A Meta‐Analysis of Environmentally Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices and Firm Performance

Purpose This paper seeks to contribute to the understanding of the impact of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices on sustainable performance and the further impact of sustainable performance on food safety assurance in Chinese food firms. The paper also aims to provide a new way to avoid the occurrence of food safety problems from the perspective of SSCM and so help food firms to achieve sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach This paper developed a conceptual model to investigate the impact of food firms SSCM practices on the firm performances while firm performances on food safety assurance. The primary data were collected from 162 Chinese food firms. The research models were tested using structural equation modeling on PLS smart 3.0. Findings The results show that SSCM practices have a positive impact on firm environmental performance and social performances. The environmental and social performance positively related to financial performance. Moreover, the sustainable performance positively affects the food safety assurance. Research limitations/implications Our results suggest that SSCM practices have a positive impact on a firm’s environmental and social performance, which in turn improves financial performance. Moreover, sustainable performance positively affects food safety assurance. Originality/value An SSCM practices model is proposed to empirically evaluate Chinese food firms. The results of this investigation support the hypotheses that SSCM practices are environmentally and socially friendly and are good to business, and the food safety assurance can be promoted by a food firm’s sustainability performance. We carried out a survey and research of SSCM in food industry and gave insights to food safety management.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of food safety level on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and firm performance of the core firm of the food industry in China and we used data from 372 companies in the Chinese food supply chain for our research. Key informants evaluate their companies based on SSCM practices. The results were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that SSCM practices are very important for the food firms, since they can improve the food safety level and further enhance the firms' economic, environmental, and social performances. The authors also found out that the food safety mediates the relationship between SSCM practices and environmental and social performance, and that if a food firm wants to make SSCM practices impact on the economic performance, it must pay attention to the responsibility for food safety in the internal SSCM practices. A comprehensive SSCM practices and firm performance model done empirically in food firms is proposed in conjunction with the mediating role of food safety level in this paper to provide new ideas and management methods for Chinese food firms to develop more effective food safety management.

PurposeAchieving sustainability within supply chain operations is widely considered to boost firms’ competitiveness and bottom line. Thus, researchers have examined the implications of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on firm performance outcomes, albeit with inconclusive results. Also, significant unexplored gaps exist regarding the intervening role of supply chain integration (SCI). Anchored in the political economy theory, this study explored how different forms of SCI mediate the relationship between each of the triple-bottom-line (TBL) pillars of SSCM practices and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research model and associated hypotheses were tested using 455 survey data obtained from a cross-section of Ghanaian firms and the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe results indicate that all the TBL dimensions of SSCM practices significantly and positively impact firm performance. Nevertheless, various forms of SCI mediate the link between SSCM practices and firm performance differently. Specifically, the findings reveal that customer integration and internal integration mediate the relationship between SSCM practices and firm performance. Supplier integration mediates the relationships between the economic and environmental aspects of SSCM practices and firm performance but not the relationship between the social dimension and firm performance.Originality/valueThis study fulfills a noteworthy literature gap by providing empirical evidence of the mediating role of SCI in translating SSCM practices into better firm performance, especially in the context of a developing country. Thus, it offers guidance for firms to leverage integration with strategic supply chain partners and implement SSCM practices effectively and, in turn, to ensure better performance.

The study explores the impact of ecological supply chain management practices such as Green Supply Chain, environmental and operational management practices of organizational performance in Ghana. The organizational performance was measured based upon three parameters constituting Sustainable Environmental Performance (SENP), Sustainable Economic Performance (SECP), and Competitiveness (COMP). Exogenous factors included the constructs of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices and the single-item construct voluntary adoption of SSCM practices, while endogenous variables included the three aspects of firm performance. The relationship between sustainable management practices and organizational performance was ascertained using Structural Equation Modeling. A few significant results are presented as follows; (1) Environmental Management Practices (EMP) results in enhanced Sustainable Environmental Performance (SENP) and Sustainable Economic Performance (SECP); (2) Organizational Performance has a strong correlation with SECP and COMP; (3) SECP has a substantial and favorable relationship with both competitiveness and sustainable environmental performance, as well as sustainable economic performance. The positive relationship between SSCM practices and firm performance demonstrates that continual sustainable management principles eventually improve community capacity. This ultimately results in an organization’s competitiveness. Additionally, the managerial implications of the results are addressed.

