The abstract should summarize the contents of the paper in short terms, i.e., 150–250 words. The paper investigates how southeast European startups utilize Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to enhance their brand. It explores factors driving the adoption of CSR practices by startups, their significance, and best practices of CSR implementation, and also addresses customers’ perceptions of startup sustainability, CSR initiatives, and the resulting impact on the firm’s reputation. To conduct this research, an interpretive study design utilizing thematic analysis was conducted. The sample included CSR specialists, advertisers, and startup owners, with the study findings reflecting the theoretical aspects of CSR. The data revealed a strong focus on the social dimension of CSR implementation, highlighting practices that prioritize human resources, the environment, and broader societal well-being. Key themes that emerged from the study include the importance of developing and implementing environmental awareness programs, engaging in volunteer work, and promoting labor-related initiatives. The results underscored the significance of ethical practices in fostering a positive work environment for employees and emphasized the pivotal role of the firm’s purpose in brand building. Establishing strong relationships with the community, both at large and within the company’s operational area, emerged as a critical factor in effectively implementing CSR for brand reputation. The reciprocal relationship between customers and the company, where customers perceive a genuine commitment to the community rather than a sole focus on profit, serves as the foundation for a sustainable business trajectory. Furthermore, voluntary actions organized by the firm to support the community were identified as instrumental in building brand reputation.

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the effects of the behavioural antecedents suggested by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (i.e. positive subjective norms, high perceived behavioural control and positive attitudes towards switching) on the switching propensity of retail banking customers at several critical switching incidents (CSIs) (i.e. events of unfavourable reputation concerning their current bank or favourable reputation concerning competitor banks, service failures, problems with charges and interest rates, herding behaviour, inconvenience, alternative banks' attractiveness and unethical bank practices).Design/methodology/approachA self-completed online survey was conducted among 324 Cypriot retail banking customers. For the data analysis, the researchers used principal component analysis (PCA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsThe study revealed that the behavioural antecedents specified by TPB play different roles in various CSIs. Positive subjective norms may drive bank customers to switch at critical incidents such as: service failure, unfavourable bank reputation, alternative banks' attractiveness, inconvenience, favourable reputation of other banks and herding behaviour. High perceived behavioural control can lead to switching, only in the case of other banks' favourable reputation. Finally, positive attitudes towards switching may affect bank clients to switch in cases of service failure, unfavourable bank reputation, alternative attractiveness and inconvenience.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, no other previous research work has examined the interaction between the antecedents of switching behaviour (as specified by TPB) and switching propensity at different CSIs. The study addresses the gap of explaining the reasons for which, at similar incidents, some bank customers choose to switch to other banks, whereas others do not.

This study seeks to shed light on the changes currently occurring in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria on the energy transition process by examining the relevant consequences for power plant workers in the green energy market. The main aim of this paper is to explore the impacts of the implemented policies on the labour force of electricity generation stations and to identify learning needs for new skills and competences. Thus, it explores the possibility to achieve a just transition by employing workers from the high-carbon energy sector to the renewable energy sector. Qualitative research was carried out to explore the views and expectancies of the above-mentioned people as well as to trace the perceptions of the stakeholders of the green energy industry. A total of 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted in the previously mentioned three countries, which also investigated relevant training and upskilling programmes. The findings revealed various types of educational needs and techniques that can be applied by training providers in accordance to the power plant worker’s views as well as the disciplines and specialities of the workforce that are suitable to receive the further fit for attending such programmes. Workers in Greece and Cyprus appeared more optimistic for this possibility compared to Bulgarian workers. Green entrepreneurs were also optimistic but worried for the rate of investments in the green sector. The current findings describe the backdrop that challenges future retraining programmes with regard to achieving just transition policies for this workforce.

This chapter discusses the utility of authentic leadership for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and argues that the capacity-building value of authentic leadership enables change and improves performance. The authors view authentic leadership as a genuine, transparent, positive, ethical form of leadership that strives to address grand challenges. They outline its application in two cases: well-being (SDG3) and education (SDG4). Daskou and Tzokas conclude with a criticism of the value of authentic leadership in the successful delivery of the SDGs. Daskou and Tzokas recommend investigating how authentic leaders' balanced information processing and internalised moral perspective contribute to positive self-development, better education outcomes and well-being among students, educators and employees.

