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Internationalization and environmentally-related organizational learning among Chinese manufacturers

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  • Zhu, Qinghua
  • Sarkis, Joseph
  • Lai, Kee-hung

Abstract

Globalization has caused Chinese manufacturers to develop quickly while simultaneously meeting green barriers to export products. Whether internationalization has led to improved environmental management practices among Chinese manufacturers is also a related question. Using survey data collected from 377 Chinese manufacturers in four industrial sectors, we find that international institutional pressures positively relate to domestic environmentalism of Chinese manufacturers and their adoption of environmentally-related organizational learning practices. Environmental learning is a viable method for Chinese manufacturers to ease their environmental burdens by replicating environmental management practices of their foreign counterparts. On the policy side, the Chinese government should follow other developed countries efforts to deploy environmental regulations and policies, further motivating environmental awareness and responses in the manufacturing industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Qinghua & Sarkis, Joseph & Lai, Kee-hung, 2012. "Internationalization and environmentally-related organizational learning among Chinese manufacturers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 142-154.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:79:y:2012:i:1:p:142-154
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2011.08.018
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dongmei Lee & Yuxia Fu & Daijiao Zhou & Tao Nie & Zhihong Song, 2022. "Is There a Missing Link? Exploring the Effects of Institutional Pressures on Environmental Performance in the Chinese Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-23, September.
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    4. Hervani, Aref Agahei & Sarkis, Joseph & Helms, Marilyn M., 2017. "Environmental goods valuations for social sustainability: A conceptual framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 137-153.
    5. Usama Awan & Andrzej Kraslawski & Janne Huiskonen, 2018. "Governing Interfirm Relationships for Social Sustainability: The Relationship between Governance Mechanisms, Sustainable Collaboration, and Cultural Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Demirbag, Mehmet & Apaydin, Marina & Sahadev, Sunil, 2021. "Micro-foundational dimensions of firm internationalisation as determinants of knowledge management strategy: A case for global strategic partnerships," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    7. Peter S. Hofman & Constantin Blome & Martin C. Schleper & Nachiappan Subramanian, 2020. "Supply chain collaboration and eco‐innovations: An institutional perspective from China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2734-2754, September.

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