Purpose Despite a prevailing yet fragmented consensus on the importance of supply chain innovativeness (SCI), the SCI-performance correlation and causation remain unclear. Our research resolves these contradictions by investigating the multi-dimensional SCI-performance link, incorporating multi-level moderators and the mediating role of non-financial performance in the SCI-financial performance relationship. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, resource-based view and contingency theory, this meta-analysis of 45 articles (2009–2025) examines how SCI (overall, marketing-oriented, logistics-oriented and technology-development-oriented) impacts overall and specific performance (financial, operational and innovation). The mediating role of non-financial performance is examined through meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM). We also consider contingent factors at the national (economic development level and innovative capacity), industry (diversity and type) and firm (size) levels. Findings The findings reveal that SCI exerts a positive effect on firm performance. Specifically, all dimensions of SCI are positively correlated, with the strongest association of overall innovativeness. Furthermore, SCI is positively related to all performance dimensions, and non-financial performance positively mediates the link between SCI and financial performance. Multi-level moderators are observed. The SCI-performance relationship is stronger in developing and regions with low innovative capacity. It is also more pronounced in single-industry settings and among small- and medium-sized enterprises. Although the relationship appears slightly stronger in manufacturing than in services, the sector difference is not statistically significant. Originality/value The multi-dimensional, multi-level framework proposed in this study offers a novel perspective for resolving existing theoretical conflicts and provides deeper insights into the performance influence mechanisms of SCI.

Purpose This study investigates the long-term evolution of the Project Management Office (PMO) within the foundation of Organizational Project Management (OPM). It examines how the PMO'smandate, authority, and responsibilities developed in a large European organization, tracing its transition from departmental support to strategic governance and, more recently, to a central role in innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal single-case study design was employed, combining semi-structured interviews, internal documentation, and a follow-up questionnaire with Enterprise PMO (EPMO) professionals to identify PMO functions across stages and analyze mandate and authority expansion. Findings Three main findings emerged. First, the PMO evolved through four stages, expanding from IT support to enterprise-wide governance. This followed a layered mandate logic, where foundational functions were retained while governance and strategic roles were progressively added. Second, a decisive transformation occurred when the PMO was relocated from IT to board-level reporting, expanding its autonomy, process performance, and strategic influence. Third, the PMO was explicitly mandated to lead innovation and AI initiatives, positioning it as both a governance body and a driver of digital transformation. Originality/value This study provides a rare longitudinal examination of PMO evolution in the context of OPM, addressing limited empirical evidence on sustained PMO development beyond early support and governance roles. It advances the concept of the layered mandate and offers guidance for structuring PMOs to sustain stability, expand authority, and assume responsibility for innovation and AI governance.

Purpose This study aims to systematize research on how digital technologies support sustainability processes at the national level by applying business process management principles. It provides a structured framework for integrating digital technologies to enhance efficiency and scalability of sustainability initiatives and offers a comprehensive scientific map through a process-oriented, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled analysis. The study develops a conceptual model that organizes key themes into enablers, transformations and outcomes, linking them to the triple bottom line, socio-technical systems and institutional theory. Design/methodology/approach Using a dataset of over 8,000 articles from Scopus, the study combines bibliometric techniques with Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling to identify and categorize latent themes within digital sustainability research. Findings The analysis uncovered 129 process-related topics with varying levels of research maturity, impact and geographic relevance. Key findings highlight underexplored areas, dominant trends and thematic imbalances across subject domains and regions. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the Scopus database and relies on metadata accuracy. Nonetheless, it offers a replicable AI-based method for mapping complex and dynamic research domains, supporting future theory development. Practical implications The results offer actionable insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to manage, improve or design sustainability-related digital processes. Identified gaps and high-impact themes can inform policy, education and innovation strategies. Originality/value This is the first large-scale study to apply topic modeling for mapping the intersection of digitalization and sustainability processes across countries. It advances the BPM literature by revealing new digital process domains relevant to sustainable development.

