The finest diamond must be green: a closer look at the roles of institution in shipping firms' sustainable practices

Shipping companies' implementation of sustainable shipping management is an important means of protecting major water bodies in the marine environment. This research establishes a theoretical model based on institutional theory and incorporates a micro-consciousness level to explore the factors influencing companies' implementation of sustainable shipping practices. After surveying the management of Chinese shipping companies, a total of 282 datasets were obtained for analysis. This study demonstrated that rules and regulations, societal norms, environmental awareness, and legal awareness can improve shipping companies' sustainable shipping practices. Meanwhile, these practices have a positive impact on the environmental, financial, and competitive performance of shipping companies. Moreover, these findings are highly significant for maritime environmental protection and sustainability.

Automated summary

The implementation of sustainable shipping management by shipping companies is crucial for safeguarding major water bodies in the marine environment. This study develops a theoretical model based on institutional theory and incorporates a micro-consciousness level to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of sustainable shipping practices by companies. Surveying Chinese shipping companies' management, a total of 282 datasets were collected and analyzed. The results demonstrate that rules and regulations, societal norms, environmental awareness, and legal awareness enhance shipping companies' adoption of sustainable shipping practices. Furthermore, these practices positively impact shipping companies' environmental, financial, and competitive performance, highlighting their significance for maritime environmental protection and sustainability.