Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Antecedents of Adopting Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Green Practices

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper examines the antecedents of organizational commitment for adopting corporate environmental responsibility and green practices in the case of the logistics industry in South Korea. Seven hundred and eighty employees and top management from logistics companies were sampled. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, structural equation modeling techniques, and one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that social expectations, organizational support, and stakeholder pressure were the important antecedents for the adoption of corporate environmental responsibility and green practices. In the path analysis, social expectations had the greatest impact on both stakeholder pressure and green practice adoption. Moreover, we found that the higher the job titles were, the more willing they were to adopt green practices. This indicated that the current top management of Korean logistics companies is well aware of being mandated to make a commitment to corporate environmental responsibility and green practices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Álvarez-Gil, M. J., Berrone, P., Husillos, F. J., & Lado, N. (2007). Reverse logistics, stakeholders’ influence, organizational slack, and managers’ posture. Journal of Business Research, 60(5), 463–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aragon-Correa, J. A., & Sharma, S. (2003). A contingent resource-based view of proactive corporate environmental strategy. Academy of Management Review, 28(1), 71–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arend, R. J. (2014). Social and environmental performance at SMEs: Considering motivations, capabilities, and instrumentalism. Journal of Business Ethics, 125(4), 541–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, M. (2003). Corporate social responsibility in 2003: A review of the year. Business Respect, 68. Retrieved Feb 25, 2014 from http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN016538.pdf

  • Bartholomew, D. J. (1996). The statistical approach to social measurement. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartoshuk, L. M., Fast, K., & Snyder, D. J. (2005). Differences in our sensory worlds: Invalid comparisons with labeled scales. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(3), 122–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basilevsky, A. (1994). Statistical factor analysis and related methods. New York, NY: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brammer, S., Millington, A., & Rayton, B. (2007). The contribution of corporate social responsibility to organizational commitment. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18, 1701–1719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buysse, K., & Verbeke, A. (2003). Proactive environmental strategies: A stakeholder management perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 24(5), 453–470.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Tang, G., Jin, J., Li, J., & Paillé, P. (2014). Linking market orientation and environmental performance: The influence of environmental strategy, employee’s environmental involvement, and environmental product quality. Journal of Business Ethics. doi:10.1007/s10551-014-2059-1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christmann, P. (2000). Effects of ‘‘best practices’’ of environmental management on cost advantage: The role of complementary assets. Academy of Management Journal, 43(4), 663–680.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christmann, P. (2004). Multinational companies and the natural environment: Determinants of global environmental policy standardization. Academy of Management Journal, 47(5), 747–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawes, J. (2008). Do data characteristics change according to the number of scale points used? An experiment using 5-point, 7-point and 10-point scales. International Journal of Market Research, 50(1), 61–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Brío, J. A., & Junquera, B. (2003). A review of the literature on environmental innovation management in SMEs: Implications for public policies. Technovation, 23(12), 939–948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Río González, P. (2005). Analysing the factors influencing clean technology adoption: A study of the Spanish pulp and paper industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 14(1), 20–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, G. (1989). Design and analysis of reliability studies. London: Arnold.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, R., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2012). Is responsibility now the key to corporate success? Guardian Professional Network. Retrieved Feb 25, 2013 from the Guardian website http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/responsibility-key-corporate-success.

