Patterns of IT use: the impact on green supply chain management and firm performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenyang Jiang ◽  
Zhaojun Han ◽  
Baofeng Huo

PurposeThis study aims to explore how different patterns of IT use influence different types of green supply chain management (GSCM) with customers, and in turn, environmental and economic performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from 206 manufacturing companies in China, the authors used structural equation modeling (SEM) with the maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) method to test the conceptual model and the related hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that both IT use for exploitation and IT use for exploration are positively related to green strategy alignment and green process coordination, whereas the relationship between IT use for exploration and green strategy alignment is weaker. This study also finds that green strategy alignment has a marginal positive effect on economic performance, whereas its effect on environmental performance is not significant. Green process coordination has a positive effect on environmental performance, whereas its effect on economic performance is not significant.Originality/valueThis study extends the value of IT use in the GSCM field, enriching both literature on IT and GSCM. The findings provide significant managerial implications for managers to leverage IT resources to enhance GSCM and the corresponding performance.

Author(s):  
Yi-Chun Huang ◽  
Chih-Hsuan Huang ◽  
Min-Li Yang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how internal and external factors simultaneously drive firms to adopt green supply chain (GSC) initiatives and to construct a comprehensive research model by drawing upon institutional theory, stewardship theory, and view of performance. Design/methodology/approach The data collected from 380 manufacturers in the electrical and electronics industries in Taiwan were analyzed via structural equation modeling and bootstrapping. Findings First, institutional pressures affect the GSC initiatives of firms. Second, institutional pressures influence the environmental stewardship behaviors (ESBs) of managers. Third, the ESBs of managers affect the GSC initiatives of firms. Fourth, the GSC initiatives of firms influence their environmental performance, economic performance, and competitiveness. Fifth, the bootstrapping results reveal that institutional pressures indirectly affect the GSC initiatives of firms through the ESBs of managers. Research limitations/implications Environmental sustainability has intensified the need for firms to develop a corporate culture. Future research can investigate the relationship among the institutional pressures, greening corporate culture, and GSC initiatives of firms. Practical implications Those managers facing institutional pressures must continually focus on the effects of external factors on the GSC initiatives of their firms. They must also increase their commitment and support to such initiatives to attain favorable levels of environmental performance, economic performance, and competitiveness. Originality/value This study integrates four streams of literature on institutional theory, stewardship theory, GSC initiatives, and view of performance. Apart from analyzing field- and organization-level data simultaneously, this paper is also the first to demonstrate the relationships among institutional pressures, ESBs of managers, GSC initiatives, and firm performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Quintana Borazon ◽  
Yi-Chun Huang ◽  
Jen-Ming Liu

Purpose Green sustainability has become a critical challenge for businesses to execute green supply chain management (GSCM). Most of the literature on GSCM emphasizes regulations as drivers and few pieces of research are conducted from an internal organizational culture view. This study aims to use the cultural perspective of market orientation (MO) and draws on both the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capability view (DCV) to explore the relationships among green market orientation (GMO), GSCM capability and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,000 survey questionnaires were distributed to the Taiwanese electronics industry and 207 valid questionnaires were collected. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results show that GMOs have a significant positive impact on GSCM capability, environmental performance and economic performance. Moreover, GSCM capability is positively related to environmental and economic performance. The results also show that GMOs have a significant indirect influence on environmental performance and economic performance through GSCM capability. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest how Taiwan’s electrical and electronic manufacturers, while faced with pressure from competitors, customers and regulations (i.e. waste electrical and electronic equipment directive, Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and energy-using products directives), should efficiently and effectively implement GMO and enhance GSCM capability to improve organizational performance. Originality/value This study fills up the gap between MO and performance indistinct relationships. It has also integrated two perspectives, namely, NRBV and DCV, to explain GSCM capability as a mediator between GMO and organizational performance relationship and to examine the relationships among GMO, GSCM capability and organizational performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson Betti Frare ◽  
Ilse Maria Beuren

PurposeThis paper analyzes the mediating role of green process innovation in the relationships of green entrepreneurial orientation and proactive sustainability strategy with environmental performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze data from 81 Brazilian agriculture technology startups (AgTechs) using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).FindingsThe results show that the green process innovation assumes an important role in AgTechs, promoting full mediations between green entrepreneurial orientation and proactive sustainability strategy with environmental performance. There are two ways for AgTechs to achieve high environmental performance. In both, green process innovation is a central condition, while green entrepreneurial orientation or proactive sustainability strategy is a complementary condition.Research limitations/implicationsThis study demonstrates how internal elements (green entrepreneurial orientation, proactive sustainability strategy and green process innovation) improve environmental performance. This answers calls to explore which elements translate green entrepreneurial orientation and proactive sustainability strategies into environmental performance, by highlighting the mediating role of green process innovation.Practical implicationsThe findings are useful for founders and managers of AgTechs to find ways to manage sustainable technological advancement and cleaner production in agribusiness.Originality/valueThis study analyses the interface between sustainable entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation in promoting environmental performance of AgTechs from an emerging economy country.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-li Zhou ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
Yun Lin ◽  
Yan-dong He ◽  
Nan Wu

