Journal of Management and Sustainability; Vol. 9, No. 1; 2019 ISSN 1925-4725 E-ISSN 1925-4733 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 119 Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Organizational Performance: The Intermediary Role of Competitive Advantage Charles Baah 1 & Zhihong Jin 1 1 Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China Correspondence: Charles Baah, Transportation Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China. E-mail: charlieba3@gmail.com Received: February 27, 2019 Accepted: March 25, 2019 Online Published: May 10, 2019 doi:10.5539/jms.v9n1p119 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/jms.v9n1p119 Abstract Sustainability issues have been on the rise due to negative impacts of organizational practices on the environment. The logistics sector has been known as a major contributor in polluting and consuming enormous amount of resources. This study therefore aims to provide insight into how sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) influences performance of organizations operating in the logistics sector. This study went further to focus on the intermediary function of competitive advantage in the SSCM and organizational performance relationship. Questionnaires were distributed to solicit information from 190 logistics managers. Data were analysed using partial least square method of structural equation modelling. Analysis of the data indicates that SSCM significantly and positively influence competitive advantage and organizational performance. In addition, competitive advantage also proved to significantly influence organizational performance. Competitive advantage indirectly has a significant impact on the SSCM and organizational performance relationship. The findings of the study provide key information to managers and academics in understanding the essence of integrating sustainability in supply chain management (SCM) and how the integration influences organizational performance in the current business and industrial setting. Keywords: sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), supply chain management (SCM), competitive advantage and organizational performance 1. Introduction Rising issues such as global warming, energy crisis, ozone layer depletion among others have warranted or brought attention to the topic of sustainability in every facet of human existence. This concept has fully been viewed from the business perspective because of the enormous contributions documented from industrial activities. Although environmental issues started before the 1990s, major streams of sustainable research specific to the SCM discipline started in mid-1990s (Seuring & Muller, 2008). The acceptance of social and other issues related to the environment evolved from what was referred to as “standalone” by Craig and Easton (2011) to the concept we currently refer to as sustainability. Sustainability issues arising from this current business environment have warranted organizations to consider sustainable practices in their goals and policies. There have been various definitions concerning sustainability (Craig & Easton, 2011). According to WCED (1987), sustainability is utilizing resources to meet current or present generation’s needs without endangering future generation. This definition although widely accepted does not really convey or address key topics in this current industrial environment making it quite open and obscure as supported by Ahi and Searcy (2013), hence, it is demanding and tough to incorporate this concept into supply chain operations. From the perspective of Elkington (1998), growth of sustainability theory needed to be considered from a triple bottom line comprising; integration of environmental, social and economic performances. Thus, Elkington (1998) signified that managers must promote operational activities that achieve economic objectives and achieve both social and environmental goals simultaneously. According to Carter and Rodgers (2008) the above opinion by Elkington (1998) suggests that considering and undertaking sustainable practices cannot be categorised as optional but compulsory for organizations. Extant literature proves the ongoing debate regarding the adoption of sustainability in the business context (Ahi & Searcy, 2008). Despite the ongoing debate, the rapid rise of sustainable issues has caused the intervention of international bodies, governments and other stakeholders thereby forcing organizations to consider how to