Here is my regular update on the key research outputs published in the last 12 months. They were: the second edition of the research methods book, one paper about decentralised social media and another one about sustainable value creation.
The purpose of this yearly catch-up post is to make it easy for blog readers to see what I have been working on. But, as always, I encourage readers to reach out to discuss opportunities to work together.
Journal articles
- Lages, L. F., Silva, G., Canhoto, A. I., Martinez, L. & Jahanmir, S. (2024). Balancing people, planet and profit: export strategies for sustainable value creation. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 15(4), 961-986. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-09-2023-0687
Abstract:
Purpose
Businesses are increasingly called upon to support the improvement of society and the environment, and one way to do so is by expanding into international markets, particularly through exports. Despite the importance and recognised challenges of a global approach to sustainable value creation, sustainability research tends to focus on domestic contexts. This paper aims to identify the boundary conditions linking sustainable value creation practices with firm performance in the international context.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors merge the sustainable value creation and the international marketing literature to develop two propositions that capture the emerging nature of the field and the lack of concluding evidence regarding the link between international sustainable value creation practices and firm performance. The authors test these propositions empirically by analysing 519 responses to a survey of exporting firms in Portugal, using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.
Findings
The authors identify seven configurations that support sustainable value creation in an international context. These consist of varying levels of standardised and tailored offers, management experience and competitive intensity.
Practical implications
The identification of seven different configurations helps managers decide whether and how to innovate when pursuing sustainable value creation opportunities in international markets.
Social implications
The authors propose that an effective way for governments to achieve national and transnational social and environmental agendas is to help businesses that pursue sustainable value creation to succeed in international markets. Given that four of the seven pathways to improve export performance that the authors identified require international management experience, the authors posit that an effective way to support the internationalisation of those businesses is through targeted training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Originality/value
The authors respond to calls for research to integrate the sustainable value creation and the international marketing literatures, to identify how and when firms can create sustainable value creation in an international context and thus support the resolution of global, social and environmental problems. The finding that there are multiple configurations that support this goal explains why empirical evidence collected thus far is inconclusive and helps identify the boundary conditions of existing theory.
Keywords: Sustainable value creation, internationalization, innovation, standardization/adaptation, decision-making
Figure 1. Conceptual framework
You can find the paper, here.
- Khobzi, H., Canhoto, A. I. & Ramezani, M. S. (2024). Content creators at a crossroads with decentralized social media. Business Horizons, (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.04.010
Abstract
Social media have become an important channel and source of income for content creators. However, the owners of centralized social media platforms may engage in practices and make decisions related to (1) monetization, (2) content moderation, and (3) privacy and security, which may be detrimental to content creators’ earning potential and long-term success. This paper investigates the extent to which new types of social media platforms may address those three challenges due to their decentralized nature. Specifically, we analyze the potential and limitations of federated vs. blockchain-based social media platforms as platforms for content creators and provide recommendations for content creators. Given the role of user-generated content in the success of social media platforms, we also provide directions for research and development of decentralized social media to increase their relevance for content creators.
Keywords: Social Media, Decentralization, Fediverse, Blockchain, Web3
Table 1. Summary of technical, formal and informal aspects of DSM
| Monetisation | Content Moderation | Privacy & Security | |
| Technical | – Cryptocurrencies implemented upon blockchain. (B) – Platform affordances that facilitate monetary transactions, e.g. subscription, voting, etc. (F, B) | – Decentralised / distributed arrangement of data servers (blocks) preventing control of information by a single entity. (F, B) – The irreversibility and transparent nature of blockchain. (B) | – Decentralised / distributed arrangement of data servers (blocks) obstructing breach of data. (F, B) – Cryptographic and irreversible nature of blockchain. (B) – Security features offered by the third-party data servers and services used by the platform and users hosting servers of platforms. (F, B) |
| Formal | – Platform’s terms of services on finances, e.g. formulations translating online interactions to revenue, service fees, no ad revenue, etc. (F, B) – Platform’s strategy for managing its token economy, e.g. token distribution, burns, etc. (B) – Finances required to run data servers. (F) – Local government’s financial regulations. (F, B) | – Platform’s terms of services on what content is permitted on the platform and its level of tolerance. (F, B) – Local government’s laws and regulations on illegal online activities. (F, B) | – Privacy policy of the platform. (F, B) – Privacy Policy of third-party data servers and services used. (F, B) – Local government’s data regulations. (F, B) |
| Informal | – The shared belief about the desired and expected independence of content creators. (F, B) – Forming communities, alliances, and partnerships to maximise monetary benefits. (F, B) – The shared understanding (and consensus) on community monetary contributions to cover running costs of the hosting server. (F) | – The shared belief about the desired and expected fair treatment of freedom of expression. (F, B) – The shared understanding (and consensus) about content permitted on a platform server between server administrator and their community. (F) | – The shared belief about the desired and expected safety and protection when using the platform. (F, B) – The shared understanding (and consensus) about managing data servers between server administrator and their community. (F) |
You can find the paper, here; and a related blog post, here. This paper was mentioned in various media outlets, such as this one.
Books
- Rose, S, Spinks. N. & Canhoto, A.I. (2024) Management Research – Applying the Principles of Business Research Methods. (2nd edition) London, Routledge
Description
Management Research: Applying the Principles of Business Research Methods supports new researchers on every step of the research journey, from defining a project to communicating its findings, as well as balancing the technical aspects of research with the management of the project itself. Structured around the key stages of a research project, the text reflects the richness and diversity of current business and management research, both in its presentation of methods as well as its choice of examples drawn from different industries and organizations.
This book explains the design, selection, development and implementation of appropriate research strategies in different management contexts and disciplines, providing practical guidance to the new researcher in carrying out ethical and inclusive research in today’s organizational and business environments, whilst also introducing a range of research methods and techniques. Each chapter includes learning outcomes and in-chapter call out boxes with real-life research examples to illustrate concepts and provide basis for discussion, as well as ‘next steps’ activities to help readers apply the content to their own live research projects. This second edition has been updated throughout to include the following:
- Enhanced pedagogical features such as discussion questions and online quizzes
- New international examples and research-in-practice cases
- Greater emphasis on topics such as diversity and inclusion through the research process, data collection and privacy, digitalisation, and the process of writing up research.
You can find further information here.
As usual, feel free to reach out if you want to learn more about these or other projects that I am working on.
Ana Canhoto 