Making connections: a review of supply chain management and sustainability literature

Abstract

Purpose -The objective of this paper is to investigate systematically the discipline of supply chain management (SCM) within the context of sustainability. The two concepts are increasingly aligned, and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) represents an evolving field where they explicitly interact. Given their complex and holistic nature, breaking down the literature to understand its structures, processes, connections and limitations can provide an objective view of the status of research in these highly important fields, identifying key areas for future research/theory development. Design/methodology/approach -A systematic review of current SCM literature is carried out, specifically in relation to the social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Findings -SSCM and the integration of sustainability into supply chains is a significant but evolving field evidenced by a current bias in the literature towards theory development and highly qualitative research methods. The environmental dimension is significantly better represented in the literature through specific processes at all stages of the supply chain. The social dimension is recognised, but receives less emphasis than expected given SCM's focus on interaction, relationships and communication. These two dimensions are treated separately in the literature with limited insight on how to integrate them and current SCM and sustainability research provides limited practical outputs.Research limitations/implications -The review focuses on environmental and social sustainability within supply chains without explicit consideration of the economic dimension. Practical implications -The review highlights the key themes and issues for supply chain managers faced with implementing sustainability. It also illustrates a number of areas for future research, along with the need for researchers to develop more practical tools for implementing SSCM. Originality/value -Indicates the extent to which sustainability is integrated within SCM and where the research emphasis currently lies. The environmental dimension is significantly more defined and developed in the literature. SCM literature emphasises the importance of long-term supplier relationships, but this "people-focused" approach does not appear to translate into socially responsible supply chains. It suggests that the more process-driven nature of environmental sustainability makes it easier to put into supply chain practice. There is also limited research or evidence on how the two dimensions can be integrated despite recognition of their inter-relationship.

Piggy in the Middle: How Direct Customer Power Affects First-Tier Suppliers’ Adoption of Socially Responsible Procurement Practices and Performance

“…First, it responds to the call for empirical studies demonstrating how socially responsible procurement practices are adopted (Ashby et al 2012). Quantitative studies of the drivers and outcomes of social responsibility are rare (Ehrgott et al 2011;Park-Poaps and Rees 2010) and this is the first study to use structural equation modeling in order to understand how bases of power impact the adoption of socially responsible procurement practices by first-tier suppliers.…”

“…These practices involve working with suppliers to develop socially responsible procurement practices beyond health and safety measures that will bring advantages to the stakeholders involved in the supply chain (MacCarthy and Jayarathne 2012; Klassen and Vereecke 2012). These include changes to the fundamental nature of the supply chain (Pagell and Wu 2009;Nidumolu et al 2009); developing new products or processes with appreciable benefits for consumers and workers in the supply chain (Amann et al 2014;Ashby et al 2012); and reimagining the supply chain to achieve socially responsible outcomes (Abdallah et al 2012). This means including non-traditional supply chain partners in decision-making and increasing the transparency of supply chain operation and governance (Burchielli et al 2009;Pagell and Wu 2009).…”

“…First, it is an empirical study exploring how supply chain social responsibility is achieved (Ashby et al 2012). We explore the first-tier suppliers' perception of their key direct customers' power use and its effect on the adoption of socially responsible procurement practices with their own key second-tier suppliers.…”

Green Supply Chain: Protagonista Ou Coadjuvante No Brasil?

“…Por sua vez, o conceito de SSCM é mais recente e demanda maiores desenvolvimentos no campo teórico e empírico (Ashby et al, 2012). Considerada uma temática relativamente nova, a GSCM comporta amplo espaço para o desenvolvimento de grandes variedades de pesquisas.…”

Multi-criteria decision making approaches for green supply chains: a review

“…Seuring and Müller (2008) reviewed literature on forward sustainable supply chain management. Srivastava (2007) presented a state of the art literature review on green supply chain management with a focus on reverse logistics, whereas Carter and Rogers (2008) and Ashby et al (2012) reviewed and discussed literature on supply chain management within the context of sustainability. Three review articles focused on perishable products.…”