Key success factors for achieving green supply chain performance : a study of UK ISO 14001 certified manufacturers

Murphy, Eileen

Abstract

Recently, there has been increasing emphasis on the use of voluntary environmental protection instruments such as environmental management systems (EMS). One such system is ISO 14001 which is designed to assist organisations to create a structured mechanism for continuous improvement in environmental performance.

However, more knowledge is required to identify the impact these systems have on the actual environmental supply chain practices performance (GSCPP) of manufacturing organisations. Furthermore many investigations of the supply chain are based on ―hard‖ factors such as the application of systems and tools to achieve performance goals. What are less appreciated are the effects of human dimensions of managing relationships with employees and suppliers. Accordingly this research will investigate the relations and dynamics of the Key Success Factors (KSF), (training, communication, management support, employee responsibility, rewards and recognition, employee involvement, and supplier management) which are believed to assist in the improvement of GSCPP of manufacturing companies.

This research sets its objectives on advancing the knowledge and understanding of the roles of key success factors in supply chain operations, how these KSF function as separate factors or work together and how they are being put into practice in manufacturing organisations. A mixed method explanatory approach adopting a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews are used to describe these phenomena and explore the reasons for and reveals inhibitors of the implementation of KSF.

Key findings from this study are the development of a new mega-construct to measure internal soft management practices in organisations. Organisations successfully achieving green supply chain performance are applying a combination of key success factors such as employee responsibility and collaboration with suppliers. In-depth case studies also illustrate how these KSF manifest themselves and work together in real life. Evidence from the analysis demonstrates that despite the ISO 14001 certification some organisations are behaving in a more reactive fashion providing only the bare minimum in terms of training, where there is little emphasis on involvement of their employees, and where the management is largely unsupportive of a more comprehensive and integrated EMS.

This research has three areas of contribution; to researchers who wish to further examine the combination of both hard and soft interpretations for environmental supply chain performance; to management practitioners who will benefit from the resulting tool will be able to assess the steps required to improve performance; and to those responsible for reviewing ISO 14001 who may include KSF and thus pass on the benefits to participating organisations.

Citation

Murphy, E. (2012). Key success factors for achieving green supply chain performance : a study of UK ISO 14001 certified manufacturers. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215540

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Apr 10, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Business
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215540
• Additional Information: Business School, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2012