Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) and its Impact on Manufacturing Project Firms in Southeast Nigeria

Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into supply chain operations to enhance long-term viability and ethical business practices. In the manufacturing sector, SSCM plays a crucial role in reducing waste, optimizing resources use, and improving operational efficiency while meeting regulatory and consumer demands for sustainability. This study examines the adoption and impact of SSCM practices among manufacturing project firms in Southeast Nigeria, a region with a growing industrial base but facing challenges such as infrastructural deficits and limited regulatory enforcement. The study is a mixed method research that adopted both quantitative and qualitative methodology. The population of the study comprises of 250 manufacturing firms in South East Nigeria for the quantitative and 30 managers for the qualitative design. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, multiple regression and structural equation modeling; and thematic analysis for the qualitative analysis. Key findings reveal that among all the SSCM practices, supplier engagement, energy efficiency, waste reduction and green procurement are significant practices adopted by manufacturing firms in South East Nigeria with. The study recommends that targeted government interventions, capacity-building initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration are essential to accelerate SSCM integration, fostering sustainable industrial growth in the region.