Internal vs. External Barriers to Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM): An Empirical Study of Egypt’s Petrochemical Sector

This study addresses the critical problem of barriers hindering Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) adoption in Egypt’s petrochemical sector, a major economic driver that produces approximately 4.5 million tons annually but generates significant GHG emissions and hazardous waste. The objective is to identify, rank, and analyze the hierarchical relationships among internal and external barriers using a mixed-methods approach. This study focuses on the full petrochemical supply chain in Egypt, encompassing upstream (raw material sourcing), midstream (manufacturing/refining processes), and downstream (distribution, waste management, reverse logistics), with an emphasis on emission/waste reduction practices. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 400 employees in Egyptian petrochemical firms and analyzed using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The findings showed that internal impediments, such as a lack of corporate leadership and support (IB1), a critical shortage of resources (IB6), and the absence of green initiatives (IB5), serve as driving forces that exert a cascading influence over the external barriers, which include insufficient government support (EB1), a lack of markets for recycled materials (EB5), and human resources or expertise shortages (EB7). The study contributes to the existing literature on GSCM by incorporating international trends and specifically addressing Egyptian issues, including weak policies, difficult supply chains, high energy-intensive operations, and costly operations. The study suggests that sending clear messages from the top and providing financial incentives can help push the obstacles aside and guide the industry down the path of environmentally responsible operations.