IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v35y2026i3p4422-4443.html

Barriers to Low‐Carbon Technology Adoption: Insights From the Automotive Manufacturing Sector in Emerging Economies

Author

Listed:
  • Hala Hmamed
  • Anass Cherrafi
  • Alireza Shokri
  • Jose Arturo Garza‐Reyes
  • Monika Foster

Abstract

In response to global efforts to promote sustainability and combat climate change, industries increasingly leverage digital technologies to enhance organizational capabilities and adopt low‐carbon practices. This study focuses on the automotive manufacturing industry in Morocco, a critical sector in emerging economies, where low‐carbon technologies offer significant potential to reduce environmental impacts while driving economic growth. Addressing a crucial gap in the literature, this research investigates barriers to adopting these technologies through an empirical analysis involving 170 respondents. Using exploratory factor analysis, analytic hierarchy process, and decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory, the study identifies and prioritizes barriers such as financial constraints, technological limitations, sociocultural dynamics, regulatory challenges, and market competition. The findings emphasize enhancing organizational capabilities and fostering collaborative stakeholder efforts. Practical recommendations are provided for policymakers and industry leaders to create enabling environments that support sustainable practices and advance global sustainability objectives in developing countries and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Hala Hmamed & Anass Cherrafi & Alireza Shokri & Jose Arturo Garza‐Reyes & Monika Foster, 2026. "Barriers to Low‐Carbon Technology Adoption: Insights From the Automotive Manufacturing Sector in Emerging Economies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 4422-4443, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:35:y:2026:i:3:p:4422-4443
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70337
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70337
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.70337?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhu, Tong & Curtis, John & Clancy, Matthew, 2023. "Modelling barriers to low-carbon technologies in energy system analysis: The example of renewable heat in Ireland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PA).
    2. Yu, Biying & Tan, Jin-Xiao & Zhang, Shitong, 2024. "Uncertainties in the technological pathway towards low-carbon freight transport under carbon neutral target in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    3. Rawat, Atul & Garg, Chandra Prakash & Sinha, Priyank, 2024. "Analysis of the key hydrogen fuel vehicles adoption barriers to reduce carbon emissions under net zero target in emerging market," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Ilya Jackson & Dmitry Ivanov & Alexandre Dolgui & Jafar Namdar, 2024. "Generative artificial intelligence in supply chain and operations management: a capability-based framework for analysis and implementation," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(17), pages 6120-6145, September.
    5. Yang, Senmiao & Wang, Jianda & Dong, Kangyin & Dong, Xiucheng & Wang, Kun & Fu, Xiaowen, 2024. "Is artificial intelligence technology innovation a recipe for low-carbon energy transition? A global perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    6. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2025. "Cocreating Value Through Open Circular Innovation Strategies: A Results‐Driven Work Plan and Future Research Avenues," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 4561-4580, May.
    7. Kouhizadeh, Mahtab & Saberi, Sara & Sarkis, Joseph, 2021. "Blockchain technology and the sustainable supply chain: Theoretically exploring adoption barriers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    8. Zhao, Qiuyun & Jiang, Mei & Zhao, Zuoxiang & Liu, Fan & Zhou, Li, 2024. "The impact of green innovation on carbon reduction efficiency in China: Evidence from machine learning validation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    9. Han, Yue & Bao, Mengqi & Niu, Yanfang & Rehman, Jamshaid ur, 2024. "Driving towards net zero emissions: The role of natural resources, government debt and political stability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Woon Leong Lin, 2026. "The Influence of Circular Economy on Firm Orientation Toward Sustainable Development Goals: The Moderating Role of Technological Innovation in the Automotive Industry," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(2), pages 1596-1621, April.
    2. Fairouz Mustafa & Jan Smolarski & Ahmed A. Elamer, 2025. "The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Reporting: A Systematic Review of Applications, Challenges and Future Directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(8), pages 9761-9784, December.
    3. Li Chen & Fujia Li & Haonan Zhang & Hao Cheng, 2025. "Can Green Finance Policy Achieve Collaborative Governance of Air Pollution? Evidence from Prefecture-Level Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Panos T. Chountalas & Stamatios K. Chrysikopoulos & Konstantina K. Agoraki & Natalia Chatzifoti, 2025. "Modeling Critical Success Factors for Green Energy Integration in Data Centers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Alina Marculetiu & Cigdem Ataseven & Injazz J. Chen, 2026. "Rethinking Barrier Dynamics in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(2), pages 2802-2816, March.
    6. Luo, Na & Feng, Zhangwei & Liu, Yanping & Wu, Sihong & Liang, Xiaoxiao, 2025. "Tackling food waste: The role of food suppliers’ investment in preservation technology and government intervention," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    7. Shang, Hua & Jiang, Li & Kumar Mangla, Sachin & Pan, Xiongfeng & Song, Malin, 2024. "Examining the role of national governance capacity in building the global low-carbon agricultural supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    8. Ivanov, Dmitry & Gusikhin, Oleg, 2026. "Supply chain digital twin design and implementation at scale: A case study at the Ford Motor Company and generalizations," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    9. Zhu, Qingyuan & Sun, Chenhao & Xu, Chengzhen & Geng, Qianqian, 2025. "The impact of artificial intelligence on global energy vulnerability," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 15-27.
    10. Aditi S. Saha & Rakesh D. Raut & Vinay Surendra Yadav & Abhijit Majumdar, 2022. "Blockchain Changing the Outlook of the Sustainable Food Supply Chain to Achieve Net Zero?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    11. Quy-Thuan Bui & Son-Tung Le, 2025. "Barriers to Blockchain Technology Implementation in Small and Medium-Sized Logistics Enterprises," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    12. Ehsan Shekarian & Behrang Ijadi & Amirreza Zare & Jukka Majava, 2022. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Industrial Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-30, June.
    13. Mohammadreza Akbari & John L. Hopkins, 2022. "Digital technologies as enablers of supply chain sustainability in an emerging economy," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 689-710, December.
    14. Weixia Yang & Congli Xie & Lindong Ma, 2023. "Dose blockchain-based agri-food supply chain guarantee the initial information authenticity? An evolutionary game perspective," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(6), pages 1-23, June.
    15. Heejoo Kim & Zhe Xiao & Xiaocai Zhang & Xiuju Fu & Zheng Qin, 2024. "Rethinking Blockchain Technologies for the Maritime Industry: An Overview of the Current Landscape," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-19, December.
    16. Sunny Kareem & Julia A. Fehrer & Timofey Shalpegin & Christina Stringer, 2025. "Navigating tensions of sustainable supply chains in times of multiple crises: A systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(1), pages 316-337, January.
    17. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani, 2022. "Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    18. Jun Chen & Asma-Qamaliah Abdul-Hamid & Suhaiza Zailani, 2024. "Blockchain Adoption for a Circular Economy in the Chinese Automotive Industry: Identification of Influencing Factors Using an Integrated TOE-TAM Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-28, December.
    19. He, Jingze & Wang, Feng, 2025. "Does urban agglomeration reduce carbon emissions in Chinese cities? New perspective on factor mobility," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    20. Ben Youssef, Slim, 2025. "The relationships between political stability, military expenditures, arms imports, and oil exports: a CS-DL approach for six Gulf countries," MPRA Paper 125364, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:35:y:2026:i:3:p:4422-4443. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.