IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/proeco/v214y2019icp30-43.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Green operations: What's the role of supply chain flexibility?

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Yang
  • Zhang, Yufeng
  • Batista, Luciano
  • Rong, Ke

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the specific role that supply chain flexibility (SCF) can play in the successful adoption of green operations (GO) strategies based on evidence from the automotive industry. By conducting an exploratory case study with three automakers, it is found that different GO strategies require the support of different SCF dimensions. More importantly, the magnitude of the role played by each flexibility dimension varies depending on the degree of innovativeness in the green design initiatives, the types of green purchasing initiatives, and the strategic orientation of green manufacturing initiatives being adopted. Our case studies contribute to the theoretical understanding of the complex SCF-GO relationship by identifying the essential theoretical constructs and indicating their lower layer interactions in a systematic way. In practice, our findings may help managers assess which SCF dimensions can contribute more significantly to their specific GO efforts, and then strategically plan, develop, and deploy relevant flexibility to support beneficial outcomes. Our study contributes to the OM literature by clarifying the multidimensional effects of SCF on GO.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Yang & Zhang, Yufeng & Batista, Luciano & Rong, Ke, 2019. "Green operations: What's the role of supply chain flexibility?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 30-43.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:214:y:2019:i:c:p:30-43
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.03.026
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527319301227
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.03.026?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Seebacher, Gottfried & Winkler, Herwig, 2015. "A capability approach to evaluate supply chain flexibility," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 177-186.
    2. Merschmann, Ulf & Thonemann, Ulrich W., 2011. "Supply chain flexibility, uncertainty and firm performance: An empirical analysis of German manufacturing firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(1), pages 43-53, March.
    3. BLOME, Constantin & SCHOENHERR, Tobias & ECKSTEIN, Dominik, 2014. "The impact of knowledge transfer and complexity on supply chain flexibility: a knowledge-based view," LIDAM Reprints CORE 2603, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    4. Barbosa, Luziane Machado & Lacerda, Daniel Pacheco & Piran, Fabio Antonio Sartori & Dresch, Aline, 2017. "Exploratory analysis of the variables prevailing on the effects of product modularization on production volume and efficiency," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 677-690.
    5. Zhu, Qingyun & Shah, Purvi & Sarkis, Joseph, 2018. "Addition by subtraction: Integrating product deletion with lean and sustainable supply chain management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 201-214.
    6. Thomé, Antonio Márcio T. & Scavarda, Luiz Felipe & Pires, Sílvio R.I. & Ceryno, Paula & Klingebiel, Katja, 2014. "A multi-tier study on supply chain flexibility in the automotive industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 91-105.
    7. Stefan Gold & Stefan Seuring & Philip Beske, 2010. "Sustainable supply chain management and inter‐organizational resources: a literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), pages 230-245, July.
    8. Robert Handfield & Robert Sroufe & Steven Walton, 2005. "Integrating environmental management and supply chain strategies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, January.
    9. Jin, Yan & Vonderembse, Mark & Ragu-Nathan, T.S. & Smith, Joy Turnheim, 2014. "Exploring relationships among IT-enabled sharing capability, supply chain flexibility, and competitive performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 24-34.
    10. Cherrafi, Anass & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & Kumar, Vikas & Mishra, Nishikant & Ghobadian, Abby & Elfezazi, Said, 2018. "Lean, green practices and process innovation: A model for green supply chain performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 79-92.
    11. Valentina De Marchi & Eleonora Di Maria & Stefano Micelli, 2013. "Environmental Strategies, Upgrading and Competitive Advantage in Global Value Chains," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(1), pages 62-72, January.
    12. Liu, Yang & Zhu, Qinghua & Seuring, Stefan, 2017. "Linking capabilities to green operations strategies: The moderating role of corporate environmental proactivity," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 182-195.
    13. Seles, Bruno Michel Roman Pais & de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes & Jabbour, Charbel José Chiappetta & Dangelico, Rosa Maria, 2016. "The green bullwhip effect, the diffusion of green supply chain practices, and institutional pressures: Evidence from the automotive sector," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 342-355.
