What should you be talking about? The communication pathway to sustainable supply chain contagion

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saif Mir ◽  
Brian S. Fugate ◽  
Jonathan L. Johnson ◽  
Misty Blessley
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Top Management Teams ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Communication Pathway

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand communication pathways and factors that cause sustainability initiatives to become contagious from downstream to upstream members of a supply chain, which is termed sustainable supply chain contagion (SSCC).Design/methodology/approachThis study takes an inductive, grounded theory approach, while utilizing established theories.FindingsThe decision to implement a sustainability initiative depends on the business case for the organization. Importantly, the findings outline several network and communication factors that overcome the weak business case and, therefore, foster SSCC. Based on these findings, a communication network model of SSCC is outlined. Network factors include the contagion pathways, the role of sustainability and top management teams and communication channels. Communication factors include the alignment of sustainability initiatives with departmental objectives, the articulation of goals and assuring the endurance of a sustainability initiative.Practical implicationsManagers can utilize the proposed model to create conditions that strengthen the business case of a proposed sustainability initiative, thus fostering SSCC. The presented findings reveal different tactics that can assist organizations in communicating sustainability initiatives in a persuasive manner, to permit the proliferation of sustainability across the supply chain.Originality/valueThis research enables a multilevel examination of the factors influencing SSCC.

scholarly journals The role of network structural properties in supply chain sustainability: a systematic literature review and agenda for future research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Alinaghian ◽  
Jilin Qiu ◽  
Kamran Razmdoost
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supply Network ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically review and assess the current status of research on supply chain sustainability from a network structural perspective and provide an organising framework for future scholarship in this area. Design/methodology/approach By adopting an evidence-based approach, this study conducts a systematic review of 73 articles from 18 peer-reviewed journals published between 2000 and 2020. Findings Adopting a social network analysis approach, the review identifies specific node-level (i.e. degree centrality, closeness centrality and betweenness centrality) and network-level (i.e. network density, network sub-groups and network diversity) structural properties that play a role in supply chain sustainability. The results reveal that structural properties determine the extent of perception of sustainability risks, the diffusion of sustainability targets, introduction of sustainable innovations, development of sustainability capabilities, adoption of sustainability initiatives and the monitoring of sustainability performance throughout the supply chain. Originality/value By distinguishing between supply network and sustainable supply network types, this study extends the existing understandings of the role of network connectivity patterns in supply chain sustainability through synthesising and evaluating the extant literature. This study further clarifies the role of these network structural properties in supply chain sustainability by describing their impact on a set of sustainable supply chain management practices through which firms achieve sustainability goals across their supply chains.

Strategic orientations, sustainable supply chain initiatives, and reverse logistics

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Chun Hsu ◽  
Keah-Choon Tan ◽  
Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Global outsourcing shifts manufacturing jobs to emerging countries, which provides new opportunities for improving their economic development. The authors develop and test a theoretical model to predict first, how sustainable supply chain initiatives might influence reverse logistics outcomes and second, the impact of eco-reputation and eco-innovation orientation strategies on the deployment of sustainable supply chain initiatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed new model of antecedents and outcomes of sustainable supply chain initiatives underwent a rigorous empirical test through structural equation modeling with samples from an emerging market. Findings – The results show that firms that implement sustainable supply chain initiatives can realize positive reverse logistics outcomes; the study also provides new insights into eco-innovation and eco-reputation strategic orientations as theoretically important antecedents of sustainable supply chain initiatives. Research limitations/implications – Though the authors identify three components of sustainable supply chain initiatives, other components could exist, and ongoing research should investigate them. Practical implications – The findings have important implications for managers in emerging markets seeking to initiate ecologically friendly business practices. The authors offer strong evidence of the benefits obtained from reverse logistics in sustainable supply chain initiatives. Policy makers and firms attempting to nurture sustainable supply chain initiatives should not overlook the important role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations, which the results identify as important enablers. Originality/value – This study offers evidence of the critical role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations in deploying sustainable supply chain initiative programs, as well as of their mutual effects. This study also offers empirical evidence that implementing sustainable supply chain initiatives leads to reverse logistics, creating value, and a new source of competitive advantages.

scholarly journals The role of NGOs in sustainable supply chain management: a social movement perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujie Peng ◽  
Fu Jia ◽  
Bob Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management ◽  
Movement Theory

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the academic literature on non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) to develop a conceptual framework. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts a systematic literature review through an analysis of 47 papers identified from peer-reviewed academic journals published from 2002 to 2020. Findings Adopting social movement theory and based on thematic findings, this paper proposes four steps and six propositions in the process of NGOs fostering SSCM. These include relative deprivation, political opportunities, resource mobilization and collective action, based on which we developed a conceptual framework regarding the role of NGOs in improving sustainability in supply chains. The proposed conceptual model opens a new avenue of research in NGO literature and several directions for further research. Originality/value This study may be the first to provide a systematic review of NGOs’ role in improving sustainability in supply chains. Moreover, by borrowing the social movement theory from sociology, this paper able to propose a new conceptual framework with a research agenda so as to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon and provide directions for future research.