Purpose Research on multinational enterprises (MNEs) is now more relevant than ever, as the world economy experiences financial stress spilling over into the real sector from the credit-constrained private sector, large trade imbalances from low public saving and high volatility in energy prices. Concerns have emerged regarding supply chain resilience, prompting calls for MNEs to reconfigure their international manufacturing networks (IMNs) to respond to external disruptions. This article addresses two critical research questions: What is the impact of new external systems on IMNs? How can IMNs respond to the new external systems for dealing with the global economic crisis? Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative case study approach by engaging with three MNEs based in Europe. Following a systematic thematic analysis process, we utilise a Context-Intervention-Mechanism-Outcome framework to develop our propositions. Findings The article proposes a new theoretical framework to capture the interactions between IMNs and their external systems, namely, their international business environment. It provides six important IMN network reconfiguration mechanisms – E2E connection, vertical integration, localisation, diversification, simplification and streamlining, and building redundancy, alongside specific operating methods. The functions of the mechanisms result in enhanced IMN controllability, agility, resilience, and sustainability. Originality/value In addition to providing important insights into the recent debate in the operations and supply chain management and international business literature. Our case-based approach offers the core guiding/controlling principles for IMNs to deal with uncertainty.

Purpose Recent trends in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce indicate rising consumer demand for efficient, rapid and sustainable deliveries, making last mile delivery (LMD) increasingly vital. This study investigates the previously underexplored dimensions of sustainability in LMD within the Indian B2C e-commerce context by examining the associated risks and their corresponding mitigation strategies. Design/methodology/approach A three-round Delphi study was conducted with 33 experts to establish a comprehensive and consensus-based understanding of sustainability risks and mitigation strategies in the LMD of B2C e-commerce. Findings This study identified several novel types of sustainability risks and corresponding mitigation strategies. It develops a theoretical framework that categorizes these risks and strategies using diverse theoretical lenses. Additionally, eight key propositions are formulated as major contributions. Research limitations/implications This study addresses the gaps in LMD research by linking risks with sustainability using the TBL, STM, SCOR, stakeholder and institutional perspectives. It identifies and maps new sustainability risks and strategies and develops a holistic sustainability risk and mitigation framework for decision-making. This study’s outcomes provide actionable insights for e-commerce policymakers and practitioners to enhance the efficiency, sustainability and resilience of LMD operations. Originality/value This study explores sustainability risks in B2C e-commerce LMD through the theoretical lenses of the triple bottom line (TBL) and systems theory of management (STM), with particular attention to product returns as a major sustainability concern. It further leverages the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model to formulate actionable strategies.

Purpose This study aims to identify the main environmental drivers and impact areas activated by digital technologies (DTs) when adopted in different operations management processes for fostering circularity and environmental sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This paper carries out a systematic literature review of 195 articles. Content-based analysis is employed to code the three constructs of digital technologies, operations management processes and environmental drivers. Frequency and contingency analyses are conducted to identify 21 statistically significant relationships among the constructs. A research framework and research directions are then derived. Findings The findings highlight consolidated, emerging and specific relevant relationships between digital technologies and operations management processes, as well as the nature of the environmental drivers triggered by their interplay. Literature has so far placed particular emphasis on the resource efficiency environmental driver to exploit the sustainability potential of digital technologies. The potential of activating the most circular environmental drivers (i.e. lifetime extension, intensified asset usage and closing the loop) deserves deeper investigation. Practical implications The identified relationships and their impact mechanisms can serve as practical guidelines for managers seeking to deploy digital technologies within operations management processes to foster circularity and sustainability. Specifically, managers can draw indications into where (i.e. which operations management process) and how (i.e. through which impact domains) digital technologies can be applied to activate specific environmental drivers. Originality/value While digital technologies have been widely recognized as enablers of circularity and sustainability in manufacturing, their detailed operative mechanisms within different operations management processes are still under-investigated. The identified mechanisms, their discussion and the developed research framework contribute to fill this gap.

