Environmental cognition and environmental performance in restaurants: roles of green supplier selection and joint actions

Purpose Although much empirical literature confirmed the foodservice industry's significant impact on the environment, little scholarly attention has been paid to how restaurants can improve environmental performance. This study aimed to verify the impact of restaurant environmental cognition (EC) on environmental performance through green supplier selection (GSS) and joint actions (JAs). Design/methodology/approach Using an online survey company, the questionnaire was distributed to restaurant owners/or managers who were qualified to provide accurate information regarding their operational practices. A total of 285 responses were included in the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to verify the validity and reliability of the measures. The SPSS PROCESS macro was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings The study showed that EC has positive and direct effects on restaurant environmental performance (REP). Each mediator of GSS and JAs played a positive mediating role between EC and REP. GSS and JAs also played multiple positive mediating roles between EC and REP. This study revealed that a path mediating between EC and REP through GSS can be used to derive the most optimal results. Originality/value This study focused on the importance of restaurant EC, which is a fundamental driver for restaurant environmental practices, but is overlooked in the relevant literature. The findings provide novel information that can be applied to operate green restaurants specifically through GSS and JAs. In particular, the present approach expands the existing knowledge on sustainable restaurant management by investigating EC from an organization perspective.