Disruptive digital innovations in healthcare: Knowing the past and anticipating the future

The twin focus on healthcare and digital transformation during the past two decades, which was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic to an unanticipated level, has resulted in the mushrooming of literature in the area. While this has enriched the available insights, it has also created a certain amount of confusion, and there is now a need to make sense of what has been achieved before undertaking research that contributes more meaningfully to theory and practice in the area. Motivated by this need, we systematically analyze and evaluate the existing empirical research on the topic of disruptive digital innovations in healthcare. We followed a five-step approach to identify and analyze 42 congruent studies spread across domains, publishers, and geographies to achieve our objective. The outcome of our review is a conceptual framework that could serve to motivate and support future research. First, we presented a bibliographic sketch of the literature to clarify the milieu and descriptives. Next, we performed content analysis to organize the existing evidence into meaningful streams. Towards this end, we followed a structured approach to the review by defining the scope through a matrix–form conceptual framework to guide thematic analysis. Accordingly, we reported on the findings from three perspectives—theoretical, enabler, and barrier—anchoring them in four innovation implementations/outcomes: products, services, processes, and business models. Our analysis suggests that existing scholarship has drawn upon various interdisciplinary theories to map the enablers as well as the barriers that may inhibit the adoption and usage of these disruptive innovations. Based on the findings of our structured approach, we offer useful recommendations to advance research and practice in this field.

The role of advertising, distribution intensity and store image in achieving global brand loyalty in an emerging market

PurposeScholars have paid considerable attention to the importance of brand loyalty of durable consumer products in developed markets. However, no study has investigated the simultaneous impact of advertising efforts, distribution intensity and store image on global brand loyalty (GBL) of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in emerging markets. This study aims to fill this gap.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts (1) established theoretical lenses: brand equity, marketing mix and cue utilization theories, (2) a mixed-methods approach: a focus group and two surveys and (3) structural equation modeling on two samples of consumers (one homogeneous and one heterogeneous) of global soft drink brands in Vietnam.FindingsThe study reveals significant and nonsignificant relationships among the selected marketing mix elements and brand loyalty and its antecedents of global FMCG. Slight differences in these relationships among the two samples are found. The existing scales are also reconciled with more suitable indicators. The results significantly contribute to the existing knowledge on marketing mix, brand equity and GBL, and global consumer culture.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the simultaneous effects of advertising efforts, distribution intensity, and store image on brand loyalty and its antecedents of global FMCG in an emerging market. The findings will help practitioners develop suitable global branding strategies to manage global brand image and achieve consumer loyalty across emerging markets.

Impulse purchases during emergency situations: exploring permission marketing and the role of blockchain

Purpose>The paper explores how consumer behavior for purchasing impulse products changed in the complex and disruptive (emergency) situation of the COVID-19 pandemic when the customer is shopping in-home and not visiting the offline stores in an emerging economy context. This paper further explores how digital transformations like the use of blockchain technology can aid offline/omnichannel retailers in reviving sales via permission marketing for impulse products.Design/methodology/approach>The authors followed a qualitative research design and conducted 24 personal interviews with millennials and 15 interviews with offline/omnichannel retailers from an emerging economy. The data collected were analyzed using the thematic analysis procedure.Findings>The authors discuss their findings under three themes – customers' conscious impulse buying during the pandemic, customers' unconscious impulse buying during the pandemic, and a viable solution for retailers in response to the pandemic.Practical implications>The authors suggest that marketers primarily from an offline/omnichannel store should adapt to permission marketing and use technologies like blockchain for the digital transformation of their marketing strategies. Doing so can help offline retailers minimize future damages in the retail sector during emergency situations.Originality/value>This paper is one of the first that explores how impulse – pure, suggestion, planned and reminder – purchases got affected during the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions in an emerging economy. This paper is also one of the first to explore the role of permission marketing and digital transformation by the use of blockchain in helping offline retailers in forming swift trust and practice trust-based marketing.

