Towards Sustainable Digital Innovation of SMEs from the Developing Countries in the Context of the Digital Economy and Frugal Environment

The impact of digital economy on high-quality economic development: Research based on the consumption expansion

Studies have found that the digital economy plays a positive role in promoting high-quality economic development. Meanwhile, the digital industrialization and industrial digitalization have given rise to new demands and supply modes of consumption. It is necessary to analyze the role of consumption expansion in the impact of digital economy on high-quality economic development. Based on Chinese provincial panel data, we first applied the entropy weight method to construct the digital economy index and the high-quality economic development index. And on this basis, it was verified that the digital economy can positively promote the high-quality development of the inverted U-shaped structural economy. Then we separately used the mediation and the threshold effect models to analyze the role of consumption expansion in empowering high-quality development in the digital economy. Regional heterogeneity was further taken into account. The results dedicate that consumer demand and the digital economy have a partial or complete mediating effect. The promotion of high-quality development by the digital economy can be affected by the threshold of consumption expansion, which is manifested in the marginal incremental effect due to the growth of consumption supply. On the contrary, the growth of consumer demand has led to the inverted U-shape of the digital economy to promote high-quality economic development. In the heterogeneity analysis, the threshold effect also varied greatly. This research enriches the theoretical achievements and reveals the impact of consumption expansion on the digital economy affecting the high-quality development, which may provide certain reference for other countries and regions.

Major Determinants of Innovation Performance in the Context of Healthcare Sector

Through the innovation network (IN) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), this study aims to look into the innovation performance (IP) of the healthcare industry. Digital innovation (DI) is also tested as a mediator. For the collection of data, cross-sectional methods and quantitative research designs were used. To test the study hypotheses, the SEM technique and multiple regression technique were used. Results reveal that AI and the innovation network support the attainment of innovation performance. The finding demonstrates that the relationship between INs and IP links and AI adoption and IP links is mediated through DI. The healthcare industry plays a vital role in facilitating public health and improving the living standards of the people. This sector's growth and development are largely dependent on its innovativeness. This study highlights the major determinants of IP in the healthcare industry in terms of IN and AI adoption. This study adds to the literature's knowledge via an innovative proposal in which the mediation role of DI among IN-IP and AI adoption-innovation links is investigated.

A systematic and critical review of waste management in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises: future directions for theory and practice

Waste management (WM) has received increasing attention in recent years in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). However, a comprehensive understanding of the WM research in MSMEs from different economic sectors is somehow absent in spite of its proliferation. The current review was conducted to indicate types of waste, hazards associated with waste, as well as strategies, antecedents (facilitators and barriers), and outcomes of WM in MSMEs from diverse economic sectors. The search was performed by using the Web of Science (WoS) database, which retrieves 420 articles. After excluding the papers that were not closely related to the topic, 84 articles were retained for an in-depth analysis, spanning a period of five years (from 2018 to June 2022). This review demonstrates that the types of waste generated from MSMEs include metals, plastics, chemicals, papers, wood, fabrics, stones, food, ceramics, glass, candles, and cooking oil, among others. It is also resulted that the hazards associated with waste include environmental pollution, CO2 emissions, human diseases, health disasters, and marine life destruction. Examples of the WM strategies in MSMEs research are recycling, separating, sorting, reusing, and composting waste. The findings revealed that a lack of financial resources, knowledge, experience, education, and training are some barriers encountered by MSMEs in WM. Enhancing financial performance, economic growth, competitive advantage, and sustainable development are important outcomes of WM in MSMEs. There has been a paucity of research on MSMEs WM, necessitating a thorough investigation of several issues. This research discusses implications and recommendations and presents avenues for future research. The current paper is one of the first studies to conduct a systematic review of WM in MSMEs from different economic sectors.

Analysis of social barriers to sustainable innovation and digitisation in supply chain

Organisations are consistently becoming more and more conscious about sustainability issues that are being raised on various platforms by regulatory bodies and other social activists. Digitisation of supply chains and other technologies like recycling has emerged as one solution that helps achieve sustainability goals by bringing more transparency into the system regarding emissions. Adopting these sustainability and digitisation-related technologies in the supply chain is a major issue, and there are many social issues related to their implementation and adoption. This study aims to identify social barriers to sustainable innovations and digitisation in the supply chain. A total of eight barriers are identified and analysed using BWM and DEMATEL methodologies. The results indicate that work-related circumstances and employment disruptions are the most prominent social barriers, which also influence other barriers. Organisations need to hire and train manpower in skills related to sustainable and digitisation technologies to secure their jobs and facilitate the adoption of these technologies in the supply chain.

