Sustain or perish: can environmental supply chain strategies predict sustainable performance of manufacturing firms? A third world nation's perspective

Abstract

PurposeDrawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and dynamic capability perspectives, the current study investigates the extent to which environmental supply chain strategies (ESCSs) predict the dimensions of sustainable performance of manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachIn a cross-sectional survey, data were drawn from eight (8) listed manufacturing firms in Ghana: Aluworks Ltd, Unilever Ghana Plc, Fan Milk Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Cocoa Processing Company, Dannex Ayrton Starwin Plc, Benso Oil Palm Plantation Ltd and Samba Foods Ltd. The data from 396 respondents were analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe study revealed that environmental, social and economic sustainability performance reporting indicators were positively and significantly predicted by ESCSs of manufacturing firms in an emerging economy.Practical implicationsIn essence, the results provide broad support to the assertion that sustaining companies over several generations largely depends on understanding and implementing proactive green strategies or otherwise perish.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the few studies that investigate ESCSs and sustainability performance issues in emerging economies, like Ghana, where sustainability is on the verge of gaining momentum.