Implementation Of Sustainable Supply Chain Management Research Articles

Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) integrates economic, social, and environmental goals within the supply chain to enhance long-term performance. It assists organizations in monitoring their performance concerning social, environmental, and economic factors to bolster sustainability. Yet, implementing SSCM poses significant challenges for most organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to identify key barriers and strategies for overcoming them in SMEs. A thorough literature review revealed 80 barriers across nine categories: technological, economic and financial, supplier, information, market and networking, human resources, social and cultural, regulatory and institutional, and organizational barriers. Eight experts from SMEs in focus group discussions considered 55 relevant barriers and prioritized them using the best–worst method. Then, based on the top 15 barriers they deemed key, they adapted and improved 24 strategies based on the literature that, in their opinion, could support the implementation of and improve the SSCM in SMEs. The findings from this study highlight economic and financial barriers as the foremost challenges to the implementation of SSCM, mainly due to the lack of funding and capital to make changes in activities to include sustainability. The findings are valuable for SMEs seeking to implement SSCM, offering insights into potential barriers and strategies for surmounting them. Moreover, this study provides a structured approach that can be replicated to identify the most pressing barriers to overcoming and improving long-term sustainability.

Spoločenská zodpovednosť v riadení dodávateľských reťazcov – prehľad literatúry

Corporate social responsibility in supply chain management has its place in the theory and practice of companies, this particularly being the situation in foreign countries. The absence of research in the Slovak Republic is the main motivation for dealing with this topic. The paper explores different perspectives of the authors regarding the issue through analyzing scientific articles. Based on the available information, it explains the motivations for introducing responsible activities into supply chain management and suggests such activities that companies consider relevant for their suppliers to implement. It also provides an overview of the used research methods that enabled the authors to arrive at the presented conclusions. The paper underlines the importance of the topic by proposing the benefits of sustainable supply chain management implementation. It also inspires further research where the authors may use the proven research methods.

Organizational capabilities and SSCM: a bibliographic review and cluster analysis

Purpose The purpose of the study is to perform a scientific mapping and detect the evolution pattern of two emerging fields, organizational capabilities and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), to detect and visualize the existing conceptual domains and identify less-explored areas.Design/methodology/approach This study uses a methodological combination involving systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. The methodology was implemented in the following order: definition and selection of the material using an electronic database, descriptive analysis of the material, category selection using bibliographic coupling analysis by VOSviewer (clusterization), material evaluation and content analysis.Findings The research results clarify the intellectual structure within the academic field. The authors’ identified three main clusters: (1) sustainable capabilities and practices in supply chain management (SCM), (2) green SCM and performance and (3) information technology and innovation. The findings reveal that there is a rich field to be explored, especially regarding issues involving sustainable technological capabilities, sustainable initiatives and key resource development.Practical implications This study facilitates researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding and their ability to map the different paths and evolution of SSCM and organizational capabilities. It can encourage managers and policymakers alike to conceive new approaches to engage in the adoption of SSCM.Originality/value This work employs a singular approach to identify the intellectual knowledge and topics related to the implementation of SSCM by adopting the theoretical approach of sustainable organizational capacity. It contributes to the debate on distinguishing specific sustainable organizational capabilities from traditional capabilities.

Sustainable supply chain of Indonesia’s textile & apparel industry: opportunities and challenges

Purpose As a leading sector that has entered the international market, the Indonesian Textile and Apparel (T&A) industry has begun to focus on sustainability issues; however, this study is still limited. This paper aims to conduct a systematic review and explore future research opportunities in developing sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the T&A industry in Indonesia, particularly in the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) through five academic databases, including Science Direct, IEEE Explore, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science, was conducted and followed by a content analysis of the selected papers. Findings Directions for future research include designing a standardized and sustainable measurement of SSCM performance; analyzing SSCM practices in T&A SMEs through the concept of sustainable entrepreneurs; and exploring the application of a circular economy in the T&A industry, known as circular fashion, which is preferred by the community, affordable and environmentally friendly. Research limitations/implications This research only used secondary data. In-depth interviews with relevant experts should also be conducted to get a more comprehensive picture of this issue. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first SLR analyzing the implementation of SSCM in the T&A industry in Indonesia.

Investigation on key drivers for sustainable supply chain management implementation: Empirical evidence from manufacturing industry

Investigation on key drivers for sustainable supply chain management implementation: Empirical evidence from manufacturing industry

An Analysis of Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation: The Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach

This study aims to identify and analyze the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation barriers in the context of Iran to determine the barriers and establish a cause-and-effect relationship between them. The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) is used to assess the barriers to SSCM implementation in Iran, and a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is used to obtain qualitative assessments from multiple experts regarding how to mitigate the impact of the barriers. To validate the proposed methodology, out of 20 barriers identified through the literature review and 9 more barriers suggested by experts, 26 barriers are identified to be relevant to the context of Iran using FDM. Six SSCM implementation barriers (i.e., economic sanctions; banking problems; economic instability; high inflation rate; lack of regulation and guidance from the government and lack of a globally competitive environment) were determined as important barriers in the cause group. All of them are related to Iran’s economic situation, the economic sanctions against Iran, and the government’s neglect of the importance of sustainability issues, all of which are obviously out of the companies’ control; moreover, the impact-relation map for each has been developed to facilitate the visualization of its interactions (i.e., influencing and influenced) with other barriers. The outcomes achieved are unique to Iranian companies and cannot be generalized to every company in other countries; however, the proposed approach might serve as a foundation for analyzing and comprehending the interactions between barriers. The suggested technique would identify the most effective areas for directing resources and efforts to reduce the effects of barriers to successful SSCM implementation.

Strategic Direction of Information Technology on Sustainable Supply Chain Practices: Exploratory Case Study on Fashion Industry in Malaysia

A growing body of research emphasises sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in contrary with limited studies exploring role of information technology (IT) in sustainable supply chain activities. Moreover, little is known on SSCM implementation in niche industries like fashion/textile-apparel industry. As most studies concentrated on investigating IT impact on business performance and profitability in supply chain, integrating sustainable practice with IT is still scarce. The aim of this study is to identify current SSCM practices with the focus on IT role in supporting SSCM in fashion industry. For that purpose, this study applies the sustainable key practices framework discussed in the literature of SSCM and adopted previous study framework that differentiates four IT roles for sustainability. Using the proposed frameworks, interviews were conducted with five fashion practitioners that are currently engaged with SSCM practices. The findings from this study highlight the existence of SSCM practices in fashion industry. Finally, this finding enhances the current understanding of how IT can support SSCM practices and helps future research in exploring the IT implementation, challenges and benefit towards SSCM.

Implementing Strategic Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Despite increasing business interest in sustainability in general and in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), the ability to increase suppliers’ ecological and social performance is generally insufficient for many companies. In this study, we outline an implementation process model for sustainable supply chain management. We do so by synthesizing insights from a review of the sustainable supply chain management and organizational learning literature and a case study with a company aspiring to become a global leader in sustainable lighting. By combining these insights, we find that successful implementation of sustainable supply chain management requires sustainability to be anchored in a company’s vision and integrated into all functions. We also argue that organizational learning, especially learning with external stakeholders such as suppliers, an operational definition of socioecological sustainability among stakeholders, and procedural support for the cocreation of strategic plans for change are vital for achieving a truly sustainable supply chain. This definition and cocreation allow for attention to be directed toward strategic ecological and social practices, along with the joint handling of tradeoffs and economic considerations among stakeholders. As we build a foundation for an SSCM implementation process model, we use a science-based framework for strategic sustainable development. We call for more action-based research to uncover the complex nature of sustainable supply chain management, as there are unique challenges and dynamic relationships in every supply chain.

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

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

Turning German automotive supply chains into sponsors for sustainability

In recent decades, supply chains have become a critical source of competitive advantage. Yet, in the Germany automotive industry, supply chains have turned out to be untransparent and prone to sustainability breaches, with the recent Volkswagen manipulation scandal exemplifying the financial and reputational consequences. Many firms today, therefore, focus on what is called sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). While drivers, barriers, and performance implications of SSCM have been widely explored, little is known about its implementation process. Building on the foundations of organisational change, this study inductively analysed 54 sustainability reports from three German automotive triads between 2014 and 2019. Our results led to an SSCM implementation framework that sequentially employed the nine most prominent implementation stages and related change measures. The framework expands our knowledge on the SSCM implementation process; furthermore, it serves as an example for industry experts aiming to turn their supply chains into sponsors for sustainability.

Analysis of sustainable supply chain management enablers and their benefits realised to business organisations

The objective of this study is to identify and analyse the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) benefits realised due to adoption of SSCM enablers. A hybrid modified step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) - weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) approach has been adopted in this research work for the analysis. Modified SWARA is used to determine the relative importance of SSCM enablers while WASPAS method is used to prioritise the benefits. The findings of the study reveal that more attention should be on the adoption of environmental and regulatory enablers for effectiveness in SSCM implementation. It is also found that improved ability of 6R practices is a highly realised benefit due to the adoption of SSCM enablers. This research will help decision makers to effectively implement sustainability in their business organisation by developing a strategic action plan at the initial stage of SSCM implementation.

Barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementation in Egyptian industries: an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach

PurposeRecently, sustainability aspects are gaining importance among supply chain management (SCM) research field, hence this study aims to explore barriers to sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation in Egyptian industries and the interrelationships among these barriers to provide a structured detailed model for barriers and suggest recommendations to deal with these barriers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an empirical study with a descriptive research approach using qualitative methodology. Data were collected through interviewing experts involved in sustainability implementation within supply chain functions. Afterward interpretive structural modeling (ISM) for barriers was conducted to develop a structured model representing possible interrelationships between barriers.FindingsFindings have reported slight differences among barriers to SSCM implementation in Egyptian industries other than those stated previously. ISM analysis helped in shaping barriers into a detailed structured model where interrelationships among barriers can be clearly defined. Additionally, based on the data collected and the ISM model, this study managed to offer recommendations to deal with these barriers.Research limitations/implicationsFuture researches might consider developing ISM analysis for a smaller number of barriers, or focus on each of internal and external barriers individually to minimize ISM analysis complexity and enhance its accuracy. As ISM analysis technique is highly dependent on experts' opinions and experience, validation is highly recommended either by structural equation modeling (SEM) or linear structural relationship approach.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights for managers about internal and external barriers to SSCM implementation in Egyptian industries, a detailed structured model for interrelationships among these barriers and recommendations to deal with these barriers.Originality/valueThis study is one of the very first studies to implement ISM for barriers to SSCM on data collected from Egyptian industries. Consequently, it will direct further research focusing on developing strategies or recommendations to overcome these barriers.

RANKING DIFFERENT ENABLERS/DRIVERS OF SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT BY USING AHP IN INDIAN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

In a global economy characterized by environmental, social and economic factors, environmental sustainability is currently one of the main concerns of industry and the economic sector. A large number of periodicals and special volumes related to the sustainable supply chain have been published. This paper intends to identify the drivers for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation. Twenty-eight enablers were identified and categorized using an extensive literature survey to improve the effectiveness of SSCM implementation. The authors attempted to identify the drivers/enablers and constructed a framework, which analyzed the SSCM using the AHP.

The adoption of sustainable supply chain management and the role of organisational culture: a Chinese perspective

ABSTRACT At present, scholars have thought little of the drivers for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in developing countries. Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Competing Value Framework (CVF) of organisational culture, this study investigates how the drivers for SSCM motivate Chinese firms to adopt SSCM practices and how such effects are moderated by organisational culture. The results of a survey of 209 firms in China suggest that the eight driving factors for SSCM have significantly impact on SSCM adoption. In addition, organisational culture plays different roles in the relationships between these three dimensions of the driving force and SSCM adoption. Team-based culture and hierarchy culture do not moderate the relationship between SSCM drivers and practices. Market-oriented culture positively moderates the relationship between subjective norm and SSCM practices and negatively moderates the relationship between perceived behavioural control (PBC) and SSCM practices. Active culture has positive moderating effect on the relationship between attitude and SSCM practices, as well as between subjective norm and SSCM practices, but has negatively moderating effect on the relationship between PBC and SSCM practices. The study provides meanings insights into the implementation of SSCM in the context of developing countries.

Implementing Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Reactive, Cooperative, and Dynamic Models

The purpose of this research is to propose a Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) implementation framework grounded in a literature review while categorizing practices adopted by firms’ and industries. Given the evolution of the SSCM field and emerging trends, we examine why and how companies implement SSCM practices within a country context. The research methods employed in this study include theory building from a review of the literature and synthesis of insights regarding the design of SSCM implementation frameworks using multiple cases in Taiwan. The review of the literature, content analysis, and findings provide new insights into designing an implementation model, and generalizable models for reactive, cooperative, and dynamic SSCM implementation. Practical implications include but are not limited to the generalization of implementation frameworks in supply chain management, and opportunities to improve global practices. Our development of the conceptual framework complements existing theory by offering new knowledge on SSCM implementation practices. This study can help guide research, practitioners, and policymakers in future sustainability and supply chain management initiatives.

