Title: Mediation effects of sustainable supply chain strategies on supply chain functions and firm performance

Authors: Meena Madhavan; Chandrasekar Kaliaperumal; Sezhiyan Muthuvel

Addresses: St. Theresa International College, 1 Moo 6, NakhonNayok-Rangsit Road, Klong 14, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand ' Alagappa Institute of Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India ' Deceased; formerly of: Department of Management Studies, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This research examines the direction of relationship among the functions of supply chain and sustainable supply chain strategies on firm performance. Moreover, this research validates how the sustainable supply chain strategy mediates between supply chain function and firm performance. The various aspects related to study variables which have been addressed in the previous literature were probed and subsequently a measurement framework was initially developed and proved. Subsequently, three hypotheses were formulated and a concept model was developed. A nationwide survey among the supply chain professionals within manufacturing firms was undertaken. The concept model was tested to measure direct effect and indirect effect by using structural equation model. The inference that can be drawn from the results of the survey is that the sustainable supply chain strategy and the firm performance are impacted positively and sustainable supply chain strategy mediates between supply chain function and firm performance. This research adds value to the literature by providing valid and reliable metrics to measure firm performance in the context of sustainable supply chain activities.

Keywords: sustainable strategies; supply chain strategies; supply chain functions; mediation effects; firm performance; SEM; structural equation modelling; supply chain management; SCM; manufacturing industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPSCM.2015.071610

International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 2015 Vol.7 No.3, pp.292 - 304

Received: 28 Oct 2013
Accepted: 07 Sep 2014
Published online: 04 Sep 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article