Research Articles (Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS))

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/51279

The University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) is a leading business school in the heart of Illovo, Johannesburg, close to the Sandton business hub. Academic programmes as well as a wide range of executive courses are availble and can be custom-designed to suit specific company needs.

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Managing phygital experiences in grassroots esports : human-centered orchestration in the Swedish LAN-scape
McCauley, Brian; Berndt, Adele; Helmefalk, Miralem (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : This study aims to examine how grassroots esports organizers manage Local Area Network (LAN) events as sustainable phygital experiences, addressing a gap in Phygital Service Research (PSR) by exploring how community-driven actors achieve seamless physical–digital integration under resource constraints. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 28 Swedish LAN organizers. Data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis guided by Batat’s (2022) Phygital Customer Experience (PH-CX) framework and Baudet and Parmentier (2025) four phygital strategies. FINDINGS : Five key management dimensions are identified – Managing Interaction, Managing Time and Space, Managing Cooperation and Competition, Establishing Phygital Foundations and Sustaining Phygital Communities. Through these dimensions, the study introduces “human-centered phygital orchestration”: the process through which actors coordinate social interactions, multisensory environments and temporal flows to achieve seamless physical–digital integration through community practices rather than technological sophistication. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Grassroots LAN organizers should prioritize cross-platform community engagement, multisensory environmental design and institutional partnerships. Policymakers should recognize grassroots esports events as culturally significant infrastructures for digital inclusion and youth engagement. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This is the first study to apply PSR to grassroots esports, extending the PH-CX framework beyond commercial contexts. It proposes “human-centered phygital orchestration” as a novel concept for advancing PSR in community-driven, resource-constrained service ecosystems. This research was conducted as part of the American Phygital Association Summit 2025, sponsored by the American Institute of Business Experience Design (AIBXD) – New York. The submitted research was funded by the Media, Management and Transformation Center at Jönköping International Business School and there are no conflicts of interest to declare. We sincerely appreciate the valuable feedback provided by anonymous reviewers, editors, colleagues and esports industry practitioners on an earlier version of this work.
Leveraging cash transfer receipts for entrepreneurial wealth creation in emerging economies : a systematic review and emerging research agenda
Onyango, Kenneth Jerry; Boso, Nathaniel; Otieno, Hellen (Informa UK Limited (trading as Taylor and Francis Group), 2026-07)
Despite evidence that cash transfer receipts provide socio-economic benefits, their use as seed capital for creation of entrepreneurial wealth in resource-constrained contexts remains poorly understood. This study analyzes existing literature to examine conditions and mechanisms through which cash transfers act as enablers for sustainable entrepreneurial wealth by focusing on the role of business skills, social networks, and institutions. It develops a conceptual framework explaining pathways from cash transfers to entrepreneurial wealth. The study employs PRISMA-guided systematic literature review using a qualitative approach. It analyzed thirty-two sources from an initial pool of 457 research papers retrieved through structured keyword searches from selected academic databases. Data collection entailed screening titles and abstracts focusing on studies that examined impact of cash transfer on entrepreneurial wealth. Cash transfers, when targeted to recipients with entrepreneurial resourcefulness and complemented by capacity-building activities, are associated with increased business start-up and income generation rather than guaranteed entrepreneurial wealth creation, reflecting strong consensus on liquidity relief but conditional effects on sustainability. The impact is context-dependent, relying on market infrastructure, supportive policies, and institutional support. The capacity of cash transfers to generate entrepreneurial wealth hinges on alignment with enabling environment. This research advances understanding by framing cash transfers as catalysts for economic empowerment by linking them to ecosystem strengthening and targeted capacity building. By linking cash transfers to pathways for sustainable entrepreneurial wealth, this study extends existing literature and provides insights for designing cash transfer programs that foster entrepreneurial wealth in resource constrained communities.
