Assessment of the Drivers and Barriers to Adoption of Green Supply Chain Management Practices: A case of the Beverage Manufacturing Industry

Growing environmental concerns have prompted the global manufacturing sector to adopt sustainable practices, with Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) emerging as a vital strategy. This study focuses on the Zambian beverage manufacturing industry, which faces unique challenges and opportunities in implementing GSCM practices due to its reliance on natural resources and environmental footprint. The research employed a qualitative exploratory design, targeting nine beverage manufacturing firms in Zambia. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with supply chain managers and analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. The analysis identified internal and external drivers and barriers influencing the adoption of GSCM practices. The findings of the study revealed a multideimentional array of drivers and barriers influencing the adoption of GSCM practices in Zambia’s beverage manufacturing sector. These drivers and barriers were either internal or external. Key internal drivers included financial availability, leadership, organizational policies, and employee passion for the environment. External drivers encompassed global calls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Internal barriers included insufficient financial capacity, waste management challenges, and lack of employee involvement and external barriers included supplier integration issues and commodity price fluctuations. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that there is a complex interplay of motivations and obstacles impacting GSCM adoption in the Zambian beverage manufacturing industry. Enhencing the drivers and addressing these barriers through strategic interventions can enhance the industry’s shift toward sustainable supply chain practices, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders in developing nations to promote environmental sustainability.