Mobilising AI Capability for Sustainable Supply‐Chain Transformation: The Mediating Role of Green Lean Six Sigma

IF 13.2 1区管理学 Q1 BUSINESS

Business Strategy and The Environment Pub Date : 2026-10-13 DOI:10.1002/bse.71697

Miraj Ahmed Bhuiyan, Muhammad Khalilur Rahman, Md Arafat Hossain, Ping Hu, Vincenzo Basile

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Abstract

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) capability can be mobilised as a strategic organisational capability for sustainable supply‐chain transformation. Integrating the Natural Resource‐Based View, Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Sociotechnical Systems Theory, the study argues that AI‐enabled sensing and decision support do not automatically translate into sustainability outcomes; strategic value emerges when technological resources, managerial competencies, human expertise and process routines are aligned. Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) is therefore conceptualised as an organisational architecture that converts AI‐generated insight into disciplined problem definition, waste and variation reduction, process redesign, standardisation and continuous improvement. Survey data from 361 managers and executives in supply‐chain‐intensive organisations across multiple Southeast Asian countries and sectors were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. AI capability is positively associated with GLSS implementation, whereas GLSS is positively associated with environmental, economic and social supply‐chain performance. Significant indirect effects further show that GLSS acts as the transmission mechanism linking AI capability to all three triple‐bottom‐line outcomes. Because the estimated structural model did not include direct AI capability‐to‐performance paths, the evidence is interpreted as support for indirect effects rather than as proof of partial mediation. The study contributes to business strategy and sustainability research by explaining how an AI capability becomes strategically valuable when embedded in a sociotechnical improvement architecture. It also offers a staged managerial road map for harmonising AI investment, GLSS techniques and sustainable business transformation.

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动员AI可持续供应能力检测链转换:绿色精益六西格玛的中介作用

本研究探讨了如何将人工智能（AI）能力作为可持续供应链转型的战略组织能力加以动员。该研究综合了基于自然资源的观点、动态能力理论和社会技术系统理论，认为人工智能支持的感知和决策支持不会自动转化为可持续性结果；当技术资源、管理能力、人类专业知识和流程常规相结合时，战略价值就会出现。因此，绿色精益六西格玛（GLSS）被概念化为一种组织架构，它将人工智能生成的洞察力转化为有纪律的问题定义、浪费和变化减少、流程重新设计、标准化和持续改进。我们使用偏最小二乘结构方程模型分析了来自多个东南亚国家和行业的供应链密集型组织的361名经理和高管的调查数据。人工智能能力与GLSS实施呈正相关，而GLSS与环境、经济和社会供应链绩效呈正相关。显著的间接效应进一步表明，GLSS作为将人工智能能力与所有三个三重底线结果联系起来的传递机制。由于估计的结构模型不包括直接的人工智能能力-绩效路径，因此该证据被解释为对间接影响的支持，而不是部分中介的证明。该研究通过解释人工智能能力如何在嵌入社会技术改进架构时具有战略价值，为商业战略和可持续性研究做出了贡献。它还提供了一个分阶段的管理路线图，以协调人工智能投资、GLSS技术和可持续业务转型。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Business Strategy and The Environment Multiple-

CiteScore

22.50

自引率

19.40%

发文量

336

期刊介绍： Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) is a leading academic journal focused on business strategies for improving the natural environment. It publishes peer-reviewed research on various topics such as systems and standards, environmental performance, disclosure, eco-innovation, corporate environmental management tools, organizations and management, supply chains, circular economy, governance, green finance, industry sectors, and responses to climate change and other contemporary environmental issues. The journal aims to provide original contributions that enhance the understanding of sustainability in business. Its target audience includes academics, practitioners, business managers, and consultants. However, BSE does not accept papers on corporate social responsibility (CSR), as this topic is covered by its sibling journal Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. The journal is indexed in several databases and collections such as ABI/INFORM Collection, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOBASE, Emerald Management Reviews, GeoArchive, Environment Index, GEOBASE, INSPEC, Technology Collection, and Web of Science.