Cogent Business & Managment

Business literacy is intellectual capital, which includes financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, and digital economic literacy, and its role in entrepreneurial creativity and the success of MSMEs is an important aspect to study, especially from a knowledge-based perspective. This research aims to identify and explore the influence of financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, and digital economic literacy on the success of MSMEs, with entrepreneurial creativity as a moderator variable. This research uses quantitative methods. The data collection technique used in this research is a questionnaire. The sample in this study was 700 respondents and were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data analysis using PLS-SEM through Smart PLS software version 4. This research provides a comprehensive exploration and understanding of the fact that financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, and digital economic literacy are intangible assets that have an impact on business success. This research succeeded in finding and confirming that financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, and digital economic literacy have a positive and significant effect on the success of MSMEs through entrepreneurial creativity. This finding emphasizes the development of new concepts and insights related to intellectual capital in MSMEs that include financial literacy, entrepreneurial literacy, and digital economic literacy as part of intellectual capital in the knowledge-based view perspective.

The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze the direct effects of authentic leadership (AL) and organizational culture (OC) on organizational learning (OL) and readiness for change (RC). Additionally, this research aims to investigate the moderating role of internal locus of control on these effects. The population consists of 555 employees from the chemical industry in Indonesia, with a sample size of 240 obtained through stratified proportional random sampling, a type of probability sampling. The analysis method employed is structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS version 3.2.8 software. In the data analysis, the outer model was rigorously assessed to ensure it meets the necessary criteria for validity and reliability. This assessment included checking indicator loadings, convergent validity and discriminant validity. The results confirmed that the outer model meets these criteria, validating the measurement model and allowing for further analysis of the inner model. The findings indicate that AL and OC significantly influence OL, whereas their impact on RC is not significant. However, the mediating role of OL yields the expected results in these relationships. Additionally, internal locus of control can strengthen the influence of OL on RC. This study highlights the importance of fostering AL and a strong OC to enhance learning within organizations and demonstrates how internal locus of control can play a crucial role in this dynamic.

This study presents a comprehensive review of organizational performance capacity enhancement through a systematic review of existing literature. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, the study identifies key factors, such as innovation, human resource management, knowledge management, sustainability, and technology adoption. The study also highlights the importance of strategic components, such as individual expertise, transformational leadership, and collective vision in driving innovation and knowledge acquisition in organizations. The uniqueness of this study lies in integrating absorptive capacity with strategic elements, resulting in a new conceptual framework specifically designed for the public sector, a gap that has not been widely addressed in previous studies. The results underscore the critical role of bureaucratic institutional capabilities and technology integration in optimizing performance in dynamic operational environments. Furthermore, the study offers practical insights that bridge the gap between theory and application, especially in the context of digitalization and post-pandemic organizational dynamics.

In this knowledge economy era, people-dependent intangible organizational resources, such as human capital, drive SMEs’ innovation and performance globally. However, scant literature examines the nexus between human capital, innovation, and SMEs’ performance. Hence, the study aimed to examine the mediating role of innovation practice in the nexus between human capital dimensions (formal education and managerial skill) and the performance of SMEs. A proportionate stratified with a simple random sampling technique was used to take 425 representative owner-managers of SMEs in Ethiopia. CB-SEM was used for data analysis. Findings reveal that owner’s managerial skills and formal education significantly and positively influence SME performance and innovation practice. However, innovation practice partially mediates the nexus between formal education, managerial skills, and SME performance. Hence, the study suggests for policymakers and stakeholders to play a critical role in aligning the formal education system and managerial skill development to stimulate innovation and improve SMEs’ performance. The study also suggests for SMEs to leverage their owners’ human capital for innovation-driven performance. Furthermore, this study contributes novel insights that add to the body of knowledge in the extant entrepreneurship field.

The global port industry, known for its historical resistance to technological advancements, now faces a pivotal moment in the age of blockchain innovation. This systematic literature review provides an in-depth investigation into the adoption of blockchain technology within the port industry, aiming to assess the current state of knowledge, identify areas lacking research attention, and emphasize emerging research avenues by analyzing a corpus of 316 articles. Our review employs a robust framework centered around four key themes: barriers to adoption, the port’s role in global value chains, sustainability considerations, and practical implementations of blockchain technology in ports. By analyzing these themes, we can gain valuable insights into the distinctive nature of the port industry and its potential transformation through blockchain technology. Theoretical contributions from this review emphasize adopting a Practice-Based View (PBV) perspective to examine the intricate interplay between barriers and practices in blockchain adoption. Furthermore, our innovative synthesis of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework sheds light on internal and external obstacles shaping the adoption landscape. A noteworthy aspect of this review is the recognition of the critical need to align theoretical frameworks with the unique characteristics of the port industry, emphasizing the importance of contextual relevance in research pursuits. It also highlights the scarcity and fragmentation of research in the domain of the port industry, encouraging future scholars to investigate the identified research gaps and theoretical perspectives. This article reveals that utilizing blockchain technology within ports can enhance the sustainability performance of the port industry.

The study examines the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) attributes on customer experience and purchase intention in the retail industry. The study employs a theoretical framework rooted in the Technology Acceptance Model and Stimulus-organism-response Theory, investigating the influence of AR attributes on customer experience leading to purchase intentions. Data from 306 participants were collected through an online survey, and hypotheses were evaluated using Structural Equation Modeling. The results show that the Perceived usefulness, Trust, and Self Augmentation within AR applications act as stimuli for Consumer Experience to drive Purchase Intention. The study thus affirms the positive impact of AR characteristics on Customer Experience and Purchase Intentions. The implication signifies that marketers will benefit by leveraging Augmented Reality to create personalized shopping journeys through avatar interactions, thereby improving the customer experience.

Improving the performance of the national hospitality industry is crucial, considering the ongoing rise in foreign and local tourist arrivals, which are estimated to be influenced by marketing strategies and the role of hotel employees. This study aims to investigate the influence of human resource management and marketing strategies on corporate image within a competitive market context, particularly in the hospitality sector. Moreover, it explores whether corporate image mediates between human resource management strategies, marketing strategies, and firm performance. Previous research overlooked the significance of corporate image for success in this industry. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey targeting 232 hotel managers in East Java, Indonesia. Structural equation modeling analysis reveals that marketing strategy positively impacts corporate image, thereby enhancing firm performance. The conclusion of this study emphasizes the direct effect of marketing strategy on firm performance, especially through pricing strategies that consider competitor prices, resulting in increased sales growth rates. These findings suggest that setting room occupancy prices positively influences market confidence. Hence, practitioners must carefully determine room prices in the current digital communication era, where potential buyers can access data swiftly through digital communication devices. Consequently, pricing has become a sensitive aspect and an opportunity for future researchers to elucidate the appropriate pricing strategy.

Family and work are essential components of modern life in both advanced and developing societies. Devoting excessive time to one of these domains’ conflicts with the other; they are interdependent and crucial to existence. Based on spillover and role theory, this study examines the impact of family–work and work–family conflict on job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and mental and physical health. Moreover, the research examines whether or not resilience moderates this association. In a cross-sectional design, a sample of 242 married female high school teachers administered a questionnaire. The study used the most recent PLS-SEM (partial least square structural equation modeling) software for data analysis. According to the findings, family–work conflict has a negative and statistically significant impact on job and life satisfaction. Work–family conflict, on the other hand, has a significant positive effect on life satisfaction. The results also revealed that both family–work and work–family conflicts have insignificant effects on mental and physical health. Moreover, the research showed that resilience plays a moderating role in the association between family–work conflict and both job and life satisfaction. This study contributed an additional understanding of the impacts of work and family conflict and aids policymakers and the Ministry of Education in developing efficient family-friendly policies.

