IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i7p2907-d341919.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Realizing the Environmental Benefits of Proactive Environmental Strategy: The Roles of Green Supply Chain Integration and Relational Capability

Author

Listed:
  • Suicheng Li

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Jianqi Qiao

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Hecheng Cui

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China)

  • Shuang Wang

    (Business School, Tianjin University of Economics and Finance, Tianjin 300222, China)

Abstract

Although the impact of proactive environmental strategies on corporate performance has been extensively discussed in academia, the path of the impact of proactive environmental strategies on environmental performance remains unclear. In this study, we introduce a strategy–structure–performance (SSP) framework to explore the mechanism through which proactive environmental strategies improve environmental performance by utilizing green supply chain integration. Based on the questionnaire survey data of 252 Chinese manufacturing firms, a structural equation model was established to verify our hypothesis. The results show that firms that implement a proactive environmental strategy tend to promote the green integration of suppliers through internal green integration and thus improve their environmental performance. By distinguishing two kinds of activities of green supplier integration (greening the supplier and environmental collaboration with the supplier), we found that environmental collaboration with the supplier can directly promote the environmental performance of manufacturing enterprises, but supplier greening indirectly enhances the environmental performance of enterprises through supplier environmental collaboration. The boundary conditions of the influence of internal green integration on green supplier integration are discussed, and we found that the relationship cability plays a moderating role in the influence of internal green integration on supplier green integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Suicheng Li & Jianqi Qiao & Hecheng Cui & Shuang Wang, 2020. "Realizing the Environmental Benefits of Proactive Environmental Strategy: The Roles of Green Supply Chain Integration and Relational Capability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2907-:d:341919
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2907/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2907/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kent Walker & Na Ni & Weidong Huo, 2014. "Is the Red Dragon Green? An Examination of the Antecedents and Consequences of Environmental Proactivity in China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(1), pages 27-43, November.
    2. Pamela Danese & Andrea Lion & Andrea Vinelli, 2019. "Drivers and enablers of supplier sustainability practices: a survey-based analysis," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2034-2056, April.
    3. Arimura, Toshi H. & Darnall, Nicole & Katayama, Hajime, 2011. "Is ISO 14001 a gateway to more advanced voluntary action? The case of green supply chain management," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 170-182, March.
    4. Mariadoss, Babu John & Chi, Ting & Tansuhaj, Patriya & Pomirleanu, Nadia, 2016. "Influences of Firm Orientations on Sustainable Supply Chain Management," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3406-3414.
    5. Yali Lu & Chenyang Zhao & Leimeng Xu & Lei Shen, 2018. "Dual Institutional Pressures, Sustainable Supply Chain Practice and Performance Outcome," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-25, September.
    6. Elisa Alt & Emilio Díez-de-Castro & Francisco Lloréns-Montes, 2015. "Linking Employee Stakeholders to Environmental Performance: The Role of Proactive Environmental Strategies and Shared Vision," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 128(1), pages 167-181, April.
    7. Defeng Yang & Wei Jiang & Weihong Zhao, 2019. "Proactive environmental strategy, innovation capability, and stakeholder integration capability: A mediation analysis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(8), pages 1534-1547, December.
    8. Tao Zhang, 2019. "How Do Information Technology Resources Facilitate Relational and Contractual Governance in Green Supply Chain Management?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-17, July.
    9. Nicole Darnall & Irene Henriques & Perry Sadorsky, 2010. "Adopting Proactive Environmental Strategy: The Influence of Stakeholders and Firm Size," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(6), pages 1072-1094, September.
    10. Chiou, Tzu-Yun & Chan, Hing Kai & Lettice, Fiona & Chung, Sai Ho, 2011. "The influence of greening the suppliers and green innovation on environmental performance and competitive advantage in Taiwan," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 822-836.
    11. Antonio Capaldo, 2007. "Network structure and innovation: The leveraging of a dual network as a distinctive relational capability," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 585-608, June.
    12. Mohammed M. Habib & Bart Victor, 1991. "Strategy, structure, and performance of U.S. manufacturing and service MNCs: A comparative analysis," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(8), pages 589-606, November.
    13. Nelly Oelze, 2017. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation–Enablers and Barriers in the Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    14. Simon J. D. Schillebeeckx & Sankalp Chaturvedi & Gerard George & Zella King, 2016. "What do i want? The effects of individual aspiration and relational capability on collaboration preferences," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(7), pages 1493-1506, July.
