Leaders Of Companies Research Articles

Sustainability as a Resilience Factor in the Agri-Food Supply Chain

What factors have a positive impact on the resilience of supply chains? This question has been raised in several academic research papers, particularly in recent years, coinciding with a series of disruptions (healthcare, political and climate) that have shaken the reliability of a global logistics gear that seemed infallible. In this context, the motivation of this article is to provide new knowledge that helps identify the key elements of business management that guarantee greater reliability and security in the supply of products. More specifically, this research focuses on studying the causal relationship that exists between resilience and sustainability in the management of agri-food chains to generate valuable knowledge for the leaders of companies that have to deal with these two transformations. Through a qualitative comparative analysis methodology, taking a sample of eight Spanish distribution companies, the results obtained indicate that the strength of supply chains has a strong link to strategies to improve environmental, social and governance sustainability. This is a conclusion that provides interesting value, reaffirming that it is possible to design and execute supply chains that make sustainability and resilience compatible.

Business associations and the adaptation of Russian manufacturing enterprises to sanctions: 2018 vs. 2022

This study explores the role of business associations in adaptation of Russian companies to international sanctions. To address this query, we have used survey data from leaders of Russian manufacturing companies in 2018 and 2022, which are representative in terms of size and sectors. Membership in a business association has a dual nature: on the one hand, associations can act as a tool for adapting to sanction shocks (direct effect); on the other hand, because of the self-selection effect, they tend to comprise more proactive and resilient companies, which are less fearful of external shocks and, as a result, may be less inclined to take active measures (indirect effect). We distinguish these effects from our analysis by constructing models using a mediator. The findings indicate that in 2018, members of business associations perceived the consequences of sanctions as less severe and were less likely to take any action, possibly because sufficient time had passed for adaptation to them since 2014. Conversely, in 2022, membership in associations did not reduce leaders’ perceptions of the seriousness of sanctions. However, we have found a direct effect of associations, revealing in a quicker response of their members to sanctions, including seeking new suppliers and reducing costs.

Relationship between the concepts of “Digital transformation” and “Industry 5.0”: bibliometric analysis

At the current stage of transformational transformations, the problems of transformation of the national economy are extremely relevant. And these questions are especially relevant in the conditions of rapid development of the digital economy. According to estimates by Forbes experts, 67% of the leaders of companies from the Global 2000 list chose digital transformation as a priority goal of their corporate strategy in 2018. According to a study by analysts International Data Corporation, the total global spending on digital technologies will grow by 16.8% annually and amounted to 2.1 trillion dollars in 2019. Research by Huawei and Oxford Economics has shown that intelligent network interaction will trigger the growth of the digital economy, which will reach 23 trillion dollars by 2025. This increase will be 78.3% compared to 2017 (12.9 trillion dollars). By 2025, the share of the digital economy is planned to increase by 7.2 percentage points, or from 17.1 to 24.3% of global GDP. According to the calculations of The Boston Consulting Group experts, the volume of the digital economy by 2035 will amount to 16 trillion dollars USA. In view of this, the purpose of this study is to determine the trends and key directions of digital transformation research in the era of Industry 5.0 based on bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer software. The article carries out a bibliometric analysis of the relationship between the terms “digital transformation”, “digitalization”,”Industry 4.0”, “Industry 5.0”. It has been established that currently the problems of the digital transformation of the economy in the context of the implementation of the digital strategy of the European Union are gaining special relevance. Digital transformation is a key component of the overall strategy to transform the global economy. Correctly selected digital technologies combined with employee competencies, processes and operations will allow companies to quickly adapt to crisis situations, use promising opportunities to modernize work processes, meet new and constantly changing customer needs, stimulate growth and implement innovative and management solutions. The concept of digital transformation of the national economy in the context of Industry 5.0 should involve the use of digital tools and platforms to transform traditional business processes, improve interaction with customers, introduce innovative technologies and form a digital ecosystem. The main components of the digital transformation of critical infrastructure include: digital technologies (cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT); organizational changes (restructuring of processes to increase their flexibility, introduction of new methodologies (DevOps, Agile), formation of a digital culture); customer orientation and integration of digital channels. For effective digital transformation of the economy on a practical level, it is advisable to pay attention to such main aspects as: having a clear vision and strategy that meets business goals; involving different groups of stakeholders and ensuring the interest of the entire organization; constant monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of digital transformation initiatives; an adaptive and iterative approach that allows you to navigate the changing digital landscape. It has been proven that the priority direction of research in the future should be the substantiation of the theoretical and methodological provisions of the formation of the digital ecosystem.