Toward a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management: the role of media attention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Complete Theory ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management ◽  
Media Attention

Purpose To contribute to the development of a more complete theory of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), this study aims to focus on media attention as an under-researched antecedent. Media transmit information about (good or bad) business practices and information recipients often adjust their behavior accordingly. Although media often uncover scandals in supply chains, no systematic understanding explicates how they shape lead firms’ reactions to scandals. This empirical study investigates how media attention to a major supply chain scandal influences buying companies’ SSCM. Design/methodology/approach The research setting is the fashion industry, five years after the Rana Plaza building collapse. Matched SSCM data from 73 fashion lead firms and news articles collected from major outlets were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression analyzes. Findings This study generates nuanced insights into the role of the media in triggering SSCM. Certain facets of media attention (direct media exposure and negative framing) result in higher levels of SSCM, others have no significant effect (media visibility) and some result in less SSCM (positive framing). Research limitations/implications The varying effects of different facets of media attention on SSCM have not been established previously. Both media and supply chain researchers should address these unique effects in their continued assessments. Social implications External stakeholders can use these findings to devise more effective ways to influence lead firms and improve social and environmental conditions in supply chains. Originality/value This study is the first empirical investigation of the effects of various facets of media attention on SSCM.

Creating a sustainable supply chain: the strategic foundation

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Orr ◽  
Akshay Jadhav
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Technical Competency ◽  
Sustainability Strategy ◽  
Sustainability Leadership ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Member Involvement

Purpose This paper aims to introduce a supply chain strategy for supply chain sustainability performance and explain why it is different to normal business/operations strategy. Design/methodology/approach A survey of supply chain managers and detailed case studies of three successful supply chain sustainability organisations identified four components of a supply chain sustainability strategy, the mechanisms behind them and how they interacted. Findings Sustainability leadership, supply chain member involvement in organisational sustainability initiatives, supply chain member involvement in supply chain sustainability strategy planning and technical competency were identified as the four components of a sustainable supply chain strategy. Sustainability leadership legitimises the objectives and involvement of the staff in supply chain-oriented sustainability initiatives and planning. Technical competency provides the capability and language necessary for the development of a supply chain sustainability strategy. This is different to business/operations strategy, however, parallels to other forms of strategy constructs support its ability to achieve performance improvement. Research limitations/implications The research is based on data from developed countries; the findings may be different for emerging economies. Potential hypotheses for future research are suggested. Practical implications The supply chain sustainability strategy will enable organisations to improve the sustainability of their supply chains. Its application is described in the paper. Originality/value The paper develops a strategy framework different to the approach taken in business/operational strategy. It indicates how the sustainability performance of supply chains external to the organisation is increased through their interconnectedness with the organisation.

Bi-objective optimization for sustainable supply chain network design in omnichannel

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinay Surendra Yadav ◽  
Sarsij Tripathi ◽  
A.R. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Network Design ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Supply Chain Network ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Channel Distribution ◽  
Multiple Channel ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Flexible Distribution

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a sustainable supply chain network (SCN) for omnichannel environment in order to provide better service to customers through flexible distribution. Thus, there is a need to incorporate multiple-channel distribution in the network design of supply chains (SCs). Design/methodology/approach A multiple-channel distribution supply chain network (MCDSCN) has been proposed under omnichannel environment. This proposed model integrates online giants with local retailer’s distribution network in an uncertain environment with sustainability. To incorporate sustainability, an objective function is added to reduce carbon content along with other objectives of minimization of SC cost. The model turns out to be mixed-integer linear programming model which is coded in GAMS and solved using CPLEX solver. Findings The proposed MCDSCN model is compared with conventional SCN. Furthermore, it was found that the proposed MCDSCN model has achieved significant saving in SC cost and is also more sustainable than conventional SCN. The proposed model also enables online giants to integrate their distribution network with local retailer’s distribution network. Practical implications Through proposed model, customers are free to access product and services as per their choice of channels which increases their convenience, reach and satisfaction. Originality/value The proposed MCDSCN model is a novel approach to design flexible distribution systems. This would significantly help organizations to design their distribution network more effectively to meet global competition.

