Driving Sustainable Development Through Supply Chain Transformation

Dear Colleagues,

Global supply chains are at a critical juncture. Facing unprecedented pressures from climate change, resource scarcity, evolving regulations, and heightened consumer demand for ethical practices, traditional linear supply chains are no longer able to serve the same functions as before. The aim of this Special Issue, therefore, is to explore and advance the paradigm shift towards sustainable supply chain models that serve as a powerful engine for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The central aim of this Issue is to collate cutting-edge research that moves beyond incremental improvements and investigates transformative strategies instead. We seek to publish studies that provide robust theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and actionable insights into how supply chains can be redesigned to create positive environmental, social, and economic value. We encourage submissions that address the systemic nature of this transformation, including the role of digital technologies, cross-sector partnerships, innovative business models, and disruptive policy frameworks.

We welcome original research, systematic reviews, and case studies that address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of supply chain transformation. