Business Strategy Research Articles

External guarantees and ESG performance in China: Resource constraints or impression management?

External guarantees provided by listed firms are prevalent in China, influencing firms' motivations and capabilities concerning other business strategies. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) represents a strategic imperative for companies aiming at sustainable development. Understanding how external guarantees impact ESG performance is essential for advancing the ESG agenda. This study examines the relationship between the intensity of external guarantees and ESG performance among Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2021. Our results consistently show a negative correlation between external guarantee intensity and ESG performance, impacting all ESG pillars and remaining robust through various robustness and endogeneity checks. The mechanisms underlying this impact include reduced resources, diminished stakeholder welfare, and hindered green innovation. The extent of this impact is influenced by environmental regulation, social trust, and market position while unaffected by the needs for impression management. These findings suggest that regulatory interventions in external guarantees could improve ESG outcomes, with significant implications for policymakers and corporate governance.

Air cargo transport and economic development in emerging economies: A case study of Brazil with panel data analysis

Air cargo transportation accounts for less than 1% of the global trade volume, yet it represents approximately 35% of the total value of goods transported, highlighting its strategic importance in trade and economic development. This study investigates the relationship between domestic air cargo transport in Brazil and key macroeconomic variables, focusing on how regional economic dynamism, logistical infrastructure, and population density impact the country’s development. Using a panel data regression model covering the period from 2000 to 2020, the study analyzes the evolution of air cargo transportation and its role in redistributing economic growth across Brazil’s regions. The findings emphasize the key factors influencing the air cargo sector and demonstrate how these factors can be leveraged to optimize public policies and business strategies. This research provides valuable insights into the relevance of air cargo transportation for regional and national development, particularly in emerging economies like Brazil, offering guidance for the formulation of strategies that promote balanced economic growth across regions.

An approach based on data mining and genetic algorithm to optimizing time series clustering for efficient segmentation of customer behavior

In today's highly competitive market, organizations face significant challenges in accurately understanding and segmenting customer behavior due to the inherently dynamic and evolving nature of customer interactions over time. Traditional customer segmentation methods often neglect these temporal variations, leading to ineffective business strategies and missed opportunities. This research addresses this critical gap by introducing an innovative time series-based approach for customer behavior segmentation. By modeling each customer's behavior as a time series capturing key metrics such as purchase frequency, transaction amounts, and customer lifecycle costs the proposed method dynamically adapts to behavioral changes over time. To enhance segmentation precision, a genetic algorithm is employed to optimize feature weights, ensuring that the most relevant factors are emphasized. These optimized features are then clustered using spectral clustering to identify distinct and meaningful customer segments. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using 30 months of transactional data from a payment services company. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach, particularly when combined with spectral clustering and optimally weighted features, significantly surpassing the performance of traditional static segmentation techniques. This research not only provides a more accurate framework for uncovering hidden patterns in customer behavior but also delivers actionable insights for targeted marketing and personalized customer strategies.

Addressing the Decline of Traditional Students

It is common knowledge that the population growth of many countries is nearing a stagnation point. For nations such as Japan and South Korea which have already passed this threshold there seems to be almost a non reversible decline in births. This does not bode well for many sectors of society, especially that of education. As the younger ages decline there is a continuing rise in those of advanced age. Some institutions of higher learning have discerned this and for many years have begun offering more community classes to retirees on a variety of subjects. Additionally, a few universities have begun actively recruiting seniors in hopes that their return to the university campus could spark an uptick in overall enrollment. Many senior citizens have expressed interest in becoming students once more; allowing retired individuals to pursue a delayed university degree or to add to their life experience by acquiring a new credential. It is not as simple as it sounds though with actually a minority of senior citizen students, or SCS, who are willing or interested in pursuing more education on a formal level such as university attendance. With the decline in the number of 18 year olds are there enough seniors willing to continue their education to supplement the short fall in undergraduates? Are universities able to develop a business strategy that finds the human resources necessary to include those individuals who are in their early 20’s along side of those who are in their 60’s, 70’s, or older? Globally, the overall trend with higher education institutions are in a continuing drop in traditionally aged (18-24) student enrollment. Those universities that wish to stay viable must develop a widening enrollment strategy that is welcoming to anyone of university age be they in their late teens or twilight years. This paper discusses the feasibility of seniors actively attending universities in significant numbers and what may be necessary to accomplish this.

