INVESTIGATIONS OF LOW- AND ZERO-CARBON TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FOR SUSTAINABLE FIRM PERFORMANCE

With technological development, the climate crisis and the growing complexity of geopolitical environment, it is important for firms to learn how to achieve sustainable operations. Therefore, the overall objective of this thesis is to understand the actual role and factors that influence the firm's low- and zero-carbon technologies (LCTs) adoption for sustainable performance. This journal-style thesis comprises three independent articles in chapters 3-5 on the role of LCTs in sustainable operations management. Through three empirical and conceptual studies, it examines how LCTs contribute to sustainable operations management, considering internal practices and external disruptions.
The research first develops a theoretical framework identifying drivers, enablers, and barriers to LCT adoption in supply chain decarbonisation, based on a systematic review of the literature. It then provides empirical evidence that LCT adoption enhances sustainable firm performance, with sustainable manufacturing practices mediating this relationship and customer concentration moderating it negatively. Finally, it shows that geopolitical disruptions, such as the US–China trade war, can initially boost sustainable outcomes but undermine the long-term effectiveness of LCT adoption. The findings contribute to theory by integrating diffusion of innovation, institutional theory, and strategic contingency perspectives to better understand LCT adoption under complex conditions. The thesis also delivers practical guidance to managers, emphasising the importance of embedding sustainable practices internally and managing supply chain relationships to optimise LCT outcomes. For policymakers, it underscores the need to provide long-term, stable regulatory environments that support firms in maintaining sustainability trajectories, particularly amid geopolitical uncertainties. This work contributes to broader sustainability goals by offering an evidence-based understanding of how firms can leverage LCTs to strengthen resilience and promote long-term sustainable development.