13361 research outputs found
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No gender diversity or union collaborations, please! The contrasting darker view of CSR regarding ESG preferences among retail investors
No full textPurpose:Existing research claims that institutional investors view corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an important mechanism in measuring corporate legitimacy. Yet, broader research on how retail investors (RIs) respond to CSR remains scarce. This study aims to investigate the perception of CSR-related investment criteria among RIs and how RIs in different societal contexts prioritize their investment decisions regarding CSR.Design/methodology/approach:The study examines how RIs from China, Germany, Brazil and the USA (n = 452) prioritize CSR when making investment decisions. CSR is measured through environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities, as defined by Bloomberg’s and Dow Jones’ social behavioral indexes and viewed through the lens of legitimacy theory. The ESG prioritization was conducted using the choice-experiment method, which is suitable for investigative and multi-criteria contexts.Findings:The findings reveal an inconsistency that challenges academic beliefs regarding CSR, suggesting that what is suitable for firms (e.g. gender diversity on boards and union collaboration) appeals to all investors. Yet, this is refuted among RIs. Widely accepted business practices and ESG activities are not perceived in the same way by RIs.Practical implications:The significant differences regarding Ris’ ESG preferences between sample groups can be helpful to executives managing investor relations. Firms could adjust their CSR reports to target each investor category, just like market communication is adjusted to appeal to different target groups. Correctly designed, this could increase firms’ legitimacy, investment image, corporate reputation and financial performance.Originality/value:The research reveals that RIs prioritize ESG activities differently in their decision-making criteria than the mainstream knowledge body. The results show that what is commonly accepted as essential for institutional investors is unimportant to RIs. RIs deprioritize, e.g. gender equity on boards, which, according to the broader literature and contemporary press, is beneficial to organizations. This represents a “dark side” where there is a discrepancy between what firms believe to be important to all investor categories and how CSR programs are designed
The impact of firm-level work and family initiatives on organizational outcomes, employees and their families: an umbrella review
Full text linkFirm-level family friendly workplace (FFW) policies, including flexible work arrangements (FWA), parental and carer’s leaves, lactation and child-care support, have existed for more than five decades. Despite numerous publications, questions remain about their impact on firm success, and the health and well-being of employees and their families. Following PRISMA systematic review guidelines, we present an umbrella review of 26 reviews published between 2010 and 2022. The review focuses on outcomes of policies introduced by firms. The strongest evidence of positive impacts of firm-based FFW initiatives was found for work-based lactation supports, with evidence of benefits for employers, employees, and employee families. Other FFW policies demonstrated small to moderate benefits, including increased talent attraction and retention, job satisfaction, productivity, performance, employee health and wellbeing, and reduced absenteeism. Best outcomes were reported where ‘bundles’ of FFW initiatives are provided that directly respond to employee needs allow employee choice. Gaps and limitations in firm-level FFW research are identified with recommendations for future research and actions for practitioners and employers. A paradigm shift in future FFW research should include a broader suite of methodological tools, analysis of employees including those from diverse family types, different sectors and occupations, and examine policy availability versus utilization
How digital transformation affects environmental performance: evidence from Chinese construction firms
No full textPurpose:This study aims to examine the relationship between digital transformation, green innovation behavior, and environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach:Grounded in resource-based view (RBV) and theory of competitive advantage (TCA), the theoretical model of the influencing mechanism and variable scales were developed through a comprehensive literature review and theoretical derivation. A total of 217 questionnaires were collected from construction firms and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), hierarchical regression analysis, and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings:The results indicate that three dimensions of DTr—digital technology (DT), digital management (DM) and digital competence (DC)—positively affect GIB and EP. GIB significantly enhances EP, acting as a partial mediator between the three dimensions of DTr and EP. Six antecedent constructs that influence firms' EP were identified through fsQCA, and three configurations are linked to high EP outcomes, whereas the remaining three are associated with low EP outcomes. Practical implications:This study offers practical guidance for policymakers and business managers to leverage DTr and GIB to mitigate the environmental impacts of the construction industry, thereby contributing to sustainable development goals. Originality/value:This study makes a novel contribution by extending research on the relationship between DTr and EP to the construction industry, highlighting the role of GIB as a mediator. It comprehensively analyzes the configuration effects of various factors influencing EP. It presents a new perspective for construction firms to leverage DTr and green innovation strategies to enhance EP in the digital economy
Tourism psychology: Past, present, and future
Full text linkThis narrative review identifies and critically discusses the key research streams which have shaped tourism psychology research. The review finds that cognitive, social, environmental, positive, and evolutionary psychology have significantly contributed to the current developments of tourism psychology. However, tourism research drawing on each of these branches of psychology has not met its full potential. The review identifies four current challenges in the field: (1) an overreliance on specific theories, (2) misrepresentations of modern psychology concepts and theories, (3) a lack of adaptation of psychology theories to tourism, and (4) a lack of research on non-tourist stakeholders. The paper offers suggestions on how these challenges can be addressed to further develop the field
Indicators of Nutritional Health of Patients on Haemodialysis
No full textBACKGROUND: This project describes indicators of health risk of patients requiring haemodialysis and their adherence to current renal-specific nutrient guidelines and indicators of overall healthy eating.METHODS: The current study analysed nutritional intakes reported by a single-day 24-h recall by patients undergoing haemodialysis in an outpatient centre. Participants (n = 37) were clients of a 12-chair unit, based in South Brisbane, Australia. Information on patient characteristics and cardiovascular and health risk were collected from patient charts. Nutritional intakes were compared to references provided by the KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline, Nutrient Reference Values and/or general healthy eating guidelines.RESULTS: Approximately half of the patients had lipid levels indicating cardiovascular risk, 40% had BMIs in the obese category, and 20% were assessed as malnourished. Patients met, on average, 80% of their energy and 106% of protein requirements. When using renal-specific guidelines, this population met recommendations for sodium, but not fibre. Using guidelines for the general population, this population consumed too much energy from saturated fat. Phosphorus, calcium and potassium appeared to be below the nutrient reference values. Most patients reported consuming two or more vegetables per day while few met the recommendations for fruit, fish and legumes.CONCLUSIONS: The intakes of this cohort suggested compliance with traditional renal-specific dietary advice, but perhaps at the expense of an overall healthy diet. Dietitians who work with patients requiring haemodialysis may choose to prioritize general healthy eating advice, such as that based on the Mediterranean Diet, to better support this patient population
Navigating the 2023 Chinese Company Law Amendments and their Impact on Insolvency
No full textAfter three rounds of review and public comment, the amendments to the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China were approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in December 2023 and will go into effect on 1 July 2024. This marks the first amendment to the Company Law of the PRC since 2018 and serves as a comprehensive overhaul, expanding the Company Law to 266 articles. The revision spans a range of issues, including corporate governance, shareholder rights, capital contributions, the establishment of companies, company liquidation, and the ability to issue different share classes, among others. All joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises (WFOEs) must revise their company documents to comply with the new provisions.The amendments place greater obligations on company officers, including directors and senior management, while clarifying the duties of loyalty and diligence. While the provisions introduce a number of important changes, their impact will be most significantly felt by management when companies become insolvent and insufficient funds are available to satisfy creditors, including employees. Therefore, this article first addresses some of the general changes to corporate governance that are important to all foreign investors in Part II, before specifically discussing changes to liquidation in Part III. In the fourth section, the update discusses changes to the Civil Procedure Law recently passed that establish broad jurisdiction for Chinese courts. Understanding jurisdiction is important both in ensuring management meets their fiduciary duties and because the changes may impact cross-border insolvency
Esports Governance and Safeguarding in Australia
Full text linkEsports participation in Australia is expanding across schools, universities and community settings, yet governance remains fragmented and uneven. This commentary sets out how existing national frameworks can deliver consistent safeguards for young participants and competitive integrity for the sector. It situates esports within Australia’s online safety regime, including the statutory powers of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and the minimum-age law for social media, and explains why esports platforms and events should align with those protections. International examples from New Zealand and the United Kingdom show that formal recognition within sport systems, combined with child-protection partnerships, improves practice and accountability. The paper proposes establishing a nationally recognised esports governing body linked to Sport Integrity Australia and the eSafety Commissioner, requiring age-assurance, reporting pathways and moderation standards for organisers and platforms. Prioritising school and community competitions and incorporating health and wellbeing guidance, including safe-listening standards, offers a practical route to credible, safe and sustainable esports in Australia
Could Beijing's Security Strategy in Africa Backfire?
