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Article
Publication date: 14 February 2020

Belen Lopez

This article aims to analyze the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of Spanish MNCs and how the firms integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their…

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Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to analyze the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of Spanish MNCs and how the firms integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their reports and communication messages.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on cases studies with data collected through the corporate websites of Spanish MNCs listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Findings

The findings tend to indicate that the stakeholder theory and creating shared value are both useful in the analysis of CSR business goals linked to the sustainable development goals of MNCs. However, companies generate little engagement with their stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this article resulted from an in-depth analysis of case studies with data collected from a selected sample of MNCs. The qualitative analysis allows us to understand how SDGs are integrated in the CSR activities. But there is a lack of global indicators to measure the impacts of business through the SDGs.

Practical implications

MNCs with a CSR strategy report the information connected with SDGs. However, there is a need of metrics to better understand the contribution of companies for sustainable development and then to clearly know the contribution of business in sustainable development.

Social implications

Create shared value means that companies integrate SDGs in their CSR activities and, as a result, they can create different impacts in economic, social, and environmental issues. If companies communicate these activities and engage the stakeholders the social impact may be even greater.

Originality/value

The stakeholders theory serves to explain that companies can make a real contribution to society in their relationship with stakeholders. In addition, the creation of shared value is applicable to the integration of SDGs in companies within the CSR strategy.

Article
Publication date: 7 January 2019

Gaston Fornes, Belen Lopez, Melanie Bierens de Haan and Javier Blanch

The paper analyses social and environmental engagement, stakeholders’ relations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies/options along with their underlying mechanisms…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper analyses social and environmental engagement, stakeholders’ relations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies/options along with their underlying mechanisms of firms operating in China.

Design/methodology/approach

It does this through the analysis of a unique case study using data collected from internal members and external stakeholders of the company framed within stakeholder theory.

Findings

Within the Aguinis and Glavas (2012) framework, the results show that the company’s resources and values can act as a mediator, their high visibility and scale can act as a moderator, and their self-regulation can act as a predictor in weak institutional contexts. Also, the findings show that employees’ perceptions of visionary leadership can act as a mediator, and that the alignment in the vision/values/beliefs of the chief executive officer with those of the shareholders can act as moderators.

Originality/value

The paper intends to contribute to the literature on CSR in China by analysing a specific type of investor, the socially responsible investor, neglected in the CSR literature, and by studying multilevel (individual/organisational/institutional) social and environmental engagement, stakeholders’ relations and CSR strategies/options in an evolving institutional environment.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 May 2023

Eloy Gil-Cordero, Belén Maldonado-López, Pablo Ledesma-Chaves and Ana García-Guzmán

The purpose of the research is to analyze the factors that determine the intention of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt the Metaverse. For this purpose, the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to analyze the factors that determine the intention of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt the Metaverse. For this purpose, the analysis of the effort expectancy and performance expectancy of the constructs in relation to business satisfaction is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was performed on a sample of 182 Spanish SMEs in the technology sector, using a PLS-SEM approach for development. For the confirmation of the model and its results, an analysis with PLSpredict was performed, obtaining a high predictive capacity of the model.

Findings

After the analysis of the model proposed in this research, it is recorded that the valuation of the effort to be made and the possible performance expected by the companies does not directly determine the intention to use immersive technology in their strategic behavior. Instead, the results obtained indicate that business satisfaction will involve obtaining information, reducing uncertainty and analyzing the competition necessary for approaching this new virtual environment.

Originality/value

The study represents one of the first approaches to the intention of business behavior in the development of performance strategies within Metaverse systems. So far, the literature has approached immersive systems from perspectives close to consumer behavior, but the study of strategic business behavior has been left aside due to the high degree of experimentalism of this field of study and its scientific approach. The present study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the factors involved in the intention to use the Metaverse by SMEs interested in this field.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 30 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Guillermo D'Andrea, Larry J. Ring, Belen Lopez Aleman and Alejandro Stengel

The research objective was to understand what low‐income or emerging consumers living in the Latin American region understand as value when considering retail offerings.

