Buyer-Driven Knowledge Transfer Activities to Enhance Organizational Sustainability of Suppliers

Abstract

Despite the significant contribution of buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities (BDKTAs) to innovation and operational performance, studies that analyze social sustainability in manufacturing (suppliers) firms are still scarce. This paper examines the mediation relationship of knowledge acquisition and investment in environmental management between BDKTAs and social performance improvements (SPIs). The paper contributes to the understanding of buyer knowledge transfer activities, with a focus on the knowledge acquisition capabilities and investments in environmental management, and the effect on SPIs. The hypotheses were examined with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 239 firms. Buyer knowledge transfer activities are likely to increase the willingness of suppliers to make specific environmental investments into operations in waste reduction procedures, the recycling of materials, and pollution prevention training of employees. We proposed that buyer knowledge transfer activities are necessary to survive and grow and thus there is a need to acquire knowledge resources to achieve organizational sustainability. Buyer knowledge transfer activities are necessary to make investment decisions in environmental management programs. Firms that focus on buyer knowledge transfer activities and internal investments into environmental management can attain sustainability objectives.

Exploring the effect of buyer engagement on green product innovation: Empirical evidence from manufacturers

“…There exists a strong association between customer involvement and SP (Shafiq et al, 2017). As illustrated by prior research (Awan et al, 2020), BKTA has a positive impact on SP. There, we anticipate that a positive association exists between BKTA and SP (See Figure 1).…”

“…However, previous research has undertheorized the possible role of customer involvement in SPI Sancha, Gimenez, and Sierra (2016). Recently, Awan, Khattak, Rabbani, and Dhir (2020) has investigated the mediating role of firm internal capability on the relationship between buyer involvement and SPIs. Despite the rising interest in the topic of GPI, the literature reveals the following research gaps.…”

“…The discussion in the literature has provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the factors affecting GPI. Further, few empirical research studies broaden the scope to also consider buyer involvement in conjunction with firm‐level knowledge management capabilities (Awan et al, 2020).…”

“…Finally, we provide evidence on the importance of external knowledge and firm internal capabilities on firm SPIs. This study contributes to this topic by integrating the mediating effect of knowledge management capabilities on SP (Awan et al, 2020). Second, the empirical context of this study extends prior literature on internal capabilities (Dangelico, 2016) by providing evidence on the mediating role of RAC and KC in the association of BKTA and GPI.…”

Sustainable Urban Mobility in Poznan and Oslo-Actual State and Development Perspectives

“…Identifying the level of satisfaction of buyers with municipal public transport services and learning about the barriers will enable a better adjustment of the offering of these services to the expectations of buyers. This approach is a reference to the issues raised by Awan, Khattak, Rabbani, and Dhir, who described buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities in manufacturing firms [8]. Moreover, the effective implementation of solutions favoring sustainable development requires the involvement of both-buyers and suppliers [9].…”