The Role of Organizational Size in the Adoption of Green Supply Chain Management Practices in China

Qinghua Zhu, Joseph Sarkis, K-H. Lai, Yong Geng

Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 322-337, 2008.

Economic globalization, increasing resource scarcity, and environmental degradation have caused green supply chain management (GSCM) to become an important competitive approach for organizations involved in international trade. Using survey data collected from over 200 China-based organizations, we compare the implementation levels of five GSCM practices among small, medium, and large-sized organizations in China. We find that medium- and large-sized organizations are more advanced than their smaller-sized counterparts on most aspects, but not necessarily all, of these GSCM practices. Future research includes possible studies on GSCM practices and promotion, especially targeting small manufacturing organizations. In addition, the influence of globalization and foreign direct investment, especially after China’s entry into the WTO, could be more carefully examined.

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