Industry 4.0 and green supply chain practices: an empirical study

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Industry 4.0 on economic and environmental performance through the mediation of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in the emerging economic context, like Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study investigates Industry 4.0 effects on economic and environmental performance through GSCM practices in an emerging economy. For the testing of hypotheses, Smart-PLS is employed. In total, 284 valid responses were analyzed in this study.FindingsThe outcomes indicate that GSCM practices mediate the effect of Industry 4.0 on both economic and environmental performance. Also, the results indicate that GSCM practices are positively affected by Industry 4.0.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study is limited to manufacturing firms in Pakistan. Future studies may explore other variables that could expedite the adoption of GSCM as the concept of GSCM is still in its infancy. Future studies can conceptualize GSCM through resource based theory as mainstream SCM research has largely ignored the synergistic view of resource based approach in conceptualizing green supply chain models. Implications include policy making that emphasis on enhancing environmental knowledge training.Originality/valueAccording to the best knowledge of the researcher, no study has been conducted regarding the effect of Industry 4.0 on economic and environmental performance through the mediation of GSCM practices in the emerging economy, like Pakistan.

Green capabilities and green purchasing practices: A strategy striving towards sustainable operations

“…Regarding the effect of GPP on ENTP, the present study demonstrated a positive link between GPP and ENTP ( β = .316, p < .05). The result of this is consistent with the research work of Zhu et al (2013), Umar, Khan, Yusliza, et al (2021), and Ivanova et al (2020). Al‐Ghwayeen and Abdallah (2018) examined the effect of GPP on ENTP.…”

“…Regarding the effect of GnP in SC, the researchers have demonstrated that GnP/lean practices aid enterprises to mitigate adverse pollutants, waste material, conserve natural resources (Sinha & Anand, 2017; Umar, Khan, Yusliza, et al, 2021), and enhance profitability of firms (Çankaya & Sezen, 2019). Zaid et al (2018) examined the link between GSCM practices and firm performance.…”

Green Supply Chain Management Practices’ Impact on Operational Performance with the Mediation of Technological Innovation

“…Mughal [75] explored the strong moderating effect of traceability on the connection between eco-design and organizational performance and the association between internal environment management and organizational performance. Umar, Khan [45] further investigated the mediating role of GSCM practices on the relationship of Industry 4.0 to environmental and economic performance.…”

Circular economy practices and industry 4.0 technologies: A strategic move of automobile industry

“…The use of industry 4.0 is recognized as a vital enabler of circular economy in businesses (Ranta et al, 2021). For example, industry 4.0 enable tracking and sharing of information regarding product and material within the SC process (Khan, Yu, et al, 2021); along with that, it also automates the SC through the use of smart sensors, intelligent machines, and devices which increased the efficiency and quality of resources (Umar et al, 2021), making the system flexible and efficient by increasing the capability of the SC regarding information sharing, coordination, response, and integration hence in turn managing the whole SC process, that is, from production to logistics operation. However, the contemporary research work on the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies lack empirical findings in CE business model (Centobelli et al, 2020) and SC capability, while understanding how industry 4.0 in firms influence CE and SC capability is pivotal.…”