scholarly journals Sustainability Governance Mechanisms in Supply Chains: An Application in the Retail Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6911
Author(s):  
Jesús Morcillo-Bellido ◽  
Alfonso Duran-Heras
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Sustainability Governance ◽  
Focal Company

This study analyzes supply chain sustainability governance mechanisms, and their characterization, typology, adoption and relationship with the overall level of sustainability in the supply chain, and with the adopting firm’s competitive strategy. It is a case-based study conducted in the Spanish retail sector. A representative set of mechanisms is identified, and both their theoretical background and their degree of practical adoption is established. These mechanisms are then characterized in terms of several traits regarding either the mechanisms themselves or the way they are adopted both by the focal company (internal view) and by its suppliers (external view) in each of the cases. Results suggest that mechanisms might be classified into either ‘enablers’, which increasingly constitute a prerequisite for achieving acceptable levels of sustainability, and ‘differentiators’, which can potentially confer sustainable strategic advantages. Actually, achieving these advantages, however, seems contingent on the additional attainment of a comprehensive ‘depth’ in the implementation of an integrated set of mechanisms of both types, both internally within the focal company and throughout the whole supply chain, as measured by the traits proposed in the study. Furthermore, the concept of ‘circular improvement models’ for sustainable supply chains, akin to Total Quality Management models, is proposed by the authors. The resulting model encompassing enabling and differentiating governance mechanisms could guide the self-evaluation and improvement plans of companies aiming to improve their supply chains sustainability; further guidance on ‘deep adoption’ comprehensive strategies and on the potential for self-reinforcing continuous improvement in sustainability beyond a certain threshold are provided by the study’s conclusions.

scholarly journals Legal-economic barriers to price transfers in food supply chains

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Bremmers ◽  
Bernd Van der Meulen ◽  
Zorica Sredojevi ◽  
Jo Wijnands
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Price Volatility ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Industry Policy ◽  
The One

Recent price movements have put food supply chains under pressure. On the one side, upward price tendencies on commodity markets result in higher costs to processing firms. On the other side, these firms are confronted with a strong retail sector that is able to prevent compensation to protect consumers’ and own economic interests. Regulatory impediments of European law, especially with respect to foodstuffs, can adversely be utilized as barriers to protect the interest downstream the supply chain. The problem is that legal-economic instruments which can serve to smooth price volatility in supply markets can also opportunistically be used at the expense of the middlesection in food supply chains (i.e., mainly small and medium sized producers). The aim of this article is to identify the legal-economic mechanisms that effect price transfers in food supply chains in the European Union and define policy adjustments to improve pricing mechanisms, while safeguarding the interests of the processing industry. Policy alternatives to improve the smooth functioning of notably intermediate markets in food supply chains are the restructuring of competition law, improved processor information management and creating transparency of value added in the supply chain by means of labelling devices.

scholarly journals The Active Customer in Logistics Services

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Joanna Alicja Dyczkowska
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Business Market ◽  
Logistics Services

<p>This article describes the notion of “customer activity” in logistics services as an interaction with providers. We reviewed concepts of customer activity in services offered by logistics service providers (LSPs) in the food sector. We then analysed customer activity in transport, storage and management of services. We used a direct diagnostic survey for comparative analysis of groups of customers. The roles of LSPs in the supply chain and within the framework of cooperation in the business-to-business market are presented. Basic customer activities were examined by studying the supply chain, within which LSPs adapted their processes to the activities of their customers. The research results present the degree of customer activity in supply chains.</p><p><strong>Theoretical background:</strong> Customer activity in logistics services is mainly understood as part of interaction with providers. This study goes beyond this view by focusing on the independent activity of the customer in solutions related to transport, storage and the management of logistics services.</p><p><strong>Purpose of the article:</strong> The purpose of the article was to review concepts of customer activity in services offered by LSPs in food-sector supply chains; customer activity was characterised and applied in exploratory research.</p><p><strong>Research methods:</strong> A literature review, comparison of groups of customers, and a direct diagnostic survey method were all used.</p><p><strong>Main findings:</strong> The perspective of customer activity predominating among customers allows LSPs to pursue different activities on behalf of different groups of customers. This article contributes to research on logistics services while focusing on the concept of customer activity.</p>

Recent Developments in Green Supply Chain Management

2017 ◽  
pp. 191-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay R. Brown ◽  
Maxim A. Bushuev ◽  
Andrey A. Kretinin ◽  
Alfred L. Guiffrida
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Decision Models ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Day To Day Operations

In today's supply chains, green and sustainable business practices have become an integral part of long-term strategy as well as the day-to-day operations, and sourcing and logistics play fundamental roles in ensuring the success of sustainable supply chains. In this chapter, we review recent research on three classes of decision models that are used in the logistics and sourcing functions of sustainable supply chains. Specifically, we examine and summarize recent developments in sustainable decision models for supplier selection, inventory lot-sizing, and last-mile delivery. Our review of the green and sustainable features found in these three models results in a single-source consolidation of models used in sustainable sourcing and logistics. This review may prove useful to researchers who focus on sustainable supply chain management and to practitioners who seek to expand their toolkit of models for the management and control of their supply chain.

