TITLE:
Sustainable Supply Chain Practices and Competitive Advantage of Listed Consumer Goods Companies in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Taiwo Ibitomi, Christiana Olalounpe Ajayi, Joshua Oladepo Olowolabi, Precious Ayoade Arowolo, Olanipekun Joseph Ayedogbon, Bosede Feyisayo Ayedogbon
KEYWORDS:
Competitive Advantage, Green Manufacturing, Green Packaging, Green Procurement, Reverse Logistics
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies,
Vol.14 No.3,
September
17,
2026
ABSTRACT: The growing pressure on firms to achieve environmental sustainability while maintaining superior market positioning has heightened the strategic importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). This study examined the effect of green procurement, green manufacturing, green packaging and reverse logistics on the competitive advantage of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria. A quantitative survey research design was adopted, and data were obtained from 84 management staff responsible for supply chain operations using census sampling and a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression with SPSS Version 25. The findings revealed that green procurement had a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (β = 0.332, t = 4.283), while green manufacturing also exerted a positive and significant effect (β = 0.279, t = 2.774). Green packaging showed a positive effect (β = 0.251, t = 1.991), subject to verification of its exact significance level, whereas reverse logistics had a positive but statistically insignificant effect (β = 0.192, t = 1.788). The study concludes that environmentally responsible sourcing and production are important strategic capabilities for enhancing competitive advantage, while the benefits of reverse logistics may be limited by infrastructural and coordination challenges. The study recommends stronger integration of sustainability into procurement and manufacturing decisions, increased investment in green technologies and packaging, and improved reverse logistics infrastructure. The study contributes context-specific evidence on the differential effects of SSCM practices on competitive advantage in Nigeria’s consumer goods sector.