The effect of corporate social responsibility performance on financial performance: the case of food industry

Mitigating the environmental concerns through total quality management and green manufacturing practices

This study seeks to explore the intricate relationship between total quality management (TQM) and environmental performance (EP), incorporating the mediating role of green manufacturing practices (GMPs). Additionally, the study examines the moderating impact of environmental strategy on the connections between GMPs and EP. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to managers of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and were subjected to analysis using structural equation modeling. The results reveal a positive and significant impact of TQM on EP. Furthermore, the findings suggest that GMPs partially mediate the association between TQM and EP, while the anticipated moderating effect of environmental strategy between GMPs and EP is also supported in this study. These outcomes hold valuable implications for enhancing the environmental performance of SMEs through the integration of TQM and GMPs. It is important to note that this research exclusively focuses on manufacturing SMEs; therefore, future studies should extend their examination of this concept to other industries. Additionally, the study's findings provide a valuable roadmap for SME administrators aiming to elevate their environmental performance.

An investigation on dynamic connectedness of commodity market with financial market during the Russia–Ukraine invasion

Purpose

This study unravels an attempt to investigate the dynamic connectedness of agri-commodity (wheat) of Russia with 10 financial markets of wheat importing counties during the Russia–Ukraine invasion.

Design/methodology/approach

This study took the daily prices of Wheat FOB Black Sea Index (Russia) along with stock indices of 10 major wheat-importing nations of Russia and Ukraine. The time frame for this study ranges from February 24, 2022 to July 31, 2022. This time frame was selected since it fully examines all of the effects of the crisis. The conditional correlations and volatility spillovers of these indices are predicted using the DCC-GARCH model, Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) and Baruník and Křehlík (2018) models.

Findings

It is found that there is dynamic linkage of agri-commodity of with stock markets of Iraq, Pakistan and Tanzania in short run while stock markets of Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil and Iraq are spilled by agri-commodity in long run. In addition, it documents that there is large spillover in short run than medium and long run comparatively. This signifies that investors have more diversification opportunity in short run then long run contemplating to invest in these markets.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ understanding this is the first study to undertake the dynamic linkage of agri-commodity (wheat) of Russia with financial market of select importing counties during the Russia–Ukraine invasion.

Sustainability practices in manufacturing companies: analysis of an emerging economy

Purpose

Considering the high impacts caused by manufacturers on sustainability, this research aims to analyse how Brazilian manufacturing companies deal with sustainability issues. To do this, sustainability parameters are analysed to verify possible improvement opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA) to analyse data from a survey with Brazilian professionals regarding aspects of sustainability in Brazilian manufacturers. The average score levels and the ranking of these aspects are evaluated.

Findings

Through the analysis performed, it was possible to verify that manufacturers in Brazil still have a long path to travel in the search for sustainability. Comparatively, it was observed that practices related to local communities received the lowest scores, on average. In contrast, on average, practices related to productivity and efficiency, occupational accidents and diseases, and compliance with environmental legislation received the highest scores.

Practical implications

The results presented in this paper show that there are several improvement opportunities to be sought by Brazilian manufacturing companies regarding sustainability aspects. Particular attention should be given to local community practices. Besides companies, policymakers can also use this analysis to guide their future actions, encouraging manufacturing companies to better support the local community. Researchers can use the instrument of analysis (TOPSIS and GRA) to analyse other realities and compare them with the findings presented.

Originality/value

The analysis of Brazilian manufacturing companies’ reality regarding sustainability practices and considering a model based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) is novel in the literature. The use of TOPSIS and GRA, as well as comparing their findings, generated interesting insights for companies, policymakers and researchers. The analysis presented shows the need for more significant concern for local communities and can be used to support further debates and action plans to minimise this gap.

Corporate Social Responsibility: What Are Foodservice Companies Reporting?

This study identified aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities using online communication tools (i.e., websites and online CSR reports) with an emphasis on the foodservice industry and compared quick-service restaurants and dessert cafes. With the content analysis of 48 foodservice companies, the community, environment, marketplace, vision and values, food, and workforce-centered CSR activities implemented by the selected foodservice companies were measured. In addition, the types CSR information delivered to customers employed by the foodservice companies were investigated. Lastly, there were significant differences between two segments in the foodservice industry in some aspects of CSR activities and types of CSR activities.

