Sustainable Supply Chain Performance Research Articles

Stage-wise green supply chain management and environmental performance: Impact of blockchain technology

In the era of globalisation, the use of technology and concerns for sustainability is eminent in the supply chain management practices. The current study focuses on sustainable and green supply practices in different stages of supply chain management and how they can be facilitated by blockchain technology (BT). The study has addressed the existing gaps in the area namely, the lack of research assessing stage-wise green supply chain for environmental performance focusing on BT. The current study aims to assess the impact of BT on different stages of the green supply chain and a firm's environmental performance. The study also focuses on analyzing the impact of green supply chain stages on environmental performance. The study uses PLS-based structural equation modelling approach to investigate the hypothesised relationships between BT adoption and stage-wise green supply chain practices. The data was collected from individuals from medium-sized enterprises from the manufacturing industry in India. The findings reveal a positive association between blockchain adoption and green supply chain management practices leading to enhancement in environmental performance. Furthermore, the study indicates a positive relationship between blockchain integration and different stages of the green supply chain, underscoring its multi-faceted impact on environmental performance. The findings imply that the BT adoption can facilitate the realization of sustainable supply chain practices and performance improvement.

Risk assessment in sustainable food supply chains: A holistic approach by using HOR-SWOT-ANP/AHP to ensuring performance improvement

The global food supply chain plays an essential role in economic development while addressing environmental and social issues in its business system. However, this complex network is exposed to various risk factors related to sustainability that can disrupt the supply chain performance. CV. XYZ is a food manufacturer that produces jackfruit chips in Indonesia. During the supply chain process, this company needs to manage the various risks across the supplier, manufacturer, and retailer stages. By identifying and evaluating risks at each stage, mitigation and improvement strategies can be proposed. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the supply chain risk mitigation and performance improvement strategies for maintaining supply chain stability and performance. House of Risk (HOR) was applied to analyze the mitigation strategies, while SWOT with analytical networking process (ANP) or analytical hierarchy process (AHP)/ (i.e., SWOT-ANP/AHP method)was used for analyzing performance improvement strategies by considering the weight of each factor. The result shows that twelve mitigation strategies are needed to mitigate the fourteen risk agents that focus on improving production activities and human resources. Moreover, eleven strategies have been proposed to improve sustainable supply chain performance in the future, focusing more on marketing activities and enhancing human resource capabilities.

A multi-criteria model of supply chain sustainability assessment and improvement for sugarcane agroindustry

The sustainability of the sugarcane agro-industry supply chain plays a crucial role in providing economic benefits, minimizing social and environmental impacts, and optimizing resource utilization. This research aims to analyze the sustainability performance of the sugarcane agro-industry supply chain using multi-criteria assessment and formulate strategies for sustainability improvement. The study proposes a multi-criteria assessment model with twenty-eight indicators and four dimensions of sustainability: economic, social, environmental, and resources, which were developed based on previous research. The fuzzy inference system (FIS) and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) methods were utilized to analyze the multi-criteria indicators of sustainability performance in each dimension and overall supply chain. The Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model was used to aggregate multi-dimension sustainability to achieve overall sustainability performance. A fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) framework was developed to formulate strategies for improving the sustainability performance of the supply chain. The research was verified at two sugar mill locations in Java Island, Indonesia. The FIS and MDS models successfully analyzed the sustainability performance of the two sugar agro-industries, showing an average value of “quite sustainable”. The overall sustainability performance using the ANFIS model for mill A and B were 57.2 and 61.9, respectively. Series of FGDs combined with the FCM model successfully formulated five clusters of strategies as initiatives in improving the sustainability performance, namely raw material provision, harvesting and post-harvest activities, production process optimization, IT-based technology implementation, and institutional aspects. This present work seeks to contributes to the development of multi-criteria of sustainability performance for the food industry's supply chain. It also proposes a comprehensive framework for analyzing and improving sustainable supply chain performance under uncertainty using a combination of conventional and fuzzy assessment modeling approach. A practical initiative strategy in sustainability improvement is revealed for the sugarcane agroindustry's supply chain.

Screening of sustainable supply chain performance evaluation indicators based on the ill-conditioned index cycle method.

The establishment of an evaluation indicator system that can accurately assess the sustainability of a supply chain while further enhancing its performance is vital and relevant. Based on the connotation of sustainable supply chains and triple bottom line theory, indicators are initially proposed from economic, environmental, and social dimensions. To increase the explanatory power of the indicator system and decrease information redundancy, the coefficient of variation is applied to identify the indicators with weak interpretation intensity, the ill-conditioned index cycle method is utilized to filter out indicators with redundant information, and data on 100 Chinese listed companies from 2019 to 2021 are used as samples. A performance evaluation indicator system of sustainable supply chains with 16 indicators is ultimately established. The information interpretation strength index and cumulative information contribution rate verify the rationality of the final indicator system. The outcome demonstrates that this screening method can strengthen the representativeness of the indicator system and rapidly reduce redundancy, leading to the better discrimination of the evaluation results. The findings of this study provide an indicator system and a methodological reference for both companies and policymakers and can aid in the transformation of supply chains toward sustainability.

Green design strategies for sustainable supply chain considering channel leadership

We have observed from practice that to create new economic and environmental values, both the upstream and downstream firms in sustainable supply chain are motivated to invest in green design. Channel leadership as an important factor affecting the channel profit distribution will reshape the investment motivation of enterprises. In this paper, we construct six kinds of pricing and green design decision models to explore the optimal green design strategies for sustainable supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one retailer under different channel leadership, and investigate the interaction between channel leadership and green design strategy, and their impacts on sustainable supply chain performance, environment and consumer surplus. We find that regardless of the channel leadership, the wholesale and retail prices of products under different green design strategies are always affected by the cost effect of green design. In terms of boosting the green design level and market demand, increasing the consumer surplus and enterprises profits, only when the manufacturer is the channel leader and the green design cost effect is small, the retailer can implement green design better. Moreover, when the manufacturer implements green design, the better channel structure between the retailer-led and Nash equilibrium game depends on the green design cost effect, but both are better than the manufacturer-led. However, when the retailer implements green design, the channel structure of Nash equilibrium game is always better. We finally illustrate that under different channel leadership, which green design strategy is more conducive to reducing the total environment impact of products depends on the joint effect of green design cost effect and green design environment effect.

A structural equation modeling framework for exploring the industry 5.0 and sustainable supply chain determinants

Sustainable Supply Chain and Industry 5.0 are two important concepts reshaping how businesses operate in the modern world. Together, these two concepts drive the advancement of a highly sustainable and robust worldwide economy. Companies are now becoming more sustainable in supply chain management, using technologies like blockchain and co-bots to track the origin of goods, ensure ethical and sustainable sourcing, and work with humans safely and effectively. This study develops a theoretical model highlighting the determinants of Industry 5.0, Sustainable Supply Chain Practices, by combining theoretical frameworks from the manufacturing, supply chain, and information systems literature. The study's analytic sample comprises 342 responses collected from professionals working in the electronics industry's supply chain. Hypotheses were constructed employing deductive reasoning, leveraging insights gleaned from prior research. The study is conducted utilizing the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to substantiate the presumed connections among various constructs, namely, Industry 5.0 innovations, Sustainable Supply Chain Practices (SSCP), Sustainable Supply Chain Performance (SCP), and Supply Chain Risks (SCR). The Structural Equation Modeling analysis results show a direct impact of Industry 5.0 technologies through Sustainable Supply Chain Practices can enhance Supply Chain Performance and mitigate Supply Chain Risks. Combining the two paradigms can foster the development of new business models that prioritize sustainability and contribute to a more equitable and environmentally friendly economy that brings positive change for both businesses and society.

Supply chain design: implications for sustainability

ABSTRACT This paper aims to add sustainable dimensions to the supply chain design (SCD) literature. A systematic literature review method is adopted to comprehensively analyze the papers related to SCD and sustainability literature. This study summarises the drivers, practices, and outcomes of sustainable supply chain design (SSCD), and further investigates the factors that can help companies realise sustainability through SCD. A conceptual framework is developed to connect these two concepts. Further, this study identifies significant research gaps with potential for the future development of SSCD. This paper will help firms identify the enabling factors that promote SSCD to achieve better supply chain (SC) sustainable performance. Meanwhile, this paper extends prior studies of SCD by adding sustainable dimensions. The authors develop a conceptual model that illustrates the antecedents of SSCD implementation and how the SSCD can promote the SC sustainable performance.

