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Article
Affiliation(s)

City University of Macau, Macau, China

ABSTRACT

Climate change and carbon transition policies are reshaping the strategic landscape for logistics firms. Although earlier work looked at green logistics practices and environmental performance, less is understood about how climate pressure can turn into a genuine competitive edge. This paper investigates how capabilities get reconfigured when logistics companies face climate related pressures, within China logistics industry. Using institutional theory, dynamic capabilities, and the natural resource-based view, the study takes a qualitative multi case path. It leans on semi structured interviews with logistics managers, sustainability professionals, and industry experts, and there is a sense that all of them bring different angles. The materials will be worked on via thematic coding and a cross-case comparison, to build a process model that links climate pressure, managerial sensemaking, capability reconfiguration, stakeholder alignment, and competitive advantage. In terms of contributions, the study adds to sustainable supply chain research and strategic management literature by clarifying how environmental constraints may stimulate strategic renewal. For practice, it gives logistics firms a clearer direction when they want to go past basic compliance and develop green competitiveness.

KEYWORDS

climate pressure, capability reconfiguration, green competitive advantage

Cite this paper

WANG Tianhe, ZHANG Yuanzihan, Iat Meng Chan. (2026). From Climate Pressure to Competitive Advantage: Unpacking Capability Reconfiguration Mechanisms in China’s Logistics Industry. Management Studies, Vol. 14, No. 5, 265-274. doi: 10.17265/2328-2185/2026.05.002.

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