Collaborating digitalization and green supply chain to promote green development of manufacturing firms – an analysis from a configurational perspective

Purpose The advent of the digital economy has engendered transformative shifts in conventional manufacturing paradigms. Digital technologies are reconfiguring value creation dynamics across supply chain actors while concomitantly accelerating the green transition of manufacturing firms. This study aims to undertake a systematic investigation into the dual impact of digital transformation and green supply chain management practices on sustainable manufacturing development. Using a configurational perspective, the authors analyze the interactive effects among multiple determinants and delineate potential evolutionary trajectories toward eco-efficient manufacturing ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach This study investigates the green development strategies implemented by 365 manufacturing firms in China’s Yangtze River Delta region. To systematically analyze the interplay between technological and green development, the authors use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to examine the synergistic effects of digital transformation and green supply chain management practices on firms’ sustainability performance. A configurational lens is adopted to uncover the combinatorial mechanisms through which multiple interacting elements generate distinct green development pathways. Findings The study yields three pivotal findings: (1) Within the operational paradigms of green supply chain management and digital transformation, manufacturing firms exhibit distinct trajectories for attaining sustainable development objectives. The strategic convergence of green supply chain management principles and digital technologies improves Eco-efficiency. (2) Despite observable functional overlaps between green supply chain management implementation and digital transformation processes, organizational capacity to institutionalize green practices across supply networks proves significantly more impactful than mere technological integration. (3) Digital transformation independently manifests as a critical determinant in the sustainable development continuum, with transformative effects on resource optimization and circular economy enablement. Originality/value The analysis demonstrates that when firms’ green development trajectories are examined through the theoretical lenses of green supply chain management and digital transformation, distinct pathways exhibit potential convergence toward shared sustainability objectives. This alignment hinges on the synergistic interplay of foundational elements from both green supply chain management and digital ecosystems, emphasizing the multidimensional, systemic complexities underlying manufacturing sustainability transitions. The findings not only extend existing literature on green development paradigms in manufacturing but also furnish actionable insights to inform strategic decision-making for sustainable organizational evolution.