Product Deletion and Sustainable Supply Chains

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyun Zhu ◽  
Joseph Sarkis
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Product Portfolio ◽  
Chain Process ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Design And Manufacture

Products and their associated material, capital, and information are critical flows within supply chains. Supply chain management needs to facilitate product portfolio management. Some example activities include material sourcing, product design and manufacture, product delivery and transportation, product usage, and service. Closing the supply-chain loop, especially for sustainable supply chains, include end-of-life disposal and repurposing activities. Sustainable supply chain development typically focuses on three major dimensions of organizational competitiveness, economic, social, and environmental. Organizations make product deletion continuously. These decisions can profoundly contribute to sustainability. Alternatively, sustainability performance of various supply chain process and product or material flows may also be strategic product deletion reasons. This chapter will review the integration of product deletion with sustainable supply chain management. It will entail the impact of product deletion on sustainable supply chains.

scholarly journals How management tools holistically support enterprises’ operation in supply chains?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Sonja Treven ◽  
Duško Uršič ◽  
Walled Rashad
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Previous Survey ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Core Competences ◽  
The Impact

The paper examines how utilization of management tools supports enterprises’ operating in supply chains. The paper critically reviews the results of a previous, survey-based study, with a sample of 198 employees from Slovenian organizations, who assessed utilization of management tools in their organizations. With hierarchical regression analysis authors test the associations between management tools’ usage and enterprises operating in supply chain; the impact was controlled with the most significant personal and organizational drivers of management-tools usage. Results show that loyalty management, core competences, and scenario and contingency planning are most strongly associated with the supply chain management’s activities in organizations. The traditional supply chain management’ tools, like outsourcing, lean production and total quality management, are currently not considered to be important vehicles for supporting enterprises’ participation in supply chains. The results from this study suggest rethinking of the current focus of management tools utilization, when organizations try to improve their participation in supply chains. More management tools were measured than in earlier studies regarding management tools, supporting enterprises’ participation in supply chain; relations between management-tools utilization and enterprise participation in supply chain were empirically examined. In addition, the most commonly used management tools were considered simultaneously, which had not been done in prior studies.

An analysis of keywords used in the literature on green supply chain management

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amulya Gurtu ◽  
Cory Searcy ◽  
M.Y. Jaber
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Green Supply Chain Management ◽  
Green Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Green Supply Chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the keywords used in peer-reviewed literature on green supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach To determine the keywords that were used in this area, an analysis of 629 papers was conducted. The papers were identified through searches of 13 keywords on green supply chains. Trends in keyword usage were analyzed in detail focusing on examining variables such as the most frequently used journals/keywords, their frequencies, citation frequency and research contribution from different disciplines/countries. Findings A number of different terms have been used for research focused on the environmental impacts of supply chains, including green supply chains, sustainable supply chains, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chains, among others. The analysis revealed that the intensity of research in this area has more than tripled in the past six years and that the most used keyword was “reverse logistics”. The use of the terms “green supply chains” and “sustainable supply chains” is increasing, and the use of “reverse logistics” is decreasing. Research limitations/implications The analysis is limited to 629 papers from the Scopus database during the period of 2007 and 2012. Originality/value The paper presents the first systematic analysis of keywords used in the literature on green supply chains. Given the broad array of terms used to refer to research in this area, this is a needed contribution. This work will help researchers in choosing keywords with high frequency and targeting journals for publishing their future work. The paper may also provide a basis for further work on developing consolidated definitions of terms focused on green supply chain management.

scholarly journals Multi-stakeholder initiatives in sustainable supply chains: Putting sustainability performance in context

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory Searcy
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Economic Thresholds ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Enforcement Mechanisms ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

The purpose of this article is to explore the role of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) in sustainable supply chains. I argue that MSIs are needed to help establish and institutionalize the natural and social thresholds in which a sustainable supply chain must operate. While a multitude of MSIs relevant to supply chains already exist, they do not yet adequately address sustainability thresholds. Building on theory and literature, I elaborate on four interrelated roles for MSIs in this area: (1) providing learning platforms, (2) developing standards, (3) developing enforcement mechanisms, and (4) issuing labels and certifications. All four roles emphasize the need for supply chains to operate within the thresholds set by nature and society. Staying within thresholds is what distinguishes between sustainable and unsustainable supply chains. The four roles form part of a broader conceptual framework outlining a way forward for MSIs in sustainable supply chains. Different MSIs could address one or more of these roles. I argue that all MSIs must be developed with special attention to their input and output legitimacy. Stakeholders from both within and beyond the supply chain must be involved in developing and implementing a MSI for it to be viewed as legitimate. I note that the conceptual framework presented here is a starting point. It would benefit from further testing and refinement. For example, future work could add further specificity to the four roles I discuss. Future research could also focus on integrating economic thresholds for sustainable supply chains into the framework.

