Strategic Sustainability Research Articles

Financial technology in a South African banking institution to achieve strategic sustainability

Purpose: The aim of this article was to better understand the alignment of banking business models with disruptive technologies.Design/methodology/approach: An explorative study was used to uncover participants’ views of technology adoption in a particular banking institution in South Africa. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 12 participants. Employing a qualitative approach, interpretive techniques were used to decode, describe and translate themes and concepts of certain phenomena.Findings/results: Disruptive technologies offered by Fintechs are generally embraced, provided they are fit-for-purpose and deliver a value proposition to drive client-centric growth. Partnering with Fintechs plays a pivotal role in alignment between business and information technology, enabling banks to leverage technology to reach broader markets. This enables scalable growth, which is vital to sustainability.Practical implications: The study assists South African financial institutions in aligning business models to continuously evolve with disruptive shifts in technology, and leverage technologies offered by Fintechs to maintain market relevance and grow competitive advantage in a sustainable manner.Originality/value: It is especially pertinent to banks in South Africa and other developing nations, as it highlights important implications for partnering with Fintech companies. In addition to validating the Improved Technology Acceptance Model framework, it reveals more factors to consider when partnering with Fintechs. The results contribute to the literature on the adoption of disruptive technologies, as well as relations between banks and Fintechs, in order to improve partnerships between these entities.

452 Data-driven strategic sustainability initiatives of beef and dairy genetics consortiums: A comprehensive landscape analysis for USA, Brazil, and Europe

Abstract The past two decades have witnessed beef and dairy genetic consortiums implementing data-driven germplasm propagation programs in global cattle systems. These programs optimize for multi-dimensional economic, environmental, and animal welfare related sustainability goals and are driven by consumer demands and shifts in supply chains. To summarize these programs and gain insights into the sustainability journey of industry, we did a comprehensive landscape analysis of the strategic initiatives of key global genetics companies, their germplasm offerings, and data platforms offered in three major cattle producing geographies, namely the USA, Brazil, and Europe. Within these locales, they followed selection index-based genomic and reproductive management strategies for both beef, dairy, and beef-on-dairy production, tailored to relevant market and climatic conditions (Figure 1). While individual traits in selection indices ranged between 40 to 90 traits, all traits could be broadly grouped into three: namely production, longevity, health and reproduction. In the USA, companies like ABS Global, Select Sires, Genex Cooperative, STGenetics, Zoetis, Vytelle offer genomic selection programs encompassing germplasm products, and genetic and production data tracking platforms across the beef, dairy, and beef-on-dairy value chains. These companies have implemented reproductive management programs such as in-vitro fertilized embryo transfer, sexed semen, along with genomic selection with a focus on future replacements based on multi-trait sustainability indices. These initiatives are customized for each of the cow-calf, backgrounding, and feedlot sector of beef production. In dairy, these companies have diversified data-driven production programs customizable to conventional and organic production systems. In Europe, companies like CRV, Viking Genetics, and Alta Genetics prioritize traits related to resource efficiency, animal welfare and environmental impact. Semen companies also offer data management tools tailored to European market requirements, alongside services for on-farm semen production and storage to reduce transportation-related emissions. In Brazil, companies such as ABS Pecplan, CRV Brazil, and Semex Brazil, developed herd management solutions focusing on traits like heat tolerance, tropical environmental adaptability, and disease resistance. The landscape analysis revealed a dynamic industry, evolving to meet sustainability goals and market demands. These enterprises collaborate with stakeholders across the value chain, including producers, policymakers, and industry associations, to scale data-driven production systems that balance profitability and environmental footprint of cattle production. As such, they have positioned themselves to capitalize on the growing interest in sustainable livestock production practices worldwide by aligning scientific and technical strategies with evolving regulatory requirements and consumer demands. The global cattle industry is positioned to venture forward by leveraging niche carbon markets and new marketing channels propelled by emerging principles of environmental, social, and corporate governance. Strategic germplasm and data-tracking platform initiatives by these groups thus become an integral part of the livestock sustainability solution palette and will contribute its share to a climate-neutral Earth by 2050.

