This study examines the role of green logistics in enhancing international competitiveness within agro-export supply chains, focusing on oregano-exporting firms in Tacna, Peru. In the context of increasing global pressure for sustainable production and environmentally responsible trade, green logistics has emerged as a strategic driver of both environmental performance and market competitiveness. A quantitative, applied, and correlational research design was employed, using a census sample of 20 exporting firms. Data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires assessing key dimensions of green logistics—green transportation, sustainable storage and distribution, eco-friendly packaging, and reverse logistics—as well as international competitiveness, measured through productivity, innovation, product quality, and export capacity. Statistical analyses included descriptive and inferential techniques to evaluate the relationship between sustainability practices and export performance. The findings reveal a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between green logistics implementation and international competitiveness (r = 0.71,
p
< 0.01). Among the dimensions analyzed, eco-friendly packaging and transportation efficiency showed the strongest influence on competitive performance, particularly in terms of product differentiation and market access. However, reverse logistics remains underdeveloped, highlighting structural challenges in the adoption of circular economy practices within the sector. From a theoretical perspective, the study integrates the Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, and Green Supply Chain Management frameworks to explain how sustainability-oriented logistics capabilities function as strategic resources in international trade. Practically, the results provide actionable insights for firms seeking to improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and comply with international sustainability standards. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence from an underexplored agro-export context in a developing economy and by proposing a Green Logistics Integration Model (MILV-Competitiva) aligned with sustainable supply chain principles. The findings also support the relevance of sustainability-driven strategies in achieving competitive advantage and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible production and climate action.
Green supply chain management (GSCM) has become a strategic requirement for industrial firms seeking to reduce environmental harm while improving long-term sustainability performance. Despite growing interest in green procurement, eco-design, green manufacturing, and green distribution, limited empirical evidence explains how these practices are converted into sustainability performance through collaborative environmental action in the Sultanate of Oman. Guided by the Natural Resource-Based View, this study examines the effects of four GSCM practices on environmental collaboration and investigates the mediating role of environmental collaboration in the relationship between GSCM practices and sustainability performance. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain professionals working in Omani industries. From 520 questionnaires distributed, 342 valid responses were retained for analysis. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0 and partial least squares structural equation modelling. The measurement model demonstrated acceptable reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural results show that eco-design, green procurement, green manufacturing, and green distribution have significant positive effects on environmental collaboration. Environmental collaboration, in turn, has a strong positive effect on sustainability performance. The indirect effects also support the mediation of the relationships between the GSCM practices and the sustainability performance, confirming the mediation chain. The results indicated that green practices are not enough; they have to be integrated with the collaboration of suppliers, customers, logistics and other functions within the company to make green practices produce results in terms of performance. The study adds to GSCM and sustainability literature by providing a relational mechanism that determines the contribution of green practices to the industrial sustainability of the Oman context.
Shahzad Ahmad Khan, D. Muniyanayaka, Khalifa Al Adabi et al.· Journal of Intelligent Decis...· 0 citations
Supply chain logistics performance has increasingly become a critical determinant of export competitiveness, particularly in developing economies where trade efficiency, infrastructure capacity, and logistics reliability significantly influence participation in international markets. Despite substantial investments in trade facilitation initiatives such as the expansion of the Port of Mombasa, development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), and implementation of the National Electronic Single Window System, Kenya has continued to experience relatively modest export growth and limited export diversification compared to regional competitors. This study examined the influence of supply chain logistics performance on export trade competitiveness in Kenya by focusing on four key dimensions of logistics performance: customs clearance efficiency, trade and transport infrastructure quality, logistics service competence, and shipment tracking and tracing capability. Guided by Supply Chain Management Theory and Trade Facilitation Theory, the study evaluated how these logistics dimensions contribute to export competitiveness within the Kenyan context. The study adopted a longitudinal research design utilizing secondary annual data covering the period 2007–2024. Data were obtained from the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Export trade competitiveness was measured using annual percentage growth in export volume, while logistics performance was measured using the relevant LPI indicators. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression techniques were employed to analyze the data. The descriptive findings revealed moderate improvements across all logistics dimensions during the study period, with shipment tracking and tracing capability recording the highest mean score, followed by logistics service competence, trade and transport infrastructure quality, and customs clearance efficiency. Correlation analysis indicated positive relationships between all logistics performance dimensions and export trade competitiveness. Logistics service competence exhibited the strongest association with export competitiveness (r = 0.75), followed by trade and transport infrastructure quality (r = 0.71), shipment tracking capability (r = 0.68), and customs clearance efficiency (r = 0.63). Regression results demonstrated that all four logistics dimensions significantly influenced export trade competitiveness. Logistics service competence emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.338, p = 0.003), followed by shipment tracking and tracing capability (β = 0.264, p = 0.012), trade and transport infrastructure quality (β = 0.246, p = 0.014), and customs clearance efficiency (β = 0.201, p = 0.029). The overall model explained 71% of the variation in export trade competitiveness (R² = 0.71), indicating substantial explanatory power. The study concludes that strengthening logistics performance remains essential for improving Kenya’s export competitiveness and recommends continued investment in infrastructure development, customs modernization, logistics service quality enhancement, and digital trade facilitation systems. Overall, the study affirms that supply chain logistics performance constitutes a strategic driver of export growth and international trade competitiveness in Kenya.
