Responsible Supply Chain Management Research Articles

Circular economy strategies in supply chains, enhancing resource efficiency and sustainable development goals.

Eco-industrial parks are the real-world implementation of green supply chain management. There is a growing need to include the circular economy concept into supply chain management as a means of striking a better economic, social, and environmental balance, as the importance of the external sustainability of the supply chain is challenging. Using 357 questionnaires filled out by enterprises in China's eco-industrial parks, we examine the connections and causal relationships between resource efficiency, environmental impact, green supply chain management, and circular economy. To learn how a green supply chain's circular economy affects resource efficiency and environmental performance in the China region, this study makes use of the instrumental variable approach (structure equation model (SEM)). The results of this study indicate that environmentally responsible supply chain management and circular economy have beneficial effects on environmental performance and resource efficiency. The management of the GSC has a negative and small impact on economic performance, although each of the components is a substantial contributor to better performance in the environment. Conclusions from this study will assist those responsible for making decisions within supply chains in developing a plan that is useful for increasing a company's performance along economic and environmental dimensions. This study not only broadens our understanding of the factors that influence green supply chain management but also offers theoretical direction for the implementation of successful green production practices by businesses located in eco-industrial parks.

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Does digital economy development matter? Role of supply chain management and CO2 emissions in BRICS.

Large risks and opportunities arise for production operations as a result of international governmental initiatives to limit carbon emissions. In instance, high-emitting manufacturing processes may be a reflection of productive inefficiencies and the uncertainty of the prices of carbon dioxide emissions. Recently, there has been a lot of attention paid to the topic of ecologically responsible supply chain management. Therefore, participants in the supply chain have worked together to create effective contracts, often known as green supply chain management contracts. In order to demonstrate the key role of financial efficiency, environmental sustainability, and supply chain management in sustainable growth and digital technology development, this study considers the data for BRICS economies over the period of 2008-2022. However, under the supply chain management, this study considers the innovation efficiency, input, and output to evaluate the external determinants. However, this study employs the OLS, 2SLS, and AMG estimator to demonstrate the robust and reliable outcomes for selected economies. In compile words, this study divides empirical scheme into two different explained variables such as sustainable growth and development of digital technologies. However, to show empirical scheme very catchy, the present study uses the simultaneous equation models. Therefore, all selected indicators of sustainable growth contribute to economic growth efficiently except the foreign direct investment. Besides for the digital technology development, all factors significantly contribute to digital technologies except the carbon emissions and foreign direct investment. Additional robust tests confirm the consistency and stability of the findings reached in this research. Thus, to improve economic performance, digital economy development, and sustainability, authorities in BRICS areas should develop strategies that enhance digital economy development under the green supply chain management.

Toward suppliers' corporate social responsibility performance: the role of relationship dependence

PurposeThe growing focus on socially responsible supply chain management (SRSCM) has made it crucial to extend corporate social responsibility (CSR) to upstream suppliers. Drawing on resource dependence theory, this study aims to examine how supplier dependence upon socially responsible buyers impacts suppliers' CSR performance and how this relationship is moderated by network prominence and demand uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed hypotheses are tested using regression analysis with Heckman's two-stage model and a dyadic supply chain dataset constructed based on publicly traded Chinese firms between 2008 and 2016. This time window is selected due to a one-year lag of the dependent variable and the change in evaluation methods of the database providing CSR performance in 2018.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that supplier dependence upon socially responsible buyers is positively associated with suppliers' CSR performance. However, this positive relationship is attenuated when suppliers occupy a prominent position in the network or when they face high demand uncertainty.Originality/valueThis study extends knowledge about the role of relationship dependence in implementing SRSCM by highlighting its positive impact on suppliers' CSR. Thus, this study contributes to the buyer–supplier relationship literature and the power and relationship dependence literature. This study further advances the understanding of the factors that influence suppliers' behavior by exploring the moderating roles of network prominence and demand uncertainty. The results have several practical implications for managers and policymakers.

APPLIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

This paper examines the possibility of transitioning towards sustainable food production, considering the accelerated growth of the world population and increased demand for food on one hand, and the consequences that the previous approach has had on the biosphere and sociosphere at a global level on the other hand. The first part of the paper presents alarming and precise data and facts that require an ultimate paradigm shift, this time based on the most powerful technological and scientific methods and practices to date. The second part establishes the relationships between the concepts of Agricultural Social Network (ASN), Agricultural Value Chain (AVC), new digital technologies and approaches, with the need for transition towards Society 5.0, where a balance between economic progress and a society tailored to human needs is established. In the third part, the technologies on which the new concept of “precision agriculture - PA” relies are identified, and a case study of the Agrosens digital platform is provided as a good practice example to support agricultural producers. Finally, the last part demonstrates, through the concrete example of Project Provenance Ltd., how the application of new technologies can connect processes and actors in Supply Chain Management (SCM) to establish transparency, efficiency, traceability, and other performance measures necessary for effective and responsible SCM. This enables the implementation of corrective actions and measures to promote responsible production, distribution, and consumption of food or other widely used products.

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Responsible Supply Chain Management

THE ESSENCE OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN ENTERPRISES

This article examines the theoretical issues and reasons for the emergence of the concept of supply chain management. The essence and definition of supply chains are disclosed. It is indicated that supply chain management determines the strategy and measures concerning planning, search, production and delivery of goods, logistics is only a part of the supply chain, which focuses on the fact that the right products are in the right place and at the right time. The purpose of the research is to study the principles of supply chain management in modern enterprise logistics, the advantages of this approach and methods to improve it, to show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain management and actions taken by enterprises in the new environment. Five main elements of supply chain management (planning, delivery, manufacturing, delivery, return), without which it is impossible to optimize the work of enterprises, are identified. It has been determined that the effective organization of supply chain management is an important direction of increasing the competitiveness and profitability of enterprises. The main advantages of this management approach and assessment methods (financial, non-financial and quantitative parameters) are specified. The concept of responsible supply chain management, the importance of using this approach by enterprises to support the acquired image in modern conditions of existence are defined. Conditions are presented due to which companies can create a responsibly organized supply chain. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on logistics supply and the actions taken by enterprises in the new operating environment are described: improving the flexibility of supply chain strategy, digitalization of the supply chain, building reliable partnerships of supply chain participants. Keywords: logistics, enterprise, supply chain, effective supply chain management, responsible supply chain management.

Methodological approaches to assessing the social responsibility level in the field of supply chain management

The article reveals the essence of such a sphere of entrepreneurial activity as Supply Chain Management. An important aspect of supply management is the implementation of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is an integral feature of modern civilized business. The aim of the article is to develop a methodological approach to assessing the level of social responsibility of Supply Chain Management’ company. Based on the previously proposed approaches to assessing the social responsibility of a company, the author proposes an adapted approach to assessing the social responsibility of supply chains’ company. The integral index for SR SCM level assessment combines the following indicator blocks: a responsible producer of goods and services; a responsible business partner, a responsible participant in social and labour relations; a responsible participant in socio-economic and political relations with the state. The article proposes a methodology for assessing socially responsible Supply Chain Management based on the calculation of the integral index, which combines the following indicator blocks: the index of compliance of the supplied raw and other materials, components and accessory parts to the environmental standards; environmental sustainability index for supply chain’s transport support; index of products (services) compliance with international quality standards. Assessment of the companies’ corporate responsibility and their supply chains from their policies’ perspective is possible, if it is based on the implementation of the Key Performance Indicators system, which will allow controlling the level of achievement for corporate responsibility objectives within the framework of the company’s activities.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ УПРАВЛІННЯ РЕВЕРСИВНИМИ ПОТОКАМИ У ЗАМКНЕНОМУ ЛАНЦЮЗІ ПОСТАЧАНЬ

The article proposes the use of the sustainable development, reverse and green logistics tools for effective development of a responsible supply chain management system. The object of research is the reverse and green logistics. The purpose of the study is to analyze the theoretical basis of the reverse and green logistics interaction in order to substantiate the optimal structure of the supply chain, taking into account its impact on the components of sustainable development. Methods of the study are the analytical approach and mathematical methods. The traditional supply chain aims to lower the cost and improve the efficiency of supply chain enterprise so as to maximize the economic benefits. Closed-loop supply chain also seek to maximize economic benefits, to decrease the consumption of resources and energy and to reduce the emissions of pollutants - all in an effort to create a socially responsible enterprise, and to balance the economic benefits, social effects and environmental effects. To improve the management of reverse flows, the authors of this article propose to integrate the principles of sustainable development in the activities of companies that are part of the supply chain, it will protect the company's reputation and brand value and increase the efficiency of the supply chain. Also, it will help minimize the costs of environmental, social and economic impact. For continuous monitoring the situation related to the imbalance of the links in a closed-loop supply chain are offered an algorithm of using the bottleneck method. The results of the study can be recommended for implementation in organizations that are directly involved in bringing the material flow from supply to consumption. KEYWORDS: REVERSE LOGISTICS, GREEN LOGISTICS, CLOSED-LOOP SUPPLY CHAIN, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

