Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze and explore in depth the impact of transfer context factors on forward knowledge transfer from Chinese parent corporations to African affiliates, aiming to enhance the efficacy of Chinese parent corporations’ forward knowledge transfer to African affiliates from a transfer context perspective, and encourage the outstanding advancement of China–Africa collaboration. Design/methodology/approach This study established a forward knowledge transfer model for Chinese parent corporations to African affiliates from a transfer context perspective. Furthermore, a causal loop graph and system stock-flow chart based on the model were drawn using the System Dynamics approach. Subsequently, the constructed SD model was subjected to simulation analyses and sensitivity tests using the Vensim v7.3.5 application. Findings The results of this study indicate that the transfer contexts have a bearing on Chinese parent corporations’ forward knowledge transfer to African affiliates. At the macro level, cultural and institutional distances, and at the micro level, geographical and organizational distances are unfavorable to Chinese parent corporations’ forward knowledge transfer to African affiliates. However, relationship strength and knowledge similarity are advantageous at the micro level. Originality/value First, the knowledge transfer contexts are classified into macro and micro dimensions, and the impacts of these dimensions on the relatively under-researched forward knowledge transfer from Chinese parent corporations to African affiliates are explored. Second, based on the SD approach, a complex, nonlinear and dynamically evolving forward knowledge transfer model is constructed, through which the circular feedback relationships among variables and the time-lag effects of knowledge transfer behaviors are clearly revealed. Third, profound insights into the significance of context factors in knowledge transfer cooperation are provided for Chinese and African enterprise managers, helping them devise strategies to enhance knowledge transfer effectiveness.

Purpose Publicity, defined as the probability of an individual’s actions being observed and widely disseminated, has become increasingly influential in shaping executive decision-making. Based on impression management (IM) theory, this paper aims to examine the impact of chairman publicity on corporate philanthropy, which is a top-tier corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity related to national development priorities. It seeks to address the theoretical motivation that heightened publicity motivates chairmen to engage in philanthropy through either defensive IM or assertive IM motives. It also aims to underscore the strategic role of publicity in CSR, particularly in Chinese firms where chairmen, rather than chief executive officers (CEOs), serves the ultimate decision-makers. Design/methodology/approach This paper introduces a novel variable Publicity, derived from the Baidu Search Volume Index (SVI) associated with the chairman’s name and stock code. Combined with the hand-collected and database data, it empirically examines the influence of Publicity on corporate philanthropy in an emerging market. Findings Results show the significantly positive relationship between Publicity and corporate philanthropy, revealing that high-publicity chairpersons are more inclined to engage in philanthropy for IM. Defensive IM motives are more pronounced in firms with stronger external monitoring, positive Management Discussion and Analysis narratives and longer chairperson tenures. While assertive IM motives are more prominent in firms experiencing lower economic policy uncertainty, longer listing histories and fewer financial constraints. The mechanisms through which Publicity influences corporate philanthropy include diminishing managerial myopia and agency costs internally and enhancing information transparency externally. Originality/value This research enriches the literature on corporate philanthropy determinants by integrating IM theory to demonstrate philanthropy as an IM tactic driven by chairman publicity. It expands SVI empirical research to emerging markets and provides practical implications for enhancing philanthropy in the Third Distribution, supporting CSR and advancing social sustainable development.

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of institutional pressures on green ship recycling practices (GSRP) and investigates the moderating role of resource availability on the relationship between institutional pressures and GSRP. Design/methodology/approach This study collected a total of 257 top- and mid-level management personnel associated with the ship recycling industries as a respondent under the purposive sampling method. The authors used PLS-SEM and artificial neural network (ANN) to evaluate the hypotheses’ relationships. Findings The results found that all the institutional pressures (i.e. mimetic, normative and regulatory pressure) have significant positive impacts on GSRP. Additionally, this study’s results indicate that resource availability moderates the relationship between mimetic pressures and GSRP. Moreover, the findings reveal that normative pressures are the most important factors in predicting GSR behavior, followed by regulatory pressures, mimetic pressures and resource availability. Originality/value This study is innovative as it examines the relationships between institutional pressures and GSRP in the ship recycling industry, using PLS-SEM and ANN techniques. It also advances the knowledge of resource availability and GSRP, contributing to resource-based view theory.

Purpose Supply disruption emerges new features of abrupt change and fast spread. Two methods, adopting traceability technology and adjusting sourcing structure, are proposed to cope with the new disruption. This paper aims to explore the relationships between the two methods and their impact on supply disruption. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a 2 × 2 between-subjects design to form four strategy combinations: single-sourcing and nontraceability strategy, single-sourcing and traceability strategy, double-sourcing and nontraceability strategy and double-sourcing and traceability strategy. Based on the newsboy theory, mathematical models of the four strategy combinations in the presence of supply disruptions are then developed. By analyzing and comparing the ordering policies and total profits elicited from the models, this paper determines the relationship between the sourcing structure and traceability technology and their joint and independent effects on supply disruptions. Findings The findings are as follows: joint effects: the total ordering quantity is not affected by strategy combinations, while the profit is affected by the complex strategy combinations; independent effects: a double-sourcing structure has a positive influence on the profit only when the probability of supplier-specific disruption nonoccurrence is less than the degeneration points, and traceability technology has a positive influence on the profit except at the degeneration points; interactive effects: applying a double-sourcing structure results in performance instability of traceability technology, and adopting traceability technology causes faster function loss of a double-sourcing structure. Notably, the joint effect is greater than the independent effects but smaller than their sum due to the negative influence of the two strategies on each other. Originality/value Finally, based on these findings, the authors suggest the most suitable strategies for different industries.

