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Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Hamid Moini, Olav J. Sorensen and Eva Szuchy-Kristiansen

The purpose of this study was to examine the issue of corporate environmentalism from a managerial perspective, specifically in connection to top management commitment and the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the issue of corporate environmentalism from a managerial perspective, specifically in connection to top management commitment and the need for competitive advantage, which can be integrated into the decision making of environmental strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from a recent online survey of 77 Danish firms. Surveyed firms in the study were divided into two categories based on their adoption of a green strategy. Univariate analysis of variance and step-wise discriminant analysis were used to identify variables that discriminate between these firms.

Findings

The results revealed that systematic planning to develop a green strategy coupled with each firm's view of the importance of formulating and implementing a green strategy are the key factors discriminating between the two groups of firms.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study did not consider external factors such as, governmental regulation, NGO pressure, etc. the authors do not rule out the importance of these factors. But it makes sense to conclude both internal and external factors (no necessarily equally) contributing to a successful adoption of green strategy.

Practical implications

It appears that adoption of a green strategy is a result of, mostly, internal factors. These factors are certainly within the control of management. Adopting any new strategy requires a wide range of knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, many managers and employees are deficient on their views about the importance of formulating and pursuing a green strategy. They need to be informed that half-hearted efforts in adopting a green strategy make the process both slow and difficult.

Social implications

Management commitment to systematic planning to develop and implement a green strategy is essential. Committed managers systematically explore the possibilities of gaining competitive advantages through a proactive strategy by transforming the nature of their products and organization. However, the management mindset does not change solely due to inner managerial drives, but in a more complex interplay with outside stakeholders, including customers, consumers, and non-governmental bodies. Therefore, the riskiest venture occurs when the firm and its management are not totally committed.

Originality/value

Developing a foundation for adopting a green strategy and verifying the results should contribute to a more comprehensive managerial understanding of how green strategies should be adopted by firms.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2023

Haerold Dean Zapata Layaoen, Ahmad Abareshi, Muhammad Dan-Asabe Abdulrahman and Babak Abbasi

Transport and logistics companies (TLCs) are vital to the world's economies but they account for one-third of the world's CO2 emissions which damage the environment, economy and…

Abstract

Purpose

Transport and logistics companies (TLCs) are vital to the world's economies but they account for one-third of the world's CO2 emissions which damage the environment, economy and society. For managers and policymakers to help improve the environmental performance of TLCs, using dynamic capability (DC) theory as the lens, a theoretical model was developed to show how environmental performance affects the TLCs' support requirements and economic and social outcomes. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned theoretical model.

Design/methodology/approach

All registered TLCs operating in the Philippines were sent an invitation and survey questionnaire, and 218 responded with complete and useable answers. From the collected data, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) served to evaluate the study's scale and model accuracies. Comprehensive CFA marker technique helped detect and correct for common method bias (CMB). Covariance-based structural equation modeling using AMOS 26 was implemented to test the model and hypotheses.

Findings

Using data from 218 participating TLCs operating in the Philippines, this study found that good environmental performance advances TLCs' economic and social performances, as well as their support infrastructure requirements. However, further financial support assistance from the government and non-government development organizations that can help save the environment are not required by eco performing firms.

Research limitations/implications

This research has provided some theoretical contributions to the knowledge on the greening TLCs. It uses the DC theory as the lens to understand how environmental performance relates to economic and social performance of TLCs and how it affects their demand for eco-enabling mechanisms and support infrastructure if they are to remain competitive, socially responsible and eco-friendly. By providing an epistemology on environmental performance and how it affects the support requirements, and economic and social outcomes of TLCs, it offers the literature and industry a tool/framework to better understand the dynamics of eco-performing TLCs operating in a developing country.

Practical implications

The results of this study, together with the extant operations management principles, can be used by TLC managers, policymakers and other stakeholders in crafting strategies, mechanisms and support systems that can help TLCs maintain sustainability for future generations.

