Managerial perceptions of energy in logistics: An integration of the theory of planned behavior and stakeholder theory
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
ISSN: 0960-0035
Article publication date: 3 July 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the major contribution of logistics to the greenhouse gas effect, logistics research has begun to address the topic of energy, but it has not yet targeted the role of energy within logistical decision-making processes. To facilitate such endeavors, the purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of energy which managers in logistics organizations portray.
Design/methodology/approach
This investigation is based on interviews with 17 managers. The findings are embedded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stakeholder theory (SHT).
Findings
The study depicts initial insights on which energy-related perceptions exist, how they can be categorized into attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls (PBCs), and how different stakeholders seem to affect them.
Research limitations/implications
This research suggests a tentative comprehensive conceptual framework that describes the role of energy in logistical decision-making processes. The findings on attitudes and subjective norms appear to be unspecific to the logistics domain, whereas some of the PBCs are presumably unique to the logistics context. Future logistics research should hence focus its efforts on the PBCs. Generalizability and completeness of the managerial perceptions must be validated by future research.
Practical implications
The findings help logistics organizations in scrutinizing managerial perspectives on energy and in developing awareness-raising measures.
Originality/value
The behavioral perspective applied in this study can complement extant, more technically oriented views. The conceptual framework that integrates the TPB and SHT may also be useful for organizational research beyond the logistics domain.
Keywords
Citation
Busse, C., Regelmann, A., Chithambaram, H. and Wagner, S.M. (2017), "Managerial perceptions of energy in logistics: An integration of the theory of planned behavior and stakeholder theory", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 47 No. 6, pp. 447-471. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-04-2015-0090
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited