Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SCM)

• Start date: 08 May 2012
• End date: 07 May 2015

The research is a three year investigation into sustainable supply chain management (SSCM).This is a growing trend for organisations, utilising their purchasing and supply activities to promote sustainable development.Through case studies with companies and their tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers, the project will investigate the success or otherwise of Sustainable SCM policies.

Current knowledge gaps that will be addressed by the project include decision-analysis issues (such as, how might social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable SCM be balanced) delivery and communication issues (such as how sustainable SCM policy is perceived and implemented along the supply chain) and operational performance issues (such as how sustainable SCM might influence organisational performance).

The approach taken will be to conduct a comprehensive literature review to determine the theoretical underpinnings of the research. Case studies will then be conducted on companies in sectors to be determined by the literature review. Interviewees will be supply chain managers, senior buyers and CSR managers well conversant with the sustainable SCM activities of the organisation. Data collection will primarily be via semi-structured, open-ended interviews, and participant observation of supplier meetings. Secondary data (eg annual reports, supplier contracts, internal documents) will also be reviewed.