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Abstract

Purpose

The research objective was to understand what low‐income or emerging consumers living in the Latin American region understand as value when considering retail offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed for primary research was qualitative. Six of the major markets were selected: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. Four focus groups were conducted in each country, resulting of a total of 208 participants. Target consumers were women from the emerging socio‐economic strata (SES). Secondly, this study relies upon a wide selection of secondary research and data sources: syndicated data sources such as A.C. Nielsen; local retail associations such as ABRAS in Brazil and ANTAD in Mexico; journal and popular press articles, SES profiles and previously published, relevant consumer studies.

Findings

Rather than emphasizing their limited income, emerging consumers as a group represent a sizable market for consumer products. But they should not be addressed as a single group: peculiarities among them underline the need for further segmentation, as in higher income segments. Their needs should be better defined as basic instead of just simple, and they do not just go for the lowest prices or second brands, as they have marked preferences that characterize them. This also reflects in their shopping habits, which partly explains the resilience of the traditional/small format retailers. The findings underline these segments' relevance for consumer products, their rational behaviour as they try to reconcile their preferences with their economic reality, and how this explains their distinct set of products and format requirements.

Practical implications

Marketers and retailers interested in catering to lower‐income segments will find clues to understanding the preferences, habits and needs of these segments that represent a significant portion of emerging markets.

Originality/value

Conclusions are presented here in the form of six common myths on emerging consumers that are contradicted by the findings. The relevance of this study comes not only from the significant size of this market but also from the possibility of marketers to emphasize the social contribution of business.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 March 2015

Belen Lopez and Gaston Fornes

– This paper aims to analyse corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in emerging markets (EMs) from developed countries-based multinational companies (MNCs).

2010

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in emerging markets (EMs) from developed countries-based multinational companies (MNCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on eight case studies with data collected through in-depth interviews with senior managers of the companies representing 85 per cent of the Spanish foreign investments in Latin America.

Findings

The findings tend to indicate that instrumental theories of CSR seem to apply for Western MNCs operating in EMs. CSR initiatives from these companies seem to be guided by instrumental theories, as they use these initiatives as a strategic tool to achieve economic objectives, seek a positive relation between them and their financial performance and use them to strengthen their reputation.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this article resulted from an in-depth analysis of case studies with data collected from a carefully selected theoretical sample with data analysed by following well-established methods like coding, triangulation and pattern matching. This combination was designed to minimise possible concerns in these areas, and as a consequence to strengthen the research design and, therefore, the conclusions of the paper. Measures were taken to minimise possible concerns in this area. The companies were selected for theoretical, not statistical, reasons with the aim to replicate or extend emergent theories, which is one of the main objectives of the research.

Practical implications

Companies are using CSR in EMs as a strategic tool to achieve economic objectives (the main principle behind instrumental theories). MNCs seek a positive relation between CSR initiatives in EMs and their financial performance (also a key principle within instrumental theories). Companies in the sample develop CSR initiatives, including those in EMs, to increase their legitimacy as part of their global reputation rather to deal with host country challenges. Finally, MNCs actively manage stakeholders to strengthen their local reputation as a means to improve financial performance.

Social implications

Instrumental theories of CSR seem to apply for Western MNCs operating in EMs. These findings highlight the need to continue the study of CSR from Western MNCs in Ems, as the vast majority of academic literature relates to the characteristics of social responsibility initiatives in developed economies.

Originality/value

Instrumental theories apply in a global market for MNCs; in this case, Spanish companies operating in more than 30 countries with a global strategy in CSR and similar objectives.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Guillermo D'Andrea, Belen Lopez‐Aleman and Alejandro Stengel

To understand the drivers behind small‐scale retailers' collective success, even after a decade of sustained growth of the “modern” retail sector in Latin America.

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Abstract

Purpose

To understand the drivers behind small‐scale retailers' collective success, even after a decade of sustained growth of the “modern” retail sector in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

The study described in this paper was sponsored by the Coca‐Cola Retailing Research Council – Latin America. Consumer research for this study was based both on primary and secondary sources. To understand the drivers behind small‐scale retailers' collective success, standard frameworks were adapted for evaluating their value proposition and business model. Customer‐facing value drivers were examined along with selected ratios from the strategic resource model.

Findings

In spite of being “poor,” emerging consumers have a substantial purchasing power as a group. They work with a very specific set of products, categories and store format needs that distinguish them from other consumers. These distinct needs imply that it is not “just a matter of money and time” for them to change their purchasing patterns over to the “modern trade”. In fact, the evidence shows that smaller scale retailers fit the needs of emerging consumers quite well. Despite perceptions that the small retail sector draws its resilience from informality, we conclude that that the sector can be surprisingly efficient. Furthermore, the retailers exhibit a sustainable business model.

Originality/value

Although a wide variety of studies have been developed around small‐scale retailers, less effort has been devoted to learn about local storekeepers that are actually conducting successful business, especially in reference to less developed countries.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2023

José Manuel López-Agulló Pérez-Caballero, Belén Ávila Rodríguez-de-Mier and Fernando García-Chamizo

The aim of this research is to analyze the territorialization strategy developed by the Spanish brewing company Cruzcampo through its campaign #ConMuchoAcento (#With a strong…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research is to analyze the territorialization strategy developed by the Spanish brewing company Cruzcampo through its campaign #ConMuchoAcento (#With a strong accent) launched in January 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is framed within the case study methodology. Semiotics will be the discipline used to establish the set of cultural units or signs that the company puts into play in its campaign #ConMuchoAcento.

Findings

Cruzcampo beer makes use of place branding by highlighting the Andalusian accent as a way of creating a unique positioning strategy. By doing so, the brewing company faces the issue of being associated with the negative Andalusian stereotype, sometimes regarded as if it were uneducated and low class. The use of dialectic must be seen as a step further in place branding strategy since it brings locality to the commercial message.

Social implications

The social effects of the cultural units brought into play by the #ConMuchoAcento campaign remain to be analyzed, that is, the political dimension of this exercise of signifying agency of Andalusian culture. In other words, it remains to be seen how the accent represents that romantic Andalusian ideal of “authenticity” as that form of subjectivity at the margins of the cultural and rational organization of modern global capitalism.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to be conducted on the multi-award-winning #ConMuchoAcento campaign. Furthermore, it will analyze the place branding strategy carried out by the brand from a semiotic perspective.

Article
Publication date: 11 October 2018

Bettina C.K. Binder

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the success of the 50 EURO STOXX companies as measured by the earnings before taxes (EBT) and the percentage…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the success of the 50 EURO STOXX companies as measured by the earnings before taxes (EBT) and the percentage of female members on their supervisory boards.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on data extracted from the annual reports of the 50 EURO STOXX companies in 2015 and from financial websites.

Findings

The paper provides the existence of a weak correlation between companies’ performance as measured by EBT and the percentage of women on supervisory boards.

Research limitations/implications

This study has two main limitations: first, a single key performance indicator was used to measure firms’ success; and second, the study offers insights related only to the year 2015. The analysis could be extended over a larger time span while some other variables could be considered in a more holistic approach.

Practical implications

The paper raises awareness that there is much to be done with regard to the presence of women on boards, and readers, investors and business owners gain an insight on the business environment and women active on European corporate boards.

Originality/value

By concentrating on the companies of the EURO STOXX 50 Index, the study offers a good image of the European business environment.

Details

EuroMed Journal of Business, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1450-2194

Keywords

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present and describe the main actions carried out in six different faculties and common areas such as cultural and research centres and administrative buildings in the Ferrol campus at the University of A Coruña to achieve the second green flag on a Galician University.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study describing the steps for implementing a green campus programme in a medium-size, young university campus integrated into a small city. An Environmental Campus Committee was created to assess the main factors that affect environmental footprint, discuss sustainability initiatives and develop a guide to action regarding different goals related to sustainable transport options, energy, water conservation and waste reduction. The actions included several fields such as education, circular economy and healthy life and involved the on and off-campus community.

Findings

The programme achieved a decrease in water consumption and electrical energy. An important change in educational values and behaviours regarding sustainability was observed in and out of the campus community. The measurements adopted mainly in waste management, mobility and education led the Ferrol campus to achieve a green campus flag on November 2019.

