Abstract
The escalation of regulatory obligations in order to reshape and implement eco-friendly operations make it essential for firms to execute the related strategies and enhance their position in a competitive market. Scholars and practitioners, thereby, have aligned their search in the area of sustainability to get to know regarding activities that might improve the outcomes of business practices. To contribute in a particular area, the study attempts to explore the critical role of knowledge management, technological advancement, and green supply chain (SC) management on SBP in the presence of a moderator—leadership. China is used as a study sample, and the study model was evaluated through structural equation modelling. Statistical findings indicate that knowledge management, technological advancement, and green SC management have a positive influence on SBP in China. The findings reveal that leadership support significantly moderates knowledge management, technological advancement, green SC management, and SBP in China. These outcomes guide regulators in making regulations related to sustainable performance using the best practice of SC, technology advancement, and knowledge management.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of data and materials
The data that support the findings of this study are attached.
References
Abbas J (2020) Impact of total quality management on corporate sustainability through the mediating effect of knowledge management. J Clean Prod 244:118–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118806
Abbas J, Zhang Q, Hussain I, Akram S, Afaq A, Shad MA (2020) Sustainable innovation in small medium enterprises: the impact of knowledge management on organizational innovation through a mediation analysis by using SEM approach. Sustainability 12(6):240–263. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062407
Abualoush SH, Obeidat AM, Tarhini A, Al-Badi A (2018) The role of employees’ empowerment as an intermediary variable between knowledge management and information systems on employees’ performance. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems 48(2):217–237. https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-08-2017-0050
Afum E, Osei-Ahenkan VY, Agyabeng-Mensah Y, Owusu JA, Kusi LY, Ankomah J (2020) Green manufacturing practices and sustainable performance among Ghanaian manufacturing SMEs: the explanatory link of green supply chain integration. Management of Environmental Quality: an International Journal 31(6):1457–1475. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-01-2020-0019
Agrawal R, Wankhede VA, Kumar A, Upadhyay A, Garza-Reyes JA (2021) Nexus of circular economy and sussstainable business performance in the era of digitalization. Int J Product Perform Manag 71(3):748–774. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2020-0676
Ainou FZ, Ali M, Sadiq M (2022) Green energy security assessment in Morocco: green finance as a step toward sustainable energy transition. Environ Sci Pollut Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19153-7
Akram MU, Chauhan C, Ghosh K, Singh A (2019) Knowledge management, sustainable business performance and empowering leadership: A firm-level approach. International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM) 15(2):20–35. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJKM.2019040102
Andreeva T, Kianto A (2012) Does knowledge management really matter? Linking knowledge management practices, competitiveness and economic performance. J Knowl Manag 16(4):617–636
Bai X, Wang KT, Tran TK, Sadiq M, Trung LM, Khudoykulov K (2022) Measuring China’s green economic recovery and energy environment sustainability: Econometric analysis of sustainable development goals. Economic Analysis and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.07.005
Bashir M, Farooq R (2019) The synergetic effect of knowledge management and business model innovation on firm competence: a systematic review. International Journal of Innovation Science 11(3):362–387. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-10-2018-0103
Bednar PM, Welch C (2020) Socio-technical perspectives on smart working: Creating meaningful and sustainable systems. Inf Syst Front 22(2):281–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-019-09921-1
Cankaya SY, Sezen B (2018) Effects of green supply chain management practices on sustainability performance. J Manuf Technol Manag 30(1):98–121
Ch’ng P-C, Cheah J, Amran A (2021) Eco-innovation practices and sustainable business performance: The moderating effect of market turbulence in the Malaysian technology industry. J Clean Prod 283:1245–1264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124556
Chege SM, Wang D (2020) The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya. Technol Soc 60:1012–1129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101210
