Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Abstract

In the recent years, interest in Sustainable Supply Chain Management has grown as the effects of global warming can be seen through various scientific researches. In a global economy as supply chains are spreading across continents – economic, social and environmental sustainability – commonly referred as triple bottom line (TBL) assumes significance. Focal firms in supply chain are held accountable for their economic performance by shareholders, social and environmental performance by society. Even the actions of members of their extended supply chain come under scrutiny. Growing global supply chains facilitate economic growth, improve standard of living of people and provide business opportunities to distant locations across the world. However, they have unfavorable environmental impact. In order to preserve natural resources for future generations, sustainability needs to be embedded across the supply chains. This literature review - covers different aspects of greening the supply chain. Supply chain is viewed as a system consisting of focal firm, chains of suppliers, distributors, logistics partners, retailers etc. Role of each member of supply chain in sustainability goals is discussed in detail. Extant literature has covered individual parts of supply chain, whereas this paper integrates this knowhow to facilitate learning all interrelated concepts in SSCM. Some of the supply chain companies have already taken proactive steps towards SSCM and have certified in ISO14000. Through extensive literature review, important factors which contribute for better environmental performance for an organization are studied and a model for designing and implementing SSCM strategy is presented.