An evaluation of green supply chain management practices in cement industry in Kenya (A case study of East African Portland cement company limited)

Abstract

The management concept of green supply chains was borne out of the necessity to conserve the environment on whose plane all the activities and processes of production and distribution of goods and services occur. Traditionally, Supply Chain Management (SCM) focused on the planning and integration of the network activities to procure raw materials, transform them into finished products and then distribute to end-user consumers. Greening the supply chains enables companies to efficiently use raw materials and conserve the environment by releasing biodegradable wastes. This research was carried out at EAPCC and endeavored to analyze the benefits of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) in the cement industry, establish GSCM strategies employed by EAPCC in leveraging its operational competitiveness and identify challenges faced by EAPCC in implementing GSCM practices. The literature reviewed reveal that GSCM is practiced by companies both nationally and internationally with desired outcomes. Among the benefits cited by authors include cost reduction, reduction of waste, material substitution through environmental sourcing of raw materials, and waste minimization of hazardous materials. Descriptive research design was adopted to obtain primary data through an interview guide which was further analyzed using content analysis method. The study found out that companies adopt GSCM with challenges. The EAPCC has incorporated GSCM at the corporate level and even though challenges abound, the company is formulating measures to deal with these setbacks to optimize the benefits of GSCM. The study recommends that cement manufacturing companies in Kenya should formulate and implement GSCM strategy.