Sustainable Supply Chain Management Strategy Research Articles

Can sustainable supply chain strategies of company enhance for mitigation of risk damages and long-term resilience? An empirical analysis for the context of COVID-19 pandemic

This study aims to investigate the effects of sustainable supply chain management strategies of the companies on mitigation of risk damages and long-term resilience through the evaluation of stock abnormal returns of companies listed on the stock markets based on the evidence from the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The empirical analysis was conducted for 63 companies listed on Vietnamese stock market, where plays as an example for emerging stock markets. The data were collected from the quarterly official financial statements of 63 companies between January 2020 and March 2023. Various regression models, including Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects Model, Random Effects Model, and Generalized Least Squares were explored. Found results indicated that the implementing sustainable supply chain management strategies might help to mitigate the negative impact on stock price volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not been the critical tool to improve the companies’ resilience ability in post pandemic yet. JEL Codes: F65, F63, G11, G34, G38Codes of Sustainable Development Goals: SDG17, SDG12, SDG02

Unlocking the potential of digital technologies for sustainable supply chain management strategies

ABSTRACT The advent of digital technologies (DTs) has transformed traditional supply chains into agile, efficient, and sustainable networks, known as Supply Chain 4.0. Digital supply chain management (DSCM) is crucial in enhancing supply chain (SC) sustainability by integrating digital tools to improve efficiency, transparency, and environmental stewardship. This study aims to examine the impact of DSCM on SC sustainability, assess the role of a firm’s intellectual capital (IC) in adopting DSCM, and explore the mediating role of supply chain mapping between DSCM and SC sustainability. Focusing on Pakistan’s textile sector, we employed a mixed-method approach, starting with a quantitative analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), followed by a qualitative case study of two textile companies. Our findings reveal a significant positive relationship between IC and DSCM adoption, underscoring the importance of knowledge resources in leveraging DTs for SC improvement. However, the direct impact of DSCM on SC sustainability was not supported, indicating the need for intermediary processes or factors to enhance the sustainability outcomes of DSCM.

Blockchain self-update smart contract for supply chain traceability with data validation

Abstract A sustainable supply chain management strategy reduces risks and meets environmental, economic and social objectives by integrating environmental and financial practices. In an ever-changing environment, supply chains have become vulnerable at many levels. In a global supply chain, carefully tracing a product is of great importance to avoid future problems. This paper describes a self-updating smart contract, which includes data validation, for tracing global supply chains using blockchains. Our proposal uses a machine learning model to detect anomalies on traceable data, which helps supply chain operators detect anomalous behavior at any point in the chain in real time. Hyperledger Caliper has been used to evaluate our proposal, and obtained a combined average throughput of 184 transactions per second and an average latency of 0.41 seconds, ensuring that our proposal does not negatively impact supply chain processes while improving supply chain management through data anomaly detection.

Analyzing the Moderating Role of Employee Involvement in the Relationship between Sustainable Supply Chain Practices and Sustainable Performance

This study examines the complicated relationships between sustainable supply chain practices, resilience, employee involvement, top management support, and sustainable textile performance in Pakistan. Purposive sampling selected 283 supply chain specialists for data collecting. This study investigated sustainable supply chain management dynamics in a given sector and area. The study's main value is confirming Sustainable Supply Chain Management's fundamentals. This study proves that sustainable supply chain methods improve performance. The Pakistani textile sector recognizes the growing importance of sustainability in supply chain operations to maintain competitiveness and address social challenges, following global trends. Additionally, supply chain resilience is a key intermediary variable in this study. Sustainable supply chain practices improve an organization’s resilience to disruptions and adaptability to changing environmental conditions, as shown in this statement. Supply chain resilience as a mediator improves sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) theory. It underlines that sustainability requires understanding mechanisms as well as consequences. Employee involvement moderates the debate, as shown in this study. This study found that engaged employees boost the favorable effects of sustainable supply chain strategies on overall sustainable performance. This supports the current trend of employee-led sustainability efforts, where motivated and engaged people drive organizational sustainability. The study found no indication that top management support moderates. This suggests that leadership's impact is contextual, requiring context-specific sustainable supply chain management strategies. This study challenges conventional wisdom and advocates for further research into top management support in sustainable supply chains. The study's practical findings are crucial for Pakistan's textile and related industries. The paper emphasizes the need of prioritizing sustainable supply chain practices, developing resilience, engaging employees at all levels in sustainability projects, and providing leadership support in the right context. The above practical principles reflect the changing sustainability landscape and provide a strategy for firms seeking economic success and environmental and social responsibility. A study in Pakistan's textile industry adds empirical evidence to Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) theory. This emphasizes the importance of industry-specific details and corporate cultures in sustainability initiatives. In conclusion, these results spur a greener future in textiles and global supply chain management.