Purpose This paper aims to explore how inter-regional online social interactions via internet platforms influence firms’ choices of nonlocal auditors and to identify the underlying mechanisms. In addition, the second purpose is to examine the economic consequences of online social interactions on audit quality. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a sample of firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges during the period 2008–2016. Findings The results suggest that firms are more likely to select auditors from provinces with which they maintain stronger online social connections. Mechanism analysis indicates that these interactions primarily facilitate nonlocal auditor selection by reducing information search and processing costs. Additionally, the study reveals a stronger positive correlation when firms and auditors have higher social trust or when they are closer in location or language. Finally, we show the governance effect of inter-regional online social interactions on audit quality. Originality/value The study highlights the impact of inter-regional online social interactions on firms’ choice of nonlocal auditors, contributing to the existing literature in several ways. First, the study enhances our understanding of how online social interactions influence auditor selection by demonstrating their impact on corporate audit service engagement, an area known for its complex industry expertise. Second, it expands research on auditor choice by examining the firms’ nonlocal auditor choice from the perspective of inter-regional online social interactions. Finally, our results provide evidence for understanding how online social interactions can alleviate the information costs associated with geographical distance and shape corporate choices.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive approach for green supplier selection that integrates traditional and green criteria, facilitating the creation of an optimal procurement policy aligned with sustainable development goals. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a multi-objective model for green supplier selection, incorporating the Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for supplier ranking. Eight objective functions and seven constraints are considered in the formulation of the model. In addition, a genetic algorithm (GA), a metaheuristic approach, is applied to enhance the efficiency of the supplier selection process. Findings The outcomes of the study provide valuable insights for managers, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding supplier selection. The model facilitates the identification of suppliers that not only meet traditional criteria but also align with green considerations, thereby optimizing the overall supply chain efficiency. Research limitations/implications Despite its strengths, this study has several limitations. The model’s effectiveness may vary depending on the specific context and industry dynamics. In addition, the availability and accuracy of data could influence the outcomes of the supplier selection process. Practical implications The findings of this study have significant practical implications for businesses aiming to adopt sustainable practices in their supply chain operations. By implementing the proposed model, managers can streamline their supplier selection process and ensure that their procurement policies are in line with both traditional and green criteria. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a comprehensive approach to green supplier selection that integrates traditional and green criteria. The incorporation of TOPSIS and GAs enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the supplier selection process, providing a novel framework for sustainable procurement practices.

Purpose Owned social media (OSM) has emerged as a popular marketing strategy for companies in recent years. However, it remains unclear how sales are influenced by various OSM cues. To address this research void, this paper aims to explore the matching effect of OSM user engagement and OSM post content on sales, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on peer influence effects and information processing literature, the authors propose that OSM user engagement and OSM post content combine to produce a matching effect on sales. Design/methodology/approach Using secondary data (including actual sales statistics in Study 1) and experimental data (including investigation of the mediation effect in Study 2), this research confirms the existence of a matching effect between OSM user engagement and post content and identifies the underlying mediating mechanism. Findings Specifically, functional content match with high-processing user engagement while hedonic content match with low-processing user engagement. When OSM user engagement and post content are match, they have a positive effect on sales, with processing fluency functioning as a mediator. Originality/value This research categorizes OSM user engagement based on the level of user resource investment, reconciling conflicting research from the existing literature, and providing a coherent theoretical framework for social media marketing. The authors also explore the matching effect using the cognitive consistency theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), deepening the understanding of integrated marketing communications, and extend the information processing theory to social media, enriching theoretical research.

Purpose Although the effects of calling have received considerable attention in management research, few studies have delved into its antecedents and mechanisms, resulting in research that lacks a dynamic perspective. Hence, by leveraging the social cognitive theory, this study aims to explore the influence of servant leadership on employees’ calling through a dynamic lens. Design/methodology/approach An experience sampling study was conducted among 111 employees over 15 consecutive workdays in China. Hypotheses were examined using multilevel moderated mediation models. Findings Results indicated that there was significant variation in employees’ daily calling within individuals. Daily servant leadership positively influenced employees’ daily calling. Daily role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE) mediated this process, while person–environment fit played a moderating role. Practical implications Organizations and managers are advised to adopt a servant leadership approach to bolster employees’ calling. Furthermore, they should implement effective strategies to reinforce employees’ RBSE, while striving to achieve a better fit between employees and the organization. Originality/value This paper provides an initial exploration of the antecedents of calling and its mechanisms from a dynamic perspective.