Supply chain integration and sustainable supply chain performance in the food manufacturing sector: the moderating role of flexible culture

Purpose This research employs the relational view theory (RVT) to investigate the impact of supply chain integration (SCI) on sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP) in food supply chains, while also assessing the extent to which a flexible culture moderates this relationship. Design/methodology/approach We conducted interviews with 11 top managers and collected and analysed 315 survey responses from the food manufacturing industry in the UK and Greece. Findings The findings confirm that, in global food supply chains: (1) internal integration is a prerequisite for stronger external integration; (2) internal integration positively relates to SSCP, but this relationship is mediated by external integration; (3) customer and supplier integration positively influence SSCP; and (4) flexible culture moderates the link between SCI and SSCP. Practical implications Managers should strengthen SCI to improve SSCP and foster flexible cultural values both within their food manufacturing firms and across their supply chains to achieve higher SSCP. Originality/value The study extends RVT by demonstrating that SCI enhances SSCP in global food supply chains, while also highlighting the critical moderating role of flexible culture in this relationship.