This paper aims to explore the mechanism through which senior management's macroeconomic cognition (MMC) influences enterprise innovation quality, following a "cognition-behavior-outcome" pathway. Design/methodology/approach.Design Using Chinese listed companies designated as national-level specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative (SRDI) "little giants" from 2011 to 2022 as the research sample, this paper uses listed companies designated as national-level SRDI "little giants" from 2011 to 2022 as its research sample. Findings The findings reveal that MMC significantly influences corporate innovation quality. A one-standard-deviation increase in MMC leads to a 13.35% improvement in innovation quality. Compared to firms with lower equity checks and balances, firms with higher equity checks and balances exhibit a stronger influence of MMC on innovation quality. In terms of transmission mechanisms, MMC facilitates enhanced innovation willingness, alleviates financing constraints and thereby enhance corporate innovation quality; institutional investor ownership and management's financial background significantly moderate the impact of MMC on corporate innovation quality. Originality/value This study contributes to the enrichment of related research on corporate innovation quality. To mitigate concerns regarding construct validity, this study adopts several approaches. It explicitly defines the MMC index as a textual proxy derived from management discussion and analysis (MD&A) disclosures, intended to capture managerial cognition of the macroeconomy. The methodology for dictionary construction and text processing is described in greater detail. Further controls are added for the length and readability of the MD&A text, and placebo dictionary tests are conducted. Regarding outcome validity, the core dependent variable is specified as patent knowledge width, a key facet of innovation quality. The analysis is supplemented with alternative indicators of innovation quality. Consequently, while the primary empirical evidence establishes a robust association, subsequent identification tests continue to corroborate the central findings.
Purpose Do employees' perceptions of being overqualified for their roles inhibit their ability to be innovative in the workplace? This study aims to explore this question by investigating the motivational and behavioral mechanisms through which perceived overqualification (POQ) fosters innovative work behavior (IWB). Specifically, this study draws on person-job fit (PJF) theory as the primary theoretical lens and on Proactive Motivation theory to clarify how confidence-based "can-do" motivation translates into proactive task changes and, ultimately, into innovative behavior.Design/methodology/approach Findings are based on data from 488 Vietnamese employees and analyzed by using partial least squares-structural equation modeling.Findings POQ had a positive effect on IWB, and the serial mediation effects of perceived employability (PE) and task crafting in the relationship between POQ and IWB were confirmed.Originality/value This study supports the view that overqualified employees can serve as a driving force for organizational innovation. It highlights the bright side of POQ and the underlying psychological and motivational mechanisms behind it. Finally, this study extends PJF theory within the Vietnamese organizational context, where labor market dynamics and skill mismatches are becoming increasingly salient.
PurposeThis study aims to investigate the strategic role of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending in enhancing financial inclusion and supporting small and medium enterprise (SME) financing in developing countries. It also explores the major regulatory challenges that constrain its scalability and trustworthiness. Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA framework, covering 42 Q1 and Q2 Scopus-indexed publications from 2018 to 2024. FindingsP2P lending expands credit access for underserved populations and SMEs through technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and big data. Success cases in Indonesia, China and India demonstrate scalable models. However, persistent barriers include regulatory uncertainty, low digital literacy, data asymmetry and infrastructure limitations. This study also identifies a lack of empirical validation and limited attention to user experience and trust mechanisms in existing literature. Research limitations/implicationsThe review highlights critical research gaps: insufficient comparative studies across regions, underexplored social trust dynamics and fragmented theoretical approaches. It proposes a multi-theoretical foundation combining the technology acceptance model, social capital theory, inclusive finance and regulatory technology to guide future research on inclusive fintech in emerging markets. Practical implicationsThe findings offer actionable insights for regulators and fintech practitioners to improve regulatory clarity, enhance digital literacy and implement adaptive governance frameworks that foster innovation while protecting consumers. Originality/valueThis review offers an integrated framework connecting user adoption, social trust and regulation. By synthesizing insights from three major developing economies, it contributes to the growing literature on inclusive fintech and provides practical guidance for strengthening P2P lending ecosystems.
PurposeBased on the theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine the relationship between individuals' sustainable attitudes and sustainable innovative work behavior (SIWB) and the impact of specific organizational variables, namely, sustainability strategy, cross-unit collaboration and sustainability teamwork, on such a relationship.Design/methodology/approachA survey was designed and used to collect data from employees and their supervisors, yielding 189 complete responses. To test the hypotheses, regression analysis was used in combination with the PROCESS macro to test moderation and three-way interactions in SPSS.FindingsThe results support the relationship between sustainable attitude and SIWB and the moderating effect of sustainability strategy, cross-unit collaboration and sustainability teamwork on this relationship.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the current literature by providing valuable insights into the development of sustainability and innovation and highlighting the interplay between individual and organizational factors.
