Prioritising environmental activities based on their effect on improving sustainable performance in Australian logistics

This paper develops a conceptual framework and empirically investigates the effects of implementing environmental-friendly activities on improving sustainable performance for logistics industry. A literature review of case-study and theory-based journal papers is the approach taken to develop a conceptual framework. An online survey of 297 senior managers of Australian logistics companies is conducted to empirically investigate the conceptual framework. This is the first study ranking nine measures of sustainable performance by AHP and using them to prioritise eight environmental-friendly activities from seven perspectives. The results show that the effects of implementing these activities on improving sustainable performance are different. The proposed conceptual framework is a basis for further research examining the relationship between implementing environmental activities and sustainable performance. This conceptual framework will enable logistics managers to evaluate their business potential to improve sustainable performance by implementing environmental activities. The result could be used by public policymakers to initiate and support sustainable development.