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Exploring the link between green manufacturing, operational competitiveness, firm reputation and sustainable performance dimensions: a mediated approach

Ebenezer Afum, Yaw Agyabeng-Mensah, Zhuo Sun, Bright Frimpong, Lawrence Yaw Kusi, Innocent Senyo Kwasi Acquah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the link between green manufacturing practices, operational competitiveness, firm reputation and sustainable performance dimensions as well as advance a mediation approach.

Design/methodology/approach: The study resorted to structured questionnaire to collect data from 158 manufacturing firms from different industries, and partial least square–structural equation modelling is used to test all hypothesized relationships.

Findings: The results indicate that green manufacturing has a positive significant impact on social, economic and environmental performance. However, firm reputation and operational competitiveness were found not to significantly influence economic performance. The mediation analysis also showed that operational competitiveness, firm reputation and environmental performance play no mediation role between green manufacturing and economic performance. Furthermore, social performance is found to mediate the relationship between green manufacturing and economic performance.

Research limitations/implications: The study did not consider any moderator variables. Also, the universal applicability and generalizability are somewhat a problem since data was mainly collected from Ghana, an emerging country.

Practical implications: The results provide managers with reasonable evidence to proactively implement and invest in green manufacturing practices because such practices will not only have a positive impact on their sustainable performance dimensions but further enhance operational competitiveness and provide firms with superior reputation.

Originality/value: The study provides significant findings that contribute to and expand the literature on green manufacturing, and it is among the relatively few studies that has investigated the link between green manufacturing, sustainable performance dimensions, firm reputation and operational competitiveness, especially from a mediation analysis perspective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1417-1438
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Manufacturing Technology Management
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Nov 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Economic performance
  • Environmental performance
  • Firm reputation
  • Green manufacturing practices
  • Operational competitiveness
  • Social performance

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