Embracing green supply chain collaboration through technologies: the bridging role of advanced manufacturing technology

Abstract

Purpose The implementation of green collaboration has evolved from the interfirm level to the supply chain level, which requires more participation in information and manufacturing technologies. Despite many efforts to green supply chain collaboration (GSCC), the research on how to enhance it from a technological perspective remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to address this gap by exploring how to enhance green supplier, internal and customer collaboration through using information technology (IT) and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), which further accelerates environmental and economic performance. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted based on survey data collected from 213 manufacturing firms from different industries. The direct effects of the conceptual model were tested using the method of structural equation modeling (SEM), whereas the bootstrapping method tested the mediation effects of AMT between IT and GSCC. Findings The results show that green supplier collaboration (GSC) is significantly associated with environmental performance, while green customer collaboration (GCC) is positively related to economic performance. Green internal collaboration not only enhances green supplier and customer collaboration but also boosts environmental and economic performance. IT directly improves green internal collaboration but is negatively related to GSC and insignificantly related to GCC. However, AMT not only enhances green internal, supplier and customer collaboration but also mediates the relationship between IT and green supplier and customer collaboration. Originality/value This study offers comprehensive and novel insights into GSCC from a technological perspective, giving rise to meaningful contributions to green practices for both scholars and practitioners.

The effect of human resource strategy on green supply chain integration: the moderating role of information systems and mutual trust

“…The findings also reveal a favorable effect of green supplier and customer integration on economic performance. Although Guo et al (2022) and Song et al (2017) postulated that GSCI would strengthen economic output, however, we found that green supplier integration fails to enhance economic performance (Akhtar et al, 2023). The reason may be that economic returns from green supplier integration may not be immediately apparent because of the higher upfront costs associated with green practices, such as investing in renewable energy sources and using eco-friendly materials.…”

“…(2022) and Song et al. (2017) postulated that GSCI would strengthen economic output, however, we found that green supplier integration fails to enhance economic performance (Akhtar et al. , 2023).…”

“…Previous studies on green integration emphasized driving factors such as quality (Lo et al. , 2018), technology (Akhtar et al. , 2023), relationship learning (Wang et al.…”

“…Previous studies have identified a positive relationship between green implementation and firm performance. Economic targets are hard to achieve without the support of supply chain partners who are determined and committed to green-related issues (Melander, 2018;Luo et al, 2015;Akhtar et al, 2023). Green integration with suppliers and customers can reduce material consumption and waste production, which minimizes the expenses of material acquisition and disposal of waste, leading to economic performance (Zhu et al, 2013).…”

“…First, this study adds to the literature by taking a supply chain management stance and examining human antecedents of supplier and customer green integration. Previous studies on green integration emphasized driving factors such as quality (Lo et al, 2018), technology (Akhtar et al, 2023), relationship learning (Wang et al, 2018), and sustainable supply chain finance adoption (Guo et al, 2022). Few studies have explored it from the specification of HR strategy.…”