Dynamic capabilities, as a field of research, is based on the analysis of the reasons why one firm performs better than another. On similar grounds, in this research, the challenges faced by electronic component distributors with respect to semiconductor products in China were studied meticulously. A thorough analysis of the demand creation focus and dynamic capabilities of these distributors was performed to assess the effectiveness of their strategic management, which is essential for gaining a competitive advantage and securing firm survival in this fast-changing and evolving environment. The results from the distributors, suppliers, and customers which were gathered through triadic assessment were analysed through the multilevel linear regression method. The empirical results confirm that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, supplier integration may not necessarily improve firm performance. Additionally, it was identified that there is a need for the distributors to strengthen their demand creation competence and dynamic capabilities.

Acts of corporate dishonesty as displayed by Enron, WorldCom, and Volkswagen have prompted more attention to research on ethics. While many academic studies have linked ethics to positive organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction and pro-social behaviour, few have focused on its connection with religion. Based on studies on religiosity and ethical behaviour and the consequent organizational outcomes, this research examines the role of religiosity as an antecedent of ethical behaviour. To further understand the relationship between religiosity and ethical behaviour, this thesis will examine the roles of awe, the emotional experience induced by religiosity, and individual moral traits in shaping ethical behaviour. Drawing on the literature on moral and emotional psychology, this thesis delineates how the emotional experience of awe functions as the mediating mechanism through which religious beliefs and practices influence ethical behaviour, as well as the potential moderating effect of the moral trait of humility. To this end, we hypothesise in this thesis that religiosity is positively associated with ethical behaviour, and this positive association is mediated by the emotional experience of awe. Moreover, the indirect effect of religious beliefs and practices on ethical behaviour through awe is moderated by the virtue of humility such that the positive indirect effect is stronger among individuals who are more humble than their less humble counterparts. Using multi-source survey methods, the thesis will feature a survey study to examine the aforementioned predictions.

Building development has been causing adverse environmental effects with emissions of greenhouse gas in the range of about 40% and consumes energy of about 35% in 2018 in the developing countries. Expediting green management practices in an environmental, economic, and social manner becomes crucial in the building industry. This research aims to provide understanding into the effects of the green management practices on organizational performance success through a questionnaire survey follows by post-survey interviews, case studies, and green expert interviews so as to incentivize the promotion of the green management practices to combat global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. The results of a moderated hierarchical regression analysis revealed that green management practices in terms of green marketing strategy and green technologies development has a significant impact on firm performance in terms of green performance success and financial performance success. Further investigations of how the supplier cooperation and green building uncertainty moderate green management practices on organizational performance are studied. The experts’ interviews directed that the government take a leading role in asserting green management practices implementation, particularly in making green building development mandatory. Advanced construction information technology (e.g., building information modelling) should be used to inspire the building process to generate and manage building data to improve the green building technological design incorporation to recycle the building elements with waste reduction. Above all, the instituting of a robust and operational market platform for the green materials and products with a performance index would enhance the vision and mission of green marketing strategy to reduce the materials costs progressively. Commitment and cooperation of suppliers to deliver suitable green performance materials and products is also beneficial to the building industry. As the study indicated, the higher level of technological and logistical integration with the suppliers’ base will lead to higher levels of environmental collaboration and building firms’ performance.

Urbanization has never been stopped since the 18th century. It is anticipated that the world's population will reach over 10 billion by 2050 (2020: around 7.8 billion), out of which approximately 80% will be resided in suburbs or cities by then. In the recent past five years, city development has become the hottest topic with the highest priority of governmental plans and mandates to well-plan ahead for their citizens. To make people happier, healthier, smarter and more prosperous, it is necessary to re-structure, re-configure and re-establish the status quo into more modern cities, not to say smart cities, to cope with existing and future challenges. In Hong Kong, there are around 1,500 technology startups and practitioners situated and operated in Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, which are engaging in smart services businesses. It is an urgent issue to examine the core elements that allow smart services providers to sustain and/or grow their business in response to the increasing and vast demand for smart products, services and solutions in the smart city era whereby one of the possible answers could be the development and identification of the critical success factors, which drive and motivate smart services providers to move and go faster, higher and farther aiming at attaining and achieving their business objectives on one hand and maintain their corporate sustainability and growth on the other.