The effects of institutional pressures and resource conditions on low-carbon behaviors in the Prefabricated building supply chain: evidence from China

Purpose Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have emerged as a pivotal solution to facilitate low-carbon transformation in the construction industry. It is necessary to understand the intrinsic driving factors and the mechanisms that influence low-carbon behaviors in the prefabricated building supply chain (PBSC) based on PBSC’s existing emission reduction potential. This study aims to investigate how differential institutional pressures influence the implementation of PBSC low-carbon management and technology, and whether supply chain resource availability moderates these relationships. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts hierarchical regression analysis, uses structural equation modeling for confirmatory factor analysis, and integrates institutional theory and the resource-based view to explore the effects of three types of institutional pressures on PBSC low-carbon management and technology. Furthermore, we investigate the moderating role of resource availability in these relationships. Findings The survey results of 206 PBSC enterprises indicate that coercive pressure significantly enhances the adoption of low-carbon technology, mimetic pressure positively influences low-carbon management, while normative pressure promotes both low-carbon technology and management. Resource availability positively moderates the relationship between normative pressure and low-carbon management, as well as between coercive pressure and low-carbon technology. Surprisingly, it negatively moderates the relationship between mimetic pressure and both low-carbon management and technology. Originality/value From the dual heterogeneity perspective, this study uncovers the differentiated interaction effects between external institutional pressures and internal resource availability on distinct dimensions of PBSC low-carbon behaviors, explaining the inconsistencies in the impact of institutional pressures on low-carbon behaviors, which previous studies could not answer. It also offers a comprehensive framework for policymakers aiming to formulate PBSC emission reduction policies and guide PBSC enterprises in making low-carbon decisions effectively.