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In recent years, sustainable supply chain practices (SSCPs), including corporate social responsibility (CSR), have been recognised as important means of developing firms’ sustainability performance (SP). However, empirical findings on the SSCP–SP interaction are inconsistent and even contradictory. This research presents a quantitative meta-analysis that aims to uncover SSCP–SP interactions based on the correlations found in previously published empirical studies.

Based on the main and moderating variables and selection criteria, 64 sample studies were selected after a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

The findings confirm a positive correlation (0.438) between SSCP and SP. The results also reveal various critical moderators identified through meta-regression.

This study provides insights for operations managers and policymakers regarding the significance of control variables (e.g. ISO certification, type of economy, innovation approach, data collection method) on the relationship between SSCP and SP for business operations. This research uncovers the impacts of ISO regulations and proposed hypotheses through the lens of the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and institutional-based view (IBV).

This research is unique in that it provides a systematic view of the SSCP–SP interaction, validates the results through a theoretical lens (NRBV and IBV) and generalises the results by evaluating the moderation effects via checking prior literature.

This study builds on knowledge-based view (KBV) research and the natural resource-based view of the firm (NRBV) to examine the effect of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovative performance. It also investigates the mediating role of three dimensions of the cluster environment: degree of network, institutional environment and access to factors of production.

By means of partial least squares-based structural equation modelling method, the study validated and analysed the responses of 503 owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the wood industrial cluster of Cote d'Ivoire, a developing economy.

The analysis and results reveal that knowledge absorptive capacity strongly predicts cluster environment and innovation performance. Moreover, the cluster environment emerged as a powerful determinant of innovation performance and a mediator of the effect of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovation performance. Unequivocally, institutional support has no significant impact on knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) and innovative performance mediation relationship and is not a key determinant of innovative performance.

This study offers a key departure from past studies by linking knowledge absorptive capacity to innovative performance and the cluster environment in SMEs. It also extends knowledge concerning the role of KBV, NRBV and relational theory in innovation performance.

This study was conducted with the objective of conducting a primary validation of a newly developed climate strategy proactivity questionnaire (CSPQ) scale for evaluating the relationship of climate strategy proactivity displayed by Indian companies with competitive advantage which it intends to attain and sustain through sources of sustained competitive advantage.

Research design includes an exploratory factor analysis, conducted with a diverse sample of stakeholders of Indian companies, resulting into four internally consistent factors. This was followed by a confirmatory factor analysis with strong model fit estimates which confirmed the initial factor structure and resulted into a new final CSPQ scale. The scale without substituting any existing scale facilitated testing of all but criterion validity.

Findings mainly comprise the primary validation of the CSPQ scale as psychometrically strong confirming acceptability of all major fit indices.

CSPQ scale designed in the context of Indian companies is expected to make corporations and managers more aware in developing countries to help them draw an extensively enhanced scope of proactive climate strategy while making efforts to attain and sustain competitive advantage. However, the self-reported information collected through a common survey questionnaire might be affected by self-bias. Further, cross-sectional data to validate a new non-substituting scale prevented the researcher from conducting criterion validity test.

Basing the development and validation of the CSPQ scale on the data collected from diverse stakeholders of Indian companies in as diverse a country as India, the scale can demonstrate significant robustness and implicative potential. The scale, by virtue of possessing significant attributes, can add remarkable value to strategic management applicable under any major theoretical perspective. It can serve the requirements of the empirical research and competitive management practices simultaneously.

This paper aims to develop frameworks to support implementation and competitive leveraging of distinct sustainable supply chain operations. This derives from conceptual definition of the dynamic capabilities required to support Hart’s (1995) natural-resource-based view resources in the supply chain.

This conceptual study uses qualitative content analysis to extract capabilities from review and analysis of literature related to natural-resource-based view (NRBV) and sustainable supply chain management. Intercoder reliability assessments support conceptual development of such capabilities into dynamic capability frameworks.

Specific interrelations between each NRBV resource and corresponding supply chain strategies are conceptualised. From this, capabilities are categorised to corresponding resources, dynamic capabilities activities and internal–external focus. This results in definition of 107 dynamic NRBV capabilities.

Contributions are threefold: distinct frameworks for competitive sustainable supply chain management is offered; the NRBV benefits from enhanced practical guidance via the definition of its dynamic capabilities, addressing the theory-practice gap; and understandings of dynamic capabilities and their role in both the NRBV sustainable supply chain management is advanced.

