Green Supply Chain Management as a Mediator Between Financial Resources, IT Capability, CSR, Digital Innovation, and Sustainable Performance

Abstract

Sustainable performance has become a strategic priority for firms operating in developing economies, where environmental pressures, regulatory demands, and resource limitations increasingly shape organizational decision-making. This study investigates how financial resources, IT capability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and digital innovation influence sustainable performance, and examines the mediating role of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) in these relationships. Grounded in the resource-based view and stakeholder theory, the study focuses on the Pakistani context, with data collected from manufacturing and service-sector organizations in Lahore. Using a structured survey and quantitative analytical approach, the results demonstrate that financial resources, IT capability, CSR, and digital innovation significantly enhance the adoption of GSCM practices, which subsequently lead to higher sustainable performance. Additionally, GSCM is found to partially mediate the effects of these organizational capabilities and practices on sustainability outcomes. The findings provide new empirical evidence from Pakistan and underscore the importance of integrating digital transformation, responsible practices, and green supply chain strategies to improve environmental, social, and operational performance. This study offers practical insights for managers and policymakers aiming to strengthen sustainability agendas within emerging markets.