Co-Created Values in Crowdfunding for Sustainable Development of Enterprises

Fintech Attaining Sustainable Development: An Investor Perspective of Crowdfunding Platforms in a Developing Country

Crowdfunding is a successful disruptive innovation of fintech that substitutes financial intermediaries and contributes toward financial inclusion and sustainable development. The present research aimed at exploring the underlying determinant factors that shape the investors’ intentions to fund in a crowdfunding platform, a phenomenon still under-researched in the developing world. To bridge this void in the literature, we investigated how calculus and relational trust mediate the effects of perceived accreditation, blockchain technology, structural assurance, and third-party seal on the investors’ intention using the SEM technique to analyze the data collected from 110 platform investors in Pakistan. Findings suggest that third-party seal and blockchain technology strongly influence the calculus trust. While the investors’ intention to invest is mediated by calculus trust, the relational trust fails to show any mediation effect, suggesting that investors make investment decisions based on what makes sense to them cognitively instead of affectively. The research was concluded with implications for both theory and practice.

Can the Economic Value Added Be Used as the Universal Financial Metric?

Previous research into Economic Value Added (EVA) has extensively described it as a business metric of firms. Still, no studies have confirmed or denied that EVA is a universal metric and that one may use EVA in unstable markets in the same way as in stable and developed economies. Meanwhile, the green energy revolution, ensuring carbon neutrality through green innovations, requires enormous investments, and the projects realised must be appropriately tailored. These projects are realised by different firms, including those from developing countries, and investors need solid financial metrics. The study determines whether EVA is a universal metric of owners’ value in the energy sector. The research proves that this metric does not correctly reflect the limitations of emerging markets, can lead to incorrect managerial decisions and limit shareholders’ value. Therefore, there is a need to reanalyse financial metrics used in financial planning, including EVA. The study eliminates this research gap and, based on data from seven countries and the Euro Zone, explains why one may not perceive the currently used EVA formula as a universal financial metric. Consequently, the study modifies the EVA formula and presents a universal solution tailored to unstable economies. In the conducted research, literature studies were used, taking into account the methodology of a systematic literature review, including bibliometric analysis. Based on this review, it is shown that little is known about whether EVA as a financial measure can be used in energy management. Two conclusions emerged: first, the research contributes to developing the business and management science; second, identifying risks associated with EVA metrics helps practitioners. In addition, the study defined further research directions.