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Drawing on institutional theory, this study investigates the role of individual cultural values on the adoption of socially sustainable supply chain management (socially SSCM) for Chinese suppliers facing the normative institutional pressures of guanxi (interpersonal relationships).

Using empirical data collected in three waves from 205 Chinese manufacturers supplying international markets, the proposed theoretical model is tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The results indicate that guanxi has a positive impact on socially SSCM, and this positive effect is strengthened when the individual cultural values of the supplier's representative embody high collectivism and low uncertainty avoidance.

This study highlights the leading role of guanxi in improving socially SSCM practices due to its normative institutional force. In addition, the findings suggest that future studies should consider individual differences in supply chain partners, which may lead to distinct reactions when facing normative institutional pressures.

This study suggests international buyers should adopt guanxi management with their Chinese suppliers to encourage them to adopt socially SSCM. In addition, managers should note that the guanxi strategy is more effective when the supplier's representative collectivism is high and uncertainty avoidance is low.

This study contributes to socially SSCM research in emerging economies by unveiling the role of guanxi as a key driver of socially SSCM in the Chinese market and providing empirical evidence of the moderating effect of individual culture on the guanxi normative institutionalization process.

The study aims to synthesize existing knowledge and proposes a research framework for building a resilient supply chain (SC) through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It also identifies existing literature gaps and paves the way for a future research agenda.

A systematic literature review has been carried out to identify the peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Then, the selected articles published between 2012 and 2023 are analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis methods to unearth research gaps and offer new research directions.

Descriptive and thematic analysis reveals the overall development of literature on the role of AI for supply chain resilience (SCR). Based on the findings of the thematic analysis, the motivation, application, capability and outcome (MACO) framework has been developed and propositions have been proposed. Several future research directions have also been suggested in terms of theory, context and methodology (TCM).

The study provides a fresh perspective on the integration of AI technology within the realm of SCR. The developed MACO framework serves as a practical tool for supply chain management (SCM) professionals, offering a nuanced understanding of AI's applications across various functional areas to streamline operations, minimize waste and optimize resource utilization, thereby helping them in strategic planning.

This study contributes to the literature on the role of AI for building SCR by uncovering gaps, offering research directions and developing propositions for future research directions.

HR analytics is a process for systematic computational analysis of data or statistics. It discovers, interprets and communicates significant patterns in data to enable evidence-based HR research and uses analytical insights to help organizations achieve their strategic objectives. However, its adoption and utilization among HR professionals remain a subject of concern. This study aims to determine the reasons that facilitate or inhibit the acceptance of HR analytics among HR professionals in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

A sample of 387 HR professionals in BFSI firms across India was collected through non-probabilistic purposive sampling. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the association between predetermined variables. In addition, the predictive relevance of “Data Availability” was analyzed using hierarchical regression.

The results revealed that data availability, hedonic motivation and performance expectancy positively influenced behavioral intention (BI). In contrast, effort expectancy, social influence and habit had an insignificant effect on BI. Also, facilitating conditions (FCs), habit, BI achieved a variance of 60% in HR analytics use. The use behavior of HR analytics was significantly influenced by FCs and BIs.

This study focuses on insights into the elements that influence HR analytics adoption, revealing additional light on success drivers and grey areas for failed adoption.

This research adds to the body of knowledge by identifying factors that hinder the adoption of HR analytics in Indian organizations and signifies the relevance of easy accessibility and availability of data for technology adoption.

The advent of robotics and automation technologies was augmenting firm initiatives to attain competitive advantage. From a resource-based view perspective, human-led capabilities were important to operate with technology resource base of an organisation. This was evident for both manufacturing as well as services firms. However, employees as an individual confronted technology anxiety (TA) when they were working with new technologies like robotics and automation technologies. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to examine the factors causing TA.

Given the novelty of this research study context a qualitative exploratory method was designed. For this research study, the data collected was through in-depth interviews conducted through open-ended semi-structured questionnaire. The data was collected from 62 frontline employees who were working with robotics and automation-based technologies in manufacturing firms. The authors applied thematic content analysis on collected data for analysis.

Technology anxieties ranged from fear of complete inability to learn new technologies, failure to learn new technologies properly, incapability to implement the learned skills and job loss to younger technology savvy employees. Finally, there was anxiety over job loss as automation and robotic technologies over the years was expected to erode the employment of human workforce altogether.

The author undertook the research study based upon the TA perspective advocated by Meuter et al. (2003) and Yang and Forney (2013). Furthermore, this research study in the context of robotics and automation-based technologies in the manufacturing sector applied the mental accounting theory (Thaler, 1999) and technology self-efficacy perspective (Huffman et al., 2013).

