Building resilient and competitive supply chains through green purchasing: evidence from a renewable natural resources sector

Resilient and sustainable supply chains are crucial for competitiveness in today’s volatile economy. This study explores how corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and environmentally focused purchasing practices enhance efficiency, resilience, and competitive advantage in the natural resources sector, such as the forest-based industry. Using survey data from 333 companies, the analysis confirms that organizations adopting CSR are more likely to incorporate environmental criteria into procurement, emphasizing eco-friendly and recyclable materials. Green purchasing was found to boost process efficiency, reduce material and energy consumption, and improve companies’ ecological reputation. Importantly, these practices also deliver measurable economic benefits, including cost savings, productivity improvements, and expanded market opportunities. The findings demonstrate how sustainable procurement connects environmental responsibility with financial performance, positioning green purchasing as a key driver of supply chain resilience and long-term competitiveness. This research offers empirical evidence for green supply chain management and provides practical insights for companies pursuing sustainability-focused strategies.