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Intensifying effects of COVID-19 on economic growth, logistics performance, environmental sustainability and quality management: evidence from Asian countries

Muhammad Ikram (School of Business Administration (SBA), Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Ifrane, Morocco)
Yichen Shen (School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada)
Marcos Ferasso (Economics and Business Sciences Department, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal)
Idiano D’Adamo (University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy)

Journal of Asia Business Studies

ISSN: 1558-7894

Article publication date: 16 September 2021

Issue publication date: 19 May 2022

1546

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on exports of goods and services, logistics performance, environmental management system (ISO 14001) certification and quality management system (ISO 9001) certification in top affected Asian countries of India, Iran, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel grey relational analysis models’ approach is used to examine the inter-relationship between COVID-19 economic growth and environmental performance. Moreover, the authors applied a conservative (maximin) model to investigate which countries have the least intensifying affected among all of the top affected COVID-19 Asian countries based on the SS degree of grey relation values. The data used in this study was collected from multiple databases during 2020 for analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that the severity of COVID-19 shows a strong negative association and influence of COVID-19 on the exportation of goods and services, logistics performance, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications in all the six highly affected countries during a pandemic outbreak. Although the adverse effects of COVID-19 in exporting countries persisted until December 31, 2020, their magnitude decreased over time in Indonesia and Pakistan. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Pakistan showed comparatively better performance among the six top highly affected Asian countries due to its smart locked down strategy and prevents its economy from severe damages. While India and Iran export drastically go down due to a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings produce much-required policy suggestions for leaders, world agencies and governments to take corrective measures on an emergent basis to prevent the economies from more damages and improve their logistics, environmental and quality performance during the pandemic of COVID-19.

Originality/value

This study develops a framework and investigates the intensifying effects of COVID-19 effects on economic growth, logistics performance, environmental performance and quality production processes.

Keywords

Citation

Ikram, M., Shen, Y., Ferasso, M. and D’Adamo, I. (2022), "Intensifying effects of COVID-19 on economic growth, logistics performance, environmental sustainability and quality management: evidence from Asian countries", Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 448-471. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-07-2021-0316

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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