Https://www.questjournals.org/jrbm/v12-i11.html

Rich countries, developing countries and Underdeveloped countries differ in their capacity to invest in capital assets. Some countries developed in-depth knowledge and wisdom in applying science and technology. To achieve synergy, some countries import capital, human resources, materials, and technology from the open market. Countries use different approaches to mix and use their resources with imported resources. This article focuses on how the United States of America is in the top position economically and politically in the world. The priority of this article is to explain the type of business strategy America uses to achieve financial supremacy.

Sustainable Business Strategies: Exploring the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility and Virtual Reality in Enhancing Brand Value

This study explores the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in developing sustainable business strategies that enhance brand value. Employing a qualitative research methodology through a comprehensive literature review and library research, the paper investigates how CSR initiatives, when integrated with immersive VR technologies, contribute to long-term brand equity and consumer engagement. The research highlights CSR's evolving role in aligning corporate activities with social and environmental goals, which not only strengthens stakeholder relationships but also increases brand loyalty. In parallel, VR technologies are gaining traction in marketing and brand communication, offering immersive experiences that create deeper emotional connections with consumers. The study analyzes recent case studies and academic discussions, illustrating how VR can enhance CSR's impact by making initiatives more accessible and engaging to a broader audience. This synergy between CSR and VR not only fosters a stronger brand identity but also provides a competitive advantage by differentiating brands in an increasingly socially conscious marketplace. The findings suggest that businesses leveraging CSR strategies alongside VR can cultivate a sustainable brand narrative that resonates with both customers and stakeholders, thereby improving overall brand value and driving sustainable growth. Future research is encouraged to further examine specific industries where these strategies can be most effectively implemented.

Ảnh hưởng công nghệ số trong lĩnh vực kế toán, kiểm toán: Tổng quan thế giới và Việt Nam

This study examines the digital revolution’s impact on the accounting and auditing sector from two critical perspectives: education and the labour market. Using qualitative research methods mainly used in research, including analysis, synthesis, statistics, and content analysis of previously published studies, the authors conduct surveys of foreign and domestic studies. Then, a meta-analysis of the data collected reflects the impacts and how universities and institutions must adapt to provide students with new knowledge and skills related to digital transformation in the field of accounting and auditing. In addition, in the labour market, the study focuses on reflecting on the changing roles and duties of accountants and auditors in digitally transformed business environments. Research results show that globalization and digital technology have provided opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency and accuracy in accounting and auditing activities. In addition, the rapid development of digital technology requires continuous adaptation from experts, as well as strong investment from the government and business community. Consequently, the study proposes policy implications and recommendations on improving education and training in this domain, as well as strategies for businesses and organizations to adapt effectively, maximizing the potential benefits of digital transformation.

Enhancing Malaysia’s Halal Brand Identity: Insights and Strategies for Sustainable Global Halal Hub

Halal branding has become an essential strategy for businesses to cater to the needs of Muslim consumers and tap into a rapidly growing market. Malaysia has positioned itself as a global halal hub, attracting Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) food manufacturers and becoming a trusted source of halal products and services. However, developing a distinct Malaysia’s halal brand identity remains a challenge. This article explores the importance of developing a strong halal brand identity for the sustainability of Malaysia as a global halal hub. The study conducted in-depth interviews with eight identified respondents who were either chief executive officers, presidents of participating companies, or partners and directors of various government agencies at local and international branches. The study discusses successful halal brand identity campaigns undertaken by major global and regional brands, focusing on promoting halal values, ethical practices, and the benefits of halal products. To develop a strong halal brand identity, comprehensive marketing and communication strategies are recommended, utilising the effects theory to craft effective digital marketing strategies that resonate with Muslim consumers and promote ethical consumption.

The Role of CSR in Improving Corporate Image and Financial Performance in the Banking Industry

Corporate Social Responsibility has an important role in improving the company's image and financial performance in the banking industry. Although many previous studies have shown a positive relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and corporate performance, the phenomenon that has occurred shows that not all banks have experienced an improvement in financial performance despite having implemented Corporate Social Responsibility practices. This study aims to analyze the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility practices on public perception and financial performance of banks, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility aspects. Using a quantitative approach, data is collected through surveys to customers as well as analysis of financial statements from several leading banks in Indonesia. The results of the study show that banks that are active in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives tend to have a more positive image in the eyes of the public, which has implications for increasing customer loyalty and acquiring new customers. These findings indicate that a positive image built through Corporate Social Responsibility activities can increase customer trust, which is a key factor in their decision to choose a financial institution. In addition, the analysis showed a significant relationship between the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility and improved financial performance, where banks that adopted good Corporate Social Responsibility practices showed higher profit growth and better financial stability. This study fills in the gaps in the existing literature by highlighting the factors that affect the success of Corporate Social Responsibility in the context of banking, as well as underlining the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility as an integral component in a business strategy oriented towards social responsibility and sustainability, contributing to broader economic growth and a better society.

