IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i8p4856-d796509.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Challenges of Palm Oil Sustainable Consumption and Production in China: An Institutional Theory Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Wang

    (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    School of Management, Guizhou University of Commerce, Guiyang 550014, China)

  • Khai Ern Lee

    (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Mazlin Mokhtar

    (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Thian Lai Goh

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

The emerging economies are the centrepieces in the sustainable consumption and production of palm oil (SCP). With the collaborative efforts of the European Union and some non-governmental organisations, producers are kept in the spotlight, and scrutiny has begun to sweep down the supply chain. Palm oil environmental liabilities are extended to the consuming countries and criticism of emerging economies is evident in the context of weak institutions and inadequate attention from interest groups. China, one of the major consumers of palm oil, encompasses almost every potential environmental performance issue at the end of the palm oil supply chain. Sherri Torjman’s six-step approach has been used to parse the constraints and contributions of institutional coercive, mimetic and normative drivers to the three goals of the economic, social and environmental performance of palm oil SCP. This paper investigates the relevant institutions in China and compares in detail the content of SCP-related elements in these institutions through desktop research. An institutional theoretical perspective is provided to take a more comprehensive look at the SCP challenges facing the palm oil supply chain in China whereby this paper aims to shed light on the linkages between the challenges and institutional drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Wang & Khai Ern Lee & Mazlin Mokhtar & Thian Lai Goh, 2022. "The Challenges of Palm Oil Sustainable Consumption and Production in China: An Institutional Theory Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4856-:d:796509
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/8/4856/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/8/4856/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clemens, Bruce & Douglas, Thomas J., 2006. "Does coercion drive firms to adopt 'voluntary' green initiatives? Relationships among coercion, superior firm resources, and voluntary green initiatives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 59(4), pages 483-491, April.
    2. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    3. Tan, K.T. & Lee, K.T. & Mohamed, A.R. & Bhatia, S., 2009. "Palm oil: Addressing issues and towards sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 420-427, February.
    4. Schouten, Greetje & Glasbergen, Pieter, 2011. "Creating legitimacy in global private governance: The case of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(11), pages 1891-1899, September.
    5. Gerard J. Lewis & Brian Harvey, 2001. "Perceived Environmental Uncertainty: The Extension of Miller’s Scale to the Natural Environment," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 201-234, March.
    6. Petra Christmann & Glen Taylor, 2001. "Globalization and the Environment: Determinants of Firm Self-Regulation in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 32(3), pages 439-458, September.
    7. Aerts, Walter & Cormier, Denis & Magnan, Michel, 2006. "Intra-industry imitation in corporate environmental reporting: An international perspective," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 299-331.
    8. Glover, J.L. & Champion, D. & Daniels, K.J. & Dainty, A.J.D., 2014. "An Institutional Theory perspective on sustainable practices across the dairy supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 102-111.
    9. Yohanes Berenika Kadarusman & Eusebius Pantja Pramudya, 2019. "The effects of India and China on the sustainability of palm oil production in Indonesia: Towards a better understanding of the dynamics of regional sustainability governance," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(5), pages 898-909, September.
    10. Philip Schleifer & Yixian Sun, 2018. "Emerging markets and private governance: the political economy of sustainable palm oil in China and India," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(2), pages 190-214, March.
    11. Kilbourne, William E. & Beckmann, Suzanne C. & Thelen, Eva, 2002. "The role of the dominant social paradigm in environmental attitudes: a multinational examination," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 193-204, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Yu‐Xiang Yen, 2018. "Buyer–supplier collaboration in green practices: The driving effects from stakeholders," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1666-1678, December.
    2. Kazi Sirajul Islam & Saravanan Muthaiyah & David Yong Gun Fie, 2020. "Isomorphic Drivers of Institutional Pressure and Importance of Environmental Management System Implementation Towards The Adoption Propensity of Green ICT," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(6), pages 624-634.
    3. Wu, Guo-Ciang & Ding, Jyh-Hong & Chen, Ping-Shun, 2012. "The effects of GSCM drivers and institutional pressures on GSCM practices in Taiwan’s textile and apparel industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(2), pages 618-636.
    4. 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.
    5. Fritz, Morgane MC & Ruel, Salomée & Kallmuenzer, Andreas & Harms, Rainer, 2021. "Sustainability management in supply chains: the role of familiness," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Eusebius Pantja Pramudya & Lukas Rumboko Wibowo & Fitri Nurfatriani & Iman Kasiman Nawireja & Dewi Ratna Kurniasari & Sakti Hutabarat & Yohanes Berenika Kadarusman & Ananda Oemi Iswardhani & Rukaiyah , 2022. "Incentives for Palm Oil Smallholders in Mandatory Certification in Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-28, April.
    7. 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.
    8. Upadhayay, Neha B. & Rocchetta, Silvia & Gupta, Shivam & Kamble, Sachin & Stekelorum, Rebecca, 2024. "Blazing the trail: The role of digital and green servitization on technological innovation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    9. Miao Su & Su‐Han Woo & Xiaochun Chen & Keun‐sik Park, 2023. "Identifying critical success factors for the agri‐food cold chain's sustainable development: When the strategy system comes into play," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 444-461, January.
    10. Fotios Misopoulos & Roula Michaelides & Mohammad Afiq Salehuddin & Vicky Manthou & Zenon Michaelides, 2018. "Addressing Organisational Pressures as Drivers towards Sustainability in Manufacturing Projects and Project Management Methodologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-28, June.
    11. van der Ven, Hamish & Sun, Yixian & Cashore, Benjamin, 2021. "Sustainable commodity governance and the global south," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    12. López-Gamero, María D. & Molina-Azorín, José F. & Claver-Cortés, Enrique, 2011. "Environmental uncertainty and environmental management perception: A multiple case study," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 427-435, April.
    13. Zhu, Qinghua & Sarkis, Joseph & Cordeiro, James J. & Lai, Kee-Hung, 2008. "Firm-level correlates of emergent green supply chain management practices in the Chinese context," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 577-591, August.
    14. Dubey, Rameshwar & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Samar Ali, Sadia, 2015. "Exploring the relationship between leadership, operational practices, institutional pressures and environmental performance: A framework for green supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 120-132.
    15. Peter S. Hofman & Constantin Blome & Martin C. Schleper & Nachiappan Subramanian, 2020. "Supply chain collaboration and eco‐innovations: An institutional perspective from China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2734-2754, September.
    16. Marco Guerci & Annachiara Longoni & Davide Luzzini, 2016. "Translating stakeholder pressures into environmental performance – the mediating role of green HRM practices," Post-Print hal-01251759, HAL.
    17. Lo, Chris K.Y. & Yeung, Andy C.L., 2018. "Quality management standards, institutionalization and organizational implications: A longitudinal analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 231-239.
    18. Etsuyo Michida, 2023. "Effectiveness of Self-Regulating Sustainability Standards for the Palm Oil Industry," Working Papers DP-2023-04, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
    19. Jeremy Galbreath, 2019. "Drivers of Green Innovations: The Impact of Export Intensity, Women Leaders, and Absorptive Capacity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 47-61, August.
    20. Man Zhang & Patriya Tansuhaj & James McCullough, 2009. "International entrepreneurial capability: The measurement and a comparison between born global firms and traditional exporters in China," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 292-322, December.

    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:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4856-:d:796509. 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.