Smart mobility meets engagement : understanding the role of rewards in sustainable urban transport
Zeuli, Federica; Leone, Daniele; Schiavone, Francesco (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms promote the use of shared and public transportation, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and urban congestion. Through different reward mechanisms, MaaS platforms can encourage users' sustainable behaviors. This study investigates how MaaS platforms engage users and foster sustainable mobility behaviors by analyzing platforms that adopt gamification-based, social and economic reward mechanisms. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The authors employed a multiple case study approach and used multiple sources of evidence to triangulate the data. The data were analyzed through an inductive thematic analysis following the Gioia method. FINDINGS : From the analysis, the authors have obtained three aggregate dimensions: (1) Reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability, which reflects how MaaS platforms contribute to lowering the environmental footprint of urban mobility; (2) Increased active user engagement, highlighting the role of MaaS applications in fostering users' active to smart mobility platform; and (3) Induction of sustainable behaviors in the long term, showing how MaaS platforms support the consolidation of sustainable mobility habits over time. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : The study provides relevant insights by developing a conceptual framework for policymakers, practitioners and scholars interested in smart mobility. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The originality of this work lies in the three-dimensional approach adopted to analyze user engagement mechanisms, thereby contributing to the expansion of knowledge on how digital platforms can facilitate the ecological transition.
Exploring men's perceptions of implicit bias and exclusion on women's advancement to senior leadership roles
Rajha, Beverly L.; Ruiters, Michele (AOSIS, 2025-09-25)
BACKGROUND : Gender bias and exclusionary practices continue to hinder women’s progression into senior leadership, particularly in male-dominated sectors. Understanding men’s perceptions of these biases is crucial for addressing unseen barriers and promoting an inclusive leadership environment. AIM : The aim of the research was to explore male perspectives on implicit bias and exclusion that affect women’s career advancement. SETTING : The study focused on male-dominated industries in South Africa, including technology, mining, supply chain, manufacturing, financial services and print, to offer insights into how cultural norms and industry-specific biases influence organisational practices. METHODS : A cross-sectional qualitative research approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews with male participants from diverse backgrounds within male-dominated industries. Thematic analysis, informed by the Gender Bias Scale for Women Leaders, was conducted to identify patterns of bias and potential strategies for inclusion. RESULTS : The findings revealed four primary themes: organisational culture and gender bias, barriers to female leadership, empowerment strategies and leadership traits compatible with career progression. Key insights included the role of male validation, the impact of cultural expectations on Black women and the need for inclusive mentorship and re-entry programmes in physically demanding sectors. CONCLUSION : The research findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive, intersectional policies that recognise and address unique challenges faced by women, particularly black women, in leadership pathways. CONTRIBUTION : Organisations should consider leadership criteria and implement targeted support systems to build a more inclusive environment that values diverse leadership qualities.
Minimizing indoctrination of powerless African students : commentary on “against indoctrination : education and the role of the intellectual” by Peter Blunt
Boso, Nathaniel (Routledge, 2026-07)
This article presents a commentary on the article titled, “Against Indoctrination: Education and the Role of the Intellectual”, written by Peter Blunt. The commentary suggests that Blunt is one of the most respected scholarly voices on Africa’s development, with a strong contribution to scholarly discourse on development management in Africa. The commentary agrees with Blunt that Africa and African higher education remain one of the major victims of capitalist and neo-colonial excesses. However, the commentary suggests that there are other important areas that Blunt could have expanded on to clarify ongoing efforts aimed at decolonization of knowledge and education in African universities and business schools. The commentary, therefore, discusses four strategies that may be used to speak to the powerless in Africa: creation of dialogical avenues to question capitalism and neo-colonialism; use of Afrocentric and decolonial lenses to explain phenomenon; designing of pedagogy for critical thinking under constraint; and modeling of intellectual courage and collective inquiry to generate and communicate knowledge about Africa as ways of helping minimize indoctrination of powerless African students.
Driving MNE subsidiary performance in sub-Saharan Africa : strategy, innovation, and environment
Boso, Nathaniel; Okyere, Gilbert Anyowuo; Akwaboah, Prince; Annan, Jonathan; Ataburo, Henry (Routledge, 2026)
Global strategic orientation (GSO) is noted as an important determinant of MNE subsidiary performance, yet the underlying mechanisms and environmental contingencies connecting GSO to the performance of MNE subsidiaries operating in developing economies remain understudied. Drawing on resource orchestration theory, this study theorizes that GSO dimensions – global mindset, growth orientation, and competition orientation – enhance performance through service innovation novelty under varying conditions of environmental turbulence. Analyzing two-phase survey data from 887 subsidiaries in 23 sub-Saharan African countries, we find that all GSO dimensions are positively associated with performance, with service innovation novelty serving as a key mediator. Unexpectedly, environmental turbulence attenuates the indirect effects of growth and competition orientations, while the global mindset’s effect remains robust. These findings refine international business theory by clarifying how service innovation and environmental factors serve as contingencies that explain the mechanisms and conditions under which MNE subsidiaries benefit from GSO in Sub-Saharan African markets.
A digital transformation strategy model for leadership in manufacturing : considering the technological innovations to advance industry 5.0 in smart manufacturing
Gaffley, Garth R.; Pelser, Theuns Gert (AOSIS, 2025-12-19)
PURPOSE : This study investigates how manufacturing leaders can effectively navigate the transition from Industry 4.0 (I4.0) to Industry 5.0 (I5.0) by leveraging technological and data management advancements. It aims to bridge the digital transformation (DTx) gap and proposes a robust strategy model focused on human–machine interaction and sustainability. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a structured literature review with empirical insights from a quantitative survey of 2500 South African manufacturing leaders. The research applies statistical analysis and revises a seven-step DTx model to incorporate I5.0 technologies, including industrial artificial intelligence (IndAI) and human-centric smart manufacturing. Critical research factors are extracted from literature review and qualitative research. Most references are from 2020 onwards. FINDINGS/RESULTS : Findings reveal critical success factors for successful Industry 5.0 migration, highlighting the importance of resilience, human–machine collaboration, sensor technology, connectivity infrastructure and the four-layered IndAI integration. The article introduces a multi-layered DTx strategy model adaptable to future industrial paradigms, including a nascent Industry 6.0. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Manufacturing leaders can apply the refined DTx strategy model to enhance organisational readiness, technological agility and workforce alignment through ‘worker back in the loop’ considerations and ergonomics. The findings inform policies on upskilling, digital ethics and systems design for sustainable industrial growth. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This article extends prior DTx frameworks by integrating emerging Industry 5.0 concepts and proposing a future-oriented strategy model. It contributes novel insights into human-centric design, IndAI governance and leadership challenges in digitally evolving manufacturing contexts.
Revolutionising the public extension system for smallholder livestock farmers : user experiences and the prospects of using information and communication technologies in North West Province, South Africa
Mapiye, Obvious; Makombe, Godswill; Molotsi, A.H.; Dzama, Kennedy; Mapiye, Cletos (South African Society for Agricultural Extension, 2025)
The study aimed to determine farmers’ and extension officers’ experiences with public extension and the prospects of improving the public extension service through digital-based technology. Quantitative data were collected from 101 commercially oriented active beneficiaries of the Nguni cattle project in the North West Province, South Africa, using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) and analysed using thematic analysis. Ninety percent of the farmers regarded public extension as the key source of extension services received through farm visits (66%), telephone calls (65%), and visits to the extension offices (38%). Approximately 64% of respondents reported low visibility of extension officers in their farming areas. A very low extension officer-to-farmer ratio (typically 1:> 300) and a high demand for transport facilities were cited as constraints to service delivery by extension officers. The study showed that over three-quarters of the farmers had smartphones, with 89% having adequate smartphone operating skills. Approximately 80% had a strong positive perception of the usefulness of the proposed Livestock Management Database System (LMDS) in livestock production, while 84% were willing to pay to access the system. The results of the FGDs and KIIs also indicated high positive perceptions toward innovation. In conclusion, a digital-based platform was proposed to assist the public extension system in delivering well-coordinated extension and advisory services that would meet the needs of farmers cost-effectively.
