An integrative framework for sustainable supply chain management practices in the oil and gas industry

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.

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.

At present, scholars have thought little of the drivers for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in developing countries. Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Competing Value Framework (CVF) of organisational culture, this study investigates how the drivers for SSCM motivate Chinese firms to adopt SSCM practices and how such effects are moderated by organisational culture. The results of a survey of 209 firms in China suggest that the eight driving factors for SSCM have significantly impact on SSCM adoption. In addition, organisational culture plays different roles in the relationships between these three dimensions of the driving force and SSCM adoption. Team-based culture and hierarchy culture do not moderate the relationship between SSCM drivers and practices. Market-oriented culture positively moderates the relationship between subjective norm and SSCM practices and negatively moderates the relationship between perceived behavioural control (PBC) and SSCM practices. Active culture has positive moderating effect on the relationship between attitude and SSCM practices, as well as between subjective norm and SSCM practices, but has negatively moderating effect on the relationship between PBC and SSCM practices. The study provides meanings insights into the implementation of SSCM in the context of developing countries.

Sustainable supply chain management practices in Indian automotive industry: A multi-stakeholder view

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.

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.

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.

Commitment to and preparedness for sustainable supply chain management in the oil and gas industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of institutional pressures, institutional logics and institutional complexity on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices across mixed public and private sector supply chains.Design/methodology/approachMulti-case study data were collected from three tiers of food and catering supply chains: the customer/consumer tier; focal public sector UK Universities; and private sector suppliers/contractors.FindingsThe findings indicate that: normative and mimetic pressures are more prevalent in focal Universities, compared to suppliers; there is typically no single dominant logic across these supply chains; and the multiplicity of institutional logics (e.g. sustainability logic versus financial logic) increases institutional complexity. Therefore, in the typical case of homogeneity in terms of institutional pressures and logics, e.g. with a dominant sustainability logic throughout the supply chain, radical change in SSCM practices is facilitated. In contrast, in the more typical case when there is heterogeneity, with competing logics at different supply chain tiers, this limits SSCM to more incremental changes in practices.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to three tiers of the food and catering supply chains of UK Universities.Practical implicationsTo aid in the successful implementation of SSCM, this study suggests a need for managers to develop an initial understanding of the prevailing institutional logics and pressures at different tiers of the supply chain.Social implicationsA number of the SSCM practices studied address social sustainability.Originality/valueNo previous studies have empirically investigated the impact of institutional complexity in the context of SSCM practices across supply chains, involving both mixed public and private sector organisations.

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in thermal power plants is dependent on mostly three pillars: social factor, economic factor, and environmental factor. So, in this chapter, sustainable supply chain management of Indian thermal power sector is evaluated. Artificial neural network (ANN) method is implemented to measure whether the benefits of sustainable supply chain management are achieved after practices of sustainable supply chain management in Indian thermal power sector. This chapter also designs a framework by QFD (quality function deployment) method to find solution for some unsatisfactory measures (inputs in sustainable factors) that are not achieved against outputs. As sustainable supply chain management practices in thermal power plants are influenced by a significant number of interrelated enablers and barriers, the drivers or enablers of SSCM are taken as the design requirement to improve SSCM in thermal power industries, and the most important driver is prioritized against the unsatisfied measurands in thermal power sector.