Africa as a source location: literature review and implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oguji Nnamdi ◽  
Richard Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Scholarly Journals ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the scope of sourcing research in Sub-Sahara African (SSA) from scholarly journals published from 1980 to 2013 on sourcing-related issues. The study identifies what is known about sourcing from this region and the implications for managers and researchers in supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach – Totally, 40 scholarly journals (supply chain journals and other journals publishing on diverse business topics) were found relevant and reviewed. Content (all field) search using the names of each SSA countries (e.g. Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, etc.) was carried out in the supply chain journals to filter out articles discussing sourcing-related topics. For other business journals, keyword search was performed (procurement, sourcing, purchasing, outsourcing, supplier relations, supplier selection, supplier development, supply management, offshore, supply chain and logistics). Findings – The literature review suggests that studies discussing sourcing issues in SSA have focussed mainly on challenges of sourcing from SSA, and they provide some insights on implementation of supply chain tools such as total quality management, negotiating and selecting suppliers from SSA, and just-in time purchasing. However, the authors found that there is an under-representation of this region in supply chain management literature. More so, the articles discussing sourcing issues in Africa are limited in scope empirically and theoretically in comparison with the large amount of contributions in other emerging economies of Asia and developed economies. Research limitations/implications – The limited amount of publications and contributions does not allow us to provide an integrated framework for sourcing from SSA. Practical implications – There is a need for future research to explore how the SSA context could enhance theorizing in supply chains. Also, there is need for researchers to extend the sourcing debate from the over emphasis on technology sourcing, knowledge intensive service outsourcing and component sourcing to other lower value-added products such as agricultural products and other raw materials sourced in SSA. Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to explore the scope of sourcing in Africa. As the findings suggest, there have been limited amount of papers published about this region. The review provides a perspective for researchers to explore this region and to aid theory development in supply chains. It also provided implications on how to support research publication focussing on this region and how to inform managerial perceptions on sourcing from SSA.

scholarly journals ‘It’s up to the market to decide’: Revealing and concealing power in the sustainable tea supply chain

2021 ◽  
pp. 0308275X2110386
Author(s):  
Matthew Archer ◽  
Hannah Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Rainforest Alliance ◽  
Tea Production ◽  
Market Driven ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives

In 2007, Unilever, the world’s largest tea company, announced plans to source its entire tea supply sustainably, beginning with the certification of its tea producers in East Africa to Rainforest Alliance standards. As a major buyer of Kenyan tea, Unilever’s decision pushed tea producers across Kenya to subscribe to Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable agriculture standard in order to maintain access to the global tea market; according to a 2018 report, over 85% of Kenya’s tea producers were Rainforest Alliance certified. Drawing on ethnographic material among supply chain actors across different sites along the sustainable tea value chain (from those designing and disseminating standards to tea traders to smallholder tea farmers), this article examines how these actors frequently attributed the power to determine the outcomes of certification to a faceless ‘market’. Deferring to ‘the market’, we observe, served primarily to mask the outsized power of lead firms (in particular Unilever) to determine conditions of tea production and trade. At the same time, ‘the market’ was also in some cases qualified by our interlocutors, allowing them implicitly (and at times explicitly) to reveal power and give it a face. Concealing and revealing power in this way, we suggest, can be seen as a mode of engagement among supply chain actors operating in ‘sustainable’ supply chains, like the Rainforest Alliance-certified Kenyan tea supply chain, in which the power of lead firms tends to be consolidated through market-driven sustainability initiatives. Such a mode of engagement mitigates exclusion from sustainable supply chains while maintaining space for critique.

scholarly journals A Theoretical Framework on Sustainable Supply Chains: Barriers to Measuring Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Alexei Pérez-Velázquez ◽  
Jorge Laureano Moya-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chains ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Different Levels

The direction for the construction of a sustainable supply chain concept has an evolution and contribution of multiple disciplines that have been elaborated by academic and business bias. From this point on, defining a concept of this subject represents an issue that demands an interpretative effort, since several factors and theoretical approaches influence this category. The objective of this article is to demarcate a theoretical framework on sustainable supply chains and relate it to the barriers present in the measurement of sustainable performance. The method applied in this assessment combines systematic literature review, qualitative analysis of content and bibliometrics, through interconnected steps, which allow a detailing of the dimensions and under dimensions of the sustainability in the supply chain and the identification of the barriers that are associated with the measurement of performance. The material considered is supported through theoretical and empirical studies, which approached the formulation of the concepts and their applicability at different levels of the supply chain. This allows the content analysis to demarcate certain stages of development and the different theoretical approaches that respond and assist the concept. The results contribute to the definition of a roadmap to measure of sustainable performance, an issue that is the basis of future studies over this theme.

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