A systematic review of constraints associated with the beef value chain in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Makombe, Godswill; Mbole-Kariuki, M.; Mautjana, H. (South African Society for Agricultural Extension, 2025)
More than 30 years after the formation of the AU, intra-African trade remains relatively low in magnitude. Africa aims to increase inter-and intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). To realise this, Africa must boost production, especially agricultural production, which has remained stubbornly low. This study aimed to identify some of the factors contributing to this issue in the red meat and live animals value chain, which is a priority value chain for the SADC. In the SADC, beef is the dominant product, so it was selected as the focus of this study. A systematic review was used to identify factors that constrain beef production. Boolean search strings were used to identify relevant literature from databases. Inclusion-exclusion criteria were based on abstract content. Since some of the literature was dated, focus group discussions, value chain analysis workshops, and a validation workshop were used to confirm the constraints. Market-related constraints, namely: lack of market information, market segmentation, cost of compliance; Production-related constraints, namely: disease prevalence, lack of technology adoption, hygiene issues; Structural constraints, namely: infrastructure gaps, governance issues, and lack of integration; and Social constraints, namely: gender imbalance, were identified. Addressing these constraints will enable the SADC to increase both inter- and intra-SADC beef trade.
Corporate political activity and MNEs' sustainability performance : evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
Adomako, Samuel; Donbesuur, Francis; Nyuur, Richard B.; Apprey, Pius Lord; Abu-Arja, Ahmad (Elsevier, 2026-10)
This article examines the effect of corporate political activities (CPA) on sustainability performance through the mediating mechanism of political influence. It further investigates the contingent factors influencing the relationship between political influence and corporate sustainability performance. Our hypotheses are largely supported by time-lagged data from 348 multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in four sub-Saharan African countries. Our findings extend nonmarket strategies (NMS) and sustainability literature by testing a mediating and contingent model that assesses the influence of CPA on corporate sustainability performance. This nuanced analysis broadens the conceptual scope and applicability of NMS and sustainability activities, particularly in non-Western contexts. HIGHLIGHTS • CPA boosts economic but harms social and environmental performance. • Political influence mediates CPA–sustainability links. • Equity control amplifies economic gains. • MNEs’ home-country development weakens negative effects. • Evidence from 348 MNE subsidiaries operating in sub-Saharan Africa.
Multinational enterprises' strategic responses to geopolitical tensions and sanctions
Sawant, Rajeev J.; Ameyaw, Abdul-Kadir; Trevino, Len J.; Li, Yuan (Springer, 2026-07)
Rising geopolitical tensions and concomitant sanctions significantly affect multinational enterprises’ (MNEs), yet the theory of MNEs’ strategic responses remains underdeveloped. Through a qualitative study using the Russia–Ukraine conflict as a natural experiment, we investigate how and why MNEs respond strategically to these complex conditions. MNEs recognize that these stigmatize the MNE subsidiary’s host country. Continued association with a stigmatized location leads to cross-border stigma translation risk that threatens the MNE’s network resources and non-location-bound firm-specific advantages (FSAs). While some MNEs divest to prevent cross-border stigma translation risk from tainting such resources and FSAs, others freeze operations or stay. Those who freeze operations mitigate cross-border stigma translation risk while preserving subsidiary resources to generate potential non-location-bound FSAs, labeled subsidiary-generated FSAs (SG-FSAs). We uncover two novel mechanisms enabling MNEs to stay while mitigating stigma risk: ‘downgrading non-location-bound FSAs’ achieved through resource transfer, isolation, and recombination processes, and ‘downgrading non-location-bound SG-FSA exploitation’ achieved by embedding SG-FSAs in products restricted to the host country. We develop a theoretical model of MNE responses to sanctions, explaining how MNEs manage cross-border stigma translation risks and why MNE strategic configurations drive MNE responses. Our study contributes to understanding how and why MNEs respond to sanctions from geopolitical tensions.
