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The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of FC Barcelona affects Qatar’s sports diplomacy and brand awareness. It focuses on the sponsorship’s demand strategy and takes into account the opinions and attitudes of Spanish nationals toward Qatar and Qatar Airways.

To assess this, a survey of 434 Spanish nationals from 17 different regions from four zones (North, South, Center, and East) in Spain between November 3, 2022 and November 21, 2022 was conducted using a strata sampling method.

We argue that Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of FC Barcelona serves to improve Qatar’s recognition and national reputation in Spain. We also found that there is a need for consistent sponsorship and marketing efforts in sports diplomacy to better fulfill public diplomacy aims. Overall, this paper concludes that Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of FC Barcelona positively contributes to the country’s sports diplomacy despite significant challenges.

The major contribution of this study to the literature is the discussion of the role of sports sponsorships in the recognition of the sponsor, which was assessed through conducting a quantitative analysis of public opinion in the sponsored team’s host country.

Forced labour is one of the most exploitative practices in supply chains, generating serious human right abuses. The authors seek to understand how relationships for reducing forced labour are influenced by institutional logics. The emerging supply chain efforts of social enterprises offer particularly intriguing approaches, as their social mission can spur creative new approaches and reshape widely adopted management practices.

The authors study supplier relationships in the smartphone industry and compare the evolving practices of two cases: the first, a growing novel social enterprise; and the second, a high-profile commercial firm that has adopted a progressive role in combating forced labour.

The underlying institutional logic influenced each firm's willingness to act beyond its direct suppliers and to collaborate in flexible ways that create systematic change. Moreover, while both focal firms had clear, well-documented procedures related to forced labour, the integration, rather than decoupling, of forced labour and general supply chain policies provided a more effective way to reduce the risks of forced labour in social enterprises.

As authors’ comparative case study approach may lack generalizability, future research is needed to broadly test their propositions.

The paper identifies preconditions in terms of institutional logics to successfully reduce the risk of forced labour in supply chains.

This paper discusses how social enterprises can provide a learning laboratory that enables commercial firms to identify options for supplier relationship improvement.

The current research delves into how different cues in messages (such as argument quality, usefulness and informativeness) and cues related to the source (such as credibility and expertise) contribute to the perceived credibility of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The investigation also explores whether source cues influence the overall impact of message cues.

This study synthesizes findings from 100 previous empirical works through the application of meta-analysis.

The outcomes affirm the presence of both systematic and heuristic processing, the additive effects of both message and source cues and the bias effects of source cues. Moreover, the study identifies a connection between eWOM credibility and behavioral intention. Expanding on this, the research discovers that users’ tendency to avoid uncertainty moderates the impact of message and source cues on their judgment of eWoM credibility.

The research contributes to the eWOM literature by providing a heuristic-systematic model of eWoM credibility judgments. It provides new insights for online sellers, who can benefit from eWoM by fostering potential buyers' behavioral intention to purchase.

Presently in multicolor fused filament-based three-dimensional (3-D) printing, significant amounts of waste material are produced through nozzle priming and purging each time a change from one color to another occurs. G-code generating slicing software typically changes the material on each layer resulting in wipe towers with greater mass than the target object. The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative fabrication approach based on interlayer tool clustering (ITC) for the first time, which reduces the number of tool changes and is compatible with any commercial 3-D printer without the need for hardware modifications.

The authors have developed an open-source PrusaSlicer upgrade, compatible with Slic3r-based software, which uses the described algorithm to generate g-code toolpath and print experimental objects. The theoretical time, material and energy savings are calculated and validated to evaluate the proposed fabrication method qualitatively and quantitatively.

The experimental results show the novel ITC method can significantly increase the efficiency of multimaterial printing, with an average 1.7-fold reduction in material use, and an average 1.4-fold reduction in both time and 3-D printing energy use. In addition, this approach reduces the likelihood of technical failures in the manufacturing of the entire part by reducing the number of tool changes, or material transitions, on average by 2.4 times.

The obtained results support distributed recycling and additive manufacturing, which has both environmental and economic benefits and increasing the number of colors in a 3-D print increases manufacturing savings.

Start-ups require a competitive advantage to integrate sustainable practices and develop organizational capabilities to thrive in dynamic business environments. However, implementation of these practices presents several ethical challenges. This study aims to quantify the influence of organizational capabilities (information technology capabilities and organizational virtues) on start-ups' competitive advantage and readiness to implement environmental, social and governance practices.

This study employed a survey design, and data were collected from 320 start-up founders and/or managers in India. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0.

The findings suggest that organizational capabilities, including information technology capabilities and organizational virtues, play an important role in enhancing start-ups' competitive advantage and readiness to implement sustainable practices. Dynamic capability mediates these relationships, while entrepreneurial orientation moderates the relationship between organizational virtues and dynamic capability.

This study has significant implications for organizations implementing sustainable business practices through the development and nurturance of organizational virtues and information technology capabilities. The study is also useful for leaders, managers and entrepreneurs in training and development, managing tradeoffs and maintaining important organizational capabilities to establish a balance between people’s concerns, the environment and profits.

Few studies have examined the role of organizational capabilities, sustainable business practices and competitive advantage in the context of start-ups. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable entrepreneurship and organizational capabilities.

Job performance literature has evolved to address the aspects of performance thinking where knowledge sharing (KS) and emotions on the job are considered important. This study evaluates the influence of emotional intelligence (EI), mediated through KS, on job outcomes measured as job performance (JP) and job satisfaction (JS).

Structural equation modeling methods are used to investigate the degree of influence of EI on job outcomes through KS. The data for analysis has been collected from 227 project managers at Information Technology-Information Technology Enabled Services (IT-ITeS) firms.

