The impact of globalization on the implementation of green purchasing in companies operating in the forest-based sector

Abstract

Research background: The global environment influences the behaviour of companies. This concerns the requirements for increasing number of products, product lines, brands, the need for market segmentation, consumer demand, innovations as well as the behaviour of consumers and suppliers including environmentally appropriate purchasing. The forest-based industries must respond to changes from the perspective of the globalization process by appropriate adaptation and, inter alia, to focus on the introduction of environmentally properly procurement. The integration of green purchasing principles into business systems is increasingly mentioned in the process of globalization of economies in connection with the huge potential for gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze the factors affecting the implementation of environmentally friendly purchasing in the companies of forest-based sector in Slovakia. Methods: The reasons for implementing responsible practices in supply chains are based either on the stakeholder theory or the assumption that companies have a more proactive approach to implement sustainable purchasing practices as they are aware of the possible benefits. Using a questionnaire survey the companies operating in all sub-sectors of the forest-based industry - wood, pulp and paper and furniture manufacturing, including their suppliers of wood raw material in Slovakia, were questioned with the aim to identify the reasons for implementing sustainable purchasing practices. Findings & Value added: Data obtained are used to identify the factors that are crucial for the introduction of green purchasing in companies in dependence on the specific company characteristics and conditions of the market environment under which companies operate.