IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i6p2346-d1607429.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding the Role of Supplier Involvement in the Link Between IT Integration and Sustainable Supplier Management Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Zhigang Fan

    (Alibaba Business School, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310000, China)

  • Yewen Zhang

    (Alibaba Business School, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310000, China)

  • Mingu Kang

    (Graduate School of Technology and Innovation Management, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea)

  • Haengcheol Lee

    (East Asian Research Institute, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310000, China)

Abstract

This study explores the impact of information technology (IT) integration and supplier participation on the management and enhancement of supplier sustainability performance, addressing a research gap in understanding how collaborative IT systems and supplier involvement jointly influence sustainable practices. By analyzing a global dataset of manufacturing firms, we employ a quantitative research methodology to test a conceptual model that examines these relationships. The findings demonstrate that IT integration with suppliers significantly fosters sustainable management practices, which subsequently improve suppliers’ sustainability performance. Furthermore, the study reveals that the effectiveness of IT integration is significantly enhanced when suppliers are actively involved, underscoring the importance of collaboration in driving sustainability outcomes. These insights contribute to the literature on supplier sustainability management by highlighting the synergistic role of IT and supplier engagement. Future research should explore the long-term effects of IT integration on sustainability performance across diverse industries, investigate the role of emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence in supplier collaboration, and examine the impact of cultural and organizational differences on the effectiveness of IT-driven sustainability initiatives. This study provides practical guidance for manufacturers aiming to optimize their sustainability efforts through strategic IT integration and supplier involvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhigang Fan & Yewen Zhang & Mingu Kang & Haengcheol Lee, 2025. "Understanding the Role of Supplier Involvement in the Link Between IT Integration and Sustainable Supplier Management Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2346-:d:1607429
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2346/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2346/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John Wiredu & Qian Yang & Agyemang Kwasi Sampene & Bright Akwasi Gyamfi & Simplice A. Asongu, 2024. "The effect of green supply chain management practices on corporate environmental performance: Does supply chain competitive advantage matter?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 2578-2599, March.
    2. Hugo Gonçalves & Vanessa S. M. Magalhães & Luís M. D. F. Ferreira & Amílcar Arantes, 2024. "Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-20, January.
    3. 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.
    4. Anas Iftikhar & Imran Ali & Ahmad Arslan & Shlomo Tarba, 2024. "Digital Innovation, Data Analytics, and Supply Chain Resiliency: A Bibliometric-based Systematic Literature Review," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 333(2), pages 825-848, February.
    5. Samera Nazir & Li Zhaolei & Saqib Mehmood & Zarish Nazir, 2024. "Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on the Environmental Performance of Manufacturing Firms Considering Institutional Pressure as a Moderator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-30, March.
    6. 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.
    7. Richard L. Daft & Robert H. Lengel, 1986. "Organizational Information Requirements, Media Richness and Structural Design," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(5), pages 554-571, May.
    8. Cristina López-Cózar-Navarro & Tiziana Priede-Bergamini & Diego Cuello-de-Oro-Celestino, 2024. "Sustainable Practices in Manufacturing SMEs: The Importance of Technological Collaboration between Supply Chain Partners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
    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. Mena, Carlos & Terry, Leon A. & Williams, Adrian & Ellram, Lisa, 2014. "Causes of waste across multi-tier supply networks: Cases in the UK food sector," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 144-158.
    2. de Camargo Fiorini, Paula & Roman Pais Seles, Bruno Michel & Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel Jose & Barberio Mariano, Enzo & de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes, 2018. "Management theory and big data literature: From a review to a research agenda," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 112-129.
    3. Susana G. Azevedo & Minelle E. Silva & João C. O. Matias & Gustavo P. Dias, 2018. "The Influence of Collaboration Initiatives on the Sustainability of the Cashew Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-29, June.
    4. 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.
    5. Amer Saeed & Yun Jun & Saviour Ayertey Nubuor & Hewawasam Puwakpitiyage Rasika Priyankara & Mahabaduge Prasad Fernando Jayasuriya, 2018. "Institutional Pressures, Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Environmental and Economic Performance: A Two Theory View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    6. Atif Sattar Mahar & Yang Zhang & Burhan Sadiq & Rana Faizan Gul, 2025. "Sustainability Transformation Through Green Supply Chain Management Practices and Green Innovations in Pakistan’s Manufacturing and Service Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-29, March.
    7. Zhifeng Wu & Senjing Zhai & Jiangtao Hong & Yibin Zhang & Keren Shi, 2018. "Building Sustainable Supply Chains for Organizations Based on QFD: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, December.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. Tao, Zhibin & Chao, Jiaxiao, 2024. "Unlocking new opportunities in the industry 4.0 era, exploring the critical impact of digital technology on sustainable performance and the mediating role of GSCM practices," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(3).
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Wenwen Zhu & Zhiqiang Wang, 2018. "The Collaborative Networks and Thematic Trends of Research on Purchasing and Supply Management for Environmental Sustainability: A Bibliometric Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-28, May.
    14. Ahashan Habib & Yukun Bao, 2019. "Impact of knowledge management capability and green supply chain management practices on firm performance," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 8(6), pages 240-255, October.
    15. Samuel Adomako, 2020. "Environmental collaboration, sustainable innovation, and small and medium‐sized enterprise growth in sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from Ghana," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1609-1619, November.
    16. Luo, Jun & Chong, Alain Yee-Loong & Ngai, Eric W.T. & Liu, Martin J., 2014. "Green Supply Chain Collaboration implementation in China: The mediating role of guanxi," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 98-110.
    17. 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.
    18. Ramanathan, Usha & Gunasekaran, Angappa, 2014. "Supply chain collaboration: Impact of success in long-term partnerships," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 252-259.
    19. 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.
    20. 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.

    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:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2346-:d:1607429. 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.