Green logistics and export competitiveness: a sustainable supply chain perspective from agro-exporting firms in Peru

Abstract

This study examines the role of green logistics in enhancing international competitiveness within agro-export supply chains, focusing on oregano-exporting firms in Tacna, Peru. In the context of increasing global pressure for sustainable production and environmentally responsible trade, green logistics has emerged as a strategic driver of both environmental performance and market competitiveness. A quantitative, applied, and correlational research design was employed, using a census sample of 20 exporting firms. Data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires assessing key dimensions of green logistics—green transportation, sustainable storage and distribution, eco-friendly packaging, and reverse logistics—as well as international competitiveness, measured through productivity, innovation, product quality, and export capacity. Statistical analyses included descriptive and inferential techniques to evaluate the relationship between sustainability practices and export performance. The findings reveal a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between green logistics implementation and international competitiveness (r = 0.71, p  < 0.01). Among the dimensions analyzed, eco-friendly packaging and transportation efficiency showed the strongest influence on competitive performance, particularly in terms of product differentiation and market access. However, reverse logistics remains underdeveloped, highlighting structural challenges in the adoption of circular economy practices within the sector. From a theoretical perspective, the study integrates the Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, and Green Supply Chain Management frameworks to explain how sustainability-oriented logistics capabilities function as strategic resources in international trade. Practically, the results provide actionable insights for firms seeking to improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and comply with international sustainability standards. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence from an underexplored agro-export context in a developing economy and by proposing a Green Logistics Integration Model (MILV-Competitiva) aligned with sustainable supply chain principles. The findings also support the relevance of sustainability-driven strategies in achieving competitive advantage and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible production and climate action.