Purpose Despite the recognition of environmental sustainability in the manufacturing sector, limited research has explored the role of decision-making autonomy and internal organizational factors in influencing sustainability practices, particularly within the context of Uganda’s manufacturing industry. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how decision-making autonomy and internal organizations enhance environmental sustainability practices, including resource efficiency, waste management and pollution control, in manufacturing firms in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a cross-sectional research design and used hierarchical regression analysis to assess the relationships among decision-making autonomy, internal organizational factors and environmental sustainability practices. Findings Decision-making autonomy has a significant positive impact on the adoption of environmental sustainability practices. Internal organizational factors, including organizational culture and resource availability, also positively affect sustainability practices, although their influence is weaker than that of decision-making autonomy. Research limitations/implications The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, which limits the ability to establish causal relationships between decision-making autonomy, organizational factors and environmental sustainability practices. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of granting managers decision-making autonomy as a strategy for promoting environmental sustainability practices. It also underscores the need for manufacturing firms, especially in developing countries such as Uganda, to focus on strengthening internal organizational factors, such as organizational culture and resource allocation, to foster sustainable practices.
Iragaba et al. (Wed,) studied this question.