Strategies for Green Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Review for Environmental Sustainability

Document Type : Review Paper

Author

North South University

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the urgent need for environmental sustainability across various industries. This imperative has led to a profound transformation in supply chain management practices, giving rise to the concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM). Unlike traditional supply chain approaches, GSCM places a heightened emphasis on integrating environmental considerations throughout the supply chain lifecycle. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of key strategies within the realm of GSCM, encompassing sustainable sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, carbon footprint reduction, and broader environmental initiatives. Through a meticulous synthesis of scholarly literature and empirical evidence, this review sheds light on the significance of GSCM strategies and their transformative potential for environmental sustainability. By elucidating the principles, challenges, and opportunities associated with GSCM, this paper aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike. Keywords: Green Supply Chain Management, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Sourcing, Eco-Friendly Packaging, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Broader Environmental Initiatives.

Keywords


References
Ahi, P., & Searcy, C. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of sustainable sourcing practices in supply chains. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 124607.
Alaerts, L., Augustinus, M., Van Acker, K., & Dewulf, J. (2018). Impact of Bio-based Plastics on Current Recycling of Plastics. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 15, 56-71.
Apple. (2021). Environmental Progress Report. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/AppleEnvironmentalProgressReport2021.pdf
Carter, C. R., & Rogers, D. S. (2008). A Framework of Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Moving Toward New Theory. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 38(5), 360-387.
Chertow, M. R. (2007). "Uncovering" Industrial Symbiosis. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 11(1), 11-30.
Coca-Cola. (2021). Coca-Cola's Sustainable Packaging Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.coca-colacompany.com/sustainable-business/packaging
Esfahbodi, A., Zhang, Y., & Watson, G. (2022). Leveraging artificial intelligence for carbon footprint reduction in supply chains. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 179, 106113.
Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy – A New Sustainability Paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757-768.
Gold, S., Hahn, R., & Seuring, S. (2019). Sustainable Supply Chain Management in “Base of the Pyramid” Food Projects—A Path to Triple Bottom Line Approaches for Multinationals? International Business Review, 28(5), 101588.
González-Benito, J., & González-Benito, O. (2006). The Role of Stakeholder Pressure and Managerial Values in the Implementation of Environmental Logistics Practices. International Journal of Production Research, 44(7), 1353-1373.
González-García, S., Castanheira, É. G., Dias, A. C., & Arroja, L. (2019). Environmental profile of ethanol production in the Portuguese context: Conventional and innovative scenarios. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 90-105.
Govindan, K., Rajendran, S., Sarkis, J., & Murugesan, P. (2015). Multi Criteria Decision Making Approaches for Green Supplier Evaluation and Selection: A Literature Review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 98, 66-83.
Govindan, K., Soleimani, H., & Kannan, D. (2015). Reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain: A comprehensive review to explore the future. European Journal of Operational Research, 240(3), 603-626.
Handfield, R. B., Sroufe, R., & Walton, S. (2005). Integrating environmental management and supply chain strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, 14(1), 1-19.
Handfield, R. B., Walton, S. V., Seegers, L. K., & Melnyk, S. A. (2005). ‘Green’ Value Chain Practices in the Furniture Industry. Journal of Operations Management, 23(3-4), 371-385.
IKEA. (2022). IWAY Standard. Retrieved from https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/this-is-ikea/sustainability/iway-standard-pub9143e480
Jabbour, C. J. C., de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., Sarkis, J., & Godinho Filho, M. (2023). Unleashing the potential of Industry 4.0 for GSCM: An empirical investigation. International Journal of Production Economics, 236, 108-119
Jamshed, S., Hussain, T., & Nawaz, M. (2021). Sustainable packaging and the impact of digital technologies: A review. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 28, 607-621.
Kang, J., Lee, D., & Cho, S. (2017). Driptech: Affordable Irrigation for Small Farmers. Technology in Society, 50, 1-6.
Khor, K. S., Udin, Z. M., Ramayah, T., & Hazen, B. T. (2016). Reverse logistics in Malaysia: The contingent role of institutional pressures. International Journal of Production Economics, 175, 96-104.
Kumar, A., Zindani, D., & Davim, J. P. (2020). Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources. Materials Today: Proceedings, 21(Part 2), 1437-1442.
Leminen, S., Nyström, A. G., & Westerlund, M. (2020). Digitalization of eco-friendly packaging: Exploring the impact of smart technologies. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 23, 1-10.
Linton, J. D., Klassen, R., & Jayaraman, V. (2020). Sustainable supply chains: An introduction. Journal of Operations Management, 66(1-2), 1-10.
Lundie, S., & Petersen, E. H. (2018). Measuring the sustainability of food production systems: The role of life cycle assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 173, 833-845.
Luthra, S., & Mangla, S. K. (2018). Evaluating Challenges to Industry 4.0 Initiatives for Supply Chain Sustainability in Emerging Economies. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 117, 168-179.
McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. North Point Press.
Nespresso. (2021). AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program. Retrieved from https://www.nespresso.com/pro/sustainability/aaa-sustainable-quality-program
Patel, M. K., van der Giesen, C., & Ghosh, A. (2023). Enhancing sustainability with smart packaging: Opportunities and challenges. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 29, 108-117.
PepsiCo. (2021). Water Stewardship. Retrieved from https://www.pepsico.com/sustainability/water
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating Shared Value. Harvard Business Review, 89(1/2), 62-77.
Prakash, G., & Pathak, P. (2017). Intention to buy eco-friendly packaged products among young consumers of India: A study on developing nation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 141, 385-393.
Queiroz, M. M., Telles, R., & Bonilla, S. H. (2020). Industry 4.0 and Digital Supply Chain Capabilities: A Framework for Understanding Digitalization Challenges and Opportunities. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(7), 2113-2138.
Ritvo, H., Blundell, A., & Hohne, E. (2015). Beyond green: Biodiversity and the politics of saving species. Conservation Biology, 29(3), 637-646.
Sarkis, J. (2013). A boundaries and flows perspective of green supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 18(1), 202-206.
Sarkis, J., & Zhu, Q. (2018). Environmental sustainability in the context of supply chain management: A review of literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 204, 234-250.
Schneider, E. (2020). Optimization of Transportation Routes and Fleet Composition for CO2 Emissions Reduction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120808.
Seuring, S., & Müller, M. (2008). From a Literature Review to a Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(15), 1699-1710.
Srivastava, S. K., & Srivastava, R. K. (2006). Managing Product Returns for Reverse Logistics. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 36(7), 524-546.
Tesla. (2021). Impact Report. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/nsvideos/2021-tesla-impact-report.pdf
Tseng, M. L., Lim, M. K., & Wong, W. P. (2019). Sustainable supply chain management: A review from the literature. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 30(2), 380-411.
Unilever. (2021). Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Code. Retrieved from https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/sustainable-sourcing/unilever-sustainable-agriculture-code/
Verghese, K., Lewis, H., Fitzpatrick, L., & Williams, H. (2015). Packaging for Sustainability. Springer Science & Business Media.
Walker, H., Seuring, S., Sarkis, J., & Klassen, R. (2021). Sustainable supply chain management: Recent and major applications in global contexts. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123421.
Zhu, Q., Sarkis, J., & Lai, K. (2021). Supply Chain-Based Barriers for Trucking Operations in Developing Economies: Learning from the Case of China. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 24(4), 413-432.
Zhu, Q., & Sarkis, J. (2006). An inter-sectoral comparison of green supply chain management in China: Drivers and practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(5), 472-486.