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September 10, 2025

Beyond Carbon Footprint: A MixedMethod Analysis of Carbon Handprint’s Influence on Sustainable Business Outcomes

Puntos clave

Integration of carbon handprint measurement significantly enhances environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Quantitative data from 385 survey responses and qualitative insights from 5 interviews were collected to inform the study's conclusions.
Mixed-method analysis—including PLS-SEM and thematic analysis—revealed gaps between pro-environmental intentions and actual practices.
Study highlights the need for standardized metrics to improve sustainability reporting across industries like e-commerce.

Resumen

In response to the growing demand for sustainable development, organizations are increasingly shifting their focus from measuring carbon footprints to emphasizing carbon handprintspositive environmental contributions that reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to assess the impact of carbon handprint measurement within Lifecycle assessment frameworks on achieving sustainable business performance. Adopting a mixed-method approach, the research collected quantitative data from 385 survey responses and qualitative insights through five in-depth interviews with sustainability officers from selected Malaysian companies. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and NVivo thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data. Findings reveal that the integration of carbon handprint measurement into lifecycle assessment significantly enhances environmental performance, operational efficiency, and stakeholder trustkey drivers of sustainable business performance. The study also highlights the gap between proenvironmental intentions and actual practices, particularly in industries such as e-commerce, where rebound effects and ambiguous offset strategies may dilute the impact. Interview insights emphasized the need for standardized handprint metrics and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the reliability and transparency of sustainability reporting. This research contributes to the theoretical advancement of sustainability metrics by positioning carbon handprint as a proactive complement to carbon footprint. Practically, it offers a structured framework for businesses to align their sustainability goals with measurable, positive environmental outcomes. The findings underscore the critical role of carbon handprint in transforming lifecycle assessmentfrom a reactive to a strategic sustainability tool, thereby supporting long-term business competitiveness and environmental stewardship.

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