The impact of firm size, firm age and environmental management certification on the relationship between green supply chain practices and corporate performance

Disentangling circular economy practices and firm's sustainability performance: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises

This paper systematically and critically reviews the literature on the intersection of circular economy practices (CEPs) and sustainability performance (SP). We synthesize and analyze the extant literature to uncover the knowledge gaps, highlight the contradictory views, and provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Following a detailed database search, we selected 104 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals for analysis. Our review reports the publication trends, top publishing journal outlets, research methodologies, and empirical contexts. We outline the theoretical underpinnings, identify the diverse circular economy practices and the key factors that impact circular economy practices and sustainable performance. The review shows a propensity for most authors to reuse established theories or not use theory at all, revealing the need for theory development. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that R&D and innovation, digital technologies, organizational capabilities/resources, and stakeholder and institutional pressure substantially influence the CEPs - SP relationship. Through our detailed assessment of the existing literature, we identified and proposed several themes and avenues for future research.

Green human resource management and economic, social and environmental performance: Evidence from the Spanish wine industry

The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on the economic, social, and environmental performance of Spanish wineries. Additionally, age, size, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) membership are introduced as control variables in order to increase the accuracy of the cause-effect associations examined. To reach this objective, a conceptual model has been constructed and assessed through Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using data gathered from a survey conducted between September 2022 and January 2023, involving 196 Spanish wineries. The results demonstrate the occurrence of a positive and meaningful relationship between GHRM activities and the three yield typologies assessed in the Spanish wine context. This study is novel in the academic literature on environmental and human resource management, since, to the best of our knowledge, no previous research has looked into the effect of GHRM on the sustainable performance of Spanish wineries. Thus, it is useful for both academics and wine industry professionals who are examining potential variables that can catalyze winery performance.

Changes in environmental performance with firm relocation and its influencing mechanism: An evidence of chemical industry in jiangsu, China

A micro firm relocation perspective plays important roles in deepening the understanding and knowledge on the environmental effects of industrial transfer and related mechanisms, however, such research and cases are currently scarce. Based on the building of both the database of firm relocation information and a conceptual framework of changes in environmental performance with firm relocation (ΔEP), involving factors of firm heterogeneity and changes in both locational conditions and whole-process pollution treatment paths, chemical firms in Jiangsu Province were selected to explore their ΔEP and related influencing mechanisms by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test of two paired samples and a binary logistic regression model in this study, respectively. Results showed that during 1998-2014, chemical firm relocation experienced a fluctuating growth trend with a continuous surge in inter-city relocation, accompanied by a deterioration in the environmental performance (EP) with a significant reduction of pollution removal intensity (p < 0.01) after firm relocation. Most firms relocated from Southern Jiangsu (72.5%) to places adjoining Jiangsu Province (58.5%), along the river and the coast (63.4%), and in the third- and fourth-tier cities (73.5%), respectively. As for these factors, the low development level of transfer-out (DTOR) and transfer-in region (DTIR) both resulted in the downgrading EP with firm relocation, but the inter-city relocation style (RS) and strict environmental regulation (ER) were the opposite. The benefits for upgrading EP after relocation conferred by the promotion of source-process treatment were limited by RS, DTOR, and DTIR. Among firms relocated to low DTIRs, the higher the firm competitiveness in terms of capital, technology, and environmental awareness, the greater the upgrading EP probability. When firms transferred to regions with stricter ER, the likelihood of improving EP increased more for those firms with weak competency. In a word, in order to prevent the pollution haven effect, superior governments should shrink regional differences in ER policies, whereas local governments in transfer-in regions should provide targeted and essential support in funding and technology according to the firm heterogeneity and fully consider actual conditions to make environmental measures in the future.

