Bridging innovation and sustainability: The impact of entrepreneurial practices on ESG outcomes

Purpose This study aims to examine how family control is associated with environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in Chinese listed family firms (FFs) and whether institutional ownership moderates these associations. By disaggregating ESG, it clarifies where family-control logics align with, or diverge from, market-oriented ownership pressures in an emerging-market context. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on socioemotional wealth and institutional perspectives, the authors analyse panel data from 1,561 Chinese-listed FFs over 2009–2019. They estimate two-stage least squares (2SLS) models with firm and year fixed effects, using general manager family affiliation as a context-specific instrumental variable. Findings Family control is positively associated with environmental and governance performance, but not significantly associated with social performance. Institutional ownership weakens the positive associations between family control and environmental and governance outcomes, consistent with tensions between family-oriented long-term priorities and shorter-horizon market pressures. Results remain broadly consistent in the manufacturing subsample. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on listed Chinese FFs before COVID-19; future research could examine privately held firms and post-2019 ESG regulation. Practical implications The results suggest that family owners and institutional investors should use dimension-specific ESG governance rather than treating ESG as a uniform construct. Social implications Clearer social-performance standards may help reduce symbolic compliance and strengthen substantive ESG engagement in emerging economies. Originality/value The study demonstrates heterogeneous family-control associations across ESG dimensions and shows when institutional investors dampen family-driven environmental and governance engagement. It contributes by integrating socioemotional wealth and institutional perspectives and by using a context-grounded instrumental variable to address endogeneity concerns.

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of audit committee (AC) independence, board gender diversity and chief executive officer (CEO) duality on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of Australian listed firms over the period 2017–2023. Design/methodology/approach To examine the association between corporate governance characteristics and ESG performance, this study draws on stakeholder–agency theory and resource dependence theory. Empirically, the authors use fixed effects regression, controlling for both firm and year effects, to estimate the relationship between governance variables and ESG performance. To ensure the robustness of the results, the authors conduct additional analyses using two-stage least squares, generalised least squares and entropy balancing. These approaches address potential endogeneity, heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation concerns, thereby strengthening the reliability of the findings. Findings The results indicate that AC independence and board gender diversity are positively and significantly associated with ESG performance. In contrast, CEO duality is negatively associated with ESG performance. Furthermore, the moderation analysis reveals that audit tenure weakens the positive relationship between board gender diversity and ESG performance. Specifically, the interaction between gender diversity and longer audit tenure is negative and significant, suggesting that extended auditor–client relationships may reduce the effectiveness of gender-diverse boards in promoting ESG outcomes. Originality/value This study addresses a gap in the ESG literature by examining the role of AC independence, board gender diversity and CEO duality in influencing ESG performance among Australian listed firms. In addition, it investigates the moderating effect of audit tenure on the relationship between board gender diversity and ESG performance. From a theoretical perspective, the findings support the applicability of stakeholder–agency theory and resource dependence theory in explaining the governance–ESG relationship, gender diversity, AC, CEO duality, ESG, resource dependency theory and stakeholder–agency theory.

The research investigates which essential organizational abilities lead to better governance results in non-profit organizations. The research examines four essential elements which include digital governance capability and strategic agility and social capital and organizational learning capacity to determine their effects on non-profit governance performance. The research employed quantitative methods to obtain data from 354 non-profit organization staff members based in Saudi Arabia. Data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling with SmartPLS. The research demonstrates that all four factors directly impact governance effectiveness because non-profit organizations need to unite technological readiness with strategic flexibility and collaborative networks and continuous learning processes. The research demonstrates that organizations can achieve optimal governance through the implementation of digital tools and agile strategies and trust-based relationships and ongoing learning processes. The research develops an extensive model which demonstrates how different organizational capabilities affect governance results in non-profit organizations. The research delivers useful guidance to leaders and policymakers who want to improve their governance systems and organizational achievements.

