Environmental Performance Through Green Supply Chain Management Practices, Green Innovation, and Zero Waste Management

Abstract

Emerging social, economic, and environmental concerns bring operational challenges and the worldwide economy has seen magnifying pressure to incorporate environmental performance (EP) as a part of strategic decision. Studies in the field of environmental management and, particularly, in the areas of green practices, zero waste, and green innovation have suggested that, if executed properly, these organizations are able to promote EP. Under these conditions, organizations’ practices and mechanisms that ensure the enhancement of the EP of these business organizations have gained the wider attention of researchers and management. Focused on the environment and social responsibility, this study explores the complex relationships within sustainable green supply chain management (GSCM) and explores whether GSCM practices significantly impact both zero waste management and green innovation. The analysis also studies whether there are possible beneficial links between zero waste management, green innovation and environmental performance (EP). Additionally, through assessing the level to which these items come together in sustainable strategic actions, the paper shows the correlation among four important topics: GSCM practices, green innovation (GI), zero waste management, and EP. This study explores the relations between zero waste management and EP as well as green innovation and EP, examining whether these aspects of green practices have a positive relationship with effective waste management techniques in the presence of GSCM practices. The paper analyses interactions between GSCM practices and EP, and the mediation role of zero waste management and GI. Moreover, the moderating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) also been tested. A total of 389 managers in the manufacturing sector completed the survey and the results were analyzed applying SPSS 25.0 and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed a significant association among GSCM practices, GI, zero waste management, GKS, and EP. Furthermore, findings also revealed that zero waste management GI has a positive intervention role between GSCM practices and EP. GSCM practices facilitate the promotion of EP by incorporating eco-design, green purchasing, new techniques for production or processes, and green marketing that ensures waste reduction and recycling practices.