Purpose This study explores how digital twin technology boosts operational efficiency within supply chains. It identifies key attributes influencing logistics and performance, synthesizing existing research insights and highlights knowledge gaps to guide organizations considering digital twin adoption. Design/methodology/approach The research involved a systematic literature review, focusing on articles from 2014 to 2024, sourced from the Science Direct database. Keywords related to digital twins and supply chain management informed the selection criteria. Findings Findings reveal significant benefits from digital twin integration, including process optimization, error reduction and shorter production cycles (15–25%). Energy consumption and downtime decrease by 15–20%, while productivity improves by up to 25%. Additionally, cost savings of up to 30% are achieved, along with enhanced flexibility, responsiveness to market changes and resilience to disruptions. Collaboration among stakeholders within the supply chain is also strengthened. Originality/value This research positions digital twins as a strategic tool for supply chain optimization. It offers practitioners and researchers a robust conceptual foundation to assess their impact on operational efficiency and paves the way for further exploration in this transformative area.

Purpose This article aims to analyze whether the B Corp certification process is homogeneous for all companies, regardless of their size and sector. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted among B Corps in Spain, and Rasch measurement theory was applied to analyze the data. Findings The results indicate that the motivations and barriers to certification are similar among companies of different sizes and sectors. Also, the spillover effects of certification do not vary significantly across sectors. However, firm size influences one of these effects, with larger firms experiencing a significantly greater positive impact on the working conditions of their employees. Practical implications The findings provide useful insights for policymakers and organizations looking to improve support mechanisms for companies undergoing B Corp certification. Understanding the common challenges and benefits can help in designing tailored sustainability policies. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on business certifications by providing empirical evidence on how company characteristics influence the B Corp certification process.

Purpose Due to fierce competition, manufacturing enterprises must intensely focus on improving every operational link for business continuity. Selecting a sustainable service provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotic systems in reverse logistics function is a vital link to increase competitive edge in manufacturing firms and still requires investigation. Thus, this study proposes a criteria framework for manufacturing enterprises to select a sustainable provider of AI-powered robotic sorting systems (AIRSS) – a typical AI-powered robotic systems. Design/methodology/approach Using the grey analytical hierarchy process, weightage was assigned to sustainable provider selection criteria in order to give clarity on the significance degree. Then, using fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution, the best AIRSS service provider was selected, catering to the most significant criteria based on sustainable performance scores. The proposed evaluating methodology was verified via empirical evidence in Nigeria, and sensitivity analysis was conducted for its validation. Findings The results highlight the economic dimension as the most significant, followed by social and environmental. Also, the results pinpoint pricing, customer support, quality, ethical considerations, accessibility and security as the most significant sustainable service provider criteria for AIRSS. As well, the ranking of five AIRSS providers was done to select the best. Research limitations/implications This study will assist the manufacturers to overcome the risk of erroneous assessment of AIRSS providers and encourage the AI service providers to enhance their performance in terms of the critical criteria for increased competitive edge in a rapidly moving market. Originality/value This study is a pioneering attempt to develop a criteria framework and propose evaluating methodology for sustainable service provider selection of AIRSS in a developing nation based on triple-bottom-line (TBL) dimensions and G-AHP-F-TOPSIS, respectively.

Purpose This study investigates whether Kaizen operational practices contribute to environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. While Kaizen is widely applied in operational improvement, its impact on ESG dimensions remains empirically underexplored. The aim is to examine this relationship through a global survey of manufacturing organizations. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted with professionals experienced in Kaizen from manufacturing companies across different countries. Respondents were identified via corporate social media based on their demonstrated expertise in Kaizen practices. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Results reveal that Kaizen practices positively influence environmental and governance performance. However, no direct impact on social performance was found. The use of digital systems was identified as a full mediator in the relationship between Kaizen and social performance. Practical implications Findings suggest that organizations can enhance ESG outcomes by implementing Kaizen practices and integrating digital systems. This combined approach can improve environmental and governance results and indirectly support social sustainability. Originality/value This is among the first empirical studies to explore the Kaizen–ESG link through a global sample, highlighting the role of digital systems as enablers of ESG performance.