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This study aims to investigate the relationship between supply chain leadership, digital supply chain practices and corporate sustainability strategies on the sustainability performance of logistics firms in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies. It indicates that collaborative efforts within the supply chain context can improve sustainability performance.

Data from 468 firms in a major sub-Saharan African market were collected through a structured questionnaire. The analysis used descriptive statistics, principal component analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha analysis were used to assess the validity and reliability of the instrument.

The results of this study reveal significant findings: proactive sustainability strategies exert a substantial positive effect on sustainability performance (β = 0.694, SE = 0.025, p < 0.01). Even when proactive sustainability strategies are included in the model, the positive impact of reactive sustainability strategies remains significant (β = 0.694, SE = 0.025, p < 0.01: Model 5). Regarding the moderating role of proactive and reactive corporate sustainability strategies, there is a notable interaction effect between supply chain leadership and proactive sustainability strategies concerning sustainability performance (p < 0.05). This confirms the positive relationship between supply chain leadership and sustainability performance when proactive sustainability strategies are at a high level (β = 0.844, SE = 0.0010, p < 0.01), supporting H4 that this relationship strengthens with higher levels of proactive sustainability strategies. Conversely, for Hypothesis H5, the interaction effect of reactive sustainability strategies with supply chain leadership changes the relationship from significantly positive to significantly negative (β = −0.068, SE = 0.0009, p < 0.01). Using the Baron and Kenny approach to test mediation, the mediating effect of digital supply on digital leadership is significant (β = 0.345, p = 0.000, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the effect of digital supply on sustainability performance is statistically significant (β = 0.081, p = 0.006, p < 0.01), as is the effect of digital leadership on sustainability performance (β = 0.181, p = 0.000, p < 0.01). These results indicate a mediation effect of digital supply.

This study of logistic management has limitations, including its cross-sectional nature, which precludes the establishment of causality, thus necessitating longitudinal research to determine causal relationships. In addition, the focus on Nigerian firms, which vary significantly in their stages of learning and institutional development, emphasizes the need for further research in diverse contexts. Future studies should examine alternative institutional environments or developed economies to validate these assumptions. Another limitation is the potential for bias due to six employees rating their firms on each variable; therefore, using multiple data sources is recommended to objectively evaluate the validity of the self-reported questionnaire.

This study advises managers to exercise caution when selecting between proactive and reactive sustainability strategies to enhance sustainability performance. Proactive strategies reinforce the relationship between supply chain leadership and sustainability performance, while reactive strategies diminish it. Therefore, managers are encouraged to adopt more proactive strategies. This paper suggests that managers in emerging economies should recognize the distinct impacts of proactive sustainability strategies and allocate more resources toward them to improve sustainability performance, even in competitive markets. In addition, it highlights the importance of digital supply in fostering sustainability performance.

This study presents a novel perspective on the moderating role of corporate sustainability strategies in the relationship between supply chain leadership and the sustainability performance of logistics firms. It provides empirical evidence and fresh insights on proactive and reactive sustainability strategies for logistics firms in Nigeria. The findings highlight that proactive sustainability strategies enhance the connection between supply chain leadership and sustainability performance, whereas reactive strategies do not.

In a rapidly shifting market, organizations seek more diverse and innovative employee development interventions. Yet, these initiatives may have limited impact without employees’ engagement. This conceptual paper aims to propose self-leadership as a value-added strategy for promoting both individual and organizational development.

The authors conducted a conceptual analysis with three case examples. The cases were purposefully selected, aiming to comprehend how the concept of self-leadership has been applied within organizations and to identify real-life examples where self-leadership has been adopted as an organizational strategy.

This study demonstrates that self-leadership plays a significant role in facilitating human resource development (HRD) initiatives. Specifically, the authors illustrate how self-leadership interventions in companies empower individuals to take charge of their development, aligning personal and organizational goals. When effectively applied, self-leadership strategies positively impact HRD practices in the areas of training and development, organization development and career development, yielding benefits for both employees and employers.

This study addresses knowledge gaps in the emerging field of self-leadership in HRD by providing three companies’ examples of how self-leadership can add value to HRD. The findings offer unique insights into the synergy between self-leadership and HRD, benefiting academics interested in this line of inquiry and HRD practitioners seeking innovative approaches to employee and organizational development.