Purpose: Given the severity and the length of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, information on the financial impact of the pandemic becomes useful to enterprises who wish to arm themselves with strategies and policies, designed to combat the effects of similar crises. Such information is particularly useful to grocery retailers, who may need to know the effects of the pandemic on spending behaviour of different spending power classes of consumers. To that end, the study explores the configuration of (supermarket) consumer spending in Greece in relation to the number of: a) reported COVID-19 infections; b) admissions in hospital intensive care units, and: c) number of COVID-19 reported deaths, for the period betweenFebruary the 26th, 2020 to April 30th, 2021. Design/methodology/approach: Methodologically, the paper focuses on an econometric analysis of daily spending reactions of six distinct spending clustersof consumersof Greek nation -wide supermarket chain, measured against official numbers of COVID-19 related metrics in Greece during the period of February 2020- April 2021. The data used, emerged from daily sales records of a national chain of supermarkets in Greece, consisting of 60 stores. Proven econometric causality techniques were used to analyse the data by applying Hsiao's Optimizing Procedure via the “Stepwise Granger Causality”, for the statistical tests of possible interactions between variables. Findings: The study found a phenomenal effect of the number of reported COVID-19 related deaths on consumers’ supermarket spending in Greece. The study revealed the statistically significant effects of the COVID-19 variables on the 6 buyers’ clusters. These statistically significant effects have a diachronic behaviour which is varied in relation to the covid variables. The findings indicate that the biggest fluctuations in daily consumer reactions (on reported COVID-19 related variables) occurred in lower spending clusters of consumers, diminished over a period of about 15 days. The study also revealed that consumers’ spending reaction on infection case is minimal compared to that of reported deaths, signalling a relative apathy to the number of reported infection cases. Research limitations/implications: One basic constraint was the lack of spending data over a longer period of time which would have included the entire pandemic era. Ideally the researchers would prefer to compare customer spending data of several supermarket chains, yet the availability of such data was scarce. The findings also imply that lower spending clusters react more intensively to COVID-19 outcomes and as such marketing efforts to serve these target markets may need to be customized. Originality/value: The interpretation of the results reveals that the level of panic that drives reactionary spending appears to be lower in higher spending consumers. This study contributes to theory by appreciating the Greek supermarket customers’ psychological reaction to COVID-19 related variables, by not relying on self-reported data. Although the study was not designed to reveal the reasons for this occurrence, the results demonstrated variability in the reaction of customer clusters as outcomes of severely negative COVID -19 related reports. The data used were objective and the adopted analysis method was appropriate to the purpose of the study. The paper further suggests that future research could build on this study by: (a) examining causality of variability of customer spending during various phases of the pandemic by applying non-linear and possibly chaotic causality tests on daily data; and (b) identifying the exact threshold of change in consumers’ spending patterns on specific product categories, as influenced by reports of COVID-19 related factors.

This paper presents a conceptualization of the utility of Service-Dominant Logic (SDL) in theoretically underpinning the value co-creation process that emerges from the interactions and relationships of place visitors with local resource integrators of destinations. Under the SDL of marketing, service becomes the ontological content of the place brand and a fundamental mechanism of the exchange of place-branded products. The work is based on the Vargo and Lusch (J Acad Mark Sci 36(1):1–10, 2008) premise, that service is the fundamental basis of exchange, and builds an argument about how operant resources can be deployed by place marketers, as a source of competitive advantage to sustain loyalty to place visitors. It proceeds to explain how to place marketers (i.e., hospitality services, tourist attractions, etc.) co-create value with place visitors (customers) to generate effects that stimulate visitor loyalty and build the place brand. The relationships that develop between the customers and place marketers are embedded in a service ecosystem, which appreciates the phenomenologically determined perceptions of value of the parties and stimulates place visitors to repeat customs. The paper argues in favor of the integration of the roles of the customers and service suppliers in the formation of a value output, which becomes input in the identity of a place.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between mindful eating, disordered eating and mood in university students in health-related disciplines. A total of 221 university students participated in the study; 102 students studied sport and exercise science (SS), 54 students pharmacy sciences (PS), and 65 students health sciences (HS). Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), and the Profile of Mood State questionnaire (POMS). 41% of the students were classified as binge eaters and 57% were above the POMS threshold of depression. Binge eaters were found to have significantly lower MEQ score and significantly higher total mood disturbance scores (TMD) compared to non-binge eaters (p < 0.01). Students with a high depression score exhibited no differences in the MEQ score but a significantly higher BES score compared to non-depressed students (p < 0.01). Gender differences were found in the MEQ with females exhibiting significantly higher scores in the MEQ score and in all MEQ subscales compared to males, with the exception of the emotional subscale that females were noted to have a lower score compared to males (p < 0.01). The MEQ score was inversely related to the BES score (r = −0.30, p < 0.01) and TMD (r = −0.21, p < 0.05). The MEQ score was a significant negative predictor of the variance of the binge eating behavior of the students (B = −3.17, p < 0.001). In conclusion, mindfulness in eating is inversely related to the binge eating behavior and mood state of university students studying health-related subjects and is a significant negative predictor of disordered eating behavior in this high risk population.

