Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use empirical data to examine the impacts of integrating sustainability elements on the performance of supply chains of manufacturing small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptual framework was based on the systems theory and the triple bottom line concept. Purposive sampling approach was used to collect data from a cross-section of manufacturing SMEs. Partial least square (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to explore the relationships among the constructs.
Findings
The results indicate strong statistically significant positive relationships between each of the three sustainability elements and integration constructs. Sustainability integration is a mediating variable that explains a significant variance in performance of a supply chain. Supply chain performance is determined by the degree of integration of the three sustainability elements.
Research limitations/implications
The research focused on SMEs in the manufacturing industry in a less developed economy. An extension of the findings to the service industry and larger manufacturing firms and different operating environments may be limited.
Practical implications
Sustainability integration enhances supply chain performance and can be a competitive tool for manufacturing SMEs. The research emphasizes the value of sustainability integration into supply chains of manufacturing SMEs in less developed countries.
Originality/value
This is an original research that examined the impacts of sustainability integration on performance of supply chains of manufacturing SMEs in a developing economy. This research used empirical data to establish that integration of the three sustainability elements collectively acts as a critical mediating variable that determines the performance of a supply chain. The research also demonstrates the use of PLS-SEM to analyze supply chain attributes that cannot be directly measured.
Availability of adequate and relevant information in certain formats is important in the analysis of possible impact of policy relating to freight transportation. The application of geographic information system (GIS) technology is a valuable tool in integrating spatial data with other forms of data. Such integration in a visual format facilitates understanding of the interrelationships between variables and provides a better feel for the potential implications of any policy initiatives. The application of GIS techniques to freight movement in a corridor analysis is presented. The nature of trucking activities along the I-90/I-94 corridor from Seattle to Chicago and how these activities are influenced by truck size and weight (TS&W) regulations are investigated. The GIS approach allows the analyst or policy maker to address a range of what-if public policy questions. The policy questions for TS&W are complex and are beyond simply understanding the overall freight and transportation characteristics of the corridor. The database allows the analyst to visually understand freight movement on a given highway and forecast the probable outcome of changing certain rules and regulations that control such movement.
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