Environmental organizational awareness and sustainability benchmarking: the role of green supply chain practices and green human resource management

Purpose The aim of the research is to examine the application of environmental organizational awareness (EOA) in improving organizational sustainability (OS) via green supply chain practices (GSCP) which places green human resource management (GHRM) in a benchmarking system as an influencing factor and a moderation means. Design/methodology/approach The analysis has been carried out on manufacturing companies of Jordan and the results were obtained by applying the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The performance-based benchmarking strategy categorized firms as sustainability leaders and laggards by objective indicators of sustainability. Findings The findings indicate that EOA has a positive and significant impact on GSCP and OS. GSCP mediates the between EOA and OS, which means that environmental awareness is considered to be converted to sustainability performance first of all when integrated in supply chain practices. According to the benchmarking analysis, there are evident performance differences between the certified sustainability leaders and the laggard firms, which can be improved by taking necessary actions and proving the usefulness of comparative analysis in determining best-in-class practices. Research limitations/implications The study has a limitation in the fact that it is cross-sectional making it impossible to infer causation and the use of five-point Likert scales since five-point scales are not as fine-grained as seven-point scales used in benchmarking studies. Future research needs to utilize longitudinal designs, more detailed measures and superior benchmarking methods and apply the analysis to industries and nations. Practical implications The results provide empirically-based recommendations to managers that would wish to bridge sustainability performance gaps and enhance ongoing efforts to improve the environment. Originality/value The research provides a boost to sustainability research because it combines benchmarking logic and moderated mediation model and demonstrates that sustainability leadership is motivated by alignment of environmental awareness and implementation of green supply chain as opposed to the effects of GHRM contingency.