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This study investigates spatial heterogeneity in China’s rural revitalization through a configurational lens that integrates Bourdieu’s capital theory with Foucault’s governmentality. Using data for 31 provinces, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) reveal multiple equifinal development pathways. A prominent configuration associated with high attainment combines ecological and human capital within adaptive governance, while six additional patterns are linked to partial capital deficits and more rigid policy rationalities. By mapping provincial governance regimes and capital strategies, the analysis characterizes how differing institutional logics correspond to observed variations in land use, rural development priorities, and resource allocation. The paper advances a dual-structure framework connecting capital accumulation and governance control, and outlines theoretical and policy implications for context-sensitive revitalization strategies in China and comparable settings.

Purpose This study aims to propose guidelines for the joint use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to combine symmetric and asymmetric perspectives in model evaluation, in the hospitality and tourism field. Design/methodology/approach This study discusses PLS-SEM as a symmetric approach and fsQCA as an asymmetric approach to analyze structural and configurational models. It presents guidelines to conduct an fsQCA based on latent construct scores drawn from PLS-SEM, to assess how configurations of exogenous constructs produce a specific outcome in an endogenous construct. Findings This research highlights the advantages of combining PLS-SEM and fsQCA to analyze the causal effects of antecedents (i.e., exogenous constructs) on outcomes (i.e., endogenous constructs). The construct scores extracted from the PLS-SEM analysis of a nomological network of constructs provide accurate input for performing fsQCA to identify the sufficient configurations required to predict the outcome(s). Complementing the assessment of the model’s explanatory and predictive power, the fsQCA generates more fine-grained insights into variable relationships, thereby offering the means to reach better managerial conclusions. Originality/value The application of PLS-SEM and fsQCA as separate prediction-oriented methods has increased notably in recent years. However, in the absence of clear guidelines, studies applied the methods inconsistently, giving researchers little direction on how to best apply PLS-SEM and fsQCA in tandem. To address this concern, this study provides guidelines for the joint use of PLS-SEM and fsQCA.

To complement industry-wide sustainability initiatives, this study aims to improve the understanding of traveler mindfulness. A holistic, case-based approach explores how traveler motivations and situational factors relate to mindfulness in a sustainability context. A sample of 510 recent travelers informs this study. Fuzzy set statistics test complexity theory tenants to examine the relationship between mindfulness and travelers' motivations and preferences. Results support complexity theory tenants and show multiple paths relate to high mindfulness. Study results advance the understanding of traveler behavior by introducing a sustainability-focused mindfulness scale, advancing mindfulness studies with complexity theory and fuzzy set analysis, and offering insights to destination managers who target travelers with a sustainability mindset.

Purpose As a global pandemic, the COVID-19 crisis has profoundly affected the development of local firms, threatening the survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to present an integrated framework by investigating the impact of strategic tools (i.e. firms’ capability of business agility, marketing operational efficiency, optimisation of innovation capability [OIC], managing employees’ satisfaction and rethinking customers’ experience) on the survival strategies of SMEs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The current study used data from managers of SMEs and conducted an asymmetrical analysis (i.e. structural equation modelling [SEM]) to investigate the factors influencing the survival strategies of SMEs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also applied an asymmetrical approach (i.e. fuzzy sets qualitative comparative analysis-fsQCA) to explore the causal recipes and analysis of the necessary conditions to identify the factors required to achieve the expected outcome. Findings Results from SEM support all hypotheses. Results from fsQCA with the same data set show that firms’ business agility and OIC are necessary conditions for SMEs’ survival strategies. The result from fsQCA also reveals multiple sufficient conditions to succeed SMEs’ survival strategies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications Findings prescribe how SMEs adapt to this vulnerable business condition by applying the strategic tools and recipes suggested for survival. Originality/value This research applied an innovative analysis to reveal necessary and sufficient conditions that conventional methods such as SEM have limited power. This pioneering research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered novel in terms of the prescriptive strategic recipes offered to SMEs to adapt to and survive in the crisis caused by COVID-19.

Executive compensation and its relation to that of rank and file employees are vital areas of strategy research. This study contributes to our understanding of cross-national differences in executive compensation by exploring how key formal and informal country-level institutions of social power structures combine to shape CEO and worker compensation across countries as well as the resulting pay dispersion. Analyzing data spanning 54 countries using the configurational approach fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), the study also explores the causal asymmetry underlying compensation outcomes by investigating institutional configurations linked to high CEO compensation, high worker pay, and high pay dispersion and those configurations linked to the absence of these outcomes. The article concludes by discussing the study's implications for theory and research on executive compensation.