Managers involved in the implementation of robotics and automation-based technologies were required to address TA of employees. Fear of job loss had to be addressed specially in a country like India. Anxiety regarding the ability to learn to work with robotics and automation technologies also was needed to be addressed by managers through adequate training and time for preparation. The benefits of robotics and automation-based technologies for employees as well as organisations have to be ascertained through open communication between the management and the frontline employees.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was one of the first empirical research studies which deliberated regarding TA in the context of frontline workers working with robotics and automation-based technologies in the manufacturing sector. This research study was based upon a combination of varied perspectives ranging from micro foundations theory, TA, mental accounting theory and technology self-efficacy perspective.

Purpose: Since its inception in 1987, the literature on the VUCA that represents the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous nature of the business environment has progressively increased. This study systematically evaluates the vast literature on the VUCA world. Since review-based studies have been criticised as biased, this study uniquely amalgamates bibliometric analysis with content analysis, thereby taking a research triangulation discourse.

Need of the Study: This study was conducted to consolidate the literature about the VUCA environment and uncover the foundational and emerging themes for future research agendas.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study conducts a performance analysis and science mapping of 193 carefully selected articles (using PRISMA) published in various sources during 2012–2023. Articles for the study were procured from the SCOPUS database. While performance analysis focused on analysing publication and citation evolution, thematic evolution, leading publications, country publication analysis, and most relevant authors and sources. On the other hand, science mapping revealed conceptual structures (keyword plus co-occurrence analysis and thematic maps) and intellectual structures (co-authorship analysis). VOSviewer and Biblioshiny (R-tool for comprehensive science mapping) were used for this study’s choice of application.

Findings: This chapter concludes with future research agendas using content analysis of the ‘scope for the future research’ section of selected publications and bibliographic coupling (to unearth emerging themes).

Practical Implications: The work presented in this chapter will help the researchers gain a structured conceptual, intellectual, and social understanding of the vast literature on the VUCA environment.

This study presents evidence of the role of performance measurement and management (PMM) in sustainable supply chain governance. This study tests a model hypothesizing whether it is the PMM itself or the mediating effect of supply chain governance that is essential for both business and sustainability performance.

This study builds on a survey of 274 SMEs in Finland.

The findings indicate that PMM does not directly contribute to SMEs’ business or sustainability performance. Supply chain governance mediates the relationship between PMM and business performance. Business performance also enhances sustainability.

These findings can guide managers in managing company relationships with customers and suppliers. The mediating role of supply chain governance highlights the potential of PMM to enhance performance. Without supply chain governance, the PMM, while efficient in traditional business practices, may lose its effectiveness because of the pressure to advance sustainability values within firm operations.

The role of PMM in enhancing supply chain sustainability is frequently overlooked in the existing research, necessitating an empirical evaluation of PMM’s impact on supply chain sustainability. This study addresses this gap by focusing on the SME context, where the pressure to adopt sustainable practices is increasing, yet SMEs employ PMM less frequently than larger firms.

In view of the promising growth of FinTech in the Arab region, specifically in Egypt, this study identifies the significant factors likely to influence consumers’ acceptance intention toward e-payment products and services (mobile wallets, virtual-cards, mobile/online banking etc.).

Quantitative deductive research was used to investigate the extension of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) on consumers' e-payment acceptance intentions. Questionnaires were electronically administered through convenience sampling. Three hundred and ninety-nine questionnaires were analyzed through multiple regression to test the proposed hypotheses.

Performance expectance, facilitating condition, effort expectancy and social influence impact consumers' e-payment acceptance intentions. These factors contribute to the growing number of individuals using e-payments to the extent that e-payment eventually becomes a preferred medium for economic transactions. Hedonic motivation, price value and habit are insignificant in encouraging consumers' e-payment acceptance.

The study benefits to governments, policymakers, banking institutions, businesses involved in online transactions and software developers. They can utilize the findings to develop strategies aimed at increasing e-payment usage and overcoming cultural-resistance to changing traditional financial transaction methods. These methods align with the government’s goal of achieving a digital society.

This study presents information on the current state of e-payment acceptance. Its potential contribution lies in identifying the factors that influence the intention to e-payment among Arab consumers, thereby highlighting important considerations for the adoption of e-payment. Furthermore, this study supports UTAUT over UTAUT2 in the FinTech context. It suggests that individuals exhibit similar behavior and inspiration when using e-payment technology as they do when using technology in an organizational context.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ viewpoint regarding continuation of using online learning in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world. While during the pandemic years predominantly all formal learning was forced to move online, in the postpandemic environment traditional postsecondary education institutions generally resumed in-person (or face-to-face) learning. Nonetheless, it is possible that some students would like to continue using online learning after using such a system during COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, it is important for postsecondary institutions to understand students’ views on continuing with online learning so that these institutions can better adapt their offerings to learners’ preferences.

