The relationship among green human capital, green logistics practices, green competitiveness, social performance and financial performance

Abstract

PurposeThe study explores the role of green human capital in the implementation of green logistics practices to build green competitiveness and achieve improved social performance and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs structured questionnaires to gather data from 152 managers from manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Ghana. The data are analyzed and the hypotheses are tested using the partial least square structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings reveal that green human capital does have significant influence on financial performance. However, green human capital does not have significant influence on social performance and green competitiveness. Besides, green logistics practices significantly improve social performance, financial performance and green competitiveness. Green logistics practices mediate the relationship between green human capital and green competitiveness, social performance and financial performance. Hence, green human capital influences the successful implementation of green logistics practices, which results in building stronger green competitiveness and better social and financial performances.Originality/valueThis paper is among the dearth of studies that examine the role of green human capital in the implementation of sustainable supply chain practices. This study pioneers the exploration of the role of green human capital in the implementation of green logistics practices to improve social performance, financial performance and green competitiveness among manufacturing SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa. Besides, the study's findings expand literature by providing new insights into the effect between green logistics practices, financial performance, social performance and green competitiveness from Ghanaian SMEs.