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An empirical study of supply chain sustainability with financial performances of Indian firms

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  • Nikunj Sachin

    (ABV-Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (ABV-IIITM))

  • R. Rajesh

    (ABV-Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (ABV-IIITM))

Abstract

In this research, we examine empirically the impact of sustainable supply chain practices on financial performances, considering the case of Indian firms. Here, we use a sample of 25 Indian firms listed for their sustainability performances in the Thomson Reuters Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores. The sustainability performance data have been accessed from the Bloomberg terminal, where the overall sustainability performance on ESG is measured as a discounted score on ESG considering various controversies on ESG reported for the firm. And for the study, we associate financial data using the profit indicators of firms. We perceive that the sustainable supply chain practices considering environmental, social and governance performances may not positively impact the financial performance measured by the Return on Asset (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE), during the considered period of five years for the study. We construct the empirical model and use Partial Least Square (PLS) regression modeling to analyze the results. The study can be further extended for many Indian firms and for firms across different developing economies, as well. The major implications of this research are to observe for firms and their supply chains whether the implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices can help them in achieving financial benefits, along with other competitive advantages. The research is built on the concept and theory of ecological modernization, which suggests for the economic benefits of environmentalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikunj Sachin & R. Rajesh, 2022. "An empirical study of supply chain sustainability with financial performances of Indian firms," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 6577-6601, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01717-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01717-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Zhang, Jiawei & Li, Yuan & Xu, Hanwen & Ding, Yi, 2023. "Can ESG ratings mitigate managerial myopia? Evidence from Chinese listed companies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    3. Thi Ngan Pham & Phung Phi Tran & Minh-Hieu Le & Hoang Nhi Vo & Cong Dat Pham & Hai-Dang Nguyen, 2022. "The Effects of ESG Combined Score on Business Performance of Enterprises in the Transportation Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Nejla Ould Daoud Ellili, 2024. "Bibliometric analysis of sustainability papers: Evidence from Environment, Development and sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 8183-8209, April.
    5. Supriyo Roy & R. P. Mohanty, 2024. "Green logistics operations and its impact on supply chain sustainability: An empirical study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1447-1476, February.
    6. Ícaro Guilherme Félix Cunha & Renata Veloso Santos Policarpo & Paula Cristina Senra Oliveira & Etienne Cardoso Abdala & Daisy Aparecida Nascimento Rebelatto, 2025. "A systematic review of ESG indicators and corporate performance: proposal for a conceptual framework," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, December.
    7. Jitendra Nenavani & Asha Prasuna & S.N.V. Siva Kumar & Alivelu Kasturi, 2024. "ESG measures and financial performance of logistics companies," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.

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