Sustainability in Innovation and Supply Chain Development

Dear Colleagues,

New ideas and advancements in technologies, especially digital technologies (such as AI, blockchain, etc.), have led to significant innovation and supply chain development in industries (Wang et al., 2021). Digital technologies drive innovation and advance supply chain management (Wang et al., 2022, Wang et al., 2021). These transformative changes have given rise to previously unexplored subjects for research and practical implementation as regards sustainability (Seuring and Gold, 2013, Wang and Wang, 2023). The integration of sustainability principles into innovation and supply chain development enables businesses to create long-term value while minimizing their impact on the environment and society (Wang et al., 2023).

Innovation plays a vital role in logistics and supply chain sustainable development (Wang, 2016).  Climate change, extreme weather, political conflicts, pandemics and wars require companies to develop new ideas and methods to adapt quickly to the changes (Velayutham et al., 2021). In addition, companies must continuously develop their supply chains to meet new markets and various changes. Supply chain development encompasses all aspects of supply chain improvement,  such as improving supply chain visibility (Christopher and Lee, 2004), enhancing supply chain agility (Wang and Wang, 2023), increasing supply chain resilience (Huang and Farboudi Jahromi, 2021), and improving supply chain efficiency (Gligor et al., 2015). Both practitioners and researchers must consider sustainability in innovation and supply chain development to maximize the value attained.

This Special Issue aims to highlight multi-disciplinary approaches to explore new research areas including opportunities, implementation measures and challenges for sustainability in the innovation and supply chain development processes. The scopes and levels at which research is conducted can be broad, ranging from economic, social, and environmental fields in the entire supply chain and/or narrow to one specific process, such as sourcing, manufacturing, delivery, and return, in different industries. All research methodology approaches such as qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, simulation, statistics, empirical-based analysis, and/or mathematical models are welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• Exploring the relationship between sustainability, innovation, and supply chain development in industries.
• The influence of innovation and supply chain development on social responsibility in different socioeconomic contexts.
• The influence of innovation and supply chain development on environmental responsibility in different socioeconomic contexts.
• Sustainability challenges caused by innovation and supply chain development processes in manufacturing and service industries.
• Development, improvement, or re-design of supply chains for implementing sustainable, innovative and supply chain development practices.
• New theoretical lenses to evaluate and study sustainable, innovative practices in supply chain development management.
• Sustainable practices towards innovation and development in supply chain management.
• Digital technologies towards innovation and development in supply chain management.
• Development of a decision support system for sustainable, innovative practices in supply chain development management.
• The influence of human factors on supply chain development.
• Development and innovation of supply chains towards sustainability.

This Special Issue will explore the topic of innovation and development practices in sustainable supply chains in manufacturing and/or service industries. However, literature reviews of these relevant topics are also welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Bill Wang
Dr. Michael Wang
Guest Editors

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