External Integration and Halal Assurance System Integrity for Achieving the Performance: Based on The Structural Contingency Theory Approach

Based on the Structural Contingency Theory, which examines external and internal factors influencing business strategies within the extent of the Halal Food Supply Chain (HFSC), the role of the Halal Assurance System as a variable that can mediate the influence of supplier, customer integration and regulator integration on the Halal MSMEs’ performance. This study used 195 of samples Halal MSME proprietors in Malang Regency with a quantitative methodology, with data evaluated by SEM-PLS. The study’s findings prove that supplier and customer integration have an impact to the MSMEs’ performance. However, regulator integration only significantly impacts MSME performance. The Halal Assurance System owned by halal MSMEs can mediate the influence between supplier and customer integration on the performance of MSMEs. However, the Halal Assurance System owned by halal MSMEs does not significantly mediate the influence of the integration of regulators on the MSMEs’ performance. Effective supplier and customer integration management yields advantages that enhance performance via the Halal Assurance System

Beyond aroma: A sustainability performance analysis of Italian coffee roasting companies

AbstractCoffee consumption is becoming increasingly prevalent among a growing number of consumers worldwide. Despite ranking seventh in coffee consumption, Italy is the global coffee export leader, with almost 1000 coffee roasting companies across the country. As a product subject to increasing interest in sustainability, numerous studies address the economic, social and environmental challenges affecting coffee production. However, only a few evaluate the sustainability performance of roasting companies in consuming countries. This study examines the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in business strategy to provide an overview of sustainability performance among Italian roasting companies. The analysis encompasses 78 sustainability practices across 49 businesses and assesses their communication to stakeholders. Furthermore, factors such as company size and specialty coffee sale were investigated for their influence on sustainability performance. The findings reveal a low commitment to sustainability within the Italian coffee sector, with 83.7% of companies in the first two stages of the five‐stage CSR assessment model. Although there is an interest in addressing product safety, quality, and consumer relations, responsible sourcing is often relegated to suppliers or voluntary sustainability standards. Communication is not effective, as more than half of the companies did not provide sustainability information on their websites. In this sample, the commitment to sustainability was directly related to the size of the business, and the same relationship was observed for roasters selling specialty coffees.

AI in customer feedback integration: A data-driven framework for enhancing business strategy

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into customer feedback systems has emerged as a transformative approach for businesses seeking to enhance their strategies and maintain a competitive edge. This review presents a data-driven framework that leverages AI to analyze, interpret, and act upon customer feedback, providing actionable insights for business decision-making. AI techniques such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and sentiment analysis allow companies to automate the feedback collection process and analyze vast amounts of data from diverse sources, including surveys, reviews, social media, and customer support interactions. The proposed framework facilitates real-time feedback analysis, enabling businesses to identify trends, customer preferences, and potential pain points more efficiently. By integrating AI with existing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, businesses can automate the categorization and prioritization of feedback, allowing for timely responses and more effective problem-solving. Furthermore, predictive analytics tools within the framework can forecast customer needs, allowing businesses to tailor products and services to meet evolving expectations. This framework also supports continuous improvement by enabling businesses to track the impact of changes implemented based on customer feedback. Additionally, AI’s ability to personalize the customer experience by recognizing patterns and individual preferences plays a crucial role in increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. The data-driven insights generated through AI integration can guide businesses in refining their marketing, product development, and customer service strategies, leading to improved operational efficiency and better alignment with customer expectations. In conclusion, the integration of AI into customer feedback mechanisms represents a significant advancement for data-driven business strategy development. This framework not only enhances feedback accuracy and speed but also empowers businesses to deliver more personalized and customer-centric solutions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCES PLANNING IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Changes in competitive conditions force businesses to develop new capabilities in order to sustain their existence and be successful. At this point, businesses have made an effort to change their management approach and gain a strategic perspective. This approach, called strategic management, involves the effective use of the resources that the business has in order to regulate the relations between the business and its environment and to gain superiority over competitors or to make a difference. The most important resource that businesses have is human resources. The most important key to the adoption and successful implementation of the strategic management approach is to have an effective manpower. With a strategic human resources planning, businesses will be able to ensure that employees are provided at the right time, with the desired qualifications and assigned to the right jobs in line with the business strategy. The purpose of this study is to create a conceptual framework for the role of human resource planning in the strategic management process. At this point, the studies on strategic management, human resource management and strategic human resource management in the literature were examined in detail. As a result of the research, it was concluded that strategic human resources planning is the process of creating comprehensive and long-term human resources strategies and developing the plans, programs and tactics necessary for the implementation of these strategies, and that businesses that manage this process in the best way can establish superiority over their competitors by identifying opportunities, threats, advantages and weaknesses.

