Purpose This research aims to investigate the main components of an engagement and participation process in the context of mine closure and how they contribute to a sustainable territorial transition in the post-mining period in Itabira, Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Based on literature reviews, interviews and a focus group, this study identifies five analytical categories: information flow, engagement context, scope of engagement, type of engagement and social acceptance. Although consultation and communication initiatives exist, practices remain largely unilateral and weakly deliberative, generating uncertainty about socioeconomic impacts as ore reserves are depleted. Findings The authors argue that enduring participatory forums and strengthened local capacities are essential for anticipating impacts, reducing asymmetries, and stimulating alternative productive activities. These contributions are particularly relevant in the Global South to ensure a legacy in mining territories that promotes inequality reduction, social inclusion and local development, as envisaged in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Research limitations/implications Single case evidence and absence of Vale interviews limit broader analytical generalization. Practical implications Permanent multi-stakeholder forums can reduce asymmetries and guide mine closure decisions. Social implications Inclusive closure governance can reduce vulnerability and support equitable local development. Originality/value Integrates stakeholder engagement, social license to close, and transition governance debates.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze three Brazilian territories marked by tense relationships between companies and communities, seeking to understand how these ties are constructed over time. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an exploratory qualitative approach (Eisenhardt, 1989). From an epistemological standpoint, the study is grounded in an interpretivist perspective (Cunliffe, 2011). Findings The findings indicate that multi-stakeholder governance is a dynamic process, in which organizational arrangements, power distribution and forms of social value creation are continuously reconfigured over time. The study demonstrates how governance models emerge, evolve and are contested throughout the relationship cycle, thereby influencing the generation of social value. Social implications Although the study does not measure social impact through public policy indicators, its findings engage with key challenges of the 2030 Agenda, particularly sustainable development goals (SDG) 16 (governance, coordination and legitimacy in contexts of institutional fragility), SDG 10 (power asymmetries and the expansion of community participation) and SDG 11 (territorial dynamics and firm–community relationships). Thus, the article provides an analytical foundation for understanding how multi-stakeholder arrangements may enable or constrain more equitable and sustainable responses in Global South territories. Originality/value This study makes three contributions to the literature on multi-stakeholder governance (Bridoux & Stoelhorst, 2022) and social value creation (Lazzarini, 2020).
Purpose-The paper aims to investigate how scaling activities-specifically acquisitions, financing, innovation and digitalization-foster the development of circular economy (CE) strategies within digital cleantech firms. The research also proposes a conceptual model that asserts how scaling activities in digital cleantech firms facilitate and accelerate CE strategies. Design/methodology/approach-The study uses a qualitative, multiple-case study approach involving 12 born-digital cleantech firms in Brazil. Data was collected through 18 semi-structured interviews with senior executives and supplemented by documentary analysis and secondary data for triangulation. Findings-The findings indicate that scaling activities directly structure the adoption of circular practices: acquisitions facilitate access to sustainable technologies; financing and innovation drive environmental projects and low-impact solutions; and digitalization optimizes resource use through operational flexibility. Furthermore, digital capabilities are identified as a crucial antecedent for embedding CE into scaling strategies. Research limitations/implications-The study is limited by its focus on infrastructure-related cleantech firms within the Brazilian regulatory and technological context. Future research should explore different geographic regions and industries to enhance the generalizability of the proposed conceptual model. Practical implications-The research offers offer a roadmap for cleantech firms to assess their digitalization competencies, identify technological market pathways and generate positive externalities for the environment, economy and society. It also provides insights for policymakers to design institutional environments that encourage environmental, social and governance-aligned growth. Social implications-The research contributes practically by offering insights for firms and policymakers seeking to promote sustainability through digital technologies. Originality/value-The paper contributes to the literature by linking scaling and CE strategies in digital cleantech firms. It provides a conceptual model that explains how digital scalability can transition firms toward a circular model, moving beyond a simple growth focus to include sustainable value creation.
