The influence of green supply chain management practices on performance of manufacturing firms in northern Uganda. a case of Takataka plastics ltd.

Abstract

This study investigated and assessed the influence of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Northern Uganda and Takataka Plastics Ltd in particular. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the influence of green procurement on performance of Takataka Plastics Ltd, to identify the impact of green packaging on performance of Takataka Plastics Ltd and to determine the extent at which reverse logistics influences the on performance of Takataka Plastics Ltd. The study adopted a descriptive and case study research design. The target population was 105 stakeholders of Takataka Plastics Ltd and the sample size was 80 respondents was determined using Krejcie and Morgan table, (1970), however only 70 respondents successfully participated in the study. The data collection instruments were questionnaires and interviews; and data analysis was done using frequency and percentage tables and regression analysis. The study found that green procurement influences performance by 72% (0.716**; p=0.000, <0.05); green packaging influences performance (0.669**; p=0.000, <0.05), and reverse logistics influences performance (0.628**; p=0.000, <0.05). The study concludes that performance of Takataka Plastics Ltd in Northern Uganda can be improved by adoption of green supply chain management activities, namely green procurement, green packaging and reverse logistics. The study recommends that manufacturing firms in Uganda should focus more on adopting green procurement strategies so as to establish the correct disposal methods and appropriate material selection from suppliers that meet certain environmental certification criteria, should form strategic alliances with their suppliers so as to embrace returnable containers and use of bio-degradable materials and the need for manufacturing firms in Uganda to always set aside a substantial part of their resources for activities that consume a huge amount of total costs, which is in determining customer requirements. The study recommends similar investigations in other manufacturing firms in Uganda and other East African countries and to identify how adoption of green supply chain management activities affect other aspects of performance such as operational performance, and competitiveness of manufacturing firms.