A leadership and policy development model for driving operational success in tech companies

In the fast-evolving landscape of technology companies, leadership plays a critical role in shaping operational policies that align with long-term business goals. This review introduces a leadership and policy development model designed to drive operational success in technology-driven organizations. The model emphasizes the importance of visionary, collaborative, and data-driven leadership in developing and implementing operational policies that not only enhance day-to-day efficiency but also support sustainable growth and innovation. The framework is built around key leadership pillars, including visionary leadership that sets a clear operational direction, collaborative leadership that fosters cross-functional engagement, and data-driven leadership that leverages analytics to inform policy decisions. It highlights the process of policy creation and implementation, beginning with an assessment of existing operational challenges, followed by the development of scalable policies that align with business strategies. The model also incorporates agile leadership, which promotes adaptability in response to rapid technological advancements and market shifts, ensuring that policies remain relevant and effective. Moreover, the model focuses on promoting operational innovation by embedding policies that encourage research and development, cross-department collaboration, and continuous improvement. Leaders are encouraged to integrate Lean and Agile methodologies within policies to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and improve overall operational performance. Through real-world case studies and applications, this review demonstrates how technology companies can benefit from leadership that actively shapes policies to foster operational excellence. The proposed model serves as a strategic tool for tech leaders, helping them align operational policies with long-term objectives, drive innovation, and maintain competitive advantage in the global market. By adopting this leadership-driven policy approach, tech companies can enhance their ability to scale effectively and sustain operational success in an ever-changing environment.

Intellectual property and exit strategies among SMEs: A scoping review and framework

While studies have focused on the role of intellectual property (IP) strategies for growth at the macro and micro levels, there remains a notable gap in comprehensively understanding the nexus between IP and exit strategies. This scoping review examines the link between firms' IP and exit strategies. It takes a particular interest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on mergers and acquisitions. This study synthesizes the literature on the role that IP strategies play in smaller firms' exit strategies and the distinctive challenges they face, proposing a comprehensive framework for understanding these dynamics. It further highlights a persistent gap in the literature on the influence of IP awareness on SMEs' exit strategies. Using established data sources and multiple filter procedures, the search yielded 87 relevant articles. Only a few studies examine the roles of IP awareness and IP strategy within business strategies. Studies explicitly researching the influence of IP strategies on exit strategies remain particularly scarce. The findings underscore the importance of integrating IP awareness and IP strategy more thoroughly into management theory and practice to enhance SMEs’ competitive advantage and facilitate successful exits.

Adaptive business policies for the energy transition: Balancing short-term profitability with long-term sustainability in oil and gas companies

This review examines the challenges and opportunities faced by oil and gas companies as they navigate the global energy transition, focusing on the delicate balance between maintaining short-term profitability and ensuring long-term sustainability. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, traditional fossil fuel companies are under increasing pressure to adapt their business models and strategies. This study synthesizes current literature on adaptive business policies, sustainability initiatives, and their impacts on the oil and gas industry's future. Through a comprehensive analysis of case studies and empirical research, we identify several key mechanisms through which companies can effectively balance short-term financial objectives with long-term sustainability goals. These include diversification into renewable energy, investment in carbon capture and storage technologies, and the adoption of circular economy principles. Our findings suggest that successful adaptation requires a nuanced understanding of market trends, strong leadership commitment, and strategic use of technology and innovation. The review also highlights the potential of partnerships and collaborations in accelerating the transition process. By identifying key factors contributing to successful adaptive strategies and their subsequent impacts on both profitability and sustainability, this study provides valuable insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers working towards a more sustainable energy future. Future research directions are proposed to further explore the long-term viability and scalability of these adaptive business policies across different market contexts.

