Embeddedness and path dependence of organizational capabilities for mass customization and green management: A longitudinal case study in the machinery industry

Abstract

A growing number of firms today have to cope with the twofold challenge of mass customization (i.e., combining high performance in product customization with high performance in cost, delivery and quality) and green management (i.e., integrating environmental-sustainability principles into businesses). Research on this joint challenge, however, is still limited in the literature. To narrow this gap, we empirically investigate the interconnectedness of mass customization and green management on the level of their enabling capabilities. Through a single longitudinal case study in a machinery manufacturing organization that, during the period of observation, succeeded in developing both mass-customization capabilities and green-management capabilities, we find overlaps and path dependences between such capabilities. Pragmatically, these findings indicate synergies that firms pursuing a green mass customization strategy may leverage in order to alleviate the difficulty of implementing that strategy. From an academic standpoint, these findings contribute to the debate on the relationship between the environmental pillar of sustainability and its economic pillar and, at the same time, add both to the body of the literature on mass customization and to the one on green management. Limitations of the present study and the related opportunities for future research are, finally, discussed

A sustainable process for mass customization in the woodworking industry

“…This interaction, made possible through BIM models and Web-based application, is part of the MC method that is being developed in this research. The study of Trentin, Forza, and Perin, (2015) found links between MC and sustainability and concluded that research on this subject is still limited. Pedrazzoli et.al., (2011) stated that additional investigations are needed to conclude that MC is a driver for improvement in sustainability.…”

“…Pedrazzoli et.al., (2011) suggested that additional investigations are needed to conclude that MC is a driver for improvement in sustainability. The study of Trentin, Forza, and Perin, (2015) found links between MC and sustainability and concluded that research on this subject is still limited. According to Medini, Da-Cunha, and Bernard, (2011), MC and Sustainability need to be assessed together in order to strengthen both of them.…”

Green Governance and International Business Strategies of Emerging Economies’ Multinational Enterprises: A Multiple-Case Study of Chinese Firms in Pollution-Intensive Industries

“…These efforts allowed interviewees to gradually and freely mention the negative aspects of these firms. As the retrospective interviews concerned relatively recent facts [140], the last round of interviews was conducted after 2017. With the time gap, enriched information increasingly emerged.…”

Environmental Sustainability in the Context of Mass Personalisation – Quantification of the Carbon Footprint with Life Cycle Assessment

“…For example, Hora et al [13] provide a generic framework proposal with several business model patterns for sustainable MC. Trentin et al [14] empirically investigate how MC and green management are interconnected and conclude that synergies exist between the two paradigms. Fornasiero et al [15] integrate LCA into the supply chain management of customised products to evaluate the sustainability of different options.…”