Creative Business and Sustainability Journal

The Influence of Internet Embedding and Higher Vocational Students’ Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intentions in Qinghai Province, China: Role of Practical Learning and AI Literacy

Lei Li — 2026-02-27

Sustainable entrepreneurship is an important activity that drives the economy, and internet embedding, as the connection between individuals and the outside world, may be related to sustainable entrepreneurship. Therefore, combining self-determination theory and social network theory, this study collected a sample of 1,058 higher vocational students from 5 vocational schools in Qinghai Province, China, through an electronic questionnaire, and investigated the relationship between internet embedding and sustainable entrepreneurial intentions of higher vocational students, as well as the mediating effect of practical learning, and AI literacy as the boundary condition of the mechanism of internet embedding to sustainable entrepreneurial intentions of higher vocational students. The results showed that internet embedding was positively correlated with sustainable entrepreneurial intentions of higher vocational students, practical learning had a mediating effect, and AI literacy moderated the direct effect of internet embedding on practical learning and the indirect effects of AI literacy on sustainable entrepreneurial intentions of higher vocational students through practical learning in Qinghai Province, China. This suggests that higher vocational students in Qinghai Province, China, not only need to establish individual connections to the outside world but also need to incorporate entrepreneurial experiential learning and the comprehensive quality of AI collaboration to adequately stimulate their state of mind to participate in sustainable entrepreneurship in the future. Finally, the results of this study can contribute to the important field of sustainable entrepreneurship for future entrepreneur groups and higher vocational students in Qinghai Province, China, both in theory and practice.

The Influence of Board and Executive Attributes on Firm Performance: Insights from the Thai Service Sector

Witchatkarn Maythawiriyakul — 2026-02-27

This study empirically investigates the influence of board and executive characteristics—specifically size, gender diversity, and role duality—on the financial performance (Return on Assets, ROA) of service companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). A core objective was to assess whether these relationships differ significantly based on a firm's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating status, a factor whose moderating role is theoretically developed herein. The analysis utilized multiple linear regression on a pooled dataset of 234 firm-year observations from 2021-2023. Key findings include a statistically significant negative relationship (p<0.01) between the proportion of female members (gender diversity) and ROA across all firm groups. This result contrasts with some international research and warrants further exploration into unique Thai institutional or sector-specific dynamics. Conversely, a significant positive association (p<0.05) between role duality and ROA was observed exclusively within the ESG-rated company subgroup, suggesting that concentrated Leadership roles may enhance governance efficiency and strategic alignment specifically within organizations committed to sustainability principles. The relationship between board/executive size and ROA was consistently not statistically significant (p>0.05). These findings provide clear evidence that board and executive characteristics exert significant and context-dependent influences on ROA, offering specific, actionable insights for shareholders, investors, and corporate leaders in strategically designing governance structures, particularly for those pursuing ESG integration.

Home Bias and Performance and Risk in Islamic Mutual Funds

Isariya Suttakulpiboon — 2026-02-27

This paper examines the effects of home bias on Islamic mutual fund (IMF) performance and risk measures, testing the Information Advantage versus Diversification Cost trade-off in 691 IMFs. Results for the full sample reveal home bias is a risk-shifting strategy: managers reduce systematic risk but significantly increase idiosyncratic risk. While this generates skill, the benefits fail to translate into consistent net risk-adjusted returns. Critically, subsample analysis finds that home bias in mature IMPS markets (Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia) is not beneficial; it is associated with significant underperformance and a higher systematic risk profile. Furthermore, the risks are non-linear: above-median home bias adds significant volatility with no additional reward. The findings demonstrate home bias is a sub-optimal strategy, especially in core Islamic markets.

Aligning ESG with Firm Value: The Conditional Impact of ESG on Family-Controlled Businesses

Norrasate Sritanee — 2026-02-27

This study examines how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices influence firm performance in Thai family-controlled firms, which represent a dominant ownership structure in emerging markets. Using panel data from 2012–2021 and drawing on the Agency Theory Type II along with the Socioemotional Wealth perspective, the analysis shows that ESG engagement does not improve firm value in a uniform manner. Instead, family firms display a U-shaped pattern in which performance weakens when ESG involvement is minimal but strengthens once ESG commitment reaches a meaningful threshold. The results also show that ESG practices help firms withstand the COVID-19 crisis by providing resilience during periods of systemic disruption. Overall, the findings suggest that only substantive and well-integrated ESG initiatives contribute to long-term value creation in family-owned enterprises operating in emerging-market environments, while superficial or symbolic efforts do not deliver performance benefits.

The Process of Cultural Integration in Post-Merger Organizations in Related M&A: A Case of Merger and Acquisition in Thailand

Chantima Chalieopiyasakul — 2026-02-27

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have not only been a topic of interest among organizational researchers but also an interesting strategic option for firms to increase growth in many industries. However, few companies have successfully integrated after a merger. One of the key challenges is the integration of the corporate cultures of the combined companies. Research has addressed factors that enable or hinder successful cultural integration. However, little attention has been paid to unraveling a process of how success can be achieved. This paper focuses on examining a process of cultural integration in the implementation of related domestic M&A. In this paper, we drew on a qualitative single case study of the merger in Thailand between the two big companies, which represents a complex post-merger integration of organizational cultures. Building on the qualitative case study, we develop a process of cultural integration, which consists of three phases, including cultural contact, cultural conflict, and cultural co-creation. We also identify organizational actions required in each phase. By highlighting how cultural integration in related domestic M&A can be achieved, the study makes theoretical contributions to the literature of post-merger integration and practical implications for firms.