  • Etzion, D. (2007). Research on organizations and the natural environment, 1992–present: A review. Journal of Management, 33(4), 637–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frambach, R. T., & Schillewaert, N. (2002). Organizational innovation adoption: A multi-level framework of determinants and opportunities for future research. Journal of Business Research, 55(2), 163–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gadenne, D. L., Kennedy, J., & McKeiver, C. (2009). An empirical study of environmental awareness and practices in SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(1), 45–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giménez, C., & Sierra, V. (2013). Sustainable supply chains: Governance mechanisms to greening suppliers. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(1), 189–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldsby, T. J., & Stank, T. P. (2000). World-class logistics benefits and environmentally responsible logistics practices. Journal of Business Logistics, 21(2), 187–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Benito, J., & González-Benito, O. (2006a). A review of determinant factors of environmental proactivity. Business Strategy and the Environment, 15(2), 87–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González-Benito, J., & González-Benito, O. (2006b). The role of stakeholder pressure and managerial values in the implementation of environmental logistics practices. International Journal of Production Research, 44(7), 1353–1373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guay, T., Doh, J. P., & Sinclair, G. (2004). Non-governmental organizations, shareholder activism, and socially responsible investments: Ethical, strategic, and governance implications. Journal of Business Ethics, 52(1), 125–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henriques, I., & Sadorsky, P. (2007). Environmental, technical and administrative innovations in the Canadian manufacturing industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16(2), 119–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hummels, H., & Timmer, D. (2004). Investors in need of social, ethical, and environmental information. Journal of Business Ethics, 52(1), 73–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iyer, A. A. (2006). The missing dynamic: Corporations, individuals and contracts. Journal of Business Ethics, 67(4), 393–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iyer, A. A. (2009). Corporate social responsibility and farmer suicides: A case for Benign paternalism? Journal of Business Ethics, 85(4), 429–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeyaraj, A., Rottman, J. W., & Lacity, M. C. (2006). A review of the predictors, linkages, and biases in IT innovation adoption research. Journal of Information Technology, 21(1), 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jo, S.-W. (2010). Driving factors of green physical distribution and its subsequent impact on environmental and economic benefits. Journal of the Korean Industrial Economic Association, 23(2), 675–696.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kacmar, K. M., Carlson, D. S., & Brymer, R. A. (1999). Antecedents and consequences of organizational commitment: A comparison of two scales. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 59, 976–994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J.-H. (2012). Studies on green logistics in the transport system. Korea Research Academy of Distribution and Management Review, 15(5), 17–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S.-T., & Han, C.-W. (2011). Measuring environmental logistics practices. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, 27(2), 237–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y.-M., & Lee, K.-N. (2011). A study on the driving factors of green physical distribution and its subsequent impact on environmental and economic benefits. Journal of the Korean Academy of International Commerce, 26(3), 91–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, T.-H., & Yoo, S.-G. (2012). A study on the green growth and government support on green physical distribution. Journal of the Korea Association for International Commerce and Information, 14(1), 315–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practices of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konrad, A., Steurer, R., Langer, M. E., & Martinuzzi, A. (2006). Empirical findings on business–society relations in Europe. Journal of Business Ethics, 63(1), 89–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korea Federation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. (2012). Industry Activity Survey 2009: Logistics and Transportation Survey. Retrieved Oct 13, 2015 from the Korea Federation of SMEs website http://220.71.4.128:8000/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=340&tblId=DT_A30005

  • Lai, K. H., & Wong, C. W. Y. (2012). Green logistics management and benefits: Some empirical evidence from Chinese manufacturing exporters. Omega, 40(3), 267–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lannelongue, G., González-Benito, O., & González-Benito, J. (2014). Environmental motivations: The pathway to complete environmental management. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(1), 135–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. (2008). Drivers for the participation of small and medium-sized suppliers in green supply chain initiatives. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 13(3), 185–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H.-Y., Lee, Y.-K., & Kwon, D. (2005). The intention to use computerized reservation systems: The moderating effects of organizational support and supplier incentive. Journal of Business Research, 58(11), 1552–1561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C.-Y., & Ho, Y.-H. (2010). An empirical study on logistics services providers’ intention to adopt green innovations. Journal Technology Management & Innovation, 3(1), 17–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C.-Y., & Ho, Y.-H. (2011). Determinants of green practice adoption for logistics companies in China. Journal of Business Ethics, 98(1), 67–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lion, H., Donovan, J. D., & Bedggood, R. E. (2013). Environmental impact assessments from a business perspective: Extending knowledge and guiding business practice. Journal of Business Ethics, 117(4), 789–805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea. (2011). National Logistics Development Plan 2011-2020. Seoul. Retrieved Feb 25, 2014 from http://www.molit.go.kr/USR/policyData/m_34681/lst.jsp

  • Mueller, M., dos Santos, V. E., & Seuring, S. (2009). The contribution of environmental and social standards towards ensuring legitimacy in supply chain governance. Journal of Business Ethics, 89(4), 509–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P. R., Poist, R. F., & Braunschweig, C. D. (2006). Green logistics: Comparative views of environmental progressives, moderates, and conservatives. Journal of Business Logistics, 17(1), 191–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Geographic (2012). Greendex 2012: Consumer choice and the environment—A worldwide tracking survey. National Geographic/GlobeScan. Toronto, Canada: GlobeScan Incorporated. Retrieved Feb 25, 2014 from http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-content/file/NGS_2012_Final_Global_report_Jul20-cb1343059672.pdf

