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Sustainability
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Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II
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Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 December 2021) | Viewed by 44111

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kot

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. The Management Faculty, Czestochowa University of Technology, Częstochowa, Poland
2. Faculty of Economic Sciences and IT, North-West University (NWU), Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
Interests: sustainable development; supply chain; CSR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Beata Ślusarczyk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Management, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-201 Czestochowa, Poland
2. College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, 2092 Johannesburg, South Africa
Interests: Industry 4.0; industrial policy; globalization; innovation and entrepreneurship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce that following the success of the first volume (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/Technology_Challenges_Sustainable_Business), we are now hosting Volume II of the Special Issue on Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II.

The issue of sustainable business is very complicated, because it refers to the economy, natural environment, society and its values, as well as enterprise relations with the external environment, which, in some part, occurs using modern technologies.
Sustainable business should be based on the transparency of relationships and dialogue between stakeholders, among which one can distinguish: Employers, employees, government or social organizations. In this sense, the issue of sustainable business goes far beyond the scope of traditionally understood labor relations, including also the interests of consumers, local communities or the natural environment.

The editors propose that the assumptions regarding the Special Issue should reflect two important challenges that sustainable business is facing now: First, the global social movement directing demands for business and the second: the catalog of modern technologies and management tools that allow the company to respond to growing social and business expectations. Because this subject is often considered in the context of large corporations, it is suggested that the analyzes should concern small and medium-sized enterprises mainly.

In this context, the purpose of the Special Issue is to provide knowledge about available tools and practices of sustainable business in order to effectively respond to social and technological development challenges.

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kot
Prof. Dr. Beata Ślusarczyk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable business
  • social challenges
  • CSR
  • industry 4.0
  • new technologies
  • small medium enterprises

