Abstract:
This research has been conducted to analyse the relationship between green supply chain management practices
and operational performance in the food manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka. The study has been carried out
based on the research question; ‘How green supply chain practices influence operational performance in the food
manufacturing industry?’ The main objective of this research was ‘To identify the relationship between green
supply chain practices and the food manufacturing industry’s operational performance.’ The independent
variables were green purchasing, eco design and packaging, green warehousing, green distribution and
collaboration with customers. The dependent variable was operational performance. Primary data collection was
done through a questionnaire survey. The responses were captured through a 5 point Likert scale. The sample size
was 40 while the unit of analysis was the organization. A 75% response rate was achieved and 30 responses were
considered. The respondents were executives in food manufacturing organizations in Sri Lanka and judgmental
sampling was used because of the necessity of selecting organisations which are practicing green supply chains.
Hypothesis were developed and tested at the significant level of 95%. During analysis, Cronbach's alpha value
0.705 was achieved. Sample adequacy was achieved by obtaining a value of 0.710 for the KMO test. R-square
value 0.702 was obtained. P values were obtained to test hypothesis.
Through the analysis it was identified that green supply chain practices considered for the study: green purchasing,
eco design and packaging, green warehousing, green distribution and collaboration with customers all have a
significant relationship with the operational performance of the organization. It could be identified that most of
the organizations in the food industry in Sri Lanka have commenced to incorporate green practices into operations.
Further they are practicing green practices related to the areas of distribution, purchasing, designing and
packaging, warehousing, customer collaboration.
