Green practices and perceived cost pressures in pork retailing: evidence from Northern Portugal

Purpose This paper examines whether environmental management practices in pork retailing, proxied by the monitoring of water, energy and waste indicators, are associated with retailers' perceived cost pressures in Northern Portugal. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected through a structured survey of pork retailers in seven municipalities (57 usable responses; 23% response rate). Domain-specific indices for water, energy and waste monitoring are combined with relational sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) constructs (supplier alliances, customer relationship management, information sharing, trust and commitment). Ordinary least squares (OLS) models on standardized indices are estimated and a specification is selected by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Findings In the OLS estimates, water and waste monitoring are negatively associated with perceived cost pressures, whereas energy monitoring shows a suggestive positive association. Customer relationship management and information sharing show negative associations, whereas supplier-alliance measures show positive ones. Heteroskedasticity-consistent (HC3) results support a cautious interpretation of supplier collaboration (AE2), water monitoring (PVA) and energy monitoring (PVE), while waste monitoring (PVR) remains marginal in the reduced model. Research limitations/implications Results are based on a cross-sectional survey and self-reported practices; causal inference is limited. Practical implications Targeted instruments may be needed to reduce the fixed costs of energy-efficiency upgrading in small retail outlets. Originality/value The study provides micro-level evidence on environmental indicator adoption and cost perceptions in a retail segment where objective environmental performance data are scarce, and highlights domain-specific trade-offs relevant for environmental quality management.