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 766 KiB  
Article
Unleashing the Barriers to CSR Implementation in the SME Sector of a Developing Economy: A Thematic Analysis Approach
by Asif Mahmood, Rana Tahir Naveed, Naveed Ahmad, Miklas Scholz, Muhammad Khalique and Mohammad Adnan
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12710; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212710 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5541
Abstract
The notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from the perspective of sustainability has been a part of the academic discussion in recent years. Different studies have also highlighted the inability of the SME sector to implement a CSR plan to achieve sustainability objectives. [...] Read more.
The notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from the perspective of sustainability has been a part of the academic discussion in recent years. Different studies have also highlighted the inability of the SME sector to implement a CSR plan to achieve sustainability objectives. However, why this sector is unable to adopt CSR is something that has not been properly attended by contemporary scholars. Against this backdrop, the current study aims to explore the major barriers that inhibit SMEs from implementing CSR and sustainability measures. The current study data were collected from the senior management of different SMEs in Pakistan and were analyzed using thematic analysis to extract different patterns of themes. The results unveil that the “lack of finances” is the most critical barrier for CSR, followed by the “lack of CSR knowledge.” The implications for theory and practice are also discussed in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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19 pages, 3731 KiB  
Article
The Impact of an Enterprise’s Intellectualization on Its Leadership Potential
by Dahui Zhou, Svetlana Danshina, Anastasia Kurilova and Marcin Lis
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179670 - 27 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2268
Abstract
The intellectualization of medical companies is gaining special importance in modern conditions of sustainable development, including the minimization of coronavirus consequences. The study aims to form a methodological approach to assess the impact of enterprise intellectualization on the level of leadership potential in [...] Read more.
The intellectualization of medical companies is gaining special importance in modern conditions of sustainable development, including the minimization of coronavirus consequences. The study aims to form a methodological approach to assess the impact of enterprise intellectualization on the level of leadership potential in the context of stimulating its components. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a system of factors for achieving leadership based on the intellectualization of Russian clinics, as well as the construction of a synergistic mechanism for combining factors with each other. The scientific contribution of the study is the proposed methodological toolkit for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of a company’s intellectualization on its leadership potential. It provides an opportunity to prioritize the management potential of skills, abilities, and capabilities in order to create a competitive advantage of an enterprise, achieve strategic goals, and form leadership positions in the market. Most of the studied companies were characterized by a lack of balance between leadership potential components in the context of intellectualization. Determining the level of leadership potential development based on companies’ intellectualization demonstrated that the level of qualifications determines the corresponding capabilities, which stimulate the development of a clinics’ personnel. The tested model of assessing the leadership potential of the studied companies’ personnel proves that intellectualization of general clinics influences their leadership potential. It also contributes to sustainable development in the context of actualizing their social component (namely, increased efficiency of medical services, their quality, and, accordingly, the level of health care in general). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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22 pages, 1923 KiB  
Article
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Performance in Egypt: An Empirical Study Based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI)
by Mohamed Abouelhassan Ali, Moaaz Kabil, Rahaf Alayan, Róbert Magda and Lóránt Dénes Dávid
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7171; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137171 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 11051
Abstract
Entrepreneurship is a significant economic process in regional economic development. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem by using the global entrepreneurship index (GEI) data from 2006–2017. This empirical study provides an in-depth insight into the Egyptian entrepreneurship [...] Read more.
Entrepreneurship is a significant economic process in regional economic development. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem by using the global entrepreneurship index (GEI) data from 2006–2017. This empirical study provides an in-depth insight into the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem situation based on GEI methodology and its sub-indexes, pillars, and individual and institutional variables. Results revealed that the Egyptian entrepreneurial “Aspiration” pillars play a promising role in the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem, especially the “Process Innovation” and “Risk Capital” pillars. Although the entrepreneurial “Abilities” pillars appear as shortcomings in the Egyptian GEI, especially the "Opportunity Startup" and "Competition" pillars. Furthermore, Egyptian entrepreneurial “Attitudes” pillars are considered to be the main disadvantage of forming the Egyptian GEI score. Finally, the paper proved that the “Risk Acceptance” and “Networking” pillars appeared as the weakest aspect of the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem. Consequently, developing national policies and strategies to enhance these two pillars will improve the Egyptian GEI score by 2%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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21 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Linking Luxury Brand Perceived Value, Brand Attachment, and Purchase Intention: The Role of Consumer Vanity
by Kristina Petravičiūtė, Beata Šeinauskiené, Aušra Rūtelionė and Krzysztof Krukowski
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6912; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126912 - 18 Jun 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 8829
Abstract
The current study adds to the literature on the indirect effect of luxury brand perceived value on purchase intention via the brand attachment under the boundary conditions of consumer vanity. The authors employed a quantitative method approach, conducting an online survey with 508 [...] Read more.
The current study adds to the literature on the indirect effect of luxury brand perceived value on purchase intention via the brand attachment under the boundary conditions of consumer vanity. The authors employed a quantitative method approach, conducting an online survey with 508 respondents in Lithuania. Empirical research analysis reveals that the greater the perceived value of a luxury brand, the greater the consumer purchase intention. The latter is most strongly affected by the luxury brand perceived functional value. The study demonstrates that the greater the luxury brand perceived value among consumers, the greater their brand attachment, which in turn leads to a greater purchase intention. As there is a positive emotional relationship between a luxury brand and the consumer, the consumer’s purchase intention is also affected by the luxury brand perceived symbolic value, i.e., the capacity of the brand to communicate the consumer’s success, leadership, and power. Consumer vanity was not statistically significant to the nature of the relationship between luxury brand perceived value, brand attachment, and purchase intention. Luxury car marketers may benefit by focusing on the social and symbolic value of luxury car brand value in communication with brand-attached consumers in Lithuania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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17 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Sustainability of Business through Project Risk Identification with Use of Expert Estimates
by Katarina Buganova, Maria Luskova, Jozef Kubas, Michal Brutovsky and Jaroslav Slepecky
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6311; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116311 - 2 Jun 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3465
Abstract
Projects are a tool that enables enterprises to implement innovation and development activities and achieve the goals in the set time, costs and required quality but they also bring risks that need to be adequately identified, analyzed and assessed. Important tools that can [...] Read more.