Assessing the role of green supply chain management in enhancing Pakistan manufacturers' performances

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of success factors of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) dimensions (i.e., green purchasing, internal environmental management, cooperation with customers, eco-design, and investment recovery) and their impact on the Organizational Performance of Manufacturers in Pakistan on three pieces of levels of execution (i.e., Environmental Performance, Economic Performance, and Operational Performance), whereas GSCM practices in developing countries like Pakistan need to be explored. Data was collected from managers of 220 business firms in Pakistan through survey questionnaires with a purposive sampling technique. The target population consisted of managerial employees (business experts and executives) from private business firms, and partial least square-structural equation modeling was used for analysis. All GSCM dimensions were found significant in at least one of the performances, except eco-design on environmental performance and green purchasing on economic performance, either clearly or indirectly. The proposed model assembles and provides the respondents' distinctive working areas: electronic gadgets, automobile process and machinery sectors. Moreover, the appraisal of the connection between five developments of GSCM practices and three builds with the effect of the green distribution of authoritative execution in the Pakistan assembling setting offers an extraordinary theoretical commitment to exploring the green supply chain management field. First, this research is done by studying the green supply chain management dimensions of different performances of manufacturing firms in Pakistan, which has never been done before. Second, it contributes to the existing literature on critical success factors of GSCM. Manufacturing firms should implement GSCM practices to improve all three types of performance, i.e., environmental, economic, and operational.

The moderating role of leadership on the relationship between green supply chain management, technological advancement, and knowledge management in sustainable performance

The escalation of regulatory obligations in order to reshape and implement eco-friendly operations make it essential for firms to execute the related strategies and enhance their position in a competitive market. Scholars and practitioners, thereby, have aligned their search in the area of sustainability to get to know regarding activities that might improve the outcomes of business practices. To contribute in a particular area, the study attempts to explore the critical role of knowledge management, technological advancement, and green supply chain (SC) management on SBP in the presence of a moderator-leadership. China is used as a study sample, and the study model was evaluated through structural equation modelling. Statistical findings indicate that knowledge management, technological advancement, and green SC management have a positive influence on SBP in China. The findings reveal that leadership support significantly moderates knowledge management, technological advancement, green SC management, and SBP in China. These outcomes guide regulators in making regulations related to sustainable performance using the best practice of SC, technology advancement, and knowledge management.

Moderating role of green knowledge sharing and employee green behavior among the relationship of green supply chain management, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable development goal: evidence from Vietnam textile sector

Green knowledge sharing and behaviors are vital for organizations to implement green supply chain management and promote green entrepreneurship. These solutions support firms to understand market and customer needs through which they are able to carry out the practices which strengthen their sustainability. By realizing the significance, the research develops a model which integrates the concept of green supply chain management, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable development goals. The framework also builds to evaluate the moderating role of green knowledge sharing and employee green behavior. Proposed hypotheses are tested in the sample Vietnamese textile managers, and PLS-SEM methodology was employed to evaluate the model reliability, validity, and association among constructs. Generated results reveal the positive impact of green supply chain and green entrepreneurship on sustainable environment, and results also reveal that green knowledge sharing and employee green behavior both have the potential of being a moderator which enhances the relationship among outlined constructs. The revelation provides important insights for organizations to look into these parameters in order to achieve sustainability in a longer run.

A study on the relationship between compensation gap within the top management team and corporate performance: An empirical research based on the moderation effect of fairness preference

This study explores the relationship between the compensation gap within the top management team (TMT) and corporate performance. We focus on how the fairness preference of the TMT moderates this relationship. The existing researches on the relationship between the compensation gap within the TMT and corporate performance are inconclusive. The reason may be that the traditional tournament theory is based on the hypothesis of self-interest preference of homo economicus. In the research, the fairness preference theory is added to the traditional tournament model, and a more realistic tournament model considering fairness preference is constructed. Based on the analysis of the theoretical model and the empirical regression analysis of the panel data of 733 non-financial A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets from 2014 to 2020, we draw the following main conclusions: (1) There is an inverted U-shaped relationship between the TMT compensation gap and the corporate performance. Within the optimal compensation gap, there is a significant positive correlation. The larger the compensation gap, the better the corporate performance will be. When the optimal compensation gap is exceeded, there is a significant negative correlation. The larger the compensation gap, the worse the corporate performance will be. (2) The fairness preference of the TMT will weaken the correlation between the TMT compensation gap and corporate performance. Within the optimal compensation gap, the fairness preference will weaken the positive relationship between them, and when it exceeds the optimal compensation gap, the fairness preference will also weaken the negative relationship between them.

