Minh Huong To

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study investigates how environmental regulatory stringency affects corporate environmental reporting (CER) among Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on four regulatory domains: waste management, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage, and energy-saving measures. Utilizing a cross-sectional dataset of 645 SMEs and employing multiple linear regression analysis, variation in regulatory intensity is evaluated to check both the scope and quality of environmental disclosures.
Results reveal heterogeneous impacts. Stringent waste treatment regulations are significantly associated with lower levels of disclosure (β = −0.1082, p = 0.008), likely reflecting the burden of compliance costs. In contrast, energy-saving regulations show a positive and statistically significant effect on CER (β = 0.1512, p = 0.045), highlighting the role of economic incentives in driving transparency. No significant associations are observed for GHG emissions or water resource regulations, underscoring the limitations of weak enforcement and fragmented institutional oversight.
These findings raise important theoretical and policy considerations. They challenge the universal validity of the Porter Hypothesis within developing contexts, where institutional capacity and enforcement mechanisms remain constrained. Regulatory effectiveness is shown to depend not only on legal stringency but also on firms' readiness, technological support, and enabling policy environments. The paper contributes to the growing literature on environmental governance in transitional economies and offers practical insights for designing balanced, context-sensitive regulatory frameworks to enhance corporate environmental accountability in Vietnam.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Vietnam’s FinTech-enabled lending market has expanded rapidly, yet concerns regarding trust, service quality, and regulatory legitimacy persist. Understanding gender-based differences in customer experiences is therefore important for sustainable sector development. This study examines the influence of gender on the satisfaction-loyalty mechanism in Vietnam’s FinTech personal lending context. A structured survey conducted between September 2023 and September 2024 produced 952 valid responses (47.3% male; 52.7% female) from active borrowers across the country’s three major regions. Measurement instruments, adapted from validated scales, demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.78) and validity (CR > 0.81; AVE > 0.51). Data were analyzed using covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) and multi-group analysis. The model achieved a satisfactory fit (CFI = 0.916; TLI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.059). Six of seven hypotheses were supported: perceived usefulness (β = 0.181, p < 0.001), trust (β = 0.132, p < 0.001), service quality (β = 0.173, p < 0.001), social influence (β = 0.070, p = 0.019), and hedonic motivation (β = 0.082, p < 0.001) enhanced satisfaction, which strongly predicted loyalty (β = 0.514, p < 0.001). Ease of use showed no significant effect (β = 0.052, p = 0.159). Multi-group analysis revealed gender asymmetries: perceived usefulness and hedonic motivation were decisive for men, whereas trust, service quality, and social influence were more influential for women. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive strategies to strengthen loyalty and support inclusive growth in Vietnam’s regulated FinTech lending sector.

Acknowledgment
This study would not have been possible without the support and guidance of several individuals and organizations. We extend our sincere gratitude to International School – Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Thuyloi University; and Banking Academy of Vietnam for providing the academic environment and resources necessary for this research.
Furthermore, we would like to express our gratitude to our family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this research journey.