Purpose Inclusive business (IB) is a sustainable development strategy and poverty alleviation intervention that is receiving growing scholarly and policy interest. IB entrepreneurs design innovative business models that co-create value with marginalized, low-income and disadvantaged stakeholders by integrating them into the value chains of their ventures. In creating and scaling their ventures, IB entrepreneurs require distinct contextual resources. However, IB entrepreneurial ecosystems − the interdependent actors and factors in local contexts that are coordinated to support IB entrepreneurship − have received limited attention. The purpose of this perspective piece is to facilitate research on this topic by drawing attention to IB entrepreneurial ecosystems, calling for more research on their functioning and offering a multi-level framework that can be used to study their dynamics. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a microfoundations framework that identifies the specialized characteristics of IB entrepreneurial ecosystems and explains how the causal linkages between IB entrepreneurs and their ecosystems differ from those of conventional entrepreneurs. Specifically, the microfoundations perspective, social entrepreneurship and the ecosystem-as-structure approach are synthesized to explain how IB entrepreneurial ecosystems facilitate a distinctive ecosystem value proposition: improving the performance of IB entrepreneurs and their ventures. Findings The microfoundations framework of IB entrepreneurial ecosystems explains how the micro- (i.e. individual) characteristics and actions of ecosystem actors influence, and are influenced by, the meso (i.e. group and organizational) and macro (i.e. ecosystem) attributes and activities of ecosystems. Social implications The proposed framework creates novel connections between the microfoundations perspective, social entrepreneurship and the ecosystem-as-structure approach. Originality/value The multilevel framework highlights promising research opportunities in IB entrepreneurship and produces insights for practitioners and policymakers on how to build and leverage ecosystems to reduce poverty.
Purpose This study aims to examine how internal and external drivers of social entrepreneurship vary across socioeconomic contexts, comparing entrepreneurs from Brazil’s base of the pyramid (BoP) and more affluent groups. Although social entrepreneurship is often framed as a mechanism to address inequality, limited empirical research has analyzed how structural conditions shape entrepreneurial drivers. The study investigates six drivers: entrepreneurial orientation, prosocial motivation, life satisfaction, networking ability, environmental hostility and access to financial capital. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a quantitative survey design based on data from 101 Brazilian social entrepreneurs (41 BoP and 60 non-BoP). Established scales were used to operationalize the drivers. Group differences were examined using t-tests, with Wilcoxon tests applied to ensure robustness. Findings BoP and non-BoP social entrepreneurs exhibit similar prosocial motivation, challenging assumptions that BoP entrepreneurship is necessity-driven. However, BoP entrepreneurs report lower risk-taking, proactiveness and networking ability, alongside reduced access to financial capital and higher perceived environmental hostility. These patterns suggest that structural inequalities constrain entrepreneurial behavior and limit innovation and scaling. Research limitations/implications Limitations include sample size, reliance on self-reported measures and the use of territorial location as a proxy for BoP status. Practical implications The findings highlight the need for context-sensitive support mechanisms, including inclusive finance, network-building initiatives and risk mitigation strategies. Social implications The study reframes BoP entrepreneurs as agents of social change while highlighting structural constraints that limit their impact. Originality/value The study advances a contextually embedded perspective and challenges deficit-based representations of BoP entrepreneurs.
Purpose-This study aims to examine how Chilean manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate sustainability and digitalisation into their performance management systems and how these practices influence organisational performance and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach-A qualitative abductive approach was used, based on 15 case studies using semi-structured interviews with managers and sustainability professionals, complemented by document analysis and triangulation. Findings-The results show that practices such as renewable energy adoption, recycling programmes and community partnerships generate measurable economic, social and environmental outcomes, and digitalisation and circular economy (CE) principles act as key enablers of sustainable performance. Social implications-The study provides practical insights for SMEs to address sustainability challenges and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 and SDG 12. Originality/value-This research proposes a novel sustainable performance management model tailored to SMEs in emerging economies, integrating digitalisation and CE principles into performance management systems.
Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of food literacy and emotion regulation on impulsive food purchasing, considering the mediating role of perceived self-control. It addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on internal, developable consumer skills rather than external stimuli or stable personality traits. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was used with survey data from 211 Brazilian participants. Data were collected through an online questionnaire with validated and culturally adapted scales. The proposed model was tested by covariance-based structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that both food literacy and emotion regulation positively influence perceived self-control. However, only emotion regulation has a significant negative effect on impulsive food purchases. These findings suggest that emotion regulation plays a more critical role than cognitive knowledge in impulsive consumption contexts. Research limitations/implications The use of a non-probabilistic convenience sample and self-reported data limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research should explore additional mediators and moderators, test experimental interventions and further investigate the distinction between impulsive and opportunistic purchasing behaviors. Practical implications Enhancing consumers' emotion regulation skills can help mitigate impulsive purchasing, particularly through simple planning tools and emotion-focused strategies. Social implications The findings suggest pathways to improve dietary behavior and consumer well-being. Originality/value The study highlights the role of developable skills and identifies emotion regulation as a key predictor of reduced impulsivity. It also advances understanding of the limits of perceived self-control in explaining unplanned consumer behavior.
Purpose-This study examines how business literature addresses the Metaverse, highlights key themes and gaps and sets pathways for future research. This study aims to unify research around the business-Metaverse intersection. Design/methodology/approach-A bibliometric approach based on co-word analysis was used using SciMAT software. A systematic review process, based on PRISMA principles, was applied to peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science database. Findings-Research on the metaverse in business is expanding rapidly, focusing on virtual reality, digital assets, adoption, customer interaction, trust, sustainability and interoperability. Notably, the field demonstrates stable research themes but remains conceptually fragmented. The analysis reveals that studies lack theoretical integration and do not provide a coherent framework connecting technological, economic, organizational and social aspects of the metaverse in business. Research limitations/implications-This study only uses the Web of Science database and examines a short time frame, which may limit coverage and generalizability. Future research should include more databases and deeper empirical studies. Practical implications-Gradual adoption, investment in digital capabilities, trust-building and collaborative partnerships can boost customer engagement, widen market reach and spark innovation, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Social implications-This study underscores the societal importance of the metaverse in transforming social interaction, inclusion and digital governance, while highlighting concerns about privacy, equity and responsible development in virtual environments. Originality/value-This study offers a systematic bibliometric map of metaverse business research and proposes an integrative framework linking its technological, organizational, economic and social aspects.
Purpose-Sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) and innovation are crucial to addressing global sustainability challenges amid rapid environmental change. This study aims to identify the factors that shape sustainable entrepreneurial behavior globally. Design/methodology/approach-Data collected from 349 green entrepreneurs across 20 countries using an online survey were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings-The findings revealed that sustainability missions, sustainable innovation (SI) and the need for achievement have a significant positive impact on SE. The outcomes indicate that fostering personal motivation for achievement, supporting the adoption of SIs and mission-driven leadership can foster green ventures around the globe. Furthermore, green ventures have the potential to create far-reaching societal benefits, including job creation, community development and enhanced environmental awareness. Social implications-The findings show that SI, mission-driven leadership and entrepreneurial motivation promote green ventures that create jobs, reduce inequalities, strengthen economic and support sustainable development. Originality/value-Entrepreneurial ecosystems play a vital role in nurturing sustainable entrepreneurial behavior among individuals and organizations. However, much of the existing literature on SE has limited generalizability because of its regional focus. This study, the first of its kind at the international level, examines green entrepreneurs from over 20 countries.
Purpose-This study aims to demonstrate that fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an inevitable requirement for sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach-Based on stakeholder theory, this study constructs a moderated mediation model between CSR and merger and acquisition (M&A) performance. Findings-The results of 990 M&A cases involving Chinese enterprises show that: CSR can enhance M&A performance; goodwill has a mediating effect between CSR and M&A performance; economic policy uncertainty strengthens the negative effect of goodwill on M&A performance; economic policy uncertainty moderates the mediating effect of goodwill between CSR and M&A performance; and the mechanism of the effect of CSR and M&A performance shows property rights and industry heterogeneity. Social implications-This study helps to avoid short-sighted M&A behavior and guides capital inflows toward more socially responsible enterprises, thereby promoting the transformation of business models toward sustainable development. Originality/value-This study not only verifies the positive relationship between CSR and M&A performance but also discovers the existence of a mediated mediation mechanism between the two.