This systematic literature review examines the current state of accounting employability research, focusing on required skills, challenges, and initiatives to enhance graduate preparedness. Following PRISMA guidelines, 45 relevant studies were analysed. Key findings highlight the growing importance of a diverse skill set for accountants, including professional skills, soft skills, digital skills and strategic competencies. Meanwhile, a significant gap remains between employer expectations and graduate competencies. The review identifies several initiatives to bridge this gap, such as work-integrated learning and curriculum reforms. The study also highlights barriers to implementation, including limited resources, the need for faculty development, and challenges in engaging students. It suggests directions for future research, recommending efforts that focus on policy development, teacher motivation, curriculum improvements, and student engagement to strengthen accounting education and enhance graduate employability. This review provides insights for accounting practitioners, accounting students, educators, employers, and policymakers to enhance accounting education and improve employability in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.

The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Sector (FMCG) is the fourth largest sector in the Indian economy, with Food and Beverages constituting 19%, healthcare constituting 31%, and Household and Personal Care constituting 50%. The key growth drivers for the Fast Moving Consumer Goods market are growing awareness among consumers, a more digitally literate population, greater disposable income, greater access to information pertaining to product comparisons and purchase opportunities in the e-commerce era, and changing lifestyles. As consumers pass through Instagram, Facebook, X, and various other social networks, brand communities, and blogs, marketers can see an interesting opportunity to benefit from virtual conversations. These virtual conversations have the ability to impact various aspects of the marketing realm and a detailed investigation on this would be meaningful. This manuscript uses the multiple-case method to investigate the impact of social media on various marketing aspects like brand trustworthiness, brand relationships, congruence and positioning. For this purpose, distinct research questions have been evolved and an examination of the social media presence of four brands – Amazon, Amul ((Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation), Nivea and Hindustan Unilever Ltd has been carried out. Subsequently, the authors conclude that marketers can leverage their social media presence to enhance brand trustworthiness, brand relationships, congruence and positioning.

The paper investigates the influence of ownership structures and board of directors’ characteristics on the extent of conservative accounting practiced by listed companies in Vietnam covering 558 firms with 2,161 observations in the period of 2011–2022. The authors rely on the quantitative method and multivariate regression analyses to verify the proposed hypotheses. Concerning the influence of ownership variables, the findings explore that state ownership (SO) and foreign ownership (FO) demonstrate a significant negative association with firms’ conservatism level, whereas large ownership (LO) indicates a significant positive association with firms’ conservatism degree. No association between management ownership (MO) and firm’s conservatives was found in this study. With regard to board of directors’ characteristic variables, the study results show that size of the board (BS), independence of the board (BI), and women on the board (GD) positively associated with firms’ conservatism report, while duality (DUAL) demonstrates a significant negative association with firms’ conservatism level. The research suggests some implications and recommendations for regulatory agencies, listed firms, investors, and other stakeholders to have appropriate behavioral decisions related to ownership structures and board characteristics of listed firms to ensure high level of accounting conservatism in a frontier market as Vietnam.

This study aims to assess the impact of neighborhood effects (NEs) on the adoption of digital payments (DP), focusing specifically on the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam. The innovation of our research lies in integrating the UTAUT2 model with the theory of herd behavior (THB). By analyzing interview data from 427 respondents using structural equation modeling (SEM), we discovered that NEs exert both a direct negative and an indirect positive influence on the adoption of DP. However, the overall impact is significantly positive. This underscores the crucial role of information shared by relatives, friends and colleagues in promoting awareness of DP. The findings highlight the importance of neighbors in enhancing citizens’ awareness and usage of DP in their daily lives. The article also discusses implications and suggests directions for future research.

