Title: Exploration of institutional theory in green supply chain initiatives for healthcare industries in Malaysia

Authors: Norzianis Rezali; Mohd Helmi Ali; Fazli Idris; Yusasniza Mohd Yunus; Yusrizal Sufardi Mohd Yunan

Addresses: Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi. Selangor, Malaysia ' School of Management, Faculty of Economic and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Pauh Putra, 02600 Pauh, Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract: The need for sustainable performance in the healthcare supply chain is becoming acute. The healthcare industry currently has to contend with multiple competing pressures alongside the new challenges of sustainable performance. The aim of this research is to explore the challenging factors of green supply chain initiatives from the view of the institution theory. This research tries to assess the actual sustainable performance resulting from the adoption of green supply chain initiatives in healthcare industries. As part of the research, the explanatory frameworks based on the institution theory are explored and discussed. Interviews with healthcare industry experts in Malaysia through the four case studies were conducted. The results provide in-depth insight and strong empirical evidence on how the institution pressure for green supply chain initiatives that contributes to the sustainable performance in healthcare industries. The findings of this research are intended to be used: a) to identify the green supply chain initiatives in healthcare industries; b) to build on a comprehensive picture of what challengers' factors for green supply chain initiatives in healthcare industries, as perceived by institution pressure. Additionally, the research offers propositions on how green supply chain initiatives could be better achieved through a range of institution perspective.

Keywords: institutional theory; green supply chain initiatives; healthcare industries; case studies; sustainable performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2021.116275

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2021 Vol.11 No.2/3, pp.126 - 141

Received: 08 May 2019
Accepted: 21 Dec 2019
Published online: 16 Jul 2021 *

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