Over-Claiming the Circular Economy: The Missing Dimensions

A new approach to sustainability has been proposed, the 'circular economy', as a pathway for companies - large or small - to engage with the challenges of sustainable business. This paper begins with an overview of the concept of the circular economy, before discussing some of the tensions and limitations of this approach, particularly the more overlooked social aspects of circularity. As a result, the paper suggests some alternatives as exemplars of more ethical and socially inclusive approaches to the circular economy

Burgers for tourists who give a damn! Driving disruptive social change upstream and downstream in the tourist food supply chain

Using the theoretical lens of social capital this paper examines the role of small tourist food businesses and their impact on the sustainability of the destination and local food supply chains. The paper analyses the experiences of small business owner-managers highlighting the complex and subtle nature of the socially responsible strategies used to progress sustainability in a tourist destination. The findings show that authentic lifestyles, motivated by intrinsic not just extrinsic rewards, are driving disruptive social change upstream and downstream in the tourist food supply chain. Small food business owner-managers are catalysts for ‘common’ good, and as supporters for ethical and sustainable food chains have considerable local tourism influence and impact. Social capital strengthens their sense of destination ownership and fuels an obligation to protect their fragile tourist resources. The intersection between social capital, authenticity and responsibility among small food businesses in the tourist industry is demonstrated

Power can increase but also decrease cheating depending on what thoughts are validated

Prior research has shown that power is associated with cheating. In the present research, we showcase that higher power can increase but also decrease cheating, depending on the thoughts validated by the feelings of power. In two experiments, participants were first asked to generate either positive or negative thoughts about cheating. Following this manipulation of thought direction, participants were placed in either high or low power conditions. After the two inductions, cheating was measured using different paradigms – assessing cheating intentions in relationships (Study 1) and over reporting performance for monetary gain (Study 2). Relative to powerless participants, those induced to feel powerful showed more reliance on the initial thoughts induced. Consequently, the effect of the direction of the thoughts on cheating was greater for participants with high (vs. low) power. Specifically, high power increased cheating only when initial thoughts about cheating were already favorable but decreased cheating when it validated unfavorable cheating relevant thoughts

The dark side of meaningful work-from-home: A nonlinear approach

Changes in the technological environment of work already in motion over the last few years, but accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, place individuals' search for meaningfulness in their work under a new light. In this context, we draw on enrichment theory and the ego-depletion perspective and challenge the prevailing notion that meaningfulness is always positive and hypothesize that, under certain conditions, there can be such a thing as “too much meaningfulness.” A two-wave study of 243 full-time employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States offers support for a nonlinear effect of meaningfulness of work for workaholics, such that it has a positive effect on individuals up to a certain point, but a negative effect if there are excessive amounts of meaningfulness. We discuss these findings in light of the debate around the moral duty of managers and firms to offer meaningful jobs to employees and offer practical suggestions for firms

Εταιρική κοινωνική ευθύνη και η ανταγωνιστικότητα των μικρομεσαίων επιχειρήσεων

There is increasing research attention as to how SMEs might realize corporate social responsibility opportunities. The majority of studies focus on the pursuance of responsible business strategies that may result in favorable business outcomes, including better financial performance. This study investigates a sample of SMEs who actively participate in CSR activities in Greece. The role of the SME in developing CSR focused relationships with particular stakeholders is examined. Data collected reveals that stakeholder salience and proximity moderate these relationships and this leads to improved financial performance. The context of this study is important as it addresses the paucity of research carried out in countries during economic crisis and sheds light on the positive aspects of CSR that are adopted during crisis. Managerial suggestions are made and research implications are discussed.Υπάρχει αυξανόμενο ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον σχετικά με τρόπο με τον οποίο οι ΜΜΕ θα μπορούσαν να κερδίσουν από τις προσπάθειες εταιρικής κοινωνικής ευθύνης (ΕΚΕ) τους. Η πλειοψηφία των μελετών επικεντρώνεται στην εφαρμογή υπεύθυνων επιχειρηματικών στρατηγικών που μπορεί να οδηγήσουν σε ευνοϊκές επιχειρηματικες συνθήκες, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της καλύτερης οικονομικής απόδοσης. Αυτή η μελέτη ερευνά ένα δείγμα ΜΜΕ που συμμετέχουν ενεργά σε δραστηριότητες ΕΚΕ στην Ελλάδα. Αναλύεται ο ρόλος των ΜΜΕ στην ανάπτυξη σχέσεων ΕΚΕ με συγκεκριμένους ενδιαφερόμενους φορείς (stakeholders). Τα στοιχεία που συλλέγονται αποκαλύπτουν ότι η σημασία (salience) και η εγγύτητα(proximity) των ενδιαφερομένων μερών συγκρατούν αυτές τις σχέσεις και αυτό οδηγεί σε βελτιωμένη οικονομική απόδοση. Το πλαίσιο αυτής της μελέτης είναι σημαντικό καθώς αντιμετωπίζει την της έλλειψη έρευνας που διεξάγεται σε χώρες κατά τη διάρκεια της οικονομικής κρίσης και φωτίζει τις θετικές πτυχές της ΕΚΕ που υιοθετούνται κατά τη διάρκεια της κρίσης. Λαμβάνονται διαχειριστικές προτάσεις και εξετάζονται οι συνέπειες της έρευνας