Social implications

The environmentally sound practices of TLCs such as waste and emission reductions improve the health and welfare of people in and around where they operate. Health is wealth for the populace because healthy people are more productive, have more time and energy to work and are less likely to pay hefty medical expenses. Hence, realization of environmental performance by TLCs does not only do justice to the environment but also the quality of life of people.

Originality/value

Research on the sustainability of TLCs in developing countries especially in Southeast Asia is sparse. The literature has shown how various support systems affect the “greening” of firms, but what is not yet explored, is understanding how environmental performance affects the support requirements of TLCs so that their eco-endeavors are sustained and meaningful. As well, knowledge on how the environmental performance of TLCs affects their economic and social outcomes are under-investigated. This paper aims to fill these gaps in research by examining the sustainability of TLCs operating in the Philippines.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 43 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2009

Sofía López‐Rodríguez

The aim of this paper is to understand the connection between the motivations that drive firms to adopt green commitments and the impact of these engagements on firm performance.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to understand the connection between the motivations that drive firms to adopt green commitments and the impact of these engagements on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical underpinnings for the hypotheses are drawn from the existent literature on corporate environmental responsibility and the constructivist framework. These hypotheses are then tested through a SEM with data from a mail survey with 195 Spanish manufacturing firms that have adopted the international environmental management system ISO 14001.

Findings

The results suggest that in the process of implementing green commitments, not only instrumental and ecological motivations play a key role, but also the internal organizational activities, in addition to the outcomes of the implementation itself.

Research limitations/implications

This research study uses perceptual measures of a single informant from each Spanish firm. Research studies that add objective data and extrapolate the analysis to firms in other countries would be worthwhile to support this model.

Practical implications

According to this paper, firms can enhance the outcomes of their green engagements through involving diverse functional units, and by continuously assessing these results and scanning the drivers of change.

Originality/value

This paper suggests the greening of the manufacturing process as a multidimensional procedure and helps shed light on how to successfully manage it.

Details

Corporate Governance: The international journal of business in society, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

Purba Rao and Diane Holt

Green supply chain management is a concept that is gaining popularity in the South East Asian region. For many organizations in this region it is a way to demonstrate their…

40624

Abstract

Purpose

Green supply chain management is a concept that is gaining popularity in the South East Asian region. For many organizations in this region it is a way to demonstrate their sincere commitment to sustainability. However, if green supply chain management practices are to be fully adopted by all organizations in South East Asia, a demonstrable link between such measures and improving economic performance and competitiveness is necessary. This paper endeavors to identify potential linkages between green supply chain management, as an initiative for environmental enhancement, economic performance and competitiveness amongst a sample of companies in South East Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose a conceptual model was developed from literature sources and data collected using a structured questionnaire mailed to a sample of leading edge ISO14001 certified companies in South East Asia followed by structural equation modelling.

Findings

The analysis identified that greening the different phases of the supply chain leads to an integrated green supply chain, which ultimately leads to competitiveness and economic performance. Future research should empirically test the relationships suggested in this paper in different countries, to enable comparative studies. A larger sample would also allow detailed cross‐sectoral comparisons which are not possible in the context of this study.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first empirical evaluation of the link between green supply chain management practices and increased competitiveness and improved economic performance amongst a sample of organizations in South East Asia.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 25 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 July 2018

Seok-Beom Choi, Hokey Min and Hye-Young Joo

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of competitive market environments on the firm’s decision to adopt green supply chain management (GSCM) practices, while checking…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of competitive market environments on the firm’s decision to adopt green supply chain management (GSCM) practices, while checking to see if the firm’s commitment to particular types of GSCM practices improves its performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To confirm a positive link between the firm’s GSCM practices to its performance, the authors collected the data from 322 Korean firms via questionnaire surveys and then analyzed these data using the structural equation model.

