Abstract:
The study examines the mediating role of operational performance on the influence of sustainable supply chain management practices on environmental performance in Zimbabwe’s petroleum industry. Grounded in stakeholder theory, the natural resource-based view and sustainability theory, the research aimed to develop a model linking of sustainable supply chain management practices, operational performance, and environmental performance. Data were collected through a survey of 226 supply chain professionals in Zimbabwe’s petroleum industry achieving an 82% response rate. A positivist philosophy and quantitative approach were employed, using Structural Equation Modelling with SmartPLS 4.1.1.1 for data analysis. The study tested 19 hypotheses and confirmed significant relationships among sustainable supply chain management practices, operational performance, and environmental performance. Sustainable supply chain management practices were found to influence environmental performance both directly and indirectly via operational performance. Green purchasing had the strongest impact on both operational and environmental performance, highlighting its role in waste reduction and recycling. Green manufacturing and green distribution also showed moderate impacts, while green purchasing and green product design exhibited weaker effects. Green information systems had no significant influence, suggesting underutilisation in the industry. Operational performance was confirmed as a mediating factor, enhancing the indirect relationship between sustainable supply chain management practices and environmental performance. This was evident in green manufacturing, green purchasing, green product design, and reverse logistics. The findings emphasise the need to enhance operational efficiency to achieve environmental goals in the petroleum sector. This study contributes to sustainable supply chain management research by developing a model integrating operational performance as a mediating variable. Practically, petroleum firms should prioritise sustainable supply chain management practices, particularly reverse logistics and green manufacturing, to improve both operational and environmental outcomes. Policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders should strengthen regulatory frameworks and financial incentives to promote sustainable supply chain management practices adoption. Limitations include a geographic focus on Harare and reliance on self-reported data, which may constrain generalisability. Future research could expand this model by incorporating social sustainability dimensions and applying it to other industries or regions.
