One of the crucial challenges in energy management is the conversion to sustainable operations. The present work is an attempt to verify whether financial institutions are able to identify and valorize those energy companies that have embarked on a virtuous process of emissions reduction. The analysis aims to verify the extent to which environmental disclosure measures are negatively associated with the cost of debt, focusing on a sample of international energy enterprises, observed over a time span from 2003 to 2016. Moreover, it tests whether measures relating to the emission of GHG are positively associated with the cost of debt. The empirical analysis is

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Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) deal with many challenges that threaten their survival every day. To successfully overcome these challenges, SMEs rely on strategic alliances. Drawing on the innovative concept of ambidexterity, this study focuses on how SME alliances can handle the dilemma of exploration and exploitation to achieve an advantage in terms of financial performance. A sample of 9,673 Italian SMEs aggregated in 1,854 alliances in the period 2010–2015 was used to test the hypotheses, referring to the moderating effect of corporate sustainability on the relationship between ambidextrous strategies and alliance performance. The results show that, in general, SME alliances that do not set sustainability goals prefer a focused alliance to achieve economic benefits; otherwise, if sustainability objectives are considered at the bases of the alliance formation, the greatest economic benefits are linked to an ambidextrous alliance.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to extend existing knowledge in corporate sustainability (CS) and digitalization literature. Innovation strategies (namely, exploration, exploitation and ambidexterity) are used to identify an innovative employee domain that influences a firm’s non-financial performance. Digital reputation – i.e. the set of stakeholders’ sentiments toward the company’s digital footprint – is observed as a moderating variable able to explain where and when the innovative employee domain impacts the non-financial performance. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of firms listed on the Fortune 500 list in the period 2015–2018, this study pursued both a qualitative and quantitative analysis. First, content analysis is carried out through a non-financial report-based operational model to operationalize the innovative domain. Second, a regression and moderator analysis are conducted on optimized panel data. Findings Consistent with previous literature, the results show that the employee domain positively impacts a firm’s non-financial performance. It was found that digital reputation operates as a moderator in this relationship. Originality/value This study contributes to the theoretical debate on CS by introducing a new concept relevant to an employee domain of exploration, exploitation and ambidexterity. It enriches the innovation debate by providing a new perspective on how firms can balance exploratory and exploitative innovation strategies in the employee domain to enhance non-financial performance. Finally, it provides a novel definition of digital reputation.

Marketing is changing over time, giving value not only to customer satisfaction but also to environmental heritage, for a sustainable economy. The importance of the natural environment related to marketing brought many academics and professionals to define green marketing, although today there is nota unique definition. Relaying on the signaling theory, this study aims at investigating the relationship between the signals, which are changeable factors and activities conveying information to individuals in order to bridge the gap, and the consumers' attitude as a feedback to these signals. Results shown that firms already making green products and/or green production processes to continue along this path and continue innovation. Conversely, firms that still do not understand the change of course of society and the future changes in consumers' purchasing behavior, should divert their forces and their expertise in this direction.

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The eco-labels in food products is an increasing presence to underline a particular attention to sustainability issues by producers and, recently, also by retailers, through their private labels (PLs). In the last years there has been a proliferation of eco-labels, generating sometimes a real confusion in consumers' mind. Nevertheless, some of them could be really considered as a decisive factor to influence the purchasing process. It could be possible to affirm that they acquired a real "power", producing a tangible effect on consumers' behaviour. The present work is an attempt to calculate the effectiveness of one of the most well-known eco-label, "Euro-leaf", that indicates products coming from organic farming. The aim of the analysis is to evaluate its incidence in the choices related to food proposals. In particular, the latter have been considered in a double way, exploring the different categories among branded and PL offers, in the continuous challenge between these two branding policies in the retail sector. Therefore, to carry out the research, the methodology adopted has been the diffusion of a questionnaire to a wide sample. More of 1.000 Italian consumers have been reached using an on line platform, shaping a stratified sample. The data elaboration shows a final result where the euro-leaf logo is able to have the same positive influence on buying propensity related both to branded and PL products. Observing the dimension of this influence, valid information are provided for practitioners and researchers to highlight a market trend where all the potentials have not yet been expressed.