Supply Chain Management for Sustainable Products: Insights From Research Applying Mixed Methodologies

By: Stefan Seurin

Publication: Business Strategy and the Environment, Vol. 20: No. 7

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2010

ISSN: 1099-0836

Length: 14 pages (471–484)

Type: e-Journal

Abstract:

The significant growth in the academic literature on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) can best be seen by the fact that three review papers have been published since 2007. In line with this, the question emerged – what distinguishes sustainable supply chain management from ‘conventional’ supply chain management? Here, the strategy of supply chain management for sustainable products proposed by Seuring and Müller (2008a) will be discussed. Against this background, this paper aims to develop a theory for sustainable supply chain management. While other contributions are taken into account, this will be primarily based on our own research spanning about 10 years and using multiple research methods. The empirical methods employed include: (1) case studies, (2) action research, (3) Delphi study, (4) survey research, and (5) literature reviews based on content analysis.