Do motives matter? Examining the relationships between motives, SSCM practices and TBL performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr M. Kitsis ◽  
Injazz J. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Performance

Purpose Drawing on multi-theoretical lenses and a combination of supply chain and business ethics literature, this study aims to investigate the role of motives in driving sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and sustainable performance. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 205 supply chain companies in the USA, the authors apply structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to empirically test the proposed model and seven hypothesized relationships. Findings Results of the study underscore the critical role of moral motives, while highlighting that all three types of motives (instrumental, relational and moral) are robust in driving SSCM practices and achieving improvement in all three dimensions of sustainable performance–economic, environmental and social. Research limitations/implications This research can help supply chain scholars develop a more robust subfield of motivation-based SSCM research to gain a deeper understanding of how motives may differentially predict sustainable supply chain practices and performance. Practical implications The results of this study demonstrate the critical links between moral motivation and the triple bottom line (TBL) performance and suggest that managers pay more attention to moral motives in their decision-making. Originality/value This study bridges gaps in the extant literature by incorporating motivation-based antecedents, expanding the scope of SSCM practices, including the social dimension of sustainability and investigating the mediating effects of SSCM practices on the links between motives and the TBL performance.

The role of indigenous technological capability and interpersonal trust in supply chain learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Zhiqiang Wang ◽  
Xiande Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Interpersonal Trust ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Technological Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Research ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of indigenous technological capability and interpersonal trust on product innovation through supply-chain learning under a dynamic environment. Design/methodology/approach The proposed model is tested with a sample of 300 manufacturers in China. Findings The results show that the learning from customers partially mediates the relationship between indigenous technological capability and product innovation, as well as between interpersonal trust with customers and product innovation. In addition, the influence of indigenous technological capability on learning from customers is weakened under a dynamic environment as well as the influence of learning from customers on product innovation. Originality/value This study illustrates the comparative roles of indigenous technological capability and interpersonal trust in learning customer knowledge and promoting innovation. It also enriches the innovation research by understanding the learning roles of indigenous technological capability and interpersonal trust under a dynamic environment.

Business management in the football industry from a supply chain management perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaleh Memari ◽  
Abbas Rezaei Pandari ◽  
Mohammad Ehsani ◽  
Shokufeh Mahmudi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Business Management ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Flow Management ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Football Industry

PurposeTo understand the football industry in its entirety, a supply chain management (SCM) approach is necessary. This includes the study of suppliers, consumers and their collaborations. The purpose of this study was to present a business management model based on supply chain management.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 academic and executive football experts. After three steps of open, axial and selective coding based on grounded theory with a paradigmatic approach, the data were analysed, and a football supply chain management (FSCM) was developed. The proposed model includes three managerial components: upstream suppliers, the manufacturing firm, and downstream customers.FindingsThe football industry sector has three parts: upstream suppliers, manufacturing firm/football clubs and downstream customers. We proposed seven parts for the managerial processes of football supply chain management: event/match management, club management, resource and infrastructure management, customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, cash flow management and knowledge and information flow management. This model can be used for configuration, coordination and redesign of business operations as well as the development of models for evaluation of the football supply chain's performance.Originality/valueThe proposed model of a football supply chain management, with the existing literature and theoretical review, created a synergistic outcome. This synergy is presented in the linkage of the players in this chain and interactions between them. This view can improve the management of industry productivity and improve the products quality.

Sustainable supply chain management: continuing evolution and future directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig R. Carter ◽  
Marc R. Hatton ◽  
Chao Wu ◽  
Xiangjing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Validity ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to update the work of Carter and Easton (2011), by conducting a systematic review of the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) literature in the primary logistics and supply chain management journals, during the 2010–2018 timeframe. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology which follows the methodology employed by Carter and Easton (2011). An evaluation of this methodology, using the Modified AMSTAR criteria, demonstrates a high level of empirical validity. Findings The field of SSCM continues to evolve with changes in substantive focus, theoretical lenses, unit of analysis, methodology and type of analysis. However, there are still abundant future research opportunities, including investigating under-researched topics such as diversity and human rights/working conditions, employing the group as the unit of analysis and better addressing empirical validity and social desirability bias. Research limitations/implications The findings result in prescriptions and a broad agenda to guide future research in the SSCM arena. The final section of the paper provides additional avenues for future research surrounding theory development and decision making. Originality/value This SLR provides a rigorous, methodologically valid review of the continuing evolution of empirical SSCM research over a 28-year time period.

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