Investigating the Relationship between Sustainable Knowledge Acquisition with Competitive Advantage: Mediating and Moderating Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between sustainable knowledge acquisition and competitive advantage. This study investigates the mediating effects of sustainable supply chain management practices and the moderating effects of institutional pressure (market pressure) on the path between sustainable supply chain management practices and competitive advantage. Design/Approach/Methodology: The present research is quantitative. The research strategy used was the survey approach. For the purpose of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). A structured questionnaire was used to get information from 373 managers in Pakistani manufacturing industries. Among those targeted were people who work in industries that face sustainability issues, such as the leather, steel, textile, and rice industries. Primary data is collected via filled-out questionnaires. The current study is based on the Knowledge Based View (KBV) theory. Findings: The findings of this study indicate that sustainable knowledge acquisition has a substantial direct effect on competitive advantage. In addition, sustainable knowledge acquisition has a direct relationship with sustainable supply chain management practices. Similarly sustainable supply chain management practices have a direct relationship with competitive advantage. Further, sustainable supply chain management practices mediate between sustainable knowledge acquisition and competitive advantage. Besides, institutional pressure (market pressure) has also significant moderating relationship between sustainable supply chain management practices and competitive advantage. Practical Implication: The findings of this study will be helpful to managers and practitioners in achieving long-term corporate sustainability, vital business performance, sustainable competitive advantage, and value creation. Originality/Value: The purpose of this investigation is to make a key contribution to the current body of knowledge. This is the first research that has been conducted with the goal of determining how sustainable knowledge acquisition may be used to apply sustainable supply chain management practices in Pakistan's industrial sector. By understanding the contextual relationship between pressures and sustainable supply chain management practices, stakeholders may effectively apply sustainable knowledge acquisition and sustainable supply chain management practices in day-to-day operations to gain a competitive advantage in the market. This research provides more empirical evidence for the KBV theory.

Keywords: Sustainable knowledge acquisition, sustainable supply chain management practices, institutional pressure-market pressure, competitive advantage, manufacturing industry.