The growing interest in sustainability has dominated the area of entrepreneurship research. However, the measuring of sustainability factors has been largely ignored. As a result, so far, no researchers have developed sustainability factor scales and this might lead to a question of scale validity. This paper attempts to fill this gap: the aim of this study is to develop and validate scales of sustainability factor by investigating a microenterprise from the informal sector. In its design, the study uses a mixed method research approach. In the qualitative phase, content analysis has been applied to analyse the transcribed field study interviews. This procedure explores and confirms the sustainability variables and factors. The quantitative data are analysed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Quantitative analysis then validates the variables and factors. The study then specifies scales of sustainability factors in the context of an informal microenterprise and assesses them as reflective in nature. The limitations of the study are then identified and thoughts to stimulate future investigations discussed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and smart automation are revolutionizing the global supply chain ecosystem at an accelerated pace, providing tremendous potential for resilience, innovation, efficacy, and profitability. This paper examines how AI, machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation (RPA) influence supply chain operations to adjust to the risks and vulnerabilities. It focuses on how AI and other relevant technologies will enhance forecasting to predict actual demand, expedite logistics, increase warehouse efficiency, and promote instantaneously making decisions. This study utilizes thematic analysis to find AI-driven supply chain applications, including logistics optimization, forecasting demand, and risk mitigation, among 383 peer-reviewed articles (2017–2024). It provides a strategic framework for dealing with vulnerabilities, operational excellence, and resilient solutions. Additionally, the research investigates how AI contributes to supply chain resilience by predicting disruptions and automating risk mitigation strategies. This paper identifies critical success factors and challenges in adopting intelligent automation by analyzing real-world industry implementations. The findings will propose a strategic framework for organizations aiming to leverage AI to achieve operational excellence, agility, and real-time information flow for effective decision-making.

Global green trends are creating new challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs worldwide with customers now more environmentally aware and willing to pay extra for green services and products. In considering this phenomenon, the current study focuses on the positive influence of enviropreneurial orientation on the business performance of small firms and explores the mediation effects of green marketing mix and eco-labeling strategies. Drawing upon the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and the dynamic capability view (DCV), we tested our multiple mediation model with a sample of owners/managers of 160 small firms from Bangladesh, with these firms coming from the sectors of trading, manufacturing, and services. To test the study’s hypotheses, we employed the variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) method, using the partial least squares (PLS) technique. The results reveal that green marketing mix and eco-labeling strategies transmit the effect of enviropreneurial orientation to business performance of small firms. Both strategies are found to be mediators in the relationship between enviropreneurial orientation and business performance of small firms. The study also offers suggestions for future research.

The sustainability concept is commonly used in many domains. However, the assessment of reflective and formative measurement has been ignored largely. As a result, sustainability factor scales are specified wrongly and this might lead to reduced scale validity. The aim of the study is find out the nature of sustainability factors either reflective or formative by investigating three distinct industrial settings in Bangladesh. A quantitative research design is used and the data is analysed through Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis. PLS analysis validates the indicators and factors. Sustainability factors in context of microbusiness and supply chain found reflective in nature whereas in e-business it was formative. The study suggests that sustainability factor is a context specific phenomena and it can be treated either reflective or formative.

Purpose: Marketing capabilities of large- and medium-sized enterprise is well understood and focused, but little research has been done on microenterprise, especially in informal sector microenterprise. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what are the marketing capabilities of informal microenterprises (IMs) that could be sources of competitive performance. Design/methodology/approach: At first, a literature review and pilot study was used to develop a list of marketing capabilities of IM street food vending. Then a quantitative approach was undertaken where questionnaire was developed and distributed to 42 street food vendors and 52 customers in Bangkok, Thailand. The collected data were analyzed using a descriptive statistic, principle component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and k-mean clustering technique. Findings: Analysis revealed that IM street food vending has some unique marketing capabilities compared to formal restaurant. From the vendors’ point of view, it was found that cheaper pricing and quicker food delivery were the major contributors. On the other hand, from the customer point of view, convenient location, flexible business hours, fulfill customer food requirements, and cooking demonstration were noted significant. Social implications: Policy makers and development agencies could be developed using various policy strategies such as business development support services as a tool to support IM operators. Originality/value: This study provides a first step toward marketing capabilities of IM and makes several contributions to the literature.

Purpose: Society's concerns about environmental degradation have tightened competitive pressure and brought new challenges to small firms. Against this backdrop, this study develops a decision model to determine a suitable configuration for entrepreneurial orientation to help small firms manage circular economy challenges and improve their performance.Design/methodology/approach: This study used a multi-study and multi-method approach. Study 1, through qualitative in-depth interviews, identified a portfolio of circular economy challenges and entrepreneurial-orientation components. Study 2 applied the quality function deployment technique to determine the most important components of entrepreneurial orientation. Study 3 adopted a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to determine the best configuration for challenges and components.Findings: The findings reveal a set of challenges and identify the salient need to combine the negation of these challenges with the components of entrepreneurial orientation; this combination will improve the performance of small firms. The research extends the current knowledge of managing circular economy challenges and offers decision-makers insights into improving their resilience.Originality/value: The use of the dynamic capability view, together with the multi-study and multi-method approach, may lead to an appropriate reconfiguration of entrepreneurial orientation, which, to date, has received limited empirical attention in the small-business-management discipline.