Leicester Castle Business School

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Open Access
A Review on Achieving Sustainability in the Petroleum Industry Through the Integration of Lean and Green
(MDPI, 2025-02-21) Dibia, Felister; Dibia, Chinedu; Dhakal, Hom Nath; Okpako, Oghenovo; Radulovic, Jovana; Isike, Augustine
The petroleum industry has been a key driver in the development of the world economy yet continues to attract increasing criticism due to its negative environmental impact via greenhouse gas emissions, resource inefficiency, and waste. Integrating lean and green practices is fast becoming a transformative approach to tackling these issues as it integrates process optimization with sustainability principles. This review paper examined the existing literature on lean and green integration, highlighting its benefits, models, critical success factors, and a roadmap for its implementation. Also, it identified sustainability challenges and offered strategic solutions. The findings showed that integrating lean and green offers potential for both process optimization and waste and carbon footprint reduction, particularly for the petroleum industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This can be achieved by using appropriate tools and models. Sustainable value stream mapping (Sus-VSM) is a strategic tool that highlights the importance of sustainability metrics. These sustainability metrics address the implementation challenges of the convectional value stream mapping tool (VSM). This paper is one of the few initiatives to promote lean–green integration within the petroleum industry.
Open Access
A Systematic Literature Review of Passenger Non-Adoption of Airport Self-Service Technologies: Issues and Future Recommendations
(Elsevier, 2025) Chaiwan, Charukit; Budd, Lucy; Ison, Stephen
Open Access
Africa's Development Dynamics 2023: Investing in Sustainable Development
(African Union Commission and OECD, 2023-07-07) Egbetokun, Abiodun
Africa’s Development Dynamics uses lessons from Central, East, North, Southern and West Africa to develop policy recommendations and share good practices across the continent. Drawing on the most recent statistics, the analysis of development dynamics aims to assist African leaders in reaching the targets of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 at all levels: continental, regional, national and local. This edition explores how Africa can attract investments that offer the best balance between economic, social and environmental objectives. Its fresh data and analysis aim to help policy makers improve risk assessments, strengthen African-led partnerships, and accelerate regional integration in ways that increase sustainable investments. Two continental chapters examine Africa’s investment landscape and related policy priorities. Five regional chapters offer tailored recommendations in strategic areas including natural ecosystems, renewable energy, climate finance and agri-food value chains. Africa’s Development Dynamics feeds into a policy debate between the African Union’s governments, citizens, entrepreneurs and researchers. It proposes a new collaboration between countries and regions, focusing on mutual learning and the preservation of common goods. This report results from a partnership between the African Union Commission and the OECD Development Centre.
Open Access
Beyond Survival: How Black and Asian-Led Social Enterprises are Responding and Adapting to the UK Cost-of-Living Crisis
(Elsevier, 2024-09-27) Kah, Sally; Murithi, William; Ogunmokun, Olapeju Comfort; Osei-Nimo, Samuel; Munawar, Mawish
This report provides comprehensive evidence of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on businesses, individuals, and society, focusing on social enterprises led by Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals in the United Kingdom. It focuses on the innovative strategies adopted for economic crisis whilst acknowledging the barriers facing BME social entrepreneurs, including increased business costs, difficulties with financial planning, and the potential threat of business death. We use a qualitative research design and interviews as the data collection medium to provide evidence of BME-led social enterprises’ response to the cost-of-living crisis and their adaptation strategies. Fourteen founders and directors were interviewed between March 2023 and January 2024. The social enterprises are predominantly micro and small operating in England, tackling various economic and social issues. The analysis of the interviews suggests five main categories of resilience strategies: strategic business planning, working from home, asset optimisation, fuel voucher schemes, and grant diversification. Our findings provide ten practical recommendations for social enterprise decision-makers, funding institutions, and government bodies, which are divided into two parts. Recommendations for social enterprise decision-makers are: 1) financial planning, 2) operational efficiency, 3) diversification of income streams, 4) flexible work arrangements and 5) community engagement. Recommendations for funding institutions and government bodies: 6) flexible funding models, 7) long-term support, 8) collaborative initiatives, 9) capacity-building programmes and 10) policy support and advocacy. Investing in flexible funding and sustainable collaboration between social enterprises and relevant stakeholders, such as social investors, can empower social enterprises to develop resources and capabilities fit for crisis response.
Metadata only
China–Africa relationships: A systematic literature review and future directions
(Routledge, 2024-12-10) Dike, Max; Owusu, Richard A
The deepening engagements of China in Africa in the past three decades have recently led to an increase in academic interest in exploring China–Africa relationships. This paper presents a systematic review of the extant literature on China–Africa ties published during 2000–2022. The antecedents-phenomena-consequences framework was used to organize the identiﬁed publications thematically. The ﬁndings suggest that China’s presence in Africa is mainly motivated by economic and political factors, considering that loans, grants, and infrastructure-for-resources are the main strategies for wooing Africans. Some scholars accuse China of only pursuing its selﬁsh interests in Africa, whereas others see the relationship as potentially useful for the continent’s economic advancement. The study contributes to a better understanding of China–Africa relationships and provides a basis for researchers to advance knowledge in the broader “China in Africa” discourse. Managers and policymakers from both sides can also use the ﬁndings to enhance their strategies and policies, respectively.
Embargo
Christianity and migrant women’s entrepreneurship
(Routledge, 2025) Mwila, Natasha Katuta; Woldesenbet, K.; Abi, Meskerem
This chapter examines the multifaceted role of Christianity in shaping the entrepreneurial journeys of migrant women. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of religion and entrepreneurship, it delves into the specific ways in which Christian beliefs and practices influence various aspects of entrepreneurship. Christianity is explored as one of the world's major religions. The chapter specifically considers its particular significance for migrant women as evidenced by primary data from internal migrant women entrepreneurs in Zambia. The chapter begins by providing an overview of the intersection of migration and entrepreneurship from a gender perspective, highlighting the unique challenges faced by migrant women in starting and sustaining businesses. It then explores a framework of Christian values to investigate how Christian migrant women entrepreneurs integrate these values into their ventures. The chapter delves into the role of faith as a coping mechanism and a source of resilience during the entrepreneurial journey. It illuminates how Christian practices act as powerful tools that enable migrant women to navigate through uncertainties and adversities, motivating them to persevere in their pursuit of business goals. While acknowledging the positive influence of Christianity, the chapter also critically analyses the potential challenges and tensions that may arise when religious beliefs intersect with business practices. It emphasises the need for greater recognition and understanding of the role of Christianity in migrant women's entrepreneurship. By harnessing the potential of religious beliefs, stakeholders can better support and empower migrant women.
Embargo
Connectedness among diverse financial assets: Evidence from cryptocurrency uncertainty indices
(Elsevier, 2024-11-18) Batra, S.; Tiwari, A. K.; Yadav,  M.; Danso, Albert
This study examines the impact of cryptocurrency uncertainty indices on green bonds, currency, and commodity markets by using weekly data from January 1, 2014, to December 30, 2022. The study analyzes such relationships employing the time-varying robust Granger-Causality test coupled with the TVP-VAR-DY approach. The empirical findings unfold the heterogeneous effects of uncertainty indices toward diverse financial instruments pronounced during financial or economic turbulence. The DY approach indicates that total connectedness among financial assets varies significantly over time. The green bond market is the net receiver, while ishares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) indices transmit the shocks for the whole period. The findings suggest that holdings in the green bond market after the health crisis offer greater hedging opportunities to investors. The results have significant ramifications for financing, hedging, and policymaking.
Embargo
Corporate Board Reform and Capital Structure Dynamics: Evidence from UK
(Springer, 2024-10-15) Ezeani, Ernest; Fulgence, Samuel; Hu, Wansu; Kwabi, Frank; Chizindu, Wonu
Theoretical arguments suggest that corporate board reform will influence firms' capital structure choices. Consistent with this argument, we examine the impact of corporate board reform on the capital structure dynamics of UK firms. Using 12,384 firm-year observations between 2006 and 2020, we provide evidence of a higher speed of adjustment (SOA) after board reform. Using an additional analysis, we find that firms with higher agency costs (in the pre-reform phase) are more likely to implement the monitoring effect of debt. Also, our decomposition analysis shows that firms increased both short-term and long-term debt after the board reform, suggesting that improved board monitoring positively impacts firm leverage. Our results are robust to alternative leverage proxies and batteries of robustness tests.