This study explores the role of circular entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable development within Kazakhstan, an emerging market traditionally reliant on resource-intensive economic practices. The circular economy, with principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, offers a transformative alternative to the linear ‘take-make-waste’ model by promoting resource efficiency and waste minimization. Circular entrepreneurs are pivotal in this transition, particularly in emerging economies, where they address environmental challenges while creating new market opportunities. Despite its potential, circular entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan faces significant challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These challenges include limited policy support, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of public awareness about sustainable practices. This study employs a qualitative approach, including interviews and netnography, to investigate the motivations, operational dynamics, and challenges faced by SMEs in Kazakhstan that have integrated circular economy principles into their business models. The findings reveal that while Kazakhstan has made strides in promoting sustainable development through initiatives like the ‘Green Economy’ Plan, there are still substantial gaps in policy and institutional support for circular entrepreneurship. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies to enhance public awareness, provide financial incentives, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and foster collaboration among stakeholders. This research contributes to the broader understanding of circular entrepreneurship in emerging markets, offering policy recommendations that aim to support the growth of circular businesses and accelerate Kazakhstan’s transition to a circular economy. By highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in this context, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders committed to sustainable development.

Professional services firms play a vital role in driving innovation and facilitating growth in various industries. Despite their potential, the professional services industry faces challenges in maintaining innovation maturity. While the innovation concept is widely researched, studies on the factors influencing innovation ambidexterity in the professional services industry are still lacking. This research aims to provide an empirical study on the factors influencing the innovation ambidexterity in these firms, especially on the role of customer trust and co-creation. This quantitative research was carried out through a structured survey instrument and used a convenience sampling technique. Data collected from 104 Indonesian professional industry employees were analysed using a structural equation model (SEM) with SmartPLS4 software version 4.1.0.0. This study concludes that customer trust is a key resource for conducting co-creation. Both customer trust and co-creation have direct impacts towards innovation ambidexterity, which in turn influences business performance. This study advances Dynamic Capabilities Theory with its insights, while managerial implications for companies, and suggestions for future research are also described.

Corporate social responsibility has become an important component in assuring business performance and sustainability, and its implication is evident specifically in developing nations. This investigation estimated the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employees’ performance using employees’ well-being as a mediating variable. This empirical study uses quantitative methods with data collected through surveys from 296 employees of 6 banks in Madagascar. This study uses convenience sampling techniques, and the proposed conceptual framework was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings show that corporate social responsibility activities significantly influence employee performance. Also, this study found that employees’ well-being contributes to employees’ performance. Lastly, the mediating role of employees’ well-being was established, and it was significantly mediating the relationship between corporate social responsibility activities and employee performance. These results provide theoretical and practical reference values for CSR managers to improve companies’ social engagement and activities as they enhance well-being and performance. Furthermore, this study is among the few papers focusing on the impact of CSR activities on an individual level. Thus, banks should actively undertake CSR practices and optimize employee efficiency and human capital through their activities.

Many methods have been developed since the 1980s to measure Brand Equity (BE). These methods range from theoretical and pragmatic approaches to qualitative methods that determine the rankings of remembrance, emotionality, and valuation based on the likelihood of purchasing a good, or service. The goal of this systematic review was to identify gaps in the literature and provide recommendations for future research by analyzing and summarizing the available data on models used to quantify BE. A systematic search of Dialnet, Ebsco, Google Scholar, Isi We of Knowledge, Redalyc, Science Direct, Scopus, Scielo, and Web of Science was performed using PRISMA principles. Of the 551 abstracts screened, only 23 met inclusion criteria. The review showed that no model allows for a comprehensive evaluation of BE. This makes it easier for us to understand and recognize their benefits, and drawbacks. Although there are many variations, none has been adequately verified to be reliably quantified. The combination of variables between the models indicates that the measurement does not produce an agreement between the theoretical and pragmatic. Everybody tries to appreciate the intangible, yet they all overlook branding messaging. Our findings shows that a thorough proposal incorporating a model that enables the inclusion of both tangible and intangible BE factors is required.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been overcome, the balance between offline and online buying has not returned to pre-pandemic ratios. Statistics even show that online shopping continues to grow. This study develops a theoretical model that explains the growing use of online purchasing by integrating the lingering effects of motivational factors learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic into the technology acceptance model. Three types of motivational factors (perceived risks, acquired skills, and experienced benefits) are defined based on a performed literature analysis. Using a rather unique approach their motivational impact during the pandemic and lingering effects after it conventionalised within the framework of the technology acceptance model, thus extending the latter with factors identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and offering new research avenues for researching online buying behaviours.