    14. Wong, Christina W.Y. & Lai, Kee-hung & Shang, Kuo-Chung & Lu, Chin-Shan & Leung, T.K.P., 2012. "Green operations and the moderating role of environmental management capability of suppliers on manufacturing firm performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 283-294.
    15. Felix Reimann & David J. Ketchen Jr., 2017. "Power in Supply Chain Management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 53(2), pages 3-9, April.
    16. Das, Kanchan, 2018. "Integrating lean systems in the design of a sustainable supply chain model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 177-190.
    17. Blome, Constantin & Schoenherr, Tobias & Eckstein, Dominik, 2014. "The impact of knowledge transfer and complexity on supply chain flexibility: A knowledge-based view," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 307-316.
    18. Moattar Husseini, S.M. & O'Brien, C. & Hosseini, S.T., 2006. "A method to enhance volume flexibility in JIT production control," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(2), pages 653-665, December.
    19. Gosling, J. & Purvis, L. & Naim, M.M., 2010. "Supply chain flexibility as a determinant of supplier selection," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(1), pages 11-21, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kusa, Rafał & Suder, Marcin & Duda, Joanna, 2023. "Impact of greening on performance in the hospitality industry: Moderating effect of flexibility and inter-organizational cooperation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    2. Fei Jiang & Filzah Md Isa & Sin Pei Ng & Mariam Bhatti, 2023. "The Impact of Supply Chain Integration to Supply Chain Responsiveness in Chinese Electronics Manufacturing Companies," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    3. Enrique, Daisy Valle & Lerman, Laura Visintainer & Sousa, Paulo Renato de & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Bigares Charrua Santos, Fernando M. & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Being digital and flexible to navigate the storm: How digital transformation enhances supply chain flexibility in turbulent environments," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    4. Jiguang Wang & Jianhong Chang & Yucai Wu, 2020. "The Optimal Production Decision of Competing Supply Chains When Considering Green Degree: A Game-Theoretic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Yanling Yang & Yanling Zheng & Guojie Xie & Yu Tian, 2022. "The Influence Mechanism of Strategic Partnership on Enterprise Performance: Exploring the Chain Mediating Role of Information Sharing and Supply Chain Flexibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    6. Khan, Mehmood & Ajmal, Mian M. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & AlMarzouqi, Abdulla H. & AlNuaimi, Bader Khamis, 2021. "Measures of greenness: An empirical study in service supply chains in the UAE," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    7. Rubén Michael Rodríguez‐González & Gonzalo Maldonado‐Guzman & Antonia Madrid‐Guijarro, 2022. "The effect of green strategies and eco‐innovation on Mexican automotive industry sustainable and financial performance: Sustainable supply chains as a mediating variable," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 779-794, July.
    8. Rohit Kumar Singh & Sachin Modgil & Padmanav Acharya, 2019. "Assessment of Supply Chain Flexibility Using System Dynamics Modeling," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 20(1), pages 39-63, December.
    9. Ghomi, Vahid & Gligor, David & Parast, Mahour & Shokoohyar, Sina & Esfahani, Mina Ghofrani, 2021. "Antecedents and consequences of customer flexibility: Establishing the link to firm competitive advantage," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marta Pérez-Pérez & Canan Kocabasoglu-Hillmer & Ana María Serrano-Bedia & María Concepción López-Fernández, 2019. "Manufacturing and Supply Chain Flexibility: Building an Integrative Conceptual Model Through Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 20(1), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Delic, Mia & Eyers, Daniel R., 2020. "The effect of additive manufacturing adoption on supply chain flexibility and performance: An empirical analysis from the automotive industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    3. Enrique, Daisy Valle & Lerman, Laura Visintainer & Sousa, Paulo Renato de & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Bigares Charrua Santos, Fernando M. & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Being digital and flexible to navigate the storm: How digital transformation enhances supply chain flexibility in turbulent environments," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    4. Yu, Kangkang & Cadeaux, Jack & Luo, Ben Nanfeng, 2015. "Operational flexibility: Review and meta-analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 190-202.