ЕКОМОДА ЯК ПЕРСПЕКТИВНИЙ НАПРЯМ ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЯКОСТІ УПРАВЛІННЯ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ ЛЕГКОЇ ПРОМИСЛОВОСТІ

The article considers the issues of eco-fashion as a promising area for improving the safety and quality of human life, saving the planet from environmental catastrophe and improving the quality of management in light industry enterprises. The issue of the impact of the fashion industry on the environment has long been a problem of global importance. According to a study by the United Nations Environment Program, the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global industrial wastewater and 10% of carbon emissions, which is more than all international flights and shipping combined. Textile dyeing is recognized as the second source of water pollution in the world, and to make a typical pair of jeans requires about 8,000 liters of water. The modern thoughtful consumer wants not only to wear fashionable things – clothes and shoes. He also draws attention to the proper working conditions of workers in the factory where fashion products are made, the business ethics of the manufacturer, his compliance with environmental policy and others. To ensure responsible production and consumption of fashion products, measures are proposed for producers and consumers of fashion products. Improving product quality, using modern materials and technologies, implementing responsible supply chain management, freecycling, upcycling, recycling, creation and certification of environmental management systems in the fashion industry that meet the requirements of the international standards – is a consistent way to solve environmental problems humanity, which in the long run will lead to global positive changes, improving the quality of life of citizens and economic prosperity of countries. To date, a significant number of enterprises and organizations have developed, implemented and certified an environmental management system that meets the requirements of the international standard ISO 14001. The article provides data on the number of certified environmental management systems in the world in general 14001 for 2013–2020 Humanity’s responsibility to the environment is when people consume moderately, while the quality of life increases, and producers do not increase the production of goods and use environmentally friendly technologies.

Stakeholders and socially responsible supply chain management: the moderating role of internationalization

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the pressures from stakeholders located in company's country of origin and level of internationalization of the company influence the implementation of socially responsible supply chain management (SR-SCM) practices. Design/methodology/approach To assess this level of influence, an SR-SCM performance index is developed by building on existing theoretical frameworks and using secondary data from ThomsonReuters’ WorldScope and ASSET4 databases to capture responsible supply chain actions categorized in communication, compliance and supplier development strategies. The analysis is based on 1,252 international companies from diverse countries and sectors between 2007 and 2016. Findings The effectiveness of stakeholder pressures in facilitating the adoption of socially responsible practices varies greatly with regard to the strategic element of SR-SCM and the type stakeholders considered. Companies that are more internationalized tend to adopt a greater number of SR-SCM practices, whereas home country stakeholders are of diminishing relevance with the increasing internationalization of a company. Practical implications Governments in companies’ countries of origin should ensure that social issues in supply chains are adequately covered by regulations. Ideally, laws should not only cover firms’ domestic operations but also their global activities. Social implications Citizens should be given the opportunities to raise their voice and publicly express their disagreement with business misconduct and non-compliance. Apart from that, the role of workers’ associations and investors in the social sustainability debate should be strengthened. Originality/value This study contributes to SR-SCM theory development by operationalizing existing conceptual frameworks, showing how domestic stakeholders shape SR-SCM performance and analyzing whether the influence of certain stakeholder groups diminishes or increases when a company is more globally-oriented in its operations.

Analysis of the Relationship between Responsible Supply Chain Management and Social Performance

Responsible supply chain management (RSCM) as a growing sub-field of supply chain management (SCM) has gathered increasing consideration from both practitioners and academics for the past two decades. Even though manufacturing firms have implemented RSCM behaviors throughout this period, there exist some concerns as to whether these RSCM behaviors are being applied for the effect they have on social performance outcomes. In recent times, various debates have been opened concerning this RSCM paradox, throwing doubt on whether an investment in the implementation of RSCM behaviors certainly comes with a corresponding social and safety performance outcomes and, therefore, the commercial benefits of responsibility management in the context of SCM remain open for interrogation. This study aims to explore the impact of responsible supply chain management behaviors on social performance among pharmaceutical companies in China. And also, investigate the intervening roles of process innovation (PI) and supply chain integration (SCI) as mediating and moderating constructs, respectively. The research hypothesis was formulated following an extensive study of relevant literature and was based on resource and capability-based theories such as the resource-based view, the natural resource-based view, and the stakeholder theories. The design of the study was descriptive with a confirmatory reach, applied to 123 Chinese pharmaceutical firms selected across Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Guangdong provinces. The proposed theoretical model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The empirical findings of the study confirmed that a practical application of RSCM behaviors, process innovation, and supply chain integration initiatives positively and significantly improves social performance outcomes. This confirms the position of existing literature that there is a positive relationship between RSCM behaviors and social performance. It also validated the belief that process innovation and supply chain integration positively mediates and moderates the relationship between RSCM and social performance, respectively. Therefore, the findings herein can be considered as complementary to the existing body of knowledge in the field. The practical implications derived from this study will contribute to sustainable development and expand knowledge both in industry and in academia.