Projects are a tool that enables enterprises to implement innovation and development activities and achieve the goals in the set time, costs and required quality but they also bring risks that need to be adequately identified, analyzed and assessed. Important tools that can be used in project management in the process of risk identification are expert estimates. However, little attention is paid to determining the accuracy of expert estimates. To verify the accuracy of expert estimates, an analysis of all completed projects for a certain period of enterprise that implemented them was performed. The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of expert estimates in the enterprise implementing projects. This was ascertained by analyzing all available completed projects and by Barnard’s test at the significance level of α = 0.05. The Phi coefficient of association was used to determine its extent. In the paper, we pointed out how inappropriate expert estimates affect the completion of the project within the specified period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
12 pages, 984 KiB  
Article
The Symbiotic Mutualism between Co-Creation and Entrepreneurship
by Sandra Misiak-Kwit, Małgorzata Wiścicka-Fernando and Kelaniyage Shihan Dilruk Fernando
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116285 - 2 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
In this manuscript, the authors aim to explore firstly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, secondly the association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, and thirdly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions within the sustainability context. In this paper, [...] Read more.
In this manuscript, the authors aim to explore firstly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, secondly the association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, and thirdly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions within the sustainability context. In this paper, the authors present the results of the pilot study. Primary data were collected from 500 university students from China, Georgia, Poland, Romania, and Sri Lanka by using a convenient sampling technique, and a literature review was the primary method of the concept development. The authors selected the above-mentioned countries to collect primary data by using a convenient sampling technique based on accessibility; they also visited all analysed countries in order to conduct the pilot survey personally. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were applied as primary statistical methods. The findings reveal that there is a very strong association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, a very weak negative association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, and, surprisingly, a weak association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions. The added value of the conducted pilot research involves filling in a gap regarding the relationship between experience and the subjective norm. In the presented pilot research, co-creation experience was compared with not only entrepreneurial mindset but with entrepreneurial intentions as well. An additional value of this exploratory research is compiling an international comparison. The main contribution of this pilot study is examining the symbiotic mutualism between co-creation and entrepreneurship. Among many platforms of associations, the following can be differentiated: creativity, innovativeness, openness, engagement, awareness, motivation, trust (level of social capital), and recognizing the significance of social and sustainable development objectives. Due to the small sample size, the results cannot be generalised. Results refer only to the respondents. However, the findings of the pilot study are the basis for further research studies on symbiotic mutualism between entrepreneurship and co-creation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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7 pages, 194 KiB  
Communication
The Environmental Concerns of Food Ecopreneurs
by Joacim Rosenlund
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6211; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116211 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2332
Abstract
This short communication highlights ecopreneurship as a distinct form of entrepreneurship. Excerpts from interviews with ecopreneurs were analyzed using the literature of ecopreneurship and passion. Ecopreneurs want to solve environmental issues that are large scale and often impossible to solve. The passion for [...] Read more.
This short communication highlights ecopreneurship as a distinct form of entrepreneurship. Excerpts from interviews with ecopreneurs were analyzed using the literature of ecopreneurship and passion. Ecopreneurs want to solve environmental issues that are large scale and often impossible to solve. The passion for the environment helps them through the everyday entrepreneurial struggles and keeps them on their existential odysseys. This empirical research shows a way forward for studies of entrepreneurship-based environmental concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
14 pages, 765 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Sustainable Waste Management Behavior of Malaysian Academics
by Gangga Muniandy, Marhana Mohamed Anuar, Bob Foster, Jumadil Saputra, Muhamad Deni Johansyah, Tran Tien Khoa and Zafar U. Ahmed
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4424; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084424 - 15 Apr 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4146
Abstract
The global increase of urban solid waste in developing countries is creating highly significant challenges. There is a lack of research on sustainable waste management behavior (SWMB) among university academic staff. Hence, this study aims to examine the effect of attitude, subjective norm, [...] Read more.
The global increase of urban solid waste in developing countries is creating highly significant challenges. There is a lack of research on sustainable waste management behavior (SWMB) among university academic staff. Hence, this study aims to examine the effect of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control on SWMB. This study employed the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the underlying theory. This study’s sample consisted of 252 academic staff from the top three sustainable universities in Malaysia listed by the UiGreenMetric in 2018. The academic staff were surveyed by using an online and self-administered survey and analyzed by using PLS-SEMThe results showed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control positively affect SWMB. This study makes significant contributions to both theory and practice. The study fills in the literature gap and supports the TPB theory. This study provides empirical evidence on the effect of main TPB variables, such as attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control on SWMB through a quantitative research approach, exploring all three of the 3Rs to study academic staff’s waste management behavior on campus. From the managerial perspective, this study’s results provide empirical evidence on factors that affect SWMB among academic staff. This information is crucial to managers and policymakers to plan strategies to engage academic staff with SWMB. Managers and policymakers should focus on conducting more campaigns on sustainable waste management for academic staff. The campaigns would enhance academic staff’s attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards practicing SWMB for a more sustainable campus in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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14 pages, 663 KiB  
Article
Towards a Sustainable News Business: Understanding Readers’ Perceptions of Algorithm-Generated News Based on Cultural Conditioning
by Yunju Kim and Heejun Lee
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073728 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2885
Abstract
The use of algorithms is beginning to replace human activities in the news business, and the presence of this technique will only continue to grow. The ways in which public news readers perceive the quality of news articles written by algorithms and how [...] Read more.
The use of algorithms is beginning to replace human activities in the news business, and the presence of this technique will only continue to grow. The ways in which public news readers perceive the quality of news articles written by algorithms and how this perception differs based on cultural conditioning remain issues of debate. Informed by the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) and the similarity-attraction theory, we attempted to answer these questions by conducting a three-way one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test with a 2 (author: algorithm vs. human journalist) × 2 (media: traditional media vs. online media) × 2 (cultural background: the US vs. South Korea) between-subjects experiment (N = 360). Our findings revealed that participants perceived the quality of news articles written by algorithms to be higher than those written by human journalists. We also found that when news consumption occurs online, algorithm-generated news tends to be rated higher than human-written news in terms of quality perception. Further, we identified a three-way interaction effect of media types, authors, and cultural backgrounds on the quality perception of news articles. As, to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to theoretically examine how news readers perceive algorithm-generated news from a cultural point of view, our research findings may hold important theoretical and practical implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and New Technology Challenges of Sustainable Business II)
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