Themes and challenges in making supply chains environmentally sustainable

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to explore themes and challenges in making supply chains environmentally sustainable.Design methodology approach - The study began with a systematic review, and content analysis of articles in top-ranking related journals from logistics, transport, sustainabi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supply chain management 2012-01, Vol.17 (5), p.517-530
Main Authors: Abbasi, Maisam, Nilsson, Fredrik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Annan maskinteknik
Classification
Complexity
Content analysis
Design engineering
Economics
Emission standards
Emissions
Engineering and Technology
environment
Environmental aspects
Environmental impact
Logistics
Management
Maskinteknik
Mechanical Engineering
Other Mechanical Engineering
Social responsibility
Studies
Suppliers
supply chain
Supply chain management
Supply chains
Sustainability
Sustainable development
Systematic review
Teknik
transport operations
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Summary:Purpose - The purpose of this article is to explore themes and challenges in making supply chains environmentally sustainable.Design methodology approach - The study began with a systematic review, and content analysis of articles in top-ranking related journals from logistics, transport, sustainability and environmental areas, and ended with research propositions contributing to the further advancement of supply chain management.Findings - The findings illustrate the major themes published in 18 journals concentrating on sustainable supply chains with special focus on environmental issues. From the systematic review five major areas of challenges for supply chain management are derived: costs, complexity, operationalisation, mindset and cultural changes, and uncertainties. From all of these areas synthesising discussions are provided and research propositions suggested. It is concluded that there is a great need for models and frameworks that consider the complexity involved, take holistic perspectives, and challenge the basic assumptions underlying most of the research published (i.e. reductionism, positivism and economic growth).Research limitations implications - Sustainability in this article is mainly related to environmental issues. Analysis of complex interactions between environmental, social and economic aspects might provide opportunities for future research.Practical implications - The results presented in this paper provide a systematic structure for classifying issues related to logistics sustainability; something which will be beneficial for managers and policy-makers when they approach sustainable supply chain management challenges.Originality value - This paper provides propositions for research based on the emergent outcome of challenges that can guide research, industry and policy-makers in future sustainability efforts.
ISSN:1359-8546
1758-6852
DOI:10.1108/13598541211258582