United Nations Global Compact: Where are we going?

Mitigating the environmental concerns through total quality management and green manufacturing practices

This study seeks to explore the intricate relationship between total quality management (TQM) and environmental performance (EP), incorporating the mediating role of green manufacturing practices (GMPs). Additionally, the study examines the moderating impact of environmental strategy on the connections between GMPs and EP. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to managers of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and were subjected to analysis using structural equation modeling. The results reveal a positive and significant impact of TQM on EP. Furthermore, the findings suggest that GMPs partially mediate the association between TQM and EP, while the anticipated moderating effect of environmental strategy between GMPs and EP is also supported in this study. These outcomes hold valuable implications for enhancing the environmental performance of SMEs through the integration of TQM and GMPs. It is important to note that this research exclusively focuses on manufacturing SMEs; therefore, future studies should extend their examination of this concept to other industries. Additionally, the study's findings provide a valuable roadmap for SME administrators aiming to elevate their environmental performance.

Measuring green innovation through total quality management and corporate social responsibility within SMEs: green theory under the lens

Purpose

In the modern business world, the main focus of the organizations is to improve the quality of the products and minimize the wastage of raw material. Keeping in view the green theory and improve the efficiency of the organization, the focus of the current study is to investigate the relationship between total quality management (TQM) and green innovation (GI), and examine how TQM practices can facilitate firms to achieve GI objectives. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is also an important factor for organizations, and this study also focuses on the mediating role of CSR between the relationship of TQM and GI.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study. Data were gathered from the top management of 355 SMEs working in Pakistan through a questionnaire survey; the PLS-SEM approach was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Results of the study show that TQM has significant impacts on two aspects of GI namely green product innovation and green process innovation. Moreover, results also reveal that CSR partially mediates the relationship between TQM and GI.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to manufacturing SMEs and future research should test this model on non-manufacturing sector too. The findings of the study provide significant roadmap to the management of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms that how they can reduce wastage and improve the product and process innovation in their organizations through TQM and CSR.

Originality/value

This study contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advances how TQM, directly and indirectly, help firms improve green innovation via mediating roles of CSR.

The impact of abandoning social responsibility certifications: evidence from the decertification of SA8000 standard

Purpose

In recent years, many companies have decided to decertify from their previously adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards. The aim of this paper is to explore the phenomenon by focusing on the most important auditable CSR standard: Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000).

Design/methodology/approach

First, an event study is performed on a dataset composed of 136 SA8000 decertified public listed companies to analyse the possible relationship between certification, decertification and firms’ operating performance. Second, the authors shed light on the differences between 94 SA8000 (still) certified and the abovementioned 136 decertified firms. Finally, 10 interviews are conducted with decertified firms in the dataset to deepen the outcomes of the previous analyses.

Findings

The results show that, despite an initial positive effect in terms of sales and profitability, decertified companies experienced a reduction in productivity and profitability in the years following the certification, while positive outcomes emerged after the decertification. The study also highlights that certified and decertified firms differ in terms of home country, industry and labour intensity.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by opening the debate on an important but unexplored research area: the decertification from the most popular CSR standard, i.e. SA8000, and its relationship with firms' performance. In doing this, it also highlights the main differences between decertified and certified companies.