An investigation of antecedents and consequences of green value internalisation in UK industries
Authors
Arhavbarien, Joseph AbawenarheIssue Date
2023-08Subjects
pro-environmental initiativesexternal pressures
green value internalisation
green criteria development
competitive advantage
Subject Categories::N190 Business studies not elsewhere classified
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Show full item recordAbstract
This study focuses on the concept of green value internalisation (GVI) at firm level. While extant literature has numerous papers that examined value internationalisation from either cultural or ethical perspective, this concept has not been studied in the context of proenvironmental (or green) behaviour within firms. This study aims to examine the concept of GVI in a firm, its drivers and how the focus on GVI affects firms achieving competitive advantage. GVI as a subject investigates the response by firms to growing awareness by customers and society on protecting the earth’s environment from polluting activities of industries. Organizations, therefore, need to develop internal capabilities to meet customer and regulatory requirements across their supply chains. To achieve the research aim, the study develops and tests a research model that comprises of six construct items based on evidence from extant literature. The model depicts the causal relationships and is analysed to establish evidence of significance in relation to eight proposed hypotheses. This research adopts a positivist epistemological approach and uses the research-based view (RBV) and the stakeholder theory to examine and explain the phenomena being investigated. This study applies quantitative methods by collecting empirical data from online surveys of firms in the United Kingdom across the standard industrial classification (SIC) of economic activities comprising small and medium enterprises SMEs) and large enterprises (LEs) were examined. Usable responses from 213 firms were analysed in relation to assessing their level of compliance to sustainable, environment-friendly or green practices. To assess this, the focus was on investigating evidence of environment management system (EMS) in place in these firms or their ISO14001 certification or green compliance status. Based on evidence from the literature six constructs were used in the research model. These were: external pressures (EXT), internal drivers (INT), green value internalisation (GVI), incentives and training (ITR), green criteria development (GCD) and competitive advantage (CA). Prior to undertaking the main study, a pilot study was conducted to assess the survey instrument via convenience sampling technique by administering questionnaires using Qualtrics to select academics and industry managers. Improvement suggestions received were incorporated into the main survey. To evaluate causal relationships among constructs, this study proposed eight hypotheses. In analysing the hypothesised relationship, the author followed a two-step modeling approach which first examines the measurement model using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for construct validity and reliability assessment. This was followed by a structural model analysed via structural equation modeling technique. Results from this research shows evidence of strong correlation between green value internalisation and competitive advantage. This study contributes to filling knowledge gaps in relation to firm-level pro-environmental initiatives by identifying green or environmental criteria as it affects the focal firm and its collaboration in the upstream and downstream of the supply chain. The research provides managers with tested data they can use as guide for making business decisions for green supplier selection, green purchasing, eco-design for the environment and rollout of firm-level pro-environmental programs.Citation
Arhavbarien, J. A. (2023) 'An Investigation of Antecedents and Consequences of Green Value Internalisation in UK Industries'. PhD thesis. University of Bedfordshire.Publisher
University of BedfordshireType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enDescription
A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyCollections
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