  • National Logistics Information Center of Korea (2011). Logistics Statistics. Retrieved Feb 25, 2013 from the National Logistics Information Center website http://www.nlic.go.kr/nlic/front.action

  • Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, L. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, Y.-S., & Lin, S.-S. (2008). Local responsiveness pressure, subsidiary resources, green management adoption and subsidiary’s performance: Evidence from Taiwanese manufactures. Journal of Business Ethics, 79(1–2), 199–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, G. F., & Romi, A. M. (2014). Does the voluntary adoption of corporate governance mechanisms improve environmental risk disclosures? Evidence from greenhouse gas emission accounting. Journal of Business Ethics, 125(4), 637–666.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, P., & Holt, D. (2005). Do green supply chains lead to competitiveness and economic benefits? International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 25(9), 898–916.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez, M., Magnan, M., & Cho, C.-H. (2013). Is environmental governance substantive or symbolic? An empirical investigation. Journal of Business Ethics, 114(1), 107–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, S., & Zyglidopoulos, S. C. (2007). Determinants of environmental innovation adoption in the printing industry: The importance of task environment. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16(1), 39–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruhnka, J. S., & Boerstler, H. (1998). Governmental incentives for corporate self-regulation. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(3), 309–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russo, M. V., & Fouts, P. A. (1997). A resource-based perspective on corporate environmental benefits and profitability. Academy of Management Journal, 40(3), 534–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scupola, A. (2003). The adoption of Internet commerce by SMEs in the south of Italy: An environmental, technological and organizational perspective. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 6(1), 52–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shu, C., Zhou, K.-Z., Xiao, Y., & Gao, S. (2014). How green management influences product innovation in China: The role of institutional benefits. Journal of Business Ethics. doi:10.1007/s10551-014-2401-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stawiski, S., Deal, J. J., & Gentry, W. (2010). Employee perceptions of corporate social responsibility: The implications for your organization. Quick View Leadership Series, (June). Greensboro, NC: The Center for Creative Leadership.

  • Szolnoki, G., & Hoffmann, D. (2013). Online, face-to-face and telephone surveys: Comparing different sampling methods in wine consumer research. Wine Economics and Policy, 2(2), 57–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torugsa, N. A., O’Donohue, W., & Hecker, R. (2013). Proactive CSR: An empirical analysis of the role of its economic, social and environmental dimensions on the association between capabilities and performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 115(2), 383–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, K., Ni, N., & Huo, W. (2014). Is the red dragon green? An examination of the antecedents and consequences of environmental proactivity in China. Journal of Business Ethics, 125(1), 27–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, D., Lynch-Wood, G., & Ramsay, J. (2006). Drivers of environmental behaviour in manufacturing SMEs and the implications for CSR. Journal of Business Ethics, 67(3), 317–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, J. (2014). The relationship between sustainable supply chain management, stakeholder pressure and corporate sustainability performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 119(3), 317–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Q., Sarkis, J., Cordeiro, J. J., & Lai, K. H. (2008). Firm-level correlates of emergent green supply chain management practices in the Chinese context. Omega, 36(4), 577–591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Q., Sarkis, J., & Lai, K. H. (2007). Green supply chain management: Pressures, practices and benefits within the Chinese automobile industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 15, 1041–1052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Administrative Sciences Department, Boston University, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Jung Wan Lee

  2. Department of International Trade and Logistics, Seoul Cyber University, Solmaero 49 Gil 60, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, 142-700, Republic of Korea

    Young Min Kim

  3. Department of Business Administration, Seoul Digital University, 320 Dokmak-Ro Mapo-Ku, Seoul, 121-040, Republic of Korea

    Young Ei Kim

Authors
  1. Jung Wan Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Young Min Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Young Ei Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jung Wan Lee.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 5.

Table 5 Survey questionnaire and descriptive statistics
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lee, J.W., Kim, Y.M. & Kim, Y.E. Antecedents of Adopting Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Green Practices. J Bus Ethics 148, 397–409 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3024-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3024-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation