An empirical analysis of eco-design of electronic products on operational performance: does environmental performance play role as a mediator?

Eco-design has been used to support the upstream and downstream production processes in green supply chain management (GSCM). It is included in the product design and processes effectively starting from resources extraction, to remanufacturing, use and reuse, recycling, and finally, to dispose products in economic end-of-life. The constructs of this study were developed based on literature and verified using two cases of leading global manufacturing firms. A theoretical model was tested using a survey in Malaysia, and the results fulfil literature gaps on the effects of eco-design to environmental performance (EP) and operational performance (OP). The mediating effects of EP were indicated to have improved the positive link from eco-design to OP. This study provides new research opportunities for developing theoretical justification in building eco-efficient-based GSCM. Finally, the paper suggests that the operation managers should apply parsimony principles of eco-design measurements to foresee the imminent organisation outcome. Future researchers should therefore find a way to enlighten industry counterparts with a guidance to enhance further robust statistical modelling and constructs development.