Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

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 June 2022) | Viewed by 14915

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Carlos M. Jardon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Applied Economics, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
Interests: intellectual capital; innovation; small business; subsistence markets

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Small businesses play a very important role when it comes to developing the poorest areas. The market created in these areas presents special characteristics, which is why it takes the name of “subsistence market”. In particular, people in these areas usually create businesses as a means of support for their families; these businesses are defined as subsistence small businesses. Therefore, the factors that affect the growth of these companies are essential to maintain and foster their sustainability. This Special Issue will analyze two special factors—leadership and culture as sources of growth—but other factors may also be considered. The concept of leadership is complex and has been studied from multiple approaches, especially in the psychological field and the field of management. Small businesses present limited leadership. In addition, the organizational culture of these businesses is marked by cultural traditions and know-how of the territory, both of which condition the growth of small businesses.

This Special Issue will include papers covering a wide range of aspects of leadership, culture, and growth oriented to sustainability in small businesses, with particular interest in subsistence markets. It is a multidisciplinary proposal accepting studies in individual countries as well as international comparisons. Especially welcome is empirical research on developing countries and oriented at increasing sustainability in poorest areas.

Prof. Dr. Carlos M. Jardon
Guest Editor

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

Small business
Subsistence markets
Sustainability
Culture
Leadership

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

15 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influencing Factors of The Innovation Power in the Adoption of Sustainability Strategies

by Luciana Aparecida Barbieri da Rosa, Clandia Maffini Gomes, Waleska Campos, Carolina Rodrigues, Tais Pentiado Godoy and Jordana Marques Kneipp

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12668; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141912668 - 05 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1159

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze which are the best corporate environmental strategies to foster the innovation power of companies in the mining sector. The methodology used was the quantitative approach through multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the power of innovation and to see how the interrelationship between pressures and incentives can influence companies in the implementation of the sustainability strategy which resulted in five different models. The results show that different environmental strategies foster, in different ways, the power of innovation of companies in the analyzed mineral sector. Therefore, it became evident that cost reduction and adaptation to a strong regulatory environment are strategies capable of promoting external guidance and the transparency of innovation processes. Second, the search for reducing environmental impacts and adapting to a strong regulatory environment are strategies that strengthen knowledge of the business environment. In addition, the results show that leadership in products and processes can be optimized through strategies to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Finally, Autonomy and market leadership in relation to innovative initiatives can be achieved via cost reduction, incorporation of social and environmental guidelines, and adaptation to a strong regulatory environment. Thus, this study contributes to the theory and practice of innovation as it reveals to be the best corporate strategy capable of fostering the innovation power of companies in the mineral sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

18 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation Practices, and Business Performance in Brazilian Industrial Companies

by Ana Paula Perlin, Clandia Maffini Gomes, Francies Diego Motke, Isak Kruglianskas and Felipe Cavalheiro Zaluski

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11506; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811506 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2309

Abstract

This study sought to analyze the level of adopted climate change mitigation and adaptation practices and their relationship with the performance of Brazilian industrial companies. The data were collected through an e-survey in 40 Brazilian industrial companies linked to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Mitigation and adaptation practices were adopted as independent variables against climate change, while performance parameters (financial, innovative, production, market, and export performance) were included as the dependent variables. Our findings indicate that Brazilian industrial companies have been adopting both corporate practices of mitigation and adaptation to climate change and show that there are relationships between mitigation and adaptation practices and different dimensions of corporate performance. This study contributes to scientific advancement and developing a theoretical model that addresses, in an integrated manner, managing climate change adaptation and mitigation practices and corporate performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1488 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creating Favorable Local Context for Entrepreneurship: The Importance of Sustainable Urban Development in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

by Gabriela Dubou, Roberto Schoproni Bichueti, Carlos Rafael Röhrig da Costa, Clandia Maffini Gomes, Jordana Marques Kneipp and Isak Kruglianskas

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10132; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141610132 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

Entrepreneurship ecosystems are dynamic local, social, institutional, and cultural processes and actors that encourage and enhance the formation and growth of new businesses. Thus, this study aims to analyze the importance of sustainable urban development in creating favorable urban conditions in the formation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Therefore, a qualitative and exploratory study was carried out, operationalized through a case study. The case of the city of Florianópolis (Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil) was studied in depth; it was intentionally selected considering that it has stood out in terms of investments in innovation, technology, and sustainability, in addition to being a reference for quality of life and for its innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It was possible to know the characteristics of the municipality and the main management practices for sustainable urban development developed in Florianópolis. Above all, among the main findings of this study, from the point of view of urban management, we found that the characteristics present in Florianópolis, as a sustainable city, can benefit the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this way, by investing in management practices for sustainable urban development, the municipality promotes business growth, new technologies, and entrepreneurship, making the territory more attractive to new investments and talent retention. It was possible to find evidence of urban conditions resulting from these practices capable of favoring the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, among which, the following stand out: (1) social integration and articulation between the actors; (2) high quality of life; (3) capital with the highest human development index in the country; (4) a high rate of green areas; (5) enabling legislation for investments; (6) a city where companies open faster in Brazil and 100% digitally. Among this study’s limitations, the complexity of the analyzed phenomenon and amplitude of the context stand out. In addition, the case study method does not allow for a generalization of the results, as they are related to the case of Florianópolis. Despite this, the research presents a large amount of evidence confirming the theoretical assumption of the study, which is: Sustainable urban development creates favorable conditions for the promotion of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city of Florianópolis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Value Creation in Construction Companies

by Igor Ceratti Treptow, Jordana Marques Kneipp, Clandia Maffini Gomes, Isak Kruglianskas, Rodrigo Reis Favarin and Carlos María Fernandez-Jardón

