Is JIT Green? An empirical investigation of the effects of JIT on Green Practices and Environmental Performance

The aim of this thesis is to empirically explore the relationship between Just in Time (JIT), Environmental Performance and Green Practices. Although literature has consistently demonstrated JIT's positive effect on operational and economic performance, its environmental outcomes remain uncertain, with mixed results in the literature. Some studies highlight the existence of theoretical and practical alignments between the two concepts, whereas others point to a dichotomy of outcomes, suggesting that JIT implementation can lead to unintended environmental consequences. Therefore, this research hypothesizes the existence of a negative nonlinear (or inverted U-shaped) relationship between JIT and Environmental Performance, implying that there is an ideal level of JIT implementation that maximizes environmental returns. Additionally, the mediating role of Green Practices was explored, revealing positive indirect effects on Environmental Performance.