How assessment and cooperation practices influence suppliers’ adoption of sustainable supply chain practices: An inter-organizational learning perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute significantly to the empirical investigations related to the impact of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on performance in Chinese firms. The paper also aims to theorize and empirically assess a comprehensive SSCM practices and performance model. The model incorporates two aspects of SSCM practices: internal and external management, and analyses the impact on corporate sustainability performance from all dimensions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a conceptual model to investigate the impact of SSCM practices on the firm performance. Based on the data of 172 Chinese firms, this paper analyzes the impact of SSCM practices on firm economic performance, environmental performance, and social performance for each dimension by using PLS structural equation methods.FindingsThe results show that firm’s internal SSCM practices have a positive impact on firm’s environmental performance and social performance. Moreover, environmental performance and social performance are positively related to economic performance.Originality/valueA comprehensive SSCM practices performance model is proposed and empirically assessed for Chinese firms. The results of this investigation support the hypotheses that SSCM practices are environmentally and socially necessary and are favorable for business. A series of approach and implications of SSCM practices is recommended.

Since ecological deterioration and social discrepancy are intensifying, multiple stakeholders are driving companies to incorporate sustainability in their supply chains. Thus, integrating non-traditional supply chain stakeholders, such as non-governmental organizations and competitors, in supply chain practices is essential for achieving a more sustainable supply chain. Hence, this research aims to show how stakeholders and their roles are related to sustainable supply chain management practices. A systematic literature review including 78 peer-reviewed English journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 was conducted. The results suggest that multiple supply chain external and internal stakeholders drive, facilitate, or inspect the implementation of sustainable supply chain management practices. While governmental and non-governmental organizations are key drivers for implementing sustainable supply chain management practices, they can also support their implementation. Moreover, proactive engagement with external supply chain stakeholders facilitates the organizational learning process through capability development, increasing understanding and awareness of sustainability, and creating knowledge. This study strengthens the value of proactive and collaborative measurements to deal with stakeholder issues before putting pressure on a company, which can result in reputation and legitimacy loss. These insights enrich the theoretical debate while explaining stakeholders’ relevance and roles in the sustainable supply chain management context. However, the study has some limitations regarding the chosen sustainable supply chain management and stakeholder constructs and potential within-study bias, offering possibilities for further research.

The use of sustainable supply chain management practices allows companies to increase their revenues, while still balancing the triple bottom line of sustainability, which covers economic, environmental, and social concerns. Companies are looking to enhance their environmental performance by using sustainable supply chain management practices. The effect of supply chains on the environment cannot be understated. Numerous studies have been conducted investigating different facets of supply chain practices. However, research on sustainable supply chain management frameworks is fragmented, providing little or no guidance to practitioners. Thus, there is still a need for the provision of a comprehensive framework for optimizing the environmental impact of production and distribution processes. The overall objective of this study was to identify existing frameworks and propose a framework to guide practitioners and academics. A systematic literature review and meta-analytical methodology were applied. The analysis considered 92 articles. The study specifically used content analysis. A comprehensive sustainable supply chain management framework was developed from the eight practices that were derived and categorized. Emerging sustainable supply chain management practices such as green procurement, reverse logistics and cooperative with customers have been included in the framework. This sustainable supply chain management framework provides a guide to supply chain managers about which practices to focus on. Future research should study the barriers of implementing sustainable supply chain management practices.