In an era where consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, there is a growing preference for eco-friendly products and ethical brand practices. However, the impact of a brand sustainability on customer satisfaction, particullarly the emotional and social value customers associate with these practices, remains underexplored. This study examines how perceived value mediates the relationship between sustainability and customer satisfaction, It using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) Theory as a framework. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze data from 308 Mongolian consumers of sustainable products, offering fresh insights into sustainability perceptions and customer satisfaction within Mongolia’s unique cultural and economic context. The findings highlight that sustainability perceptions significantly influence perceived value, which in turn affects customer satisfaction. Notably, no direct link was observed’ between sustainability perceptions and customer satisfaction, emphasizing the mediating role of emotional and social values. This research enriches the understanding of sustainability’s role in consumer behavior and provides actionable insights for businesses aiming to enhance customer satisfaction through sustainable practices. It also contributes to the broader discourse on sustainability management and supports global efforts toward advancing sustainable consumer behavior.

In the post-COVID-19 era, the Indian restaurant industry increasingly relies on digital menus to influence consumer behavior. This study explores the impact of Perceived Convenience (PC), Menu Informativeness (MI), and Menu Visual Appeal (MVA) on purchase intentions. This research aims to fill gaps in understanding how digital menu features shape consumer purchase intentions by integrating the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A quantitative approach was used, collecting data via an online survey of 280 respondents, mainly university students and faculty. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural. The findings indicate that MVA significantly boosts food desire, which directly enhances purchase intentions. MI influences purchase intentions by offering clear and detailed information. Desire for food emerges as a potent predictor of purchase intentions. PC also plays a crucial role in determining consumers’ purchase intentions. This study underscores the necessity for visually appealing and informative digital menus and highlights the importance of a seamless ordering process to enhance customer engagement and profitability. These insights are essential for entrepreneurs seeking to adapt to changing consumer behaviors in the digital age. Future research should explore additional factors affecting online food-ordering behaviors.

This study aims to examine the moderating effect of FSD on the relationship between EPU and corporate investment in the BRICS nations between 2010 and 2022. It looks at how a developed financial sector can lessen these effects and aims to offer empirical evidence on the mechanisms through which EPU influences corporate investment levels. Using a large dataset with 15,132 firm-year observations, this study uses system GMM panel EGLS and fixed effect models. The results show that corporate investment is considerably reduced by higher EPU levels, underscoring the detrimental effect of policy uncertainty on business investment choices. On the other hand, FSD has a positive moderating effect that protects against the damaging effects of EPU and encourages more corporate investment. To create an environment that is favorable for investment, the study emphasizes the significance of sound economic policies and a sophisticated financial sector. To improve investment resilience and economic growth, policymakers should give regulatory clarity and financial sector reforms top priority. By incorporating insights into how EPU and FSD interact to influence corporate investment behavior in emerging economies. It offers empirical data that broaden theoretical comprehension and has applications for stakeholders in the financial sector and policymakers.

With the worsening environmental crisis and the rapid advancement of Industry 4.0, more enterprises are recognizing the importance of sustainable development, yet practical challenges remain. To better understand how internal knowledge sources and knowledge heterogeneity impact firms’ sustainable performance through frugal innovation, this study investigates the moderating role of internal and external knowledge heterogeneity and the mediating role of frugal innovation, drawing on organizational learning theory and contingency theory. The findings reveal that (1) internal and external knowledge sources positively influence sustainable performance; (2) frugal innovation mediates the relationship between these knowledge sources and sustainable performance; and (3) the moderating effect of internal and external knowledge heterogeneity is not significant. The study explores the reasons behind this non-significant finding and offers theoretical and empirical insights into how companies can effectively leverage knowledge resources and innovation strategies in the context of a green economy.