This paper offers four frameworks to allow firms to tailor sustainability strategies to suit their needs and guide competitive leveraging. Definition of capabilities offers practical guidance to operationalise NRBV resources.

This is the first holistic interpretation of NRBV capabilities and explicit application of dynamic capabilities. This forms the basis of a broader research agenda for the NRBV in sustainable supply chain management.

This paper aims to reflect on recent closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) practices using a natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capabilities (DC) perspective.

Two empirical case studies of CLSC exemplars are used to discuss the theoretical relevance of these views.

The paper shows how strategic resources help companies in two sectors achieve successful CLSC designs. Strategic supply chain collaboration is an important success factor but also presents a number of challenges. The NRBV is used to explain the importance of new resources in technology, knowledge and relationships and stresses the role of DCs to constantly address changes in the business environment to renew these strategic resources.

This research elaborates on NRBV theory related to CLSCs and reinforces the inclusion of DCs. It specifies the application of NRBV in the context of textiles and carpet manufacture and highlights the inherent conflicts in seeking value while moving towards sustainable development.

Investments in technical and operational resources are required to create CLSCs. Pure closed-loop applications are impractical, requiring relationships with multiple external partners to obtain supply and demand for recycled products.

CLSCs may provide opportunities for social enterprises or third sector organizations collaborating with manufacturers.

This paper provides insights into the constituent resources needed for successful CLSCs. It also helps move CLSC research from a tactical logistics problem to a problem of strategic resources and relational capabilities: what we term “dynamic supply chain execution”. This paper develops a framework for transitioning towards CLSCs, underlining the importance of co-development and forging new relationships through commitment to supply chain redesign, co-evolution with customers and suppliers and control of supply chain activities.

The aim of this paper is to conceptualise a structural model of natural resource based green supply chain management (GSCM), and its relationship, with an indication of cause and effect, to relevant performance measures and drivers.

The literature, describing GSCM from a natural resource based view (NRBV), along with performance measures and institutional drivers, is critically evaluated and used to develop the model.

Constructs are identified in terms of intra‐ and inter‐organisational environmental practices, performance measures and institutional drivers. Causal relationships, within and between the constructs, are also proposed in the form of hypotheses.

At this stage the model is purely conceptual and the causal relationships are only proposed. Empirical tests of the model and hypotheses are required.

On empirical verification, this work can furnish managers with validated measurement scales to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in their GSCM implementation and determine how firms can successfully implement GSCM to promote sustainable industrial development.

GSCM from within the NRBV perspective, and incorporating performance measures and institutional drivers, has yet to be comprehensively synthesised in a coherent model. This conceptual work is the first step in that direction.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) could act as a practical approach to offer sustainability deliverables in manufacturing firms aligning with the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory's strategic capabilities: pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development. Also, the emergence of Blockchain Technology (BCT) and Circular Economy (CE) are proven to deliver sustainable outcomes in the past literature. Therefore, the present research examines the relationship between BCT and CE and TPM's direct and mediation effect through the lens of NRBV theory.

The current study proposes a conceptual framework to examine the relationship between BCT, CE and TPM and validates the framework through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Responses from 316 Indian manufacturing firms were collected to conduct the analysis.

The investigation outcomes indicate that BCT positively influences CE and TPM and that TPM has a significant positive impact on CE under the premises of NRBV theory. The results also suggest that TPM partially mediates the relationship between BCT and CE.

This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the effect of BCT and TPM on CE within the framework of the NRBV theory. It explores the link between BCT, TPM and CE under the NRBV theory's strategic capabilities and TPM mediation.

The positive influence of TPM and BCT on CE could initiate the amalgamation of BCT-TPM, improving the longevity of production equipment and products and speeding up the implementation of CE practices.

This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the effect of BCT and TPM on CE within the framework of the NRBV theory. It explores the link between BCT, TPM and CE under the NRBV theory's strategic capabilities along with TPM mediation.

This study aims to address three research questions pertaining to climate neutrality within the supply chain of metal and mining industry: (1) How can an organization implement practices related to climate neutrality in the supply chain? (2) How do members of the supply chain adopt different measures and essential processes to assist an organization in responding to climate change-related concerns? (3) How can the SAP-LAP framework assist in analyzing and proposing solutions to attain climate neutrality?