Роль соціально відповідального маркетингу в забезпеченні стратегічного розвитку підприємства

In the contemporary business landscape, integrating socially responsible marketing into enterprise strategies is increasingly recognized as a critical factor for sustainable development. This article delves into the essential role that socially responsible marketing plays in ensuring the strategic development of an enterprise, highlighting its impact on long-term viability and competitiveness. Socially responsible marketing involves incorporating ethical, social, and environmental considerations into marketing practices, fostering a more holistic approach to business development. As consumers become more conscious of the ethical implications of their purchasing decisions, enterprises that prioritize socially responsible marketing are better positioned to build trust, customer retention, and a more substantial market presence. Furthermore, the article explores the role of SRM in driving the strategic development of enterprises. By emphasizing sustainability and social responsibility, businesses are encouraged to develop new products and processes that minimize environmental impact and address societal needs. Moreover, socially responsible marketing fosters strong relationships with stakeholders, including investors, communities, and regulatory bodies. Transparent communication and genuine efforts to address social and environmental issues help build stakeholder trust and support, which are crucial for long-term strategic sustainability. This positive stakeholder engagement also mitigates risks and enhances the enterprise’s ability to navigate complex environments. In conclusion, integrating socially responsible marketing into the strategic development of an enterprise is not merely a trend but a fundamental component of modern business practice. Socially responsible marketing supports the sustainable development of an enterprise by aligning economic, social, and environmental goals, thereby creating a competitive advantage and ensuring long-term success. As businesses continue to evolve in response to global challenges, the adoption of socially responsible marketing will be essential for maintaining relevance and achieving strategic objectives. Keywords: enterprise development, strategic development, sustainable development of an enterprise, development strategy, strategic sustainability, social responsibility, socially responsible marketing, enterprise.

Using firm-level intellectual capital to achieve strategic sustainability: examination of phenomenon of business failure in terms of the critical events

PurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, the authors have conducted a systematic investigation considering the historical pandemic periods (1991–2021) over 30 years to identify critical factors and business failure phenomenon during pandemics to explore “what”, “why” and “how” factors contributing to business failure during the COVID-19 pandemic and secondly identified interlinks of these factors to explain the phenomenon of business failure strategically through various quantitative models.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, the critical factors were identified through previous literature and systematically reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. To remove any bias in critical factor selection, Delphi method was employed. In the second phase, m-TISM approach was adopted to understand the interrelationships of the factors to develop the hierarchy levels. Lastly, MICMAC analysis was also done to evaluate the driving and dependence powers of the critical factors. For implementation of the stated methodology, expert opinion was collected to assess the critical factors based on their knowledge and experience. A total of seven experts were involved in this study.FindingsTwo major takeaways from the results of phase one were that “external environmental changes” was at the highest level and had the highest driving power as well as the lowest dependence power, while “inappropriate marketing techniques” was at the lowest level and had the highest dependence and lowest driving powers.Practical implicationsThe ever-developing digital technologies act as a synonym to innovation and are shaping up to be the key to future-proofing any industry. However, before one can move towards developing effective strategies to mitigate any business disruptions, there is a need to assess the causes of business failures in the first place which is a major managerial implication identified through this study.Originality/valueThis paper can be considered as the first few studies to conduct a systematic investigation considering the historical pandemic periods (1991–2021) over 30 years to identify critical factors and business failure phenomenon during pandemics to explore “what”, “why” and “how” factors contributing to business failure during the COVID-19 pandemic and secondly identified interlinks of these factors to explain the phenomenon of business failure strategically through various quantitative models.

Strategic capabilities and their role in achieving the organization’s direction towards strategic sustainability: A descriptive study of the opinions of a sample of individuals working in the general company for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies Samarra and its affiliated factories

Strategic capabilities and their role in achieving the organization’s direction towards strategic sustainability: A descriptive study of the opinions of a sample of individuals working in the general company for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies Samarra and its affiliated factories

Exploring strategic corporate sustainability management in family businesses: A systematic literature review

AbstractThe escalating demands from legislative authorities and stakeholders for companies to adopt corporate sustainability measures underscore the growing importance of strategic sustainability management. Despite the efforts made by companies in this domain, the strategic management of sustainability in family businesses remains an under-researched area. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review covering the period from 2006 to 2022, on the topic of strategic sustainability management in family businesses. Our investigation encompasses a content analysis of 98 relevant studies. Our research question is: “What aspects are taken into account by family businesses in their corporate sustainability strategies?” We tackle this issue through a methodological triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods. Our results yield three clusters of strategies for corporate sustainability in family businesses: (1) Family values and succession planning; Stakeholder relations and communication; (2) Risk taking, Inventions, and Technologies; and (3) Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship. In addition, we systematically present a range of descriptive indicators, including the research methodologies applied and the geographic focus of the published literature. This research contributes significant insights for scholars and practitioners alike, providing valuable guidance in this field. Moreover, our study paves the way for further investigations into the strategies that influence sustainability within the context of family businesses. By shedding light on this critical area, we aim to foster a more sustainable and informed approach to corporate practices among family-owned enterprises.