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to assess (a) the prevalence of disordered eating (DE) in elite female team sports players compared to non-athletes and (b) to compare DE prevalence in elite female players in basketball, volleyball and water polo. One hundred and seventy-five females were recruited (age 23.10 ± 5.4, BMI 21.85 ± 2.3 kg/m2), 53 were elite basketball players, 42 were elite volleyball players, 34 were elite water polo players and 46 were non-athletes. Participants completed the Eating Disorders Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and a physical activity questionnaire. The EDE-Q incorporates 36 statements which relate to the occurrence and frequency of key behaviours of eating disorders, under the following four subscales: Restraint, eating concern, shape concern and weight concern and a global score of disordered eating. No differences were found in the EDE-Q subscale score and global score between athletes and non-athletes. Only 6.2% of the total number of participants exhibited DE using the global score >2.3. Water polo players had significantly higher scores in the ‘eating concern’ subscale and in the frequency of key behavioural features of DE such as binge eating episodes and objective and subjective bulimic episodes, compared to volleyball and basketball players. In conclusion, team sport elite female players do not exhibit greater prevalence of DE compared to non-athletes. Water polo, a sport that emphasises leanness and control of body weight for international distinctions, is associated with a higher tendency to exhibit DE, when compared to other team sports.

The transformation towards more sustainable marketing forms necessitates large scale systemic change in market and marketing systems. In this paper we present an interactions and networks approach to sustainable marketing which incorporates interorganisational dyad, network and systems level of analysis. The proposed framework invites us to situate, and theorize marketing in a more holistic context where the establishment and development of learning relationships, built on the premise of dialogue, becomes a central mechanism for network level change, and overall system health. By adopting an interactions and networks approach we are able to discuss 1) the nature and role of the network in enabling systems level change, 2) the role of dyadic relations as a central mechanism for change, and (3) the nature of firm level capabilities necessary for achieving system, network and individual actor level change. Throughout this paper we build on lessons learned from the relational theories in marketing, and the work of the IMP (Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group) in particular, as well as perspectives on networks and living systems theory. We suggest that the proposed alternative approach, inspired by powerful learning processes, can help bring us out of the extant firm-centric impasse and lead to collaborative action and transformation.

Although consumers value respect and expect to be respected by providing firms (Daskou et al., 2004) it appears that some industries (i.e., telecommunications as per Vittore (2001) fail to apply respect for the customer. In an effort to address the utility of recognising, appreciating and understanding the concept of respecting customers, the paper focuses on the discussion of concept, an issue that has received very little empirical attention from the perspective of the business disciplines. With the view of future research on the subject, the paper offers propositions on the ontology of respect for the customer, the facets of respect, ways firms may manifest their respect for the customer, and the potential customer behavioural consequences of respecting the customer. The theory presented examines work springing from philosophy, services management, fairness, and fairness literatures. The paper concludes with recommendations for research that could reveal the dimensions of customer respect in commercial contexts, may aid in the quantitative measurement of customer experienced respect, and may lead to the development of respect recovery strategies.