Originality/value

This experiment can serve as a guide to establish the Green Campus philosophy in other similar university campuses.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 21 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 May 2023

Laura Hernández-López, Salvador Del Barrio-García and Maria Belen Prados-Peña

This study aims to examine the process of value co-creation (VCC) on digital ecotourism platforms and the role of perceived platform usefulness and user participation behavior in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the process of value co-creation (VCC) on digital ecotourism platforms and the role of perceived platform usefulness and user participation behavior in that process. The study also seeks to determine the extent to which the typology of the ecotourist moderates VCC.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 420 users of a digital ecotourism platform participated in a study analyzing the factors that influence VCC. A mediation, moderation and conditional process analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses. A K-means cluster analysis was also used to classify the ecotourists into four groups.

Findings

The results show that perceived platform usefulness has a strong influence on the generation of VCC and also on user participation behavior. In turn, user participation behavior is an important driver of VCC. This study also highlights the moderating role of the ecotourist typology in the formation of VCC on these digital platforms.

Practical implications

This study offers managers of digital ecotourism platforms a means to identify and motivate those ecotourists with the necessary skills and characteristics to become true co-creators of value.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing knowledge on how value is co-created on digital ecotourism platforms, confirming the important antecedent role of perceived platform usefulness and user participation behavior, as well as the moderating role of ecotourist typology.

Propósito

El propósito de este estudio es examinar el proceso de co-creación de valor (VCC) en las plataformas digitales de ecoturismo y el papel de la utilidad percibida de la plataforma y el comportamiento de participación de los usuarios. El estudio también pretende determinar en qué medida la tipología del ecoturista modera la VCC.

Metodología

420 usuarios de una plataforma digital de ecoturismo participaron en un estudio que analizaba los factores que influyen en la co-creación de valor. Se utilizó un análisis de mediación, moderación y proceso condicional para probar las hipótesis propuestas. También se utilizó un análisis de conglomerados K-means para clasificar a los ecoturistas en 4 grupos.

Conclusiones

Los resultados muestran que la utilidad percibida de la plataforma tiene una fuerte influencia en la generación de VCC y también en el comportamiento de participación del usuario. A su vez, el comportamiento de participación del usuario es un importante impulsor de la VCC. El estudio también destaca el papel moderador de la tipología ecoturística en la formación de VCC en estas plataformas digitales.

Implicaciones prácticas

El estudio ofrece a los gestores de plataformas digitales de ecoturismo un medio para identificar y motivar a aquellos ecoturistas con las habilidades y características necesarias para convertirse en verdaderos co-creadores de valor.

Originalidad

Este estudio contribuye al conocimiento existente sobre cómo se co-crea valor en las plataformas digitales de ecoturismo, confirmando el importante papel antecedente de la utilidad percibida de la plataforma y el comportamiento de participación de los usuarios, así como el papel moderador de la tipología del ecoturista.

目的

本研究的主要目的是考察数字生态旅游平台上的价值共同创造(VCC)过程, 以及感知平台有用性和用户参与行为在该过程中的作用。该研究还试图确定生态旅游者的类型在多大程度上调节了VCC。

方法

一个数字生态旅游平台的420名用户参与了一项研究, 分析影响价值共同创造的因素。使用调解、调节和条件过程分析来检验所提出的假设。还使用了K-均值聚类分析, 将生态旅游者分为4组。

研究结果

结果显示, 感知的平台有用性对VCC的产生有很大影响, 也对用户的参与行为有很大影响。反过来, 用户参与行为也是VCC的一个重要驱动因素。该研究还强调了生态旅游者类型学在这些数字平台上形成VCC的调节作用。

实践意义

该研究为数字生态旅游平台的管理者提供了一种识别和激励那些具有必要技能和特征的生态旅游者成为真正的价值共同创造者的手段。

原创性

本研究对数字生态旅游平台上如何共同创造价值的现有知识做出了贡献, 证实了感知平台有用性和用户参与行为的重要前因作用, 以及生态旅游者类型学的调节作用。

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