In this study, based on a resource-based view, we investigate the influence of ambidextrous leadership (reflected in transformational and transactional leadership styles) on sustainability performance (reflected in economic, environmental, and social performance) through the serially mediating mechanisms of organizational ambidexterity (reflected in explorer and exploiter attributes) and the circular economy (reflected in fields of action). By applying structural equation modelling analyses to survey data collected from private and public Greek organizations, which operate in manufacturing, services, and trade sectors, under an externally dynamic environmental context, we found that (a) organizational ambidexterity and the circular economy fields of action positively mediate the relationship between ambidextrous leadership and sustainability performance and (b) the mechanism originating from transformational leadership has a higher impact on sustainability performance compared to the mechanism that originates from transactional leadership. Accordingly, this study addresses the aspect of the special issue that refers to modern approaches to management and leadership for sustainable business performance research and makes several theoretical and practical implications.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to determine whether leadership affects strategic flexibility and business performance taking into consideration the mediating role of talent management in these relationships.Design/methodology/approach: The proposed framework is tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and finally structural equation modeling (SEM), using the survey data from 462 Greek firms. The mediation effect of talent management was tested by the Sobel test.Findings: The results show that leadership drives firms to strategic flexibility and business performance, but the introduction of talent management fully mediates these relationships. Strategic flexibility also affects business performance positively.Research limitations/implications: This study explores a formal style of leadership; many leadership styles remain unexplored. The field of talent management is in urgent need of more empirical research to explain its importance and how talent management is handled in the 21st-century.Practical implications: This study proves that managers should invest more in talent management; outstanding talent can be leveraged to implement the best operational practices while managers' motivation for talent management contributes to a deeper anchoring of strategic flexibility and performance efforts in firms.Originality/value: The current state of knowledge of both theory and practice for critical organizational factors such as strategic flexibility and talent management will be extended.

Purpose: This study seeks to provide a narrative literature review of existing empirical research, in order to better understand the processes and theory of ambidextrous leadership, as well as its influence on followers, employees and organizations.Design/methodology/approach: Data from 26 studies were extracted and synthesied providing a critical discussion about the methodological and theoretical aspects of the studies identified in the review.Findings: It was revealed the attributes for an effective ambidextrous leader, it was presented the recently proposed concept of ambidextrous leadership theory and it was noticed the main criticisms against the findings of the extant ambidextrous leadership literature. It was also identified many research gaps in the literature which in turn can guide academics in the development of ambidextrous leadership.Research limitations/implications: The ambidextrous leadership theory represents a novel and unique approach to the domain of leadership for creativity and innovation. It is shared across hierarchical levels throughout the organization. Leaders have a significant effect on employees' behaviors and should determine its applicability to different situations. Organizations require ambidextrous managers who combine flexible, situational and versatile leadership styles developing ever increasingly new and divergent ideas. Many research gaps in the literature were also identified that can guide academics in the development of ambidextrous leadership.Practical implications: Understanding that ambidextrous leadership is required to significantly influence ambidexterity and innovation allows organizations to direct their leadership selection and development.Originality/value: This review contributes to the ambidextrous leadership literature by creating a holistic picture of where it has been and where it should go.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine whether environmental dynamism can drive firms to adopt sustainability, taking into consideration the mediating role of the innovation process, strategic flexibility and human resource development in this relationship.Design/methodology/approach: The proposed framework is tested by confirmatory factor analysis and finally structural equation modeling (SEM) using the survey data from 513 Greek firms.Findings: The results show that environmental dynamism drives firms to sustainability, but the introduction of innovation process, strategic flexibility and human resource development fully mediate the effect of this relationship.Research limitations/implications: This study explores three organizational factors. In future research it would be very interesting to explore other topics that affect sustainability. Moreover, it might be useful for researchers to examine firms' digital capability and ambidextrous sustainability.Practical implications: This study offers clear implications for managers, proving that innovation process, strategic flexibility and human resource development are critical factors in achieving sustainability.Originality/value: This empirical study determines the contribution of environmental dynamism to sustainability taking into consideration the role of three critical organizational factors as mediators in this relationship.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to improve the food supply chain performance taking into consideration the fundamental concepts of traceability by combining the current frameworks, its principles, its implications and the emerging technologies.Design/methodology/approach: A narrative literature review of already existing empirical research on traceability systems was conducted resulting in 862 relevant papers. Following a step-by-step sampling process, the authors ended up with 46 final samples for the literature review.Findings: The main findings of this study include the various descriptions of the architecture of traceability systems, the different sources enabling this practice, the common desirable attributes, and the enabling technologies for the deployment and implementation of traceability systems. Moreover, several technological solutions are presented, which are currently available for traceability systems, and finally, opportunities for future research are provided.Practical implications: It provides an insight, which could affect the implementation process of traceability in the food supply chain and consequently the effective management of a food traceability system (FTS). Managers will be able to create a traceability system, which meets users' requirements, thus enhancing the value of products and food companies.Originality/value: This study contributes to the food supply chain and the traceability systems literature by creating a holistic picture of where something has been and where it should go. It is a starting point for each food company to design and manage its traceability system more effectively.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to build a theory presenting talent development as a driver for innovativeness and strategic flexibility, and how these organizational capabilities affect financial performance.Design/methodology/approach: As a methodological approach, this study uses a rich combination of literature review and exploratory interviews with managers and academicians. Moreover, a conceptual framework is tested by confirmatory factor analysis and finally structural equation modelling using the survey data from 462 Greek firms.Findings: The results show the positive effect of talent development on strategic flexibility and innovativeness. Moreover, strategic flexibility is an influential firm capability for innovativeness and financial performance. This study also reveals the significance of innovativeness on financial performance.Research limitations/implications: This study explores talent development and two certain organizational capabilities, but many other topics that affect business performance remain unexplored. The role of environmental characteristics could also be examined as a moderator in the proposed relationships.Practical implications: This study offers clear implications for managers, proving that talent development is a major driving force behind strategic flexibility, innovativeness and financial performance in order for managers to allocate resources, and to develop and execute these capabilities as an integral part of business strategy.Originality/value: This empirical study contributes to the literature by developing a research conceptual framework of three underdeveloped firm capabilities, investigating and explaining both their correlations and dynamic nature and their role in financial performance improvement.