HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE AND CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS OF BARRIERS TO SOCIAL DIMENSION IN SSCM VIA NOVEL DEMATEL-ISM INTEGRATED APPROACH

Abstract

Abstract: Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) encompasses a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) consisting of : a) economic benefits, b)environmental protection, and c) social responsibility. Previous studies have focused solely on profitability or environmental dimensions while generally neglecting the social dimension. Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) techniques can identify causal relationships and hierarchical structure among factors, two techniques are commonly used separately or also may be integrated per their common characteristics with a relatively small computational burden. However, conventional DEMATEL-ISM integrated method has notable drawbacks and may not provide accurate analysis results. The purpose of the present study is to suggest the novel DEMATEL-ISM integrated approach to improve the shortage of conventional DEMATEL-ISM integrated method as well as investigate the hierarchical structure and causal relationship of social dimension barriers for SSCM implementation. A series of 13 barriers to SSCM social dimension implementation were identified and placed into a five-layer hierarchical structure. The most important barriers were found in addition to lack of government support and low market demand for sustainable products, and causal relationships among barriers were also identified for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of China. Key words: SSCM social dimension; DEMATEL-ISM integrated; Hierarchical structure and causal relationships