Everline Chebet, Julius Riboiywo· Journal of Applied Humanitie...· 0 citations
The demands of competitive advantage are a growing force in the enterprises, especially in emerging markets where the expectations of industry, resources and regulations are rapidly changing. From the context of green procurement, green logistics and recyclability, Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices can provide companies with opportunities to optimize operational performances, boost their brand value and realize long-term benefits. Even though there is an increasing number of people interested in adopting GSCM practices, the empirical evidence remains fragmented and underdeveloped confirming the effectiveness of GSCM in emerging market contexts. This study reviewed 50+ peer-reviewed articles that were published from 2018 to 2026 systematically, to discuss the relationship between GSCM practices and firm competitiveness. Articles were first selected through a structured literature review methodology and following that, filtered to be of interest and methodological quality and to target articles on emerging-market firms. Overall, the results show that green procurement and eco-logistics are a profitable practice that always improves competitive advantage, both through the reduction of costs, enhancement of supply chain efficiency and the indication to the stakeholders that the company is responsible. Operational effectiveness and compliance are also in part addressed by waste reduction efforts, but limited by financial, technical and/or organizational barriers. Cost reduction and brand reputation were selected as key mediators that are reinforced by the impact of the practices of GSCM to increased competitiveness. This synthesis gives useful guidance to managers needing to strategically manage sustainable supply chains and identifies opportunities to develop further research, such as cross-country comparisons, service-sector applications, and longitudinal analyses. The study adds value to both theory and practice because of its ability to synthesize the existing knowledge on GSCM in emerging markets and providing evidence-based guidance for harnessing sustainability as a competitive advantage.
Junbi Dong· International journal of bus...· 0 citations
In the context of growing environmental concerns and digital transformation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies face increasing pressure to improve sustainable performance (SP). Green logistics management (GLM) and Industry 4.0 technologies (ID4.0) have emerged as promising solutions. However, previous studies have often examined these dynamics individually and failed to capture the mediation mechanisms particularly circular economy practices (CEP) and waste management (WM) that transform digital and green capabilities into sustainable outcomes. This study aims to develop and empirically test an integrated model that investigates the direct and indirect effects of green logistics management and ID4.0 on SP, with CEP and WM as mediating variables. The model is evaluated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) conducted in R. Data were collected from 144 respondents representing manufacturing and logistics SMEs in Vietnam. The findings confirm that GLM positively influences both CEP (β = 0.644) and SP (β = 0.276), while ID4.0 significantly impacts WM (β = 0.575) but has only a modest direct effect on SP (β = 0.126). CEP (β = 0.225) and WM (β = 0.388) both play significant mediating roles, reinforcing their importance in sustainable performance. This study contributes to sustainability research by validating a comprehensive framework that connects digitalization, green logistics, and environmental process integration. For practitioners, the results offer a strategic roadmap for SMEs to enhance SP through the simultaneous adoption of ID4.0 technologies, green logistics practices, and circular economy principles.
N. Cuong, Dat Dao, N. Nguyen et al.· European journal of sustaina...· 0 citations
Environmental sustainability has become a critical concern for manufacturing firms due to increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, industrial waste, and inefficient resource utilization. In Kenya's South Rift region, manufacturing industries play a significant role in economic development but continue to contribute substantially to environmental degradation. Despite growing regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations, empirical evidence on how green process innovation enhances environmental sustainability remains limited, particularly regarding the role of green supply chain management. This study examined the mediating effect of green supply chain management on the relationship between green process innovation and environmental sustainability among manufacturing firms in the South Rift region of Kenya. Guided by Innovation Theory of Diffusion. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a cross-sectional causal research design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 162 senior managers drawn from 81 registered manufacturing firms. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that green process innovation significantly improves environmental sustainability through enhanced resource efficiency, waste reduction, and emission control. Furthermore, green supply chain management significantly strengthens the relationship between green process innovation and environmental sustainability (β = 0.224, p < 0.05), suggesting that cleaner production technologies generate stronger environmental outcomes when integrated with environmentally responsible procurement, manufacturing, and logistics practices. The study concludes that manufacturing firms can achieve superior environmental performance by aligning internal green process innovations with supply chain sustainability initiatives. The study recommends that managers invest in cleaner production technologies and integrate green supply chain practices to accelerate sustainable industrial development.
Bett Samwel Kiptoo, Phyllis Kirui, Dr. Pius Chumba· International journal of res...· 0 citations
Growing sustainability challenges have led to the adoption of the circular economy as a crucial environmental strategy for manufacturing companies. To fully maximize its benefits, firms need to develop circular economy capabilities (CEC) that enhance sustainability across their supply chains. Drawing on the dynamic capability and contingency theories, this study examines the relationship between CEC and supply chain sustainability (SCS), examining the mediating role of green orientation (GO) and the moderating influence of technology orientation (TO).
The proposed model was tested using structural equation modelling based on survey data collected from 180 manufacturing firms in Ghana.
The results revealed that CEC has a positive and significant effect on all three dimensions of SCS. These relationships are partially mediated by GO and inversely moderated by TO.
The study contributes to the understanding of how CEC and GO jointly create sustainable supply chains. It highlights that firms that prioritize green-oriented practices can create positive social impacts by promoting fair labour practices, supporting local communities and addressing social issues, thereby leading to improved social sustainability.
Abraham Sahidu Jawula Mandego, Kwame Owusu Kwateng, F. Tetteh et al.· International Journal of Log...· 0 citations