Sustainable supply chains in the heavy vehicle and equipment industry: a multiple-case study of four manufacturers

PurposeRecently, interest in sustainability has grown globally in the heavy vehicle and equipment industry (HVEI). However, this industry's complexity poses a challenge to the implementation of generic sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. This study aims to identify SSCM's barriers, practices and performance (BPP) indicators in the HVEI context.Design/methodology/approachThe results are derived from case studies of four multinational manufacturers. Within-case and cross-case analyses were conducted to categorise the SSCM BPP indicators that are unique to HVEI supply chains.FindingsThis study's analysis revealed that supply chain cost implications and a deficient information flow between focal firms and supply chain partners are the key barriers to SSCM in the HVEI. This analysis also revealed a set of policies, programmes and procedures that manufacturers have adopted to address SSCM barriers. The most common SSCM performance indicators included eco-portfolio sales to assess economic performance, health and safety indicators for social sustainability and carbon- and energy-related measures for environmental sustainability.Practical implicationsThe insights can help HVEI firms understand and overcome the typical SSCM barriers in their industry and develop, deploy and optimise their SSCM strategies and practices. Managers can use this knowledge to identify appropriate mechanisms with which to accelerate their transition into a sustainable business and effectively measure performance outcomes.Originality/valueThe extant SSCM literature has focused on the light vehicle industry, and it has lacked a concrete examination of HVEI supply chains' sustainability BPP. This study develops a framework that simultaneously analyses SSCM BPP in the HVEI.

Identifying and analysis of key flexible sustainable supply chain management strategies toward overcoming the post-COVID-19 impacts

PurposeThe emerging markets are facing a lot of risks and disruptions across their supply chains (SCs) due to the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To mitigate the significant post-COVID-19 consequences, organizations should modify their existing strategies and focus more on the key flexible sustainable SC (SSC) strategies. Still now, a limited number of studies have highlighted about the flexible strategies what firms should adopt to reduce the rampant effects in the context of emerging markets.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents an integrated approach including Delphi method, Bayesian, and the Best-Worst-Method (BWM) to identify, assess and evaluate the importance of the key flexible SSC strategies for the footwear industry in the emerging market context.FindingsThe results found the manufacturing flexibility through automation integration as the most important flexible SSC strategy to improve the flexibility and sustainability of modern SCs. Also, developing omni-channel distribution and retailing strategies and increasing the level of preparedness by using artificial intelligent are crucial strategies for overcoming the post-COVID-19 impacts.Originality/valueThe novelty of this research is that the research connects a link among flexible strategies, SCs sustainability, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the research proposes a novel and intelligent framework based on Delphi and Bayesian-BWM to identify and analyze the key flexible SSC strategies to build up sustainable and robust SCs which can withstand in the post-COVID-19 world.

