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Article
Publication date: 1 July 2024

Sana Tebessi, Amal Ben Cheikh and Mariem Dali

In line with the growing trend of companies focusing on achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), this research paper aims to propose a classification of values of socially…

Abstract

Purpose

In line with the growing trend of companies focusing on achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), this research paper aims to propose a classification of values of socially responsible companies aligned with the SDGs that these companies could fulfill.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ carried out a qualitative semiotic analysis of four companies as part of the corporate environmental communication initiative to focus on the corporate values conveyed in the messages. Using thematic analysis, the authors’ identified the SDGs achieved by their actions. By coding the values and the SDGs, the authors’ performed a top-down hierarchical classification, linking the value system to the SDGs.

Findings

This research unveils various relationships between corporate communication values and the practical implementation of specific SDGs. This paper sheds light on the central role of utilitarian values in achieving SDGs 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 and highlights the importance of existential values in reaching SDGs 8, 9, 10, 12, 11 and 17. Conversely, no utilitarian values contribute to the realization of SDGs 7, 8, 11, 13 and 17, while no existential values enable the achievement of SDGs 7, 12, 13 and 17.

Originality/value

This research makes a valuable contribution to the achievement of the SDGs by adopting a streamlined approach that aligns with specific company values. The classification of values by SDG provides an in-depth understanding of commitments toward these goals and promotes more coherent integration into corporate culture and business practices. This approach ensures that sustainable progress is aligned with the values communicated in their long-term strategy, enabling businesses to effectively address crises.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 May 2024

Julia Stranzl, Christopher Ruppel and Sabine Einwiller

Since research has already shown that social distance affects the relationship between employees and the organization, this study (1) examines job-related resources that…

Abstract

Purpose

Since research has already shown that social distance affects the relationship between employees and the organization, this study (1) examines job-related resources that contribute to teleworkers’ organizational commitment and (2) works out how internal communication professionals can strategically address them.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 50 problem-centered, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with teleworkers from Austrian and German organizations between March and June 2021.

Findings

The interview data resulted in eight job-related resources that contribute to teleworkers’ organizational commitment. By pointing out the communicative aspects of these resources, we discuss how internal communication professionals can strategically engage to maintain the connection between teleworkers and the organization despite the distance. It highlights the communicators’ role as a strategic communicators and networkers, as enabler and as key speaker for employees’ needs.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected during a health crisis (COVID-19 pandemic) in the context of Austrian and German organizations and refers to the perspective of employees for whom teleworking israther new.

Originality/value

The study provides in-depth insights into teleworkers’ expectations and entails clear implications for the practice of internal communication professionals to strengthen teleworkers’ commitment.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2023

Shreyanshu Parhi, Shashank Kumar, Kanchan Joshi, Milind Akarte, Rakesh D. Raut and Balkrishna Eknath Narkhede

The advent of Internet of Things, cloud computing and advanced computing has endowed smart manufacturing environments with resilience, reconfigurability and intelligence…

Abstract

Purpose

The advent of Internet of Things, cloud computing and advanced computing has endowed smart manufacturing environments with resilience, reconfigurability and intelligence, resulting in the emergence of novel capabilities. These capabilities have significantly reshaped the manufacturing ecosystem, enabling it to effectively navigate uncertainties. The purpose of this study is to assess the operational transformations resulting from the implementation of smart manufacturing, which distinguish it from conventional systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of qualitative and quantitative smart manufacturing performance metrics (SMPMs) are initially suggested and categorized into strategic, tactical and operational levels. The SMPMs resemble the capabilities of smart manufacturing systems to manage disruptions due to uncertainties. Then, industry and academia experts validate the SMPMs through the utilization of the Delphi method, enabling the ranking of the SMPMs.