This study uses a cross-sectional online survey-based approach grounded on an innovative theoretical framework blending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 into the expectation-confirmation model of information systems continuance. Data were collected from 247 students in Canada in Fall 2022 and were analyzed with partial least squares structural equation modeling techniques.

Perceptions of usefulness and of monetary benefits relative to costs together with developing positive habits regarding online learning are the most significant beliefs motivating students to want to continue with online learning. Furthermore, positive disconfirmation of initial expectations and satisfaction relying on previous use together with a favorable attitude with respect to online learning strongly influence the intention to continue with online education.

The study opens the door for similar research in other cultural contexts (e.g. with a different individualistic-collectivistic pattern) and for other domains that moved totally online during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. primary health care) to maximize people satisfaction while minimizing societal costs.

This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) on social inclusion within upstream supply chains, targeting a notable literature gap in modern SCM discourse. By delving into this critical, yet underexamined, domain, this study spotlights the pressing need to incorporate social inclusion practices, particularly as global supply chains face increased scrutiny over their social ramifications. It examines social inclusion’s intricacies, offering practical insights for industry professionals to adopt, so that trustworthy social inclusion practices can proliferate across their upstream supply chains, thereby making a substantial contribution to both theoretical understanding and practical application.

Employing five search queries across two leading academic databases, this investigation reviewed 86 articles that examined social issues related to social inclusion in the upstream supply chain. Via content analysis, this study aims to answer essential research questions and employs statistical bibliometric analyses to investigate the collected data further.

This study’s findings establish a definition of social inclusion within the upstream supply chain and present a conceptual framework delineating levers and indicators for evaluating such practices. Through rigorous analysis, it becomes apparent that mechanisms such as supplier compliance, collaboration and development are crucial for promoting social inclusion; however, their importance differs at various levels of suppliers in multi-tiered supply chains. Furthermore, a methodological matrix is introduced for assessing social inclusion practices’ efficacy, equipping practitioners with a roadmap for developing and executing strategies that extend social inclusion efforts throughout the supply chain, as well as emphasising these levers through monitoring, assessment and application of six specified indicators.

This study contributes to the dialogue surrounding upstream supply chain management by spotlighting social inclusion practices, addressing the literature gap in comprehending how social inclusion dynamics operate within upstream supply chains and outlining a distinct direction for forthcoming research. By highlighting the pressing importance of enhancing social inclusion practices, this study not only enriches the theoretical landscape but also lays the groundwork for subsequent empirical studies aimed at deciphering the complexities and practical hurdles associated with the efficient execution of these practices.

This article aims to extend the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to understand the factors affecting the usage behavior of Blockchain from accountants' and auditors’ perspectives and its impact on their performance.

A quantitative research approach employing a web-based questionnaire was applied, and the empirical data were gathered from 329 potential and current users of Blockchain in the accounting and auditing profession in Jordan. The analytical model was based on structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 25.0.

The experimental findings of the structural path confirmed that performance expectancy (PE), social influence (SI), Blockchain transparency (BT) and Blockchain efficiency (BE) were significantly affecting individuals’ behavioral intention (BI) toward the use of Blockchain-based systems and helped to explain (0.67) of its variance. Also, BE has a positive significant impact on PE. Whereas, in contrast to what is anticipated, the influence of effort expectancy (EE) on BI was not supported. Additionally, users’ intentions were found to affect the actual usage (AU) behavior and helped to explain (0.69) of its variance. The outcome variables proposed in this study: knowledge acquisition (KACQ) and user satisfaction (USAT) were significantly influenced by the AU of Blockchain technology.

This study outlines practical implications for government, policymakers, business leaders and Blockchain service providers aiming to exploit the advantages of Blockchain technology (BCT) in the accounting and auditing context.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article is one of the few studies that offer an evidence-based perspective to the discussions on the effect of disruptive and automated information and communication technologies (ICTs), on the accounting and auditing profession. It applies an innovative approach to analysis through the integration of UTAUT, contextual factors: BT and BE, besides two outcome factors: KACQ and USAT within its theoretical model. This study extends and complements the academic literature on information technology/information systems acceptance and use by providing novel insights into accountants' and auditors’ views.