The Moderation role of organizational Virtuousness in the relationship between ethical leadership and strategic sustainability

The Moderation role of organizational Virtuousness in the relationship between ethical leadership and strategic sustainability

Economies of Inequality? Polycentric Metropolitan Governance and Strategic Sustainability Choices

This article examines the relationship between the political fragmentation of cities in metropolitan regions, the distribution of social vulnerability, and the city-level economic and social sustainability strategies they adopt. Strategies emerge from prevailing community norms, and polycentric governance arrangements can support conditions in which both economic and social sustainability strategies emerge as compliments, contrary to the concern that fragmentation spurs zero-sum competition. Combining surveys of U.S. cities with social vulnerability data and text analysis of planning documents, we find that greater fragmentation has a negative impact on the sustainable development strategies cities adopt. However, growth and sustainable development strategies tend to develop alongside social sustainability efforts to address human needs. We conclude that development strategies emerge in polycentric systems in relation to the degree of fragmentation which exists, and that subsequent work should continue to focus on identifying these entropic thresholds in order to effectively address lingering inequities.

Learning and development in highly dynamic VUCA contexts: a new framework for the L&D function

PurposeThis article introduces the special issue of Learning and Development in Highly-Dynamic VUCA Contexts. The issue reviews the concept of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), highlights its implications for the learning and development function and argues that learning and development play a critical role in helping organisations, people and the societal context in which they operate to work within and navigate VUCA contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe contributions to this special issue propose a novel learning and development framework that will inform L&D as the provision of training, learning and development activities in organisations within highly dynamic VUCA contexts and ensuring a strong external focus including organisational, people, community, economic and societal sustainability.FindingsWe, the authors, propose seven features of a strategic sustainability L&D function and L&D professional role that are a fit with highly dynamic VUCA contexts.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework has important implications for the way in which L&D is structured, its key priorities and plans and the competencies of L&D professionals to add value to all stakeholders. We also emphasise that the work on the L&D function in highly dynamic VUCA contexts needs to be broader and move beyond a performance orientation.Originality/valueThe proposed strategic sustainability role for the L&D function expands theoretically our understanding of how L&D can have impacts at the nexus of the organisation and highly dynamic VUCA contexts, in addition to broadening the constellation of stakeholders that it potentially enhances.

Co-operative forest owner associations - harmonized values for sustainable development?

Sustainable development is an important concept for competitive advantage for all types of organisations and is often implemented by a top-down strategic approach. Forest owner associations are based on the co-operative idea and are therefore expected to include key stakeholders such as members in strategic decisions. A challenge is to incorporate strategic sustainability management in an organisation. It refers to considering organisational objectives, maintaining relations with key stakeholders and keeping the organisational identity. This study aimed to explore how forest owner associations position themselves for sustainable development. A qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews, (including five employees and eleven members) and sustainability reports suggests that sustainable development is integrated to different extents in forest owner associations in Sweden. A strategic approach is deemed necessary for a dynamic incorporation of sustainable development that is structured and leads to the improvement of responsible practice in the organisation. This study highlights the importance of considering sustainability strategies and co-operative identity in the process of implementing sustainability management in forest co-operatives. Further research could focus on corporate strategies for sustainable development with an extended longitudinal perspective.

LCT-Based Framework for the Assessment of Sustainability: From the Perspective of Literature Review

AbstractIn the context of sustainable development, urban transformation should encourage the use of life cycle thinking tools for infrastructure development. By adopting sustainable economic, social, and environmental criteria, this study presents a review of sustainability assessment tools to build a framework for urban infrastructure. It incorporates a variety of methods that economists and industrial ecologists use for evaluating their projects, in addition to the LCT approach. To recognize the strategic sustainability indicators and criteria, the framework uses LCC, LCA, and SLCA in conjunction with stakeholder evaluation and multi-criteria decision analysis, which recognizes the foremost three pillars of sustainability, i.e., economy, environment, and society. Additionally, system dynamics and agent-based modelling are used to optimise the framework. The prominence of the framework is to understand the route an urban infrastructure development should follow to achieve key sustainability interests involving the interconnected environmental and socio-economic aspects. This sustainability assessment framework can be utilised by consultants or supporting agencies to help organisations carry out and monitor such projects.