The role of bank and startup fintech P2P lending in supporting financial credit for Indonesian farmers

One of the challenges faced by farmers is securing capital for the development of their agricultural businesses. Banks and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending fintech startups employ various business models to assist farmers in obtaining the necessary capital. This study investigates the credit financing schemes available to farmers through banks and P2P lending fintech startups. The research, which utilized a qualitative approach, involved collecting both primary and secondary data. Primary data were gathered through comprehensive interviews with two academic experts in the agricultural business sector and five leaders of agri-tech startup companies. Secondary data included: (1) annual financial reports from BRI, Mandiri, and BNI; (2) statistical reports on P2P lending providers from the Financial Services Authority (OJK); and (3) models of financing schemes for farmers derived from a range of empirical sources. A descriptive analysis was subsequently conducted to explore the various financing schemes available to farmers through banks and P2P lending fintech startups, as well as to assess the performance of these financing programs via data on the rate of non-performing loans (NPLs). The findings indicate that the financing schemes implemented by banks predominantly focus on economic factors to facilitate loan repayment. In contrast, P2P lending fintech startup schemes emphasize both economic and social aspects, including enhancing farmers' knowledge in implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and improving financial literacy, aiming to ensure smooth loan repayments. Furthermore, the study observed an increase in the value of Non-Performing Loans (NPL) among both banks and P2P lending fintech startups during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overcoming the Challenges Faced by Leaders of Purpose-Led Medium-Sized Businesses: The Role of Corporate Communication and its Interplay with Corporate Reputation and Organisational Identity

AbstractInduced by worsening environmental conditions, pursuing purpose, not solely profit, now constitutes an ethical obligation for leaders of business organisations, towards future generations. Consequently, increasing numbers of businesses seek to become purpose-led (PLBs), but challenges exist. Despite the significant growth in PLB research since the turn of the millennium, attention has mainly focussed on multinational companies, although small- and medium-sized businesses (MSBs) hugely impact any economy. This research sets out to better understand the challenges faced by leaders of companies undergoing purpose-led MSB transitioning. Thematic analysis of the interview data from founders and leaders of B-Corp certified purpose-led MSBs revealed six specific challenges consistent with literature findings, but also provided uniquely useful insights from the leaders’ perspectives. Integrated business strategies or solutions, which meet multiple challenges simultaneously, revolve around a strong corporate reputation and organisational identity driven by corporate communication. Corporate communication engages stakeholders, builds trust, reinforces reputation, and serves as a strategic intervention for differentiating purpose-led MSBs in the marketplace, shaping organisational identity. Overall, the work provides leaders of MSBs with a practical guide for navigating their challenges and developing leadership practices to enable purpose-led transformations.

Monitoring the Connection Between the Application of EFQM Model Principles and the Results of Organisations

Purpose: The present paper evaluated the connections between the degree of fulfilment of the EFQM model's requirements and the organisation's size, key results, social responsibility, employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. Methodology/Approach: The dataset was acquired via an internet-based survey hosted on Google Forms. The survey targeted managerial personnel within manufacturing entities situated within the geographical boundaries of the Czech Republic. Findings: Research on the relationship between the degree of fulfilment of the EFQM model requirements and the organisation's size, critical organisational results, social responsibility, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction and overall organisational results demonstrated a moderately significant to strong correlation for all monitored indicators. Research limitation/implication: The data is collected only in one specific country, but the production organisations in which the research was carried out are mainly foreign-owned. Originality/Value of paper: The current research results offer practical and theoretical implications. Theoretically, the research expands the literature on the EFQM model and its connection with current trends, which are the higher innovative activity of organisations and correlation with Industry 4. Practically, the research results will benefit managers, directors, and leaders of companies by allowing them to maintain an optimal level of quality management and estimate future requirements for complex enterprise integration.

