Role of Green Supply Chain Management strategies in Environmental Sustainability of sugar Firms in Western Kenya

Abstract

Organizations are facing mounting pressure to consider the environmental impact of their industrial activities, particularly in high-polluting industries. Supply chain management is therefore being increasingly used to address the environmental pollution challenges that arise due to industrial development. Even though sugar companies in Western Kenya have environmental management policies, they still face disputes with local communities due to pollution caused by their p roduction processes. Experts however propose that incorporating Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) strategies could be effective in reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. However, the effectiveness of these strategies had not been tested through empirical research. The study therefore sought to examine the effect of GSCM practices on environmental performance of Western Kenya’s sugar manufacturing companies. An explanatory design was employed to carry out the survey with respondents drawn from various departments of the sugar companies. The instrument's reliability was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results revealed that GSCM practices were positive and significant, meaning that GSCM practices explain variance in environmental performance by a bigger proportion. The study concluded that manufacturing companies should integrate (GSCM) as an essential strategy for sustainable initiatives, which can contribute to a company's competitive advantage and overall profitability.