International Journal of Business Ethics and Governance (IJBEG)

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STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE SERVICE SECTOR IN BAHRAIN

Noor Alsayed, Dana Kayed

Strategic planning has been proven to be an effective organizational tool that plays a vital role in organizational success and performance. Strategic managers understand the importance of the formulation and execution of strategic plans that can guide the direction of the organization, its decision-making process, implementation, evaluation, and control of plans. Strategic planning level and intensity is influenced by several managerial, organizational, and environmental factors and can vary from one organization to another. This thesis mainly aims to investigate the impact of strategic planning on organizational performance. The study will cover the services sector in Bahrain by implementing qualitative and quantitative approaches based on interviews and surveys with managers and other members in the strategic planning team from small businesses in Bahrain. Results showed that environmental scanning and resource availability have insignificant impact on organizational success, while strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation have significant impact and high correlation on organizational success and performance in the services sector in Bahrain.

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Impact Investing: The influence of Information on Individual Investment Decisions and Perceptions of Returns

Shreya Shanbhag

Purpose

This paper examines the role of accessible information on the decision-making process of individual investors regarding impact investing. It investigates how better access to relevant data might increase investment in impact-focused funds and whether investors believe such investments can provide competitive returns compared to traditional options. The research also explores the broader trends in impact investing, its growth, and how enhanced transparency could foster further adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach was employed, consisting of a literature review, semi-structured interviews, and surveys with individual investors. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, while quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis to identify trends in investor perceptions and behaviors concerning impact investing.

Findings

The research highlights a significant information gap, with many investors confusing impact investing with ESG investing. While there is a growing interest in sustainable finance, a lack of understanding, perceived complexity, and misconceptions about returns hinder wider adoption. However, with improved education, transparency, and more accessible products, there is significant potential for growth in the impact investing sector.

Originality

This paper adds to the limited research on how information availability impacts investor participation in impact investing. It uniquely focuses on the role of misconceptions and the information gap as barriers, providing insights into how greater transparency and education could drive broader adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a limited demographic sample and may not fully represent the global investor landscape. Future research could explore how different geographies and cultural factors influence attitudes towards impact investing.

Practical implications

Financial institutions could enhance participation in impact investing by offering simplified, transparent products and improving investor education.

Social implications

Greater participation in impact investing could significantly contribute to achieving global sustainability objectives, including the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The Impact of Remote Work on Employees’ Mental Health: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Noor Alsayed

This literature review critically examines the impact of remote work on employees’ mental health, synthesizing research published between 2020 and 2025. This literature review critically examines the impact of remote work on employees’ mental health in the context of the post-pandemic workplace. The purpose of the study is to synthesize and evaluate empirical research published between 2020 and 2025, identifying both the benefits and challenges associated with remote work. A systematic search of peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and meta-analyses was conducted using major databases, focusing on adult working populations and mental health outcomes. Findings reveal that remote work offers significant advantages, including enhanced work-life balance, increased autonomy, and reduced commuting stress, which can improve overall well-being and job satisfaction. However, negative impacts such as social isolation, blurred work-life boundaries, digital fatigue, and increased prevalence of anxiety and burnout are also prevalent, particularly among vulnerable groups. The review highlights the moderating roles of individual differences, job characteristics, and organizational support in shaping these outcomes. Organizational interventions such as hybrid work models, social support initiatives, and mental health resources are identified as effective strategies for mitigating risks. The originality of this review lies in its comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of recent evidence, its critical analysis of mediating factors, and its practical recommendations for remote work employers and policymakers.