BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN TEA MANUFACTURING SECTOR: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE KALUTARA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

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.