ABSTRACT
Purpose: In recent years, consumers have been demanding for sustainable practices, even more so after COVID-19, so fashion companies need to intensify their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. However, although the sector is characterized by a strong brand–customer orientation and high online activity, little attention has been paid to the role of brand image and the management of social media (SM) strategies. The purpose of this study was to develop an integrative model that includes the drivers of CSR in fashion small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their relationship with business performance. The researchers also analyzed the country and level of internationalization effects of these companies. Design/methodology/approach: With a sample of 212 fashion SMEs from Spain and the UK, two of the biggest European fashion producers and consumers, a variance-based structural equation modeling (partial least squares structural equation modeling) technique was carried out to test the model proposed. Findings: This study demonstrated that branding and SM strategies are drivers of CSR practices in fashion SMEs. It also confirmed the positive CSR–performance relationship, the moderating country effect and the mediating role of internationalization in this relationship. Originality/value: The study contributes to the literature on CSR drivers in SMEs and their relationship with performance by combining different perspectives. The results can be used to encourage fashion SMEs' commitment to environmental sustainability practices and internationalization, as this can contribute to improving their performance. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
In a knowledge-based society, the study of Intellectual Capital (IC) has established itself as a vibrant topic in the area of strategic management. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of IC in the hotel industry and to assess its impact on business performance. Although hotels are not primarily seen as knowledge-intensive, they are service providers, highlight their intangibility and face unpredictable and complex environments, which has been illustrated by the current COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, both the individual knowledge of employees working in hotels and the organisational knowledge expressed in routines, systems, customer databases, etc., are considered important elements for their effective leadership and management in a turbulent environment. Empirical studies that have investigated the relationship between IC and hotel performance are scarce and offer mixed evidence. In our study we propose to introduce the role of the company leader as a key aspect in the management of knowledge and intangibles within the hotel. Specifically, the main objective of our study is to analyse the moderating influence of the gender of hotel managers on the Cl-hotel performance relationship, showing that hotels managed by women have a more pronounced impact on the positive influence of CI on hotel performance. Our results have been obtained from questionnaires addressed to a sample of 212 hotels between 3 and 5 stars located in Spain. The analysis technique used was Partial Least Squares (PLS). The main contributions of this paper include the theoretical review of the concept of intellectual capital in a sector as relevant as the hotel sector in Spain, which is going through such an exceptional situation with the current crisis. In addition, important managerial implications emerge in order to make the most of the existing knowledge resources in hotels.