Orchestrating transformative resilience in resource-constrained environments : a supply chain perspective
Essuman, Dominic; Agigi-Mocke, Assilah; Acquah, Ishmael Nanaba; Quansah, Emmanuel Kweku (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : Resource-constrained environments both spur and hinder transformative resilience, yet little is known about how some firms navigate such environments to achieve transformative resilience. This study proposes and examines the presence of supply chain managers and supply chain entrepreneurial orientation as resource-orchestration enablers of transformative resilience in resource-constrained environments. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The study hypothesizes that the presence of supply chain managers and supply chain entrepreneurial orientation, individually and through their interdependent relationship, drive transformative resilience. The study's hypotheses are tested on survey data from 397 firms in a resource-constrained environment (Ghana). The findings are validated with 2nd-wave survey data on transformative resilience from 205 of these firms, collected a year later. A series of regression-based multivariate analyses is used to analyze the data. FINDINGS : The results indicate that, unlike the presence of supply chain managers, a strong supply chain entrepreneurial orientation accounts for high levels of transformative resilience. The contribution of supply chain manager presence to transformative resilience is mediated by supply chain entrepreneurial orientation. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study presents resource orchestration theory as a promising lens for conceptualizing transformative resilience and analyzing its building blocks from a supply chain perspective. It further addresses gaps in the empirical understanding of transformative resilience in terms of its measurement and antecedents.
Taking different roads to Rome : protective and proactive orientations towards institutional power resources
Miedtank, Tina; Fortwengel, Johann (Wiley, 2026-09)
Works councils in Germany possess substantial institutional resources to protect workers' interests. Yet little is known about how these resources are mobilised in practice and why similar outcomes may emerge through different pathways. Drawing on two German firms acquired by Chinese state-owned enterprises, this study examines how works councils mobilised institutional power resources during cross-border mergers and acquisition negotiations. Despite reaching similarly favourable labour agreements, mobilisation processes differed markedly. Case-A featured conflictual management–works council relations and strong workforce coalitional power, leading to protective activation of institutional power resources through explicit reliance on labour laws and co-determination rights. Case-B showed collaborative relations between the works council and management but cautious workforce–works council ties, enabling proactive institutional activation where resources were strategically held in reserve. Across both cases, structural, ideational and associational power resources complemented institutional ones. The study contributes to institutional and power resource theories by demonstrating that institutional power resources can be strategically deployed through either protective or proactive orientations, with coalitional power configurations serving as a critical antecedent shaping mobilisation pathways. This reveals significant variation in agency within the same institutional environment, highlighting how similar employment outcomes can emerge through distinct strategic approaches.
How transformational supply chain leadership affects financial and environmental performance : the mediating role of firm resilience to supply disruption
Acquah, Ishmael Nanaba; Charnor, Isaac Tetteh; Agbodza, Mavis (Wiley, 2026)
Existing literature indicates that transformational leadership in supply chains is critical to sustainability; however, little is known about how this leadership influences sustainability. The empirical literature has provided minimal focused analysis of transformational supply chain leadership and its effects on sustainability performance dimensions, including financial and environmental performance. This study investigates how buyer firms' transformational supply chain leadership affects their financial and environmental performance. The study applies social exchange and dynamic capabilities theories to develop a conceptual model linking transformational supply chain leadership to financial and environmental performance. Data from a survey of 258 pharmaceutical and healthcare firms were utilized. The conceptual model was analyzed using SmartPLS. The results indicate that transformational supply chain leadership is positively associated with both financial and environmental performance. Also, the results indicate that supply resilience partially mediates the relationship between transformational supply chain leadership and financial performance, but does not mediate between transformational supply chain leadership and environmental performance. The study advances theory by empirically validating the contribution of transformational supply chain leadership to specific dimensions of sustainability performance, namely, financial and environmental performance. Also, the study contributes to theory by broadening the specification and validation of the mechanisms through which transformational supply chain leadership drives sustainable performance dimensions.