Impact of leadership, TQM and supply chain capabilities on sustainable supply chain performance: moderating role of institutional pressure

PurposeThis study aims to empirically assess the influence of supply chain capabilities and total quality management on sustainable supply chain performance, factoring in the role of leadership and the moderating impact of institutional pressures.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers designed a self-administered survey, garnering responses from 278 participants. Preliminary analyses addressed nonresponse bias, examining assumptions like homoscedasticity and data normality. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to ensure reliability and construct validity before hypothesis testing. Regression outcomes corroborate all posited assumptions, further strengthening the extant literature.FindingsThe research outcomes demonstrate the positive association between supply chain capabilities and TQM and sustainable supply chain performance, particularly under institutional pressure. Data from the cement manufacturing sector further corroborated these findings. This study lends empirical support to the tenets of institutional theory.Originality/valueThe presented model delineates how leadership impacts TQM and supply chain capabilities to amplify sustainable supply chain outcomes. Incorporating institutional pressure as a moderating variable introduces a fresh and enlightening dimension to the discussion.

Combining digitalization and sustainability: unveiling the relationship of digital maturity degree, sustainable supply chain management practices and performance

PurposeThis study aims to comprehensively assess how digital maturity degree (DMD) impacts sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) performance through the mediating role of SSCM practices in businesses in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were performed using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with data collected from a survey of over 234 managers having responsibility in the supply chain field in Vietnam. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with 6 experts to deepen understanding of the relationship between DMD and SSCM.FindingsThe results show the mix-results in the relationship between SSCM practices and SSCM performance dimensions while DMD strongly impacts SSCM practices. Also, this study finds the mediating role of SSCM practices on the relationship between DMD and SSCM performance.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the role of DMD on SSCM practices and SSCM performance, using empirical evidence. Moreover, the authors integrate both qualitative and quantitative for understanding complex SSCM phenomena. The present study also helps businesses improve their SSCM performance by leveraging SSCM practices and developing their digital technologies in the long-term view.

An Empirical Investigation of the Influence of Industry 4.0 Technology Capabilities on Agriculture Supply Chain Integration and Sustainable Performance

Agriculture and allied activities hold a key to sustaining all human activities and ensuring a food-secured future. However, significant issues such as the ever-growing population and cut-throat competition for resources pose a continuous threat to the agricultural supply chains, thereby compromising sustainable agricultural development. To overcome the ever-escalating complex challenges in agricultural supply chains and production systems, advancements in precision agriculture, smart farming, and effective supply chain collaboration are critical for addressing agricultural sustainability challenges. This research study examines the direct effects of industry 4.0 technology capabilities (I4TC) and supply chain integration (SCI) on sustainable agricultural supply chain performance (SASCP). The study investigates the direct and indirect impact of I4TC on SASCP with SCI as the mediating variable; moreover, it seeks to validate the direct influence of I4TC on SCI and SASCP. Based on the data collected from 262 food processing organizations in India, the findings highlight noteworthy impacts of I4TC on SASCP and verify the presence of SCI as a partially mediating variable. Furthermore, the findings extend the body of knowledge on I4TC by recognizing I4TC as an enabler of SCI, thereby leading to enhanced SASCP. From the practitioner's perspective, the current study can help food-processing organizations better understand the importance of SCI in ASCs and provide valuable insights for managing ASCs to achieve SASCP.

Investigating the effect of financial literacy and financial inclusion on operational and sustainable supply chain performance of SMEs

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of financial literacy on operational performance, financial inclusion on operational performance and the effect of financial literacy on sustainable supply chains and the impact of financial inclusion on sustainable supply chains in SMEs in Indonesia. The research method is quantitative through online surveys with the Google form, data collection by distributing online questionnaires to 590 SMEs owners in Indonesia who were selected by simple random sampling. The online questionnaire was designed using a Likert scale of 5 and distributed via social media. Data analysis used structural equation modeling of partial least squares (SEM-PLS) with data processing tools using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The stages of data analysis are validity-reliability test and hypothesis, or significance test used in this study using a Google form which will be distributed to respondents. This questionnaire measurement method uses a Likert Scale of 5, namely Strongly Disagree (STS), (2) Answers Disagree (TS), (3) Neutral Answers (N), (4) Answers Agree (S), Strongly Agree (SS). The results of this study indicate that financial literacy had a positive and significant effect on operational performance, financial inclusion had a positive and significant effect on operational performance, financial literacy had a positive and significant effect on sustainable supply chains and financial inclusion had a positive and significant effect on sustainable supply chains in SMEs in Indonesia. The novelty of this research is the model relationship between Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion, Operational Performance, SME Sustainable Supply Chain which has never been explained in previous studies.

