How humane entrepreneurship fosters sustainable supply chain management for a circular economy moving towards sustainable corporate performance

Abstract

Growing environmental and social issues pose a challenge to the business world as to how to sustain and grow in an environment characterised by uncertainties. Drawing upon a systematic literature review, this study prioritises on examining the impact of humane entrepreneurship (HumEnt) on sustainable corporate performance (SCP) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economy because this extent remains scant in the current literature. Furthermore, it also explores whether sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) mediates the relationship between HumEnt and SCP. Simultaneously, examining whether green corporate social responsibility (GCSR) moderates HumEnt's influence on SSCM. This study follows quantitative approach using Smart PLS version 3.3.2 to analyse Structural Equation Modelling to investigate the structural relationships. There were 468 valid responses obtained from the main survey. The survey participants are those who hold senior levels at the selected enterprises. The results reveal that HumEnt has a positive and meaningful relationship with SSCM and SCP. In addition, SSCM partially mediates the relationship between HumEnt and SCP. Besides, GCSR positively and significantly affects SSCM, and simultaneously moderates HumEnt's influence on SSCM. Given the above discussion on the gap, the main finding of this study is a novelty in the field. These contributions may be of interest to business practitioners, business leaders and academics. In this context, circular economy practices are essential in promoting SSCM to achieve sustainable performance. This study seeks to provide an influence map on how GCSR involves realizing HumEnt to promote SSCM for a circular economy to achieve greater sustainability.