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141610101 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2756

Abstract

This paper aimed to analyze how innovations in the business model contribute to creating sustainable value in construction companies. The results revealed that analyzed companies implement practices that enhance their reputation and contribute to the environment while securing economic benefits. These practices include material reuse and replacing traditional processes with renewable ones (installing photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting). Companies also have tried to integrate with the community through sponsorships, primarily in sports and cultural events, and assistance to homes for the elderly and needy educational institutions. Companies need to implement processes that contribute to the rational use of water and waste reduction during construction projects despite the results. Furthermore, this study has the importance of identifying actions that are oriented towards generating benefits for society and the environment and analyzing them from the perspective of the creation of sustainable value from innovations in the business model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Online Adapted Transformational Leadership and Workforce Innovation within the Software Development Industry

by Ioana Gutu, Daniela Tatiana Agheorghiesei and Ionel Ciprian Alecu

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7408; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14127408 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1876

Abstract

Leadership and workforce innovation are the two most glazed over universal phenomenon across time within the management literature. Despite the status of the buzz words, few researchers studied if there is a link between the online leadership behaviors and the de(in)creasing innovativeness of the followers at work. The current research aimed for offering a viable solution for the online-adapted leadership–workforce innovation equation, by answering to the following research question: is online transformative leadership able, and if so, are its instruments sufficient for increasing followers’ organizational and personal innovativeness within an exclusively online work environment? Research used a two-tailed questionnaire as a research instrument and applied it within the IT&C Industry in Iasi, Romania, namely the software development branch. Results were gathered during the first months of the social lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, the ongoing communication and online work procedures implementation were captured via the subjects’ responses. Data was analyzed by using SemPLS (v3.2.5.) software; results show that transformational leadership instruments, once shifted within an exclusively online working environment, suffer from losing in importance and designated effects. Research provides information in regards to four general hypotheses that prove to be partially supported, sending the reader to the idea that an exclusively online-adapted work environment does not show expected results in terms on transformational leadership, nor workforce innovation. Therefore, online-based transformational leadership instruments need to be reshaped and adapted so that followers correctly perceive their leaders’ actions and behaviors on all the five dimensionalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is Sustainable Performance Explained by Firm Effect in Small Business?

by Vicente López-López, Susana Iglesias-Antelo and Esteban Fernández

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 10028; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122310028 - 01 Dec 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1729

Abstract

To what extent a firm’s resources (firm effect) and the structure of the sector (industry effect) are sources of a firm’s competitiveness has been debated for years in strategic management. Most of the empirical studies carried out have focused on large firms and have used static performance measures, and in them the firm effect generally outweighs the industry effect. This research contributes to this debate in trying to verify whether the competitive advantage that relies on the firm’s resources is sustainable, especially in small firms. We used a sample of almost 15,000 Spanish firms to test the impact that the firm and the industry effects have on sustainable performance, for both small and large firms, applying hierarchical linear modelling with a variable measured through time-varying parameters. Our results confirm the absolute importance of the firm effect on sustainable organizational performance, regardless the firm size, and show that, even though the industry effect has little weight in explaining sustainability, it is significantly higher in the case of small firms. This means that managers must concentrate efforts on providing their firm with the necessary resources to achieve a competitive advantage while choosing a good sector to position itself. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

13 pages, 521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Technology and Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses

by Carlos Fernandez-Jardon, Xavier Martinez-Cobas and Fabian Martinez-Ortiz

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9694; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12229694 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2228

Abstract

The paper analyzes the connection between technological knowledge and organizational culture in small subsistence businesses (SSBs). It uses data from a proportional representative sample of 980 surveys in the canton of La Maná (Cotopaxí, Ecuador) to test if culture conditions the different components of technological knowledge in SSBs. This work verifies that the technological knowledge is a source of short-term and long-term performance, which confirm for SSBs previous works in intellectual capital. The study analyzes also the moderating effect of culture, verifying that culture does not condition the connection between technological knowledge with the short-term performance. It shows that culture is not a source of performance. However, when the research checks whether the effect of the technological knowledge increases the long-term performance, the results indicate that culture significantly limits this effect, suggesting that culture presents a certain opportunism, possibly because in the SSBs, entrepreneurs do not pay any attention to developing knowledge resources. The conclusions present some managerial and social implications to improve the functioning and management of SSBs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainability Based on Leadership, Organizational Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI