Motives for Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices Adoption Among Established Non-Service Sector Enterprises: A Cross-Country Study

Background: Although industrialisation of the 20th century advanced economic prosperity, it resulted in significant environmental deterioration and other industrialisation-related deleterious environmental impact. However, extant research has mainly focused on outcomes rather than on the underlying motives for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) adoption, while limited studies focus on cross-country evidence from non-service small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa. This study investigates the motives for adopting SSCM practices among SMEs operating in non-service sector-based industries in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, drawing on instrumental, relational, and moral theoretical lenses. Data were collected through an online survey of 378 SME owners/managers using purposive and convenience sampling and analysed using comparative statistical techniques. Results: The findings reveal that relational and moral motives are the strongest drivers of SSCM adoption, with moral motives strongest in Ghana and Nigeria, moderate in South Africa, and weakest in Kenya. Significant cross-country differences and a notable motive-adoption gap were identified, highlighting the role of institutional and operational constraints. Conclusions: The study contributes novel cross-country empirical evidence from Africa and highlights the need for context-specific SSCM strategies that strengthen governance and capacity to translate ethical intent into practice.