The Impact of Supplier Greenwashing on Sustainable Performance in Iran’s Food Industry: Examining the Mediating Role of Green Supply Chain Integration and the Moderating Role of Information Sharing
Keywords:
Greenwashing, Sustainable Performance, Green Supply Chain Integration (GSCI), Information Sharing, Food Industry, PLS-SEMAbstract
This study investigates the effect of supplier greenwashing on the sustainable performance of exporting food companies in Iran, focusing on the mediating role of green supply chain integration (GSCI) and the moderating role of information sharing. The research employed an applied descriptive–survey design. The statistical population consisted of managers, experts, and procurement officers in Iranian food-exporting companies. Data were collected from 170 respondents using a structured questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. The instrument included 31 main items covering supplier greenwashing, information sharing, GSCI, and sustainable performance. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with the partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4. The results indicated that supplier greenwashing has a significant negative impact on sustainable performance (β = -0.817, p < 0.001) and GSCI (β = -0.696, p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, GSCI exerted a negative effect on sustainable performance (β = -0.635, p = 0.005). Mediation analysis confirmed that GSCI played an inconsistent mediating role, acting as a suppressor. Moreover, information sharing significantly mitigated the negative impact of greenwashing on GSCI (β = +0.267, p = 0.007). The findings highlight supplier greenwashing as a serious threat to sustainability objectives, undermining trust and integration within supply chains. Nevertheless, even incomplete GSCI can partially suppress the damaging effects of greenwashing. Information sharing emerged as a vital mechanism for counteracting opportunistic supplier behavior. These insights emphasize the need for greater transparency, robust verification mechanisms, and stronger information-sharing infrastructures to enhance sustainable performance in export-oriented food supply chains.
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