Green practices and sustainability performance: the exploratory links of organizational culture and quality improvement practices

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the direct and indirect effects of organizational culture and quality improvement practices on the relationship between green practices and sustainability performances by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaires were used to collect data from 330 full-time managerial employees in established businesses. The relationships depicted in the proposed conceptual model were tested through six hypotheses. IBM SPSS Statistics and SEM-AMOS were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results supported proposed relationships in the model, except the one between organizational culture and green practices. The findings indicate that the more employees are aware of companies’ green practices, the more likely they are going to feel positive about the sustainability performance of the organization. Additionally, a strong organizational culture that supports the green movement and quality improvement practices lead to positive sustainability outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsA larger sample size in several major industries would allow the development of industry-specific sustainability strategies and best practices. In addition, a study based in a different geographical location in the USA or in a different country is recommended to see if the findings can be generalized across different industries, geographical locations or countries.Practical implicationsSustainability has undoubtedly become a major concern for many companies today. The findings of this study provide important guidelines for practitioners to balance the implementation of green practices, organizational culture, quality improvement practices and sustainability performance dimensions. Profitability and sustainability can be achieved together when companies are willing to continuously pay attention to environmental issues and strategically invest in initiatives that are cost-efficient and eco-friendly.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first that explores how organizational culture and quality improvement practices affect directly and indirectly the relationship between green practices and sustainability performance. The results imply that organizational culture and quality improvement practices significantly affect the relationship between green practices and the sustainability performance dimensions.

Analyzing sustainable reverse logistics capability and triple bottom line: the mediating role of sustainability culture

“…The NRBV, an expansion of the resource-based view (RBV), has been prevalently utilized in sustainability studies to clarify variations in intra-and interorganizational performance (e.g. Yildiz Çankaya and Sezen, 2019;Saruchera and Asante-Darko, 2021;Fok et al, 2022). It is a competitive advantage theory that propounds the development of an organization and its capability to stay ahead is based on its connection with the natural environment.…”

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The secret ingredient? Uncovering the effect of organizational culture on quality management: a literature review

“…This advances internal (Shuaib and He, 2021) and external performances (Golrizgashti et al. , 2022), adding to the long-term viability of the firm (Fok et al. , 2022b).…”

Green procurement and green innovation for green organizational legitimacy and access to green finance: The mediating role of total quality management

“…Fok et al. (2022) suggested that shared social and moral capitals enhance firms’ credibility in accessing green finance and investment. From the above discourse, we propose that: Hypotheses 5 .…”

“…As explained by Gill (2019), building such links also facilitated the achievement of social and moral capital. Fok et al (2022) suggested that shared social and moral capitals enhance firms' credibility in accessing green finance and investment. From the above discourse, we propose that:…”