Cherrafi A, Garza-Reyes JA, Kumar V, Mishra N, Ghobadian A, Elfezazi S (2018) Lean, green practices and process innovation: a model for green supply chain performance. Int J Prod Econ 206:79–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.09.031
Chien F (2022a) How renewable energy and non-renewable energy affect environmental excellence in N-11 economies? Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.07.013
Chien F (2022b) The mediating role of energy efficiency on the relationship between sharing economy benefits and sustainable development goals (Case Of China). J Innov Knowl. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100270
Chien F, Hsu CC, Sibghatullah A, Hieu VM, Phan TTH, Hoang Tien N (2021) The role of technological innovation and cleaner energy towards the environment in ASEAN countries: proposing a policy for sustainable development goals. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.2016463
Chien F, Chau KY, Sadiq M, Hsu CC (2022b) The impact of economic and non-economic determinants on the natural resources commodity prices volatility in China. Resour Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102863
Chien F, Zhang Y, Sharif A, Sadiq M, Hieu MV (2022a) Does air pollution affect the tourism industry in the USA? Evidence from the quantile autoregressive distributed lagged approach. Tourism Economics https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166221097021
Cillo V, Petruzzelli AM, Ardito L, Del Giudice M (2019) Understanding sustainable innovation: a systematic literature review. Corp Soc Responsib Environ Manag 26(5):1012–1025. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1783
Çop S, Olorunsola VO, Alola UV (2021) Achieving environmental sustainability through green transformational leadership policy: can green team resilience help? Bus Strateg Environ 30(1):671–682. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2646
Demir A, Budur T, Omer HM, Heshmati A (2021) Links between knowledge management and organisational sustainability: does the ISO 9001 certification have an effect? Knowl Manag Res Pract 8:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2020.1860663
Di Vaio A, Palladino R, Pezzi A, Kalisz DE (2021) The role of digital innovation in knowledge management systems: a systematic literature review. J Bus Res 123:220–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.09.042
Dinh HP, Tran KN, Van Cao T, Vo LT, Ngo TQ (2022) Role of eco-financing in COP26 goals: empirical evidence from ASEAN countries. Cuadernos De Economía 45(128):24–33
Duong KD, Thanh HT, T. (2022) Association between post-covid socio-economic development and energy-growth-environment nexus from developing economy. International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies 14(2):247–270
Fernando Y, Jabbour CJC, Wah W-X (2019) Pursuing green growth in technology firms through the connections between environmental innovation and sustainable business performance: does service capability matter? Resour Conserv Recycl 141:8–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.09.031
Ferreira J, Mueller J, Papa A (2018) Strategic knowledge management: theory, practice and future challenges. J Knowl Manag 24(2):121–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-07-2018-0461
Green KW, Zelbst PJ, Meacham J, Bhadauria VS (2012) Green supply chain management practices: impact on performance. Supply Chain Management: an International Journal 17(3):290–305
Hair JF Jr, Howard MC, Nitzl C (2020) Assessing measurement model quality in PLS-SEM using confirmatory composite analysis. J Bus Res 109:101–110
Hartani NH, Haron N, Tajuddin NII (2021) The impact of strategic alignment on the sustainable competitive advantages: mediating role of it implementation success and it managerial resource. International Journal of eBusiness and eGovernment Studies 13(1):78–96
Haseeb M, Hussain HI, Kot S, Androniceanu A, Jermsittiparsert K (2019a) Role of social and technological challenges in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage and sustainable business performance. Sustainability 11(14):3811–3828. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143811
Haseeb M, Hussain HI, Ślusarczyk B, Jermsittiparsert K (2019) Industry 4.0: A solution towards technology challenges of sustainable business performance. Soc Sci 8(5):154–169. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8050154
Huang SZ, Chien F, Sadiq M (2022) A gateway towards a sustainable environment in emerging countries: the nexus between green energy and human Capital. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja 35(1):4159–4176
Imran MY, Elahi NS, Abid G, Ashfaq F, Ilyas S (2020) Impact of perceived organizational support on work engagement: mediating mechanism of thriving and flourishing. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 6(3):1–18
