The dynamic capabilities approach and regional business resilience: an Australian case study

ABSTRACTThe frequency and severity of major disruptions (e.g., disasters, epidemics/pandemics) are increasing, significantly impacting business survival in regional areas. Using the dynamic capabilities approach, this paper reports on the recovery pathways and resilience of Australian regional businesses during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. A case study approach is adopted to explore the capabilities through which regional businesses can plan for, recover from, and develop strategies for building resilience. Using the data from 18 semi-structured interviews with business owners operating in different industry sectors and a web-based forum with 10 key stakeholders in regional South Australia, a dynamic capabilities resilience framework is developed. Results suggest that the dynamic capabilities approach during crises can become integral to the long-term business recovery of regional Australian businesses. By revealing both the determinants of business survival and the constraints regional businesses face during major crises, the study contributes information that businesses, government and non-government agencies that support them can use to develop effective recovery pathways, which is central to the future sustainability of regional Australia

Accounting for modern slavery: an analysis of Australian listed company disclosures

PURPOSE - Given the impending introduction of legislation requiring large Australian listed companies to make supply chain disclosures about modern slavery, the paper aims to reveal current voluntary practice. The purpose of this paper is to provide a benchmark for assessing the current engagement of large companies with modern slavery in Australia. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – Institutional theory provides the foundation for assessing current voluntary practice in relation to modern slavery disclosures by large Australian listed companies. Content analysis is used to identify quantity and quality of modern slavery disclosures of the top 100 companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The contents of annual and standalone reports available on websites, as well as other online disclosures, are examined using terms associated with modern slavery identified from the literature. FINDINGS – Evidence gathered about modern slavery disclosures by ASX 100 companies shows information in annual and standalone reports reveal far less than other disclosures on company websites. Overall, the volume and quality of disclosures are low and, where made, narrative. A wide range of themes on modern slavery are disclosed with bribery and corruption and human rights issues dominant. Although currently in line with institutional theory, as there appear to be mimetic processes encouraging disclosure, results support the idea that legislation is needed to encourage further engagement. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS – The paper provides a baseline of understanding about the volume and quality of modern slavery disclosures as a foundation for future research into the practices of Australian companies prior to the signalled introduction of legislation mandating reporting. It also identifies potential lines of research. The sample only examines large Australian listed companies which restricts generalisation from the results. ORIGINALITY/VALUE – This is the first academic research paper to examine quantity and quality of modern slavery disclosures of large Australian companies. Results add support for the introduction of legislation by government

The dynamic capabilities approach and regional business resilience: an Australian case study

The frequency and severity of major disruptions (e.g., disasters, epidemics/pandemics) are increasing, significantly impacting business survival in regional areas. Using the dynamic capabilities approach, this paper reports on the recovery pathways and resilience of Australian regional businesses during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. A case study approach is adopted to explore the capabilities through which regional businesses can plan for, recover from, and develop strategies for building resilience. Using the data from 18 semi-structured interviews with business owners operating in different industry sectors and a web-based forum with 10 key stakeholders in regional South Australia, a dynamic capabilities resilience framework is developed. Results suggest that the dynamic capabilities approach during crises can become integral to the long-term business recovery of regional Australian businesses. By revealing both the determinants of business survival and the constraints regional businesses face during major crises, the study contributes information that businesses, government and non-government agencies that support them can use to develop effective recovery pathways, which is central to the future sustainability of regional Australia.</p

European Women on Boards and Corporate Sustainability

The promotion of gender balance in corporate boards is one of the tools in support of gender diversity in society as a whole. Data by EU Commission show a low, although increasing, representation of women on boards. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of this situation, according to a managerial approach devoted to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. We carry out a descriptive analysis that supplements the existing public information about women on board with a secondary source of data, which contains information about boards of listed and unlisted European companies over a consistent period (2000-2016). We aim to read together different aspects concerning the presence of European women on boards, supporting the concept that a higher participation of women in top positions primarily depends on the corporate culture that goes beyond legal compliance. In the face of its limits, this work contributes to the existing literature about gender diversity and CSR in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda’s goals, highlighting the role that women on boards can have for a more sustainable world and encouraging the debate about first corporate jobs and career paths. Furthermore, this paper explores future lines of research into the selection procedures of board members and the creation of a more inclusive working environment, according to a more sustainable business approach by companies