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the research on the influence of tech-innovation behavior on tech-innovation performance for Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Environmental performance has been taken into consideration with the green manufacturing and sustainability philosophy being a hotspot. Design/methodology/approach To verify the hypotheses and assumptions, a questionnaire was designed and a semi-structured interview was conducted for data collection. In addition, structural equation modeling (SEM) is applied to verify the influence model through assessing the fitting indexes based on the 317 questionnaire responses in the form of Likert-type scale. Findings Tech-innovation behavior and activity from direction, mode and investment behavior dimensions show their different positive influences on tech-innovation performance. This paper has creatively taken environmental tech-innovation performance into consideration, as well as economic performance. This investigation has provided the interpretation for each individual enterprise from three dimensions when conducting tech-innovation activity. Research limitations/implications Tech-innovation behavior, which has been a subject of extended discussion during recent decades, is the effective activity or action for tech-innovation. However, there have not been any studies on the environmental performance influence study, as well as the economic performance from these three dimensions and framework. Practical implications As this paper discusses the tech-innovation performance influence study from three dimensions, individual enterprises can choose the corresponding action for the proper tech-innovation path, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Originality/value This study helps managers recognize tech-innovation activities for better tech-innovation performance based on the empirical study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Jun Dai

Purpose The 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/approach This 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. Findings The 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/value A 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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Famiyeh ◽  
Ebenezer Adaku ◽  
Kwasi Amoako-Gyampah ◽  
Disraeli Asante-Darko ◽  
Charles Teye Amoatey

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between environmental management practices (EMP) and competitive operational performance with respect to reduced cost, improved quality, improved flexibility and improved delivery as well as overall environmental performance, of firms, using data from a developing country. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a survey approach with responses from 164 informants from different industries and used partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between EMP and competitive operational performance and their overall impact on the environmental performance of firms. Findings The results indicate that EMP by firms have a significant positive effect on firms’ competitive operational performance. Again, firms’ competitive operational performance has a partial positive effect on the overall environmental performance. It was also realized that the EMP initiated by a firm have a direct positive impact on the overall environmental performance of the firm. Research limitations/implications There is the need for organizations to take steps to plan and implement EMP since it is likely to enhance their competitive operational performance as well as their overall environmental performance. Practical implications The findings demonstrate the impact of EMP on competitive operational performance as well as on the overall environmental performance of firms. This is important as firms struggle with balancing investments in those practices against the perceived benefits that might be obtained from the practices. Originality/value The work provides insights and adds to the literature in the area of EMP and firm performance by providing evidence from a developing country environment. This study is among the few that have investigated the impact of EMP on firm performance in developing country environments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1457-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Afum ◽  
Victoria Yaa Osei-Ahenkan ◽  
Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah ◽  
Joseph Amponsah Owusu ◽  
Lawrence Yaw Kusi ◽  
...  

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine the explanatory link of green supply chain integration (GSCI) between green manufacturing practices (GMPs) and sustainable performance (economic [EP], environmental [EnP] and social [SP] performances) by using data from an emerging country.Design/methodology/approachAn explanatory research design was employed for the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 178 Ghanaian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Hypotheses were formulated and tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that GMPs have a significant positive effect on sustainable performance (EP, EnP and SP). Again, GMPs have a significant positive effect on GSCI. Additionally, GSCI plays a mediating role between green manufacturing practices and sustainable performance.Research limitations/implicationsIn this study, GSCI was compositely measured despite having three dimensions. Generalizing the findings is also not guaranteed since the sample constitutes Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs.Practical implicationsThe results provide significant ramifications for managers of manufacturing SMEs within Ghana and those in other sub-Saharan African context. Based on the results, managers of manufacturing firms will have stronger backing to invest in GMPs, while at the same time establish strong ties with eco-oriented supply chain partners so as to achieve their sustainable performance goals.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature in the area of sustainability and triple bottom line by providing evidence from a fast growing industrialized and emerging country.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Petljak ◽  
Katrin Zulauf ◽  
Ivana Štulec ◽  
Stefan Seuring ◽  
Ralf Wagner

Purpose Green supply chain management (GSCM) research is so far dominated by studies focusing on manufacturing companies, while research on retailers is missing. The purpose of this study is to assess the interaction between green in-store activities (environment-related infrastructure and retail in-store processes), GSCM and environmental and economic performance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on empirical evidence gathered from 190 responses by Croatian food retailers to a self-administered survey. The identified relationships in the conceptual model are tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results reveal a positive relation between green in-store activities and GSCM in food retailing regarding environmental and economic performance. The relevance of these relationships accrues from the positive association between GSCM and food retailers’ environmental performance, which in turn drives economic performance. It is noteworthy that green supply chain practices drive environmental and then also economic performance. Research limitations/implications The study extends the application of GSCM to retailing and, therefore, broadens its scope. However, the data collected are based on one country and, thus, should be extended to assess the impact of green retailing practices in the supply chain on environmental and economic performance in other countries. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first empirical analysis on the relationship between green in-store activities and GSCM in the context of food retail. This important link to customers has rarely been explored. Further, the representative sample of food retailers in Croatia is unique as generally data from Central and Eastern European countries are still rare. Finally, the operationalization of GSCM practices into three constructs as green logistics, green purchasing and cooperation with suppliers’ offers conceptual contributions to the GSCM field.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 20-22

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This paper considers the growing significance of green supply chain management (SCM) as a policy, which is likely to drive more organizations in the future. Survey responses from 367 supply chain managers produced some largely positive views. It seems that a combination of supply chain orientation and environmental orientation can have a positive effect on implementation of green SCM practices. However, the overall potential of this impact is not yet fully appreciated or understood. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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