The role of big data analytics capabilities in greening e-procurement: A higher order PLS-SEM analysis

The emergence of big data technology and concepts has created the potential to transform and innovate the traditional e-procurement system into green e-procurement. Utilizing resource orchestration theory, this paper suggests that if organizations embrace and reorganize some of the resources and capabilities offered by big data within their e-procurement functions, it will help achieve improved environmental performance. Based on a sample of 216 procurement professionals in the United Arab Emirates, we empirically investigate the effects of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on e-procurement (EP) and environmental performance (ENP) using PLSSEM analysis. This paper has determined that EP does not influence (ENP), but it has a significant influence on BDAC; and when BDAC was introduced as a mediator between EP and ENP, a significant and positive effect was found on ENP, indicating full mediation. Our findings offer a more advanced understanding of the impact of BDAC on e-procurement, thereby addressing the crucial questions of how and when BDAC can enhance environmental sustainability in procurement and supply chains.

Automated summary

The study found that e-procurement does not directly influence environmental performance, but it significantly impacts big data analytics capabilities; when introduced as a mediator, a significant and positive effect on environmental performance was observed, indicating full mediation.