    5. Qian Zhou & Shuxiang Wang, 2021. "Study on the Relations of Supply Chain Digitization, Flexibility and Sustainable Development—A Moderated Multiple Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Jorge L. GARCIA-ALCARAZ & Aide A. MALDONADO-MACIAS & Juan L. HERNANDEZ-ARELLANO & Julio BLANCO-FERNANDEZ & Emilio JIMENEZ-MACIAS & Juan C. SAENZ-DIEZ MURO, 2017. "The impact of human resources on the agility, flexibility and performance of wine supply chains," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 63(4), pages 175-184.
    7. Liu, Yang & Zhu, Qinghua & Seuring, Stefan, 2017. "Linking capabilities to green operations strategies: The moderating role of corporate environmental proactivity," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 182-195.
    8. Rubén Michael Rodríguez‐González & Gonzalo Maldonado‐Guzman & Antonia Madrid‐Guijarro, 2022. "The effect of green strategies and eco‐innovation on Mexican automotive industry sustainable and financial performance: Sustainable supply chains as a mediating variable," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 779-794, July.
    9. Jafari, Hamid & Eslami, Mohammad H. & Paulraj, Antony, 2022. "Postponement and logistics flexibility in retailing: The moderating role of logistics integration and demand uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    10. Siems, Erik & Land, Anna & Seuring, Stefan, 2021. "Dynamic capabilities in sustainable supply chain management: An inter-temporal comparison of the food and automotive industries," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    11. S. Maryam Masoumi & Nima Kazemi & Salwa Hanim Abdul-Rashid, 2019. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Automotive Industry: A Process-Oriented Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-30, July.
    12. Sricharan Chirra & Dinesh Kumar, 2018. "Evaluation of Supply Chain Flexibility in Automobile Industry with Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 19(4), pages 305-319, December.
    13. Geyi, Dan’Asabe Godwin & Yusuf, Yahaya & Menhat, Masha S. & Abubakar, Tijjani & Ogbuke, Nnamdi J., 2020. "Agile capabilities as necessary conditions for maximising sustainable supply chain performance: An empirical investigation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    14. Wilhelm, Miriam & Blome, Constantin & Wieck, Ellen & Xiao, Cheng Yong, 2016. "Implementing sustainability in multi-tier supply chains: Strategies and contingencies in managing sub-suppliers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 196-212.
    15. Wilson Kosasih & I Nyoman Pujawan & Putu Dana Karningsih, 2023. "Integrated Lean-Green Practices and Supply Chain Sustainability for Manufacturing SMEs: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-28, August.
    16. Nudurupati, Sai Sudhakar & Bhattacharya, Arijit & Lascelles, David & Caton, Nicholas, 2015. "Strategic sourcing with multi-stakeholders through value co-creation: An evidence from global health care company," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 248-257.
    17. Melek Akın Ateş & Robert Suurmond & Davide Luzzini & Daniel Krause, 2022. "Order from chaos: A meta‐analysis of supply chain complexity and firm performance," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 58(1), pages 3-30, January.
    18. Ghomi, Vahid & Gligor, David & Parast, Mahour & Shokoohyar, Sina & Esfahani, Mina Ghofrani, 2021. "Antecedents and consequences of customer flexibility: Establishing the link to firm competitive advantage," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    19. El-Khalil, Raed & Mezher, Mohamad Ali, 2020. "The mediating impact of sustainability on the relationship between agility and operational performance," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 7(C).
    20. Kirti Nayal & Shashank Kumar & Rakesh D. Raut & Maciel M. Queiroz & Pragati Priyadarshinee & Balkrishna E. Narkhede, 2022. "Supply chain firm performance in circular economy and digital era to achieve sustainable development goals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1058-1073, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:214:y:2019:i:c:p:30-43. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpe .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.