While firms continue to commit slack financial resources to sustainability causes, knowledge is lacking on how financial resource slack drives sustainability expenditure under varying conditions of market pressure and political connectedness in a developing-economy market. Using primary data from exporting small and medium sized enterprises in Nigeria, this study shows that increases in financial resource slack are associated with decreases in sustainability expenditure. Additionally, results indicate that the negative effect of financial resource slack on sustainability expenditure becomes positive when levels of market pressure are higher. However, the negative effect relationship is strengthened (i.e. becomes more negative) when levels of political connectedness are greater. We discuss theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.

This study examines the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT), infrastructure, and tourism development in Africa between 1996 and 2016 using a dynamic panel gravity model. Our findings show that ICT and infrastructure have a positive, statistically significant relationship with tourism development; as ICT and infrastructure increase, the level of tourist arrivals also increases. This study also identifies relevant factors including bilateral real exchange rate and gross domestic product per capita of the origin countries, suggesting a major role for the variables measured in the region of origin and for those that serve as a comparison between origin and destination. The effect of distance is statistically significant and negative: countries farthest from the origin countries generate less tourism demand, given the higher transportation costs. Repeat tourism (or habit persistence) and natural resources show a significant and positive effect on tourism development. Overall, the empirical results provide evidence that ICT and infrastructural development have opened huge opportunities for growing and strengthening tourism in Africa.

PurposeThis study aims to explore how banks in Nigeria are marketing financial services to financially vulnerable customers.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study research strategy was used to analyse three commercial banks and two microfinance banks. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with the banks' directors as well as from banks' published annual reports and archival images.FindingsThe study reveals that Nigerian banks develop different product development portfolios, adopt innovative traditional marketing schemes and apply inclusive technologies to reach and extend services to the unbanked and financially vulnerable customers in the society.Research limitations/implicationsBanks should focus on consumer engagement through the proactive development of technologies and employ innovative marketing methods. Customers' banking experiences can be enhanced if banks communicate with and educate customers about technological modes of engagement. In addition, financial service transaction support and financial literacy education can assist banks in marketing their services to financially vulnerable customers, in mutually beneficial ways.Originality/valueThis study shows how financial service operators' market and extend their services to financially vulnerable customers in emerging markets. It empirically establishes the importance of financial services to financially excluded customers.

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This study utilizes multiple-informant and time-lagged primary data from 162 industrial exporting firms in Sub- Saharan Africa to contribute to an understanding of when export marketing capabilities can be deployed to drive export performance. The study finds that market responsiveness capability drives export performance when it is deployed together with a product innovation capability. The joint effect of both capabilities on export performance is weakened at high levels of dysfunctional competition in export market environment. The findings suggest that a stronger capability to respond to export market needs and a greater competence in introducing new products in export markets are not always beneficial in Sub-Saharan African markets as the resulting export performance outcome is dependent upon degrees of dysfunctional competition