Influence of Responsible Supply Chain Management Behaviours and Economic Performance among Pharmaceutical Companies in China

Most organizations exist in order to make a profit or economic gains. Thus economic performance of an enterprise is the ultimate of all the numerous activities that are undertaken. It is the bottom line of the value chain and the lifeblood of every business. Pharmaceutical companies in China also exist in order to make a profit, but profitability is not the only economic element that is of interest to pharmaceutical organizations. According to Schaltegger et al. (2014), economic performance relates to the manufacturing plant's ability to reduce costs associated with energy consumption, purchased materials, waste treatment, waste disposal, waste discharge, and fines or penalties for environmental accidents (Zhu et al., 2008a; Schaltegger et al., 2014).

Influence of Responsible Supply Chain Management Behaviours and Environmental Performance among Pharmaceutical Companies in China

Responsible supply chain management (RSCM) as a growing sub-field of supply chain management (SCM) has gathered increasing consideration from both practitioners and academics for the past two decades. Even though manufacturing firms have implemented RSCM behaviors through this period, there exist, some concerns as to whether these RSCM behaviors are being applied for the effect they have on environmental performance. In recent times, various debates have been opened concerning this RSCM paradox, throwing doubt on whether an investment in the implementation of RSCM behaviors certainly comes with a corresponding environmental performance outcome and, therefore, the commercial benefits of responsibility management in the context of SCM remain open for interrogation. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of responsible supply chain management behaviors on environmental performance among pharmaceutical companies in China. In addition, investigate the intervening roles of process innovation and supply chain integration as mediating and moderating constructs respectively. The research hypothesis were formulated following an extensive study of relevant literature and were based on resource and capability-based theories such as the resource based view, the natural resource based view and the stakeholder theories. The design of the study was explanatory with a confirmatory reach, applied to 123 Chinese pharmaceutical firms selected across, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces. The proposed theoretical model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The empirical findings of the study confirmed that an effective application of RSCM behaviors, process innovation(PI), and supply chain integration(SCI) initiatives positively and significantly improves environmental performance outcomes. This confirms the position of extant literature that there is a positive relationship between RSCM behaviors’ and environmental performance. It also validated the position that process innovation and supply chain integration positively mediates and moderates respectively the relationship between RSCM and environmental performance. Therefore, the findings herein can be considered as complementary to the existing body of knowledge in the field. The practical implications derived from this study will contribute to sustainable development and expand knowledge both in industry and in academia

Sustainable supply chain management practices and their mediation effect on economic returns

This paper examines whether companies’ sustainable supply chain efforts are related to the companies’ corporate governance and economic performance. Data from Bloomberg’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Financial Analysis (FA) databases were used to empirically test the relationships. The paper is an effort to contribute to the body of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) literature by being amongst the first in India to use the secondary data source for investigating financial and corporate governance (CG) benefits’ association with social and green supply chain management practices. After collecting data of Indian manufacturing companies listed in the Bloomberg’s ESG terminal, we first tested the relationship of the three ESG factors: environmental, social and governance with the companies economic returns (ER). In the next level, we extended the study to find whether firms’ CG initiatives mediate the relationship of green supply chain management (GSCM) and socially responsible supply chain management (SRSCM) practices with the firms’ ER. In the study, it was observed that CG activities mediate the relationship between SRSCM and ER whereas it has a negligible mediation effect on the association between GSCM and ER.

Socially responsible supply chain management in small and medium enterprises in the GCC

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine variables and their relationships that hinder socially responsible behaviours in the supply chain of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the mixed-method approach that includes the survey method and soft mathematical modelling. Empirical data were collected from 130 SMEs and their suppliers based in Qatar and Oman. Furthermore, to understand the barriers and their interrelationships, interpretive structural modelling approach is applied.FindingsThe results of empirical study reveal lack of coherence among SMEs and their suppliers in prioritising social responsibility issues in their supply chain. The hierarchy-based model reveals that shortages of incentive, short-term objectives, the lack of cooperation and willingness among supply chain partners, constraints (financial, managerial and technological) and the pressure from customers were the independent barriers and have strong driving power.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study are expected to provide an insight to further improve and promote socially responsible supply chain in emerging economies in Gulf region. Future research could compare the socially responsible activities of SMEs from different Gulf countries and expand the understanding of the barriers that outline the responses of suppliers situated in different Gulf economies.Originality/valueThe results contribute to the field of supply chain sustainability as the first academic attempt to shed light on how SMEs in GCC are dealing with supply chain social responsibility issues and one of the few in the emerging economy perspective that probes the key role of barriers to improve the socially responsible behaviour of Gulf-based SMEs.

