Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) of the barriers to green supply chain management in Indian companies

Abstract

The pollution and waste generated by the supply chain can contribute to global problems. The main aim of this research was to analyse the interactions and effects of the barriers on the greening of supply chain management, focusing on the three sectors viz manufacturing, chemical and IT, using ISM. 187 surveys of Indian companies were done. The mutual paired relationship among drivers was examined by an expert. Then, a structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM), a final reachability matrix and eventually an ISM model was developed from the drawn diagraph and the results were analysed and managerial conclusions were drawn. ‘Customers unwilling to pay a premium for green products’, ‘high costs in addition to the premium’ and ‘not enough people seemed to be driving the greening process internally’ were considered as the top most and root cause barriers of other higher level barriers, by the manufacturing, chemical and IT companies respectively. It was challenging to fix appointments with HR, only the production managers knew the minor details and in some companies there was no environment or supply chain division and the administration was looking after these issues. The results of my analysis will be emailed to all the managers and executives interviewed in my survey, so that they can rank and manage their resources efficiently and effectively. The surveys were conducted in 2009/2010 and until then no such linkage had been proved in the three sectors in the Indian companies.