Sustainable Relationships Research Articles

The role of conflict and opportunism on the duality of satisfaction in B2B sales relationships

PurposeThis study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of sales opportunism and sales conflict as well as of non-economic and economic satisfaction in business-to-business (B2B) sales relationships. This understanding offers B2B buyers enhanced knowledge of sales business expectations towards sustainable business relationships in the future.Design/methodology/approachThrough self-administered questionnaires, data were obtained from 237 sales or marketing managers/directors of small- and medium-sized companies across industries in Spain, who were randomly contacted via LinkedIn. The multivariate analysis of measurement and structural models was based on IBM SPSS Amos 27.FindingsThe study confirms that sales opportunism positively affects sales conflict. Moreover, sales opportunism is negatively associated with non-economic sales satisfaction, whereas non-economic sales satisfaction is positively associated with economic sales satisfaction. Consequently, if all associates are pleased with the relationship and the gains it can provide, a long-standing orientation can be achieved.Research limitations/implicationsThe study expands existing theory on seller–buyer relationships in a B2B context. It contextualises direct and indirect relationships between two antecedents (sales opportunism and sales conflict) and two postcedents (economic sales satisfaction and non-economic sales satisfaction) in sales business–buyer settings.Practical implicationsThe study guides buyers in B2B relationships towards an improved understanding of how sales businesses perceive opportunism and conflict (as negative precursors) to impact non-economic satisfaction and how it can influence economic satisfaction.Originality/valueMost studies explore B2B relationship building from the perspective of the buyer, thereby creating a shortfall in developing an understanding of all partner expectations in B2B relational intent. Moreover, the measurement of satisfaction as a multidimensional construct secured the integration of non-economic satisfaction and economic satisfaction within a single model allowing the constructs measured in this study to be holistically assessed.

Trust in and Building of Sustainable Local Health and Well-Being Programs in the United States

The U.S. healthcare system is by far the most expensive per capita in the world and does not deliver the best outcomes. The literature shows that the U.S. population is distressed about what it is paying for and is especially distressed about people and companies that it perceives as sacrificing the public good for personal profit. Nevertheless, studies show high levels of trust in nurses, pharmacists, personal physicians, fire and security officers, engineers, and other practitioners who provide services at the local scale. Artificial intelligence (AI) poses an opportunity to reduce healthcare costs, yet it concerns the public because its misuse may violate personal boundaries, spread inaccurate data, and lead to other undesirable outcomes. The literature illustrates the benefits of cooperative relationships between community groups, local governments, and experts using new AI tools in support of local public health and well-being programs. One important example is preventing and reducing the consequences of acute hazard events. Overall, this review makes a case that focusing on the community scale represents an opportunity to improve health and well-being outcomes by establishing trusted and sustainable relationships.

A dysfunctional family: Australia’s relationship with Pacific Island states and climate change

ABSTRACT I argue the instrumental, paternalistic strategic culture often adopted in Australian foreign policy circles is counter-productive, preventing Australia from having productive and sustainable relationships with Pacific states. If Australian officials want to follow through on rhetorical commitments to enhance Australia’s relationships in the Pacific, Australia must actively recognise the agency Pacific states have and place itself within this community of actors. Australia often positions itself as part of the ‘Pacific family,’ but to be a collaborative member of this family it must go beyond headline commitments and fundamentally reconsider the evolving agency of small Pacific states and how this shapes Australia’s interactions with them. We can understand this through the lens of normative communities. Revisiting constructivist International Relations theory, I reexamine who is included and excluded in the communities of actors that norms apply to. This has particularly significant implications around norms of climate change action and mitigation. Australia has historically tried to water down agreements and slow-role actions in this space. The ongoing bid to host COP31 perhaps offers an opportunity to both show leadership on climate-related issues and to reconfigure assumptions around Pacific agency and address the effects this has on Australia’s relationships in the Pacific.

Visual Merchandising Pada UMKM KEDJORA Magelang

Visual merchandising is an important strategy in the retail world which aims to attract customers, increase sales and strengthen a company's brand image. However, this concept also has the potential to provide wider benefits to society in general. This community service involves direct observation of visual merchandising practices at Kedjora Grosir Magelang MSMEs, as well as interviews with shop owners and the local community. The findings show that by using the right visual merchandising strategies, stores can become more environmentally friendly, promote local products, and provide education about relevant social issues. Community service through visual merchandising can provide benefits such as increasing awareness of environmental and social issues, empowering local producers, and creating an inclusive shopping environment for all levels of society. In addition, this initiative can also increase the sustainability of the local economy and create stronger relationships between stores and the surrounding community. This community service shows that visual merchandising is not just about creating aesthetically appealing displays, but also about harnessing the power of retail stores to have a positive impact on society. Therefore, the integration of community service principles in visual merchandising strategies can be a significant step in building sustainable relationships between business and society.

INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (INVITE-ADRC): An NIA and VA-sponsored initiative to increase veteran participation in aging and dementia research.

Older military veterans often present with unique and complex risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. Increasing veteran participation in research studies offers one avenue to advance the field and improve health outcomes. To this end, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partnered to build infrastructure, improve collaboration, and intensify targeted recruitment of veterans. This initiative, INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (INVITE-ADRC), provided funding for five sites and cross-site organizing structure. Diverse and innovative recruitment strategies were used. Across five sites, 172 veterans entered registries, and 99 were enrolled into ADRC studies. Of the enrolled, 39 were veterans from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. This initiative laid the groundwork to establish sustainable relationships between the VA and ADRCs. The partnership between both federal agencies demonstrates how mutual interests can accelerate progress. In turn, efforts can help our aging veterans.

Pengembangan Sistem Pemesanan Tiket Konser Berbasis Web Untuk Meningkatkan Pengalaman Pengguna

In facing intense competition in the music event promoter industry, companies must always pay attention to changes in the environment, especially along with the rapid development of technology. The era of information technology has created new opportunities and challenges that companies must face in maintaining their competitiveness. One important aspect that needs to be considered is ordering tickets for music concert events online. This website offers a revolutionary solution by integrating innovative concepts through the use of HTML, JavaScript (JS), and CSS. The responsive and aesthetic interface ensures an efficient, engaging and interactive ticket booking experience for customers. By utilizing this technology, customers can easily and conveniently book tickets without having to leave the comfort of their home. More than just a ticket booking platform, this website also functions as a complete source of information about music events. This approach engages customers holistically, giving them access to up-to-date information, event schedules and other exclusive content. In this way, companies not only meet customers' transactional needs but also build deeper and more sustainable relationships. In the context of increasingly fierce competition, this innovative approach is expected to win the hearts of customers and make the company relevant amidst industrial dynamics. With a focus on a holistic user experience, this website aims to be more than just a ticket booking platform, but rather a premier destination for music lovers looking for information and a satisfying experience.

The Relationship of Leadership Styles and Sustainability: Regression Analysis of the Antecedents in Achieving Sustainable Performance

This study examines the relationship between Leadership Styles, including Transformational and Transactional Leadership, and Sustainability. This study also includes other variables, such as Entrepreneurial Orientation and Innovation Capability. This research uses a quantitative approach and 216 data are gathered. The results of this study stated that both leadership styles significantly and positively impact the other three variables. Though both of them have a significant impact, Transformational Leadership mostly has a higher impact than Transactional Leadership. There are two interesting findings in this study. First, the impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Innovation Capability is higher in Transactional than in Transformational Leadership. The second finding is that Innovation Capability negatively impacts Sustainable Performance in Transformational Leadership. The discussion, conclusion, limitations, and suggestions are provided in this journal.

The Protagonist of Value Creation in a Transformation Economy

In today’s economy, consumers are increasingly motivated by emotions and self-realization, and have been described as ‘transformational aspirants’. These aspirants demand companies to understand their needs, co-create products/services/experiences with them and to provide transformational value. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the characteristics of ‘transformational aspirants’. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The results showed that ‘transformational aspirants’ have two major characteristics: otakufication and progression. This study contributes to the understanding and application of transformational value in business settings by clarifying the characteristics of transformational aspirants and demonstrating the importance of transformation for the promotion of sustainable customer relationships.

Students’ Sustainable Entrepreneurship Intentions: The Role of Sustainable Values and Culture

Sustainable values have been enforced in societies, given individuals’ awareness of the societal challenges faced by current and future generations. Building upon the theory of planned behaviour and the value literature, this article examines whether and how sustainable values, specifically pro-environmental and solidarity values, influence sustainable entrepreneurial intentions in two different cultural contexts: Ecuador and Germany. About 297 university students were recruited to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal cultural differences in how sustainable values are associated with the behavioural mechanism that leads to sustainable entrepreneurial intentions. Surprisingly, pro-environmental values are not related to the behavioural mechanism that leads to sustainable entrepreneurial intentions in either Germany or Ecuador, whereas the solidarity values—sustainable entrepreneurial intentions relationship is fully mediated by behavioural mechanisms in Ecuador, and in Germany, the attitude towards sustainable entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control towards sustainability partially mediate this relationship. These findings demonstrate the importance of contextualising entrepreneurial intentions in the context of sustainable entrepreneurship.

An Exploratory Analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Factors Associated With Sleep Disturbance Assessed via the Neuro-QoL After Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Sleep disturbance after hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage) can impact rehabilitation, recovery, and quality of life. We sought to explore preclinical and clinical factors associated with sleep disturbance after hemorrhagic stroke assessed via the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL) short form sleep disturbance inventory. We telephonically completed the Neuro-QoL short form sleep disturbance inventory 3-months and 12-months after hemorrhagic stroke for patients >18-years-old hospitalized between January 2015 and February 2021. We examined the relationship between sleep disturbance (T-score >50) and social and neuropsychiatric history, systemic and neurological illness severity, medical complications, and temporality. The inventory was completed for 70 patients at 3-months and 39 patients at 12-months; 18 (26%) had sleep disturbance at 3-months and 11 (28%) had sleep disturbance at 12-months. There was moderate agreement (κ = .414) between sleep disturbance at 3-months and 12-months. Sleep disturbance at 3-months was related to unemployment/retirement prior to admission (P = .043), lower Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission (P = .021), higher NIHSS score on admission (P = .041) and infection while hospitalized (P = .036). On multivariate analysis, sleep disturbance at 3-months was related to unemployment/retirement prior to admission (OR 3.58 (95% CI 1.03-12.37), P = .044). Sleep disturbance at 12-months was related to premorbid mRS score (P = .046). This exploratory analysis did not demonstrate a sustained relationship between any preclinical or clinical factors and sleep disturbance after hemorrhagic stroke. Larger studies that include comparison to patients with ischemic stroke and healthy individuals and utilize additional techniques to evaluate sleep disturbance are needed.

Gen-Z Marketing Strategies: Understanding Consumer Preferences and Building Sustainable Relationships

In the contemporary digital landscape, marketing strategies have become increasingly intricate due to the influence of Generation Z, a significant consumer group born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. This generation, labeled as "digital natives," presents unique challenges and opportunities for marketers, given their adeptness with technology and distinct shopping behaviors. To address these challenges, this research aims to conduct a thorough analysis of Generation Z's consumer preferences and effective marketing strategies for building sustainable relationships with them. Drawing from a multitude of qualitative studies spanning from 2010 to 2024, this study employs a systematic review approach to extract insights into Generation Z's preferences and behaviors. By synthesizing qualitative data and employing thematic analysis, the research uncovers recurring patterns, emerging trends, and socio-cultural influences shaping Generation Z's consumer behavior. Furthermore, the study explores the shift in preferences from physical products to experiences and the added value provided by brands. Key findings highlight Generation Z's inclination towards brands prioritizing social values, environmental concerns, and sustainability, as well as their reliance on social media influencers and preference for personalized experiences. The insights gleaned from this research are expected to provide valuable guidance for companies seeking to tailor their marketing strategies to effectively engage and resonate with Generation Z, thereby remaining competitive in the dynamic consumer market.

Sustainable urban expansion and human development in China: An analysis using an environmentally improved human development index

AbstractUrban expansion poses a substantial challenge to sustainable regional development, but the spatiotemporal relationship between urban expansion and human development remains unclear. This paper proposed an improved human development index (IHDI) incorporating an environmental dimension and analyzed the spatiotemporal correlation between urban expansion and IHDI growth in China from 1990 to 2020. Significant increases in both urban expansion and human development levels were observed, and environmental differences between Eastern and Western China were effectively detected based on the IHDI, which also well reflected the geographical patterns bounded by the Hu Huanyong Line. In 1990, a significant disparity existed in the IHDI between the provincial capital cities and the entire province; by 2020, this gap had narrowed, and the prioritized development of provincial capitals subsequently propelled regional growth. Although positive correlations between urban expansion and IHDI growth in China were found from 2010 to 2020, the percentage of expansive negative decoupling between urban expansion and IHDI growth gradually increased, indicating a less sustainable relationship involved in urban expansion and human development in China. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal correlation between urban expansion and human development, and provides valuable insights for achieving sustainable development goals in China.

Moderating role of government effectiveness and innovation in sustainable economic growth relationship in Middle East & North Africa countries

AbstractThis article examines the impact of government effectiveness (GE) and technological innovation on economic growth and environmental degradation in Middle East & North Africa countries. The study utilizes panel data from the period of 2002–2020. The findings indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship between innovation (INV) and CO2 emissions (0.0244), while GE has a significant and negative impact on CO2 emissions (−0.5753). In a similar vein, it can be observed that both INV and government efficacy exert a substantial and favorable influence on the process of economic growth (0.0353 and 0.0773). Furthermore, the interaction of INV and GE showed a noteworthy moderating effect on CO2 emissions (−0.1581). Conversely, it exhibited a more pronounced positive influence on economic growth (0.1122). The study highlights that synergizing INV with GE is essential for attaining sustainable economic growth in the studied area.

