Linking eco-design and digital competence for better social performance with moderation of integrated construction supply chain

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impacts of eco-design (EDS) and integrated supply chain (ISC) on social performance (SPF), the mediating role of EDS in the linkage of digital competence (DC) and SPF and the moderating role of ISC in the EDS-SPF relationship in construction. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was employed using data collected from construction firms in Vietnam. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to test the relationships between EDS, DC, ISC and SPF. Findings The results demonstrate that EDS positively affects SPF, while DC enhances SPF only when mediated by EDS. In addition, ISC moderates the EDS-SPF relationship and has a direct impact on SPF. Research limitations/implications This study extends the Dynamic Capability View (DCV) by demonstrating the synergistic effects of DC, EDS and ISC on SPF. It provides unique insights into how Vietnamese construction firms can integrate EDS and sustainable practices (e.g. DC, ISC) to enhance social outcomes. The study is limited to Vietnam’s construction industry, reducing generalisability to other industries or regions. Future research could adopt longitudinal and cross-industry approaches to validate the findings in different contexts. Originality/value EDS provides a variety of potential economic and environmental benefits; however, it remains unclear whether EDS also delivers social benefits to construction firms, which motivates this research. Besides, this study originally confirms the moderating mechanism of ISC in the relationship between EDS and SPF and the mediating role of EDS in the relationship between DC and SPF for construction firms in a developing country.