Sustainable supply chain management in the fast fashion Industry: A comparative study of current efforts and best practices to address the climate crisis

In 2018, the fashion sector was responsible for approximately 2.1 billion metric tons of GHG emissions, half of which were created by fast fashion. Fast fashion brands produce high volumes of synthetic, petroleum-based garments in developing countries, creating high levels of emissions and textile waste. In recent years, fast fashion leaders have adopted sustainability initiatives, including sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). However, even with current strategies in place, fast fashion is on a trajectory that will contribute to irreparable damage to the environment by 2030. The following study analyzes how fast fashion brands currently implement SSCM, identifies weaknesses in current initiatives, and outlines key actions brands can take to significantly reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains in the long term.To analyze SSCM in the fast fashion industry, this study compares the sustainability reports of H&M and Everlane, industry leaders with strong sustainability messaging. This comparison reveals that fast fashion has failed to sufficiently engage upstream and downstream stakeholders in their SSCM strategies. Moving forward, fast fashion companies should incentivize collaboration towards more comprehensive SSCM policies throughout the supply chain. To significantly reduce their impact, brands must invest in long-term decarbonization and energy infrastructure, engage with suppliers and consumers, and re-evaluate the design standard for products. If adopted at the industry level, these reforms will significantly mitigate fast fashion’s impact on the planet.

Sustainability assessment of transport operations in local Food Supply Chain networks

As food supply chains represent a hotspot of climate change, a rapid transition toward more sustainable processes and operations is expected. Whilst research provides decision-support models to optimize food ecosystems, the application of these techniques in practice is often discouraged by a lack of knowledge and visibility on the hidden food networks’ performance and impacts. This paper overviews a case study on a regional fruit and vegetable supply chain characterized by broad fragmentation of supplies, a wide number of actors involved, multiple stages, and limited visibility on the routes traveled by a generic food order. This work analyzes the perishable flows from the growers to the retailer under the lens of environmental externalities in order to promote sustainable supply chain management strategies. Logistic flows throughout the stages are tracked and mapped to aid integrated decision-making, resulting in food miles and transport externalities assessment. A multi-scenario what-if analysis is illustrated to compare and assess transportation costs, food miles, and carbon footprint resulting from more integrated supply chain decisions and configurations. The To-Be scenario results in significant savings in terms of carbon emissions, traveling, and transportation costs. Moreover, the reduction of transported volumes reflects how multiple supply chain stages compel double/triple-handling of food and avoidable traveling.

Sustainable supply chains in the Indian context: An integrative decision-making model

Sustainability is gaining importance in the Indian manufacturing industries, as there are increasing considerations from stakeholders for resource utilization and for reducing ecological impacts. Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) can resolve many environmental management problems along with the gain of several competitive advantages for future. We formulate in this research, an integrative decision-making model for SSCM in the Indian context, which considers several strategies, interfaces, and regulations for sustainability along with the attributes contributing to each. A network model is constructed from an initial flow model and the weightings for factors were calculated using the method of paired comparison by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Later, Analytic Network Process (ANP) has been employed for the comparison of alternative schemes for selection of a particular SSCM strategy into implementation. We assess two alternative schemes in practice for sustainability and from the results; we observe that Scheme 2 excels Scheme 1, considering sustainability capabilities. Also, from the factor weightings, we observe that standardization of nature-friendly (NF) technologies and green segment size emerges as important factors for the case supply chain. A comparison of the results from AHP and ANP is conducted with other popular multi-criteria decision-making techniques, TOPSIS and VIKOR and the results were analyzed. Also, we conduct sensitivity analysis of the results. The implications of the study are in a direction to aid the managerial decision-making process, through effectively comparing various schemes to implementation for their sustainability capabilities.

The use of blockchain to support sustainable supply chain strategy

This paper aims to identify, and analyze how the use of blockchains technology can support sustainable supply chain management strategies. This support is seen from environmental, economic, and social aspects. In addition, it explains the various advantages of using Blokchain technology to reduce the use of transportation and other resources that have the potential to damage the environment. From an economic aspect, this technology has the potential to increase the efficiency of cost and time. Blockchain technology also has the potential to provide social benefits for the companies involved because of the increasingly good reputation of the organization. Three examples of implementation of the blockchain in three different industries are also provided in this paper. This paper also points out the potential disadvantages of using this technology for supply chains that can threaten supply chain sustainability.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Strategy Influence on Supply Chain Management Functions in the Oil and Gas Distribution Industry

