The integrated effect of Big Data Analytics, Lean Six Sigma and Green Manufacturing on the environmental performance of manufacturing companies: The case of North Africa

With the advent of Big Data Analytics (BDA) alongside the maturity of specific improvement approaches such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Green Manufacturing (GM), the integration of these initiatives to achieve higher environmental performance (EP) is gathering the interest of both researchers and practitioners. The present study builds on the resources based view of capabilities to propose and empirically test a framework exploring whether LSS and GM mediate the relationship between BDA capabilities and EP. A two-stage hybrid Factorial Analysis - Structural Equation Modeling is used to draw insights from 201 industry practitioners from North African companies. The findings confirm the direct influence of BDA on EP and also identify LSS and GM as significant mediating variables that act as a catalyst to boost indirect impacts of BDA on EP. This study can help researchers and practitioners to fully understand and benefit from BDA capabilities and improvement initiatives such as LSS and GM while managing environmental issues. The study discusses theoretical and managerial implications for enhancing the environmental performance of the manufacturing organizations.