Mercados y Negocios

Impact of Industry 4.0 Adoption on Eco-Innovation and Sustainable Development: The Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing Sectors

Gonzalo Maldonado Guzman — 2025-12-18

This study aims to fill a gap in the literature and provide robust empirical evidence on the effects of IoT 4.0 on eco-innovation and the sustainable development of manufacturing companies by conducting a survey of 378 manufacturing companies in the automotive and aerospace industries in Mexico and validating the results using PLS-SEM. The results suggest that the adoption of Industry 4.0 has significant positive effects on both sustainable development and eco-innovation, that eco-innovation has a considerable positive impact on sustainable development, and that eco-innovation also serves as a mediating mechanism between Industry 4.0 and sustainable development.

Local Cultural Values, Managerial Overconfidence and SME Performance: The Mediating Role of Debt Financing

Gusti Ayu Sri Oktaryani — 2025-12-18

This study examines the relationship between local cultural values, managerial overconfidence, small and medium enterprise (SME) performance, and the use of debt in funding decisions. The indicators of the constructs were measured using a 7-point semantic differential scale. Data were collected from 140 handicraft SME owners in Central Lombok and analysed using SEM PLS. The results of this study reveal that Tastura culture does not directly affect SME performance. The use of debt in funding decisions fully mediates the influence of the Tastura culture on SME performance, and funding decisions partially mediate the impact of managerial overconfidence on SME performance. These findings indicate that local cultural values are insufficient without funding decisions. The findings provide insights into the role of cultural values in influencing financing decisions that ultimately enhance firm performance. Furthermore, this study gives valuable information to the government to develop plans for SMEs in Central Lombok that are grounded in local culture.

From Hyperglobalization to “New Globalization”: Transnational Corporations, Geopolitical Shocks, and Resilient Global Value Chains

Dimos Chatzinikolaou — 2025-12-18

Transnational corporations (TNCs) are central to international political economy (IPE), yet their role remains contested amid geopolitical rivalry, economic shocks, and sustainability demands. This integrative review of 264 sources from Web of Science identifies five dominant perspectives in the literature: adverse globalization (critical views of TNC power), global development (TNCs as growth engines), glocal strategies (local adaptation approaches), hyperglobalization (borderless integration), and new globalization (post-2008 reconfiguration emphasizing resilience and new regionalization). These perspectives map onto established IPE theoretical frameworks, ranging from neo-Marxist dependency theory to neoliberal institutionalism, with “new globalization” emerging as the dominant paradigm. The analysis reveals a shift from polarized debates toward recognition of a more segmented, crisis-aware global economy. Persistent research gaps concern climate alignment and Global South perspectives. We derive implications for balanced policy approaches, resilient corporate strategies, and multilateral governance reform.

Do Human-Like Cars Drive Loyalty? The Role of Anthropomorphism

Aditi Sharma — 2025-12-18

In contemporary markets, the value of a product extends beyond its price and functional utility, encompassing design, packaging, attractiveness, and positioning in the customer’s mind. These characteristics play a vital role in shaping customer purchase intentions in various industries. An emerging phenomenon contributing to this path is brand anthropomorphism. It is a way of attributing human-like characteristics, emotions, and personalities to a non-human entity. By infusing these human traits into products, brands establish a deeper emotional connection with their customers, influencing their trust and loyalty. This trend has been prevalent in the marketplace for more than a decade. Using a car’s physical attributes, 221 participants from the NCR region of India served as the sampling units. A smart PLS-SEM technique was used to obtain the results. This study examined the increasing importance of anthropomorphism in marketing, its psychological effects on consumers, and its role in promoting brand trust, attachment, and loyalty. By understanding the influence of anthropomorphic branding, businesses can create more compelling brand narratives and enhance their market position.

SORCIS Model: Social Media Marketing Dimensions, Consumer Decision-Making Styles, and Purchase Intention

Nihal Bülbül — 2025-12-18

This study examines purchase intention in digital marketplaces by integrating social media marketing (SMM) dimensions with Consumer Style Inventory (CSI) decision-making styles through the SORCIS framework. The results obtained from marketplace buyers in Türkiye were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Interaction, informativeness, personalization, trendiness, and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) each show positive and significant effects on purchase intention. Among CSI styles, brand consciousness, fashion or novelty consciousness, and website content consciousness are substantial predictors, whereas other styles are not. Theoretically, the study positions CSI styles as enduring organismic factors within the S–O–R structure, explaining why similar SMM cues yield heterogeneous intentions and clarifying the role of content quality and transparency in interface-parity environments. Managerially, the results highlight the importance of informative content, responsible personalization, and community-based interaction.