The acceleration of environmental problems has put firms under high pressure to assume their social and environmental responsibility. This study aims to investigate the links between proactive environmental strategy, competitive advantages and firm performance. It also explores the control effects of firm size and industry type on the adoption of such a strategy. Data were obtained from 232 firms that participated in the program on benchmarking and announcing sustainable companies in Vietnam. Findings from structural equation modelling reveal that the adoption of a proactive environmental strategy generates both differentiation and cost leadership competitive advantages. Furthermore, differentiation competitive advantages enhance firm performance in both the short term (i.e., product, financial and production performance) and long term (i.e., strategic performance). Interestingly, a proactive environmental strategy is more prevalent among larger firms and those in service industries. This study’s findings provide support for firms to pursue a proactive environmental strategy and have several implications for policymakers in developing policies that aim at promoting environmental practices in firms.

The COVID-19 outbreak has challenged the global tourism economy. It has particularly threatened the survival of tourism firms in developing countries especially those with the greatest growth of international visitors, such as Vietnam. This study aims to highlight the impact of COVID-19 on tour operators in Vietnam and explore their strategic responses to the crisis. Data were obtained from a recent survey initiated by the National Tourism Advisory Board and 32 in-depth interviews with managers of selected firms. The survey results demonstrate that the key influences of COVID-19 include plummeting revenue, increased costs, and employee redundancy. Furthermore, the majority of tour operators are aware of the need for restructuring and expect financial support from the government to overcome the crisis. The findings from the interviews reveal that tour operators focus more on short and medium-term strategies (i.e., retrenchment, persevering, and exiting) rather than long-term planning (i.e., innovating) in response to COVID-19. This study advances the knowledge and application of response-to-crisis strategies in tourism research, and its findings have practical implications for managers and policymakers in times of exceptional crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: This study employs an interpretivist approach to investigate how blockchain technology can transform the remittance industry.Design/methodology/approach: We collected data from blockchain experts with extensive experience, compellingly demonstrating the revolutionary impact of blockchain technology on the remittance sector.Findings: Despite experiencing rapid growth, the global remittance sector still faces challenges such as high costs and lengthy transaction times. However, blockchain technology, known for disrupting emerging industries, offers a decentralized and secure mechanism for containing, storing and managing information. By leveraging rapid block confirmations, blockchain reduces settlement times in remittance transactions, enabling value transfers between parties with just a crypto wallet.Research limitations/implications: The implications of this study are profound for theorists, as it validates existing theoretical frameworks, identifies specific pain points and explores exciting opportunities presented by blockchain technology. Additionally, we provide a roadmap for future research and innovation, bridging theory and practice and setting the stage for advancement, fostering knowledge, innovation and the successful integration of blockchain technology in the remittance industry.Originality/value: Analysis highlights a unanimous consensus among experts regarding the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the remittance industry. This consensus serves as a strong impetus for practitioners to swiftly adopt blockchain-based solutions, capitalizing on opportunities such as stable coin issuance, elimination of intermediaries in foreign exchange trading, access to liquidity and the exploration of new business models. Successfully addressing challenges like congestion and limited reach will ensure seamless integration.

Digital transformation has received increasing attention from organizations and businesses that want to remain competitive in the digital world. Many banks have increasingly been embracing electronic commerce by providing electronic banking (e-banking) services. This study aimed to investigate the impact of electronic service (e-service) quality on customer intention to use video teller machine (VTM) services. Data were obtained from 450 customers in Vietnam, where digital transformation is a priority in the development strategy of the banking industry. Structural equation modeling reveals the positive impact of three e-service quality dimensions, including responsiveness, security, and interface quality, on the perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), and attitude toward using VTM services. The findings also demonstrate that attitudes are positively related to intention toward using VTM services, and time-consciousness strengthens this relationship. These findings extend current knowledge about e-banking services in emerging markets and provide implications for bank managers and technology providers in promoting their service quality and customer use of VTM services.

Purpose: This study intends to investigate drivers and consequences of supply chain coordination (SCC) towards green to highlight some convincing evidence for an emerging country's exporters to promote sustainable coffee development.Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered from surveying 189 managers of coffee exporters in Vietnam and then applied PLS-SEM for analysis.Findings: This study demonstrates that top management sensitivity, along with institutional forces of regulation, market and competition, strongly stimulate exporters' supply chain coordination towards green. Additionally, that coordination boosts the export financial and market performance.Research limitations/implications: The findings may not be generalizable because the current study only included data from Vietnamese coffee exporters.Originality/value: This study contributes to the current literature by looking from the perspective of coffee exporters – leading players in supply chains for export. The research findings represent the first solid argument for Vietnam coffee exporters to encourage SCC towards green and reveal several implications for managers and policymakers to support sustainable development in an emerging country.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to businesses worldwide, compelling them to swiftly adapt their strategies to the evolving landscape. This study explores the relationships between uncertainty shocks (i.e. COVID-19), strategic responses, and performance outcomes, with a specific focus on general and green strategic responses. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from a sample of sustainability-oriented exporters in different industries, we examine the impact of these responses on market, financial, and operation performance by gathering data from 212 managers in Vietnam – an emerging country, and then applying PLS-SEM for analysis. Findings: Our findings reveal that sustainability-oriented exporters have exhibited adaptability by adopting general and green strategic responses in the face of the pandemic’s disruptions. Green strategic responses positively influence market, financial, and operational performance, underscoring the strategic significance of integrating sustainability considerations. However, while general strategic responses show alignment with uncertainty risks, they just impact operational performance, but do not significantly influence market and financial outcomes. Research limitations/implications: Future research should consider diversifying the sample to encompass a wider range of firm types and geographical locations to enhance the external validity of the results. In addition, the study does not extensively explore the mechanisms that mediate or moderate the relationships between uncertainty shocks, strategic responses, and performance outcomes. Practical implications: The study’s implications guide practitioners toward agile responses that balance adaptability, sustainability, and performance. This study provides timely insights for sustainability-oriented firms, managers, policymakers, and researchers aiming to navigate disruptions effectively and sustainably. Originality/value: These findings contribute to the fields of strategic management and sustainability by emphasizing the complexities of strategic responses during uncertainty shocks, and disruptions and the pivotal role of sustainability-driven strategies in enhancing performance.