This new issue of Business and Society Review brings together a diverse
selection of academic contributions that address current challenges in business
and society. Through rigorous methodologies and interdisciplinary perspectives,
the articles explore topics ranging from sustainability and organizational structure
to financial innovation and social care policies.
Within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed
by the United Nations, the article by Professors Cuesta, Delgado, and
Aguilera from the University of Granada offers an interdisciplinary approach to
identifying sustainable practices within the European business environment.
Based on an updated review of the literature, the authors aim to improve
business competitiveness and sustainability by integrating innovation, business
strategies, and internationalization into the analysis. The combination of theory
and practice supports the propositions presented, which are mainly illustrated
through examples from large European companies. The authors emphasize the
importance of adopting responsible governance in a proactive manner.
In the article by Pérez Calle, García Casarejos, and García Bernal,
decentralization is considered a key factor in enhancing business
competitiveness. The study, focused on Spanish firms, reveals a very low
average level of decentralization. However, larger companies, with international
presence and higher levels of human capital (measured by employee education),
tend to adopt more decentralized organizational structures. The research is
based on a sample of firms operating in Spain, which the authors note is not
meant to be representative of the entire Spanish business fabric, but rather
aligned with the chosen methodology. It focuses specifically on medium and
large industrial firms, reflecting key features of the Spanish economy, such as
the weight of the service sector, the prevalence of microenterprises, and the
role of family businesses. Among the variables with the strongest influence on
decentralization, employee training levels and the mediating effect of firm size
and multinational status are particularly relevant. Decentralization combines
hierarchy with flexibility and is especially limited when it comes to strategic and
tactical decisions, more so than in operational ones.
In recent years, the financial performance of companies worldwide has
undergone a significant transformation. This can be partially explained by the
role and impact of emerging financial technology (fintech) firms on corporate
financing. In this context, the article by Digar, Pal, Naskar, and Basumatary from
Vidyasagar University (Midnapore) analyzes the effect of fintech models on the
global economy, highlighting the importance of digital payment systems as a
transformative factor. The research methodology includes financial ratios from
the DuPont model and regression analysis. The study identifies the determinants
and challenges related to the financial contribution of fintech firms in major
destination countries. It focuses on the roles played by Alibaba and Paytm, which
the authors present as being at the frontier of the fintech revolution in China and
India. India, in particular, has become one of the world’s most dynamic fintech markets. The empirical analysis is based on data from the two companies over
ten consecutive years, from 2011–2012 to 2021–2022.
The article by Díaz Díaz, García Ramos, and López Gutiérrez explores the
impact of dependency and elderly care on economic growth and employment.
This well-developed and insightful analysis combines demographic and
economic approaches to explain such effects. While the focus is on the
autonomous region of Cantabria, the results are compared with those obtained in
similar studies in the Basque Country and Navarra. Data were collected through
a survey sent to all care centers for the elderly and dependents in Cantabria,
although only 40% of the centers responded. This limitation does not invalidate
the findings, as they are consistent with results from other regions. Nevertheless,
the authors recommend that future research address this issue to improve
sample representativeness. Since the economic analysis relies on Leontief’s
input-output tables and uses standardized indicators to assess public spending
and returns in the form of VAT, taxes, etc., the partial non-response has a limited
impact on the conclusions. The main takeaway from the study is that social
spending on dependency and elderly care should not be viewed merely as an
expense but as an investment, as nearly half of the outlay is recovered through
public revenue, while also generating employment and contributing significantly
to social cohesion.