This study elucidates the moderated-mediated role of transformational leadership (TL) in engendering innovative behaviors among employees (EIBs) while considering perceived self-efficacy (PSE) and perceived stress (PS) as the two mediators and perceived organizational support (POS) as the critical moderating contingency. The underlying theories have been the social exchange theory and the expectancy-value-cost theory. After performing PLS-based structural equation modeling, using SmartPLS 4.0 and PROCESS, on a dataset comprising 419 observations, it was found that TL positively influences EIBs through the two mediators (i.e. PSE and PS). The study also corroborates the moderating role of POS in affecting TL-PSE linkages and the TL-PS association. It has also been found that PSE and PS partially mediate TL-EIB linkage. This partial mediation implies that TL affects employees’ creative behaviors by electrifying PSE and reducing PS. Finally, the moderated mediation effects model indicates that POS moderates the indirect impact of TL on EIBs via the two mediators. Besides furthering the scholarly discourse encompassing the productiveness of TL, the findings offer valuable insights for managers aspiring to foster innovative behaviors among their employees.

This study investigates the influence of sports influencers on consumer buying behaviors, focusing on the characteristics of these influencers and their impact on followers’ choices. The advent of social media has allowed millennials to engage with brands, often tying this engagement to elements of happiness, such as contentment and satisfying shopping experiences. Data was collected from 305 respondents and assessed through the partial least squares (PLS) approach. The study found that consumer mimicry, or the act of imitating the actions and preferences of others, particularly sports influencers, can have a positive influence on consumer well-being. The study also explored the role of trustworthiness in influencer marketing, finding that it can negatively impact consumer mimicry. The study proposes a framework that helps understand consumer mimicry of sports influencers, emphasizing the importance of followers-influencer congruence, where followers identify with the influencer’s brand and see it as an extension of their own identity. The study concludes by suggesting solutions to promote consumer well-being, purchasing intentions, and word-of-mouth, particularly in the digital environment.

This study explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource management (HRM), focusing on key functions such as recruitment, retention, and performance management. A comprehensive review was carried out PRISMA framework and BERTopic model on AI and HRM‑related keywords. The resulting publications were analyzed to extract meaningful topics. AI‑driven tools streamline candidate screening and interview analysis, significantly enhancing hiring efficiency and decision‑making accuracy. Concerns about algorithmic bias highlight the need for robust governance frameworks to ensure transparency and fairness in AI‑driven processes. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning AI adoption with Organizational Development principles to foster inclusivity and organizational justice. The integration of AI in performance management facilitates real‑time, objective performance assessments, although overreliance on such technologies can affect employee trust and engagement. Despite these advances, the study highlights ethical concerns surrounding data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias. Addressing these challenges requires the implementation of comprehensive ethical frameworks to promote fairness and inclusivity in AI‑HRM applications. Strategically, AI transforms HR from a reactive function to a proactive, data‑driven partner aligned with long‑term organizational goals. Successful AI integration depends on governance mechanisms that uphold ethical standards, foster employee trust, and ensure transparency, enabling organizations to fully leverage AI’s potential in enhancing workforce management.

This study investigates the factors affecting customer loyalty and the mediating role of customer satisfaction in online food delivery services (OFDS) in Bangladesh. An analysis of 300 responses via structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that perceived food and service quality alone did not significantly impact customer loyalty. While these qualities are essential, they must enhance customer satisfaction in order to boost loyalty. Significant relationships exist among perceived price, ease of payment, time efficiency, and customer loyalty, with customer satisfaction acting as a crucial mediator. Strategies focusing on pricing, payment convenience, and timely delivery are the most effective for building loyalty. The interplay between perceived quality, pricing, payment, and delivery efficiency enhances the overall customer experience. This study contributes to the literature by applying Attribution Theory and the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM), emphasizing external factors such as pricing, delivery, and payment ease as key loyalty drivers. The findings suggest that OFDS businesses should prioritize reasonable pricing, efficient payment systems, and timely delivery to foster loyalty. Combined with high-quality food and services, these strategies can enhance customer satisfaction, promote business growth, and increase revenue.