The study aims to closely look at the phenomenon of transformational leadership and the psychological capital of followers by using affective process theory (APT). It has empirically tested the mediation of the perceived emotional labor (EL) of a leader and susceptible emotional contagion (EC) of followers when studying the effect of transformational leadership on the psychological capital (PsyCap) of followers.

The method adopted was mixed methodology. The data were collected from the 120 respondents and their perception regarding the construct as identified by previous literature was captured through a structured questionnaire. The relationships and hypotheses were tested by the structural equation modeling (SEM) model using SMART PLS. Further 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted using a qualitative approach.

The current research has empirically shown how specific aspects of transformational leadership, i.e. individual consideration perceived by followers also show high use of perceived deep acting strategy. Deep acting EL strategy is impacting positive EC and positive EC is leading to higher PsyCap of followers generating more work efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience. Mediation of positive EC between Deep acting EL and PsyCap was also observed. In qualitative studies done with the participants, major themes that emerged were transformational leadership, EL strategies, EC and PsyCap.

In times of uncertainty and stress after the post-COVID scenario, employees are facing emotional burnout due to increased work pressure and workload. Transformational leadership has become very critical to manage the PsyCap of followers by using correct EL strategies. Leaders can focus on the optimism and resilience aspect of PsyCap.

The current research has taken affective process theory (APT) as a foundation to understand the connection between transformational leadership and the PsyCap of followers. The study has specifically picked up the fourth mechanism of affective linkage as suggested by Elfenbein (2014) called emotional recognition and seen how emotions are transferred from source (leaders) to recipient (followers). The research has contributed by empirically testing the mediation of the perceived EL of leaders and the susceptible EC of followers and how they affect the PsyCap of followers.

This study aims to examine the interaction between different types of supply chain integration (SCI) and competitive strategies on firm performance.

The research method is quantitative. The study develops a structured model and a set of hypotheses based on the related theories. Empirical data is collected in a cross-sectional manner using an online survey to test the model and its hypotheses. The survey comprised standard scales to measure study variables. The scales had high reliability and validity and were commonly used in the literature. The study was conducted on Iranian firms working in steel and auto parts industries. Based on official reports, a total of 305 active companies were found in these two industries. Due to the small population size, all companies in the two industries were contacted for participation. Overall, 84 firms completed the survey. To test the research hypotheses, the authors used hierarchical regression analyses using SPSS 27 software.

Results showed that internal integration improves financial performance when firms follow a cost leadership strategy. Differentiation strategy and process integration interact positively and improve operational performance. Type of industry had no significant effect. The results add to the SCI literature by showing that a match between competitive strategy and integration type can influence both operational and financial performance. In total, firms should focus on the appropriate dimension of SCI based on their competitive strategy to improve the performance of the firm.

The impact of competitive strategy as a moderator on the SCI-performance relationship has not been widely addressed in the literature. In one study, Huo et al. (2014) investigated this relationship using data from 604 manufacturing companies in China. The results provided support for financial performance but not for operational performance. However, the influence of competitive strategies on the SCI performance may vary in different countries and contexts with dissimilar environmental, social and cultural characteristics. As several supply chain scholars have argued, understanding contextual conditions that influence the effect of best practices such as SCI on performance are critical

This study aims to investigate the conflicting views in supply chain and strategic management literature regarding cooperative supply chain relationships (CSCR) and firm performance. Supply chain literature suggests a universally positive impact of CSCR on performance, irrespective of a firm’s strategy. In contrast, strategic management literature contends that the effectiveness of CSCR depends on their alignment with the firm’s competitive strategy. The research aims to clarify this disparity, offering insights into the strategic use of CSCR for enhancing firm performance.

This paper theorizes the integration of perspectives for the impact of CSCR on firm performance by examining the relationships considering the alignment of cost leadership and product differentiation strategies with supplier and customer relationships. Plant-level survey data is analyzed using regression techniques to test four hypotheses.

