A hesitant approach to sustainable supply chain risk assessment

Abstract

Supply chains (SCs) are increasingly vulnerable to disruptive events, posing risks to all involved parties. Managing and mitigating these risks is crucial for resilient and sustainable SC, aligned with global sustainability goals. This study proposes a new hesitant approach to classical fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to examine the underlying structure of sustainable supply chain risks (SCRs) and their long-term impact on SC performance. By handling the uncertainty caused by human doubt, the proposed approach captures both interpersonal and intrapersonal hesitancy in complex SC systems with negative and positive causalities. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated through an application for a generic SC. The findings reveal that risk events linked to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability have a negative impact on SC performance. Supplier-related risks are identified as the most critical risks in sustainable SC systems, followed by operational risks and demand-side risks. The proposed approach enhances risk assessment accuracy and robustness, providing SC managers with reliable insights for effective risk mitigation strategies, and offering valuable guidance in managing SCRs in a sustainable manner. It highlights the significance of a holistic approach to supply chain management (SCM) by identifying critical concepts related to sustainable SCRs.