Embargo
Corporate Social Responsibility, Related Party Transaction and Earnings Management: Evidence from India
(Springer, 2025-02-07) Mishra, Rohan Kumar; Kwabi, Frank; Chandra, Abhijeet
We examine the interplay between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and related party transactions (RPT). We find that while RPTs increase CSR expenditure overall, business RPTs specifically lead to higher CSR spending, while tone RPTs tend to decrease it. Further analysis shows that CSR expenditure is expropriated through earnings management for firms that have significant RPT. We also document that high ownership concentration reduces CSR expenditure. Our results are robust to the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model, Heckman two-step selection model, and several other robustness tests. The study extends the understanding of relationships between CSR and RPT and how earnings management activities and ownership concentration can affect the interplay. Policymakers should implement measures to restrict RPT misuse and establish robust monitoring mechanisms. Indian firms should strengthen corporate governance frameworks to improve transparency in RPT oversight, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals.
Embargo
Defining Corruption
(Routledge, 2025) Rose, Jonathan
Open Access
Digitalisation, unions and ‘country-effect’: does union strength at the workplace matter?
(Sage, 2025) Lloyd, Caroline; Payne, Jonathan
Trade unions are potentially important actors in shaping digitalisation to benefit workers. Research suggests supportive national labour market institutions can help unions to influence digital change in the workplace. This article considers the reach of national institutions, or ‘country effect’, and its relationship with union strength at the workplace. It applies a multi-level analysis to explore union influence over digital technology in the food and drink processing sector in Norway and the UK, two countries with starkly contrasting institutions. Drawing on interviews with officers and shop stewards in two unions, it compares a sample of workplaces with relatively strong and weak union organisation. The findings indicate union strength at the workplace has a more significant impact on union’s role in digitalisation in Norway, where there are strong institutional supports, than in the UK where these are lacking. The article contributes to analysing the relationship between ‘country-effect’ and union strength at the workplace in the shaping of digitalisation.
Open Access
Do we measure what should be measured? Towards a research and theoretical agenda for STI measurement in Africa
(Taylor and Francis, 2025-03-27) Kruss, Glenda; Petersen, Il-haam; Sanni, Maruf; Adeyeye, David; Egbetokun, Abiodun
A persistent critique of standard science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators is that they remain reliant on concepts and theories transposed from the literature on STI in high-income countries. It is widely recognized that their relevance for African countries is limited, so we may not be measuring what we should be measuring, to promote development goals. To inform a shift from critique to building meaningful alternatives, the paper conducts a systematic review of the literature on STI measurement in Africa. The analysis highlights that STI measurement in Africa is under-researched, but the knowledge base is growing. The strongest trends relate to the adoption and extension of traditional standard STI indicators. More recent is a focus on environmental sustainability, digitalization and the informal sector, with most scholars based in South Africa and Nigeria. The main contribution is a research agenda to facilitate theory building as a foundation for designing contextually relevant STI indicators.
Metadata only
Does Economic Policy Uncertainty Explain Exchange Rate Movements in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): A Panel ARDL Approach
(MDPI, 2023-11-01) Korley, Maud; Giouvris, Evangelos
Research proposes that economic policy uncertainty (EPU) leads to exchange rate fluctuations. Given that African countries experience higher levels of uncertainty in developed/emerging markets, we examine the extent to which domestic and foreign EPU affect exchange rates for a panel of 12 ECOWAS countries covering the period 1996–2018. In order to account for non-stationarity, cross-sectional dependence, and heterogeneity, the paper employs the dynamic heterogeneous panel approach. The ECOWAS has a dual currency arrangement ranging from a common currency union (CFA) to floating exchange rates (Non-CFA). To account for this, this study splits the sample data into CFA and Non-CFA areas. In addition, this study considers the role of the global financial crisis in the exchange rate-EPU nexus. Our results show that domestic EPU has a positive effect on exchange rates in the long run for Non-CFA areas. Different from the existing literature, our results suggest that domestic EPU does not explain exchange rate fluctuations in the short run. For all countries, foreign EPU leads to appreciation in the long run and depreciation in the short run. Interestingly, foreign EPU has a more dominant effect on exchange rate fluctuations in the selected countries than domestic EPU. This may reflect the weak institutional framework in these countries, which allows external fluctuations to have a greater impact. Moreover, this could be attributed to the increase in foreign capital flows during the sample period. Thus, these countries must develop effective policies to effectively absorb these external shocks. Results are robust to different proxies of EPU.