Nonkin Carers' Roles and Contributions to the Support of Older People Living Alone: An Analysis of Qualitative Data.

In the Global North, the number of older people living alone who have little or no support from family members is increasing. However, little is known about older people living alone who have basic needs for support but do not have kin living nearby or a sustainable relationship to a relative they can rely on. Thus, this paper focuses on the role of nonkin carers and their contribution to the support arrangements of older people living alone. We conducted semistructured interviews with 32 older people living alone aged between 67 and 99 (Ø 84.2 years) in Austria, 23 women, and 9 men. The interviews were analyzed by applying a coding strategy based on grounded theory. In addition, sociograms were created to illustrate relevant relations in each support arrangement. We identified and characterized 3 groups of nonkins involved in the support arrangements of older people living alone based on the origins of the relationships: (1) friends, (2) neighbors, and (3) acquaintances like members of various communities. The arrangements were classified according to the amount and quality of involvement of nonkin carers, namely manifold, scattered, and little nonkin involvement. Our study highlights the diversity of nonkin support in the support arrangements of older people living alone. This heterogeneity should be considered by policy-makers when promoting informal care and designing policy measures.

Communities creating climate solutions for a healthy planet and healthy people

While on a global level, the implementation of climate solutions is slow, numerous local initiatives such as ecovillages are actively working towards establishing a harmonious and sustainable relationship with nature, fostering improvements in both planetary and human well-being. Research on the health co-benefits of global climate action has increased in recent years, while less research has been done on the impacts at the local level. This article explores the connection between climate action and health through a literature review and a case study on climate practices of an ecovillage. Three climate action tracks are presented that have the biggest potential to create health co-benefits on a global level: air quality, urban planning, and food systems. Implemented specific climate practices at the ecovillage show an individually perceived impact on the health of the residents due to physical activity, healthy nutrition, and mental health. The authors argue that the implementation of small-scale collective climate practices within ecovillages can play a significant role in addressing the climate crisis, while simultaneously promoting health. These practices provide valuable insights into evaluating and implementing tangible climate solutions. This article shows the importance of small-scale initiatives for global change. Given the limited existing literature and research on this particular topic, this article holds significant value as it contributes to a growing research field at the interface of climate action, ecovillage, and health studies.

A new integrated cooperative game and optimization model for the allocation of forest resources

We propose an integrated approach combining a cooperative game model and a multi-objective optimization model to determine the quantities of forest resources to allocate to several mills. The new mechanism developed in this study is applied to a regional case study in the province of Quebec (Canada), where public-owned forest resources should be allocated by the government to multiple competing mills. Collaboration between mills is considered in the upstream supply chain (i.e., harvesting, road construction/upgrading, and transportation operations) as well as their individual sustainability performances (economic, environmental and social aspects) in the allocation process. Moreover, this approach highlights the conditions under which the allocation ensures the stability of the configuration of the coalitions through a coalitional stability analysis. The proposed approach attempts to capture collaboration benefits and mills’ individual performances in the allocation process, while promoting equity among them. The coalitions of the case study overlap and thus, the concept of coalition configuration value is used to measure the marginal contribution of each mill to the cost savings. In particular, a methodology is proposed for the estimation of this value based on real data. The results of this study demonstrate that the allocation honors the efforts made by mills, both individually and collectively. In addition, it stimulates them towards a sustainable resource management relationship.

Starting Ingine

Research methodology The data has been provided by the protagonist in the form of interviews, tables and figures. Case overview/synopsis Abdul and his team, comprising MS Finance graduates from Lahore University of Management Sciences, embarked on a transformative process that led to the inception of their startup, Ingine. Originating from a discarded idea of importing recycling machines, the team pivoted to address a significant gap in the influencer marketing industry. They envisioned a subscription-based software-as-a-service platform that streamlines interactions between influencers and businesses, emphasizing secure payment processing, messaging and feedback features. The narrative underscores the intricate connection between influencer marketing and the return on investment for small businesses, recognizing the challenge of decoding tangible financial gains. Ingine’s mission is to unravel this puzzle, optimizing small businesses’ investments in influencer marketing while navigating the complexities of crafting a competitive influencer compensation model. The team’s background, strategic considerations and commitment to fostering sustainable relationships between influencers and businesses serve as a compelling backdrop to Ingine’s entrepreneurial aspirations. Complexity academic level The case can be used in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance. The case can be used in undergrad, master’s, MBA, executive MBA and short executive programs. The complexity of a case can be increased or decreased depending on the level of class, i.e. start, middle or end of the course, and the time allocation, i.e. 90 min.