Findings

The proposition of the SMPMs serves as a metric to assess the digital transformation capabilities of smart manufacturing systems. In addition, the ranking of the proposed SMPMs shows a degree of relevance of the measures in smart manufacturing deployment and managing the disruptions caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Research limitations/implications

The findings benefit managers, consultants, policymakers and researchers in making appropriate decisions for deploying and operationalizing smart manufacturing systems by focusing on critical SMPMs.

Originality/value

The research provides a metric to assess the operational transformations during the deployment of smart manufacturing systems. Also, it states the role of the metric in managing the potential disruptions that can alter the performance of the business due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details

Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5364

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2023

Priyanka Pathak and Sumi Jha

The study explores the current research trends within the responsible leadership (RL) domain and proposes a future research agenda by conducting an extensive review of past…

Abstract

Purpose

The study explores the current research trends within the responsible leadership (RL) domain and proposes a future research agenda by conducting an extensive review of past research. The study aims to understand recent developments in theories, constructs and contexts in RL literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Scopus database is used for the data collection on RL and patterns from 1998–2022. In total, 138 articles were covered for a systematic literature review (SLR) of RL behaviors. Further, the search was extended, and 109 more articles were included for bibliometric analysis of RL using R software. In total, 247 papers were reviewed.

Findings

The results present the consequences and antecedents of RL behaviors with external and internal stakeholders. Literature also indicates that researchers are more attentive to empirical studies with internal stakeholders, such as responsible leaders' impact on employee outcomes. Among theories, stakeholder theory's normative integrative and instrumental perspectives are used with RL.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation of the study is that this study collected data only from the Scopus database and the choice of language was English. Future studies may use other databases, languages and keywords. Instrumental and integrative RL behavioral styles would help balance organizations' financial and social goals.

Originality/value

This research enhances the literature on RL by combining content and bibliometric analysis to develop a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of integrative and instrumental leadership behaviors.

Article
Publication date: 19 August 2024

Melchior Gromis di Trana, Simona Fiandrino, Alberto Tonelli and Alain Devalle

The study aims to explore the role of stakeholder engagement for the sustainability materiality assessment process.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to explore the role of stakeholder engagement for the sustainability materiality assessment process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a qualitative research approach based on a single case study. Triangulated data was collected from semi-structured interviews, sustainability reports and archival materials, and was analysed with a combined top-down and bottom-up coding procedure to generate explanatory categories.

Findings

The findings show that stakeholder engagement and sustainability materiality assessment are interconnected. Furthermore, the study highlights a circular perspective facilitated by three iterative mechanisms: sustainability interdisciplinarity, sense of belonging and cultural mindset.

Originality/value

Despite the extensive knowledge of stakeholder engagement regarding the practices and advantages, the understanding of its interplay with sustainability materiality assessment over time remains limited. Consequently, the research analyses the reciprocal relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability materiality in a circular way.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2024

Sameeullah Khan, Asif Iqbal Fazili, Park Thaichon, Sara Quach, Mohd Ashraf Parry and Irfan Bashir

This paper aims to challenge the notion that “having-less” – limiting consumption of scarce resources to a select few – represents a social responsibility route toward guilt…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to challenge the notion that “having-less” – limiting consumption of scarce resources to a select few – represents a social responsibility route toward guilt reduction. It rather argues that “saving-more” – the purposeful pursuit of conscious and collaborative consumption – captures consumers’ true representations of responsible luxury which in turn reduces anticipated guilt.

Design/methodology/approach

Six experiments using different operationalizations of saving-more (vs. having-less) and a mix of fictitious and real luxury brands were conducted on real luxury buyers.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that saving-more (vs. having-less) leads to a stronger purchase intention; an effect explained by a higher responsible luxury perception and lower anticipated guilt associated with saving-more (vs. having-less). Furthermore, the ability of saving-more (vs. having-less) in building responsible luxury perception and reducing anticipated guilt is stronger (vs. weaker) when luxury is distributed based on deservingness (vs. entitlement).

