The influence mechanism of responsible leadership on sustainable reconfiguring in multi-tier supply chains

Purpose This study examines how responsible leadership drives sustainable reconfiguring in multi-tier supply chains, addressing the recognized challenges of implementing sustainable practices in complex, global value chains, particularly in the face of the management challenges posed by the high complexity of multi-tier supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 475 Chinese manufacturing firms between December 2023 and June 2024. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was used to assess linear relationships, followed by least-squares linear regression to verify model robustness. Neural network modeling was then applied to explore potential nonlinear relationships among variables. Findings The study empirically confirms that responsible leadership was a direct driver of sustainable reconfiguring, and social capital partially mediated the relationship between responsible leadership and sustainable reconfiguring. In addition, it was found that in highly complex supply chains, responsible leadership has a more significant driving effect on sustainable reconfiguring, i.e. supply chain complexity positively moderates the relationship between responsible leadership and sustainable reconfiguring. Originality/value This study contributes to the field by uniquely examining responsible leadership as a driver of sustainable supply chain reconfiguration, highlighting its role in resource acquisition through social capital from a resource dependence perspective. Unlike prior studies that treat supply chain complexity primarily as a management obstacle, this research uncovers its role as a “demand driver” in sustainable reconfiguration, offering fresh insights into complexity’s strategic impact. This approach provides a novel framework for understanding the nuanced pathways through which leadership style and situational factors collectively shape sustainable practices in supply chains.