Sustainability Initiatives in Emerging Economies: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

This paper explains how and why sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is different in an emerging economy by investigating sustainability initiatives in the United Arab Emirates. This exploratory qualitative study uses activity theory (AT) as a framework of analyses to investigate the sustainable supply chain practices in the context of emerging economies. AT’s hierarchical breakdown structure allows complex and dynamic activities to be broken down across multiple levels providing a simplified explanation of the triple bottom line initiatives across 16 participant organizations. Our findings corroborate with some of the sustainability initiatives in developed countries, such as the contribution of suppliers and the importance of employee engagement to the sustainable efforts of the focal firm; however, there were significant differences too. Customer and investor pressure was the top driver toward sustainability in developed economies, but our research identifies government pressure as the principal motive for sustainability. Similarly, we observe a narrow perspective on sustainability from the studied organizations as sustainability measures were seen as “costly”. We attribute this to a lack of accounting for the costs associated with being “unsustainable”. We contribute to the literature by developing four propositions that identify the key contributors to successful sustainability outcomes in the context of emerging economies: (a) the dynamic influence of governments on the adoption and implementation of SSCM; (b) accounting for the costs associated with the “unsustainable” measures, which enables a strategic perspective on sustainability; (c) the inclusion of sustainability as an “order qualifier” for the suppliers; and (d) the employees’ transition from compliance to taking ownership of sustainability initiatives.

Managerial perspectives on drivers for and barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementation: Evidence from New Zealand

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive or prevent companies' implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. To this end, we interviewed 29 senior managers from 23 New Zealand‐based companies. The key reported drivers were customer expectation, top management commitment, moral and ethical values of managers, reputation management, and economic and operational benefits. Conversely, cost concerns, strategic and structural restraints, supplier and customer issues, and a lack of effective regulations were cited as critical obstacles to SSCM implementation. Thus, the evidence from our findings provides support for both instrumental and normative logics for SSCM implementation. The findings further indicate that, in general, instrumental and normative logics are congruent; however, varied tensions arise when managers seek to simultaneously address competing yet desirable SSCM aspects. Accordingly, we argue that it is imperative to understand, work through, and manage such tensions as balancing divergent sustainability aspects holds considerable potential for successful SSCM implementation.

The Role of Customer Awareness in Promoting Firm Sustainability and Sustainable Supply Chain Management

In light of the growing complexity of globally dispersed, multi-tier supply chains; sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has become instrumental in the quest for achieving sustainability compliance along the supply chain. This study investigates how sustainability capability develops within a firm, and then extends to SSCM. Using a fixed-effect model and a global dataset of 2,206 firms between 2002 and 2015, this study shows that a firm’s information environment, proxied by their customers awareness, has a significantly positive effect on their sustainability performance, and on their implementation of SSCM. Our analysis suggests that the influence of a firm’s information environment on a firm’s SSCM performance is mediated by the firm’s own sustainability capability. We also find that this relationship is affected by stakeholder engagement. This research is relevant because, by investigating the factors that influence the development of SSCM, it provides guidance for firms that wish to achieve sustainability improvements in their supply chains during an era when the natural environment, social responsibility and the related strategic opportunities have increased in importance.

The role of customer awareness in promoting firm sustainability and sustainable supply chain management

In light of the growing complexity of globally dispersed, multi-tier supply chains; sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has become instrumental in the quest for achieving sustainability compliance along the supply chain. This study investigates how sustainability capability develops within a firm, and then extends to SSCM. Using a fixed-effect model and a global dataset of 2206 firms between 2002 and 2015, this study shows that a firm's information environment, proxied by their customers awareness, has a significantly positive effect on their sustainability performance, and on their implementation of SSCM. Our analysis suggests that the influence of a firm's information environment on a firm's SSCM performance is mediated by the firm's own sustainability capability. We also find that this relationship is affected by stakeholder engagement. This research is relevant because, by investigating the factors that influence the development of SSCM, it provides guidance for firms that wish to achieve sustainability improvements in their supply chains during an era when the natural environment, social responsibility and the related strategic opportunities have increased in importance.

Challenges faced by the mining sector in implementing sustainable supply chain management in Zimbabwe

Abstract Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is the incorporation of ecological concerns into the inter-organisational exercises of supply chain management. The implementation of SSCM in the mining sector has been a slow process. The study was conducted to determine the challenges facing effective implementation of sustainable supply chain management within mining sector in Zimbabwe. The researchers employed a case study of mining sector, where descriptive data research method was utilized with a target population comprising 1000 companies and a sample of 91 organizations was obtained, using Slovin’s equation. The researchers adopted the convenience sampling technique which involved the choice of subjects who were well equipped with relevant information to the researchers focus. A convenient sample size of 40 mining companies in Zimbabwe was selected based on of researchers’ easy accessibility to them. The findings revealed that, presently there is absence of structural and organisational change to support implementation of sustainable supply chain management. The study recommends that the organisations and different stakeholders should ensure that there is structural and organisational change to support, improvement of legal and regulatory framework on environment, reduction of cost connected with green products and distribution of resources vital for effective implementation of sustainable supply chain management.