Balancing global standards and local needs: Digital technologies, social sustainability, and MSMEs.

Business education confronts a pedagogical paradox: widespread endorsement of stakeholder capitalism rhetoric alongside curricula that rarely provide authentic stakeholder integration experience. This article examines how reciprocal university-community partnerships can serve as pedagogy for stakeholder management—teaching students to navigate complex stakeholder environments by operating within them rather than analyzing them abstractly. Drawing on stakeholder theory, organizational partnership scholarship, and social value creation frameworks, the analysis develops a business school-specific model distinguishing reciprocal engagement from the extractive consulting paradigm that shapes student expectations. The framework synthesizes evidence on partnership approaches across business disciplines (accounting, finance, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship), revealing how each creates distinctive value propositions for community organizations while developing domain-specific competencies. Organizational implementation strategies address tensions unique to business schools: managing corporate and community partnerships simultaneously, navigating capitalism critiques, leveraging alumni networks and executive education as partnership infrastructure, and measuring multidimensional value in analytically rigorous ways. The article positions business schools as civic economic development actors whose community partnerships can demonstrate stakeholder capitalism in practice while building regional prosperity, challenging the assumption that business education must choose between academic rigor and public purpose.

It is important to explore the intended and unintended consequences of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Inpatient Quality Reporting Patient-Reported Outcome Performance Measure mandatory program. Discussion topics include the value of patient-reported outcome measures, early experiences from different practice settings, and how the program will affect the value proposition for patient-reported outcome measures collection and usage in the care of patients with hip and knee arthritis.

Purpose The study examines the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending on financial performance among India’s top CSR-spending firms, following the introduction of mandatory CSR under the Companies Act, 2013. It explores whether CSR contributes to firm profitability and efficiency, with a focus on Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Profit After Tax (PAT). Design/methodology/approach An explanatory research design was adopted using secondary data for the period of 10 years (FY 2014-15 to 2023-24). Pool Regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between CSR spending and firm-level financial performance indicators. Findings Results show a significant positive relationship between CSR spending and PAT, suggesting that CSR investments enhance long-term profitability. However, the effects on ROA and ROE are negative and statistically insignificant, indicating that CSR may not immediately improve short-term accounting returns. Practical implications The findings emphasize the importance of sustained CSR investment as a strategic tool for enhancing firm profitability. Policymakers are encouraged to continue supporting mandatory CSR provisions, while managers should recognize CSR as an investment in long-term value creation rather than short-term efficiency gains. Originality/value This study advances the CSR–financial performance debate by providing evidence from India’s mandatory CSR based on actual CSR spending, rather than content analysis. Unlike prior industry-specific studies, it spans multiple sectors and uses a decade of post-mandate data, showing how CSR builds reputational capital and stakeholder trust, translating into long-term financial benefits.

The purpose of this article is to assess the adequacy of excess market value added to equity as an external measure of company value creation in terms of meeting shareholders’ expectations. Panel research covered 30 WIG30 index companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2017–2024. Mathematical statistics tools, a density measure, and a taxonomic measure of similarity were used to evaluate the results. Three hypotheses were tested. First, the excess measure has been shown not to distort market information and to be suitable for assessing the effectiveness of value creation, taking into account shareholders’ expectations. Second, insufficient value creation has been demonstrated, which results in a negative assessment of value-based management, both in terms of its effectiveness and its efficiency. Third, the value creation profiles of companies are not similar in terms of rank position with respect to the strength of creation, its volatility, and its risk – both overall and broken down by activity. The value of this rare research is the objective way in which it assesses company value creation versus shareholder expectations and the application of its methodology in expectations-based management