The Interaction of Perceived Susceptibility with Predictors of mHealth Technology Usage

Objectives: Based on the significance of mobile healthcare (mHealth) technologies in the dynamic and competitive environment, the current study examined the interactive effect of individuals' perceived susceptibility of being ill with the performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on their intentions and actual usage of mHealth technologies during medical emergencies/disastrous situations. Methods: Surveying 417 mHealth users in Indonesia, the current study applied structural equational modeling in SmartPLS ver.4 software to analyze the collected data. Results: Results revealed the importance of individuals' expectations regarding the performance of mHealth technologies along with the views of their social networks and facilitating conditions provided by the healthcare organizations to influence mHealth technologies' use during medical emergencies. However, results showed the strongest influence of facilitating conditions on the usage of mHealth technologies reflecting the significance of ease of use. Additionally, findings showed the significant contingent role of the perceived susceptibility of users to augment their intentions to adopt the mHealth technologies. Conclusion: The current study is expected to bring valuable insights to health service providers, health professionals, medical institutions, and practitioners by highlighting factors that facilitate individuals to use mHealth technologies during emergencies.

A Research Framework for Sustainable Digital Innovation: Case Studies of Japanese Firms

Today’s competitive and highly volatile environment calls for a new kind of flexibility and adaptability. Limited studies are available that examine how firms achieve both speed and creativity requirements in this digital era. In view of the rare empirical studies on real-world cases that apply rigorous research methods for sustainable digital innovation (SDI), this research investigates the key strategic requirements of organizational agility and flexibility for SDI. The research framework defines four types of innovators. This study used the benchmark tool to assess the status of their innovation effectiveness. This research framework is useful for firms to classify, assess, and evaluate their innovation type. The study’s findings also suggest the road map for future strategic goals. This theoretical framework illustrates the causal relationship between Japanese-style digital innovation and the firms’ sustainable competitive advantage. This model might be extended to other firms in different contexts (e.g., Korea, India, USA, Brazil, and a host of other countries). The theoretical and practical implications are discussed for future research.

Factors That Affect Digital Innovation Sustainability among SMEs in the Middle East Region

Digital innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been studied extensively over the past quarter-century. The products, processes, and/or model innovation in businesses that are viewed as novel necessitate significant alterations from consumers and are represented in or facilitated by IT; this is what it means when digital innovation is mentioned. Nonetheless, despite the unique application of digital innovation in different organizations, the factors that lead to its success are still uncertain. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating the various factors that affect the digital innovation of SMEs in the Middle East region. This research used a descriptive research design in which primary data from the SME owners and employees were used to evaluate the research objectives. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and structural equation models conducted through SPSS, were used to evaluate the research objectives in showing how various factors such as the Internet of Things (IoT; physical objects and things with sensors, software, and other technological techniques integrated into them for the purpose of exchanging data and connecting with other systems and devices), digital platforms, and digital orientation have influenced digital innovation sustainability in SMEs. Results showed a positive and substantial impact on digital innovation sustainability as a result of the IoT, digital platforms, and digital orientation. In conclusion, the research shows that SMEs should use digital platforms, the IoT, and digital orientation to be digitally stable.

Towards the Achievement of Frugal Innovation: Exploring Major Antecedents among SMEs

The study in hand investigates the impact of the Internet of things (IoT) and digital platforms on frugal innovation. Furthermore, we also tested the intervening role of digital platforms and moderating role of organizational readiness. Data were collected from SMEs and the collected data were analyzed with various statistical techniques. Findings shown that the IoT positively affects digital platforms and frugal innovation. Results proved that digital platforms mediate the association between the IoT and frugal innovation. Furthermore, organizational readiness also moderates on the association between digital platforms and frugal innovation. The findings revealed that only those businesses that update their business operations according to the needs of their customers can achieve success. Frugal innovation is an emerging concept, and its achievement is a very tricky and complex task. This study shows that only those businesses that update their business operations using the IoT and digital platforms can achieve success. Moreover, modern SMEs should be able to adapt to the required changes in their business activities. Hence, SMEs also require some strategic changes in their operations in order to cope with changing business circumstances.

Role of Digital Economy in Rebuilding and Sustaining the Space Governance Mechanisms

The need for sustainable corporate governance has gained the interests of researchers for a while now and it has been found as a very significant component of successful organizational operations. The current paper has examined the role of sustainable corporate governance in achieving sustainable economic space along with measuring the indirect impact of technological innovation and IT governance on the whole process. This paper has followed the quantitative-positivism approach to measure the hypotheses developed in the study. The population considered in this study are the managers currently employed in the corporate sector in China (N = 310). The data is analyzed using the Smart-PLS 3.3.3 software for checking the data for preliminary screening and the measurement of hypotheses. The findings of the study show that the three components of sustainable corporate governance, i.e., concern for employees, sustainable corporate governance awareness, and the environmental aspects have a significant as well as a positive effect on technological innovation and hence on the sustainable economic space. Similarly, the study has recorded a significant moderating effect of IT governance on the relationship of technological innovation and the sustainable economic space. Overall, it can be seen that corporate governance, innovative technology, and a sustainable digital economy share a reciprocal relationship. Where corporate governance helps as a supporting force to keep both innovation and sustainability in action. Whereas IT governance provides enhanced communication and delivery of public services, business, and advanced human capital. The study will be of high advantage for the corporate sector in China for devising and modifying their policies that consider the employee's concerns for the governance mechanisms prevailing at priority in the organizations. Further, it will be interesting for the organizations to incorporate the IT governance mechanism in their technological innovations for achieving a sustainable economic space.

Investigating the Impact of International Markets and New Digital Technologies on Business Innovation in Emerging Markets

International markets and digital technologies are considered among the factors affecting business innovation. The emergence and deployment of digital technologies in emerging markets increase the innovation potential in businesses. Companies with an entrepreneurial orientation also strengthen their innovation capabilities. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of international markets and new digital technologies on business innovation in emerging markets, and to estimate the mediating effect of entrepreneurial orientation on this relationship. The present research was applied research in terms of aim and descriptive survey in terms of data collection method and quantitative in terms of the type of collected data. A standard questionnaire was to collect data. The study’s statistical population consisted of all companies providing business services in Tehran, Iran. To analyse the data, the structural equation modelling method with partial least squares method and Smart PLS-3 Software was used. The results revealed that international markets and digital technologies are positively associated with innovation. They also revealed that when a company’s entrepreneurial orientation increases, the digital technologies and international markets will be more involved in mutual relationships.

Hegemony of Digital Platforms, Innovation Culture, and E-Commerce Marketing Capabilities: The Innovation Performance Perspective

Advanced technologies have affected business models. Sustainable innovation performance has become very critical for the survival of businesses, in particular in emerging economies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of digital platforms, innovation culture (IC), and e-commerce marketing capabilities on innovation performance (IP). In this study, the intervening role of IC was studied. Furthermore, the moderating role of e-commerce marketing capabilities was studied regarding the link between digital platforms and IP. Data were collected from the top management of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working in several cities in Pakistan. For the data collection and analysis, the quantitative research method was used. Correlation, regression, and bootstrap methods were applied to test hypotheses. The results showed that digital platforms have positive impacts on innovation culture and IP. The findings verified that IC plays a mediating role in the relationship between digital platforms and IP. Moreover, digital platforms increase IP in the presence of e-commerce marketing capabilities. SMEs employ a self-motivated perspective, and it is necessary to evaluate their performance in terms of innovation. Subsequently, businesses that innovate their services and products with respect to their customers’ demands have the capacity to achieve true success. Consequently, SMEs need to analyze their IP for their businesses to flourish. The study emphasizes the overlooked relation of digital platforms and IP, as well as demonstrates the mediation effect of IC.

Digital Social Responsibility towards Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Performance of Hi-Tech SMEs: Customer Engagement as a Mediator

Digitalization has opened up new methods to promote socialization in all types of organizations, generally, and businesses specifically. Stakeholders now prefer those businesses which are inclined towards social norms and virtues. In the era of digitalization, digital social responsibility (DSR) has become the strategic decision for all kinds of business organizations. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to highlight the achievement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strategic performance (SP) through customer engagement with digital social responsibility (DSR). Customer engagement with DSR is also tested as a mediator between DSR and CSR performance, and DSR and SP. Data were collected from the owners/managers of hi-tech Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). For the purpose of data analysis, various statistical procedures were applied. Results proved that DSR plays an essential role in explaining customer engagement with DSR, SP and CSR performance. Customer engagement with DSR directly affects SP and CSR performance, and also acts as a mediator. This study contributes to both theory and practical management by investigating how DSR helps to achieve SP and CSR performance. This is a unique study of the mechanism to achieve SP and CSR performance through DSR and customer engagement with DSR.

The Inter-Relationship between Innovation Capability and SME Performance: The Moderating Role of the External Environment

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial part in a country’s economic growth and sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between innovation and the performance of SMEs. An external environmental factor acts as a moderating variable between the exogenous and endogenous variables. Data were collected from 350 textile SMEs operating in Pakistan using a cross-sectional study design through self-administered questionnaires. Of these, only 335 surveys were valid for further analysis. The structural equational modeling technique was used for analyzing the data and testing the hypotheses that innovation and the external environment affect an SME’s performance. The results indicate a significant association between innovation and SME performance, and the external environment has a moderating impact on innovation and SME performance. This paper offers valuable recommendations to senior managers and owners of SMEs to consider the innovation and external environment as crucial factors when assessing their SME’s performance. This study contributes towards the body of knowledge on this subject and can help practitioners and researchers explore the effects of innovation and the external environment on the performance of SMEs.

Toward the e-loyalty of digital library users: investigating the role of e-service quality and e-trust in digital economy

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of e-service quality and e-trust for achieving e-loyalty among digital library users in the digital economy. The current study examined the mediation effect of e-trust in the connection between e-service quality and e-loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional design was applied for the purpose of data collection and empirical findings of the study. Survey method was used for the purpose of data collection from 783 online digital libraries users.

Findings

Results reveal that e-service quality positively predicts e-trust in digital economy. Moreover, in digital economy e-trust predicts the e-loyalty. The findings also reveal that e-trust mediates the relationship between e-service quality and e-loyalty links.

Originality/value

The finding of study suggested that individual level e-trust have a strong effect on e-loyalty in digital economy. Individual level aspects in term of e-service quality have a direct effect on e-trust to improve their e-loyalty. The finding indicated that digital libraries users in future will be more loyal toward e-service quality providers. The results are useful for the management of digital libraries and academia for future. This is the first study that includes e-service quality, e-trust and e-loyalty in the context of digital economy.