Purpose This study aims to investigate how family-owned small and medium-sized family enterprises (SMEs) in the Kivu region develop and adopt resilient behaviours in response to both predictable disruptions and highly unpredictable events. It further examines how these resilience responses evolve over time. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal qualitative multiple-case study design was adopted. Data were collected from six family-owned SMEs through repeated interviews to examine the disruptive events they experienced and the responses implemented before, during and after each disruption. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify and classify the resilience mechanisms mobilised throughout the disruption process. Findings The findings reveal that Kivu family-owned SMEs deploy multiple resilience responses simultaneously rather than sequentially. Organisational agility and market-oriented strategies are mobilised in complementary ways across different types of disruptions. The analysis also highlights a strong temporal dimension, showing that resilience practices evolve before, during and after crises through continuous learning, adaptation and strategic reconfiguration. Together, these processes produce distinct yet convergent resilience trajectories over time. Originality/value This study advances resilience theory by proposing an integrated analytical framework that combines the nature of disruptive events, the temporal dynamics of organisational responses and firms’ positioning relative to shocks. By incorporating both recurrent disruptions and unpredictable events into a single analytical perspective, the framework offers a more comprehensive understanding of how family-owned SMEs build resilience in environments characterised by chronic turbulence and extreme uncertainty.
Purpose This paper aims to investigate the knowledge development and the diffusion of shareholder activism (SA) research through a conceptual structure approach. Design/methodology/approach The study builds upon articles indexed in the Scopus database. A systematic search of the articles was done using the keyword search string. After applying all exclusion criteria, 979 research papers from highly recognised journals were retrieved for bibliometric analysis. Findings This research identifies annual publication patterns and highlights influential articles using PageRank analysis. Motor themes, basic, transverse, niche and emerging and declining themes are also determined by using a thematic map. Additionally, this study identifies dominant research themes by dividing the entire research period into sections based on thematic evolution. The paper observed four themes that unite the research in this field: corporate social responsibility (CSR) and SA; return and cost of SA; corporate governance and hedge fund activism; and say-on-pay votes. Moreover, future directions are outlined, such as exploring the mechanisms by which CSR influences SA and identifying which types of CSR practices are more effective at deterring activism. Research limitations/implications This study analysed articles from a single database; however, Scopus provides broader coverage. Further research may broaden the study’s scope by drawing on multiple databases. A quantitative review has limitations that qualitative review methods can overcome, and SA research still has room for additional review methods, such as hybrid review and theoretical review. Practical implications The study provides a useful indicator for academics seeking to understand the emergence of SA, its current dynamics and future research directions. Originality/value The past few years have seen a rise in researchers’ interest in SA. In spite of increased research in this area, the present retrospective study still lacks. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide valuable insights into the conceptual and intellectual structure of SA by applying the bibliometric method optimally. It also suggests future prospects for this research field.
Purpose This study aims to investigate the underlying motivations influencing Millennials and Generation Z to consume sustainable clothing. The objective is to uncover how these consumer groups connect product attributes to deeper personal values through the lens of the Means-End Chain (MEC) theory. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study uses the means-end theory and laddering technique to examine the motivational values of Millennials and Generation Z consumers. This approach reveals how consumers evaluate product attributes based on benefits that align with their values. Findings The study identifies key attributes such as quality, recyclability, sustainable material, sweatshop-free labour conditions, style, price and cruelty-free options as significant to both cohorts. These attributes are linked to higher-order values, including peace of mind, conservation of resources, planetary well-being, environmental protection, self-confidence, physical well-being, social justice, self-expression, social recognition and biodiversity protection. Notably, generational differences emerge in the prioritisation and interpretation of these values. Practical implications The findings offer actionable insights for sustainable fashion brands and marketers by providing a checklist of attributes, benefits and values. By aligning product development and marketing strategies with the identified values and benefits, firms can more effectively resonate with generational expectations and drive sustainable consumption. Originality/value This study adds new depth to the sustainable fashion discourse by integrating generational analysis with MEC theory. It uniquely maps the cognitive value chains that guide sustainable clothing decisions among Millennials and Gen Z, providing a structured framework for understanding value-driven behaviour in emerging consumer segments.
Purpose In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, firms face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, with the circular economy (CE) model emerging as a transformative pathway toward environmental and economic resilience. This study aims to investigate the role of governance mechanisms, particularly board and chief executive officer (CEO) dynamics, in enhancing CE performance among manufacturing firms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In addition, it examines the moderating role of business strategy in the relationship between governance mechanisms and CE performance, with a focus on innovation, resource efficiency and operational sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The analysis uses panel data from 6,929 firm-year observations and applies dynamic panel estimation techniques, including the system generalized method of moments, to assess the effects of governance, leadership and strategy on CE performance. To strengthen causal inference and ensure robustness, this study incorporates lagged variables, two-stage least squares, propensity score matching and generalized least squares. Findings The results show that board interlock, independence, expertise, CEO foreign experience and external roles significantly enhance CE performance, while concentrated ownership and long CEO tenure constrain it. Business strategy acts as both a direct driver of CE adoption and a moderator that amplifies governance and leadership effects. Heterogeneity across industries reveals that governance plays a stronger role in resource-intensive sectors such as energy and chemicals, while consumer-driven sectors such as food and beverages are shaped more by market pressures and regulatory demands. Originality/value This study extends agency theory by showing that governance mechanisms can act as both enablers and barriers to CE adoption and refines the resource-based view by demonstrating that leadership attributes are valuable resources only when contextually relevant and practically applied. By situating these dynamics within the institutional realities of the MENA region, this study reveals how governance and leadership can substitute for weak institutions, while business strategy serves as a catalyst that translates governance potential into sustainability outcomes. The findings advance theoretical understanding of the governance–sustainability nexus and provide actionable insights for managers, policymakers and stakeholders aiming to accelerate CE adoption and support sustainability transitions in emerging markets.
Purpose This study aims to examine the evolution of privacy research in artificial intelligence (AI) and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).This study investigates how privacy has been conceptualized across technical, organizational, behavioral, ethical and governance perspectives and identifies key gaps and emerging challenges within the literature. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric-supported systematic literature review was conducted using publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science between 2021 and 2025. The analysis combines performance analysis with science-mapping techniques, including co-word analysis, thematic evolution analysis and bibliographic coupling to examine the intellectual structure and development of privacy research in AI and GenAI. Findings The findings reveal that privacy scholarship remains fragmented across technical, organizational, behavioral, ethical and governance domains. Privacy has evolved from a focus on data protection toward a broader concern involving trust, transparency, accountability, governance and model-level vulnerabilities. The review further shows that Generative AI has intensified existing privacy concerns while introducing new risks associated with content generation, inference capabilities, synthetic identities and large language models. The results also indicate a growing gap between the pace of AI innovation and the development of privacy-related scholarship. Practical implications The findings provide guidance for managers, policymakers and technology developers seeking to address emerging privacy risks and governance challenges in AI and GenAI environments. Social implications The study underscores the societal importance of addressing privacy risks associated with AI systems, revealing the need for responsible design, regulation and transparency to safeguard users and reduce digital inequalities. Originality/value This study adds value by providing an integrated understanding of privacy in AI and Generative AI and by revealing structural gaps, conceptual fragmentation and emerging privacy challenges that are not readily visible in individual studies. The findings contribute to the development of a more comprehensive perspective on privacy as a multidimensional issue involving technical, organizational, behavioral, ethical and governance considerations.