Open Access
Effectuated Spirituality: How Spiritual Beliefs Influence Social Entrepreneurship in a Low-income Country Context
(Emerald, 2025-02-16) Osunmakinde, Ayodele; Kolade, Oluwaseun; Owoseni, Adebowale; Mwila, Natasha Katuta
Purpose This study explores how social entrepreneurs in Nigeria integrate spiritual beliefs with pragmatic business strategies through the lens of effectuation theory. It aims to extend the knowledge of social entrepreneurial business management practices and models in a low-income context. Design/methodology/approach The research adopted a hybrid of phenomenological and case study qualitative research approaches. Through thematic analysis of interviews with 30 social entrepreneurs across Nigeria, the study identified 15 constructs. Seven of these constructs characterize notions of spirituality, while eight reveal social entrepreneurial actions across four phases of business development: ideation, formation, operation, and scaling. Findings Spirituality for social entrepreneurs is exhibited in practices such as meditating, praying, believing, faithing, discerning, sensing, and trusting, which act as critical drivers in the journey of social entrepreneurship. The findings suggest that Nigerian social entrepreneurs are guided not only by market dynamics but also by spiritual insights. This indicates a paradigm where business strategies are informed by a blend of market considerations and spiritual beliefs, often with a pronounced emphasis on the latter. Originality The integration of spirituality within the entrepreneurial domain challenges and expands the conventional understanding of effectuation theory, which traditionally lacks explicit spiritual dimensions. This study makes a unique contribution by identifying new constructs for the contextual interpretation of spirituality, effectuation, and social entrepreneurship in Nigeria. It enhances understanding of their interplay in a low-income context and introduces a new conceptual framework of effectuated spirituality. Research limitations/implications As the study focuses on social entrepreneurs in Nigeria, the findings may not be generalizable to other cultural or economic contexts. Future research could explore the intersection of spirituality and effectuation in different settings to validate and expand upon the proposed conceptual framework. Practical implications The study argues for the significance of spirituality and effectuation in social entrepreneurship. It posits that spirituality should be a major consideration in framing policies and stakeholder engagements that promote social entrepreneurship in low-income countries like Nigeria. Social implications By highlighting the role of spirituality in guiding social entrepreneurial actions, the study underscores the potential of integrating spiritual beliefs into business practices. This integration can foster more effective social entrepreneurship initiatives that address societal challenges in low-income contexts.
Open Access
Effectuation in Crisis: How Displaced Women Entrepreneurs Adapt Strategies for Sustainable Business in Ethiopia
(MDPI, 2025-05-21) Woldesenbet, K.
This study investigates how displaced women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia’s fragile institutional environment apply effectuation principles to sustain their businesses. Through analysis of five effectuation dimensions, we find that while affordable loss strategies and means orientation enhance business resilience, traditional effectuation approaches like partnership formation and rigid control mechanisms often prove ineffective in displacement contexts. This research makes three key contributions: first, it extends effectuation theory by identifying how institutional fragility fundamentally alters the utility of entrepreneurial strategies; second, it reveals displaced women’s innovative adaptations through informal networks and risk-minimising approaches; and third, it challenges universal applications of effectuation principles in crisis settings. This study contributes to sustainable entrepreneurship by demonstrating both the relevance and constraints of effectuation theory in crisis-affected environments. It underscores the importance of flexible, resourceful strategies for women entrepreneurs navigating systemic challenges, offering insights for policymakers and support organisations. Practical implications include designing capacity-building programmes that promote adaptive strategies, such as risk management and resource optimisation, while addressing the challenges of partnerships and rigid control mechanisms. By aligning with the goals of sustainable development, this research not only highlights the potential of effectuation principles but also unravels their limitations, providing a nuanced understanding of how entrepreneurial strategies can foster resilient livelihoods and sustainable economic practices in crisis-affected regions.
Open Access
Embedding disabled passenger needs into the UK’s Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem.
