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The present study aims to analyze the existence of a possible significant relationship between social disclosure and financial performance in banking institutions. This phenomenon was analyzed by considering the percentage of female executives on boards, and the implementation of the equal opportunity policy when it was applied. We used a sample of 61 banks from European Union countries (between 2015–2017), and sampling was environmental, social, or governance (ESG)-driven in order to capture the effect of non-financial disclosure provided by Bloomberg. A cross-section econometric model was built in order to examine the relationship between the percentage of female directors on boards and the equal opportunity policy. Both the independent variables of banks and performance indicators were adopted as dependent variables. Our study provides empirical evidence that while there is a lack of efficiency and performance when boards are fragmented, the enactments of equal opportunity policies create a good reputation for the firm and the positive performance of staff. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on social sustainability and on the phenomenon of the glass ceiling, and provides political and entrepreneurial implications.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to verify, through Hofstede's 6-D model, the impact of national culture on the implementation of eco-labeling activities on the supplier side, in order to provide consumers information about the sustainable behavior adopted by firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors tested the impact of culture dimensions through an econometric model, on a sample composed by several countries of the world, in which at least a food certification is in force.FindingsInteresting results have been obtained and discussed, proving the existence of a relationship between culture and corporate sustainability showcasing. Cultural heritage has a deep influence on sustainable consumption demand. Firms need to put more effort to showcase their green behavior. Economic indicators have a role in fostering sustainable behavior.Originality/valueFood labeling is little explored, despite its growing importance for consumers. This research is a window in green marketing issues, specifically in global branding strategies.

The growing sensitivity of stakeholders towards health, food safety and environmental protection has pushed agri-food companies to embrace a new way of doing business, making huge investments to reduce their impact on ecosystem. However, these efforts would be in vain if not properly communicated, especially to financial institutions and investors, as they are the fundamental and supportive stakeholders.Through non-financial disclosure, indeed, this greater transparency would translate into benefits, such as creditworthiness, lower risks and costs of capital. From these considerations, this study aims at verifying to what extent the implementation of sustainability strategies can affect the overall cost of capital, observed in its dual form: debt and equity. In particular, through panel data analyses, it tested how nonfinancial disclosure-measured by Bloomberg's disclosure scores-could influence the cost of capital of a sample of 73 international agricultural firms observed from 2015 to 2019. The results showed a significant and negative relationship, suggesting that a higher level of disclosure could be effective in lowering firms' financial burden. This study contributes to the literature on non-financial disclosure and cost of capital as it studies this phenomenon in a sector in which previous research is limited.

PurposeAs Generation Z (Gen Z) represents one of the most important segments in the travel and tourism sector, the present work aims to analyse Gen Z's behaviour in a post-pandemic scenario. In particular, the present work deepens the factors that may influence future accommodation choices.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from a web-based questionnaire targeting Italian tourists belonging to Generation Z, reaching 221 complete responses. After the statistical analysis of the sample, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then carried out.FindingsData provided evidence about the main factors affecting Gen Z tourist choices. In particular, these young consumers are positively influenced by the information (especially from institutional and verifiable sources), more flexible purchase terms (e.g. full refund in case of cancellation due to contagion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and digital payments) and structure features (e.g. cleanliness, sanitisation, digitalisation and sustainability).Originality/valueThis work attempts to contribute to the academic literature by looking at the tourism experience from Gen Z's perspective. From this angle, this work underlines the influence some factors exert on the final accommodation choice, especially in the presence of exogenous events. Moreover, as this study focusses on a post-pandemic scenario, the study seeks to provide valuable indications, both at the theoretical and managerial level, for the tourism sector to boost the sector's recovery and prepare the sector to face similar events.