A strategic sustainability model for global luxury companies in the management of CO2 emissions

Luxury brands are at the forefront of sustainability efforts and carbon emission reductions to fight climate change. The goal of this paper is to analyze such climate change challenges in terms of cost efforts within large luxury conglomerates. In doing so, financial metrics have been gathered for the top 100 companies in the luxury sector and compared against CO2 emissions metrics with regressive methods. This enables the study of relationships between sustainability and finance to explore if sustainability is expensive and if sustainability is explained by costs, sales, taxes, or investment. Such works allow the setting of conclusions on financial and managerial decisions and, moreover, set a new framework of analysis based on financial variables and the positive or negative impact on CO2 emissions, such as which financial variables generate more CO2 emissions (luxury sales, capital investment and financial cost) and which help to reduce such emissions (cost of goods sold, general expenses and taxes).

Financialisation strategy of digital transformation: towards a people-centric, sustaining network leadership framework in an Arabic energy context

PurposeThis paper's purpose centres on advancing the current financialisation strategies within digital transformation (DT) through a rebalanced synthesis of both financialisation and people/centric, non-financialisation strategies of the DT field. Based on empirical data from Bahrain's energy sector, a new framework on People-centric, Sustaining Network Leadership is developed, capturing DT's human values deficit and proposing a new model on financialisation and non-financialisation strategies showing ‘how’ and ‘why’ DT is implemented in contemporary organisations.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a mixed methodology of narrative interviews, case studies and reviewed significant contributions from the DT, leadership and change management debates. A total of 26 operational and high-level leaders from Bahrain, 8 top energy companies and Braun and Clarke's 6-phase analysis were combined to form four empirical thematic bundles on ‘how’ and ‘why’ leaders adopted financialisation and non-financialisation strategies to resolve organisational sustainability issues in an Arabic context.FindingsFour sets of findings (bundles 1–4) highlight participants' financial and structural understanding when implementing DT initiatives, the different leadership styles ranging from authoritarian to network leadership, the socio-economic, political and cultural ramifications of their practices and the urgency of staff reskilling for organisational resilience and strategic sustainability. Based on the eight energy cases and interviews, a new values-driven, People-centric Sustaining Network Leadership Model is developed to show a more effective and efficient use of financial and non-financial resources when organisations implement DT initiatives in efforts to resolve global energy sustainability problems.Research limitations/implicationsLeadership, change management, DT, energy and environmental sustainability is a huge area of scholarship. While new studies emerge and contribute to this growing body of knowledge, this investigation has focused on those that significantly highlight how to make effective use of financialisation and non-financialisation resources. Therefore, all the literature on the topic has not been included. Although this study has filled the non-financialisation gap in current DT studies, a further rebalancing of the financialisation versus non-financialisation debates will be needed for theoreticians, practitioners and policy makers to continue addressing emerging and more complex socio-economic, political and cultural issues within and beyond organisations. Limitations are the study's focus on the Bahrain energy sector and the limited sample of 26 leaders.Practical implicationsThe study provides practitioners and policy makers with an approach for the successful implementation of DT initiatives in the oil and gas sector. For academics, this study provides empirically unique and interesting thematic bundles, insightful analyses into leadership, organisational change, digital transformation and network leadership theories to develop an innovative and creative People-centric, Sustaining Network Leadership Approach/Model on the practical barriers, implications/impacts of various leadership styles and potential solutions via a socio-cultural values-based alternative to the current financialisation discourse of DT.Originality/valueWhile there is a growing body of literature on DT, Leadership and Organisational Transformation and Change, there is a dearth of scholarship on the human-orientated strategies of DT implementation outside of western contexts. A contemporary and comprehensive, empirically evidenced analysis of the field has led to the development of this study's People-centric, Sustaining Network Leadership model which frames, captures, synthesises and extends the dominant cost-minimisation rhetoric of DT discourse to include a shared set of leadership practices, behaviours, intentions, perceptions and values. This helped to reveal the previously missing ‘how’ and ‘why’ of DT’s operational and strategic implementation.

Impact of Strategical Sustainability on Real Estate Industry’s Sustainability Performance

Abstract The primary aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between strategic sustainability and firm success within the real estate sector. Specifically, it aims to assess how strategic sustainability factors, notably business strategy and management, influence sustainability performance. By exploring this uncharted territory, the study seeks to provide insights into the role of strategic sustainability in enhancing an intangible value in terms of sustainability performance. Through quantitative data gathered from the Latvian real estate industry, the research study demonstrates that greater emphasis on business strategy efforts and activities is positively associated with improved sustainability performance. Moreover, it establishes a correlation between enhanced management practices and higher sustainability performance. Ultimately, this research contributes to our understanding of how strategic sustainability can drive the long-term sustainability and success of real estate businesses, benefitting regions, nations, and the global community.

