The Effects of Green Supply Chain Management on Environmental Performance in the Zambian Beverage Manufacturing Industry

Purpose: Zambia is a developing country in sub-Saharan Africa where the beverage manufacturing industry is a significant economic sector. Despite the economic benefits, it is known for its substantial negative impact on the environment. This study sought to examine the impact of Green Supply Chain Management practices on Environmental performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used a quantitative approach and focused on 37 beverage manufacturing companies registered with the Zambia Association of Manufacturers. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and was described using descriptive statistics. Cronbach alpha was used to test for internal consistence in the five-point Likert scales and Stepwise regression was used to test the hypotheses of the study. All the data was managed in Microsoft Excel 2019 and analysed using STATA version 14.2. Findings: The study found that both internal and external drivers had a significant independent association with environmental performance in the beverage industry in Zambia. Green purchasing and internal drivers had a positive effect while reverse logistics had a negative effect on Environment Performance. Implications/Research Limitations: This study was limited to beverage manufactures companies registered with the Zambia Association of Manufacturers. A study involving other manufacturing sectors would help in establishing the general effect of Green Supply Chain Management practices in the manufacturing industry. Practical Implications: It was established that the adoption of Green Supply Chain Management practices can improve Environmental Performance and reduce waste in production. Originality/Value: This is among the first studies conducted in Zambia with a focus on the effect of Green Supply Chain Management on the Zambian Beverage Industry.