Influence Of Energy Management Practices On Energy Efficiency And Carbon Emission Reduction : Mediating Effect Of Green Supply Chain Performance

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Date
2015-05
Authors
Hor, Wei Lin
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
International concern on the rising emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) has prompted action from the Malaysian government to impose ambitious carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction targets for Malaysia. As energy consumption contributes to a majority of carbon dioxide emissions, manufacturing firms as the primary consumer of energy are under pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in their operational activities. This study conducted a survey among 111 manufacturing firms in Malaysia to determine the effectiveness of institutional pressure in driving energy management practices towards achieving energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction. It also attempts to study effects of energy management on the firm's green supply chain performance and the role supply chain plays in improving energy efficiencies or carbon emission reduction. The result of the study shows that while institutional pressure has encouraged management support in building energy awareness and technical capabilities to improve energy efficiency, concern for carbon emission are nearly non-existent within the Malaysian manufacturing context and existing energy management practices are still very much in its infancy. Green supply chain performance is enhanced by energy management and plays a mediating role in improving energy efficiency primarily through technical knowledge sharing. This study concludes that coercive pressure employed did not achieve its intended goals and have resulted in mixed signals among practicing firms, while normative pressure was found to have bounded effects on internal and external green supply chain performance. Lack of competitive pressure in environmental management among the industry is prevailing although marginal improvements in energy management practices and energy efficiency are evident. The findings in this study has opened new research and development opportunities to identify new alternatives to monetizing environmental concepts such carbon emission and green supply chain activities.
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Keywords
Greenhouse gases (GHG)
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