Evolutions of sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies: A literature review

Abstract

The escalating demand for items and their consumption has exerted immense pressure on industrial production and supply chain systems, leading to adverse environmental and societal consequences. The rise in pollution rates and ecological disasters resulting from industrial production has prompted numerous scholars and industry specialists to focus on Sustainable Production and Consumption matters within the framework of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). The interest in sustainable supply chain management has significantly increased in recent years, spanning both business and academic sectors. This phenomenon is seen in the growing prevalence of papers, conferences, specialized periodicals, and websites exclusively focused on the subject matter. Nevertheless, the importance of sustainable development in developing economies has only just started to be acknowledged. This literature review aims to assess existing research on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in developing nations while considering a worldwide perspective. This paper thoroughly examines the rapid expansion of the subject from an evolutionary perspective; aimed at comprehending the progression of sustainability concerns by examining patterns across different industries, and economies, and employing diverse approaches. An extensive thematic analysis was conducted on 56 selected publications published between 2010 and 2023, emphasizing the growth and significance of the knowledge base. The analysis is conducted utilizing a descriptive and content-oriented methodology. Subsequently, the results are presented, demonstrating an increasing interest in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). Nevertheless, there is a conspicuous discrepancy in the extent of research carried out on this subject in emerging economies as opposed to industrialized ones. The findings indicate that the context in less developed countries plays a crucial role in carrying out empirical or case study research. Moreover, it is crucial to analyze how the integration of the three dimensions of sustainability impacts the efficiency of the supply chain, especially when considering the perspective of an emerging economy. Hence, the limitations of this investigation are delineated. Ultimately, it is crucial to do further research from multiple angles within the supply chain, encompassing collaboration, sustainable practices, innovation, sourcing, and supplier growth, with a special emphasis on the position and background of rising countries.