Exploring the Role of Blockchain Technology in Improving Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: A System-Analysis-Based Approach

Due to the complexity of SSC practices, BT can be adopted as an innovative tool for addressing socioenvironmental issues. However, BT adoption has not been receiving growing attention because of organizational challenges (e.g., financial constraints). This study develops a system-analysis-based approach to investigate the impact of BT adoption on the improvement of SSC performance. This approach is proposed based on the FCM to model CRs between SSC-performance-related targets and enablers of BT adoption. These enablers include inherent features of BT identified in the context of sustainability (e.g., social responsibility and environmental sustainability). After developing an FCM model for the BT adoption problem, the impact of enablers on target concepts is investigated by implementing a hybrid FCM learning algorithm according to the extracted CRs. Based on the outputs of the FCM learning algorithm, this study also identifies the most effective enablers for improving SSC performance using the combined compromise solution method. The proposed system-analysis-based approach demonstrates that BT can significantly affect various dimensions of SSC networks’ performance. The results imply that the appropriate BT adoption supports SSC performance by improving environmental sustainability, creating smart contracts, and increasing traceability.

Assessing social performance in supply chain design and planning through a monetization approach

AbstractSustainable development is today a major concern, and within this supply chain’ environmental and social performances need to be considered. The social pillar of the supply chain is not easy to measure, and its quantification is a researcher's challenge. In addition, quantifying the social impact of a monetary unit, easily understood by decision‐makers, is an important step towards achieving global sustainable supply chain performance. This work intends to contribute to this challenge and develops a monetization approach for assessing supply chain's social performance, considering three main relevant social indicators: job creation, accidents and training. These are then integrated into an optimization‐based decision tool that can be used to design and plan a supply chain based on an informed decision. This operation research–based tool considers the economic and the social pillars independently or simultaneously, allowing the development of different analyses to reflect on the different trade‐offs that could be considered when designing and planning sustainable supply chains. A case study is utilized to demonstrate the tool's applicability, and a number of conclusions and insights are provided on how to strengthen supply chain sustainability.

Impact of Airline Service Quality and Safety Perception on Airline Brand Loyalty: Mediating Role of Passenger Expectation

This research aims to examine the influence of airline service quality and safety perception on brand loyalty. Furthermore, passenger anticipation employed as mediating variable for in-depth research. In order to achieve the goal of this research, data were gathered from a sample of 384 customers who use airline services. The convenient sampling approach was employed for data collection. The findings from the structural equation modelling revealed that brand loyalty has a considerable impact on the evaluation of airline services quality and safety perception. Additionally, the study identified the important mediating function of passenger expectation. This research assists the authorities and managers in the airline sector in formulating effective and efficient strategies to meet customer demand and cultivate brand loyalty.

Design a model to improve sustainable supply chain performance with an emphasis on identifying effective financial components through the soft systems method

Today, in the world of competition, it is necessary for organizations to formulate structured management plans to operate in these conditions. One of the most important issues that can be investigated in depth can make organizations successful in the field of competition, the issue of supply chain management. A new point of view is a financial point of view. Therefore, in the current research, the aim is to provide a solution to improve the performance of the sustainable supply chain by identifying the financial components affecting it. In this way, using the soft systems methodology, approach, the problem of unstructured sustainable supply chain management from the financial point of view is expressed, and then by analyzing it, the image of different players of the drawing system and their root definition is raised. In the following, a conceptual model of activities is presented using the root definition and then the model is compared with the real world. Finally, the desired changes to improve and develop the actual system are identified and programs implemented to improve the performance and increase the profitability of the supply chain management system. Finally, the financial, monetary, sustainability and risk dimensions were identified as the four main factors affecting the sustainable supply chain. The results of this study will be effective for designing improvement patterns in sustainable supply chain management.

Restorative supply chain practices in a circular economy and supply chain sustainability performance: the moderating effect of the perceived professional status of supply chain managers

Restorative supply chain practices in a circular economy and supply chain sustainability performance: the moderating effect of the perceived professional status of supply chain managers

Procurement Best Practices and Sustainable Supply Chain Performance of Plastic and Rubber Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Purpose: The study aimed at assessing procurement best practices and sustainable supply chain performance of plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya.
 Methodology: Descriptive research design was adopted by the study. A total of 167 plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya was the target population, as indicated by KAM (2022) directory. This study used census, as a rule of thumb for population below 200. To gather data, structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Once collected, data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple regression analysis. The qualitative data generated was analyzed by use of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.
 Findings: In this study multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the relationship between the dependent variable and all the independent variables pooled together. Regression analysis was conducted to find the proportion in the dependent variable which can be predicted from the independent variables. The current study obtained an R2 of 64.7% and should therefore be expanded further in futhe ture in order to include other procurement best practices that may as well have a positive significance to the sustainable supply chain performance of plastic and rubber manufacturing firms.The findings of the study indicated that reverse logistics management, procurement outsourcing, e-procurement and green procurement have a positive relationship with sustainable supply chain performance of plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that institutions should embrace procurement best practices so as to improve sustainable supply chain performance and further research should to be carried out in other institutions to find out if the same results can be obtained

Can gamification help green supply chain management firms achieve sustainable results in servitized ecosystem? An empirical investigation

This study investigates gamification's role in promoting sustainable green supply chain management practices (GSCMP), examining what no study has before. The theoretical lens of self-determination and goal-setting enabled the design of a systematic questionnaire to gather data from companies in the retail industry. In total, 254 responses were obtained. The theoretical model was tested using Warp partial least square (PLS) 7.0. The findings suggest that gamification positively impacts GSCMP. Specifically, it helps increase goal commitment and green supply chain management, ultimately leading to improved sustainable supply chain performance. Additionally, gameful experience moderates the link between digital servitization and goal commitment. Furthermore, firm age does not affect sustainable performance, whereas, it is positively affected by firm size. The findings not only contribute to the literature on sustainable supply chain, servitization, gamification, digital technology adoption, and the above-mentioned theories, but also suggest that by using gamification to promote GSCMP, businesses can improve their overall sustainable performance.

Sustainable supply chain performance lesson from Malaysian manufacturing firms

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of sustainable innovation and disruptive innovation on sustainable supply chain performance of manufacturing firms in Malaysia. The study also examined the moderating role of supply chain clockspeed in the relationship between sustainable innovation, disruptive innovation and sustainable supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 231 respondents in manufacturing firms in Malaysia. The data were analyzed using the partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe findings revealed that sustainable innovation and disruptive innovation had a significant and positive effect on sustainable supply chain performance. Supply chain clockspeed moderated the relationship between sustainable innovation and sustainable supply chain performance. The findings also identified that there was no moderating effect on the relationship between disruptive innovation and sustainable supply chain performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study merely focuses on sustainable supply chain performance in Malaysian manufacturing firms. Samples from manufacturing firms in Malaysia were used in the current study, and the outcomes may vary for different nations.Practical implicationsTo increase the firm’s commercial success, it is necessary to promote sustainable supply chain practices, including supply chain clockspeed, sustainable innovation and disruptive innovation.Originality/valueThis study adds to the body of knowledge by explaining the positive influence of sustainable innovation and disruptive innovation on sustainable supply chain performance in Malaysian manufacturing firms while also emphasizing the moderating role of supply chain clockspeed in this relationship. The contribution of this study could enable managers to develop sustainable supply chain performance in the manufacturing sector, based on sustainable innovation, disruptive innovation and supply chain clockspeed.

Impact of circular economy practices on supply chain capability, flexibility and sustainable supply chain performance

PurposeThis paper analyses the effect of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance. The study explores the impact of mediating variables such as supply chain flexibility and capabilities and the moderating role of supply chain integration in the relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain performance in Indian manufacturing firms. The study builds on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model to conceptualise circular economy practices that influence supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility, impacting sustainable supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted an online survey questionnaire distributed to managers of Indian manufacturing firms adopting circular economy practices. The data were analysed using SPSS Amos 25 and PROCESS macros.FindingsThe results suggest a positive impact of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance in manufacturing firms. In addition, a supply chain manager's relationship with retailers is improved in the presence of supply chain capabilities and flexibility. Supply chain integration further strengthens this relationship as a moderating variable.Originality/valueBy examining the literature on circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain management, this study contributes to bridging the gap between supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility using the S-O-R model. This study is possibly among the first to explore and provide empirical evidence on how circular economy practices in manufacturing firms can impact supply chain managers' experiences and thus help to improve environmental well-being. Both academics and business professionals might find these contributions interesting.