Green Tech and Human Dynamics: Transforming Indonesia’s Waste Industry with VR, AR, and Renewable Energy Innovations

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of implementing virtual reality technology, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership on industrial sustainability in waste management in Indonesia. Additionally, this study aims to examine the role of HR attitudes as a moderating variable in this context. The study focuses on leaders of large and medium-sized companies in Indonesia in 2022. The study examines several variables, including virtual reality, augmented reality, the application of renewable energy, and the application of green leadership. The study also considers exogenous variables such as industrial sustainability in waste management in Indonesia, and moderating variables such as HR behaviour. The data analysis employs SEM analysis using SMART PLS 3.0 software. The study methodology employed entails a quantitative descriptive approach utilising data analysis through the structural equation model (SEM) method. The data processing using the SEM method is conducted with the PLS application. Based on the findings of previous studies, it can be inferred that virtual reality, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership have a partial impact on the sustainability of industrial businesses involved in waste treatment in Indonesia. Additionally, these variables also influence the behaviour of HR in responding to technological changes and the adoption of renewable energy in waste management companies in Indonesia. The variables of virtual reality, augmented reality, renewable energy, and green leadership have a simultaneous impact on the sustainability of industrial businesses involved in waste treatment in Indonesia. This impact is mediated by the HR behaviour in response to changes in technology adoption and the use of renewable energy in waste management companies in Indonesia. By implementing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, as well as embracing the latest energy solutions and fostering a green leadership mind-set, companies can drive changes in human resource behaviour. This will enable employees to continuously adapt to technological advancements, particularly in smartphone applications, and leverage them to enhance existing businesses and ensure their sustainability. Moreover, the promotion of green energy will induce a shift in human resource practices towards consistently utilising eco-friendly energy sources and embracing sustainable leadership models within each organisation. This will ensure the long-term survival of the organisations and mitigate environmental harm caused by global warming.

The Influence of Organizational Culture, Alliance Partners, Digital Capability on Firm Performance Mediated by Strategy Flexibility

Aims: The study examines the effects of organizational culture, alliance partners, and digital capability on firm performance, mediated by strategy flexibility in the national automotive component industry in Indonesia.
 Study Design: The data collection technique was non-probability sampling with purposive sampling method in which the number of samples that met the criteria to be analyzed were 228 companies.
 Place and Duration of Study: The population of this study were all automotive component companies located in Jakarta, Banten and West Java, totaling 237. Each sampled company is represented by one respondent, namely a manager or senior manager of an automotive component industry company.
 Methodology: Structural Equation Model (SEM).
 Results: These findings suggest the importance of flexible strategies for leveraging internal and external resources to enhance performance. Strategy flexibility partially mediates the effects of organizational culture and digital capability on firm performance, and fully mediates the effect of alliance partners.
 Conclusion: This study shows the results of the positive influence of Organizational culture, Alliance Partners, Digital Capability, and Strategy Flexibility toward Firm Performance. Strategy Flexibility as a mediating variable can mediate the effect of Organizational Culture, Alliance Partners and Digital Capability on Firm Performance. The implications of this research can be an input for the leaders of the national automotive component industry companies in making a strategic decision to face the challenges of increasingly complex business competition through the implementation of a flexible strategy in the services and processes of the manufacturing industry which has implications for improving company performance.

Strategizing as polarity management: biographical analysis of leadership in the Polish furniture industry (1989–2015)

PurposeThis article aims to analyze the strategic work of Polish entrepreneurs in the furniture industry following the political changes in 1989. The authors examined how these entrepreneurs transitioned from local craftsmen or importers into leaders of international manufacturing companies and how their strategizing contributed to the unprecedented growth of the Polish furniture sector.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examined extant data, specifically biographical interviews conducted with 11 prominent leaders in the Polish furniture industry (Hryniewicki, 2015, 2018). They analyzed within a theoretical framework that integrates J.C. Spender’s theory of strategic management with Barry Johnson’s concept of polarity management. Polarity is a way of understanding and managing interdependent, opposing pairs of values or perspectives that give rise to conflict.FindingsThe analysis reveals key patterns of strategic challenges at the level of human agency, history and sense-making. The authors identified four key polarities: life and business, knowledge presence and absence, concordance and discordance, and instrumental and non-instrumental sense-making.Originality/valueThe polarity concept illuminates the interplay of agency and determinism in strategic decision-making, offering valuable insights for methodology and a deeper understanding of Poland’s furniture industry.

Translator representations implied in the construction of bilingual executive secretary identity

This article's main goal is to investigate the translator's representations implicit in construction and maintenance of identity of bilingual secretary aiming to encourage these professionals The if raise awareness about O new profile what to the companies from them require in Brazil. It is often expected that a secretary who knows two languages well will take on the role of translating technical texts, without taking into account his preparation, training, or even availability for this type of work. However, we are interested in knowing what the repercussions of such a practice are for the identity configuration of this professional and how it reinforces or modifies the representations that circulate in work environments. In order for the research to be developed, it was It is necessary to study theoretical texts about translation and the identity of the translator and the secretary. To obtain data on aspects of professional training, work routine and existing images, interviews and questionnaires were prepared and sent by email to secretaries, translators and leaders of large companies. From this survey, it was possible to observe a glaring need for education networks to adapt to the role of these professionals in Brazil with the main intention of contributing to the new profile imposed by the current market. The education sector, translators and secretaries need to be aware of this so that this profession continues to be respected.

Optimizing Labor Allocation based on Multiobjective Decision Making Using Improved Hungarian Algorithm

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The aim of this study is to solve the problem of labor allocation in cases where the company has fewer employees than the number of existing jobs based on the evaluation of work quality according to multiple objectives. Optimizing labor allocation not only benefits the company by maximizing the use of human resources, but also saves employees' energy. In addition, employees are assigned to tasks that match their skills and qualifications, maximizing their productivity. The research results show that the multi-objective decision-making algorithm based on the Hungarian algorithm is a suitable method to help leaders of companies solve the aforementioned problem text.</span></p>

Optimization of Warehouse Selection with SWOT and AHP Methods in the Pulogadung Industrial Area

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the determination of location and warehouse space in Pulogadung Industrial Estate, Jakarta, using a combined SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process). The research method applied is qualitative. Participants in this study were leaders of companies operating in the Pulogadung Industrial Estate. Data was collected through the use of SWOT questionnaires and AHP questionnaires given to respondents. SWOT data is analyzed using Excel software, while AHP data is analyzed using Super Decision software. The results revealed that factors that affect the determination of warehouse location and space in the Pulogadung Industrial Estate include proximity to the main road, centralized warehouse location, proximity to the goods distribution terminal, proximity to the port, and efficiency of warehouse maintenance costs. SWOT and AHP analysis show the importance of the determinants of the location of the Pulogadung Industrial Estate, Jakarta. The most important "strength" factor is the location of the warehouse close to the main road, while the "weakness" factor that needs to be avoided is the high cost of renting the warehouse. The "opportunity" factor that must be exploited is the application of modern technology, and the "threat" factor that needs to be avoided is the emergence of more efficient warehouse maintenance costs in competitors' warehouses. This research provides important insights for companies operating in the Pulogadung Industrial Estate in determining the location of their warehouses.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN INDONESIA

Competitive advantage is an important factor in the success of construction companies in a competitive market. To achieve a competitive advantage, construction companies must understand the factors that influence it and implement the right strategy. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the competitive advantage of construction companies in Indonesia. It is an exploratory research. Factors affecting competitive advantage were obtained from an in-depth literature review and structured interviews with leaders of Indonesian state-owned construction companies. The results were then analyzed using the Relative Important Index (RII). The results highlight three main factors affecting the competitive advantage of construction companies in Indonesia: company characteristics, technology adoption, and technology readiness. Implementing the outputs of this research can be beneficial for companies to face intense global competition, by taking strategic steps to improve their competitive advantage in the construction industry.

Primary Psychopathy in Formal Leaders and Job Satisfaction Levels of Employees Working in Family and Non-Family Firms

This paper aims to explore differences in personality traits, focusing on the levels of primary psychopathy, between formal leaders of family and non-family companies as well as assessing differences in the job satisfaction levels of their employees. Moreover, we assess the relationship between the employees’ perception of their formal leader’s primary psychopathy levels and their job satisfaction levels in family firms. The empirical evidence is provided by a sample of 95 Portuguese employees, who responded to a questionnaire that included their perceptions of their formal leader’s primary psychopathy level and job satisfaction measures. All respondents work in small and medium-sized private companies with no management responsibilities and under formal hieratical supervision. The initial idea that family firms’ employees perceive lower levels of primary psychopathy in their formal leaders than non-family firms’ employees was confirmed. However, employees of family and non-family firms did not differ in their job satisfaction levels. The results also support the notion that perceived levels of primary psychopathy in formal leaders are negatively associated with the employees’ job satisfaction levels. These findings contribute to the research literature by addressing two aspects under-addressed in the comparison between family and non-family firms, while offering insights on the relationship between primary psychopathy in formal leaders and job satisfaction levels of employees working in family firms.

Employee Engagement Among Business Process Outsourcing Industries in a Freeport Zone Amidst the Pandemic

Employee engagement emerged as one of the most important topics for HR managers and practitioners in the industry. This study aims to analyze and assess how various organizations engaged their workers throughout the coronavirus epidemic. The Philippine Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies have shifted remote work set-up to ensure productivity. The researchers focused on 100 purposively selected managers and team leaders of BPO companies in a particular freeport zone in the Philippines. The proponents utilized a descriptive-correlation research design with the help of a modified survey instrument. Statistical analyses used were mean and Pearson-r moment of correlation with the help of SPSS 20. Results show that the respondents gave the study a remark of "sometimes" on their employee engagement. As for the perceived factors affecting employee engagement, career development, leadership, and work-life balance generated a response of "strongly agree" among the respondents, and only rewards and recognition got an "agree" response. Furthermore, the study also found a low to moderate positive association between employee engagement and the perceived factors affecting employee engagement. As concluded, a relationship exists between employee engagement, career development, leadership, work-life balance, and rewards and recognition within the organization. The importance of sustaining employee engagement amid the Covid-19 Pandemic is vital to attain productivity, and outcomes such as increased profit, lower absenteeism, and good health of employees are essential to achieve a win-win situation between the company and its stakeholders.

Open Innovation Emerging Challenges and Practices in Brazil

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the best practices and challenges of innovation management in large companies in Brazil. Theoretical framework: This paper draws upon recent literature on open innovation, with particular attention to communication processes and challenges. The research adopts Chesbrough´s open innovation (OI) definition and develops its argument from Mortara and Minshall´s proposal of OI high-level trends (CHESBROUGH; VANHAVERBEKE; WEST, 2006; MORTARA; MINSHAL, 2017). Design/methodology/approach: The researchers conducted qualitative research of eleven interviews with innovation leaders of big multinational companies. The corpus was submitted to a framework analysis, which allowed for identifying 63 emerging themes, structured in a thematic framework that supported the interpretation procedure. Findings: Key findings include the development of five emerging categories of management types, innovation drivers, and communicational dimensions. Research, Practical & Social implications: The research draws attention to the impact of complexification in open innovation strategies, and the need for new models of governance, communicative functions, and innovation drivers. Originality/value: The results support the emerging, but yet scarce, literature on open innovation in Brazil, and identify key challenges and emerging practices among Brazilian managers in large companies.

Analisis Womenpreneur Leadership dalam Menjalankan Organisasi

Leaders of companies or organizations are mostly led by men. But now, a woman can lead a business. Every leader, whether male or female, has a certain way of being a leader. Gender is a factor in how a woman feels valued. There are four types of women's empowerment, namely women's empowerment through feminism, women's empowerment through transactivism, and women's empowerment through transformation. The purpose of this research is to analyze the characteristics of female leadership applied in an organization. . The type of analysis used is quantitative descriptivism. Among these leadership styles, the leader who is dominant in the transformational leadership style is clearly visible when compared to the transactional leadership style. However, among the feminine and transformational leadership styles, leaders tend to show greater dominance in the use of the feminine leadership style. This is because leaders are people or team oriented individuals and have charisma.

