## 2 Literature Review
Operational transparency involves openly sharing information about business processes and environmental impacts, which can drive sustainable practices as stakeholders demand and the firm itself strives for improvements in sustainability, making operations more efficient and eco-friendlier. For the OPT concept, the following hypothesis can be expected after a detailed discussion. **H4. **: _Operational transparency positively influences the sustainable operations within manufacturing firms._
**H5. **: _Operational transparency positively influences the environmental sustainability in manufacturing firms._
**H6. **: _Operational transparency positively mediates the connection between environmental business practices and sustainable operations._
**H7. **: _Operational transparency mediates the relationship between environmental business practices and environmental sustainability in manufacturing firms._  
Operational performance encompasses the degree of efficiency and effectiveness in internal operations, which directly affects productivity, cost-effectiveness, and the delivery of commodities [19]. Improving a firm's competitiveness requires increasing operational performance, which involves optimizing procedures, maximizing the utilization of resources, and improving decision-making [31; 57]. Operational abilities, when paired with strategic initiatives and investments in technology, are crucial in determining the accomplishment of objectives [32]. For transparency in the supply chain as well as firm performance, in the literature, several concepts and relationships are investigated based on business operations. For example, information sharing enhances operational performance, particularly when high-quality information is exchanged [58]. [PERSON] et al. [59] found a connection between sustainable supply chain management strategies, such as information exchange, and improved operational and sustainability performance. The synergistic impact of combining RFID technology and information sharing on JIT, TQM capabilities, and subsequent operational performance was sighted by [60]. In detail, sustainable operations, characterized by the efficient use of resources, minimal waste production, and reduced emissions, inherently support the broader goal of environmental sustainability. Further, transparency in operations encourages the adoption of sustainable practices, as stakeholders can observe and assess the firm's environmental performance. So, sustainable operations contribute to achieving environmental sustainability goals. Three hypotheses are proposed as follows:  
**H8**. _Sustainable operations have a positive effect on the environmental sustainability of manufacturing firms._  
**H9**. _Sustainable operations positively mediate the connection between environmental business practices and operational transparency._  
**H10**. _Sustainable operations positively mediate the connection between environmental sustainability and operational transparency._  
**3. Research Design and Methodology**  
The current research was investigated by using smartPLS 3.0 statistical software. Through smartPLS 3.0, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), path analyses, covariance structure models, first-order technique, second-order technique, countless regression-based analysis, and correlation structure models are all handled [61; 62]. Further, smartPLS 3.0 helps scholars of management and social sciences to appraise hypothetical models. This study employs the structural equation modeling (SEM) method for proposed theoretical relations. The SEM method is convenient for the linear examination of relationships among manifest constructs and latent variables [63]. In addition, [PERSON] [64] explained that the SEM approach is a flexible and robust technique for building a computable statistical structural model. Researchers explained that SEM could estimate data's dependability, trustworthiness, and validity [62].