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This study investigated Environmental Sustainability (ES) and Environmental Performance (EP) through the direct and indirect use of Organizational Environmental Culture (OEC). This study focused on top managers, namely, the CEOs and directors of SMEs, along with their middle managers. In this study, the researchers employed green HRM and Green Innovation (GI) as mediators. We applied a quantitative approach that utilized cross-sectional data collected from Saudi Arabian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). We used a survey questionnaire with a convenience sampling technique and succeeded in obtaining replies from 236 respondents. By using the Structural Equation Model (SEM), this study’s findings demonstrate that OEC has a positive and significant effect on green HRM and GI. This study’s findings support the development of policies that promote ES and EP through green environmental practices. Further, green HRM and GI are significant predictors of ES and EP. This study’s findings also show that green HRM and GI have a mediating effect in developing the associations between OEC and ES and EP. Ultimately, this study’s findings make a significant contribution to the depth of the empirical evidence about SMEs in the context of Saudi Arabia.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on the performance of Malaysian automotive manufacturing firms. It also examines the role of strategic thinking (ST) as a moderating variable in the relationship between IC and performance in these firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a quantitative approach, with an initial sample of 228 firms in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the study hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the PLS-SEM analysis are as follows: Human capital (HC) and relational capital (RC) have significant effect on performance, but not structural capital (SC). ST has no moderating effect on the relationship between RC or SC and performance although it does moderate the relationship between performance and HC.Research limitations/implicationsTogether with the government, CEOs hold responsibility for ensuring that organizations practice effective ST and IC. With the assistance of government, CEOs should exert every effort to be leaders in this matter. In addition, CEOs of automotive manufacturing firm should reduce their emphasis on classical ways of managing organizations processes.Practical implicationsThe findings offer guidance to automotive firms considering how to develop IC and ST to improve performance, especially in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the moderating effect of ST on the relationship between IC and performance worldwide.

Purpose This study investigated the factors affecting online learning (OL) and stress and anxiety (SaA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative study and a survey questionnaire to collect the cross-sectional data. The authors sent 500 survey questionnaires to the respondents of which 262 samples were returned. This represented a 52% response rate. Finally, this study used 260 valid samples to derive this study’s findings. Findings Through structure equation modelling analysis, this study’s findings demonstrate that lack of time and support, technical problems and lack of technical skills negatively affect OL. In addition, this study’s findings show that cost and access to internet has a significant effect on OL. Finally, this study’s findings show that among Saudi Arabian university students OL is the significant predictor of SaA. Practical implications This study’s findings offer university authorities meaningful ways to identify replacements for the usage of harmful devices to lessen psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. By pointing out students’ significant challenges and barriers during OL, this study’s findings support the smooth and parallel running of OL. Such challenges cause deprivation and frustration among the students. Therefore, to some extent, it may be a violation of their human rights. In this way, this study’s findings demonstrate how to overcome these violations. Originality/value By exploring the significant challenges faced by Saudi Arabian university students, this study’s findings offer an original and empirical contribution to the literature.

In today’s working environment, various organizations confront the significant challenges of productivity and performance. However, higher education institutes (HEIs) are also not free from this massive issue. Therefore, the present study investigates employee productivity and performance through work engagement (WEE) and organizational factors. The modes of study are quantitative and based on cross-sectional data. The study collects the response from academic and administrative staff from public and private HEIs of Saudi Arabia. The study applies convenience sampling and successfully proceeds 254 valid cases to conclude the findings. The applied structural equation model (SEM) path analysis demonstrates a positive and significant effect of WEE comprising vigour, dedication, and absorption factors on employee productivity (EPD). In addition, employee performance (EP) is predicted through organizational factors such as management support (MS), learning culture (LC), work environment (WE) and organizational commitment (OC). Finally, the study finds a significant and positive effect of EPD on EP among the employees of HEIs. The study findings would be guidelines for policymakers and the top management of higher education commissions to advance the knowledge and skills of EPD and EP of the organizations. The study would support achieving job tasks and goals through developing WEE and organizational factors for productivity and performance. Lastly, the findings will augment the literature and provide empirical evidence from Middle East countries. The study provides a vigorous model which connects the WEE theory and organizational factors towards EPD and EP in an integrated way.