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When do 3PLs initiate low-carbon supply chain integration?

Xiaohong Liu (School of Business, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China)
Cheng Qian (School of Business, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China)
Shenghui Wang (School of Business, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China)

International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Article publication date: 10 June 2020

Issue publication date: 30 November 2020

882

Abstract

Purpose

This paper draws on the perspective of social networks to examine when 3PLs initiate low-carbon supply chain integration (LCSCI) in decarbonising supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 348 Chinese 3PLs. Stepwise regression was adopted to analyse the data.

Findings

It is found that LCSCI has a positive effect on firm performance. From the social network perspective, a larger scope of outsourcing increases 3PLs' embeddedness, which increases their chance of success in initiating LCSCI, especially for 3PLs with higher decarbonisation capabilities. Interestingly, although the pressure from government regulation can also motivate LCSCI, it is less effective for 3PLs with higher decarbonisation capabilities because they can be too embedded in the network to freely adapt to regulations.

Research limitations/implications

This study has investigated 3PL-initiated LCSCI only from the view of 3PLs. A dyadic approach which includes the perception of customers would be desirable.

Practical implications

The results highlight the critical role of 3PLs as supply chain orchestrators in decarbonising supply chains, and the effectiveness of LCSCI as a competitive strategy of 3PLs. Coercive pressures from government regulations are not constraints but resources for 3PLs in initiating LCSCI, especially in markets where the 3PLs have insufficient decarbonisation capabilities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to theories on 3PLs' interorganizational low-carbon initiatives, LCSCI, and the paradox of social networks in supply chains.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Author names are listed alphabetically and all authors contributed equally. The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to the guest editor, Prof. Gyöngyi Kovács, and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions on improving the paper. This study is being supported by Beijing Natural Science Foundation (9162015) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71902205, 71573292; 71774182).

Citation

Liu, X., Qian, C. and Wang, S. (2020), "When do 3PLs initiate low-carbon supply chain integration?", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 40 No. 9, pp. 1367-1395. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2019-0809

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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