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Supply Chain Management in a Sustainable Business Environment

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 4964

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Department of Business, Consumer Sciences and Quality Management, Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: e-business; e-commerce; retailing; consumer behavior; logistics
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Guest Editor
1. Department of Marketing, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2. Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: consumer behavior; sustainable marketing; retail marketing; international marketing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the environmentally conscious and socially responsible era of today, the convergence of supply chain management and sustainability has become a central concern for global businesses. As companies grapple with the intricacies of navigating global markets, ensuring ethical sourcing, and minimizing their ecological impact, the imperative to establish robust and accountable supply networks has never been more pressing.

The intersection of supply chain management and sustainability presents a dual landscape of challenges and opportunities in various industries. As the effects of climate change intensify and societal expectations about ethical procurement, fair labor practices, and environmental stewardship continue to increase, organizations are compelled to re-evaluate and transform their supply chain strategies. This Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable supply chain management, exploring innovative approaches, the best practices, and emerging trends that will shape the future of responsible business conduct.

The scope of this Special Issue is to explore the intricate dynamics and emerging challenges within supply chain management (SCM) against the backdrop of sustainability imperatives. This Special Issue seeks to advance scholarly research and practical insights into the intersection of supply chain management and sustainability, thereby addressing the growing imperative for businesses to operate in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible.

Topics of interest for publication in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

  • Resilience and risk management in sustainable supply chains;
  • Circular economy and waste reduction;
  • Business process management for sustainability;
  • Pressures and incentives for sustainable supply chain management;
  • Supplier management and collaboration;
  • Omni-channel retail;
  • Ethical sourcing, fair trade initiatives, and labor practices;
  • AI in enhancing supply chain management processes;
  • Supply chain transparency and traceability;
  • Green logistics and transportation optimization;
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in supply chain management;
  • Regulatory compliance and sustainable supply chain governance.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Cristinel Vasiliu
Prof. Dr. Irina Albastroiu Nastase
Prof. Dr. Dan-Cristian Dabija
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable supply chain
  • circular economy
  • green logistics
  • environmental impact
  • ethical sourcing
  • social responsibility
  • resilient supply chains
  • waste reduction strategies
  • sustainable procurement
  • sustainable transportation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1850 KiB  
Article
Benefit-Sharing Mechanism in Cross-Regional Agricultural Product Supply Chain: A Grounded Theory Approach
by Yidan Gao and Yixiang Zong
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410842 - 11 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
The accelerated development of economic globalization has given rise to the formation of supply chain networks for cross-regional agricultural products. However, the unequal rights and status of the partners and an imperfect benefit linkage mechanism have made it difficult to reasonably distribute and [...] Read more.
The accelerated development of economic globalization has given rise to the formation of supply chain networks for cross-regional agricultural products. However, the unequal rights and status of the partners and an imperfect benefit linkage mechanism have made it difficult to reasonably distribute and share benefits. Understanding how to establish a benefit-sharing mechanism among partners has been a popular topic in the industry, but thematic research and discussions are lacking in the academic community. Therefore, in this study, we utilized a grounded theory approach and selected five supply chain master enterprises with different supply chain systems as samples. We constructed a theoretical model of a benefit-sharing mechanism and systematically revealed the key elements and theoretical logic of benefit sharing. The results of this study showed that (1) the five elements of benefit creation, benefit integration, benefit distribution, benefit constraint, and benefit coordination have important impacts on benefit sharing in the supply chain; (2) the dimensions within these five elements are independent of each other, and these elements can be combined to demonstrate a common impact on benefit sharing. The dynamic interaction among the five elements constituted a self-regulating and self-optimizing cyclic system; (3) benefit integration and benefit distribution have a dynamic cyclic facilitating effect on benefit sharing. This study has refined the key elements of the benefit-sharing mechanism, and the results provide theoretical references for benefit sharing and in-depth collaboration among supply chain members. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supply Chain Management in a Sustainable Business Environment)
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16 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
Supply Chain Stability and Enterprises’ Total Factor Productivity: From the Perspective of Development Sustainability
by Jingyi Liu and Guoqing Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310265 - 23 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Because of increasing global complexities and the frequent occurrence of black swan events, the risk of supply chain disruptions intensifies, and the sustainability of enterprise development faces significant challenges. By focusing on supply chain security and aiming for sustainable enterprise development, this study [...] Read more.
Because of increasing global complexities and the frequent occurrence of black swan events, the risk of supply chain disruptions intensifies, and the sustainability of enterprise development faces significant challenges. By focusing on supply chain security and aiming for sustainable enterprise development, this study explores how stable supply chains contribute to enhanced productivity of core enterprises, using the theory of social capital as a framework. An empirical analysis was conducted using a sample of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China, from 2009 to 2021. The research findings indicate that greater supply chain stability is associated with higher total factor productivity in enterprises. The mechanism test results show that the supply chain stability relationship can improve the total factor productivity of enterprises through two paths, such as improving the operation and management level of enterprises and optimizing resource allocation. After further heterogeneity analysis, it is found that the stable relationship of the supply chain has a stronger positive impact on the total factor productivity of core enterprises in the non-state-owned enterprise group, the eastern enterprise group, and the large-size enterprise group. These findings help to provide insights for enterprises to achieve sustainable development in the new era. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supply Chain Management in a Sustainable Business Environment)
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29 pages, 3188 KiB  
Hypothesis
A Sustainable Approach to Boost Resilience in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods: The Critical Role of Suppliers and Transportation Capacity Explored Through PLS-SEM and NCA
by Muhammad Ali Aslam and Zhaolei Li
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2625; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062625 - 17 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1001
Abstract
Supply chain resilience (SRES) is essential for firms aiming to alleviate the impact of interruptions and maintain operational continuity and sustainability in performance. In the context of the FMCG industries of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, characterized by intricate and vulnerable supply chains, there [...] Read more.
Supply chain resilience (SRES) is essential for firms aiming to alleviate the impact of interruptions and maintain operational continuity and sustainability in performance. In the context of the FMCG industries of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, characterized by intricate and vulnerable supply chains, there exists an urgent necessity for solutions that bolster resilience. This study examines the influence of critical factors resilient suppliers (RS), transportation capacity (TC), flexibility (FLEX), network complexity (NC), and supply chain dynamism (SPD) on SRES. A quantitative methodology was utilized, examining survey data from 611 participants with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). The results indicate that RS and TC are essential for directly improving SRES, whereas FLEX and SPD facilitate increased adaptability and reactivity. The NCA emphasizes the need to control NC to avert bottlenecks that may impede resilience. This study indicates that SRES emerges from the dynamic interplay of several elements, rather than from separate enhancements. Although NC exerts a negligible direct influence, adeptly managing complexity is crucial for reducing disruptions and inefficiencies. The results underscore that fortifying RS, TC, and FLEX in unison improves resilience and adaptation to market volatility and disturbances. This study provides various theoretical and managerial insights. A systems theory approach highlights the interdependence of supply chain components, whereas the Theory of Constraints (TOC) posits that excessive NC can hinder resilience. Management should concentrate on maximizing RS and TC until declining returns are evident, thereafter redirecting efforts towards improving FLEX and minimizing NC. Furthermore, optimizing processes and facilitating swift decision-making are essential for maintaining resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supply Chain Management in a Sustainable Business Environment)
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