Critical success factors for adopting green supply chain management and clean innovation technology in the small and medium-sized enterprises: A structural equation modeling approach

Organizational sustainability in the form of environmental management and sustainable production is becoming more important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the world. This research evaluates the factors affecting the understanding of the CEO's and managers' intention to adopt practices of green supply chain management (GSCM) and clean innovation technology (CIT) in the manufacturing SMEs of Pakistan. This empirical research identifies key determinants influencing the adoption of GSCM practices. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we selected a sample size of 350 different manufacturing firms in Pakistan. The results of the study revealed that six factors, namely, environmental, government, organization, suppliers, market, and operational factors, significantly influence the intention to adopt GSCM and positively impact sustainable production. The study's findings reveal that market and operational factors are highly significant for adopting GSCM practices at a p-value of 0.05. Environmental and organizational factors are equally significant to adopt GSCM practices at a p-value of 0.10. This research also analyzed CIT as a moderator between environmental, government, organization, customer, supplier, economic, market, and operational factors in the context of Pakistan. Hypotheses H9a, H9b, H9f, and H9g were validated and support the use of CIT to boost enterprise production and consumption. The research findings would help policymakers understand how to implement GSCM practices and guide enterprises to implement GSCM and CIT practices for enhancing enterprise performance and environmental sustainability.

A Dynamic Perspective on the Gender Diversity–Firms’ Environmental Performances Nexus: Evidence from the Energy Industry

We explore the role that a country’s economic and political uncertainty plays in shaping its environmental performance. We put emphasis on the role played by gender diversity in the board of firms, and we address two limitations characterizing the literature on the topic: (i) the use of static modelling that prevents identifying static and dynamic endogeneity and (ii) the assumption that the relationship is linear, which prevents accounting for the factors that affect the magnitude and the shape of this nexus. Using a System-GMM approach, we find evidence that gender diversity is associated positively with firms’ environmental results. Furthermore, the intensity of this relationship is increasing in gender diversity, and more importantly, the effect tends to be greater in less uncertain countries. These findings are of first importance in terms of the policy. Improving environmental quality can be achieved cost-effectively through the promotion of gender diversity, along with building/strengthening institutions to mitigate the effects of economic and political uncertainty. The benefits of these actions can support an effective implementation of the UN SDGs related to gender equality (Goal 5) and several environment-related SDGs (Goal 13 and Goal 15).

The impact of green supply chain management on enterprise environmental performance: a meta-analysis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze the relationships between green supply chain management (GSCM), enterprise environmental performance (EEP) and the moderating role of the market environment, regional culture, sampling area and industry type.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructed a comprehensive theoretical model and used a meta-analysis of 65 independent samples (total sample size: 14,196) to examine the relationships between GSCM and EEP.

Findings

The results show that GSCM has a moderate positive impact on EEP. Moreover, all dimensions of GSCM positively influence EEP, and internal environmental management has the most significant effect. Additionally, these two relationships can be moderated by the market environment, regional culture, sampling area and industry type.

Originality/value

This study reveals that GSCM can help improve EEP and draw more general and regular conclusions. This study expands the application of meta-analysis methods in GSCM, partly avoiding the limitations of traditional empirical research methods. In addition, the conclusion of this study explains the reasons for the differences in different research results: some scholars did not incorporate market environment, regional culture, sampling area and industry type as moderators in the research process, thus leading to divergent conclusions in the relationship between GSCM and EEP. Therefore, the research conclusion enriches the theoretical research boundary of GSCM.

Investigating Performance Outcomes under Institutional Pressures and Environmental Orientation Motivated Green Supply Chain Management Practices

Purpose: The study investigates the role of institutional pressures and environmental orientation in implementing green supply chain practices (GSCPs) in firms. The aim is to construct a comprehensive model based on institutional theory (InT) and resource-based view (RBV) that will help study the effect of GSCPs on performance-based outcomes of industrial firms. Study Design: The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and data were collected from 351 supply chain management professionals from different manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, a questionnaire was structured to collect data, and the hypothesis of the study was tested using the PLS-SEM modeling. Findings: The study findings showed a significant effect of institutional pressure on GSCPs. Also, another significant impact of environmental orientation on GSCPs was noted. Lastly, GSCPs of manufacturing companies have a significantly positive effect on economic and ecological performances. Originality: This paper is one of the first to include institutional theory, the resource-based view, institutional pressures, environmental orientation, GSCPs, and company performances outcomes. Also, the paper provides details about performance outcomes by scattering Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and gives direction to managers for the successful implementation of these practices.

Analysing drivers of efficiency in the leather industry: a two-stage double bootstrap DEA approach

Purpose

The Indian leather industry contributes to economic growth at a significant environmental cost. Due to the rising global demand for sustainable leather products, promoting efficient input utilisation has become vital. This study measures input efficiency and its determinants for leather industry in order for it to improve its future performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage, bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach is used for measuring efficiency and analysing firms' differences based on their geographical location, organisational structures, urban-rural location and sub-industrial groups. A second stage regression examines efficiency determinants using size, age, skill and capital-labour intensity as the explanatory variables.

Findings

Efficiency result shows a significant potential of minimising inputs by 47% provided the firms adopt best practices. West Bengal firms, urban located firms, individual and proprietorship owned firms and leather consumer goods firms are found to be relatively efficient to their counterparts. Size, skilled managerial staff and labour-intensive firms positively affect efficiency.

Practical implications

Construction of well-connected roads for accessing urban retail markets and provision of reliable electricity would improve efficiency of rural firms. Small-scale enterprises have a larger share in Indian leather industry; therefore, policy should focus on enhancing the firms' scale and investing in training facilities to skill employed labour for ensuring optimal use of inputs.

Originality/value

Previous studies on the leather industry have used the conventional DEA efficiency measurement approach. This study uses DEA bootstrapping model for robust efficiency estimates and provides consistent inferences about the determinants.

Industry 4.0 implementation and Triple Bottom Line sustainability: An empirical study on small and medium manufacturing firms

Background

The current level of industrialization has generated many challenges worldwide, including ecological hazards, climate change, and the overuse of non-renewable natural resources, thereby creating an increasing demand for achieving the goal of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). In this regard, Industry 4.0 can be used as a crunch point to contribute to the production process that can help achieve sustainable development.

Purpose

While the Malaysian government proposed the “Industry4ward” approach to enhance technological adoption, there is scarce empirical evidence in the literature that validates SMEs for Industry 4.0. Using Dynamic Capability View (DCV), this study proposes a framework that includes core determinants like top management commitment, supply chain integration, and IT infrastructure, that can significantly influence Industry 4.0 implementation toward achieving TBL sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing simple random sampling, the study adopted a quantitative approach based on 199 useable respondent's feedback collected through a survey questionnaire of 900 employees from Malaysian SMEs. The statistical analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (Partial Least Square, SmartPLS 3.3.2).

Findings

The results show that top management and IT infrastructure significantly impact Industry 4.0 implementation and sustainability. In contrast, the analysis also demonstrates that supply chain integration is insignificant to Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs. The findings also indicate that the relationship between the determinants of Industry 4.0 and TBL sustainability can be mediated by the “effective implementation” of Industry 4.0.

Recommendations

The study highlights the practical consequences of the role and use of the determinants in Industry 4.0 implementation. Its findings help managers and policy-makers to optimize value creation to achieve sustainable development goals.

Limitations and future research

Focusing only on Malaysian manufacturing SMEs may restrict the generalization of the study; thus, a benchmarking analysis from other industrial settings is encouraged. The questionnaire-based survey is a further limitation of the study.

Big data-driven supply chain and performance: a resource-based view

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to study the role of supply chain performance (SCP) as a mediator between big data-driven supply chain (BDDSC) and firm sustainable performance. In addition, the role of firm age as a moderator between BDDSC and SCP as well as between SCP and firm sustainable performance has also been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The 200 managers of medium or senior level positions in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) located at Delhi-NCR have been contacted. Further, collected data have been confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In this paper, structure equation modeling (SEM) has been employed to empirically check the proposed hypotheses and their relationships.

Findings

The findings confirmed that SCP mediates the link between BDDSC and firm sustainable performance. Additionally, firm age moderates the association between BDDSC and SCP as well as between SCP and firm sustainable performance.

Research limitations/implications

The role of SCP and firm age between BDDSC and sustainable performance have been examined in the context of MSMEs in Delhi-NCR and thereby limit the generalization of results to other industries and country contexts.

Originality/value

The present study adds to the existing literature via recognizing the blackbox using SCP and firm age to comprehend BDDSC and firm sustainable performance relationship.

Sustainable service supply chain management: from a systematic literature review to a conceptual framework for performance evaluation of service only supply chain

Purpose

Despite increasing attentions to sustainable service supply chain management (SSSCM), a framework for performance evaluation of sustainable service only supply chain management (SSOSCM) is still missing. This paper tries to fill this gap and provides a novel conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The articles related to SSSCM are fetched from the databases of SCOPUS and Web of Science. Analysis of 174 articles identified by the systematic literature review is further carried out.

Findings

This research identifies the sustainable practices for service only supply chain (SOSC) as environmental management, social management, economic management, customer management, health, safety and risk management, technical sustainability, institutional sustainability, information and technology management as well as two performance measurement criteria as operational performance and organizational performance. This paper provides a novel conceptual framework for the performance evaluation of SSOSCM. The results call for future exploration in the following three broad directions-(1) customer's perception, involvement and their behaviour towards sustainability in SOSC context; (2) trade-off, incentive mechanism and multilevel evaluation for achieving sustainability in SOSC and (3) sustainability in SOSC from various point of views.

Practical implications

The managers can use the framework to assess the performance of the organization while researchers can explore the discussed research gaps.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that provides a novel conceptual framework for the performance evaluation of SSOSCM as well as potential future research directions.

Internal environmental management and green human resource management: significant catalysts for improved corporate reputation and performance

Purpose

This paper investigates the combined effect of internal environmental management (IEM) and green human resource management (GHRM) on corporate reputation (CR), environmental performance (EP) and financial performance (FP). The paper further explores the indirect effects of CR and EP between the direct paths.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are garnered from 164 firms from three industries in Ghana. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is the methodological technique used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The result demonstrates that unlike IEM which has a significant effect on FP when implemented in isolation, GHRM does not have a significant effect on FP. However, the joint implementation of IEM and GHRM can provide better results in terms of improved CR, enhanced EP and significant FP improvement. CR and EP were further found to mediate the relationship between the direct paths.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the joint implementation of IEM and GHRM is critical for firms that seek to enjoy superior reputation, enhance their environmental sustainability and achieve financial gains. Consequently, managers are strongly encouraged to create a sustainable and vibrant company via significant and rational investment in green initiatives like IEM and GHRM.

Originality/value

This study happens to be one of the first to develop a research model that investigates the joint effect of IEM and GHRM within the context of CR, environmental sustainability and FP.

Environmental performance in manufacturing companies: a benchmarking study

Purpose

This study aims to explore manufacturing companies' environmental performance with the green supply chain management (GSCM) approach, taking into account company size, geographic region, industrial sector, target market and environmental management maturity level.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, five propositions were put forward. An empirical study, using survey research, was completed. The survey questionnaire was designed with 46 items, using both the literature and industry expert input. Statistical analysis was employed to test the propositions in a sample of 116 Colombian manufacturing companies.

Findings

The test results indicate that significant environmental performance differences exist, given company sizes and target markets. However, no statistical significance was found involving the geographic region or industrial sector. Significant differences were found in maturity levels between the three clusters identified: reactive, preventive and proactive. Although the companies in the proactive group performed better, they still lagged in green practices that implied integration with suppliers and customers.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical evidence regarding the profile of those manufacturing companies that achieve better environmental performance. Moreover, the results yield insights for the generation of continuous improvement processes in companies with lower performance.

Originality/value

Few empirical studies have been carried out in GSCM that integrate specific factors in the environmental performance assessment of manufacturing companies in developing countries. On the other hand, the results permit the identification of the profile of those companies with greater maturity in their environmental practices.