Examining ecological strategies adopted by agricultural exporting firms in an emerging country

Abstract

PurposeThe rising food demand around the globe goes hand in hand with the rapid development of the agriculture industry. However, this development at the same time has detrimental effects on the natural environment. Hence, promoting ecological strategies in agriculture is essential for environmental sustainability. This study aims to investigate the institutional determinants of ecological strategies adopted by agricultural exporting firms and how these strategies enhance the firms' competitive advantage and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted to collect data from 218 managers of agricultural exporting companies in Vietnam, which is a major exporter of agricultural products. The data were analyzed using different techniques including partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results reveal that market pressure, regulatory pressure and competitive pressure motivate the adoption of ecological strategies among the surveyed agricultural exporting firms. Furthermore, such strategies help these firms obtain competitive advantage, which in turn increases their export financial performance. In addition, larger firms, compared to smaller firms, are more likely to adopt ecological strategies.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by developing and validating a unique model examining the institutional pressures of ecological strategies and their outcomes in export markets. The study extends current knowledge about ecological exporting strategies for agricultural products, and its findings have several managerial and policy implications for promoting these strategies among agricultural exporting firms in emerging countries like Vietnam.

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Diversification of Peruvian Ginger exports 2012 – 2021

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Supply chain coordination in sustainable agribusiness development: an investigation from coffee exporters

“…Despite recent success in exporting coffee, the past study indicates that Vietnam's coffee industry has operated very unsustainable manner (Dzung et al ., 2011; Ho et al ., 2018). A variety of hygiene and food safety requirements have had to be dealt with by the agri-product chains in general and the coffee chain in particular (Do et al ., 2022). However, in recent years, sustainable coffee has been considered a healthy food and gained popularity (Bosso et al ., 2021; Sanlier et al ., 2019).…”

“…Although Vietnam has made significant progress in the export of coffee in recent years, prior research suggests that Vietnam's coffee production has been conducted in a very unsustainable manner (Dzung et al ., 2011; Ho et al ., 2018). The agricultural industry in general and coffee in particular recently have to be dealt with several hygienes and food safety regulations, a lack of corporate accountability and growing environmental effects (Do et al ., 2022; Gunasekera et al ., 2017). At the same time, a competitive market for sustainable agri-food has emerged due to consumers' rising environmental consciousness (Claro and Claro, 2004; Handayati et al ., 2015; Medeiros et al ., 2022; Weerabahu, 2022).…”