Qualitative case study methodology enables researchers to conduct an in-depth exploration of intricate phenomena within some specific context. By keeping in mind research students, this article presents a systematic step-by-step guide to conduct a case study in the business discipline. Research students belonging to said discipline face issues in terms of clarity, selection, and operationalization of qualitative case study while doing their final dissertation. These issues often lead to confusion, wastage of valuable time, and wrong decisions that affect the overall outcome of the research. This article presents a checklist comprised of four phases, that is, foundation phase, prefield phase, field phase, and reporting phase. The objective of this article is to provide novice researchers with practical application of this checklist by linking all its four phases with the authors' experiences and learning from recently conducted in-depth multiple case studies in the organizations of New Zealand. Rather than discussing case study in general, a targeted step-by-step plan with real-time research examples to conduct a case study is given.

To pursuit sustainability in all business operations is a notable challenge for firms to survive in today's competitive environment. Customers are the important stakeholders who are becoming mindful regarding the environment-friendly actions of the organizations. This study investigates the impact of green manufacturing practices (GMP) within two streams-pollution prevention practices (PPP) and product stewardship practices (PSP)-on ecological conscious consumer behavior (ECCB) along with the mediation influence of green product innovation (GPI). Data were gathered from Chinese consumers from those who prefer environment-friendly products. The findings affirmed the positive nexus between GMP and ECCB. Second, a positive mediation influence of GPI was observed between GMP and ECCB. The multidimensional analysis revealed the positive relationships of PPP and PSP on ECCB, respectively. The findings furnish implications for green production on how organizations can accomplish stakeholder engagement incorporating green practices-GMP, PPP, PSP, and GPI-in their manufacturing operations. This study further suggests future avenues for academicians and practitioners.

This study develops a test model that can conceptually contribute to the formation of a green brand image for the hospitality market. A conceptual model highlighting the mediating role of green brand image based on two antecedent constructs (consumer’s perceived functional and emotional benefits of green hotels) and four outcome constructs (green brand preferences, trust, loyalty, and corporate image) was tested using 347 Malaysian lodging consumers. The findings indicate that the increase in consumer’s perceived functional and emotional benefits will initially increase their green brand image, and eventually increase their green brand preferences, trust, loyalty, and corporate image. Moreover, the role of green brand image as a mediator exists between consumers’ perceived benefits and their green brand preferences, trust, loyalty, and corporate image. Based on these findings, the managers can devise green branding strategies for their hotels, and show how green campaigns can highlight ecological concerns among green hotel consumers.

This paper investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on buying behavior tendencies (BBTs), adopting two sub-tendencies of BBTs-exploratory acquisition of buying tendencies (EAPTs) and exploratory information seeking tendencies (EISTs)-based on the stakeholder theory and practices. Data were collected and examined using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.The study revealed a positive relationship between CSR practices and BBTs, and a significant correlation of CSR on both EISTs and EAPTs. Additionally, it verified a positive linkage between CSR and BBTs through the mediation of EAPTs and EISTs.These results provide insights for managements, especially those in CSR-oriented firms, on how incorporation of CSR activities may influence the BBTs of consumers.Finally, the paper discusses several implications for strategic management along with avenues for future research. K E Y W O R D Sbuying behavior tendencies, corporate social responsibility, information seeking tendencies, product acquisition tendencies, stakeholder theory, structural equation modeling

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to deliver a summary of the influential work regarding value co-creation in the context of social media. Although, research on the role of social media in co-creation and new product development is growing field; the extant literature is still in developing stage, which needs systematization and categorization to comprehend its current stage and previous research. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, existing literature on social media and co-creation was studied. Initially, a citation analysis was conducted of influential papers correlated with the topic to identify three streams of research. Later, thematic analysis was carried out to explore specific themes within these categories. Findings Through citation analysis three research streams namely customer’s co-creation on new product development, firm specific capabilities for knowledge sharing, absorption and processing and new opportunities were identified. Later, total four categories were identified through thematic analysis which contains different sub-themes such as test of theories, proposed theoretical frameworks, lead users characteristics, customer’s motivation and experience regarding co-creation, online communities of customers and open innovation. Research limitations/implications This study also categorizes and systemizes the extant literature exploring role of social media in value co-creation. Such systematic review of the extant literature will help the academicians to understand the previous stream of work and pursue a particular line of enquiry in furthering the understanding of interaction between social media and co-innovation. Practical implications This work is particularly useful for practitioners as more firms are moving the business online. These firms are actively using social media and user-generated content to gain insight into customer’s preferences. By increasing the participation of customers and lead users through online communities, firms can also increase customer’s commitment. Originality/value The paper adds to the extant literature by identifying research streams and themes in the extant literature on the role of social media in value co-creation. Later, these themes are abductively linked to develop a theoretical framework.