NUMBER 84 BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF
NUMBER 82 BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW
This article, “Exploring the Potential of the Circular Economy in the Food
Sector,” justifies the Circular Economy as a solution to the environmental and
social problems arising from the increase in the consumption of non-renewable
resources, growing pollution, and lack of investment. The Circular Economy (CE)
has emerged as a fundamental concept that seeks to change how we produce,
distribute, and consume food. For that reason, an analysis of the value chain is
necessary.
This paper delves into the contributions of the circular economy in the food sector
in the last two decades. It does so by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric
analysis of 768 scientific investigations from the Web of Science from 2009 to the
present. This analysis provides valuable insights into the strategies to prevent
food waste throughout the supply chain, from production to consumption. It is
crucial to recognize the critical role of food in global sustainability.
“Delving the power of mindfulness: Unveiling a conceptual model for enhancing
employee readiness for change initiatives” explores how firms must consider and
adapt their strategies to a dynamic Social, political, economic, and technological
business environment and evaluate the implications for employees and work
outcomes.
As the authors pointed out, the paper explores the link between mindfulness as a
personal resource and employees’ readiness for organizational change. Building
on the conservation of resources theory, the paper develops a literature review of
various repositories,
This article proposes a conceptual model to be applied in future empirical studies
to stimulate employees’ readiness for organizational change. As underlined,
“mindful employees” are flexible and optimistic about their work and will have
incentives to achieve greater engagement and enhanced readiness for change
efforts. Mindfulness can help stimulate employee readiness and gain employees’
support for change to be successful.
This study by the authors Minaya (Universidad de León), Avella (Universidad
de Oviedo), and Trespalacios (Universidad de Oviedo) explores how digital
servitization, which integrates technology-based services with traditional
products, enables the transformation of industrial companies, making them more
competitive. The provision of services supported by high technologies Digital
servitization leverages advances in digital technologies such as the Internet
of Things, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, augmented reality, and
automated systems, enabling the creation of more innovative and more efficient
products significantly enhancing the competitiveness of the traditional goods
produced based on them. Analyzing nearly a hundred Spanish manufacturing
companies shows digital services increase market performance. This work
identifies the benefits and challenges of digital servitization and offers practical
recommendations for adopting this strategy.
The main objective of the research entitled:” Exploring the Linkages between
Website Characteristics, Customer Experience, and Brand Engagement,” written
by Jalal Rajeh Hanaysha and Osman Gulseven, is to find out the association between website characteristics (information quality, system quality, and
perceived security) and the customer experience in the online retail context. It
also aimed to verify if customer experience affects brand engagement in the
case of customers of online retailers in the UAE, underlying the author with low
valid responses.
An important conclusion is that information quality positively affects customer
experience. System quality and perceived security also positively correlate with
customer experience. Finally, the analysis verified that customer experience
positively impacts brand engagement.
This paper has valuable implications for management in the e-commerce
industry. The results could also help devise strategies aimed at minimizing the
risks in the electronic shopping context.
José Durán Herrera. Director UCJC Business & Society Review
Juan Díez Nicolás. Director UCJC Business & Society Review
September 30, 2024

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

NUMBER 81 BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW

The article titled “Social and Circular Economy: Measurement and Reporting for Sustainability Management in Nonprofit Entities” aims to identify activities undertaken by social entities and define new professional profiles related to closing material loops and circular business models. The authors of this research are: D. Gallardo Vázquez (Universidad de Extremadura) and from the University of Zaragoza, professors S. Scarpellini, A. Aranda-Usón, and V. Kuba-Khoury.

Understanding the main activities developed by the circular economy provides support and implies policy implications not only for professionals but also, and especially, for public administrations and the academic world. The article develops a reporting analysis for the circular economy, which is particularly valuable in a sector where small entities comprise the majority of this population.

Under the title “Retro-Innovation, Sustainability, and Viability of Agricultural Exploitations in the Extremaduran Dehesa,” Professors E. P. Herrera González and M.T. Méndez Picazo from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid developed the hypothesis that retro-innovation, or the reintroduction of traditional techniques and processes to conserve the environment and exploit it economically in a sustainable manner, can be of great social and economic relevance for a given geographical and economic area. As the article points out, in the case of the Extremaduran dehesas, there are precedents of rational and sustainable exploitation carried out by the monks of the Monastery of Guadalupe between 1389 and 1835. During this period, the Monastery integrated a diversified economy for the entire geographical area. By applying their retro-innovated techniques and processes in some of the current Extremaduran dehesas, it has been possible to make their sustainable economic use viable.

The article “Modeling of Production Chains in the Food Industry from the Perspective of System Dynamics for Decision Making: A Mapping Review” written by Professors M. Guzmán Rincón and A. Guzmán Rincón, both at the Corporación Universitaria de Asturias, Colombia, aims to identify and analyze research trends in modeling food production chains through system dynamics, with a particular focus on decision making. It is crucial to understand that food production is not an isolated system; it is complex and interconnected with other social and economic agents, leading the authors to emphasize the need to adopt multidisciplinary perspectives. Various publication sources indicate that research in system dynamics applied to food production chains is disseminated through multiple academic channels.

The application of system dynamics in the production chains of the food industry represents an opportunity for transformation in terms of management and operation. The analysis was conducted mainly using SCOPUS as a database, which is broadly recognized by the academic community. The publications also reveal the complexity of the global food system, for example, with changes in diets, the importance of food trade, and food security. System dynamics offer a way to understand these complexities and contribute to global food security through detailed analysis.