P-576 The perspective of patients and company leaders regarding fertility support in the workplace in Portugal

Abstract Study question Do Portuguese workers have fertility-friendly policies or initiatives in the workplace to help and support them reconcile work with their reproductive struggles and choices? Summary answer Most workers are not receiving adequate support. There’s a need to educate Portuguese policymakers regarding reproductive struggles and the possible benefits of implementing fertility-friendly policies. What is known already With the European population ageing and birth rates getting lower, many companies are adopting family-friendly policies to encourage staff retention (Chand & Markova, 2018; Chzen et al., 2019). However, literature regarding reproductive health support and fertility-friendly policies, to help those who are infertile and struggling to conceive whilst being employees is scarce. Legislated support specific to combining work and fertility treatment is necessary to reduce psychological distress (Seenan & Akker, 2018). No study was found by the authors about this issue in the Portuguese population. Study design, size, duration Study I explores if Portuguese workers receive fertility benefits from and feel supported by their employers, using an online 29-item questionnaire. The data collection started on 20th March 2022 and ended on 4th Sep 2022. Study II explores how employers support their Portuguese employees’ fertility plans. Both studies followed a cross-sectional design, using an online 12-item questionnaire. The data collection started on 1st April 2022 and ended on 18th May 2022. Participants/materials, setting, methods Study I has a sample of 107 Portuguese workers. The majority are above 35 years of age and have been trying to conceive for more than 24 months. Study II has a sample of 24 employers, including leaders, admin, and HR staff. The majority are working for a large company in a leadership position. Both questionnaires had multiple options, Likert-scale, and open-ended items. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 28.0. Main results and the role of chance Study I: All participants reported their company does not have fertility-friendly policies, 72.9% reported difficulties reconciling trying to conceive with work life, 56.1% perceived their attempts interfere with career progression, and 55.1% decided not to inform their superiors about their journey. People who are not offered benefits by their employer experience significantly higher anxiety, disclose less information to their superiors and consider quitting their job more frequently than those who are offered benefits by their company. However, they also experience significantly lower concern/worry, which may be due to increased awareness of fertility issues, pressure not to fail, unwanted interactions, and/or being treated differently. Study II: 87.5% stated their company does not have fertility-related policies, 66.7% that theirs does not offer fertility-related support and 20.8% did not know whether theirs does. Leaders of medium/small companies report their companies to be significantly more flexible regarding schedules for consultations/exams and taking time off for mourning, and they also thought providing financial help for fertility preservation and fertility treatment to be more useful than leaders of large companies do. Respondents attribute moderate to high importance to the existence of fertility-related policies, but the data shows a lack of agreement regarding which benefits to offer. Limitations, reasons for caution Small sample sizes condition the extrapolation of the findings. Replications of the studies representative of different geographic areas and company types are required. Also, the association between organizational and individual benefits as outcomes of the implementation of fertility-friendly policies and initiatives in the Portuguese population is yet to be studied. Wider implications of the findings This is the first study that has tackled the issue of fertility-friendly policies and support initiatives in the workplace in the Portuguese context. We gathered data from both employers and employees, which allows the findings of the studies to provide a comprehensive view of the reality of this population. Trial registration number not applicable

The AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park Asked the Wrong Questions

On 1 and 2 November 2023, politicians, scientists, and leaders of tech companies gathered in Britain's Bletchley Park (Milmo and Stacey 2023) to discuss the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The main focus points were disinformation, cyber attacks, and the (by the way probably low) likelihood that AI will soon go beyond a “frontier” and threaten life as we know it.

Sustainable Thematic Investing: Identifying Opportunities Based on an Analysis of Stewardship Reports

Globally, a growing number of stakeholders recognise that sustainability determines success on multiple levels. Therefore, asset managers in developing and emerging countries increasingly focus on sustainable investment opportunities. While institutional investors largely centred on governance considerations pre-2020, the Coronavirus pandemic highlighted substantial social and environmental concerns at companies worldwide. As South Africa is the most unequal country globally according to the World Bank, decisions made by local institutional investors can have significant implications for individuals and environments where capital is invested. The objectives of this study were hence to analyse the sustainability themes on which South African asset managers focused in their stewardship reports and to explore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that they addressed through their investment mandates. A content analysis was performed on stewardship reports that were published in 2020 and 2021 to consider the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The findings indicate that prioritised sustainability themes include climate action, infrastructure development and social considerations. The considered asset managers accordingly focused on addressing climate action (SDG 13), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). Promising investment opportunities in companies that address key social issues, including the health and well-being of society (SDG 3) and broadening access to quality education (SDG 4) were also highlighted. The leaders of local investee companies are thus encouraged to ensure concise, transparent reporting on these material matters to enhance communication and engagement with institutional investors and other key stakeholders. This study offers a novel perspective on sustainable thematic investing in a highly unequal society.