Exploring the role of family governance mechanisms in family business succession planning
Bham, Muneer; Zwane, Steven; Mamabolo, Anastacia (AOSIS, 2026-02-26)
ORIENTATION : Family businesses contribute significantly to economic growth; yet, they face succession-planning challenges stemming from the interplay between family and business dynamics. RESEARCH PURPOSE : This study investigates the role of governance mechanisms in the succession planning of family businesses. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : Governance mechanisms are known, but their role in family succession planning is underexplored. In addition, such research is lacking in developing countries with unique institutional settings. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : Using a qualitative methodology, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with founders of family enterprises. These interviews provided in-depth insights into how governance structures and succession planning processes are navigated in family businesses. MAIN FINDINGS : The study contributes to agency theory by demonstrating that humaneness is a central governance mechanism that reduces agency costs, particularly in succession planning, where formal contracts are unavailable. The findings also show that power dynamics are implicit assumptions in the agency theory, which affect family interactions; however, existing governance mechanisms can reduce their impact, thereby strengthening succession planning. Lastly, the constellation of governance mechanisms facilitates consensus, which is instrumental in succession planning. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : The findings demonstrate that, while formal agreements are essential, practitioners should also focus on informal governance mechanisms that guide succession planning. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : The study addressed a gap in the literature by applying and extending the agency theory to examine the functionality governance mechanisms in family business succession planning.
The human cost of digitally-driven organisational change in higher education : a phenomenographic study of employee well-being
Lichy, Jessica; Hadleigh-Dunn, Sara (Routledge, 2026)
This study explores the impact on employee well-being in higher education institutions (HEIs) following organisational change as a result of business model innovation. A phenomenographic approach was used involving auto-driven photo-elicitation interviews (PEIs) with 28 instructors in the UK and France, triangulated by focus group discussions with students. The study focused on how digitally-driven organisational change has an impact on the lived experience of occupational health risks and their manifestations (technostress, burnout, etc.) among staff. Findings reveal that digitally-driven organisational change produces a triad of latent stressors, namely technostress, unsustainable workloads, and eroded psychological safety. Critically, ‘health-washing’ emerged as a pervasive risk factor, wherein performative well-being initiatives increase cynicism and disengagement, rather than buffer burnout. Framed by the Job Demands-Resources model, we show how these tensions have direct ramifications for mental health and work-life balance. From this, we advise HEIs to take inspiration from Nordic models of participatory governance and workload transparency to mitigate psychosocial risks. Prioritising employee agency and sustainable business model innovation would foster sustainable work environments.
Stepping ahead, entrepreneurial competencies in the transition from intention to action
Mamabolo, Anastacia; Khumalo, Nompumelelo Mavis; Zwane, Steven (AOSIS, 2026-07-03)
ORIENTATION : Entrepreneurial intention is widely researched, yet less is known about how young people convert entrepreneurial intention into action in developing-country contexts. RESEARCH PURPOSE : Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Rubicon and action-phase perspective, this study explores how entrepreneurial competencies shape the transition from intention to action. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Entrepreneurship training can stimulate intention, but intention alone does not explain why some individuals act, others delay and others exit or revert to intention. This study, therefore, examines how competencies developed through training and lived entrepreneurial exposure shape the post-intention transition. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : A qualitative study was conducted with 25 South African youth who had participated in entrepreneurship training. Semi-structured interviews were analysed through a hybrid thematic approach using TPB sensitising concepts and inductive theme development. MAIN FINDINGS : Four competencies shaped transition: (1) entrepreneurial mindset, (2) connectedness, (3) psychosocial resilience and (4) entrepreneurial agency. Mindset and connectedness supported opportunity recognition and mobilisation, while resilience and agency became critical when fear, social pressure, uncertainty and institutional constraints emerged. The study identifies entrepreneurial thrill as energising excitement towards action and entrepreneurial dipping as loss of confidence, motivation or momentum. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : Entrepreneurship programmes should support post-intention transition by mapping competencies to phase-specific challenges. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : The study theorises the intention-action transition as a competence-emotion process producing full venture enactment, partial engagement, exit or reversion to intention.
Migration, integration and wellbeing of Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs : a typology for theory and practice
Ranabahu, Nadeera; Ng, Poh Yen (Elsevier, 2026-07)
Immigrant entrepreneurs’ wellbeing fluctuates according to their migration stage. Yet, the extant literature focuses on the stresses associated with migration/integration and entrepreneurship, independent of each other. This is problematic for theory and practice. Addressing this gap, we propose a stage-based approach to intercultural wellbeing using the lived experiences of 20 Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in New Zealand. Employing theoretical sampling, we selected immigrant entrepreneurs who had operated their businesses for more than two years and collected data using semi-structured interviews. Following the interpretive analytical approach, we then identified key themes emerging from the interviews, classified them according to the migration stage, and compared similarities and differences of wellbeing experiences between Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. Our findings demonstrate that wellbeing experiences are different during pre-migration, settlement, and integration through business start-up and management stages. The intercultural nuances among immigrants create further economic, social, psychological, and physical wellbeing differences between Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, this study contributes theoretically by developing a wellbeing typology to categorise immigrant entrepreneurs into wellbeing hopefuls, wellbeing replenishers or illbeing realisers, well(ill)being endurers or wellbeing balancers. The migration stage and critical events that they experience shape which analytical category they belong to. This typology contributes by advancing entrepreneurial wellbeing, immigrant entrepreneurship, and migrant integration theories and elaborates on intercultural differences. Aligning with the typology, the study also outlines practical wellbeing management strategies of respite, reappraisal, and recovery that immigrant entrepreneurs could employ.
Beyond convenience : how food delivery apps shape value, loyalty, and well-being in four emerging markets
Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Abbasi, Ghazanfar Ali; Elgammal, Islam M.Y.; Mustafa, Mairna H.M.; Zhani, Najlae (Emerald, 2026-07-08)
PURPOSE : While online food delivery services are expanding worldwide, most prior research has focused on single countries and the pre-purchase stage. This study addresses that gap by examining the drivers of customer-perceived value in food delivery app use, its effects on well-being and loyalty, and the moderating role of consumer pessimism. Drawing on Consumption Value Theory (CVT), the Information Systems Success (ISS) model, and the literature on consumer pessimism, the study offers a holistic, multi-country perspective on the factors that shape customer experiences and behaviours with food delivery apps. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Data were collected through an online survey of current food delivery app users in four Global South countries: Pakistan (n = 261), Morocco (n = 169), Saudi Arabia (n = 283), and Jordan (n = 166). Research hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. FINDINGS : Across the four Global South countries examined, there is evidence that information, service and system quality are key determinants of overall customer-perceived value, which in turn enhances customer well-being and loyalty. The negative effect of consumer pessimism on perceived value is significant in two out of the four countries. Customer well-being consistently predicts loyalty across all countries, underscoring its importance for long-term relationships. However, the moderating role of consumer pessimism on the links between perceived value, well-being, and loyalty is mixed, revealing variation across national contexts. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study is the first to examine the key drivers and outcomes of customer-perceived value in the online food delivery sector using multi-country data, breaking new ground by combining the ISS model, CVT, and research on consumer pessimism and well-being to deepen understanding of how perceived value is formed and its effects. Altogether, the results illuminate the structural relationships that shape customers' post-purchase experiences and behaviours and offer managers actionable insights to design strategies that build stronger customer value and loyalty across different international markets.
Untangling the complexities of central bank digital currency rejection amongst merchants : a qualitative comparative analytical approach
Osakwe, Christian Nedu; Ogunmokun, Oluwatobi A.; Ramayah, T.; Madichie, Nnamdi O.; Ahiabenu, Kwami (Wiley, 2026)
This study draws on behavioural economic theories, particularly dispositional resistance to change and status quo bias, and extends them by incorporating the relatively overlooked concept of perceived economic risks of non-adoption. Drawing on this integrated framework, it empirically examines the configurations of antecedents that contribute to the rejection of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), it is the first to examine early CBDC rejection with a specific focus on merchants in a pioneering CBDC country. The findings highlight five distinct conditions influencing CBDC rejection. Crucially, even when merchants perceive high economic risks from non-adoption and express dissatisfaction with existing fintech solutions, rejection persists if routine-seeking behaviours, emotional resistance to change, and a short-term focus are present. These results demonstrate that resistance to innovation often stems from entrenched behavioural and psychological factors, rather than purely rational considerations. By identifying the diverse pathways leading to CBDC rejection, this study offers policymakers critical insights into the complex interplay of resistance factors. It provides a foundation for designing targeted interventions aimed at mitigating merchant resistance and fostering broader adoption of digital currencies.

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