Exploring Stakeholder and Organizational Influences on ESG Management in the Logistics Sector

Abstract

As the global emphasis on sustainability intensifies, logistics companies face mounting pressure from stakeholders to adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Despite this growing interest, few studies have investigated how both external pressures and internal organizational factors jointly influence ESG management and its outcomes in the logistics sector. This study aims to examine the effects of international, governmental, investor, and customer pressures on three ESG dimensions—environmental management, social responsibility, and governance practices. Furthermore, the study evaluates how these ESG dimensions affect corporate image and organizational performance. Data were collected from 352 logistics professionals through a structured online survey. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed research model. The findings reveal that investor and customer pressures are the most influential drivers of comprehensive ESG engagement. As an internal factor, hierarchy culture significantly enhances organizational performance and strengthens the impact of corporate image on performance. Environmental and governance management contribute to both image and performance, while social responsibility primarily enhances corporate image. These results provide valuable insights for logistics companies and managers seeking to align ESG strategy with stakeholder expectations and operational excellence.