(De Montfort University, 2024-10-25) Jones, Peter; Budd, Lucy; Ison, Stephen
Embargo
Empowering voices for climate action through amateur football – Case studies from three countries
(2025-03-06) Charlton, Mark
There are global concerns that the climate debate and subsequent social action are excluding voices. People living in areas of social deprivation are increasing recognised as those who will be most negatively impacted by climate forcing. This could be seen as a democratic deficit in communities which will feel the impacts of extreme weather more acutely than their wealthier counterparts due to issues of weaker infrastructure, knowledge and resilience. Relationships between excluded communities and innovations in climate action and carbon emissions reduction are largely unexplored, with activism and behaviour change undertaken by more affluent and well-educated individuals. To understand this, preliminary research has been undertaken through a pilot study with amateur football clubs in three countries who are representative of communities sitting outside the mainstream climate debate using analysis existing data on social indices for their regions and grey literature regarding their operations and activities. This chapter highlights work with groups of young people living with differing social challenges in UK, Central Europe and Africa, who are connected to their communities through amateur football teams. The findings indicate that despite challenging circumstances, there is a strong will to take climate action in such communities and the blueprint of a framework for further future study to investigate whether engaging voices from the margins in the climate change debate may also serve as an entry point to mainstream politics, to empower youth voices which historically demonstrate high levels of apathy or lack of knowledge to engage in the issues most likely to affect them.
Open Access
Entrepreneurial learning in informal apprenticeship programs: Exploring the learning process of the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) in Nigeria
(Taylor and Francis, 2024-09-10) Irene, Bridget; Chukwuma-Nwuba, Kemi; Lockyer, Joan; Onoshakpor, Chioma; Ndeh, Siona
This research examines the unique learning process of the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS). This approach to the development of enterprises and entrepreneurship, originated in the ethnic group of communities in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, uses mimetic learning to instil in its participants’ knowledge and behaviours intended to create a lifelong approach and mindset to entrepreneurship development. This form of mimetic learning predates the mediaeval era and takes place outside the formal educational system. As a consequence, it largely does not rely on participants having a specific level of educational achievement. Rather it requires a long-term commitment from the apprentice, their family and the entrepreneur. The research expands the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial learning through an evaluation of an entirely experiential base using the Mimetic Theory and Institutional Logics as the critical lens to explore the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and social learning. It evaluates and combines the available evidence into a conceptual framework that shapes the process of entrepreneurial learning as an experiential activity. Qualitative data were gathered from 40 former and current apprentices and critically analysed using the illustrative case study and process tracing approach. The research contributes to the extant entrepreneurial learning process literature by identifying, reviewing and synthesizing available research into a conceptual framework that explores the process of entrepreneurial learning as an experiential process. It also highlights effective mechanisms of skills transfer and business training, contributing to the literature on informal/vocational training and human capital development. Key issues in entrepreneurship education including the different informal learning processes of the IAS and the identification of specific dynamics in the interaction and development of the learners were examined.
Embargo
Escaping the “Iron Cage” of Digitalized Music Platforms: A Weberian Perspective on the Vinyl Resurgence
(Academy of Marketing, 2024-07-05) Wohlfeil, Markus
By drawing on Weber’s conflict theory, this study aims to explore how the growing popularity of vinyl records with mainstream consumers may be an escape from an ‘iron cage’ increasingly imposed by digital music providers. We found that mainstream consumers increasingly feel oppressed, exploited and trapped into an iron cage created by the digital music providers’ irrational rationalization of their services. The resulting tensions encourage them to turn to vinyl records’ materiality for comfort.
Open Access
Escaping the “Iron Cage” of Movie/TV Streaming Providers
(Australian-New Zealand Marketing Academy, 2024-12-05) Wohlfeil, Markus
Although marketing scholars and media experts have championed the digitalized access to filmed entertainment, recorded music and books for the past 25 years as a disruptive technology that is revolutionizing and ‘democratizing’ how consumers would now read books, listen to recorded music and watch movies and TV shows, the persistent popularity of printed books and the recent resurgence of vinyl records have called this dominant discourse into question. But while the deep resonance of vinyl records with consumers has received some scholarly attention in recent years, hardly any research looked at whether similar trends occur in relation to other entertainment industries such as movies/TV shows. Drawing on the author’s autoethnographic insights and phenomenological interviews with 12 informants, this ethnographic study draws on Weber’s conflict theory to explore whether consumers may increasingly experience filmed entertainment providers’ streaming subscription services as an(other) ‘iron cage’ limiting their access to filmed entertainment. We found that filmed entertainment streaming providers are in the powerful position of producing their own movies and TV shows that they increasingly use as exclusive ‘subscription bait’. Hence, consumers increasingly feel trapped an ‘iron cage’ of multiple streaming subscription services they are no longer able to escape from.

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