Despite the significant contribution of buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities (BDKTAs) to innovation and operational performance, studies that analyze social sustainability in manufacturing (suppliers) firms are still scarce. This paper examines the mediation relationship of knowledge acquisition and investment in environmental management between BDKTAs and social performance improvements (SPIs). The paper contributes to the understanding of buyer knowledge transfer activities, with a focus on the knowledge acquisition capabilities and investments in environmental management, and the effect on SPIs. The hypotheses were examined with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 239 firms. Buyer knowledge transfer activities are likely to increase the willingness of suppliers to make specific environmental investments into operations in waste reduction procedures, the recycling of materials, and pollution prevention training of employees. We proposed that buyer knowledge transfer activities are necessary to survive and grow and thus there is a need to acquire knowledge resources to achieve organizational sustainability. Buyer knowledge transfer activities are necessary to make investment decisions in environmental management programs. Firms that focus on buyer knowledge transfer activities and internal investments into environmental management can attain sustainability objectives.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the generation of negative emotions and behavior in Muslim consumers from their attitude toward offensive advertising. Mediation of brand hate between attitude toward offensive advertising and brand retaliation was examined. The conditional indirect impact of religiosity on attitude toward offensive advertising and brand retaliation through brand hate was also realized. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was used using the mall intercept survey technique. Data were collected from 380 respondents visiting the malls in the areas of Pakistan’s twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) after ensuring appropriateness for the study. Partial least square–structural equation modeling through SmartPLS software was used as a statistical technique to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings confirm that attitude toward offensive advertising affects brand hate and brand retaliation positively. The conditional indirect effect of religiosity on the relationship of attitude toward offensive advertising and brand retaliation has also proved significant. Originality/value The present study has filled a significant gap in the literature of brand hate by introducing brand hate as a mediator in the relationship of attitude toward offensive advertising and brand retaliation. It further added in the body of knowledge of brand hate by a moderated mediation mechanism of religiosity on the relationship of attitude toward offensive advertising and brand retaliation through brand hate. The present study has considered the non-offensive product being promoted through offensive advertising and explored the impact of attitude toward offensive advertising on brand hate and brand retaliation in Muslim consumers.

This study aims to investigate the effect of servant leadership on organizational citizenship behavior and knowledge-sharing behavior. It further explores servant leadership for its potential mediation of work engagement and moderation of self-efficacy in organizational citizenship behavior and knowledge-sharing behavior. Time-lagged data was collected from 264 respondents from Pakistan’s banking sector via convenience sampling. The relationships between servant leadership and organizational citizenship behavior, servant leadership and knowledge-sharing behavior were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results of this analysis reveals that the effect of servant leadership on organizational citizenship behavior and knowledge-sharing behavior is significant in that work engagement acts as a mediator, and follower’s self-efficacy plays the role of moderator. Based upon social exchange theory, the study supports that servant leadership increases citizenship and knowledge-sharing behavior. In addition, the study provides an understanding of how servant leadership mediates work engagement for pragmatic synergetic outcomes in a Pakistani context. The study’s implications and limitations are also discussed, and suggestions for future research are noted.

This study is focused on investigating the negative consequences of social media usage at work through overloads that are a cause of exhaustion and ultimately impact performance. Performance of employee is taken as criterion of exhaustion. Three categories of overloads social overload, communication overload and information overloads serve as mechanism of negative consequences of social media during working hours. A sample of 300 employees of telecom sector of Pakistan contributed in the study. Data was analyzed by using partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. Results revealed that excessive use of social media positively influence information, communication and social overload. Information and communication overload were also found to have an enhanced effect on exhaustion of social media while social overload could not. Performance of employee was also found to be negatively influenced by exhaustion of social media. Study limitations and future directions are also discussed.

PurposeThe study aimed at identifying job insecurity during COVID-19 as a determinant of green entrepreneurial intentions under the mediating role of entrepreneurial passion. Further, moderated mediation model of environmental consciousness and environmental knowledge on the relationship between job insecurity during COVID-19 and green entrepreneurial intentions through entrepreneurial passion as a mediator is also measured.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysis of a moment structure (AMOS) to calculate the measurement and structure model. Data was collected from the twin cities of Pakistan (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). A total of 389 usable responses were included in the analyses.FindingsConsidering entrepreneurship as a process, the result shows a significant relationship between the study variables. Also, it is realized that entrepreneurial passion serves as an important mediator between job insecurity during COVID-19 and green entrepreneurial intention. Both entrepreneurial knowledge and environmental consciousness have an indirect conditional effect on the relationship between job insecurity during COVID-19 and green entrepreneurial intention with entrepreneurial passion as a mediator. The study tested a novel relationship between job insecurity during COVID-19 and entrepreneurial passion under the lens of contingency theory and entrepreneurial event theory.Research limitations/implicationsThe extreme necessity to choose an alternative to full-time jobs is entrepreneurial endeavors that can be explored by entrepreneurs. Policymakers can capitalize on this scenario by proposing entrepreneurial opportunities which are green as well. The term Green represents an environmental friendly business, which one can start in the context of COVID-19 when everyone is oriented to cleanliness, personal hygiene and environment friendly.Originality/valueThe study tested a novel relationship between job insecurity during COVID-19 and entrepreneurial passion under the lens of contingency theory and entrepreneurial event theory. It contributes to the present stock of knowledge and understanding of the subject by contextualizing the concept of green entrepreneurial intention.