This paper analyses the influence of Sustainable Supply Chain Management strategies—Supplier Selection, Product Stewardship and Logistics Management—on Supply Chain Management functions—Planning, Execution, Coordination and Collaboration in the oil and gas distribution industry. Using multiple regression analyses, we performed the study on 79 companies from Romania and the Republic of Moldova operating in the oil and gas distribution industry. We concluded that Sustainable Supply Chain Management strategies have a positive and significant influence on Supply Chain Management functions, both overall and on each of the functions considered in the study. Overall, the findings of this study can be used by companies operating in oil and gas distribution to design Sustainable Supply Chain Management strategies to better address the requirements for more environmentally and socially responsible activities in their supply chains and to optimize their Supply Chain Management to better cope with Sustainable Supply Chain Management requirements and expectations.

When strategies matter: Adoption of sustainable supply chain management practices in an emerging economy’s context

Over the past few years, a growing concern has been noticed among society, government and non-government organisations for conserving the environment and adopting Sustainable Supply Chain management (SSCM) practices. However, it is not simple for industries to develop sustainability in their business operations and activities especially in emerging economies. In this sense, the purpose of present research is to recognise and analyse various strategies to implement SSCM practices in Indian context. Present research has recognized nine key strategies. Due to qualitative nature of research, Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) methodology integrated with fuzzy MICMAC analysis to further refine the hidden relationship between strategies has been attempted. The identified SSCM strategies have been categorized based on their dependence and driving power. ISM methodology offers merely binary relationship among strategies, whereas fuzzy MICMAC analysis gives accurate investigation related to dependence and driving power of strategies. Findings reveals that ‘Management involvement, support and commitment’; ‘Understanding of the sustainability impacts of their supply chain’ and ‘Establishing a vision and objectives for supply chain sustainability’ are the strategies with the topmost independence powers. The developed model will help in uncovering the interaction and dependence among the identified strategies in implementation of SSCM practices from industrial viewpoint. The inputs of experts from academia and Indian automotive manufacturing firms have been used in this research. The present work will facilitate automotive and related firms in prioritisation of strategies and managing resources in a most sustainable way in an emerging economy context.

Multiple-Criteria Decision Support for a Sustainable Supply Chain: Applications to the Fashion Industry

With increasing globalization and international cooperation, the importance of sustainability management across supply chains has received much attention by companies across various industries. Companies therefore strive to implement effective and integrated sustainable supply chain management initiatives to improve their operational and economic performance while also minimizing unnecessary damage to the environment and maintaining their social reputation and images. The paper presents an easy-to-use decision-support approach based on multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies that aim to help companies develop effective models for timely decision-making involving sustainable supply chain management strategies. The proposed approach can be used by practitioners to ultimately build a comprehensive Analytic Network Process model that will adequately capture and reveal all the interrelationships and interdependency among the elements in the problem, which is often a very difficult task. To facilitate and simplify this complex process, we propose that hierarchical thinking be used first to structure the essences of the problem capturing only the major issues, and an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model be built. Users can learn from the modeling process and gain much insight into the problem. The AHP can then be extended to an Analytic Network Process (ANP) model so as to capture the relationships and interdependencies among the elements. Our approach can reduce the sustainable expertise, effort and information that are often needed to build an ANP model from scratch. We apply our approach to the evaluation of sustainable supply chain management strategies for the fashion industry. Three main dimensions of sustainability—environmental, economic and social—are considered. Based on the literature, we identified four alternative supply chain management strategies. It was found that the Reverse Logistics alternative appears to be the recommended solution by the AHP model. However, the Socially Leagile Supply Chain is recommended by the ANP model, thereby demonstrating the necessity and importance of considering interdependencies in the model.

The influence of external factors on supply chain sustainability goals of the oil and gas industry

This paper empirically explores the relationship between the external factors within the oil and gas (O&G) industry business environment and supply chain sustainability goals to understand the factors that could drive or hinder its adoption of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. It examines the relationships between six external factors (political stability, economic stability, stakeholder pressure, competition, energy transition and regulations) and sustainability goals through multiple regression analysis, using survey data from companies that operate in the O&G industry. Data analyses reveal that there are two types of sustainability goals namely strategic goals (SGO), which are conditional for long term survival, and functional goals (FGO), which are closely related to the companies' operational processes. The analyses also show that stakeholder pressure and economic stability are the most influential factors that could affect the goals. While competition within the O&G industry has a positive effect on the FGO, competition from the broader energy industry results in a negative effect on the SGO. The influence of energy transition relates to a higher focus on SGO. The results are useful in designing SSCM strategy that could help the O&G industry address the pressure from the external factors for more sustainable supply chain practices to achieve its sustainability goals.