    15. Dai, Jing & Cantor, David E. & Montabon, Frank L., 2017. "Examining corporate environmental proactivity and operational performance: A strategy-structure-capabilities-performance perspective within a green context," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 272-280.
    16. Sarkis, Joseph & Zhu, Qinghua & Lai, Kee-hung, 2011. "An organizational theoretic review of green supply chain management literature," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(1), pages 1-15, March.
    17. Gölgeci, Ismail & Gligor, David M. & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Arda, Ozlem Ayaz, 2019. "A relational view of environmental performance: What role do environmental collaboration and cross-functional alignment play?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 35-46.
    18. Richard Margerum & Stephen Born, 2000. "A Co-ordination Diagnostic for Improving Integrated Environmental Management," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(1), pages 5-21.
    19. Shaorui Li & Vaidyanathan Jayaraman & Antony Paulraj & Kuo-chung Shang, 2016. "Proactive environmental strategies and performance: role of green supply chain processes and green product design in the Chinese high-tech industry," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(7), pages 2136-2151, April.
    20. Vachon, Stephan & Klassen, Robert D., 2008. "Environmental management and manufacturing performance: The role of collaboration in the supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(2), pages 299-315, February.
    21. Liu, Yi & Guo, Jingzhou & Chi, Nan, 2015. "The Antecedents and Performance Consequences of Proactive Environmental Strategy: A Meta-analytic Review of National Contingency," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(3), pages 521-557, September.
    22. Wang, Guangping & Dou, Wenyu & Zhu, Weichun & Zhou, Nan, 2015. "The effects of firm capabilities on external collaboration and performance: The moderating role of market turbulence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1928-1936.
    23. Yongtao Song & Taiwen Feng & Wenbo Jiang, 2017. "The Influence of Green External Integration on Firm Performance: Does Firm Size Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-18, August.
    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. Shaobo Wu & Shiping Wen & Quan Zhou & Xinghong Qin, 2020. "Coordination of Store Brand Product’s Green Supply Chain Based on Negotiation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Qingqing Zhao & Xintao Li & Siqi Li, 2023. "Analyzing the Relationship between Digital Transformation Strategy and ESG Performance in Large Manufacturing Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Green Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Naimatullah Shah & Bahadur Ali Soomro, 2021. "Internal green integration and environmental performance: The predictive power of proactive environmental strategy, greening the supplier, and environmental collaboration with the supplier," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1333-1344, February.
    4. Stanley Y. B. Huang & Chih-Wen Ting & Ming-Way Li, 2021. "The Effects of Green Transformational Leadership on Adoption of Environmentally Proactive Strategies: The Mediating Role of Green Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-11, March.
    5. Muhammad Ibrahim & Rosli Mahmood, 2022. "Proactive Environmental Strategy and Environmental Performance of the Manufacturing SMEs of Karachi City in Pakistan: Role of Green Mindfulness as a DCV," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Yongbo Sun & Hui Sun, 2021. "Green Innovation Strategy and Ambidextrous Green Innovation: The Mediating Effects of Green Supply Chain Integration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, April.
    7. Akintunde Olayeni & Anastasia Ogbo & Henry Okwo & Benjamin Chukwu & Chuka Ifediora & Charity Ezenwakwelu, 2021. "Green Strategy Effect on Financial and Environmental Performance: A Mediation Analysis of Product Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    8. Stanley Y. B. Huang & Chih-Wen Ting & Yu-Ming Fei, 2021. "A Multilevel Model of Environmentally Specific Social Identity in Predicting Environmental Strategies: Evidence from Technology Manufacturing Businesses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, April.
    9. Ali Ibrahim Balin & Kazim Sari, 2023. "The Effect of Green Purchasing Practices on Financial Performance under the Mediating Role of Environmental Performance: Evidence from Türkiye," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    10. Jianqi Qiao & Suicheng Li & Su Xiong & Na Li, 2023. "How Does the Digital Capability Advantage Affect Green Supply Chain Innovation? An Inter-Organizational Learning Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, July.
    11. Bogusław Bieda & Roger Książek & Katarzyna Gdowska & Antoni Korcyl, 2023. "Strategic Decision-Making for Multi-Period Fleet Transition Towards Zero-Emission: Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-14, December.
    12. Ching‐Hsun Chang & Meng‐Yi Shih & Hsin‐Ju Peng, 2022. "Enhancing entrepreneurial opportunity recognition: Relationships among green innovative capability, green relational capability, and co‐innovation behavior," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1358-1368, May.
    13. Oksana Seroka‐Stolka, 2023. "Towards sustainability: An environmental strategy choice, environmental performance, and the moderating role of stakeholder pressure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5992-6007, December.