Investigating the revised international marketing strategies during COVID-19 based on resources and capabilities of the firms: A mixed method approach.

This paper aims to identify the revised international marketing strategies in communication during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing the firm's resources and capabilities. We conducted in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey with key stakeholders of retail organizations which changed their digital marketing strategies during COVID-19. The data is collected from 587 respondents from different parts of the world through resource orchestration theory. The qualitative findings support a high degree of association among the firm's resources and capabilities, leveraging processes based on the revised international marketing strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed a conceptual model based on these findings with six variables: leveraging process of the firm's capabilities information technology-related resources; information technology-related capabilities, dynamic capabilities, environmental uncertainty, and leveraging process of the firm's resources. However, environmental uncertainty and leveraging of the firm's resources were not influential in forming digital marketing strategies during COVID-19. This study proposes a new process for international marketing managers in business organizations to restructure the resources within their organizations by creating new capabilities and leveraging them.

Disruptive Technologies for Achieving Supply Chain Resilience in COVID-19 Era: An Implementation Case Study of Satellite Imagery and Blockchain Technologies in Fish Supply Chain.

In supply chains where stakeholders belong to the economically disadvantaged segment and form an important part of the supply chain distribution, the complexities grow manifold. Fisheries in developing nations are one such sector where the complexity is not only due to the produce being perishable but also due to the livelihood dependence of others in the coastal regions that belong to the section of economically disadvantaged. This paper explains the contextual challenges of fish supply chain in a developing country and describes how integrating disruptive technologies can address those challenges. Through a positive deviance approach, we show how firms can help unorganized supply chains with economically disadvantaged suppliers by carefully redesigning the supply chain through the integration of satellite imagery and blockchain technology. With COVID-19 in the backdrop, we highlight how such technologies significantly improves the supply chain resilience and at the same time contributes to the income generating opportunities of poor fisherfolks in developing nations. Our study has important implications to both developing markets and food supply chain practitioners as this paper tackles issues such as perishability, demand-supply mismatch, unfair prices, and quality related data transparency in the entire value chain.

Building up more sustainable food supply chains: Implications for sustainable development

The global supply chain experienced unprecedented disruption due to the Covid-19 crisis in a dynamic world. Consequently, this situation has resulted in many businesses' discontinuity or closure due to disruptions that seriously affect the possibility of maintaining operations, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets. In this scenario, the food value chain is deeply concerned because of its vulnerability and importance to food security. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mechanism that enables businesses in the food value chain to overcome the challenging post-pandemic while rebuilding the foundation for long-term viability and sustainable development. Accordingly, this study examines the relationships between the responsible driving factors (towards the environment, society, and the economy) and the food value chain sustainability (FSCS) of MSMEs by exploiting the mediating role of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in an emerging market. This study applies a quantitative research approach using primary data from a questionnaire-based survey. 568 valid responses were received from managers at senior and middle levels. In analysis, this study uses a smart PLS 3.3.2 version, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique, to analyze the structural relationships. The novelty of this study contributes beyond the extant body of knowledge of supply chain management (SCM) by providing a comprehensive approach to promoting FSCS by incorporating socially, environmentally, and economically responsible practices into SCM practices. In addition, this study contributes to broadening the concept of corporate social responsibility by broadening the perspective of sustainability by shifting the enterprise-based perspective to the food value chain-based perspective. Above all, this research provides a new approach to the food value chain in an emerging market that is inherently too challenging to afford the sustainability concept of the food value chain. In sum, the value of this study's contribution is significant to bridging the knowledge-practice gap by providing profound knowledge and an empirically proven framework for the mechanism boosting sustainability for MSMEs in the food value chain in emerging economies. Drawn upon the above highlights, the findings of this study may be of high interest to academics, business practitioners, and policy-makers.

Role of perceived corporate social responsibility in the nexus of perceived cause-related marketing and repurchase intention in emerging markets

Purpose>This study aims to evaluate the impact of perceived cause- related marketing (perceived-CRM) on the repurchase intention (CRIN). Besides, brand image (BIMA) and customer satisfaction (CSAT) connect this relationship as mediating variables. Especially, the role of perceived corporate social responsibility (perceived-CSR) contributed to this nexus between perceived-CRM and BIMA, perceived-CRM and CSAT in emerging economies.Design/methodology/approach>The paper follows a quantitative approach. Based on a comprehensive literature review on perceived-CSR, perceived-CRM , BIMA, CSAT and repurchase intention, the authors evaluate the impact of those constructs on repurchase intention in an emerging market. The study sample was composed of 395 responses covering customers of consumer goods. The study uses the Smart PLS-SEM version 3.3.2 to analyze the data.Findings>The findings revealed significant contributions to the extant CRM literature in some ways. This study's outcomes contribute to extending the existing literature on CRM and CSR. Specifically, the extension focuses on the mediating and moderating effects of BIMA, CSAT and perceived-CSR, respectively, in the relationship between perceived-CRM and CRIN. Moreover, the novelty of this study lies in providing a new approach to the influence of perceived-CRM on CRIN, with the mediating of BIMA, CSAT and moderating effects perceived-CSR integrated into a conceptual model.Practical implications>From a management perspective, the contribution of this study plays a very important role in strategic planning to enhance competitive advantage and improve business performance on a sustainable basis. This sustainability is founded on an insight into how changes in contextual factors affect the perception and consumer behavior of millennials in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market, especially in a context of Covid-19 global crisis. It is important to emphasize that genuineness and transparency in all activities and communications are a prerequisite in today's sensitive context. The application of acquired insight into practice will help businesses operating in the consumer sector improve brand reputation and CSAT. As a result, this leads to enhanced competitive advantage of the business in the market, improved market performance and ultimately to an improvement in the overall performance of the enterprise.Originality/value>This is the first study that explores the moderating role of perceived CSR on the nexus between perceived-CRM with brand image (BIMA) and CSAT to the best of our knowledge. Besides, the study also discovers the mediating role of BIMA and CSAT between perceived-CRM and repurchase-intention in an emerging economy. Findings in this study provided additional evidence to the increasingly important roles of perceived-CRM and perceived-CSR in creating win-win relationships with customers, aiming to solve specific social causes jointly. Further, the perceived-CRM and perceived-CSR mechanisms help businesses enhance their intangible assets and competitive advantages through enhanced BIMA and stronger CRIN. In the current context, the business environment is changing rapidly due to many factors that lead to increased competition at a global level. Therefore, improving competitive advantage is a mandatory condition for businesses to survive and develop sustainably.

Building resilience to handle disruptions in critical environmental and energy sectors: Implications for cleaner production in the oil and gas industry

Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the oil and gas (O&G) industry had been facing disruptions in terms of an energy transition phase that include the focus on the use of renewable energy equipment, transport electrification, decarbonization, and waste elimination among others. However, the contraction in global travel and remote working habits owing to the pandemic really set off disruptions for the O&G industry. This research intends to identify and analyze the enablers for the O&G industry that can help it handle potential disruptions and hence become resilient. Several significant enablers have been identified through a systematic literature review using the PRISMA approach and Delphi method. The mutual inter-relationships among the enablers have been developed using the modified total interpretive structural modelling approach. Later, the matrice d'impacts crois es multiplication appliques an un classement analysis has been used to identify the enablers' clusters according to their dependence and driving powers. The modelling and analysis results suggest four paths for the O&G industry to handle disruptions effectively. This research aims to help academicians, managers, and researchers understand the essential enablers and paths to adopt on a priority basis so as to handle disruptions and build resilience in the O&G industry.

