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This study empirically examines the relationship between green supply chain management (GSCM) strategy and financial performance for shipping firms. We collect global data from 289 shipping firms and apply cluster analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the research hypotheses. We cluster shipping firms according to their level of GSCM strategy adoption, which ranges from reactive to proactive. We find that shipping firms with a proactive GSCM strategy perform better financially. The findings of this study can contribute to shipping firms' environmental management strategy decisions and help tackle environmental problems while improving their financial outcome. This paper provides a discussion of managerial and theoretical implications and recommends future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how vertical integration may influence inventory turnover and firm operating performance. A causal model is developed to investigate the effects of vertical integration on three types of inventory, namely raw materials inventory (RMI), work in progress inventory (WIPI) and finished goods inventory (FGI). The model tests the interactions between inventory types and the consequences of inventory turnover performance on various aspects of firm performance including costs and profitability. In particular, path analysis supports systematic differences with respect to how vertical integration affects RMI, WIPI and FGI. Vertical integration has a positive effect on RMI and FGI turnover but no significant effect on WIPI turnover. FGI contributes to a reduction in supporting processes costs which causes an improvement in return on sales (ROSs). Vertical integration impacts ROS directly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The inherent uncertainty, capital intensity and riskiness of investing in ships and port facilities have led to irregular corporate economic and financial performance for maritime logistics organizations. Although the relative impact of corporate strategy on firm profitability is a topic of considerable scientific and managerial interest, insights into contemporary issues in maritime logistics strategy are still limited. This article provides an exploratory contribution in bridging this gap, by measuring the effects of maritime logistics firm's corporate strategy on overall financial performance. Empirical findings show that investments for growth, focalization on the core business, related diversification and vertical integration have a positive impact on corporate profitability, whereas unrelated diversification does not affect firm's performance and international diversification has a negative effect. The outcomes are consistent with and add to the extant theoretical literature while insightful implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]