Purpose This study investigates whether foreign directors from positive peace cultures enhance a firm’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, we argue that such directors facilitate the diffusion of ethical values and sustainable governance practices in boardrooms. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 26,744 firm-year observations of Chinese firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2009 to 2024, we construct a novel board-level Positive Peace Index (PPI) based on the PPI scores of foreign directors’ countries of origin obtained from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). We then estimate a lead-lag OLS model, regressing ESG performance, measured using the Huazheng ESG composite score, on PPI alongside relevant control variables. Findings Firms with foreign directors from stronger positive peace cultures (i.e. a higher average of positive peace level on the board) demonstrate superior ESG performance, particularly in product quality, corporate governance, and environmental protection. The positive effect of PPI is more pronounced in firms with less government intervention, lower CEO power, and more frequent board meetings, reflecting conditions that foster open dialog and social learning. Importantly, PPI provides explanatory power beyond Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and generic board diversity measures. Originality/value This study introduces positive peace culture as a novel, values-based lens for examining the cultural influence of foreign directors on ESG, addressing prior mixed findings in the literature. By moving beyond Hofstede’s framework, we respond to calls for more nuanced, context-sensitive cultural metrics (Chanchani and MacGregor, 1999; Doupnik and Tsakumis, 2004). Our findings carry practical implications for firms, investors, and policymakers in emerging markets, advocating for thoughtful board composition strategies that prioritize cultural values such as positive peace that are aligned with ethical and sustainable business practices.

One of the major barriers to the national government achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is civil servants’ lack of awareness of the SDGs’ importance and of a clear understanding of how to link between their organizational goals and the SDGs. In this article, we examine to what extent civil servants are aware of SDGs-implementation performance by illuminating the role of their public service motivation (PSM) and organizational commitment. We hypothesize that civil servants with higher PSM and organizational commitment will be better aware of SDGs implementation performance, showing a smaller gap between the actual performance in accomplishing the SDGs and their perception of it. Leveraging the original data from surveys with 2,161 civil servants in South Korea combined with the performance data from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), our analysis strongly supports our predictions. An increase from the observed median to maximum values of PSM and organizational commitment, respectively, leads to 1.43- and 1.5-times greater awareness of SDGs-implementation performance among civil servants. Our findings have important implications: strengthening PSM and organizational commitment can play a central role in increasing civil servants’ awareness of SDGs-implementation performance and ultimately facilitating the achievement of the SDGs.

Purpose The factors that influence corporate sustainability have been the subject of several academic studies over the past few years. However, although previous research has shown that arts affect the sustainability of various fields, studies of the effect of arts-related activities on corporate sustainability remain limited. This study aims to fill the gaps in existing research and derive insights by examining the effect of arts sponsorship on corporate sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the Social Gap Report issued by the Korea National Council on social welfare, environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores provided by the Korea Corporate Governance Service, and financial data from the Korea Listed Companies Association to verify the effect of arts sponsorship on ESG ratings in South Korea. In addition, the authors analyze how the manufacturing industry moderates the correlation between arts sponsorship and ESG scores. Findings After controlling for firm financial variables and industry characteristics, the authors found that corporate arts sponsorship affects ESG performance, impacting social performance to a greater extent than environmental or governance performance. Also, this analysis confirmed that industry type is an important variable to consider when executing corporate social contribution activities. Research limitations/implications The results of this study provide a basis for companies to view arts sponsorship as a strategic activity that improves future sustainability. The findings will thus enable companies to approach arts sponsorship from a more advanced perspective, rather than simply sponsoring arts as a social contribution. Originality/value The authors examined the relationship between arts sponsorship and corporate sustainability, focusing on ESG performance – an indicator that comprehensively evaluates corporate sustainability. Therefore, this findings support and expand upon the results of previous studies that also showed a positive relationship between participation in the arts and corporate sustainability.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in economic growth, employment generation, innovation, and sustainable development. In the context of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), international cooperation, and increasing stakeholder expectations regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, sustainable business strategies have become an important research topic. This study aims to systematically review the existing literature on sustainable business strategies among SMEs, with particular attention to the context of Hanoi, Vietnam. Drawing upon key theoretical foundations, including stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, triple bottom line theory, and sustainable development theory, the study synthesizes prior research related to sustainability-oriented strategic management, digital transformation, ESG integration, green innovation, and SME competitiveness. Using a systematic literature review approach, the study analyzes and evaluates relevant academic publications from major databases to identify key research themes, theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and emerging trends. The findings indicate that sustainable business strategies are increasingly recognized as a source of long-term competitive advantage, organizational resilience, and stakeholder trust. Digital technologies, AI applications, ESG practices, and international partnerships are found to be important enablers of sustainable value creation. However, the existing literature remains fragmented, particularly regarding the integration of sustainability, digitalization, and strategic management in SMEs operating in emerging economies. The study contributes to the literature by identifying research gaps and proposing future research directions to support sustainable business development among SMEs in Hanoi and similar contexts.

ABSTRACT Climate risk represents a systemic threat to global economic stability, forcing firms to fundamentally adapt. Drawing on risk-management and resource dependence theories, this study investigates how climate risk exposure (CRE) reshapes corporate green transformation (GT) using a panel of Chinese A-share non-financial firms (2016–2024). Our results indicate that elevated CRE acts as a disciplining force, significantly accelerating corporate GT. Mechanism analyses reveal that firms respond to this exposure strategically by advancing green technological innovation and improving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Furthermore, this positive effect is amplified under specific boundary conditions: robust internal digital capabilities, accessible supply chain finance, and active monitoring by institutional investors. Heterogeneity analyses demonstrate that this proactive transition is more pronounced among state-owned enterprises, large corporations, and firms in regions with high public environmental awareness. By quantifying this behavioural response, this study suggests that external climate pressure catalyzes internal sustainable power, providing micro-level evidence for differentiated policy interventions. 1 1 Abbreviations: green transformation (GT); climate risk exposure (CRE); World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD); Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS); Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG); China Research Data Services Platform (CNRDS); China Stock Market & Accounting Research (CSMAR); Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A); propensity score matching (PSM); two-stage least squares (2SLS); two-stage instrumental variables generalized method of moments (2SIV-GMM); difference-in-differences (DID); state-owned enterprises (SOEs); small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Effective resource management gives rise to efficiencies that can significantly enhance the stability and overall success of an organisation’s operations. Inefficiencies bring shortcomings which may adversely affect all levels of the enterprise, including interdepartmental collaboration and executive-level strategic planning. The adoption of a comprehensive resource management solution enables organisations to effectively assess risks, allocate human capital, and plan operations with precision. As a fundamental component of a well-structured workplace, resource management ensures the optimal utilisation of skill sets, the availability of essential equipment, and the seamless execution of projects. Turkana County, as an entity, is marred with several incomplete projects, some of which were intended to provide essentials such as water, health, and education. The present study was undertaken to investigate the extent to which organisational financial resource management influenced the performance of county governments. Specifically, the study aimed to: Assess the influence of financial resource planning on the performance of county government departments in Turkana County; Examine the effect of budgeting on the performance of county government departments in Turkana County. The research was anchored on two theoretical frameworks: The Resource-Based Theory and the Theory of Performance. This study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs with a quantitative research approach. The Target population was 120 county government officers. Using the stratified sampling technique first, followed by simple random sampling, a sample size of 93 was used. A structured questionnaire served as the primary data collection instrument. Before the main study, a pilot test was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the research tools. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found a significant (R = 83%, R² = 68.9) influence of financial management on the performance of county governments, with an inverse proportionality between financial resource planning and performance. In contrast, budgeting had a positive influence on performance. The study concluded that financial resource management influenced the performance of county governments. The study recommends that the county government fast-track procurement and tendering processes and also align financial planning with project implementation priorities.

University sports governance is a complex system constrained by multiple competing objectives, including resource allocation, participation equity, operational efficiency, and sustainable development. Traditional evaluation paradigms, which rely heavily on linear assumptions and weighted aggregation, are fundamentally inadequate for capturing the structural heterogeneity and nonlinear dynamics inherent in these organizations. To address this limitation, this study proposes a data-driven computational framework for heterogeneity assessment and performance mapping. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we generated 348 synthetic institutional samples and applied K-means and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) to assess whether the proposed pipeline can recover four pre-specified governance archetypes: resource-oriented, equity-prioritized, efficiency-driven, and balanced. Simulation results confirm the framework's technical identifiability and internal consistency under controlled conditions. Importantly, the configurations, performance patterns, and governance insights reported here reflect properties of the simulation design rather than empirically validated regularities in real university sports governance systems. Future research should apply this framework to actual institutional data to evaluate its external validity and practical relevance.

