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Scientific Article details

Title Customer-driven sustainable business practices and their relationships with environmental and business performance-Insights from the European shipping industry
ID_Doc 78383
Authors Raza, Z; Woxenius, J
Title Customer-driven sustainable business practices and their relationships with environmental and business performance-Insights from the European shipping industry
Year 2023
Published Business Strategy And The Environment, 32, 8
DOI 10.1002/bse.3477
Abstract Understanding and meeting stakeholder demands for sustainability while striving for improved business performance (BP) presents a significant challenge. The shipping industry has been relatively slow in its sustainability efforts. However, it faces mounting pressure from various stakeholders, particularly customers (i.e., shippers directly or via logistics service providers), who increasingly demand reduced emissions from shipping operations. Consequently, environmental performance (EP) has become a key criterion in awarding shipping tenders, prompting shipping firms to adopt sustainable business practices (SBP). This study aims to investigate the relationships between customers' expectations (CE), the adoption of SBP and the EP and BP of European shipping companies. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the interrelationships among CE, SBP, EP and BP. The findings indicate a positive association between CE and the adoption of SBP, which in turn enhances EP and BP. Managers are encouraged to proactively allocate resources towards implementing SBP, as this not only improves EP but also enables better responsiveness to stakeholders' expectations, leading to increased profitability, customer satisfaction and corporate image. These outcomes yield benefits for all stakeholders involved in the European freight transport ecosystem.
Author Keywords business performance; customer expectations; environmental management; environmental performance; maritime transport; stakeholders; sustainable business practices; sustainable logistics
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:001004524900001
WoS Category Business; Environmental Studies; Management
Research Area Business & Economics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/bse.3477
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