The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs
Abstract Sustainability has become a critical focus in global supply chain strategies, yet small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in South Africa, face significant barriers in adopting green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. This study aims to investigate the drivers, barriers, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Future Business Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00617-4 |
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| author | Charles Tsikada Wimbayi Chasaya Ayansola O Ayandibu |
| author_facet | Charles Tsikada Wimbayi Chasaya Ayansola O Ayandibu |
| author_sort | Charles Tsikada |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sustainability has become a critical focus in global supply chain strategies, yet small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in South Africa, face significant barriers in adopting green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. This study aims to investigate the drivers, barriers, and sustainability impacts of GSCM adoption among South African SMEs, with a focus on entrepreneurial contexts. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) guided by PRISMA, 45 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were analysed. The study is theoretically grounded in the triple bottom line (TBL) framework and the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. Results indicate that GSCM adoption can significantly improve environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, its implementation among South African SMEs is constrained by financial limitations, lack of awareness, technological gaps, and weak supply chain collaboration. Based on these findings, a theoretical framework was developed to explain the relationship between GSCM drivers, adoption barriers, and sustainability outcomes. The proposed framework is conceptual and was not empirically tested in this study. Therefore, future research should apply quantitative or mixed method approaches to validate and refine the model. This research contributes to sustainable entrepreneurship literature by offering a structured foundation for understanding GSCM integration in resource-constrained SME environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-923e88dafa114646aa79c33e96d526dc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2314-7210 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Business Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-923e88dafa114646aa79c33e96d526dc2025-08-20T03:43:27ZengSpringerOpenFuture Business Journal2314-72102025-08-0111111610.1186/s43093-025-00617-4The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEsCharles Tsikada0Wimbayi Chasaya1Ayansola O Ayandibu2Middle East CollegeUniversity of ZululandUniversity of ZululandAbstract Sustainability has become a critical focus in global supply chain strategies, yet small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in South Africa, face significant barriers in adopting green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. This study aims to investigate the drivers, barriers, and sustainability impacts of GSCM adoption among South African SMEs, with a focus on entrepreneurial contexts. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) guided by PRISMA, 45 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were analysed. The study is theoretically grounded in the triple bottom line (TBL) framework and the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. Results indicate that GSCM adoption can significantly improve environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, its implementation among South African SMEs is constrained by financial limitations, lack of awareness, technological gaps, and weak supply chain collaboration. Based on these findings, a theoretical framework was developed to explain the relationship between GSCM drivers, adoption barriers, and sustainability outcomes. The proposed framework is conceptual and was not empirically tested in this study. Therefore, future research should apply quantitative or mixed method approaches to validate and refine the model. This research contributes to sustainable entrepreneurship literature by offering a structured foundation for understanding GSCM integration in resource-constrained SME environments.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00617-4Green supply chain managementSustainabilitySMEsTriple bottom lineDiffusion of innovationAnd systematic literature review |
| spellingShingle | Charles Tsikada Wimbayi Chasaya Ayansola O Ayandibu The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs Future Business Journal Green supply chain management Sustainability SMEs Triple bottom line Diffusion of innovation And systematic literature review |
| title | The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs |
| title_full | The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs |
| title_fullStr | The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs |
| title_full_unstemmed | The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs |
| title_short | The adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability: lessons for South African SMEs |
| title_sort | adoption of green supply chain management in entrepreneurship and its impact on business sustainability lessons for south african smes |
| topic | Green supply chain management Sustainability SMEs Triple bottom line Diffusion of innovation And systematic literature review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00617-4 |
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