The article titled “Shariah Compliance and Earnings Management: Insights on Reporting, Transparency, and Financial Stability,” authored by Manu Abraham, examines the influence of Muslim religious law on the performance and outcomes of business firms located in regions where approximately a quarter of the world’s population resides. Shariah law serves as a religious code that promotes ethical conduct and prohibits transactions that are inconsistent with Muslim religious beliefs. Consequently, firms that comply with Shariah law are limited to generating no more than 5% of their income from non-permissible sources. Firms adhering to Shariah law are perceived positively by investors due to the quality of their earnings.

This research is based on data from a limited number of firms listed on the Indian stock exchange. It examines the financial stability and transparency of firms that comply with or do not comply with Shariah law in India. The financial characteristics of Shariah-compliant firms, which reduce managerial discretion, include lower leverage, reduced liquidity holdings, and fewer accounts receivable.

As Manu Abraham concludes, the article contributes to existing literature by highlighting the relevance of Shariah compliance in enhancing the transparency of financial and non-financial reporting, thereby reducing the potential for earnings manipulation. Islamic finance is an emerging concept on the international stage.

José Durán Herrera. Director UCJC Business & Society Review

Juan Díez Nicolás. Director UCJC Business & Society Review

June 30, 2024

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF
NUMBER 79 BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW

The article “What Are the Key Determinants of Digital Transformation? Empirical
Evidence from Spanish Food Units (Mercas) Network” written by Ana Poveda
examine the digital transformation of the complete population of 24 Spanish
food units, named Mercas which constitute the public sector company named
Mercasa. This company plays an essential role in the distribution of fresh
products through its network of food units. The article analyze as dimensions
of digital technology: business management dimension, technology dimension,
and stakeholders dimension. The relevant factors of the Transformation process
are data management and analysis, cloud technology, mobile devices, social
media, embedded devices and artificial intelligence.
The article conclude that the digital transformation has a positive impact on
business performance, offering quantitative and qualitative benefits to business
firms, recognizing that digital strategy is unique to each company. The authors
develop a synthetic index and assessed its magnitude for each Business unit.
The article recognizes the need of strategic commitment to implement the
process of digital transformation. The article also emphasizes, as critical factor,
customer (consumer) demand for the implementation of new technologies as an
external factor that influences digital transformation.
In Spain the decentralisation of some public services provided is combined with
the financial resources needed. A regional financing system Is required with
an income responsibility perspective among regions. In the article of JoséMaría Rotellar-García, and Mario González-Medrano, entitle the importance
of technological innovation for occupational safety and emergency evacuation
the case of the ElectroZemper company ALC a system of regional financing is
proposed with the objective to reach an efficiency.
The authors consider the principle of ordinality as a modulation of interregional
solidarity in a decentralised system of financing. Under this perspective in order
to guarantee that regions which contribute most are ultimately will left with
resources that are not below the national average.
As the authors pointed out the ranking of regions by per capita fiscal revenues
have to be maintained after the application of solidarity mechanisms which
reduce disparities between regions. In the article also are analysed countries
with a federal structure, which apply interregional solidarity or levelling
mechanisms (Germany, Canada, etc) seek to resolve this problem.
The article on Justice and Welfare examines some of the consequences of the
Arrow Impossibility Theorem for Welfare Economics as used by Amartya Sen
in his courses on “Collective Choice and Social Welfare”. Arrow demonstrated
the impossibility of applying universal criteria of justice and welfare to collective
decisions in a democratic society without leading to a dictatorship. The author
examines three criteria of social justice concluding that they do not lead to social
welfare. The final conclusion is that it seems impossible to apply universal criteria
derived from first principles.
Business and Society Review
UCJC
(Formerly known as Universia Business Review)
UCJC BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW | CUARTO TRIMESTRE 2023 | FOURTH QUARTER 2023 ISSN: 2659-3270
Business and Society Review
UCJC
(Formerly known as Universia Business Review)
The article by M, González-Mohíno; S.M. Sánchez-Cañizares; G. A. MuñozFernández ; y L. J. Cabeza-Ramírez , from the University of Córdoba. focuses
on the relevance of technological innovation for occupational safety. For this
purpose, the work is based on an in-depth study of a significant company
(Zemper). Following a qualitative methodology based on a case study, focused
on the analysis of innovation strategies. It is concluded that the ability to develop
and continuously improve skills and knowledge is linked to job security as well as
to expansion and organic and inorganic growth and all this in the design of key
strategies of the company.

Juan José Durán Herrera. Director UCJC Business & Society Review
Juan Díez Nicolás. Director UCJC Business & Society Review
30 de diciembre de 2023