ABSTRACT Why do formally similar multi‐level governance arrangements produce different governance outcomes in urban climate and transport policy? This article examines variation in governance performance across three metropolitan regions in Norway operating under the national Urban Growth Agreement (UGA) framework and pursuing the shared objective of zero growth in private car traffic. Drawing on participatory observation of steering group meetings, three rounds of elite interviews, and document analysis, the study analyzes how polycentric governance operates in practice. Building on the Institutional Analysis and Development framework and Carlisle and Gruby's concept of enabling conditions, it argues that variation in governance performance is explained less by whether enabling conditions are present than by how they are configured across decision arenas. The findings identify three governance configurations: one characterized by structured bargaining and distributive tensions, one by stable coordination supported by technical expertise and consensus‐oriented procedures, and one by consensus‐constrained adaptation shaped by territorial balancing. The findings show that institutional configurations of enabling conditions shape adaptive capacity, institutional fit, and redundancy in polycentric urban climate governance systems.

This study investigated the predictive potential of Social Studies achievement for students’ future performances in selected Social Science subjects in Nsukka Education Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. In Nigeria, Social Studies is taught as a broad, integrated subject at the junior secondary level. It combines content from civics, geography, Economics, and religion into one subject. At the senior secondary level, students move into separate social science subjects such as Economics, Geography, Government, and Religion, each with its own specialized content and assessment. Using an ex-post facto design, the study analyzed archival data from BECE (2018–2022) and WASSCE (2021–2025) examinations. Descriptive statistics determined performance patterns, while simple linear regression tested predictive power. Results revealed an upward trend in Social Studies performance over the years. However, Social Studies achievement did not significantly predict performance in Economics, Geography, or Government, showing very weak correlations. Only Religion showed a significant positive relationship. Findings suggest curricular misalignment between junior and senior secondary levels. The study recommends that NERDC strengthen vertical curriculum alignment, integrate higher-order thinking skills, and promote cognitive continuity across educational levels.

Peer firm’s ESG pressure, executives’ green perception and sustainable development- An empirical study from Chinese listed companies

Government social media enhances transparency by sharing operational information about government activities and processes; yet, little is known about how the public responds to the disclosure of such operational information. Drawing on the literature on operational transparency, this paper examines whether operational transparency can help fulfill the primary goals of government social media use: representation, engagement, and collaboration. We conducted two survey experiments with broadly representative U.S. online samples. Results from Study 1 ( n = 1003) and Study 2 ( n = 1594) suggest that operational transparency can achieve a better understanding of how the government works. Furthermore, operational transparency fosters favorable perceptions of government performance in time-sensitive operations. However, operational transparency demonstrates limited influence on boosting engagement and collaboration intentions. Implications for transparency and social media communication research and practices are discussed. • Operational transparency serves functions beyond mere information provision. • Citizens better understand government activities when exposed to operational transparency. • Operational transparency fosters more favorable performance perceptions in time-sensitive areas. • Engagement and collaboration do not necessarily increase with operational transparency.

This study examines how intergovernmental transfer and capital expenditure influence local government performance, with total assets as a moderating variable. Government performance is measured using the Gender Development Index (GDI), reflecting inclusive and equitable development outcomes. Panel data from 27 regencies/municipalities in West Java Province over 2020–2024 (135 observations) were analyzed using Fixed Effect Model regression. Findings reveal that transfer revenue positively and significantly affects government performance, while capital expenditure and total assets show no direct significant effect. Total assets significantly weaken the transfer revenue–performance relationship, though no moderation is found for capital expenditure. Grounded in agency theory, these findings stress the importance of transparent and accountable governance in advancing inclusive local development.