The reason behind the low adoption of sustainable supply chain management practices in developing countries is since emerging economies' supply chains face relatively more barriers to sustainability as compared to those which operate in developed countries. The research on the textile and apparel industry is mostly done in developed countries but empirical research on SSCM in developing countries is lacking. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key barriers that hinder the adoption of sustainable supply chain management practices and firm performance at the triple bottom line and what is the effect of firm size in tackling these barriers. Data is collected through a structured survey from B2B textile companies situated in Pakistan. After analyzing the exploratory factor analysis parameters, three groups of barriers are extracted: sectoral-economic, managerial, and supplier hindrance. The results exhibit that sectoral-economic and supplier hindrance has a significant effect on environmental management practices. Managerial barriers are significant with supply chain integration practices. Moreover, firm size significantly moderates the relationship of sectoral/economic barriers with environmental practices, and managerial barriers with social practices. Most importantly, the demand for societal awareness is required at both business and client levels to encourage organizations for adopting sustainable measures to gain competitiveness.

Manufacturing in Kenya has been declining, with the sugar industry facing intense competition that exacerbates its performance challenges. Despite the Kenyan government’s efforts to realize the economic pillar of Vision 2030, the manufacturing sector continues to encounter significant obstacles. Therefore, The general objective of the study was to determine influence of sustainable supply chain management practices on performance of sugar manufacturing firms in western Kenya. The study will specifically investigate the influence of environmentally sustainable supply chain practices on performance of state-owned sugar manufacturing in Western Kenya, examine the influence of socially sustainable supply chain practices on performance of state-owned sugar manufacturing in Western Kenya and establish the influence of economically sustainable supply chain practices on performance of state-owned sugar manufacturing in Western Kenya. The study is grounded on Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) Theory, Stakeholder Theory and Institutional Theory. The study will use a descriptive survey. The population for the study will 84 constitute 4 state-owned sugar manufacturing in Western Kenya. The research will employ the census technique.. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Additionally, inferential statistics, such as Pearson correlation, multiple regression, was employed to analyze and test the hypotheses. The findings of the study were presented using tables and charts to facilitate clear communication of the results. Findings revealed that socially and economically sustainable practices significantly improved the performance of state-owned sugar manufacturers in Western Kenya, whereas environmental sustainability showed no statistically significant impact on firm performance. The study concludes that embedding social equity and cost-efficiency measures into supply chain strategies is essential for competitive resilience, while environmental practices must be strategically integrated to become effective performance drivers. Accordingly, it is recommended that sugar manufacturers: embed environmental KPIs into core planning and procurement processes; institutionalize supplier-diversity and community-engagement frameworks to reinforce social sustainability; and adopt continuous-improvement methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma) alongside real-time performance dashboards to solidify economic sustainability.

Owing to the relatively small area and the decreasing natural resources of the Kingdom of Bahrain, businesses are searching for supply chains that are both sustainable and Greenly friendly. This study was conducted to determine the level of implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and the effect of these SSCM activities on the efficiency of supply chain companies in Bahrain. Bahraini companies are adopting two classes of SSCM practices: Renewable Packaging and Green Procurement. Five key components that make up the overall SSCM performance of the respondent firms were identified: Operational Performance, Efficiency, Green Performance; Corporate Social Responsibility; and Socio-economic Performance. The use of recyclable materials as packaging and the option of using only items that are safe at their end-of-life have a direct, positive and more importantly, significant impact on operational efficiency. Sustainable SSCM practices of Bahraini firms have a positive and significant impact on their sustainable supply chain efficiency.

Purpose: The aim of this research paper is to significantly contribute to empirical research on the impact of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on sustainable performances of firms, with the moderating effect of process innovation (PI), in the manufacturing sector in Pakistan. This paper also theorizes comprehensive SSCM practices and sustainable performance models of firms and evaluates them empirically. Two aspects of SSCM experiences have been integrated into the model: internal management and external management practices of a firm’s sustainability impact assessment. Research methodology: Using the data from 297 manufacturing firms in Pakistan, this research paper analyzes the influence of sustainable supply chain management practices on sustainable performances of firms with the moderation of process innovation in the said relationship. In this study, we used partial least-squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis. Results: The findings demonstrate that both internal management and external management SSCM practices have a positive and significant impact on a firm’s sustainable performance, thus supporting hypotheses (H1–H4). Moreover, process innovation as a moderator has a statistically significant relationship between hypotheses H5 and H5c. Originality: For Pakistani firms, comprehensive performance models of SSCM practices are proposed and empirically evaluated. The results of this study help to support the hypotheses that internal and external SSCM practices are necessary for the service sector. Process innovation plays an important role if managed and implemented properly. A number of internal and external SSCM approaches and implications are recommended, along with firm size as a moderator.

PurposeThis study aims to comprehensively assess how digital maturity degree (DMD) impacts sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) performance through the mediating role of SSCM practices in businesses in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were performed using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with data collected from a survey of over 234 managers having responsibility in the supply chain field in Vietnam. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with 6 experts to deepen understanding of the relationship between DMD and SSCM.FindingsThe results show the mix-results in the relationship between SSCM practices and SSCM performance dimensions while DMD strongly impacts SSCM practices. Also, this study finds the mediating role of SSCM practices on the relationship between DMD and SSCM performance.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the role of DMD on SSCM practices and SSCM performance, using empirical evidence. Moreover, the authors integrate both qualitative and quantitative for understanding complex SSCM phenomena. The present study also helps businesses improve their SSCM performance by leveraging SSCM practices and developing their digital technologies in the long-term view.

PurposeDrawing on the combined theoretical perspectives offered by the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices view and the resource-based view (RBV), this study aims to examine whether pursuit of environmental, social and economic sustainability measures of SSCM practices drive competitive advantage (CA) among fashion-apparel manufacturing organizations in an emerging economy. Furthermore, the study investigates whether the above relationships are mediated by productivity.Design/methodology/approachBased on a theoretically supported conceptual framework, a set of hypotheses are tested by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling on a sample of 345 export-oriented fashion-apparel manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. SmartPLS (v.3.2) is applied to analyze the path model through bootstrapping procedure.FindingsThe findings suggest that the direct relationship between social sustainability dimension of SSCM practices along and CA is positive and significant. While the direct relationships between environmental sustainability and CA, and economic sustainability and CA, were found to be non-significant. However, when productivity was applied as a mediator, all the paths were significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to the strategic management literature by presenting a combined theoretical perspective proposing the idea that sustainable supply chain practices can influence both productivity and CA, where productivity is a pertinent mediator.Practical implicationsThe study presents evidence for ready-made garments manufacturers in emerging economies on how compliance with environmental, social and economic sustainability measures in the supply chain of apparel manufacturers leads to gains in CA for the firms. Additionally, the study shows that such measures must also have a net positive impact on productivity to be able to influence CA significantly.Originality/valueThis paper appears to be among the first study that presents a framework based on a combined view of SSCM practices and RBV to empirically investigate the role of productivity as a mediator in the relationships between the sustainability dimensions of SSCM practices and CA in apparel manufacturing.

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of adopting sustainable Supply Chain Management practices on the performance of public sector organizations in Zambia. The study was anchored on three objectives: To identify the main drivers of adopting sustainable supply chain management practices in public sector organizations in Zambia, to establish sustainable supply chain management practices adopted by public sector organizations in Zambia and to determine the challenges of implementing sustainability in public sector supply chains in Zambia. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive (qualitative) survey design to assess the impact of adopting sustainable Supply Chain Management practices on the performance of public sector organizations. The population comprised of fifty (50) Zambia Air Force personnel from Procurement, Operations and Finance departments. Survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Data was analysed using Excel and thematic analysis was used were data from questionnaires and interviews was summarized, edited, coded, tabulated and analyzed. Findings: The study concluded that leadership is a significant factor in Sustainable supply chain management practices being implemented by public sector organizations, and if senior managers are supportive of sustainability and incorporate Sustainable supply chain management practices into planning, strategies and goal setting, then the purchasing team will implement Sustainable supply chain management practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommended that Zambia Air Force should make use of identified main drivers of adopting sustainable supply chain management practices, continuously improve sustainable supply chain management practices and should endeavor to overcome the challenges of implementing sustainability in its supply chains.