"This book explores perspectives on how risks and uncertainties affect the financial stability of individuals and institutions. It contains a serious study of the origins and effects of unpredictable events on individuals and on society and explores how to establish financial stability and security. It offers solutions to mitigate risk and achieve financial resilience under uncertainty"--
AbstractBusinesses of the 21st century are utilizing technology in developing offerings for the growth of their businesses. From taking a minor role in formulating business decisions, technologies now have a larger stake. Disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, blockchain, 3D printing, 5G, Internet‐of‐Things, digital twins and augmented reality are changing how marketing strategies are developed and consumer behaviour is shaped. Our special issue contributes to enhancing the academic and industry‐relevant knowledge of such new‐age technologies and their marketing implications. The papers in this issue focus on the changing consumer behaviour in sectors like healthcare, apparel, footwear to highlight the critical role played by disruptive tech in shaping the modern world marketing and business plans.
PurposeThis paper aims to assess the readiness of retail workers to use blockchain technology (BCT) to improve supply chain performance. The assessment was made via a quantitative approach taken using a theoretical framework based on Keller's motivation model and self-determination theory in the BCT context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data from 567 retail workers from an emerging country through a structured survey questionnaire. The authors tested the hypotheses of the proposed model using Warp PLS 7.0 and controlled firm age, industry type and technological intensity.FindingsOur findings may help firms in making the process of digital transformation inclusive. The authors found that supplier-based attention and motivation through BCT lead to supply chain performance, and that supplier-based satisfaction and trust achieved through BCT positively impact supply chain performance. Further, supplier-based relevance on raw material selection with the higher trust and motivation levels achieved through BCT was found to have a positive impact on supply chain performance.Research limitations/implicationsIT supply chain applications are referred to as "lean" rather than "rich" because they still rely mainly on written and numerical means to present data. When the environment is less ambiguous, then less rich media can be used to facilitate communication. IT supply chain applications allow suppliers to spend time building relationships with other suppliers instead of focusing on administrative tasks, thus enhancing such relationships.Originality/valueThis study can be considered the first to assess retailer readiness to use BCT to improve supply chain performance through the theoretical lens of Keller's motivation model and self-determination theory.
PurposeSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) significantly contribute to economic growth, development, exports and employment of the nations. To maintain competitiveness in today's market, SMEs must explore and identify enablers to enhance their digital transformation process. This paper aims to shed light on some essential enablers SMEs can use to implement digital resilience successfully.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative assessment and validation of the enablers have been done using powerful and novel techniques, namely, the Delphi method, "fuzzy interpretive structural modelling" (F-ISM) method and "cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC)" analysis. The F-ISM model is developed using the information drawn from digital transformation experts and practitioners involved in the digital transformation process for SMEs. Furthermore, the F-ISM model provides four paths to complete the pathway to digital resilience.FindingsThe F-ISM and MICMAC analysis revealed four ways to enhance the digital transformation process in SMEs. These enterprises can utilise these path assessments to become digitally resilient in the present dynamic scenario. To enhance digital resilience among SMEs, the study identified ten enablers. Among these, "management competencies" was the most crucial, followed by "knowledge management" and "monitoring and controlling".Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is limited in that the data used to develop the models were collected from a small group of industry experts whose opinions may not exhibit the comprehensive views of the population.Practical implicationsThe findings can help SMEs enhance the digital transformation process by taking up different pathways to integrate the various enablers of digital resilience depending on resource availability.Originality/valueThe results indicate the most critical and influential enablers for enhancing digital resilience among SMEs. This research can be valuable to academicians, industry practitioners and researchers for guiding their future work.
PurposeThe current market conditions are driving firms to plan, design and implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies that are true to the firms' real sense, i.e. authentic. Authenticity is an important aspect of micro-foundations of CSR in shaping the way social responsibility initiatives would impact the stakeholders including the customers, partners, current members of the organization and shareholders. This calls for a need to synthesize past research on CSR authenticity in order to propose directions for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe current study synthesizes relevant literature on CSR authenticity using systematic literature review (SLR) approach. In total, 34 research works were identified and examined to seek insights on CSR authenticity.FindingsFindings of the study identified various miro-, meso- and macro-level determinants of CSR authenticity and different set of outcomes having implications on business and society. The study also proposes a comprehensive definition of CSR authenticity which was somewhat missing in existing literature.Practical implicationsThe study provides strong theoretical and managerial implications. Particularly, the study provides directions for future research on the topic.Originality/valueIn this paper, a review of literature on CSR authenticity is currently missing.
PurposeThis paper documents and links firm- and country-level outcomes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) by portraying how the Chinese economy has fared during the COVID-19 crisis. It does so by shedding light on the factors that determine the effectiveness of health policies implemented in China.Design/methodology/approachUnlike the prior literature, in which lagging performance measures are used, the authors use leading indicators with event study methodology to develop effectiveness scores and identify the determinants of effectiveness, including financial variables, firm infection, geographical location of the spread, travel bans, lockdown periods, policies of home quarantine, health innovations and other innovative measures undertaken by the Chinese authorities.FindingsThe detailed disaggregated results show many dimensions where abnormal returns are indeed associated with various health policies and that the effectiveness, influenced by firm size, profitability, firm infection and location. The results remain robust when the authors control for various event windows and models and provide evidence of a strong UNSDG link, which the authors draw up a list.Research limitations/implicationsApart from the quantitative analysis approach, future studies can complement and add further insights by utilizing qualitative research approaches.Practical implicationsThe results offers robust evidence for policy-makers and firm managers on how a crisis of such proportions and subsequent health policies is affecting different firms and why.Social implicationsThe study shows how COVID-19 health policies open a new dimension in terms of energy demand reduction and lower emissions, factors linking to the UNSDGs.Originality/valueThe study is the first to show detailed disaggregated results across many dimensions where abnormal returns are indeed associated with various health policies and that the effectiveness, influenced by firm size, profitability, firm infection and location.
AbstractNeuroscience and its offshoot as neuromarketing have helped marketers understand neuroscientific aspects of customers while gamification has helped them understand the psyche of consumers. Despite neuromarketing's many potential benefits to businesses, little academic work has been done on the field so far. Most studies have examined consumer shifts during and after pandemics without analyzing them from two critical perspectives: neuroscientific theories and psychology theories. As the two streams of knowledge lean on each other, their interdependence in the field of e‐engagement needs exploration. The purpose of this study is to answer an important question – "How do marketers use gamification and neuromarketing to understand online engagement of consumers?". We used a quantitative empirical research approach to assess the inter‐relationship between neuromarketing and gamification. The study collected data from digital marketing strategists of retail firms to propose a theoretical framework for self‐determination theory in successfully implementing new age technologies by plugging the cues of gamification and neuromarketing. The framework would be useful for retail firms to design digital marketing strategies for capturing the attention of consumers across different geographies. Findings indicated that, marketers are interested in neuromarketing for two main reasons: first, they think it can help them save money and improve their marketing plans, and second, they think that cutting‐edge research techniques such as brain imaging can help them get more accurate findings.