Technical assistance, inspection regime, and corporate social responsibility performance: A behavioural perspective

Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues in suppliers can affect the reputation of buyers or even result in supply chain disruption. Thus, buyer and supplier firms are urged to comply with CSR codes in a coordinated manner. In other words, multinational buyers are expected to extend CSR practices to their suppliers in emerging countries. This is particularly crucial when suppliers' CSR performance is screened under a regulatory agency's inspection regime. To this end, this study formulates an analytical model to understand the effects of buying firms' supportive schemes, i.e., technical assistance programmes, on their partner suppliers' CSR performance. Specifically, we develop a multi-period behavioural model to simulate a system consisting of multiple buyers and suppliers where the government regularly conducts inspections on suppliers' CSR performance. The results from the agent-based simulation analysis shed light on (1) how the dyadic risk preferences of suppliers and buyers affect suppliers' CSR performance; (2) how the gap between the perceived and actual CSR levels in a supplier interacts with the regulatory agency's tactics to influence suppliers' CSR performance; (3) the extent to which the overall suppliers' CSR performance improvement is attributable to the buyers' technical assistance programmes under the regulatory agency's inspection regime. This research contributes to the socially responsible supply chain management literature and provides innovative managerial insights for policy makers (e.g., CSR regulators) to promote CSR practices among suppliers.

Assessing the institutionalization of private sustainability governance in a changing coffee sector

AbstractThe potential of transnational private governance initiatives to constitute effective alternatives to state‐led regulation of global value chains rests on their ability to scale up and become institutionalized in a given sector. This study examines whether such institutionalization has occurred in the coffee sector, the commodity with the most widespread adoption of certified products and over 30 years’ experience of private governance, and tests hypotheses on facilitating and inhibiting conditions. It finds that while norm generation around responsible supply chain management and the organizational institutionalization of standard‐setting bodies is well advanced, the practice of internalizing social and environmental externalities through the routinized production and purchase of higher priced certified goods continues to be questioned by industry actors. Indeed, conditions that favored normative and organizational institutionalization, such as high levels of industry concentration, product differentiation, and deliberative interaction, are shown to represent barriers to the practice‐oriented institutionalization of market‐driven regulatory governance.

Towards Reflexive Responsibility in a Textile Supply Chain

AbstractModern industrial society has transformed the textile sector. Brand‐owning companies today seldom own the production process but instead rely on global supply chains consisting of a myriad of suppliers and sub‐suppliers. The global scope of this sector, along with the complex and uncertain health and environmental risks associated with textile production, create extensive challenges for companies striving for sustainability. This paper explores the possibilities for responsible management of high‐risk chemicals in textiles and focuses on a case study of a Swedish outdoor company. The concept of reflexive responsibility is used to understand and discuss potential possibilities and challenges. The paper describes the process and illuminates the complexity, balancing acts and avenues for upstream responsibility faced by a brand‐owning company. It contributes to an understanding of how important steps towards responsibility can be taken. It also addresses the limits of responsible supply chain management of one organization, albeit a highly committed one. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Adherence to responsibility in organic dry food supply chains

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the sharing of sustainability and social responsibility-centric values along the export-oriented organic dry food supply chain (ODFSC) using an institutional lens.Design/methodology/approachTo understand the perceptions of the shared ethos of the organic food industry along the entire supply chain, the research employed a multi-tier qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews and observations. The study focussed on supply chain actors including farmers and traders from the Indian sub-continent, and traders and retailers based in Europe and North America.FindingsIsomorphism, brought about by the vertical channelling of consumer preferences and values resulted in a higher degree of responsibility within the industry. The responsibility-centric ethos of the supply chain affected the responsibility-orientation of the supply chain actors and their operations.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused mainly on the ODFSC actors in Kerala, a state in India, and this focus of the research could be a significant limitation in generalizing the findings to the rest of the emerging economy context because of cultural and educational differences.Originality/valueLiterature lacks in the studies of sharing of responsibility-centric values in supply chains through an institutional lens and this investigation contributes to the scant literature on isomorphism, shared values and responsible supply chain management.