We perform while we go green! Green procurement as a responsible environmental tool for the performance of manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania

Purpose This study examines the relationship between green procurement practices and manufacturing enterprises’ performance in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach This study employed cross-sectional design to collect quantitative data from 56 procurement managers of large manufacturing enterprises in Temeke Municipality in Tanzania, whereby an ordinal logistic regression hypothesized the relationship between green procurement practices and performance. Findings The study’s main findings unveiled that green procurement practices, which include green specifications, green procurement awareness, reverse logistics and green procurement enforcement mechanisms, are crucial in enhancing the performance of manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania. Research limitations/implications This study didn’t investigate how green procurement is engaged for different categories of green products and consumer segments. Therefore, future studies should describe how different categories of green products and consumer segments are embracing green procurement practices. Practical implications The study calls for capacity building on green procurement towards manufacturing performance. This is crucial as green procurement is found to improve performance through cost reduction. Furthermore, policy and legal strengthening towards eco-friendly practices are needed. This may be relevant as fostered by sustainable development goal number 12. Originality/value This study contributes to the application of eco-friendly procurement practices as the vehicle towards the performance of manufacturing enterprises of developing nations, including Tanzania. Theoretically, the study disclosed the application of the stakeholder’s theory in the green procurement of manufacturing enterprises of Tanzania through the inclusion of environment-friendly attributes.