Librarians’ social media use, attitudes, behaviour towards dissemination of health information during COVID-19 pandemic: The case of University of Ilorin Libraries

The study examined librarians‟ attitudes, behaviour towards dissemination of health information during COVID-19 pandemic focusing on University of Ilorin libraries in an information disorderly era using social media. The population of the study was 90 health librarians drawn from the libraries of University of Ilorin. The census sampling technique was adopted; that is the entire population was used as sample. The instrument for data collection from health librarians was the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency counts for the demographic variables, while the mean was used to answer the research questions raised in the study. Findings of the study showed that librarians have positive attitude as they usually expect clear explanation from information seekers for their information needs and interact with information seekers to enable them assist them with information on COVID-19; the librarians behave well toward information seekers by consulting different resources to enable them provide required information on COVID-19; they also strategically sustain health information sources as they archive information materials for future use and reference purposes; librarians make sure that all questions from information seekers are answered. Based on the findings, the study recommended the need for librarians to improve their usage of social media during health emergencies, view social media as a veritable tool for information dissemination during health emergencies and the need to identify various strategic sustainability plans and make such as policies to guide their use of social media during health emergencies.

СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКАЯ УСТОЙЧИВОСТЬ КАК ФАКТОР УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ СОЦИОЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ СИСТЕМ

The article considers the theoretical aspects of strategic sustainability as a factor of sustainable development of socio-economic systems. The analysis of the essence of strategic stability is carried out, the types of strategic stability and the factors influencing strategic stability are investigated.

КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНІ ЗАСАДИ УПРАВЛІННЯ АДАПТИВНИМ РОЗВИТКОМ ПРОМИСЛОВИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ В КОНТЕКСТІ ГНУЧКОСТІ ЇХ ВИРОБНИЧО-ЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ СИСТЕМИ

The article is devoted to the study of the conceptual foundations of strategic management of the adaptive development of industrial enterprises. The research is based on the idea of taking into account the flexibility of their production and economic system. It has been established that in the conditions of constant transformations of market relations in the world economic space, industrial enterprises are exposed to times of insurmountable difficulties associated with periodically occurring economic crises, and know significant losses from the results of their production and economic activities as a result of the imbalance in the strategic development of technical economic activity. economic system in the context of ensuring the company's flexibility to changes in the external environment. The key aspects of the formation of an effective strategic flexibility management system at the levels of business entities have been studied. A number of problems have been singled out, which in general hinder the strengthening of the competitiveness of industrial enterprises, and, accordingly, support the strategic provision of their adaptive development. Much attention is paid to the process of ensuring strategic competitiveness. The key aspects of the formation of an effective system of strategic management of flexible economic development of industrial sectors have been established. It has been proven that the effectiveness of the strategic sustainability management system of an industrial enterprise is significantly influenced by internal and external factors. Conceptual provisions of strategic management of adaptive development of industrial enterprises are also researched, organized and supplemented in the work.

Nexus Between Strategic Sustainable Tourism Investment Projects and Sustainable Growth and Development of Kenya's Coast Region

Nexus Between Strategic Sustainable Tourism Investment Projects and Sustainable Growth and Development of Kenya's Coast Region

EMERGENCE, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISES

Currently, innovations introduced in companies that are exposed to a complex business environment are a hot topic of discussion. Their growth and sustainability are intrinsically linked to innovation processes. In order for enterprises to move forward, this very issue with its emphasis on strategic sustainability in such enterprises represents, in our view, a research gap that needs to be continuously explored in greater depth. In the present paper, we focus on Slovak enterprises that are based on the development of new products in Slovakia and which are also part of a stagnant innovation environment. Attention is drawn to selected aspects influencing innovation in enterprises, which should be perceived by companies not as a burden, but as an intrinsic need for their further development and their sustainability in the long term.

Strategic Sustainability: Exploring the Impact of Technological Inclusion of AI in Pakistani Health Care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a practical strategic instrument for addressing human well-being and socio-economic development issues. This study makes use of NVivo to perform qualitative data analysis. The interviews lasted for around half an hour and consisted of both individual and group discussions with the participants. According to the findings of this study, the implementation of artificial intelligence in medical settings can now be divided into a few distinct phases. It has been found that there are four key variables that are linked to sustainability in healthcare companies. Factors to consider include sustainable process innovation, operational ability, sustainable resource upscaling, and awareness of sustainable resources. Recent development includes AI in medical treatment in Pakistan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-rays, data inventories, artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and robotics.