The findings suggest that the EI has a positive and significant effect on KS. This implies that employees with high EI scores are more involved in the KS behavior. Furthermore, the findings suggest that KS partially mediates the relationship between EI and JP, and it fully mediates the relationship between EI and JS.

For KS, the answer lies in the recruitment and retention of emotionally intelligent persons rather than investing only in information technology. The study enhances the literature on knowledge management, sharing and EI.

The proposed research model suggests a successful infusion of KS within IT-ITeS firms. Knowing the EI of employees and, accordingly, changing their behavior towards sharing knowledge is probably a distinctive, most efficacious and essential strategy for augmenting job outcomes.

The study establishes the role of KS in translating the impact of EI on JP and JS. Furthermore, it contributes a novel framework of KS behavior.

This paper analyses the effect of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance. The study explores the impact of mediating variables such as supply chain flexibility and capabilities and the moderating role of supply chain integration in the relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain performance in Indian manufacturing firms. The study builds on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model to conceptualise circular economy practices that influence supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility, impacting sustainable supply chain performance.

This study adopted an online survey questionnaire distributed to managers of Indian manufacturing firms adopting circular economy practices. The data were analysed using SPSS Amos 25 and PROCESS macros.

The results suggest a positive impact of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance in manufacturing firms. In addition, a supply chain manager's relationship with retailers is improved in the presence of supply chain capabilities and flexibility. Supply chain integration further strengthens this relationship as a moderating variable.

By examining the literature on circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain management, this study contributes to bridging the gap between supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility using the S-O-R model. This study is possibly among the first to explore and provide empirical evidence on how circular economy practices in manufacturing firms can impact supply chain managers' experiences and thus help to improve environmental well-being. Both academics and business professionals might find these contributions interesting.

This research paper aims to examine consumers' perceptions and behaviours towards “pre-loved luxury fashion products” and focusses on analysing the moderating influence of consumers' attitude strength. Additionally, it investigates the impact of desirability in sustainable luxury experiences (LEs) on consumers' purchase intentions (PIs). The study draws inspiration from the Norm Activation Model theory and operationalises attitude strength using the Elaboration Likelihood Model theory.

Purposive sampling technique was employed to collect 317 useable samples from respondents who had previously purchased or intended to purchase pre-loved luxury fashion goods. SPSS and AMOS version 25 was used for data analysis.

The findings reveal that consumers' environmental concern influences their intention to purchase pre-loved luxury fashion products. Furthermore, sustainable LE acts as a significant mediator in this relationship. The study also demonstrates that the intention to purchase pre-loved luxury fashion products is strengthened when consumers possess a strong attitude towards them.

Luxury marketers can strategise accordingly to motivate consumers to purchase pre-loved luxury fashion products by resonating with their cultural correlates through persuasive advertising to favourably affirm their attitude towards pre-loved luxury fashion products.

This study contributes to the literature by addressing the unresolved area of PIs for pre-loved luxury fashion products, considering the moderating role of attitude strength in emerging markets. It highlights the significance of advocating and promoting pre-loved luxury fashion products and provides valuable insights for luxury marketers.

This study aims to provide a framework aligning corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2030, applying the triple bottom line (TBL) approach. The research examines and evaluates the reach of Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises’ (CPSE) CSR spending towards sustainability and maps them with SDGs focusing on economic, social and environmental aspects. In addition, state-wise spending for CSR of all eligible Indian companies has been discussed.

The study used secondary data related to CSR spending and disclosure from the annual reports and sustainability reports accessible on the official websites of CPSE, Global Reporting Initiative standards, CSR Guidelines of Department of Public Enterprises and Securities Exchange Board of India, Government of India’s National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) (2018) research papers, financial dailies and websites. The study includes the CPSEs awarded with the status of Maharatna companies under the Guidelines of Maharatna Scheme for CPSEs.

The top CSR initiatives focused on by Maharatna companies were related to poverty, hunger, sanitation and well-being, promotion of education and contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. These initiatives aligned with the top SDGs related to life on land, education and health care, which proved responsible business leadership (RBL) through TBL. The alignment indicates that India is moving towards sustainable development achievements systematically.

The practical consequences can be understood through the CSR spending of Maharatna Public Sector Undertakings towards economic, social and environmental aspects. The spending demonstrates their commitment, which other public and private sector organizations can adopt.

The Government of India’s NGRBC’s guidelines towards inclusive growth and equitable development, addressing environmental concerns, and being responsive to all its stakeholders is a thorough indication of driving the business towards being more responsible. This research has developed a framework aligning CSR and SDG through the TBL approach, which other developing countries can adopt as a model.

There is dearth of research among public sector company’s contribution towards attaining SDGs and demonstrating RBL. This research fulfils this gap. Mapping CSR activities to SDG’s also has not been clearly carried out in previous research, which is a contribution of this study.

This paper examines the impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets on the cryptocurrency market, following the guidelines set by the Basel Committee. This study aims to analyze the implications for secure storage, cross-border transfers and necessary investments.

The paper uses a policy analysis approach to assess the potential effects of the Basel Committee’s regulations on CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets. It explores their impact on the cryptoasset market, strategies of central and commercial banks, payment systems and risk management.

The adoption of CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. It raises concerns about secure storage, cross-border transfers and required investments. Central banks are likely to introduce CBDCs and authorize stablecoin issuance, aiming for efficient monetary policies and risk management. Basel III regulations may lead to asset tokenization by banks, reducing asset size and increasing fee-based income.

This paper provides insights into the potential impact of the Basel Committee's regulations on CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets. It contributes to the understanding of the evolving cryptoasset market and the strategies of central and commercial banks in adopting these technologies. The findings offer valuable information for policymakers, regulators and market participants in navigating the changing landscape of digital assets.