Findings

Among various types of GSCM practices, green purchasing has the greatest impact on both manufacturing and marketing performances. Also, internal environmental management positively influenced both manufacturing and marketing performances, whereas cooperation with customers and reverse logistics had no significant impact on the firm’s manufacturing and marketing performances.

Originality/value

To provide a practical advice for firms which are hesitant to embrace green supply chain practices due to skeptical views about their true managerial benefits, this paper discerned more effective GSCM practices from less effective GSCM practices. In so doing, this paper is one of the few studies which pinpointed what types of specific GSCM practices are most effective in enhancing firm performance.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2022

Richard Kwasi Boso, Enoch Adusei and Emmanuel Demah

Industrialization has contributed to global environmental problems, especially in developed countries, but increasingly so in developing ones as well. Leveraging on the natural…

Abstract

Purpose

Industrialization has contributed to global environmental problems, especially in developed countries, but increasingly so in developing ones as well. Leveraging on the natural resource-based view theory, this study aims to examine the mediating role of environmental consciousness (EC) on the relationship between green intellectual capital (IC) and environmental performance among manufacturing firms in Ghana against a backdrop of increasing national drive towards greater industrialization.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data from 245 manufacturing firms using purposive sampling technique. Structural equation modelling was used to test for the hypothesized relationships among variables.

Findings

Evidence suggests that green IC has a significantly positive effect on environmental performance. Furthermore, it was found that green IC has a positive and significant effect on EC, but EC only mediated the relationship between green IC and environmental performance.

Practical implications

Manufacturing firms within emerging economies like Ghana can improve on their green practices by incorporating these findings in their business models, while research could be guided to focus their inquiries on this and related genre of scholarly work.

Originality/value

This study is an early-stage study to identify EC as a variable which mediates the relationship between green IC and environmental performance among manufacturing firms in an emerging economy like Ghana.

Article
Publication date: 16 December 2019

Wen Jun, Waheed Ali, Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto, Hadi Hussain and Nadeem Akhtar Khan

Currently, environmental and social concerns have made green innovation more popular among researchers and practitioners around the globe. Developed countries tend to focus more…

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Abstract

Purpose

Currently, environmental and social concerns have made green innovation more popular among researchers and practitioners around the globe. Developed countries tend to focus more on this issue, compared to developing countries. However, the reality shows that small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are considered as high contributors to environmental pollution. This study is designed for, and conducted on, SMEs in a developing country, Pakistan. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the main determinants of green innovation adoption in SMEs in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A data sample of 288 SMEs from five different sectors was collected and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that organizational and human resource factors, market and customer factors, and government support and technological factors have a positive and significant impact, whereas external partnership and cooperation, and rules and regulatory factors have an insignificant impact on green innovation adoption in SMEs in Pakistan.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the study have important implications for managers as well as for government policy makers regarding framing better policies to promote green practices in SMEs.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2020

Usman Al-Minhas, Nelson Oly Ndubisi and Fatima Zahra Barrane

Green human resource management (GHRM) and sustainable green logistics (SGLOG) are some of the mechanisms by which sustainable corporate environmental management could be…

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Abstract

Purpose

Green human resource management (GHRM) and sustainable green logistics (SGLOG) are some of the mechanisms by which sustainable corporate environmental management could be consummated. However, prior studies linking GHRM and green logistics are lacking in the literature. This paper extends prior efforts by developing a model linking GHRM and SGLOG.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative review of extant literature on green human resource management and sustainable green logistics was conducted, and an integrative model developed.

Findings

Improving environmental performance is a key way that businesses can improve their corporate social responsibility and brand image. The resulting model includes expanded components of GHRM (training, development, compensation, awards and recognition, recruitment, and performance management) and of SGLOG (transportation and shipping, warehousing, packaging, and reverse logistics). Categories of shipping and transportation include the following facets: transportation intensity, modal split, emissions intensity, energy efficiency, and vehicle utilization efficiency. The model also highlights the mediating role of management and employee attitudes, knowledge, and skills in the GHRM-SGLOG link, as well as their interaction.