Iqbal Q, Ahmad NH (2021) Sustainable development: the colors of sustainable leadership in learning organization. Sustain Dev 29(1):108–119. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2135
Iqbal Q, Ahmad NH, Nasim A, Khan SAR (2020) A moderated-mediation analysis of psychological empowerment: sustainable leadership and sustainable performance. J Clean Prod 262:1214–1228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121429
Jean R-JB, Sinkovics RR, Kim D (2010) Drivers and performance outcomes of relationship learning for suppliers in cross-border customer–supplier relationships: The role of communication culture. J Int Mark 18(1):63–85
Jermsittiparsert K (2021) Linkage between energy consumption, natural environment pollution, and public health dynamics in ASEAN. International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies 13(2):1–21
Kamarudin F, Anwar NAM, Chien F, Sadiq M (2021) Efficiency of microfinance institutions and economic freedom nexus: empirical evidence from four selected ASIAN countries. Transform Bus Econ 20(2b):845–868
Kamble SS, Gunasekaran A, Gawankar SA (2020) Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: a review for research and applications. Int J Prod Econ 219:179–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120860
Kazancoglu Y, Kazancoglu I, Sagnak M (2018) A new holistic conceptual framework for green supply chain management performance assessment based on circular economy. J Clean Prod 195:1282–1299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.015
Kumar A, Mangla SK, Luthra S, Ishizaka A (2019) Evaluating the human resource related soft dimensions in green supply chain management implementation. Production Planning & Control 30(9):699–715. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1555342
Lan J, Khan SU, Sadiq M, Chien F, Baloch ZA (2022) Evaluating energy poverty and its effects using multi-dimensional based DEA-like mathematical composite indicator approach: Findings from Asia. Energy Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112933
Li X, Fong PS, Dai S, Li Y (2019) Towards sustainable smart cities: an empirical comparative assessment and development pattern optimization in China. J Clean Prod 215:730–743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.046
Lin CY, Chau KY, Tran TK, Sadiq M, Van L, Phan TTH (2022) Development of renewable energy resources by green finance, volatility and risk: empirical evidence from China. Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.10.086
Litvinenko V (2020) Digital economy as a factor in the technological development of the mineral sector. Nat Resour Res 29(3):1521–1541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09568-4
Liu Z, Lan J, Chien F, Sadiq M, Nawaz MA (2022) Role of tourism development in environmental degradation: a step towards emission reduction. J Environ Manage. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114078
Martins VWB, Rampasso IS, Anholon R, Quelhas OLG, Leal Filho W (2019) Knowledge management in the context of sustainability: literature review and opportunities for future research. J Clean Prod 229:489–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.354
Micheli GJ, Cagno E, Mustillo G, Trianni A (2020) Green supply chain management drivers, practices and performance: A comprehensive study on the moderators. J Clean Prod 259:121–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121024
Moslehpour M, Shalehah A, Wong WK, Ismail T, Altantsetseg P, Tsevegjav M (2022a) Economic and tourism growth impact on the renewable energy production in Vietnam. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29(53):81006–81020
Moslehpour M, Chau KY, Tu YT, Nguyen KL, Barry M, Reddy KD (2022b) Impact of corporate sustainable practices, government initiative, technology usage, and organizational culture on automobile industry sustainable performance. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29(55):83907–83920
Moslehpour M, Chau KY, Du L, Qiu R, Lin CY, Batbayar B (2022c) Predictors of green purchase intention toward eco-innovation and green products: evidence from Taiwan. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja 1–22
Muhmad SN, Muhamad R (2021) Sustainable business practices and financial performance during pre-and post-SDG adoption periods: a systematic review. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment 11(4):291–309. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2020.1727724
Nguyen CH, Ngo QT, Pham MD, Nguyen AT, Huynh NC (2021) Economic linkages, technology transfers, and firm heterogeneity: the case of manufacturing firms in the Southern Key Economic Zone of Vietnam. Cuadernos De Economía 44(124):1–25
Nor-Aishah H, Ahmad NH, Thurasamy R (2020) Entrepreneurial leadership and sustainable performance of manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia: The contingent role of entrepreneurial bricolage. Sustainability 12(8):3100–3117. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083100
