The implementation of green supply chain management (GSCM) and environmental management system (EMS) practices and its impact on market competitiveness during COVID-19

Abstract

Despite great academic interest in global green supply chain management (GSCM) practices, its effectiveness for environmental management systems (EMS) and market competitiveness during COVID-19 remains untapped. Existing literature suggests that a fundamental link between GSCM, EMS, and market competitiveness is missing, as supply management is critical to maintain market competitiveness. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examines whether environmental management systems influence the link between GSCM practice and market competitiveness in China. We also propose the articulating role of big data analytics and artificial intelligence (BDA-AI) and environmental visibility toward these associations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the proposed model using regression-based structural equation modeling (SEM) with primary data ( n = 330). This result provides empirical evidence of the impact of GSCM on EMS and market competitiveness. Moreover, the results show that the BDA-AI and the environmental visibility enhanced the positive relationship between GSCM-EMS and EMS and market competitiveness in China. Recent research shows that supply chain professionals, policymakers, managers, and researchers are turning to formal EMS, BDA-AI, and environmental visibility to help their organizations achieve the competitiveness that the market indicates they need.

Potential of Advanced Technologies for Environmental Management Systems

“…Application to reduce emissions AI can optimize traffic flow, improve route planning, and promote the use of electric vehicles, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution [24,25,26,27,28] Application to achieve energy efficiency AI algorithms can optimize vehicle operations, reduce fuel consumption, and improve energy efficiency, leading to lower energy-related environmental impact [29,20,30] Application to obtain sustainable mobility AI applications can support the development of sustainable transportation solutions, such as ride-sharing services and intelligent transportation systems, which reduce the overall environmental impact of transportation activities [31,32,33,34] Construction Application to achieve energy efficiency AI can optimize building energy management systems, monitor energy consumption, and identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, reducing the environmental impact associated with construction energy use [35,36,37] Application to get waste reduction AI tools can analyze construction data to identify opportunities for waste reduction, material recycling, and improved resource management, leading to reduced environmental impact through minimized construction waste generation [38,39] Application to carry out sustainable materials AI can assist in the selection of sustainable building materials, considering factors such as embodied carbon, recycled content, and environmental certifications, thus promoting environmentally friendly construction practices [40,41] cont. Table 2 Office services Applications for energy management AI technologies can optimize energy consumption in office buildings by monitoring and controlling HVAC systems, lighting, and equipment usage, resulting in energy savings and reduced environmental impact [42,43,44] Applications for waste management AI-powered systems can improve waste sorting, recycling, and disposal processes in office environments, contributing to reduced landfill waste and promoting sustainable waste management practices [45,46] Virtual Collaboration AI tools enable remote collaboration and virtual meetings, reducing the need for business travel and associated carbon emissions, leading to a positive environmental impact…”

“…Above the mentioned most cited papers the search in the Scopus database includes the following articles related to the same query. Das et al [20] addresses the unexplored area in existing scholarly works, their research seeks to investigate the impact of environmental management systems on the relationship between Green Supply Chain Management practices and market competitiveness in China. Fenton et al [21] highlight the necessity of a fundamental change in our chemical management systems and explore the integration of a standardized management system and recent technological advancements into environmental management system operations, intending to mitigate or eradicate associated risks and liabilities.…”

An Integrated Q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy (Q-ROF) for the Selection of Supply-Chain Management

“…Cost [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48], innovation capability [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59], quality [60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71], service capability [57-59,72-79], long-term cooperation [80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88], environmental management system [89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96]...…”

Digital Transformation: Moderating Supply Chain Concentration and Competitive Advantage in the Service-Oriented Manufacturing Industry

“…In contrast, rapid response is a critical factor in supply chain management. It is worth noting that supply chain management brings several benefits, including achieving a sustainable competitive advantage and managing suppliers more effectively [131].…”