Research limitations/implications

Green human resource management is associated with sustainable green logistics. This association is theoretically mediated by management and employee attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Top management support and influence of other stakeholders are key facilitators.

Practical implications

The paper suggests potential barriers to GHRM and SGLOG adoption/diffusion and panaceas. It also proposes some key drivers of sustainable green logistics and corporate environmental management.

Firms must carry out their operations in ways that do not compromise societal and environmental well-being. High economic performance alone no longer suffice. A balanced performance that also emphasizes social and environmental well-being (the triple bottom line, 3BL) can be achieve through the implementation of the proposed model.

Originality/value

The integrative model presented in the paper advances the current understanding of the link between GHRM and SGLOG. The paper adds additional value by unveiling some key future research directions.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2016

Dina Abdelzaher and William Newburry

Today, we are witnessing a wave of multinational corporations who seek to be recognized for being environmentally conscious, which can become a source of competitive advantage…

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Abstract

Purpose

Today, we are witnessing a wave of multinational corporations who seek to be recognized for being environmentally conscious, which can become a source of competitive advantage. But how many of them actually have the policies in place to achieve this? Drawing from the strategy literature, this paper aims to argue that firms who seek to achieve green reputation must align their policies in a way to achieve this goal.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a framework that discusses the key elements of the corporate environmental management process, and then empirically examines the impact of green policy on green reputation among Fortune 500 US firms.

Findings

The findings support a positive significant relationship between green policy and green reputation, with environmental performance to partially mediate this relationship. Insights from this study highlight the importance of focusing on company-level green policy for building green reputation as well as for discriminating across the flux of corporations that all claim to be environmentally conscious or green.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study is limited by the unavailability of environmental performance data at the subsidiary level, which, if incorporated, would yield a better specified model. Second, to strengthen the causal relationships examined in the models, time-series analyses would likely be useful. Third, other informal measures that could be incorporated can include other forms of corporate verbal communications, which include 10K reports as well as shareholder letters.

Practical implications

Given the increased flux of firms that are racing to be known as environmentally conscious firms, one can benefit from the use of an internal mechanism that can discriminate between rhetoric and action. Therefore, when differentiating between firms’ environmental consciousness, investors and key stakeholders should investigate more internal environmental firm policies, because they are likely to be more indicative of their actions.

Originality/value

This study uses a quantified assessment of companies’ actual environmental footprints, drawing from a cross-sector sample within the manufacturing industry. The secondary data used in this study are combined from a number of prominent data sources in corporate social responsibility/environmental management literature.

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2013

Valentina De Marchi and Roberto Grandinetti

This paper aims at investigating the rather unexplored issue of how green innovators address the knowledge needs emerging when initiating a sustainability path, comparing their

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at investigating the rather unexplored issue of how green innovators address the knowledge needs emerging when initiating a sustainability path, comparing their knowledge strategies with those of non‐green innovators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate this issue using data from the 2008 Italian Community Innovation Survey (CIS). Focusing on manufacturing firms, they identify the main characteristics and knowledge assets of firms introducing environmental innovations (EIs) as opposed to those of other innovators.

Findings

The authors' results suggest that the development of EIs entails a higher recourse to external knowledge, in the form of use of external sources of information, acquiring R&D from external firms and cooperation. Relationships with partners that do not belong to the supply chain – including KIBS, universities, research institutions and competitors – are far more important than for other innovations. On the contrary, differences between the two categories are less marked when it comes to investments in internal knowledge resources. Finally, proactive environmental innovators have very different knowledge strategies than reactive ones, which resemble non‐green innovators.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is that it investigates the unexplored issue of how firms assess and develop the knowledge needed to develop EIs. By comparing them with the strategies of non‐green innovators, the analysis performed in the paper allows understanding the peculiarities of such innovations. Furthermore, the authors contribute to the literature by verifying how knowledge management strategies vary according to the differential importance that sustainability has for the firm's innovative strategy.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

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