Supply Chain vs. Green Supply Chain Managemen

Abstract

The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) appeared at mid '50s, however the studies on this topic grew exponentially only after beginning of XXI century. A modern and competitive business ecosystem is defined by the integration of industrial actions in harmony with environmental policies governed by a green supply chain. Both are hardly influenced by cost drivers and customer drivers, the balance between them leading to company and environmental overall performance. Beside costs there are also stakeholders pressure, including here but not resuming to industry regulators, consumers, NGOs, that are pushing for a greener supply chain even to sub-supplier's level.The study purpose is to enhance environmental supply literature and to investigate on selected companies practical examples of GSCM implementation. As scientific method we will use descriptive analysis, our paper focusing on environmental policies of top players from various industries as described by themselves on annual reports. The results will show that there is still little emphasis financially speaking on the environmental policies of respective companies compared with their turnovers. Although it might not be a complete novelty, the originality of the study is the authors beliefs that on the long run chasing a green supply chain is becoming a competitive advantage if properly handled, not only from environmental point of view but also as cost of the final product, resilience of the supply chain, capability to overpass turbulent situations and market image. From practical point of view companies will be more interested to invest in a sustainable environmental plot, switching to green supply chain if they will see the rewarding part of this action, subject action being an investment.