Integrated management system: methodology for maturity assessment in food industries

Purpose

A model to evaluate the maturity of the integration of three management systems in food industries, under the aspects of environment, quality and food safety is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is composed of maturity levels, allowing the understanding of the integration of the systems mentioned and their stage of evolution. The work was based on a bibliographic review of the topics: ISO standards, Integrated Management Systems (IMS) and already existing methods for maturity assessment. The referred model is composed of elements related to (1) audit dynamics, (2) changes in behavior, (3) the organizational structure, (4) the participation of senior management and (5) the interface with the cycle of continuous improvement.

Findings

The model is easily applicable and composed of five maturity levels, allowing the understanding of the stage of system evolution: (1) absence of maturity, (2) introductory level, (3) intermediate level, (4) toward excellence and (5) excellence.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the model may help managers in the development of actions for the improvement of their integrated management (drivers for IMS) aiming at process control, the focus on the client and the integration of people and processes. Based on the drivers, the managers will be able to make plans characterized by orientations, techniques and tools applied in the several organizational processes. Using the proposed model, managers can enhance the desired results with efficiency and effectiveness.

Originality/value

The existing literature presents limited results on the integration of certified systems for the analysis of the maturity stages in manufacturing industries. Therefore, this study extends results from other studies on IMS, associating them to an organizational maturity analysis in food industries, resulting in a proposal of maturity model. This study also proposes the integration of ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 to indicate the maturity stage of manufacturing industries in the food sector, supporting the strategic management process of organizations of any size. The model adopts several aspects of management and control to provide a holistic view on the integrated management of organizations. Finally, the proposed model considers several aspects of management and control for the food industries in the developing countries, providing a holistic view of integrated management.

Analyzing the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Environmental Performance: Mediating Roles of Environmental Strategy and Environmental Outcomes

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental performance, utilizing data from 415 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China as a case study. We found that CSR has a direct and significant impact on environmental performance (EP) and is positively correlated to environmental strategy (ES) and environmental outcomes (EO), both of which improve environmental performance, i.e., they serve as a significant mediating factor between CSR and environmental performance. Our study will help general managers and policy maker of SMEs, provides a beneficial model for managing CSR, ES, and EO to achieve sustainable environmental performance. Specifically, it can assist general managers of SMEs in strengthening their internal resources such as CSR, ES, and EO in order to improve long-term environmental performance.

Olympic Games, media coverage and brand image/performance from fan and gender perspectives

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and test certain assumptions concerning the role of the media in its coverage of the Olympic Games, US men's and women's basketball in particular, and its perceived impact on brand image of the athletes' performance from a fan's motivational and financial perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses and gratifications theory and sport fan motivation scales were used to identify potential impacts of media coverage and branding on athletic performance. Based on a study of 143 working professionals that identified themselves as Olympic sport fans in the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area, several hypotheses were tested.

Findings

The most to least important factor-based constructs found from a PCA (Principal Components Analysis)/factor analysis included competitiveness, fan commitment, media connections, media impacts, demographics and financial impacts. When using the construct athletic performance at the Olympic level as the dependent variable, results suggested that competitiveness, media connections and fan commitment were significant for males only, while only media connections for significant for females. Males were found to be more player-centric than females, willing to be more focused on the competitive nature of the Olympic Games and to dedicate more money for such activities.

Originality/value

Focusing on Olympic Games and associated athletes' competitive nature opens a unique perspective from fan's gender perspective.

How Higher Education Promotes the Integration of Sustainable Development Goals—An Experience in the Postgraduate Curricula

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created big challenges and opportunities in Higher Education (HE). In this situation, several universities worldwide have responded with digital methods and hybrid classes in a short period of time. The aim of this paper is to show how the universities have adapted teaching methods to digital platforms in the academic year 2020–2021. This case study is based on the experience of 37 postgraduate communication students in the course Business and Communication from a Communication Programme. The objective of this course was to promote the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) in business following the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) of the United Nations. To do this, the students provided different solutions related to the SDGs and developed a communication strategy to inform and engage the stakeholders in the companies analyzed in a hybrid class. The results show that using this methodology and working in digital platforms, students have learned the importance of SDGs through implementing specific solutions linked to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Based on this analysis, they also developed a communication strategy showing how companies can improve society with specific actions through the lens of the SDG perspective.

Total quality management and sustainability in the public service sector: the mediating effect of service innovation

Purpose

This study aims to critically investigate the structural relationships between total quality management (TQM), service innovation and sustainability performance in the public service sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed an online survey to collect data from 400 employees working in eight selected UAE public service sector organisations located in Abu Dhabi. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to empirically examine whether TQM practices improve service innovation and, subsequently, sustainability performance in the UAE's public service sector.

Findings

The results show that TQM has a significant impact on service innovation and sustainability performance in the UAE's public service sector. Additionally, service innovation partially mediates the relationship between TQM and sustainability performance.

Practical implications

The public service sector's TQM practices and service innovation in the UAE have a much greater impact on social and environmental sustainability than on economic sustainability performance. Adopting five dimensions of TQM (following the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance [ADAEP] model) across the UAE's public organisations will enable government departments to deliver innovative services to its beneficiaries.

Originality/value

This study provides a substantial contribution by addressing the gaps in the literature. Very few studies have empirically investigated the possible association between TQM, service innovation and sustainability performance in public sector organisations, particularly in developing countries such as the UAE, where the increasing efforts in TQM practices are still in their emerging stages, mainly targeting innovative service offerings and sustainable performance.

Association between fund attributes and fund's performance: a panel data approach

Purpose

The present study tries to explore the various fund attributes that influence the mutual fund performance. Further, study examined the effect of mutual fund attributes namely, Net Asset Value (NAV), Portfolio turnover ratio (PTR), fund size (AUM), expense ratio (ExpR) and fund age (Age) on mutual fund's performance using gross return and risk-adjusted performance measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study evaluated balanced panel data (short panel) comprising 81 Indian equity mutual fund schemes for the period of 2013–2019. The study estimated relationship between fund attributes (Net asset value, Portfolio turnover ratio, Fund age, fund size and Expense ratio) and fund performance (using gross return and risk-adjusted performance measures), through panel data regression using fixed-effects model as suggested by Hausman specification test on transformed data (due to high multicollinearity), with cluster-robust estimators due to the presence of heteroskedasticity in the model.

Findings

The findings of the study suggested that using gross return as fund performance measure, PTR, NAV, AUM, Age exhibit significant relationship with the fund performance whereas using risk-adjusted performance measures (Treynor ratio and Jensen alpha) NAV and ExpR significantly influences the fund performance. Identification of the significant relationship between fund characteristics and fund performance offers valuable insights to the investors and fund managers for rationally managing their portfolio with the ultimate objective of the wealth maximization.

Research limitations/implications

The study considered only 81 equity mutual fund schemes. Some of the data were not available at the time of the study due to the policy of the company. The present study contributes significantly in examining the expected association between fund attributes and fund performance in the context of Indian mutual fund industry where this relationship were explored less.

Practical implications

The findings of the present study will help the investors to take the rational investment decision with the ultimate objective of maximum return with minimal risk. The findings also offer significant germane to the stakeholders in making rational decision-making process.

Originality/value

There is dearth of study concerning the relationship between mutual fund characteristics and fund performance with respect to Indian mutual fund industry. Therefore, study provides valuable insights to the area of the portfolio selection and management with respect to Indian mutual funds.

Evaluating the effect of critical failure factors associated with sustainable Lean Six Sigma framework implementation in healthcare organization

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a structured hierarchical interrelationship-based model to evaluate the critical failure factors (CFFs) that affect the sustainable Lean Six Sigma (SLSS) framework implementation in a healthcare organization. Further, solution approaches have been provided that guide to eliminate them.

Design/methodology/approach

The CFFs has been identified through empirical study and clustered into six major categories for their better understanding. The interrelation among CFFs has been developed through total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) and classifies the nature using MICMAC technique. Further, prioritized the CFFs based on its driving and dependents power. The methodology enabled the decision-makers, practitioners to systematically analyze the CFFs and develop a structural model for implementing SLSS in the healthcare environment.

Findings

A total of 14 leading CFFs have been identified, and 7-level structured interrelationship-based model has been formed. The experts have provided the solution approach after careful analysis of the developed model. Based on the analysis, it was observed that the significant CFFs affect the deployment of the SLSS framework in healthcare organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The structured model and methodological approach have been tested in a healthcare organization. In the future, the approach can be applied in the different service sectors.

Practical implications

The present study has been conducted in a real-time industrial problem. The practitioners, decision-makers and academicians expressed the usefulness of methodology for understanding the CFFs interrelation and their effect on SLSS implementation. This study also guides decision-makers to systematically tackle related problems.

Originality/value

The development of a structured CFFs based model for SLSS framework implementation using the integrated TISM-MICMAC with a detailed solution approach is a unique effort in a healthcare environment.