Research limitations/implications

This research proposes a novel distinction between two responsible luxury approaches: promoting limited consumption for business goals, that is, having-less and promoting conscious consumption for societal goals, that is, saving-more.

Practical implications

Brand managers can enhance responsible luxury perception and reduce consumer guilt through corporate communication, product communication and collaborative product accessibility modes. Managers must also convince consumers that their access to luxury is based on real achievements.

Originality/value

This study empirically invalidates the notion that merely invoking scarcity and rarity tactics is an expression of social responsibility. It integrates social responsibility and fairness accounts of guilt into a coherent theory of guilt over luxury consumption.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Andrew S. Gallan, Diogo Hildebrand, Yuliya Komarova, Dan Rubin and Ronen Shay

Designing and developing responsible business practices can create various tensions for service organizations. The purpose of this research is to develop a deeper understanding of…

Abstract

Purpose

Designing and developing responsible business practices can create various tensions for service organizations. The purpose of this research is to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between customer engagement (CE) and responsible business practices (e.g. environmental, social and/or governance [ESG], corporate social responsibility [CSR] and diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI]) and explore customer engagement tensions that service organizations may face.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops a list of CE-related responsible business practice tensions and empirically explores their relevance through in-depth interviews with nine ESG professionals.

Findings

This paper makes three important contributions. First, we find support for nine distinct but related tensions with implications for CE that organizations must navigate when pursuing responsible business practices. Second, interview participants provide some suggestions for tackling these tensions, which we support with relevant theories. Finally, we develop a conceptual framework that may stimulate future service research and inform the implementation of ESG strategies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to conceptualize and empirically explore the tensions that emerge between responsible business practices and CE. The authors develop a novel analysis of the CE-related tensions that emerge when pursuing an ESG strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a small sample of ESG professionals. Future research may take a quantitative approach to further evaluate the role that these tensions play in engaging customers.

Practical implications

This research provides a conceptual framework that may guide ESG professionals in understanding, framing and navigating CE-related tensions when pursuing responsible business practices.

Social implications

A social benefit may be found when service organizations are better able to successfully navigate CE-related tensions when pursuing responsible business practices.

Details

Journal of Service Management, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-5818

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 August 2024

Gerrit Boehncke

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis, which consists of interviews with executive trainee programs of three international companies. The results of this…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis, which consists of interviews with executive trainee programs of three international companies. The results of this analysis offer answers to questions currently being discussed in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature, namely, on the effects of CSR communication on top talent attraction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses structured interviews to analyze the communication perceptions and expectations of (n = 15) top talents when making employer decisions. It compares these with the expectations and intentions of HR managers responsible for programs and communications (n = 15).

Findings

The study found that HR managers only partially reflect top talents’ specific communication expectations. In addition to the program-specific CSR content, corporate communications have an overarching optimization potential in the communication mode and information architecture. It is particularly striking that future executives proactively seek CSR content in hiring and access corporate and brand communications for this purpose.

Research limitations

The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made a digital interview setting necessary and did not allow to react in detail on every physical signal. On top, the study has only 30 participants (15 HR/15 talents) from three different talent programs.

Implications

The study identifies practical, gender-specific and industry-specific implications for corporate communications regarding content and mode of communication. Companies should specify concrete measures for recruiting future executives, but they can also indicate efforts and first initiatives, thus setting a more decisive stage for an aspiration.

Originality/value

The study is characterized by its unique data set. Only a few companies have explicit programs for the development of future executives. The study also examines HR managers’ communication planning and expectations and future executives’ effective communication perceptions and perspectives.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 7 October 2024

Charles Chatterjee

This chapter examines the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code of 2018. The primary themes of this Code are advertising and marketing communications. This is a…

Abstract

This chapter examines the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code of 2018. The primary themes of this Code are advertising and marketing communications. This is a lengthy Code – in addition to an Introduction, it has been developed over four chapters and two annexes. The ‘technologically enhanced’ marketing communications seem to have prompted the International Chamber of Commerce to draft this Code of Conduct.