All four main relationships (cost leadership, product differentiation, supplier relationship and customer relationship) on firm performance are statistically significant. However, cost leadership firms are better aligned to their chosen strategy when they have strong relationships with suppliers, whereas similar relationships with customers create misalignment, negatively influencing firm performance. In contrast, product differentiators benefit by investing in relationships with customers rather than with suppliers.

A firm’s performance does not solely depend on its CSCR efforts but on aligning them with the firm’s overall strategy. Therefore, managers need to be cognizant of the firm’s competitive strategy when investing in CSCR. Failing to do so could negatively impact firm performance and, eventually, its ability to compete in the marketplace.

Scholars have advocated for the importance of examining competing perspectives of phenomena, both within and across various bodies of literature, as cross-disciplinary analysis often brings enhanced focus and depth, leading to improved understanding. This research is one of the initial efforts to empirically analyze the varying perspectives on CSCR in supply chain and strategic management literature. This cross-disciplinary approach can yield a more integrated perspective.

This paper aims to examine the influence of the interplay between servant leadership behaviors and Machiavellianism on leader effectiveness.

Drawing on trait activation theory and motivation to lead theory, the authors hypothesize that the effect of servant leadership behaviors on perceived leadership effectiveness is manifested differently in teams with high-Machiavellian vs. low-Machiavellian leaders. In teams with low-Machiavellian leaders, servant leadership behaviors are expected to be associated with a cooperative way of handling team conflicts, which enhances employees' leader effectiveness ratings. In contrast, in teams with high-Machiavellian leaders, this mediation role vanishes due to the incongruency between Machiavellian traits and the cooperative context. The authors conducted a two-wave survey-based study and tested the hypotheses with a matched supervisor-employee sample from 310 employees and their leaders in 91 teams.

The results showed that servant leadership behaviors positively impact leadership effectiveness and that this effect takes place through cooperative team conflict management (TCM) without controlling for leaders' Machiavellian trait. Further analysis shows this mediation mechanism is only strong and significant in teams led by low-Machiavellian leaders, but not high-Machiavellian leaders.

To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study that examines the interplay of servant leadership behaviors and Machiavellianism on perceived leader effectiveness.

本文旨在探討僕人式領導行為與馬基雅維利主義之間的相互作用會如何影響領導效能。

我們根據特質激活理論和領導動機理論、建立了一個假設，這個假設就是： 僕人式領導行為對感知的領導效能所產生並顯示出來的影響、是會視乎團隊是高/強馬基雅維利主義，還是低/弱馬基雅維利主義而有所分別的。若團隊的領導者是低/弱馬基雅維利主義的話，僕人式領導行為大概會與使用合作的方式去處理團隊衝突有相互之關聯，這會提高僱員對領導效能的評分。與此相反，若團隊的領導者是高/強馬基雅維利主義的話，這調節作用和角色將會因馬基雅維利主義的特質與合作的環境之間存在著不協調而消失。我們進行了一個兩波的、以及基於調查的研究，在這研究中，我們利用管理者和員工相應的樣本來測試各個假設;這些樣本包括91個團隊內的310名員工及其領導者。

研究結果顯示、僕人式領導行為對領導效能會產生積極的影響，而這影響是透過以合作方式管理團隊衝突而產生的，亦沒有對領導者的馬基雅維利主義特質加以管控。我們進一步的分析顯示、這調節機制只會在由低/弱馬基雅維利主義的領導者領導的團隊內顯得強烈和顯著，但若領導者是高/強馬基雅維利主義的話，情況就不一樣了。

盡我們所知，本研究為首個研究、去探討僕人式領導行為與馬基雅維利主義之間的相互作用會如何影響感知的領導效能。

This study investigates the role of leadership and cultural transformation in facilitating Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices in clinical pharmacy settings to reduce medicine waste within the UK National Health Services (NHS).

A systematic literature review on Lean Six Sigma in health care was conducted to develop an analytical framework. This was followed by a qualitative case study of an English NHS trust to test the framework, exploring pharmacists' adoption of LSS practices and their impact on staff behaviour, focussing on leadership decisions and organisational culture.

The research highlights the significance of leadership’s prioritisation in waste reduction efforts and its influence on staff engagement. It also examines the intricate relationship between leadership decisions, education and training, resource allocation, and the prevailing clinical culture, which shapes pharmacists' behaviours and attitudes towards LSS practices and waste reduction.