Response of Bread Wheat Cultivars to Terminal Water Stress and Cytokinin Application from a Grain Phenotyping Perspective

A better understanding of the responsiveness of grain phenotypic indices to terminal water stress (TWS) in wheat might help explain grain weight variations and determine which grain traits are most affected. A two-year field experiment (2020–2021 and 2021–2022) was conducted to identify how TWS and exogenous cytokinin application might affect grain weight and grain dimensions in three bread wheat cultivars using high-throughput digital image phenotyping. The results showed that the effects of growing seasons, irrigation, and cultivars were significant on grain weight and phenotypic indices. In our study, TWS significantly reduced thousand grain weight (24.62%, 14.65%) and grain development in the width directions MinFeret, i.e., minimum caliper diameter (10.70%, 6.64%) and Minor, i.e., the minor axes of the best fitted ellipses to the grains (10.91%, 6.65%), or synthesized indices including Area/Perim. (9.01%, 5.42%), Area × Circ. (17.30%, 10.13%), Minor/Solid. (10.26%, 6.32%), MinFeret/Solid. (10.01%, 6.11%), Area × Solid (13.94%, 7.96%), Perim. × Circ. (9.07%, 5.42%), A1 (29.99%, 17.09%), and A2 (30.20%, 17.27%) in each growing season, respectively. Regardless of the factors causing these variations, a sustained relationship was found between thousand grain weight and phenotypic indices, with significant positive correlations. The stronger positive correlation between thousand grain weight and grain width indices (r ≥ 0.965) showed important implications for grain development and filling. The Torabi cultivar performed better than the Sirvan and Pishgam in both growing season conditions. In addition, the technical advantages of developing phenotyping approaches, the present study could contribute to a better physiological evaluation of wheat cultivars in multivariate environments.

More is better but in what direction? The effects of relationship marketing investment breadth and depth on customer gratitude

Relationship marketing is an important strategy salespeople use to develop and maintain sustainable customer relationships. Accordingly, they invest significantly in relationship marketing activities to prompt positive perceptions from their customers. However, salespeople often face resource limitations, which restrict their ability to effectively invest in relationship marketing activities. Building on this premise, we propose that salespeople may choose two different strategies to capitalize on their investments in relationship marketing: broadly investing in multiple categories without deep commitment or deeply investing in specific categories at the expense of wide coverage. Given their specific focus, we argue that these two strategies influence customer perceptions differently. Furthermore, we suggest that their effectiveness is contingent on customers' orientation in inter-firm interactions. Using data collected from 183 organizational customers, we find robust evidence supporting our hypotheses.

Murtadha Muthahhari Ecological Vision: Unveiling the Spiritual Foundation of Harmony Between Humans and Nature in Islamic Ecology

Murtadha Muthahhari, a philosopher and theologian, offers an "eco-spiritual insight" on the worsening environmental crisis. He believes the environmental problem is spiritual, caused by humanity's disconnect from nature, leading to its exploitation. Muthahhari proposes an awakening to our interconnectedness with all life forms, stressing a new understanding of our role in the natural world. He draws from Islamic teachings, emphasizing stewardship, arguing that humans are caretakers, not masters, responsible for preserving nature's balance. His vision challenges the human-centered view and suggests a more sustainable relationship between humans and the environment.Additionally, in the abstract, the research aims to explore and elucidate Muthahhari's eco-spiritual insight as a transformative framework for addressing the environmental crisis. The objectives include analyzing Muthahhari's concept of eco-spiritual insight, examining its roots in Islamic teachings, and evaluating its potential impact on reshaping humanity's relationship with the environment. Methodologically, the research involves a comprehensive literature review of Muthahhari's works, particularly focusing on his writings related to eco-spirituality and environmental ethics. Additionally, it includes an analysis of Islamic teachings that form the basis of Muthahhari's perspective. The research employs qualitative methods to interpret and synthesize Muthahhari's ideas, providing a deep understanding of the eco-spiritual insight he advocates. The results of the research showcase the significance of Muthahhari's eco-spiritual insight in offering a unique approach to environmentalism. The formulation of results emphasizes the reawakening of spiritual consciousness, the need for a new ontology, and the concept of khalifah as pivotal elements in fostering a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world. The study concludes by highlighting the potential of Muthahhari's eco-spiritual vision to inspire a paradigm shift in environmental discourse and action.