Current studies primarily focus on the recommender systems (RSs) through the algorithmic accuracy, and which insufficient to fully measure accurately the practical effectiveness of the RSs and understand user experience. There is an urge examine the dynamic interactions on the critical user context of "beyond accuracy" features such as diversity, novelty, and serendipity to understand RS’s value creation mechanism holistically. The aim of the study is to explore the multidimensional effects of key features (Stimuli) of artificial intelligence (AI)-RSs on consumer behavior (Response) based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theoretical framework which is a gap in the literature. The study was modeled four key features of RSs (accuracy, diversity, novelty, serendipity) as stimuli, user engagement, satisfaction, and perceived risk as organism (mediating constructs), and behavioral intentions as the response. Data was collected from 437 participants, and analyses were conducted using the covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) by AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 25.0 statistical programs. The findings explains that the empirical assumptions of the S-O-R model were met to a high degree, successfully explaining 61% of the variance in behavioral intentions. Specifically, satisfaction and engagement have strongest positive effects on behavioral intentions. The findings suggest that the effectiveness of AI-RSs should no longer be evaluated solely through algorithmic accuracy, but rather through the dynamics of user-centered value creation (satisfaction, engagement, and risk management). Furthermore, serendipity have the strongest direct effect on engagement, highlighting the importance of “beyond-accuracy objectives” that trigger curiosity. Accuracy and diversity significantly and negatively reduce risk, demonstrating a critical role in increasing system trustworthiness. Contrary to the accuracy-diversity trade-off problem, a strong positive relationship exists between accuracy and diversity, suggesting that these multiple goals reinforce each other in the context of user perception. These results provide important theoretical and practical consequences for the design of multi-objective recommender systems (MORS).

ABSTRACT Being one of the largest industries, the agricultural sector is central to achieving EU and UN sustainability goals. However, the role of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) in low-tech sectors, such as agriculture, remains empirically underexplored, as existing research has largely focused on high-tech industries and large firms. The paper addresses this gap by examining how SBMI can support sustainable regional development in low-tech contexts, using organic primary production in Skåne, Sweden's southernmost region, as a case study. Drawing on 19 semi-structured interviews, the study applies a conceptual framework to analyse SBMI and its contribution to sustainable regional development. Findings reveal innovations that enhance food production efficiency and sustainability, emphasising collaboration, social capital and diversification as key to resilience and cost reduction. The study identifies a partial mismatch between regional and national strategies, urging policymakers to address producers’ needs and include them in policy dialogues. Additionally, the paper underscores the need for a shift towards environmental regeneration, social sustainability and economic viability in value creation for producers in the region. Future research should explore the social and economic viability of primary producers, who often face innovation constraints, to enhance sustainable regional development and resilience.

The recent trend of moving towards cashless economies globally, especially in the wake of the COVID-19, has placed digital payment systems as an essential facilitator of the growth of e-commerce. Malaysia has become a bright example, as the spread of QR-based solutions like DuitNow and the assistance of the regulators (Bank Negara Malaysia, Payments Network Malaysia) has contributed to it. Although this has been given more attention, there is inadequate empirical information on how the dimensions of macro-level readiness, which include infrastructure, institutional frameworks, consumer trust, and firm capabilities, can be transformed into actual business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce advantages. The paper constructs a unified model comprising of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) in order to examine the readiness-benefits nexus. The study applies a mixed-method design, which entails integrating macro-level indicators (Global Findex 2025, UNCTAD B2C readiness, national regulatory initiatives) with survey data of 400 consumers and 200 B2C e-commerce companies in the retail, food, and fashion sectors in Malaysia. The hypothesized relationships between readiness and trust and adoption and e-commerce outcomes (conversion rate, average order value, and repeat purchases) are tested with the help of structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The performance of Malaysia can be compared to the selected southeast Asian and global markets to come up with a benchmark. The results indicate that preparedness is a strong predictor of the adoption of cashless transactions with consumer trust acting as an intermediate between the two. Moreover, conversion and loyalty are greatly improved because of adoption, but the effects are stronger in high-value and international deals. The findings expand DOI and RBV by establishing cashless payment ecosystems as strategic assets that develop both national digital economic development and competitiveness at the firm level. In practice, the research provides policy recommendations regarding enhancing regulatory frameworks and interoperability and company recommendations to focus on payment experience and fraud management. This study has highlighted that the cashless preparedness does not only enable inclusion but also serves as an enabler to long-term B2C e-commerce value creation in Malaysia and elsewhere.

