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Themes and Challenges in Making Supply Chains Socially Sustainable

Abbasi, Maisam LU (2014) 26th Annual NOFOMA Conference, 2014 p.182-200
Abstract
Purpose

Purpose of this paper is to explore and classify pattern of the currently discussed themes and challenges in making supply chains socially sustainable.



Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was based on a systematic review of the existing literature in order to explore what major themes and challenges have been discussed as well as the significant gaps where opportunities for further research can be found.



Findings

In total five categories of themes were identified, namely goods/service-centric, humancentric, organization-centric, corporate-centric, and management/governance-centric. Challenges were classified into eight categories namely, inadequate and... (More)
Purpose

Purpose of this paper is to explore and classify pattern of the currently discussed themes and challenges in making supply chains socially sustainable.



Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was based on a systematic review of the existing literature in order to explore what major themes and challenges have been discussed as well as the significant gaps where opportunities for further research can be found.



Findings

In total five categories of themes were identified, namely goods/service-centric, humancentric, organization-centric, corporate-centric, and management/governance-centric. Challenges were classified into eight categories namely, inadequate and asymmetric knowledge, shifting the values, operationalization, subjectivity in evaluation, difficulties of SMEs, governance complexity,sustainability leakage, and sustainability washing.



Research limitations/implications

Focus of the paper is on social pillar of sustainable development in context of supply chains. A more holistic investigation of all the three pillars/ bottom lines of sustainable development (economic, environmental, and social) can be an opportunity for further research.



Practical implications

Taking a more holistic view of the pattern of currently discussed themes and challenges may be beneficial in increasing the absorptive capacity of industrial and business practitioners when they design and operationalize innovative strategies in developing sustainable supply chains.



Originality/value

This paper may increase awareness about the social responsibilities of supply chains actors and stakeholders. It may also guide managers, decision makers, and practitioners to better understand the difficulties, obstacles, or dilemmas that can hinder sustainable development of supply chains. The discussion section provides suggestions for tackling the challenges and a section that elaborates on opportunities for further research. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
sustainable, sustainable development, social sustainability, supply chain, logistics, management
categories
Higher Education
host publication
[Host publication title missing]
editor
Gammelgaard, Britta ; Prockl, Günter ; Kinra, Aseem ; Aastrup, Jesper ; Andreasen, Peter Holm ; Schramm, Hans-Joachim ; Hsuan, Juliana ; Malouf, Malek and Wieland, Andreas
pages
19 pages
conference name
26th Annual NOFOMA Conference, 2014
conference location
Copenhagen, Denmark
conference dates
2014-06-11 - 2014-06-13
ISBN
978-87-997433-0-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c15e05ac-9324-4b91-8cec-24857350ee58 (old id 4496327)
alternative location
https://conference.cbs.dk/index.php/nofoma/nofoma2014/schedConf/overview
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:00:09
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:17:40
@inproceedings{c15e05ac-9324-4b91-8cec-24857350ee58,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/><br>
Purpose of this paper is to explore and classify pattern of the currently discussed themes and challenges in making supply chains socially sustainable.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Design/methodology/approach<br/><br>
The methodology was based on a systematic review of the existing literature in order to explore what major themes and challenges have been discussed as well as the significant gaps where opportunities for further research can be found.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Findings<br/><br>
In total five categories of themes were identified, namely goods/service-centric, humancentric, organization-centric, corporate-centric, and management/governance-centric. Challenges were classified into eight categories namely, inadequate and asymmetric knowledge, shifting the values, operationalization, subjectivity in evaluation, difficulties of SMEs, governance complexity,sustainability leakage, and sustainability washing.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Research limitations/implications<br/><br>
Focus of the paper is on social pillar of sustainable development in context of supply chains. A more holistic investigation of all the three pillars/ bottom lines of sustainable development (economic, environmental, and social) can be an opportunity for further research.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Practical implications<br/><br>
Taking a more holistic view of the pattern of currently discussed themes and challenges may be beneficial in increasing the absorptive capacity of industrial and business practitioners when they design and operationalize innovative strategies in developing sustainable supply chains.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Originality/value<br/><br>
This paper may increase awareness about the social responsibilities of supply chains actors and stakeholders. It may also guide managers, decision makers, and practitioners to better understand the difficulties, obstacles, or dilemmas that can hinder sustainable development of supply chains. The discussion section provides suggestions for tackling the challenges and a section that elaborates on opportunities for further research.}},
  author       = {{Abbasi, Maisam}},
  booktitle    = {{[Host publication title missing]}},
  editor       = {{Gammelgaard, Britta and Prockl, Günter and Kinra, Aseem and Aastrup, Jesper and Andreasen, Peter Holm and Schramm, Hans-Joachim and Hsuan, Juliana and Malouf, Malek and Wieland, Andreas}},
  isbn         = {{978-87-997433-0-8}},
  keywords     = {{sustainable; sustainable development; social sustainability; supply chain; logistics; management}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{182--200}},
  title        = {{Themes and Challenges in Making Supply Chains Socially Sustainable}},
  url          = {{https://conference.cbs.dk/index.php/nofoma/nofoma2014/schedConf/overview}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}