Role of big data analytics capabilities to improve sustainable competitive advantage of MSME service firms during COVID-19 – A multi-theoretical approach

The extant literature suggests that digital technologies (big data analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain) help firms gain a competitive advantage. However, the studies do not focus on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. Moreover, MSMEs face various challenges, including significant supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, there was an urgent requirement to shift to digital technologies to survive during this difficult time. In the context of MSME, various positive changes are discussed in the recent literature. However, a dearth of studies discusses the role of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) to gain sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). Our study aims to fill this gap and answer this question – How do BDAC help MSMEs gain SCA? To understand the phenomenon, we receive theoretical support from organizational information processing theory (OIPT) and institutional theory (IT). We develop a conceptual framework that links BDAC and SCA through supply chain coordination, swift trust, and supply chain risk. Additionally, the age and size of the firm are used as control variables. The data is collected from Indian service sector employees of MSMEs, resulting in 497 usable responses. We use PLS-SEM using Warp PLS 7.0 to test the hypotheses. A critical finding is that the BDAC indirectly impacts the SCA. Finally, the other findings, limitations, and scope for future research are discussed.

Examining the relationship between fear of COVID-19, intolerance for uncertainty, and cyberloafing: A mediational model.

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, organizations had to pivot and move to online remote work. As companies moved to digital platforms and technologies for remote working, a key concern was the increase in workplace withdrawal behaviors during the pandemic, including cyberloafing, a form of workplace deviance. Cyberloafing can be described as the action of using the internet for non-work-related activities or personal use during working hours. Given its effect on organizational effectiveness and efficiency, organizations must take measures to minimize cyberloafing. We examined how two factors-fear of COVID-19 and intolerance for uncertainty-were related to cyberloafing during the third lockdown in Israel. A sample of 322 adults who were enrolled in professional courses at a university in Israel were surveyed. Based on Conservation of Resources Theory, our findings suggest that distress significantly mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19, intolerance for uncertainty, and cyberloafing. In an attempt to deal with the stress and depletion of personal resources during the COVID-19 lockdown, individuals engaged in cyberloafing as a way to handle the stress. Our results suggest that organizations should take measures to reduce fear and uncertainty in order to decrease distress, which, in turn, will reduce cyberloafing.

Data strategies for global value chains: Hybridization of small and big data in the aftermath of COVID-19

Senior executives must make strategic decisions on (re)configuring global value chains (GVCs) in a post-COVID-19 world, with digital technologies playing a decisive role in enabling decision-making on both the reconfigurations and their implementation. Against this backdrop, the paper explores in depth how executives can leverage and combine big and small data analytics into their GVC (re-)configuration decisions. We draw on a longitudinal single-case study of an analytics firm supporting decision makers in agri-food GVCs, enriched through multiple interviews with experts from the industry. Our analysis reveals an interesting shift towards hybrid data strategies combining big and small data to arrive at new forms of decision-making processes after the outbreak of COVID-19. Through this hybridization, executives aim to improve their understanding of GVCs as well as their own agility and flexibility in decision-making to ensure GVC resilience and efficiency.

Guest editorial

[...]it is unclear whether the development of intangible forms of capital in the Global South complements or undermines social welfare systems (Doh et al., 2017). [...]it is also unclear whether the development of IC has led to greater accumulation of capital (in various forms) or to the decentralization of capital (Tomé, 2005). [...]how has corporate social responsibility developed in rapidly developing societies (Devinney, 2011) and what challenges and opportunities are presented by these dynamics? The authors make a case that congruent with the world-wide call to combat global warming concerns within the context of advancements in smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms (STARA) and digitalization, organizational leaders are being pressured to ensure that talented employees are effectively managed (nurtured and retained) to curb the potential risk of staff turnover. [...]they posit that there is a lack of evidence on the aggregate measurement scale of social capital and the influence of behavioral goals on the intention toward agribusiness diversification. [...]this study aims to develop an integrated measurement of social capital and investigate its

International marketing studies in banking and finance: a comprehensive review and integrative framework

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of international marketing (IM) studies within the context of banking and finance (B&F), articulating its significance and relevance in view of the growing influence of this topic in the global economy.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic review methodology was applied for the purpose of identifying the relevant studies, as well as the key themes and dominant concepts. In establishing a quality benchmark for the review results, the final sample included articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals ranked 3, 4 and 4* in the ABS 2018 journal list, a common practice in existing systematic review studies.FindingsBased on a systematic review of 66 studies, the results reveal that the topic has grown and continues to expand within the broader IM field over the past 35 years. From the proposed integrative framework, it is possible to identify the links between several IM subjects and B&F topics, highlighting a different intensity of studies and in-depth analysis among the various specific areas investigated.Originality/valueThe authors map and critically evaluate the extant IM research in B&F context for the purpose of increasing its coherence, scope and international dimension. Finally, the authors present a multidisciplinary, integrative framework that organizes the existing literature, provides the theoretical basis for scholars to further expand the boundaries of the domain and serves as a guiding tool for practitioners.

Proposed managerial competencies for Industry 4.0 – Implications for social sustainability

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is creating a paradigm shift within the current industrial context. The study presented in this paper involved identifying and proposing the managerial competencies needed for a successful I4.0 environment. I4.0 is a complex phenomenon that spans multiple technologies and requires an extensive set of capabilities that managers and organizations need to develop in their functional and business contexts. Using the published literature on I4.0, we uncovered the key themes following a qualitative coding method that identified the managerial competencies most relevant to I4.0. We thus identify a set of 14 managerial competencies as crucial to I4.0. We further contribute to the literature by making an assessment of the significance of all these competencies and proposing a competency model with behavioral descriptors for each. We expect the findings in this paper to benefit business organizations, policy makers, academics, and other stakeholders engaged in developing the capabilities required for an I4.0 ecosystem.

Robust facility location decisions for resilient sustainable supply chain performance in the face of disruptions

PurposeFacility location and re-location decisions are critical managerial decisions in modern supply chains. Such decisions are difficult in this environment as managers encounter uncertainty and risks. The study investigates establishing or moving distribution facilities in the global supply chain by considering costs, fulfilment, trade uncertainties, risks under environmental trade-offs and disruptive technologies.Design/methodology/approachThis paper combines the possibilities and probabilistic scenarios for a supply chain network by proposing the novel Robust Optimisation and Mixed Integer Linear Programming (ROMILP) method developed under the potential uncertainty of demand while considering the costs associated with a four-tier supply chain network. ROMILP has been solved in a real-time logistics environment by applying a case study approach.FindingsThe solution is obtained using an exact solution approach and provides optimality in all tested market scenarios along the proposed global logistics corridor. A sensitivity analysis examines potential facility location scenarios in a global supply chain context.Research limitations/implicationsLogistics managers can apply the ROMILP model to test the cost-benefit trade-offs against their facility location and relocation decisions while operating under uncertainty. Future research is proposed to extend the literature by applying data from the OBOR logistics corridor.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine sustainable dimensions along the global logistics corridor and investigate the global container traffic perspective. The study also adds value to the Middle East logistics corridor regarding facility location decisions.

Guest editorial

[...]monitoring and sharing information about the spread of cases allowed governments to make informed decisions that often involved trade-offs between economy and health such as lockdowns. The pandemic response highlights the fact that KM has significant implications for multiple and diverse stakeholders involved in health-care, ranging from health-care providers, service seekers, hospitals and hospital systems, as well as governments (Nicolini et al., 2008). In the health-care domain, the application of KM implies a purposive outflow and inflow of knowledge to enhance patient care and benefit the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system (Sheffield, 2008;Patnaik et al., 2020). [...]the streaming technology that has addressed the complexity of imaging and audiovisual content delivery pushing and compressing content to the “edge” of the internet resulting in reducing bandwidth requirements and loads, as well as in enhancing the user experience (Claxton, 2001).