No full textIn 2024, Jonathan Ping and Joel Odota wrote “Will China Intervene Directly to Protect its Investments in Africa?,” where they argued that instability in countries China makes economic investments in have pushed Beijing to take on an increased security role across the continent. A year later, we asked them to revisit their arguments
Examining the force-traces of countermovement jumps and standing broad jumps for kinematic coordination indicators
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Jumping is a common movement pattern, often used in testing for both performance monitoring and decision-making in return to sport. Current methods of assessing movement coordination are time-, technology- and expertise-dependent. The use of force–time curves to analyse the execution of the movement would provide an accessible and detailed analysis of movement. Methods: Thirty endurance runners and triathletes (18–40 years) completed five maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs) and five maximal standing broad jumps (SBJs). Participants were grouped (HIGH, MOD and LOW) according to the magnitude of the time interval between peak hip and peak knee extension velocity. A separate grouping according to the magnitude of the time interval between peak knee and peak ankle extension velocity was created. A one-way Statistical non-Parametric Mapping ANOVA, with alpha set at 0.05 and iterations at 10,000, was used to compare vertical ground reaction force (CMJ and SBJ), horizontal ground reaction force (SBJ) and resultant ground reaction force (SBJ) between the three hip–knee groups and a separate analysis for the three knee–ankle groups. Results: Significant differences were observed between time interval groups in both hip–knee coordination and knee–ankle coordination for both jump types (p < 0.001) at several regions of the force–time curves. Conclusions: The results suggest there is potential for statistical parametric mapping analysis to detect differences in movement coordination patterns from force curves. Further research is needed to help explain the differences observed in the curves for the kinematic groupings, to explore different combinations of hip–knee and knee–ankle kinematic patterns and to associate curve characteristics with performance indicators
Coronary artery calcium status, body composition, blood lipids, and fitness among firefighters participating in a health and wellness program
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent among firefighters. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) can contribute to the identification of CVD risk, but there has been limited analysis in firefighters. This study investigated body composition, blood lipid, and fitness test differences in firefighters with normal (CAC-N) and abnormal (CAC-A) CAC. Relationships between these health and fitness variables and CAC status were also derived. Archival data from 45 male firefighters were examined. Data included age, height, body mass, body mass index, body fat mass, lean body mass, waist-to-hip ratio, blood lipids (triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol), grip strength, vertical jump (VJ), plank, push-ups, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (V ̇ O 2 max). Firefighters were screened and grouped as CAC-N (CAC 5 0; n 5 35) and CAC-A (CAC . 0; n 5 10). Independent samples t-tests or Mann–Whitney U-tests determined between-group differences. Pearson’s correlations determined relationships between the binary variable of CAC status with the other variables. There were no significant between-group differences in any variable. The CAC-N group had a lower systolic BP than the CAC-A group, with a moderate effect (p 5 0.080, d 5 0.893). Systolic BP also correlated with CAC status (r 5 0.355; p 5 0.017). The CAC-N group had 9–14% better VJ and V ̇ O 2 max than the CAC-A group, which had small effects (p 5 0.050–0.110, d 5 0.555–0.584). Body composition, blood lipids, and fitness generally did not differentiate or relate to CAC status. Apparently fit and healthy firefighters may have underlying CVD risk factors such as higher CAC. Health and wellness programs should be multifaceted, including exercise and medical screening