Internal and External Drivers in Voluntary and Coercive Adoption of Green Supply Chain Practices in the Maritime Industry

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of external and internal factors in voluntary and coercive adoption of green supply chain (GSC) practices in the maritime industry.

Design/methodology/approach: The research method of this study involves the formulation of a theoretical basis by use of maritime and green literature. The study is quantitative in nature, employing a survey to collect data from individual companies. The data collected from the respondents is then presented and analyzed, formulating a deductive approach.

Findings: Due to the limited empirical evidence, the study pivots by only proposing support or rejection of the presented hypotheses by use of correlation. The propositions state that both top management proactivity and green culture have a positive association with voluntary adoption, as internal drivers. The external driver green trust is proposed to have a positive connection with voluntary adoption. Greenwashing is proposed to impact voluntary adoption negatively, while supplier opportunism shows no connection to any of the dependent constructs.

Originality/Value: The study provides insights into factors which drive different types of adoption. Separating and using adoption strategies as dependent constructs is a new theme within maritime literature. The proposed findings can provide groundwork for future behavioral or interorganizational interaction studies.