The study assessed the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices of 303 manufacturing firms in Ghana with an annual turnover of not less than $1,000,000, which were purposively selected for the study. A questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions was used to collect data on the SSCM practices of the firms, which were sustainable product design (SPD), sustainable process design (SP), supply-side collaboration (SSC) and demand-side collaboration (DSC). A weighted average index was used for the data analysis the results of which revealed that in manufacturing firms under study, SPD had a mean score of 4.44, SP had a mean score of 4.48, SSC had a mean score of 4.52 and DSC had a mean score of 4.52. The study identified many issues policymakers should look at to promote SSCM practices in manufacturing firms. In addition, policies should prioritise energy/material consumption; the reusing, recycling and recovering of materials; a standardised product design to facilitate reuse; environmentally-friendly materials, products and manufacturing processes; the easy disassembly of materials products; product life cycle analysis; and the formalisation of procedures for environmentally-friendly product design. Based on the diminishing of the world’s natural resources and the importance of SSCM, it is recommended that all manufacturing firms in Ghana and the world adopt SSCM practices. Moreover, manufacturing firms need to collaborate with their customers to anticipate and solve sustainability problems to achieve sustainability goals.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design and validate a reliable and comprehensive instrument to assess the influence of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on sustainable performance in hospitals.Design/methodology/approachA systematic and mixed-method approach was used to create and validate an instrument for assessing the level of implementation of hospital SSCM practices and the perceived extent of environmental, social and economic performance. This includes the development of preliminary items and the evaluation of content and construct validity. Data from Colombian hospitals was collected. Structural equation modeling was used to test the structural model.FindingsDuring the content validity phase, an initial version of the questionnaire consisting of 88 items was generated. This version was qualitatively and quantitatively reviewed and assessed by six academicians and two hospital practitioners, based on criteria of sufficiency, clarity, relevance and coherence. The computation of both individual and scale content validity indices, along with the qualitative feedback, led to the refinement of the questionnaire. The subsequent phase of construct validity involved the implementation of a pilot test with 55 responses gathered from Colombian hospitals. By considering the metrics of convergent validity and discriminant validity derived from the analysis of structural equation modeling, the final instrument was composed of 59 items. The results reveal that hospital SSCM practices can be conceptualized and measured through two dimensions: environmental and social. The former includes the underlying constructs of internal environmental management, green purchasing and green operations. The latter encompasses the constructs of working conditions and employee well-being, equity management, social purchasing and community development and participation. Sustainable performance is defined by its environmental, social and economic dimensions.Practical implicationsThis study is intended to provide useful insights for hospitals, researchers and policymakers to measure and develop strategies to enhance the implementation of SSCM practices, thereby improving sustainable performance. As a matter of fact, the instrument has already been applied in a recent empirical study conducted in Colombia, aimed at addressing the influence of SSCM practices on sustainable performance in hospitals.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to develop and empirically test an instrument for measuring the influence of SSCM on sustainable performance, both in the hospital setting and in an emerging country.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on triple bottom line (TBL) measures from the perspective of organizational theories. This study identified five SSCM practices using a comprehensive literature review and feedback from industry experts. These five practices were prioritized using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). The results from FAHP analysis were further confirmed by conducting semi-structured interviews in five electronics parts/components manufacturing organizations. This study also prioritized theoretical drivers of SSCM adoption based on the consideration of three organizational theory perspectives – Institutional Theory; Resource-Based View, and; Social Network Theory. The results indicate that the economic dimension was the most important measure for implementing SSCM while sustainable design was the most important SSCM practice for achieving the TBL. The study also found that Institutional Theory is the most important theoretical driver for implementing SSCM. The research findings provide insight for management to allocate necessary resources and to develop effective strategic directions for the implementation of SSCM practices.

Purpose – Most sustainable supply chains are situated in dynamic environments, which leads to the assumption that management of such chains requires the application of dynamic management theories, such as the dynamic capabilities (DC) concept. In spite of this, DCs have only scarcely been taken up in (sustainable) supply chain management (SSCM) research. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss the complementarities of DCs and SSCM research; and second, to develop a framework which integrates DCs in SSCM practices. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is conceptual in nature and grounded in SSCM and DC theory. Relevant literature from the SCM, SSCM and DC context has been scrutinized. In total, three models from SSCM and DC literature, together with related inputs from other literature sources, have been conjoined. Findings – DC and SSCM are linked through similar environmental and organizational conditions, making the application of DC concepts in the field of SSCM a logical choice. The framework embeds specific DCs into SSCM practices. Research limitations/implications – The presented framework is a step towards building an analytical basis for future empirical research in this area. Discussion on the nature of DCs is still going on, as well as on how to measure supply chain performance. The framework can only give indications and help in the theory building process. Furthermore, the underlying frameworks used for the development of the framework presented here have been derived through different methodologies and not all of them have, as yet, been (fully) empirically tested. Practical implications – Investment in DCs and implementation of SSCM practices improves the agility of the overall supply chain and can lead to higher performance against the three dimensions of sustainability. Originality/value – The paper is the first explicit framework linking SSCM and DC theory. The framework shows that the DC concept can be and indeed should be applied to SSCM research and practice. Furthermore, explicit DCs are put forward. It is a step towards building an analytical basis for future empirical research in this area.