This study examines young people’s perceptions of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) and its impact on public trust in the government. The MBG program is one of the Indonesian government’s strategic policies aimed at improving nutritional quality, particularly for students, while supporting social welfare and human resource development toward Indonesia Emas 2045. In the digital era, social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion, especially among Generation Z, who actively consume and disseminate information through online platforms. This research employed a qualitative descriptive approach with in-depth interviews, social media observations, and documentation studies as data collection techniques. The participants consisted of young people aged 18–25 years in Bandar Lampung selected through purposive sampling. The findings indicate that most informants perceive the MBG program positively because it is considered relevant to community needs, particularly in improving children’s nutrition and supporting economically vulnerable groups. However, public trust in the government remains conditional due to concerns regarding transparency, uneven distribution, food quality, and program supervision. The study also reveals that young people distinguish between support for the program itself and trust in the government as an institution. Positive perceptions of the program can increase political trust, but implementation weaknesses may reduce confidence in government performance. Therefore, transparency, consistency, and effective public communication are essential factors in strengthening public trust and ensuring the sustainability of the MBG program.

ABSTRACT This study investigates how board‐level strategic governance shapes environmental, social, and governance performance (ESGP), emphasizing the mediating role of responsible innovation and the moderating role of environmental governance. Drawing on panel data from 673 environmentally sensitive manufacturing firms in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) between 2013 and 2023, the analysis applies the two‐step generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator to address endogeneity concerns and the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) to capture heterogeneous effects across the ESG distribution. Mediation is examined using the Baron and Kenny approach, while moderation is assessed through interaction models. The results show that gender‐diverse boards, board expertise, and sustainability committees significantly enhance ESGP, with the effects most pronounced among GCC firms and at the upper quantiles of ESG performance. In contrast, board interlocks and concentrated ownership negatively affect ESGP, reflecting the risks of overboarding and entrenchment. Responsible innovation is found to mediate the governance relationship by translating board structures into sustainability‐oriented practices, while environmental governance not only directly improves ESG outcomes but also amplifies the positive impact of governance mechanisms in both contexts. Sobel and bootstrap tests further validate the robustness of the mediation effect of responsible innovation, underscoring its role as a key channel linking board governance to ESG performance. The study advances the literature on ESG performance, corporate governance, and sustainability strategy by showing how governance mechanisms, responsible innovation, and environmental governance jointly drive firm‐level sustainability outcomes.

ABSTRACT Prior studies have investigated the impact of customer pressures on the environment, social and governance (ESG) performance from the perspective of managers; however, the present study analyses this relationship from the perspective of customers. This study frames socio-cultural sensitivity as a contextual factor and examines customer perceptions of ESG performance and how customers pressure firms to adopt social value practices and circular economy practices. While examining these relationships, the study also evaluates the moderating impact of AI-driven innovation capability that has not been empirically examined in the prior literature. The study collected the data from 356 customers in Delhi-NCR using a random sampling technique. The proposed relationships were analysed using the structural equation modelling approach in SmartPLS. The results reveal the extent to which customers’ perceptions of their pressures impact social value practices, circular economy practices and ESG performance for global value creation. The moderating role of AI-driven innovation capabilities was also investigated. The novelty of this study lies in evaluating customer perceptions instead of managerial perceptions. The study contributes to stakeholder and attribution theories and shows managers and practitioners how customers’ perceptions of ESG influence their attitudes and behaviours towards the firm.

Public reporting is the cornerstone of government performance disclosure. Yet reporting is inherently shaped by two competing pressures: a normative demand for transparency and accountability, and a strategic incentive to manage perception and avoid blame. This study examines how Chinese local governments navigate this tension when failing to meet announced GDP growth targets. Using 1,614 municipal reports from 269 cities (2013–2018), we identify the writing features that ­distinguish underperforming reports from goal-met ones. Underperforming governments emphasize accountability and external risks, while downplaying performance data and references to higher-level leadership. Although cities combine these features in various ways, the underperforming group as a whole exhibits a more systematic narrative structure than the goal-met group, suggesting that performance failure tightens, rather than loosens, bureaucratic writing conventions. These findings offer insights into bureaucratic writing in China and provide a framework for analyzing performance reporting in other institutional settings.