Title: Green Supply Chain Management and consumer sensitivity to greener and leaner options in the automotive industry

Authors: Alan D. Smith

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3099, USA

Abstract: As found in the empirical section of the present study, there were some interests in exploring alternative options in fuel efficiency when considering the next vehicle purchase, even if they are keeping their vehicles longer than anticipated. Although most respondents felt that green initiatives in automobiles were ideas that they could support in order to mitigate gas prices, few are willing to abandon older, more familiar technologies. There was statistically verifiable evidence in the hypotheses-testing results that provided some evidence of support for manufacturers' initiatives for leaner and greener automobiles. A review of ISO 14000 and green vehicular production initiatives and how companies measure performance are reviewed within case studies of both Chinese and German automotive industries.

Keywords: automobile industry; business strategies; green supply chains; SCM; supply chain management; consumer sensitivity; greener options; leaner options; automotive products; alternative options; fuel efficiency; vehicle purchases; green initiatives; automobiles; price mitigation; petrol prices; familiar technologies; manufacturer initiatives; vehicular production; motor vehicles; cars; performance measurement; China; Germany; ISO 14001; quality standards; International Organization for Standardization; environmental management systems; EMS; ISO 14000; ISO 14011; audit procedures; audits; Dalian Diesel Engine Plant; Volkswagen; Pittsburgh; Pennsylvania; USA; United States; consumers; working professionals; lean manufacturing; lean enterprise; lean production; preserving value; waste reduction; operations management; logistics systems; logistics management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2012.047056

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2012 Vol.12 No.1, pp.1 - 31

Published online: 28 Nov 2014 *

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