This study explores the subjective perceptions of project managers regarding barriers to implementing sustainable project management (SPM). Using Q-methodology and grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), 28 project managers across diverse industries sorted and ranked statements about sustainability-related constraints. The analysis revealed three distinct belief patterns: “motivated yet confined”, characterized by structural and organizational limitations; “motivated yet lacking competency”, reflecting personal skill gaps and limited training; and “motivated yet unsupported”, highlighting weak normative support from peers and leadership. Despite differing barriers, all participants expressed positive attitudes toward sustainability, underscoring a common intention–behavior gap shaped by varying perceptions of behavioral control and normative reinforcement. The findings suggest that generic interventions are insufficient; instead, belief-sensitive strategies are needed to enable SPM adoption. Implications include reforming performance measurement systems, integrating sustainability into professional training, and cultivating supportive organizational cultures. The study contributes to both behavioral theory and project management practice by reframing sustainability barriers as belief-dependent phenomena and offers a foundation for more tailored, psychologically grounded interventions. These insights are relevant for educators, policymakers, and organizational leaders seeking to enhance sustainability outcomes through empowered and context-aware project management practices.

This study examines the factors that motivate viewers to financially support streamers on the Twitch digital platform. It proposes a conceptual framework that combines the uses and gratifications theory (UGT) with Michel Foucault’s concept of the practice of freedom (PF). Using a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 560 Portuguese Twitch users, the model investigates how three core constructs from UGT—entertainment, socialization, and informativeness—affect the intention to donate, with PF acting as a mediating variable. Structural equation modeling confirms that all three UGT-based motivations significantly influence donation intentions, with socialization exhibiting the strongest mediated effect through PF. The findings reveal that Twitch donations go beyond mere instrumental or playful actions; they serve as performative expressions of identity, autonomy, and ethical subjectivity. By framing PF as a link between interpersonal engagement and financial support, this study provides a contribution to media motivation research. The theoretical integration enhances our understanding of pro-social behavior in live streaming environ- ments, challenging simplistic, transactional interpretations of viewer contributions vis-à-vis more political ones and the desire to freely dispose of what is ours to give. Additionally, this study may lay the groundwork for future inquiries into how ethical self-formation is intertwined with monetized online participation, offering useful insights for academics, platform designers, and content creators seeking to promote meaningful digital interactions.

This study examines the influence of corporate governance, firm-level characteristics, external factors and risk-taking on bank credit ratings in three distinct regions: Africa, the EU13 and Latin America/Caribbean.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyzes a panel dataset comprising 752 banks from 95 countries from 2011 to 2020, using ordered logistic regression.

Findings

The results reveal that corporate governance factors, including board size, board age, and board gender diversity, significantly impact credit ratings. Firm-specific characteristics, including age, market discipline, and opacity, negatively correlate with credit ratings. External factors, particularly the presence of the Big Four audit firms and economic growth, positively influence credit ratings. Institutional quality negatively impacts credit ratings, while risk-taking shows a significant positive association.

Practical implications

This study encourages banks and policymakers to re-evaluate governance structures, risk management strategies, and region-specific approaches to credit assessment. A thorough understanding of credit rating determinants is essential for fostering a resilient and sustainable financial environment.

Originality/value

This study underscores the critical role of robust corporate governance, institutional quality, and audit oversight in shaping credit ratings within the global banking sector. It challenges the prevailing one-size-fits-all approach to credit-rating assessments and supports the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, Target 10, which aims to strengthen financial institutions. The findings also contribute to the ongoing discourse on credit ratings within the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa framework.

Work–life balance (WLB) is an important aspect of modern society, influencing personal well-being and business performance. Despite its importance in the business context, its analysis in the expatriation context is still scattered. Thus, this paper reviews the literature covering the analysis of 40 papers that focus on WLB and expatriation.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was deployed in both the WoS and Scopus databases until December 2024. About 40 articles were in-depth analyzed, and four themes emerged inductively. The Hoshin Kanri Matrix was used to showcase each of the main themes.

Findings

Four main themes emerged from this SLR: (1) Cultural adaptation; (2) Types of support; (3) WLB challenges and (4) Gender perception. Qualitative studies are predominantly used vis-à-vis quantitative studies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by identifying four main strands that reveal potential paths for developing WLB in expatriation processes, both academically and in business contexts.

This study explores how AI chatbot experiences on travel websites influence consumer engagement, with satisfaction from using AI chatbots as a mediating factor. Grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, the research shifts the focus from utilitarian models to examine how chatbot attributes—e.g., ease of use, information quality, security, anthropomorphism, and omnipresence—affect satisfaction of using AI chatbots and subsequent consumer engagement behaviours. Survey data from 519 Portuguese travellers were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study contributes to theory by (1) demonstrating S-O-R’s advantages over utilitarian models in capturing relational and emotional dimensions of AI interactions, (2) identifying satisfaction with using AI chatbots as a pivotal mediator between AI chatbot experience and consumer engagement, and (3) revealing generational disparities in drivers of engagement. Notably, satisfaction strongly influences engagement for Generation X, while direct experience matters more for Generation Z. Millennials exhibit a distinct preference for hybrid human–AI service handoffs. The practical implications include prioritizing natural language processing for ease of use, implementing generational customization (e.g., gamification for Gen Z, reliability assurances for Gen X), and ensuring seamless human escalation for Millennials. These insights equip travel businesses to design AI chatbots that foster long-term loyalty and competitive differentiation.