This Code emphasised the self-regulatory Codes of Conduct in the hope that self-regulatory codes of conduct should convince customers of their social responsibility. This Code also believes that high sense of social responsibility will achieve the principal purpose of it. This Code should be more useful if the member States take it seriously and implement its provisions in their own interests.

Details

Rural Marketing as a Tool for National Development
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83608-065-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 July 2024

Julianna Paola Ramirez Lozano, Renato Peñaflor Guerra and M. Victoria Sanagustin-Fons

This study aims to analyze the responsible consumption of Generation Z and millennials in the Latin American market, with special emphasis on the Peruvian case, to identify their…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the responsible consumption of Generation Z and millennials in the Latin American market, with special emphasis on the Peruvian case, to identify their differences with consumers born in 1980 and earlier and to evaluate their contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 12.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted on a sample of 309 persons living in Lima. After developing and validating an instrument, an online questionnaire was used to collect data. These data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, using chi-square tests to validate the relationship between variables.

Findings

The study identifies and explains the new trend of responsible consumption among Generation Z and millennials in emerging markets, where end consumers interact with and prefer products and services from companies that demonstrate responsible behavior and offer trust. It identifies new consumption variables that go beyond the traditional ones.

Research limitations/implications

The study reveals a trend in the responsible consumption of Generation Z and millennials in Peru. However, it is necessary to complement the study in other countries in the region, as well as to study the new generations, such as the alpha generation and their consumption patterns.

Practical implications

The new trend of responsible consumption among Generation Z and millennials is forcing companies to implement strategies and develop corporate social responsibility programs. These companies must demonstrate ethical, environmental, socially responsible and sustainable behaviors in their daily operations to satisfy their stakeholders.

Originality/value

The study reveals a new trend in Peru, a developing country, where the market – the end consumer – is more informed and therefore demands better corporate performance from companies, including care for the environment and a contribution to society that includes a good relationship with its stakeholders.

Objetivo

Analizar el consumo responsable de la Generación Z y Millennials en el mercado latinoamericano, con especial énfasis en el caso peruano, con el fin de identificar sus diferencias con los consumidores nacidos en 1980 y antes y evaluar su contribución al Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) 12.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

El estudio se realizó sobre una muestra de 309 personas residentes en Lima. Después de desarrollar y validar un instrumento, se utilizó un cuestionario en línea para recopilar datos. Estos datos fueron analizados de forma descriptiva e inferencial, utilizando pruebas de chi-cuadrado para validar la relación entre variables.

Resultados

El estudio identifica y explica la nueva tendencia de consumo responsable entre los Millennials y la Generación Z en los mercados emergentes, donde los consumidores finales interactúan y prefieren productos y servicios de empresas que demuestran un comportamiento responsable y ofrecen confianza. Identifica nuevas variables de consumo que van más allá de las tradicionales.

Originalidad/valor

El estudio revela una nueva tendencia en Perú, un país en desarrollo, donde el mercado -el consumidor final- está más informado y por tanto exige a las empresas un mejor desempeño corporativo, incluido el cuidado del medio ambiente y un aporte a la sociedad que incluye una buena relación con sus clientes y partes interesadas.

Limitaciones/implicaciones

El estudio revela una tendencia en el consumo responsable en la Generacion Z y Millennials en el Perú. Sin embargo, es necesario complementar el estudio en otros países de la región, así como estudiar las nuevas generaciones, como la generación alfa, y sus patrones de consumo.

Implicaciones prácticas

La nueva tendencia de consumo responsable entre la Generación Z y Millennials y obligando a las empresas a implementar estrategias y desarrollar programas de responsabilidad social corporativa. Estas empresas deben demostrar comportamientos éticos, ambientales, socialmente responsables y sostenibles en sus operaciones diarias para satisfacer a sus grupos de interés.

Details

Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1012-8255

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 5000