The study’s focus on a single NHS trust limits the generalisability of the findings, suggesting the need for further research across different healthcare settings.

The study recommends a cultural transformation, earlier training, and reformation in service strategy to enhance the adoption of LSS practices and contribute to a more sustainable future for the wider health services.

Effective medicine waste management prevents harm and helps address the current NHS medicine shortage. The NHS can allocate resources efficiently, ensure timely treatment, and prepare for future disruptions by implementing the proposed framework.

We developed a leadership model for the NHS to reduce medicine waste, offering a novel approach to addressing the challenge of medicine waste through leadership and cultural transformation.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between earnings management, business strategy, and market competition.

The study utilizes data from non-financial companies listed on the Indonesia and South Korea Stock Exchange between 2017 and 2021, involving 2,598 firms from Indonesia and 3,256 firms from South Korea. We use data panel analysis to explore the relationships between variables.

Firms using cost leadership are prone to earnings management, while differentiation strategies are less inclined to do so. Market competition negatively correlates with earnings management in Indonesia and South Korea. Market competition moderates the relationship between differentiation strategy and earnings management in both countries. When profitability is considered, the results remain consistent, particularly in Indonesia.

This research enriches previous studies on earnings management and business strategy by examining the extent of industry competitiveness in developed and developing markets.

This finding is significant for managers, guiding them in the selection of an appropriate business strategy within a competitive environment.

This study is unique in that it examines the subject matter in both developed and developing countries, specifically Indonesia and South Korea, to compare the differences.

Scholars have underscored the importance of organizational authenticity, but it is unclear how it influences the links among market strategy, and nonmarket strategy (NMS) and firm performance. This study addresses this gap in the literature.

A survey of 294 managers in firms based in the United States investigates configurations among competitive strategy (e.g. cost leadership or differentiation), political and social nonmarket strategy (NMS), authenticity, and firm performance.

Cost leaders tend to engage in political nonmarket strategy (PNMS), but the interaction does not necessarily improve firm performance. Differentiators are more likely to pursue social nonmarket strategy (SNMS) and perform better, but neither market-nonmarket strategy configuration is inherently optimal.

The results support market-nonmarket strategy configurations but do not prescribe optimal combinations. However, the sample is cross-sector and employs self-reports for firm performance.

Political and social authenticity can enhance firm performance, but nonmarket activity can compromise a firm’s ability to be politically and socially authentic. Authenticity can drive performance, but a firm’s nonmarket activity can compromise its ability to be politically and socially authentic. Firms should view a prospective loss in authenticity as a potential cost of nonmarket activity.

This paper investigates how a firm’s emphasis on market (competitive) strategies, political and social nonmarket strategies, and political and social authenticity impact financial and non-financial performance. It also tests the veracity of two market-nonmarket configurations, cost leadership with political NMS and differentiation with social NMS.

Resource orchestration theory proposes that firms need resources, capabilities, and horizontal and vertical alignment to achieve high performance. Thus, we investigate which combinations of horizontal fit of resources (commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers) and capabilities (HR flexibility) together with vertical fit with business strategy (innovation versus cost leadership strategies) relate to superior performance.

Our study is based on a sample of 113 Spanish firms from which we collected data on commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers, HR flexibility, business strategy and performance. We employ a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze which configurations lead to firm performance.

The empirical analysis shows that both HR practices and policies (commitment-based HR systems) and HR capabilities (HR flexibility) need to be aligned for high performance. The path for performance is comprised of a combination of commitment-based HR systems for staff and HR flexibility and by the absence of an innovation strategy or commitment-based HR systems for managers, HR flexibility, and a cost leadership strategy. We also find four paths where performance relies on efficiently combining an innovation and cost leadership business strategy.

Our findings make three key contributions to the literature. First, we help elucidate multicausal relationships inside the black box of the “HR–performance” relationship for firm performance. Second, we study the vertical fit with business strategy by considering innovation and cost leadership strategies. Third, we analyze multicausal pathways, thus uncovering different combinations of resources and capabilities for performance.