Drivers and barriers of green supply chain management implementation in the Mozambican manufacturing industry

Abstract

Environmental sustainability, greening business practices and initiatives have received increasing research attention. This is due to various pressures placed on organisations from different stakeholder groups. This study explores the drivers of and barriers to the implementation of green supply chain management in the Mozambican manufacturing industry. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with one senior manager in eight different organisations in the industry. The study identified four drivers and eight barriers within the Mozambican context. The most important drivers are corporate social responsibility, internal organisational policies, and board and top management support. Culture, costs and government legislations were identified as the barriers with the greatest impact. The key factors that influence and prevent the adoption of green supply chain management practices are identified and prioritised. Corruption is identified as a barrier, but little if any existing research is available on it. Government legislations is also considered a barrier in the Mozambican manufacturing industry, whereas existing research indicate that governments are drivers. The study expands research on green supply chains in small emerging and developing countries as little research is available on the topic.