Green supply chain management and SMEs sustainable performance in developing country: role of green knowledge sharing, green innovation and big data-driven supply chain

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the impact of green supply chain management (GSCM) on sustainable performance (SP) and the mediating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS), green innovation (GI), and big data-driven supply chain (BDDSC) in SMEs of Pakistan as a developing country. Primary data was gathered through adopted questionnaires from SME employees. Four hundred sixty-nine cases were considered for data analysis after data clearing in SPSS version 25. Furthermore, the proposed hypotheses were tested with the help of SmartPLS version 3 through structural equation modeling SEM. Findings revealed all seven direct hypotheses, including GSCM on SP, GKS, GI, and BDDSC and GKS, GI, and BDDSC on SP in SMEs of Pakistan. Moreover, the partial mediation effect of GKS, GI, and BDDSC was also confirmed between GSCM and SP. This study contributes to the context of SMEs in developing countries and recommends findings for future policies and implications at the firm and government levels for better results. Policymakers, SME owners, and managers must support innovation culture, engage their stakeholders, and invest in new products, processes, and business models relevant to addressing environmental and sustainability concerns. Moreover, Pakistan’s government policymakers recognize SMEs’ power to effectively integrate GSCM knowledge sharing, green innovation, GSCM practices, and big data technology into supply chain management.