To address the proposed research questions concerning climate neutrality, this study employs a case study approach utilizing the SAP-LAP (situation, actor, process–learning, action, performance) framework. Within the SAP-LAP framework, adopting a natural resource-based perspective, the study thoroughly examines the intricacies and interactions among existing situations, pertinent actors and processes that impact climate initiatives within a metal and mining company.

The study's findings suggest that organizations can achieve the objective of climate neutrality by prioritizing resources and capabilities that lead to reduced GHG emissions, lower energy consumption and optimal resource utilization. The study further proposes key elements that significantly influence the pursuit of climate neutrality within enterprises.

This study is one of the earliest contributions to the development of a holistic understanding of climate neutrality in the supply chain of the metal and mining industry.

The study will assist practitioners and policymakers in comprehending the present circumstances, actors and processes involved in enterprises' supply networks in order to attain climate neutrality in supply chains, as well as in taking the right steps to enhance performance.

This study presents a climate neutrality model and provides valuable insights into emission management, contributing to the achievement of the climate neutrality objective.

Drawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) of the firm, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of sustainability performance management (SPM) practices in the relationship between corporate sustainability strategy (SS) and sustainability performance (SP). The conceptualization of SS and SPM practices follow the NRBV resources and capabilities to promote sustainability for competitiveness.

Data for the study were collected through a questionnaire from 114 small-medium to large organizations within environmentally sensitive industries operating in Malaysia.

The results indicate the indirect relationship between SS and SP through SPM practices. The results suggest that SS can only be realized through a broader management accounting control system (such as SPM practices) that provides information to generate, analyze and control environmental, social, economic and governance performance.

As some organizations may face their resource constraints, this study may help managers and management accountants prioritize their focus on SS and adopt the necessary SPM practices to enhance their SP.

This study sheds new light on the role of the SPM practices adopted by firms to manage their SS.

The concept of corporate environmental performance (CEP) is both used in and discussed with respect to international and regional standards, scientific work and business. Yet, there is no concensus on the meaning of the concept itself and on what elements or components it comprises. Moreover, although there is a discussion on interactions between the different levels of CEP, there is a lack of detailed and rigorous analysis. This paper merges the various insights on CEP and its underlying dimensions and addresses existing interactions between strategic and operational CEP. The interactions can be explained by two organizational theories prevailing in empirical studies namely institutional theory (IT) and the natural resource-based view (NRBV). The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the two theories to explain the different interactions.

First, recent papers that summarized research on the concept of CEP and its existing dimensions are reviewed yielding strategic and operational dimensions of CEP. Second, IT and the NRBV are analyzed in terms of how they are applied to CEP. The results are presented in a matrix which shows the interplay of CEP within its external pressures and strategic capabilities. Third, 37 empirical studies were analyzed by applying the method of an integrative research review. The review synthesized the theoretical approaches of the studies in their specific context, summarized their findings and categorized them into the theoretical arguments on which they are based.

Most studies are conducted on the pollution prevention level with different forms of institutional mechanisms. The studies are diversified and most positive results are found on that level. The studies analyzed differ widely in their methodological approaches, the measures applied and the theory on which they are based on, which may explain why the results were very heterogeneous.

The authors results should help environmental researchers understand how both dimensions are connected to each other and reveal that a combination of theories is essential when empirically investigating interactions within the construct of CEP. Moreover, the authors show that empirical research on CEP is imbalanced as too much studies concentrate on simple compliance measures for CEP. The authors contribute to the literature by summarizing important empirical work on CEP, classifying them into the matrix of IT and NRBV and showing neglected dimensions of CEP, namely higher strategic integration of environmental aspects into CEP measurements.

The present paper should be of particular interest to researchers investigating CEP both in theory and in terms of practical empirical analysis, as the authors show that both external and internal factors must be considered simultaneously in any evaluation. This may lead to far greater efforts in gathering information and data for future empirical research, but it is essential to do so, in order to obtain sufficient and reliable results that account adequately for the complex nature of CEP. Researchers should especially consider the matrix of IT and NRBV before commencing an empirical investigation, by locating their study in one of the fields of the matrix. This can support the choice of appropriate measurement indicators for the specific context and help focus on important external and internal items.