A comparative exploratory study of the critical success factors of a green-lean-six sigma strategy

Purpose This paper attempts to explore the critical success factors (CSFs) of a green-lean-six sigma (GLSS) strategy to address the pressing environmental sustainability issues of the flexible packaging (FP) industry, including greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a multiple case study approach to explore the key factors behind the effective implementation of the GLSS strategy in the FP industry of New Zealand (NZ) and Pakistan (PK) and compare these in a developed (NZ) and developing (PK) economy context. In this perspective, primary and secondary data sources were used for data collection, including the semi-structured interviews with the senior corporate managers and organizations’ strategic reports, web pages, and sustainability reports. Findings Drawing on the intellectual capital-based view (ICBV), the findings revealed various organization-related, employee-related, and stakeholder-related factors that are crucial for the adequate utilization of the GLSS strategy for achieving environmental sustainability. Among these, organization-related factors include leadership commitment, an integrated approach, aligning GLSS with business strategy, a safe and healthy workplace, reward and recognition, a feedback loop, linking GLSS with integrated management systems and certifications, innovation and digitalization, and statistical thinking approach. On the other hand, employee-related factors comprise environmental training and education, workforce involvement, employee empowerment, employee environmental awareness, and teamwork. Stakeholder-related factors include government support, customer and supplier collaboration, customer and consumer awareness, recyclers and waste collectors’ involvement, collaboration with industry associations, and the role of financial institutions. Research limitations/implications The present study contributes to the existing literature through an in-depth examination of the key factors for the effective execution of the GLSS approach in a developed and developing economy and the development of a holistic model of the CSFs of a GLSS strategy for environmental sustainability linking with the ICBV. Overall, the findings can guide researchers, managers, and policymakers in understanding the CSFs of the GLSS strategy for enhancing the environmental performance of manufacturing organizations. Originality/value This study is one of the early comparative studies using the ICBV to investigate the CSFs of a GLSS strategy in the FP industry of a developed and developing economy.