Commitment to and preparedness for sustainable supply chain management in the oil and gas industry

Our current dependency on the oil and gas (O&G) industry for economic development and social activities necessitates research into the sustainability of the industry's supply chains. At present, studies on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the industry do not include firm-internal factors that affect the sustainability strategies employed by different functional areas of its supply chains. Our study aims to address this gap by identifying the relevant internal factors and exploring their relationship with SSCM strategies. Specifically, we discuss the commitment to and preparedness for sustainable practices of companies that operate in upstream and downstream O&G supply chain. We study the impact of these factors on their sustainability strategies of four key supply chain functions: supplier management, production management, product stewardship and logistics management. The analyses of data collected through a survey among 81 companies show that management preparedness may enhance sustainable supply chain strategies in the O&G industry more than commitment does. Among the preparedness measures, management of supply chain operational risks is found to be vital to the sustainability of all supply chain functions except for production management practices. The findings also highlight the central importance of supplier and logistics management to the achievement of sustainable O&G supply chains. Companies must also develop an organizational culture that encourages, for example, team collaboration and proactive behaviour to finding innovative sustainability solutions in order to translate commitment to sustainable practices into actions that can produce actual difference to their SSCM practices.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN CHINESE SERVICE FIRMS: AN CONTENT ANALYSIS OF CSR REPORTS

ABSTRACT Sustainability of supply chains is gaining increasing attention in Chinese industries. However, little of literature specifically examines sustainability of service firms. Due to the fact that Chinese service firms account for much of China's GDP, it is important to investigate sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the Chinese service sector. This paper aims to shed light on the status of supply chain management (SCM) sustainability in large Chinese service firms and identify some of strategies that these firms implement SSCM in practice. This research employs content analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports of the 30 largest Chinese service firms and case studies of three leading firms. Findings reveal that a majority of large Chinese service firms are aware of the role of SCM in their sustainability practices, but there are differences in the degree of awareness among service sectors. Three SSCM strategies are identified from thematic analysis of CSR reports and case studies. These findings may assist other service firms in implementing SSCM practices in their operations and strategies. Keywords Chinese Service Industries; Sustainability; Corporate Social Responsibility Reports; Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Strategy for Metal Industry's Sustainable Development: An Empirical Research on Chinese Metal Companies

Metal industry in China is characterized by high energy consumption, pollution and emissions. This paper established a conceptual framework of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) for metal industry sustainable development. Content analysis of sustainability reports was applied to make empirical research, focusing on the top 10 Chinese metal companies. Findings indicate that the majority of large Chinese metal companies are aware of SSCM, but the concept of SSCM needs to be further spread in Chinese metal industry. Four strategies of SSCM adopted by the leading metal companies include green procurement and supplier sustainability management, low-carbon logistics, green manufacturing, and green marketing. Findings provide a successful paradigm for other metal companies to follow sustainable development.

Strategies in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: An Empirical Investigation of Large German Companies

ABSTRACTCompanies which manage global supply chains face a high level of complexity with a large number of suppliers in diverse socio‐economic contexts and growing expectations of customers and standardization schemes to control social and environmental aspects. In the context of sustainable development, the effective management of supplier relationships has therefore attracted particular attention in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). This paper investigates two SSCM strategic approaches in Germany's largest stock companies with regard to supplier management. Supplier evaluation and selection adopts a risk‐oriented strategic perspective whereas supplier development represents a business‐opportunity‐oriented approach to managing supplier chains for sustainable products. The survey‐based analysis reveals that large German stock companies mainly implement risk‐oriented SSCM strategies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment