Including social performance as a measure for resilient and green freight transportation

Abstract

Whilst the literature shows a clear relation between institutional pressures (normative, coercive, mimetic) on the adoption of Resilient and Green Freight Transportation (RGFT) practices on the one hand, and economic, operational and environmental performance on the other, very few studies have considered the role of social performance (both society and employee-wise) in this equation. Social performance is currently under investigation as a potential success indicator in RGFT practice implementation. However, well-established models that include this social indicator still lack in the field. To this end, this research builds upon an institutional theory-based model which includes social performance as one of the decision-making factors in the industry. A sample of 107 freight transporters from South East Europe (SEE) provides the data to test several structural relations through path analysis. Results show that the three aforementioned institutional pressures positively impact on RGFT practice implementation. However, the relation is positive for all three pressures only when successful RGFT practice implementation has a moderating effect. Similarly, RGFT practice implementation positively impacts on social performance, through which as moderator, it also yields environmental and economic performance. Lastly, the results show that social performance positively impacts on economic and environmental performance. Overall, this study contributes to institutional theory and green supply chain management by demonstrating the need for including social performance as a success indicator in RGFT practice implementation. Ultimately, this study provides insights for industries and policymakers from SEE and comparable regions.

Green logistics tools applied in selected companies in the Czech Republic: a survey

“…This view is in line with the conclusion of Solomon's research. Solomon et al (2019) stated that the results show that social performance positively impacts economic and environmental performance and that these results support the need for adding social performance as an individualized factor in the success measurement of sustainable practice implementation. ISO 26000:2010 provides guidelines on how businesses and organizations can operate in a socially responsible way, displaying an ethical and transparent behaviour that contributes to the health and welfare of society (ISO, 2016).…”

“…Logistic companies shouldn't only consider improving service quality and reducing operating costs but also should take a particular corporate social responsibility (hereinafter CSR) (Shi, 2020) At the intersection of social, environmental, and economic performance, there are activities that organizations can engage in which not only positively affect the natural environment and society but also result in long-term economic benefits and competitive advantage for the company (Carter et al, 2008). Solomon et al (2019) add that the literature is increasingly focused on the perceived overlap between social, economic, and environmental performance and how an organization incorporates practices based on pressures, whether coercive, mimetic, or normative. Recent research aims to challenge this purported overlap and to demonstrate that social performance is a stand-alone indicator of successful environmental practice implementation (Rezaee et al, 2015).…”

“…Recent research aims to challenge this purported overlap and to demonstrate that social performance is a stand-alone indicator of successful environmental practice implementation (Rezaee et al, 2015). Solomon (2019) stated examples of environmental, economic, and social performance. 2021) argue that in recent years, corporate involvement in CSR has become increasingly important and appreciated in the context of the ideas and assumptions regarding sustainable development.…”

A Systematic Literature Review of Green and Sustainable Logistics: Bibliometric Analysis, Research Trend and Knowledge Taxonomy

“…Khan et al [56] modeled the impact of G&SL performance on the countries' economic development and macro-level social and environmental indicators. Papoutsis et al [57] and Solomon et al [58] both maintained that logistics sustainability is closely related to operational efficiency and social acceptance from an economic and environmental perspective. Through the expert scoring, Morana and Gonzalez-Feliu [59] identified the most prominent factors affecting the sustainability of urban logistics are monetary saving, services quality, and customers' satisfaction rate (economic), pollution emissions and congestions (environmental), and the number of employment created/destroyed (social).…”

An MCDM framework for assessment of social sustainability indicators of the freight transport industry under uncertainty. A multi-company perspective

“…In India workers' safety, fair wages and labour practices are identified as important SS factors (Thresh Kumar et al, 2014;Mani et al, 2016). Solomon et al (2019) developed a framework for analysing institutional pressure to adopt resilient and green transport practices. They consider employee satisfaction, fair treatment, number of employee injuries, amount invested in CSR activities as SS attributes.…”