A new understanding of Chinese luxury consumers’ spending surge: role of pandemic-related negative emotions

ABSTRACT This study examines the motivations and antecedents of consumers’ revenge-spending behaviour in the post-pandemic and the moderating effects of negative emotions on the relationship between these antecedents and revenge-spending behaviour. Data collection was conducted in China regarding the luxury fashion industry. 481 respondents were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results indicate that positive mood reinforcement, arousal need, and material resource need positively influence revenge spending. Moreover, boredom, depression, fear, and anxiety exhibited varying moderating effects on revenge-spending behaviour, depending on preceding factors. This study provides recovery strategies for businesses based on psychological antecedents and well-being outcomes of revenge spending.

A Comprehensive Review of Evolving Brand Image Strategies: From Universal Appeal to Targeted Resonance in Modern Marketing

In today’s fierce market competition, brand image building has become the object of attention of major corporations, more and more enterprises take brand image building as the key work of marketing, such as Amazon, and Disney. Therefore being fully aware of the model and internal mechanism of brand image sharping in enhancing brand market competitiveness, it can provide an effective reference for enterprises to improve the efficiency of brand image building. This paper is devoted to reviewing the history route of brand image building, and summarizing the typical cases, then summarize the business strategies of several different brands. Finally, we summarize the effective business strategy for brand image building, the first is high-quality products, good quality and cheap products always can attract more customers; the second is precise brand positioning, targeting customers to gain competitive advantages; the third is high-quality corporate culture, good cultural atmosphere can enrich the connotation of enterprises and the external competitiveness, to stand out from the homogenized products; the forth is great ethical image, enterprises though attend public welfare activities and other ways to create a positive brand image, then enhance customer’s loyalty.

Climate-sensitive training for sustainable business in Dickson County with global applications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the implementation and impact of climate-sensitive training programs tailored to the specific climate risks and business needs of Dickson County, Tennessee. It aims to emphasize the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies into business training and to propose a replicable model that can be adapted to regions facing similar challenges, contributing to global sustainability efforts. Design/methodology/approach The research uses Dickson County’s climate profile as a case study, analyzing its impact on local businesses in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. This paper integrates theoretical frameworks, including organizational learning and adaptive capacity, to provide practical strategies for climate-sensitive training. It further incorporates insights from local institutions, industry partnerships and public data, using a qualitative approach to analyze key themes related to training effectiveness and sustainability. Findings The findings demonstrate that climate-sensitive training significantly enhances the resilience and sustainability of businesses by preparing them to address local climate challenges. Critical factors for successful implementation include stakeholder engagement, industry-specific customization and the continuous evaluation of training outcomes. The model presented shows promise for broader applicability in other regions, especially when localized climate data and collaborative efforts are integrated. Originality/value This paper provides a novel, region-specific approach to climate-sensitive training, distinguishing itself by combining theoretical insights with practical strategies for businesses. By focusing on localized adaptation and stakeholder collaboration, the model addresses an existing gap in the literature on climate adaptation training for smaller, climate-vulnerable regions. This work offers a replicable and scalable framework that contributes to the global discourse on sustainable development and climate resilience in business practices.

Business Strategy Analysis for Business Development on Boat Rental at PT Prima Sentosa Abadi Services in Samarinda

This research aims to identify and analyze the internal and external factors faced in developing the ship rental business at PT Pelayaran Prima Sentosa Abadi Samarinda, as well as analyze and determine appropriate strategies for developing the ship rental business at PT Pelayaran Prima Sentosa Abadi in Samarinda. This research uses quantitative and qualitative methods with techniques for collecting data from primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected by interviewing informants regarding the answers to questionnaires regarding boat rental at PT Pelayaran Prima Sentosa Abadi in Samarinda, and secondary data was obtained from indirect data from informants. Internal factors in developing the ship rental business at PT Pelayaran Prima Sentosa Abadi Samarinda include strengths and weaknesses. The strength factor has a total value of 2.32, as obtained from the answers to the questionnaire. Meanwhile, the weakness factor was 0.96, which means the total internal factor value was 3.28. External factors faced in developing the ship rental business at PT Pelayaran Prima Sentosa Abadi Samarinda are opportunity and threat factors where the opportunity factor has a total value of 1.57 and the threat factor from the results of the questionnaire answers with a total value of 1.38, which means the total value of external factors is 2.95.