    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. Naimatullah Shah & Bahadur Ali Soomro, 2021. "Internal green integration and environmental performance: The predictive power of proactive environmental strategy, greening the supplier, and environmental collaboration with the supplier," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1333-1344, February.
    2. Gölgeci, Ismail & Gligor, David M. & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Arda, Ozlem Ayaz, 2019. "A relational view of environmental performance: What role do environmental collaboration and cross-functional alignment play?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 35-46.
    3. Ardian Qorri & Saranda Gashi & Andrzej Kraslawski, 2021. "Performance outcomes of supply chain practices for sustainable development: A meta‐analysis of moderators," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 194-216, January.
    4. Nisha Paul Kulangara & Markus Biehl & Edmund L. Prater, 2022. "Environmentally sustainable development initiatives in upstream strategic outsourcing relationships: Examining the role of innovative capabilities," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3014-3027, November.
    5. Baoshan Ge & Yibing Yang & Dake Jiang & Yang Gao & Xiaomin Du & Tingting Zhou, 2018. "An Empirical Study on Green Innovation Strategy and Sustainable Competitive Advantages: Path and Boundary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Defeng Yang & Aric Xu Wang & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Wei Jiang, 2019. "Environmental Strategy, Institutional Force, and Innovation Capability: A Managerial Cognition Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(4), pages 1147-1161, November.
    7. Manjot Singh Bhatia & Saurabh Kumar, 2022. "Linking stakeholder and competitive pressure to Industry 4.0 and performance: Mediating effect of environmental commitment and green process innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 1905-1918, July.
    8. Yu, Wantao & Ramanathan, Ramakrishnan & Nath, Prithwiraj, 2017. "Environmental pressures and performance: An analysis of the roles of environmental innovation strategy and marketing capability," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 160-169.
    9. Soana, Maria Gaia, 2024. "Environmental strategies, environmental performance and board sustainability committees: Are financial and non-financial companies different?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    10. Bouguerra, Abderaouf & Gölgeci, Ismail & Gligor, David M. & Tatoglu, Ekrem, 2021. "How do agile organizations contribute to environmental collaboration? Evidence from MNEs in Turkey," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    11. Oksana Seroka‐Stolka, 2023. "Towards sustainability: An environmental strategy choice, environmental performance, and the moderating role of stakeholder pressure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5992-6007, December.
    12. Hung M. Nguyen & George Onofrei & Dothang Truong & Simon Lockrey, 2020. "Customer green orientation and process innovation alignment: A configuration approach in the global manufacturing industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2498-2513, September.
    13. Nguyen Phong Nguyen & Samuel Adomako, 2021. "Environmental proactivity, competitive strategy, and market performance: The mediating role of environmental reputation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2008-2020, May.
    14. Fahimnia, Behnam & Sarkis, Joseph & Davarzani, Hoda, 2015. "Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 101-114.
    15. Dai, Jing & Montabon, Frank L. & Cantor, David E., 2014. "Linking rival and stakeholder pressure to green supply management: Mediating role of top management support," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 173-187.
    16. Jorge Tarifa Fernández & Jerónimo de Burgos Jiménez & José Joaquín Céspedes Lorente, 2019. "The effect of supply chain integration and environmental proactivity on environmental performance. The case of the horticultural spanish sector," DOCFRADIS Working Papers 1905, Catedra Fundación Ramón Areces de Distribución Comercial, revised Jul 2019.
    17. Blanka Tundys & Tomasz Wiśniewski, 2018. "The Selected Method and Tools for Performance Measurement in the Green Supply Chain—Survey Analysis in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-26, February.
    18. Dai, Jing & Montabon, Frank L. & Cantor, David E., 2015. "Reprint of “Linking rival and stakeholder pressure to green supply management: Mediating role of top management support”," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 124-138.
    19. Ruifeng Gong & Jian Xue & Laijun Zhao & Oleksandra Zolotova & Xiaoqing Ji & Yan Xu, 2019. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Green Supply Chain Management Based on the Web of Science (WOS) Platform," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    20. Bortolotti, Thomas & Boscari, Stefania & Xiao, Cheng-Yong, 2024. "Leveraging organizational culture to create competitive value from environmental practices," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).

    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:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2907-:d:341919. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.