The Impact of Integrated Practices of Lean, Green, and Social Management Systems on Firm Sustainability Performance—Evidence from Chinese Fashion Auto-Parts Suppliers

Lin Wu, Nachiappan Subramanian, Muhammad D. Abdulrahman, Chang Liu, Kee-hung Lai and Kulwant S. Pawar
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Lin Wu: Nottingham University Business School China, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China
Nachiappan Subramanian: Nottingham University Business School China, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China
Muhammad D. Abdulrahman: Nottingham University Business School China, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China
Chang Liu: School of Economics, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315100, China
Kee-hung Lai: Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Faculty of Business, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Kulwant S. Pawar: Nottingham University Business School, The University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: To better satisfy various stakeholders, firms are seeking integrated practices that can enhance their sustainability performance, also well known as the Triple Bottom Line (3BL). The fashion industry exhibits potential conflicts with the spirit of sustainability because of the waste created by high levels of demand uncertainty and the extant usage of resources in production. Literature suggests that selected stand-alone practices of lean, green, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) management systems have a positive impact on firm sustainability performance. However, how the combination of selected practices from these three management systems impacts the 3BL remains unclear. Based on case studies, we build an integrated sustainable practices model incorporating the most popular lean, green, and social practices and develop propositions for future tests. Our framework suggests the implementation of integrated practices would have a stronger influence on 3BL performance than individual practice implementation.

Keywords: lean; green; social; sustainability; Triple Bottom Line (3BL) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (27)

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