Purpose-This research aims to examine the impact of organizational inertia (OI) on the adoption of big data analytics (BDA), considering OI as a second-order formative construct composed of insight inertia, action inertia and psychological inertia. The study also explores the moderating effect of department leader power on the relationship between OI and BDA adoption. Design/methodology/approach-The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis with qualitative interviews, highlighting BDA's greater susceptibility to internal inertial forces than other IT technologies, due to its emphasis on decision-making. Findings-Hypothesis testing using PLS-SEM demonstrates significant contributions from these OI dimensions and confirms a negative relationship between OI and BDA adoption, moderated positively by department leader power. Social implications-Overcoming OI constrains BDA adoption in Latin America. Strengthening data-driven capabilities improves service efficiency, innovation and competitiveness, which enhances employment quality and access to better services. These advances contribute to inclusive development and support SDG 9 and SDG 8. Originality/value-This study contributes to understanding and informing strategies to overcome organizational resistance, promote BDA adoption and advance digital transformation to improve productivity and societal outcomes in Latin America.
RESUMO Este artigo consiste em uma revisão de literatura temática com o objetivo de responder às seguintes questões de investigação: Como é o impacto empírico da educação empreendedora (EE) na intenção empreendedora (IE) no contexto dos estudantes universitários? Quais são as lacunas de investigação na literatura existente sobre o impacto da EE e da IE? Quais são as implicações teóricas e práticas das descobertas? As principais conclusões indicam que existem na literatura quatro tipos de impactos da EE na IE: 1) Efeito direto e positivo da EE na IE, 2) A EE não tem impacto na IE, 3) Efeito indireto da EE na IE através de variáveis mediadoras, 4) Efeito direto e positivo da EE sobre a IE, mas moderado por outras variáveis. Identificamos lacunas em quatro vertentes de pesquisa e fornecemos um exemplo de investigação prospectiva para colmatá-las com base na inclusão de estudantes com baixas intenções empreendedoras. Indicamos implicações práticas e teóricas.
RESUMO Este artigo investiga a relação entre as capacidades gerenciais dinâmicas de gestores de alto escalão e o desempenho global internacional de pequenas e médias empresas (PME). A pesquisa contribui para a compreensão dos efeitos mediadores da maturidade digital e moderadores da turbulência do mercado no desempenho global internacional, cujo conhecimento é ainda limitado. Os dados foram recolhidos por meio de questionários entregue a PMEs. As respostas foram analisadas pelo método de modelação de equações estruturais e análise de caminho usando IBM® SPSS® Amos™. Os nossos resultados observam o impacto positivo das capacidades gerenciais dinâmicas no desempenho global internacional e na maturidade digital. Corroboramos o efeito mediador da maturidade digital entre as capacidades dinâmicas gerenciais e desempenho global internacional, contribuindo para a investigação das capacidades gerenciais de gestores de alto escalão como antecedente do desempenho internacional e para a maturidade digital como mediador nessa relação.
RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio es conocer el grado de divulgación de información sobre responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) por parte de las empresas del sector empresarial estatal en Portugal, a través de un análisis de contenido de sus páginas web. Persigue contribuir a aquellos objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (ODS) que promuevan la transparencia, la buena gobernanza, el crecimiento económico sostenible y las alianzas. Los resultados muestran que, el índice de divulgación global es del 69,01 %, lo que demuestra que las empresas estudiadas divulgan información en materia de RSE. Sin embargo, la información divulgada a través de las webs en el ámbito de la responsabilidad social y la ética, tanto obligatoria como voluntaria, todavía necesita algunas mejoras.
As consumption grows and natural resources dwindle, it is essential to rethink business models by aligning them with the principles of the circular economy (CE). This study analyzes the key drivers that can guide an effective transition to CE in industry, particularly considering the distinction between the two categories of companies regarding proactiveness in using circular business models (CBMs), if "native" or "adopter" companies. A group decision-making (GDM) model was applied to analyze and compare the opinions of experts focusing on the Brazilian industry. The results suggest that while industry practitioners are more focused on practical and tangible issues, scholars tend to consider a broader range of variables and contexts, thus resulting in distinct interpretations of the drivers. The discrepancies provide valuable insights for business managers, policymakers, and regulatory bodies that support the formulation of more effective and comprehensive strategies to promote a successful shift toward CE in Brazil.
This study proposes a decision-making model for prioritizing strategies for the transition to a circular economy in Brazil, an emerging economy located in the Global South. The model is structured in three stages: (i) analysis of strategies versus criteria across environmental, economic, social, and technical dimensions, based on the New Institutional Theory (NIT); (ii) application of the ELECTRE method using the scale validated by Guarnieri et al. (2023); and (iii) analysis of the institutional context and formulation of recommendations. The results indicate a prioritisation of more reactive strategies, reflecting the Brazilian context. This study contributes to deepening the understanding of the transition to a circular economy and proposes a model applicable to the development of strategies, policies, and action plans aligned with regional specificities, being useful for researchers and other stakeholders involved in the process.
The Theory-Based View (TBV) has introduced a novel approach to strategy by suggesting that managers develop and assess logical pathways to address pressing problems and improve organizational performance. This article offers a concise review of the TBV, discussing new contributions that frame strategy as a theory of change and as a collective process of theorizing. It also outlines research questions, highlighting avenues for the further advancement of the TBV.
This study explores the relationship between social media influencers (SMIs), overconfidence (OC), and aggressive investor behavior (AIB), with a particular focus on gender differences, addressing the limited research on this topic. Using data from 420 investors in Indonesia, collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling, this research examines three key objectives: the direct effect of SMIs and OC on AIB, the mediating role of OC, and the moderating effect of SMIs across genders. The results reveal that both SMIs and OC significantly influence AIB for both men and women, with OC serving as a mediator. Notably, the effect of SMIs on OC, which in turn drives AIB, is stronger among women than men. These findings contribute to the advancement of financial behavior theory and market microstructure theory by clarifying the role of SMIs and OC in shaping AIB. Beyond theoretical contributions, the results also highlight potential social impact in the Global South, particularly for female investors, who may experience financial losses and increased household-level economic stress, with broader potential to deepen existing socio-economic inequalities.
This study investigated the effects of market orientation and environmental market uncertainty on the adaptive capacity of technology-based firms located in innovation habitats. It employed a survey of 137 companies, with data analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results revealed that market orientation, characterized by an intensive customer focus, emphasis on information, and inter-functional coordination, significantly increases organizational adaptive capacity. Environmental market uncertainty, defined by unpredictable consumer demands, positively correlated with both market orientation and adaptive capacity. These findings demonstrate that market orientation mediates the relationship between environmental market uncertainty and adaptive capacity, suggesting that firms can leverage market orientation as both defensive and offensive strategies.
This study analyzes the influence of different university-industry (U-I) collaboration channels through which firms enhance their innovation capabilities. A survey was conducted with 176 Brazilian manufacturing firms. The results indicate that while U-I collaboration channels are important for building firm innovation capabilities, not all channels are equally effective. Collaboration channels based on knowledge transfer are the most beneficial for firms in terms of their impact on innovation capabilities, particularly in the dimensions of management, transaction, and development capabilities, compared to those based on innovation networks. This means that knowledge transfer through technology licensing, training, HR recruitment, and publications and reports, improve the firms' internal process and innovation capabilities. This article contributes to the understanding of universities' impact on firms beyond short-term measures, such as financial and innovation performance, by providing a holistic perspective. Finally, it is important to emphasize that this study sheds light on the specific dynamics of the interaction between two key societal actors-universities and industrial firms-in the generation and application of scientific and technological knowledge. It contributes to the broader discourse on Sustainable Development Goal 9-Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, particularly within the context of an emerging economy.
