Empowering Competitive Advantage: Impact of Green Supply Chain Practices on Firm Performance through Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource Cognitive Thinking (Evidence from SMEs in Pakistan)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices on firm performance, incorporating the mediating roles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Resource Cognitive Thinking (HRCT) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Using survey data from 200 SMEs and applying Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that GSCM significantly enhances firm performance both directly and indirectly. CSR and HR cognitive capabilities act as critical mechanisms through which sustainability initiatives translate into competitive advantage. The study contributes to the literature by integrating behavioral and strategic perspectives in a developing economy context.