Purpose In the complex environments of online personalization, multiple factors have been considered to explain consumers’ online behaviour, but largely without considering the role of specific configurations of variables and how they may affect consumer behaviour. This study aims to show how trust towards online vendors, privacy, emotions and experience combine to predict consumers’ purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach Building on complexity theory, a conceptual model followed by research propositions is presented. The propositions are empirically validated through configurational analysis, using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on 182 customers with experience in personalized online shopping. Predictive validity analysis is also performed. Findings Five solutions of trust, privacy, emotions and experience increase intention to purchase, and six solutions inhibit it. The findings verify the importance of trust and happiness in successful personalized online shopping. Their absence inhibits purchase intentions. Also, high experience may help to overcome low trust or negative emotions, whereas low experience requires the combination of high trust and happiness. None of the examined factors are indispensable to explain purchase intentions. Research limitations/implications The study uses fsQCA, differentiating from traditional studies in the area that use variance-based methods and identifies multiple solutions explaining the same outcome. The proposed approach contributes to theory development in the field. Practical implications The multiple solutions lead to new ways on how companies may approach their customers, as each one covers a specific part of the sample, adding to the fact that in personalized marketing there is not one single optimal solution explaining customer purchase intentions. Originality/value This study contributes by extending existing knowledge on how trust, privacy, emotions and experience combine to increase or mitigate intention to purchase towards the development of new emotion-centric theories and the design and provision of personalized services and presenting a step-by-step methodological approach for how to apply fsQCA in e-commerce studies.

PurposeThe literature considers the big five personality traits and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) to be important individual-level factors that determine entrepreneurial intention. However, little is known about the profiles of personal characteristics of individuals who express a high level of entrepreneurial intention. The purpose of this paper is to carry out a comparative analysis of personal characteristics that contribute to new business start-up intention.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from two samples, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was performed to extract patterns of personal characteristics (i.e. the big five personality traits and ESE) that impact entrepreneurial intention.FindingsThe outcomes of the analyses demonstrate that a high level of entrepreneurial intention can be realized through multiple configurations of the big five personality traits and ESE.Practical implicationsThis paper can inform practice on entrepreneurship education. Specifically, the paper includes implications for the development of ESE, and for understanding multiple configurations of personal characteristics that lead to a high level of entrepreneurial intention.Originality/valueThis paper addresses an identified need to understand how personal characteristics operate conjointly and among individuals.

Increasing environmental degradation has forced policymakers to include sustainability in the economic growth agenda. Green finance has attracted the attention of policymakers and the industry, but the impact of green finance on social and environmental sustainability has not been confirmed. This study uses the panel data of 34 Chinese provinces to investigate the relationship between green finance and environmental degradation. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method is utilized to analyze the mixed effect of green finance on CO emissions. These factors include green innovation, green insurance, green investment, and industrial structure. The results show that exogenous demand factors, including green insurance and industrial structure, have auxiliary effects when endogenous demand factors, including green investment and green innovation, exist as the core antecedent conditions among green finance and environmental degradation. Finally, the policymakers should encourage financial technology to actively participate in environmental protection initiatives that promote green consumption while minimizing the systemic risks caused by financial technology.

PurposeGiven the critical importance of green innovation (GI) for organizations in developing economies, this study aims to examine the interrelationship between knowledge management (KM) enablers, KM processes and GI. The research also indicates that certain combinations of KM enabler dimensions and KM processes can lead to better GI.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consists of 328 participants from Pakistan's medium- and large-sized manufacturing enterprises. Smart PLS 3.2.9 is used to verify the relationships. Moreover, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) investigates configurational paths for improving GI.FindingsThe results demonstrate that KM enablers significantly affect two aspects of GI – green product and process innovation – and KM processes. Moreover, KM processes significantly enhance two aspects of GI. The fsQCA findings indicate multiple combinations of KM enablers and KM processes dimensions that result in better GI.Research limitations/implicationsTo better understand the critical role of knowledge resources, future studies should explore the potential mediating mechanisms of KM processes or the moderating effects of strategic organizational factors in the relationship between KM enablers and GI.Practical implicationsThe study offers valuable insight and a unique approach for policymakers and executives of corporations in developing countries to enhance their organizations' GI capacity through KM enablers and KM processes.Originality/valueThis research contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advances insights into the interrelationship among KM enablers, KM processes and GI. In addition, the study offers methodological significance by combining direct and configurational techniques to address two distinct facets of GI.

This article reviews and critically examines 77 journal articles published from 2005 to 2016 on the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) applied in business and management research on the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation research. The findings reveal that the number of fsQCA applications has sharply increased during the past few years. Stemming from the systematic literature review, core aspects dealing with firm performance and innovation are identified. Ultimately, we provide promising areas with future potential for the application of fsQCA such as the elaboration of the antecedents leading to business model innovation.