Advancing Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Supply Chain Management Practices

Abstract

Organizations are increasingly reevaluating their supply chain practices to minimize environmental harm, economic downturns, and social discomfort to enhance sustainability. The escalation in greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and resource depletion has underscored the urgency for such transformations. Consequently, studies have increasingly focused on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). This review synthesizes existing literature on SSCM practices, drawing from research outputs from various industries and geographical regions. The synthesis relies on the Systematic Literature Review Methodology in gathering and analyzing relevant articles published between 2014 and 2024. A total of 29 articles were reviewed, and they met the inclusion criteria for detailed content examination. The review identifies three main dimensions of SSCM: environmental, economic, and social. Environmental considerations feature prominently in the literature, with studies addressing issues such as waste management, carbon footprint reduction, and resource conservation. Economic performance, including cost management and market competitiveness, is also a significant focus, particularly in studies conducted in emerging economies. Additionally, the review highlights the growing and critical position of social sustainability within supply chain management, although it remains relatively understudied compared to environmental and economic dimensions. Overall, the findings underscore the multifaceted nature of SSCM practices and their imperative attributes for organizations in adopting holistic approaches that integrate environmental, economic, and social considerations. The review contributes to a deeper understanding of current research trends and emphasizes the need for further investigation into social sustainability within SSCM, particularly in the context of emerging economies.