Abstract:
1. Introduction
Concern over the relationship between businesses and the environment is
growing. With that, the relevance of sustainability within a global supply
chain has brought into focus the concept of GSCM: Green Supply Chain
Management, which incorporates environmental concerns into traditional
supply chain management. Although the subject area is becoming
increasingly relevant, the level of adoption of GSCM in the tea
manufacturing sector, which is a major contributor to Sri Lanka, remains
low.
2. Research Methodology
The researcher used the quantitative approach and employed a structured
questionnaire to gather primary data. The study focused on the Kalutara
District based on the convenience of the researcher, and data were
collected from executives and top-level management of 28 tea companies.
The study investigated six major internal and external barriers to the
implementation of GSCM, which are identified in the existing literature.
3. Findings and Discussion
The findings showed that the primary barriers to the successful adoption of
GSCM practices included the lack of knowledge and experience, insufficient
collaboration among supply chain partners, and weak governmental
policies. The cost of implementation and the low commitment of top
management also significantly affected the GSCM implementation.
However, lack of consumer awareness has an insignificant impact.
4. Conclusion and Implications
According to findings, encouraging GSCM requires closer collaboration,
better dissemination of knowledge, and greater support from the
government through policy frameworks and economic incentives. Further,
it provides recommendations for government bodies, industry leaders, and
environmental organizations to take up green supply chain initiatives to
ensure an environmentally sustainable industrial landscape in Sri Lanka.
The study not only addresses the research gap by identifying GSCM barriers
in the tea industry that are important to Sri Lanka's economy but also
enriches the global discourse on sustainability in developing countries.
