Green purchases as a catalyst for supplier compliance to environmental standards in transportation in Nigeria

Abstract

The urgent global imperative for sustainable development is inextricably linked to addressing climate change, with the transportation sector emerging as a primary contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Nigeria, this environmental burden is exacerbated by the widespread use of vehicular components that fail to comply with stringent environmental standards. Despite the critical role of green purchasing in promoting compliance and reducing emissions, a notable gap persists in empirical research addressing this issue from a green procurement perspective within the unique context of the Nigerian public sector. This study, therefore, examined how green purchasing can function as a catalyst for supplier compliance and GHG emission reduction in Nigeria’s road transportation sector. The research was underpinned by Institutional Theory and the Brik et al.’s framework, which were employed to interpret the influence of institutional pressures on organisational behaviour. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist paradigm, the study utilised semistructured interviews with fourteen senior and middle managers, alongside three focus group discussions involving nine operational staff from public transportation ministries across seven federal states in Nigeria. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that coercive institutional pressures from national regulatory bodies (NESREA, SON) and international standards (ISO 14001) were the most significant drivers of supplier compliance. Although formal green purchasing frameworks exist, their implementation is frequently hindered by operational constraints, a lack of enforcement, and perceived resistance. The study confirmed the relevance of the Brik et al.’s framework drivers, demonstrating that government mandates act as a form of customer pressure and that economic advantages are linked to efficiency gains. Green purchasing was strongly perceived as a catalyst for reducing GHG emissions, although its full potential remains unrealised due to these implementation barriers. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the Nigerian Ministry of Transportation develop a formal, top-down green procurement policy with clear enforcement mechanisms and key performance indicators for supplier compliance. Furthermore, targeted training programmes for procurement staff are advised to address knowledge gaps and cultural resistance. This study contributes to theory by contextualising Institutional Theory and the Brik et al. framework within the public sector of a developing country. Practically, it offers actionable insights for policymakers. Future research should quantitatively test the relationships identified in this study to establish their statistical significance and generalisability. Additional case studies in other public sector domains are also recommended to explore the contextual nuances of green procurement adoption. In conclusion, this study establishes that while institutional pressures are necessary, they are insufficient without robust internal policies, strong leadership commitment, and effective enforcement to successfully leverage green purchasing as a catalyst for sustainable development in Nigeria.