Over the last decade, the accounting function has evolved from a role focused on recording and compliance to that of a strategic partner to management. This systematic review of the literature from 2020 to 2025 explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting accounting by automating processes, generating predictive information and supporting decision-making. Five objectives are examined: (1) mapping the evolution of accounting within the company; (2) classifying AI applications according to technologies and processes; (3) assessing the impact of AI on the quality and use of accounting information; (4) analysing the relationship between accounting AI and value creation; and (5) identifying contingent factors and barriers. The results indicate that adopting AI enables accounting to free up time from routine tasks and to collaborate actively in the design of the business model. The technologies used range from machine learning and language processing to intelligent robotics, applied to automation, forecasting, and anomaly detection. AI improves the accuracy and timeliness of information, though it poses challenges in terms of explainability and governance. Value creation depends on the right combination of data, analytical capabilities and good governance. The review reveals barriers such as data quality, implementation costs and cultural resistance, and proposes a configurational framework linking AI, processes, information, management decisions and value creation.

Objective: Corporate innovation is a crucial strategy for companies seeking sustainable growth, competitiveness and long-term value creation. However, its impact remains limited without the commitment of corporate governance decision-makers. The aim of this research is to analyze how the characteristics of boards of directors influence the ability to generate economic value through the organizations' commitment to innovation. Methodology: This research uses a GLS regression model on panel data related to the most innovative European companies from 2012 to 2022. Results: Although the results highlight the important role of female directors in improving CEO effectiveness, they also reveal the persistent challenges related to the low representation of women in senior executive positions and the complexities of nationality diversity on corporate boards. The investigation also highlights slight differences between listed and non-listed companies. Practical implications: By examining how decisions from corporate governance decision-makers translate innovation into economic value, this research contributes to a better understanding of how to design strategies aimed at creating and maintaining sustainable business value.

This study examines the strategic role of the TNI Manunggal Membangun Desa (TMMD) Program as an instrument of Military Operations Other Than War in supporting community development in Indonesia and proposes a strategic policy framework to optimize its implementation. Grounded in post-reform civil–military relations, the study situates TMMD within the broader transformation of the Indonesian National Armed Forces from a conventional defense-oriented institution toward a multidimensional actor contributing to rural development, humanitarian assistance, and social stability. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with military and civilian stakeholders, document analysis, and field observations, and analyzed using Robert K. Yin’s qualitative data analysis framework. The findings reveal that TMMD has generated significant physical, social, and emergency-response benefits at the village level and enjoys strong public trust due to its participatory and context-sensitive implementation. However, its effectiveness remains constrained by rigid organizational structures, hierarchical decision-making, cultural resistance to civilian oversight, and regulatory ambiguity. From the perspectives of New Public Management, Transformational Leadership, and Public Value Governance, the study highlights the need for performance-based accountability, decentralized authority, transformational leadership at the territorial level, and collaborative governance mechanisms to ensure democratic legitimacy and sustainable public value creation. The study concludes that optimizing TMMD requires an integrated strategic policy framework that aligns military professionalism with community empowerment, strengthens cross-sector collaboration, and clarifies legal boundaries between military and civilian roles. Such a framework positions TMMD as a strategic, accountable, and adaptive development policy instrument capable of supporting inclusive and sustainable rural development in Indonesia.

Purpose Social procurement is an innovative policy tool that integrates social values in public procurement, while leveraging the power of public procurement to address complex social problems. This study aims to examine the implementation of social procurement within the Ministry of Health through cross-sector collaboration among public, private and third-sector organizations. Specifically, the objectives were to analyze how the procurement process contributes to social value creation, identify the main enablers of collaboration and analyze the potential for optimizing social value–based procurement policies. Design/methodology/approach This research used a descriptive qualitative approach, using a case study design. The data collection used was a thematic analysis, conducted through semistructured interviews, focus group interviews and participatory observation, involving 16 stakeholders from government, businesses, community organizations and universities. Data collection focused on cross-sector collaboration through in-house procurement (Swakelola) type III and procurement through suppliers that meet the criteria of Domestic Products and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Cooperatives. These mechanisms were evaluated for their potential to create social value. Findings The results show that collaboration between the Ministry of Health and nonprofit social organizations in the procurement of health services through in-house procurement type III produces direct social value. Meanwhile, collaboration between the Ministry of Health and private sector organizations in the procurement of affirmative action policies for MSEs, as well as cooperatives that produce domestic products, creates indirect social value. Leadership, regulations, procurement systems and trust emerged as the primary factors supporting the implementation of social procurement. The strategy for optimizing social procurement is driven by collaborative leadership, which creates collaborative procurement governance and generates social value. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study include the limited scope of data exploration, which only involved key stakeholders from the public sector, namely, the Ministry of Health and several partners from the nonprofit, private and higher education sectors, including the National Public Procurement Agency. The perspectives of beneficiaries of social programs or services have not been considered, despite their significant role in evaluating the resulting social impact. Similarly, other secondary stakeholders, such as academics, civil society organizations and donor agencies, as well as other key stakeholders, including oversight bodies, have not been adequately accommodated. These limitations in stakeholder exploration and analysis need to be addressed in further research involving multiple stakeholders in assessing social procurement. Practical implications This study recommends that leaders actively encourage cross-sector collaboration in procurement and integrate social values into procurement strategies. Procurement regulations promote collaborative governance in the early stages. Meanwhile, third-sector leaders focus on building internal capabilities, engaging sector dialogue, establishing trust and pursuing social goals. Social implications This study discusses broadening cross-sector stakeholders’ understanding of the importance of governments in developing countries creating social value through the procurement of goods and services. Originality/value This study bridges the gap in social procurement literature by examining its application in Indonesia, providing insight into cross-sector collaboration dynamics and offering policy recommendations. The result contributes to both theory and practice by demonstrating the potential for social procurement to achieve sustainable development goals through leadership.

Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative general-purpose technology with the potential to redefine entrepreneurial innovation across data-intensive and optimization-driven industries. By exploiting quantum mechanical principles such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism, quantum computers offer new computational capabilities that may surpass classical systems in solving complex problems. This paper examines quantum computing as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation, focusing on the strategic opportunities, market disruptions, and ethical challenges associated with quantum-enabled business models in finance, supply chain optimization, and healthcare startups. Through a cross-sectoral analysis, the study explores how startups can leverage hybrid quantum–classical approaches to accelerate decision-making, enhance predictive accuracy, and unlock novel value propositions. At the same time, it addresses critical concerns related to technological uncertainty, unequal access, data security, and responsible innovation. The paper argues that while quantum computing presents significant disruptive potential, its sustainable integration into entrepreneurial ecosystems requires strategic foresight and ethical governance frameworks alongside technological adoption.

This study examines how the efficiency of working capital management (WCM) influences shareholder value in Vietnam, an emerging economy where internal capital allocation is critical. A panel of 150 non-financial firms listed on the Hanoi Stock Exchange from 2015 to 2024 is used, with firms classified annually as financially healthy, distressed, or bankrupt using the Altman Z-score. Unlike prior research that treats financial health as a control, it is used as a central focus. WCM efficiency is measured by residual-based metrics, Efficiency of Net Working Capital (ENWC) and Efficiency of Cash Conversion Cycle (ECCC), which account for firm-specific operational factors. Results how that WCM efficiency positively affects shareholder value only in financially healthy firms; no significant relationship is found in distressed or bankrupt firms. This suggests that the benefits of working capital optimization depend on a firm’s capacity to implement these strategies effectively. The study contributes by combining firm-level health segmentation with refined efficiency measures and highlights the enabling role of technology, such as ERP systems and AI tools, in maximizing WCM effectiveness when financial conditions are stable.

This theoretical paper has explored how the organizational change in Apple Inc. in terms of leadership, corporate culture, operations, marketing and human resource management led to its long-term competitive advantage. Despite the large body of research on Apple in terms of innovation and branding, previous research studies had hardly combined internal variables into a single theoretical framework, which made a gap in the conceptualization of how cross-functional change influenced the long-term marketing performance. To surmount this shortcoming, the paper has synthesized recent works in the literature of strategies management, organizational behavior and marketing to create a holistic framework, which interpreted how Apple changed its leadership with a personality to a process-driven stability, how it has created a hybrid culture of secrecy and collaboration, and how it has transformed its supply chain and human resource. The synthesis showed that all these combined improvements contributed to the Apple innovation capability, creation of customer value, and market resilience, and new challenges, including competitive pressure, privacy concerns, intellectual property debate, supply chain ethics, and sustainability pressures were still affecting the strategic direction of the company. The innovation of the paper was the cross-functional transformation lens and new constructs such as leadership continuity transformation and ethical branding misalignment supply chain. The research paper was meant to contribute to the conceptual knowledge of organizational change and its meaning to the researcher studying strategic change in international technology companies.

Objectives The article analyzes the significance and value of the human being in the context of dynamic labor market transformations triggered by the development of artificial intelligence. Reflection is undertaken regarding the anthropological-pedagogical function of work and the role of the human being as a moral, creative subject responsible for shaping relationships with technology. Key competencies of the future, the development of which becomes indispensable in a professional environment dominated by algorithmic solutions, are discussed. The tasks of contemporary education and the pedagogy of work in preparing individuals for responsible coexistence with AI are also indicated Material and methods Subject material and analytical-synthetic method Results Working man model in AI Conclusions The conclusion emphasizes that, despite increasing automation, the human being remains the essential creator of meaning, value, and social order in the world of work.

Aim of the article: to offer suggestions for improving the branding of Ukrainian libraries of culture and art institutions of higher education based on the analysis of leading global practices, which will contribute to their transformation into dynamic educational and creative centres. Research methods are a systemic approach, which views library branding as an integrated sociocultural system, and a comparative analysis, which is used to study models at art university libraries of the US, the Great Britain and Germany. Additionally, a structural-functional method is applied to identify key brand components and modelling to elaborate practical recommendations. The scientific novelty lies in an in-depth analysis of foreign branding practices in the highly specialised segment of libraries at higher art education institutions within the context of Ukrainian library studies. The essence of the concept of “art library brand” as a construct that combines material and intangible attributes, reputation and communication policy is clarified. A system of criteria for assessing the efficiency of branding strategies is grounded, as well as an authorial conceptual model of brand identity is offered. Main conclusions. The research proves that effective branding is an essential component of a library’s competitiveness under digital transformation conditions. Leading foreign libraries actively implement project-based activities, modern communication technologies and design thinking to cultivate a strong brand. Key elements of a successful strategy includes a distinct identity, a unique value proposition and integrated marketing communications. The practical recommendations formulated in this article are intended to adapt the considered models into the practices of Ukrainian libraries in order to enhance their sociocultural role.

In the context of in-depth digital transformation, enterprises are increasingly facing the dual pressures of market competition and operational efficiency improvement. Business process, which is central to enterprise value creation, often suffers from problems such as unclear bottlenecks, low collaboration efficiency and lack of scientific decision support in traditional operation modes. Business data analytics, with its ability to mine value from massive information, has become a key means to break through these predicaments and promote business process optimization and refinement. This paper focuses on the practical application of business data analytics in business process optimization, aiming to clarify the application path and internal mechanism of data analytics in improving process efficiency.

Abstract Technology‐driven transformation compels firms to invest in both physical and human capital, particularly information technology (IT) talent. Using LinkUp job posting data, we examine how IT talent acquisition signals strategic intent and affects firm value. We find that IT hiring improves operational efficiency through automation in low‐tech sectors and fosters innovation in high‐tech sectors. These mechanisms reveal distinct pathways through which technology talent shapes firm dynamics. Moreover, IT hiring influences financial performance, risk management, organizational culture, and strategic decisions. Our results offer new insights into how strategic IT talent acquisition drives value creation and informs managerial and policy choices.

Entrepreneurship has traditionally been conceptualized through frameworks that prioritize growth maximization, competitive dominance, and risk-taking norms historically associated with masculine economic models. In response to the structural inequalities embedded in these paradigms, entrepreneurial feminism has emerged as a transformative framework that redefines venture creation, innovation, and risk through the lens of gender equity and inclusion. This paper examines entrepreneurial feminism as both a theoretical and practical approach that challenges dominant entrepreneurial narratives by emphasizing collaborative leadership, social value creation, ethical governance, and inclusive access to resources. Through a multidimensional analysis, the study explores how feminist principles reshape entrepreneurial motivations, redefine risk-taking behaviors, and foster alternative innovation pathways that integrate economic sustainability with social justice. The findings suggest that entrepreneurial feminism not only expands opportunities for women and marginalized groups, but also offers more resilient and equitable models of business creation in contemporary economies.