Nosratabadi S, Mosavi A, Shamshirband S, Zavadskas EK, Rakotonirainy A, Chau KW (2019) Sustainable Business Models: a Review Sustainability 11(6):1663–1674. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1106166
Ojogiwa OT (2021) The crux of strategic leadership for a transformed public sector management in Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Studies 13(1):83–96
Phuoc VH, Thuan ND, Vu NPH, Tuyen LT (2022) The impact of corporate social and environmental responsibilities and management characteristics on SMES’ performance in Vietnam. International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies 14(2):36–52
Pinto L (2020) Green supply chain practices and company performance in Portuguese manufacturing sector. Bus Strateg Environ 29(5):1832–1849. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2471
Quynh MP, Van MH, Le-Dinh T, Nguyen TTH (2022) The role of climate finance in achieving Cop26 goals: evidence from N-11 countries. Cuadernos De Economía 45(128):1–12
Raut RD, Mangla SK, Narwane VS, Gardas BB, Priyadarshinee P, Narkhede BE (2019) Linking big data analytics and operational sustainability practices for sustainable business management. J Clean Prod 224:10–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.181
Ringle C, Da Silva D, Bido D (2015) Structural equation modeling with the SmartPLS. Structural Equation Modeling with the Smartpls. Brazilian Journal Of Marketing 13(2):29–36
Sadiq M, Ou JP, Duong KD, Van L, Ngo TQ, Bui TX (2022a) The influence of economic factors on the sustainable energy consumption: evidence from China. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2093244
Sadiq M, Lin CY, Wang KT, Trung LM, Duong KD, Ngo TQ (2022b) Commodity dynamism in the COVID-19 crisis: are gold, oil, and stock commodity prices, symmetrical? Resour Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.103033
Sadiq M, Ngo TQ, Pantamee AA, Khudoykulov K, Thi Ngan T, Tan LP (2023a) The role of environmental social and governance in achieving sustainable development goals: evidence from ASEAN countries. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja 36(1):170–190
Sadiq M, Moslehpour M, Qiu R, Hieu VM, Duong KD, Ngo TQ (2023b) Sharing economy benefits and sustainable development goals: empirical evidence from the transportation industry of Vietnam. J Innov Knowl. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100290
Saleem A, Aslam S, Yin H-B, Rao C (2020) Principal leadership styles and teacher job performance: viewpoint of middle management. Sustainability 12(8):3390–3412. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083390
Sapta IKS, Sudja IN, Landra IN, Rustiarini NW (2021) Sustainability performance of organization: mediating role of knowledge management. Economies 9(3):97–108. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies9030097
Shahzad M, Qu Y, Zafar AU, Rehman SU, Islam T (2020) Exploring the influence of knowledge management process on corporate sustainable performance through green innovation. J Knowl Manag 24(9):2079–2106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-11-2019-0624
Sheikh AA, Rana NA, Inam A, Shahzad A, Awan HM (2018) Is e-marketing a source of sustainable business performance? Predicting the role of top management support with various interaction factors. Cogent Business & Management 5(1):1–22
Shibli R, Saifan S, Ab Yajid MS, Khatibi A (2021) Mediating role of entrepreneurial marketing between green marketing and green management in predicting sustainable performance in Malaysia’s organic agriculture sector. AgBioforum 23(2):37–49
Song M, Fisher R, Kwoh Y (2019) Technological challenges of green innovation and sustainable resource management with large scale data. Technol Forecast Soc Chang 144:361–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2018.07.055
Tan LP, Sadiq M, Aldeehani TM, Ehsanullah S, Mutira P, Vu HM (2021) How COVID-19 induced panic on stock price and green finance markets: global economic recovery nexus from volatility dynamics. Environ Sci Pollut Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17774-y
Tohãnean D, Buzatu AI, Baba C-A, Georgescu B (2020) Business model innovation through the use of digital technologies: managing risks and creating sustainability. Amfiteatru Economic 22(55):758–774. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2020/55/758
Trivellas P, Malindretos G, Reklitis P (2020) Implications of green logistics management on sustainable business and supply chain performance: evidence from a survey in the greek agri-food sector. Sustainability 12(24):105–117. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410515
Tseng M-L, Islam MS, Karia N, Fauzi FA, Afrin S (2019) A literature review on green supply chain management: trends and future challenges. Resour Conserv Recycl 141:145–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.10.009
Wang H, Pan C, Wang Q, Zhou P (2020) Assessing sustainability performance of global supply chains: an input-output modeling approach. Eur J Oper Res 285(1):393–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2020.01.057
Wijaya I, Rai A, Hariguna T (2019) The impact of customer experience on customer behavior intention use in social media commerce, an extended expectation confirmation model: an empirical study. Management Science Letters 9(12):2009–2020. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.7.005
Wirsbinna A, Grega L (2021) Assessment of economic benefits of smart city initiatives. Cuadernos De Economía 44(126):45–56
Woo E-J, Kang E (2020) Environmental issues as an indispensable aspect of sustainable leadership. Sustainability 12(17):7014–7027. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177014
Xu XL, Chen HH, Zhang RR (2020) The impact of intellectual capital efficiency on corporate sustainable growth-evidence from smart agriculture in China. Agriculture 10(6):199–216. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10060199
Yilan G, Cordella M, Morone P (2022) Evaluating and managing the sustainability of investments in green and sustainable chemistry: an overview of sustainable finance approaches and tools. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 8:100–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100635
Younis H, Sundarakani B (2019) The impact of firm size, firm age and environmental management certification on the relationship between green supply chain practices and corporate performance. Benchmarking: An International Journal 27(1):319–346. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-11-2018-0363
Zaid AA, Jaaron AA, Bon AT (2018) The impact of green human resource management and green supply chain management practices on sustainable performance: An empirical study. J Clean Prod 204:965–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.09.062
Zaragoza-Sáez PC, Claver-Cortés E, Marco-Lajara B, Úbeda-García M (2020) Corporate social responsibility and strategic knowledge management as mediators between sustainable intangible capital and hotel performance. J Sustain Tour 8:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1811289
Zhan Y, Tan KH, Ji G, Chung L, Chiu AS (2018) Green and lean sustainable development path in China: Guanxi, practices and performance. Resour Conserv Recycl 128:240–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2016.02.006
Zhang D, Rong Z, Ji Q (2019a) Green innovation and firm performance: evidence from listed companies in China. Resour Conserv Recycl 144:48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.01.023
Zhang Y, Khan U, Lee S, Salik M (2019b) The influence of management innovation and technological innovation on organization performance. A Mediating Role of Sustainability Sustainability 11(2):495–516. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020495
Zhang Y, Li L, Sadiq M, Chien F (2023) The impact of non-renewable energy production and energy usage on carbon emissions: Evidence from China. Energy Environ.https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X221150432
Zhao L, Zhang Y, Sadiq M, Hieu VM, Ngo TQ (2021) Testing green fiscal policies for green investment, innovation and green productivity amid the COVID-19 era. Econ Chang Restruct. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10644-021-09367-z
Zhao L, Chau KY, Tran TK, Sadiq M, Xuyen NTM, Phan TTH (2022) Enhancing green economic recovery through green bonds financing and energy efficiency investments. Economic Analysis and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.08.019
Funding
This research is funded by Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under grant number 502.02–2020.26. This research is partly funded by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Shieh-Liang Chen: conceptualization, writing—original draft. Yu-Sheng Su: writing—literature review: Bushra Tufail: software. Trong Lam Vu and Thi Thu Hien Phan: visualization, methodology, supervision. Thanh Quang Ngo: Data curation. editing.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical approval and consent to participate
It can be declared that there are no human participants, human data, or human tissues.
Consent for publication
Not Applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Arshian Sharif
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, SL., Su, YS., Tufail, B. et al. The moderating role of leadership on the relationship between green supply chain management, technological advancement, and knowledge management in sustainable performance. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 56654–56669 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26304-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26304-x
Keywords
- Knowledge management
- Technological advancement
- Green supply chain management
- Leadership support
- Sustainable business performance