PurposeThis paper aims to present an interactions and networks approach (INA) to the issue of change for sustainability, which can bring business out of the firm‐centric impasse and lead to collaborative action and transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper builds upon the extant relational theories in management, and presents a holistic multi‐level framework (the system/network, issue‐based or strategic nets, dyadic relationships and the network organization) to conceptualize change for sustainability.FindingsBy adopting INA business is able to discuss: the nature and role of the network in building systems level change; the role of dyadic relations as a central mechanism for change; and the nature of organizational level capabilities necessary to enhance learning for sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsAreas of future inquiry include examination of the dynamics of intra‐stakeholder relationships over time, specifically the development of actors' attitudes, behavior and cognition in business networks alongside how actors perceive and capitalize on network embedded learning. Further scholarly attention in these areas can further the appreciation of how an INA can assist in building more sustainable organizational futures.Practical implicationsThe paper builds on the concept of “ecological literacy” at an organizational level, and considers the specific capabilities required including network visioning, orchestration and the ability to perceive the “other” as partners in creating new market realities. Moreover, it discusses the role and importance of firm “change agent power” in this regard.Originality/valueBy building on an INA approach, the paper provides an important conceptual stepping stone towards the ongoing realization of sustainable organization and market forms.

This paper discusses the role of managerial mental models (cognitive structures) in the framework of the firm’s strategic marketing development. The conceptualisation is based on theories of cognition, learning and strategy development. The empirical part focuses on the exploration of mental models adopted by Greek entrepreneurs. The subjects are members of two formal business networks, founded to promote sector business growth. The qualitative study adopted semi-structured interviews of members of the operational networks of sectors of food and beverages (F&B) and construction materials (CM) in the region of Karditsa (Greece) and revealed the differences of the mental models adopted by respective members. The findings indicate that the mental models adopted by the members of the F&B network are mainly firm and competition centred, whereas the mental models of the members of the CM network are mainly customer and market centred. The findings are in accordance with the Karakaya and Yannopoulos (2010) classification and support the thesis that the adopted mental models often affect organisational learning and the intended knowledge management.

The acquisition of knowledge (either tacit or explicit) that is externally derived is one of the main best practices undertaken by entrepreneurs to make the right decisions for expansion of their businesses. However, along the lines with prior research work, scholars have posited out that, the effective implementation of the incoming knowledge into the organizational daily practices and routine activities perquisites the absorptive capacity performed by those involved in the knowledge acquisition process (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990; Daghfous, 2004; Grunfeld, 2003; Lane and Lubatkin, 1998; Rocha, 1999; Stock et al., 2001). Absorptive capacity's concept has initially been conceptualised through a three-dimensional approach (recognition of the value of the new knowledge, its assimilation and its implementation into commercial ends, Cohen and Levithal, 1989). In a way forward of this dominant conceptualization of the rationale behind the absorptive capacity we estimate that the input of new mediators -i.e. mental models (MMs) - should have a lead over the three aforementioned definitive dimensions of absorptive capacity. More specifically, we argue the functionality of (MMs) in recognizing the value of external knowledge acquisition of entrepreneurs and propose that MMs mediate the absorptive capacity of entrepreneurs, who use them to filter the value of new knowledge they acquire from the external environment. To explore this proposition, we used the Karakaya and Yannopoulos (2010) typology of MMs applied in situations of decision making relevant to business growth. The findings of our study reveal that the MMs of the sample seem to relate to the ability of the entrepreneur to appreciate and assimilate incoming knowledge. Thus, the first and second considerations of absorptive capacity seem to be influenced by MMs. Additionally, new research hypothesis have been brought about concerning the potential distinct upshots of the types of MMs on one or more of the specifically discussed dimensions of absorptive capacity.

One of the primary concerns of companies is to develop loyal customers, and banks are no exception. Past research attempted to examine the role of satisfaction, perceived quality and image, as drivers of bank brand loyalty. However the characteristics of specific bank brands were not taken into consideration. Using data collected from a sample of 216 retail bank customers, banking with five different banks in Athens Greece, this paper investigates whether similar antecedents could be used to predict brand loyalty in various institutions. The results imply that, depending on the bank, different drivers could influence in a dissimilar manner the formation of loyalty and therefore further research is needed to generalise the suggested models.

The current study is an attempt to explore the identity of Glasgow (UK) as a city of Architecture and Design. The study applies the methodology of the ACID test of Corporate Identity Management in a qualitative investigation of 4 different samples of informants (residents of the city, governmental and Heritage Organisations, as well as industry experts such as architects and designers). The study identified differences in the perceptions of the four samples used about the city's identity. The study contributes with recommendations for reviewing the City Plan by considering the value of corporate image management and place marketing literature.