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Effectuation has received increased attention in the field of entrepreneurship. However, previous studies have focused on performance rather than on networking and word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the mediating effect of networking on the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing.

This study used partial least squares structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing mediated through networking. The research model was assessed using data from a sample of 256 entrepreneurs.

The results reveal that effectuation positively influences WOM marketing, mediated by networking. This study provides new insights into the precursors of WOM marketing and highlights the importance of networking in this process.

The implications of these findings suggest that entrepreneurs should create networking plans that focus on the maintenance and creation of new customers. This plan could be tracked via email, cell phone or online social data to maintain awareness of the failures and successes of the process and for continual improvement.

A vast number of studies have been conducted on effectuation and networking. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has investigated the influence of these two variables on WOM marketing. Entrepreneurs face long-term sales challenges, and this study proposes that networking could be a solution, thereby increasing WOM marketing sales.

The purpose of this paper is to design and validate a reliable and comprehensive instrument to assess the influence of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on sustainable performance in hospitals.

A systematic and mixed-method approach was used to create and validate an instrument for assessing the level of implementation of hospital SSCM practices and the perceived extent of environmental, social and economic performance. This includes the development of preliminary items and the evaluation of content and construct validity. Data from Colombian hospitals was collected. Structural equation modeling was used to test the structural model.

During the content validity phase, an initial version of the questionnaire consisting of 88 items was generated. This version was qualitatively and quantitatively reviewed and assessed by six academicians and two hospital practitioners, based on criteria of sufficiency, clarity, relevance and coherence. The computation of both individual and scale content validity indices, along with the qualitative feedback, led to the refinement of the questionnaire. The subsequent phase of construct validity involved the implementation of a pilot test with 55 responses gathered from Colombian hospitals. By considering the metrics of convergent validity and discriminant validity derived from the analysis of structural equation modeling, the final instrument was composed of 59 items. The results reveal that hospital SSCM practices can be conceptualized and measured through two dimensions: environmental and social. The former includes the underlying constructs of internal environmental management, green purchasing and green operations. The latter encompasses the constructs of working conditions and employee well-being, equity management, social purchasing and community development and participation. Sustainable performance is defined by its environmental, social and economic dimensions.

This study is intended to provide useful insights for hospitals, researchers and policymakers to measure and develop strategies to enhance the implementation of SSCM practices, thereby improving sustainable performance. As a matter of fact, the instrument has already been applied in a recent empirical study conducted in Colombia, aimed at addressing the influence of SSCM practices on sustainable performance in hospitals.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to develop and empirically test an instrument for measuring the influence of SSCM on sustainable performance, both in the hospital setting and in an emerging country.