Trust as a Catalyst for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration in Sustainable Supply Chain Management Operations: Evidence from Ghana Frozen Fisheries

Authors

Elizabeth Serwaa Boateng Koomson

Warsaw University of Life Sciences/SGGW, Management Institute (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Joanna Paliszkiewicz

Warsaw University of Life Sciences/SGGW, Management Institute (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Piotr Pietrzak

Warsaw University of Life Sciences/SGGW, Management Institute (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Jonathan Addai-Nketia

Lead Research Consultant, Elite Research and Publications (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Ernest Kwaku Agyei

Faculty of Business Management, Sir Padampat Singhania University (SPSU), Bhatewar, Udaipur, Rajasthan (India)

Harrietta Akrofi-Ansah

Warsaw University of Life Sciences/SGGW, Management Institute (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Amoh, Prince Jnr.

Kumasi Technical University (Accra Greater Accra Region Ghana)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100900040

Subject Category: Supply Chain Management

Volume/Issue: 10/9 | Page No: 629-642

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-07-30

Accepted: 2026-08-04

Published: 2026-09-29

Abstract

This study takes a deeper dive into trust as a catalyst for ESG by discussing relevant topics, concepts, and theories on how trust acts as a catalyst to the adoption of social, environmental and governance in supply chain operations of frozen fisheries firms in Ghana. The conclusions in the study are based on primary research which employed a quantitative research method. Data were gathered from 328 operators and staff of fifteen frozen fisheries businesses who were randomly selected in Tema in the Greater Accra region through a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Environmentally sustainable practices implemented at the firms included responsible waste management practices, water and energy efficiency. Social aspects of supply chain practices included the donation of frozen foods to orphanages and small-scale CSR projects. Despite moderate integration of these supply chain practices, trust significantly influences the integration of social, environmental, and responsible governance in the supply chain practices of frozen fisheries firms.

Keywords

NA

Downloads

References

1. Ashurov, S., Musse, O. S. H., & Abdelhak, T. (2024). Evaluating corporate social responsibility in achieving sustainable development and social welfare. BRICS Journal of Economics, 5(2), 77-102. https://doi.org/10.3897/brics-econ.5.e121429 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bodin, Ö., Baird, J., Schultz, L., Plummer, R., & Armitage, D. (2020). The impacts of trust, cost and risk on collaboration in environmental governance. People and Nature, 2(3), 734-749. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10097 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Boussemart, J. P., Leleu, H., Shen, Z., & Valdmanis, V. (2020). Performance analysis for three pillars of sustainability. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 53, 305-320. 2017-EQM-01_Shen-libre.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Bratic, D. (2011), "Achieving a Competitive Advantage by SCM", IBIMA Business Review, pp. 1-13. DOI: 10.5171/2011.957583 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Carter, C.R., & Rogers, D.S. (2008). A framework of sustainable supply chain management: Moving toward new theory. International. Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics. Management., 38, 360–387. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030810882816 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Eggert, J., & Hartmann, J. (2023). Sustainable supply chain management–a key to resilience in the global pandemic. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 28(3), 486-507. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SCM-10-2021-0463 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Esan, O., Ajayi, F. A., & Olawale, O. (2024). Supply chain integrating sustainability and ethics: Strategies for modern supply chain management. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 22(1), 1930-1953. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.1.1259 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Fontaine, C., Haarman, A., & Schmid, S. (2006). The stakeholder theory. Edlays education, 1(4), 1-33. Microsoft Word - Stakeholders theory.doc [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Fredson, G., Adebisi, B., Ayorinde, O. B., Cynthia, E., Onukwulu, O. A., & Ihechere, A. O. (2025). Building Resilient Supply Chains in Emerging Markets: Sustainable Procurement and Stakeholder Engagement Strategies. International Scientific Journal, 201(2025) 57-95. WSN-201-2025-57-95.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Hird, M. J., Lougheed, S., Rowe, R. K., & Kuyvenhoven, C. (2014). Making waste management public (or falling back to sleep). Social Studies of Science, 44(3), 441–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312713518835 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hristov, I., & Searcy, C. (2025). Integrating sustainability with corporate governance: a framework to implement the corporate sustainability reporting directive through a balanced scorecard. Management Decision, 63(2), 443-467. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2023-1995 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hugos, M. H. (2024). Essentials of supply chain management. John Wiley & Sons. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Kumar, A., Shrivastav, S. K., Shrivastava, A. K., Panigrahi, R. R., Mardani, A., & Cavallaro, F. (2023). Sustainable supply chain management, performance measurement, and management: a review. Sustainability, 15(6), 5290. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065290 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mahajan, R., Lim, W. M., Sareen, M., Kumar, S., & Panwar, R. (2023). Stakeholder theory. Journal of Business Research, 166, 114104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114104 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Pascual, U., Balvanera, P., Anderson, C. B., Chaplin-Kramer, R., Christie, M., González-Jiménez, D., ... & Zent, E. (2023). Diverse values of nature for sustainability. Nature, 620(7975), 813-823. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06406-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Pouresmaieli, M., Ataei, M., Qarahasanlou, A. N., & Barabadi, A. (2024). Corporate social responsibility in complex systems based on sustainable development. Resources Policy, 90, 104818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104818 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Rodriguez, S. I., Roman, M. S., Sturhahn, S. C., & Terry, E. H. (2002). Sustainability assessment and reporting for the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor Campus. Center for Sustainable Systems, Report No. CSS02-04. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Microsoft Word - CSS02-04.doc [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Saeed, A., & Riaz, H. (2021). Navigating through firm–environmental groups' relationships: The impact of societal trust on corporate environmental strategy. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(8), 3552-3568. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2819 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Shahab, Y., Wang, P., Gull, A. A., Chen, Y., & Ntim, C. G. (2023). Social trust and environmental performance in China: does state ownership matter? Economic Modelling, 124, 106328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106328 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Stupak, I., Mansoor, M., & Smith, C. T. (2021). Conceptual framework for increasing legitimacy and trust of sustainability governance. Energy, sustainability and society, 11, 1-57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00280-x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Thiele, L. P. (2024). Sustainability. John Wiley & Sons. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Yan, F., Chen, L., & Jia, F. (2024). Environmental, social, and governance disclosure in supply chains: a systematic literature review. Production Planning & Control, 1-22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Truant, E., Borlatto, E., Crocco, E., & Sahore, N. (2024). Environmental, social and governance issues in supply chains. A systematic review for strategic performance. Journal of cleaner production, 434, 140024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Igwe, A. N., Eyo-Udo, N. L., Toromade, A. S., & Tosin, T. (2024). Policy implications and economic incentives for sustainable supply chain practices in the food and FMCG Sectors. Journal of Supply Chain & Sustainability, (pending publication). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Li, W., & Liu, Z. (2023). Social, environmental, and governance factors on supply-chain performance with mediating technology adoption. Sustainability, 15(14), 10865. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles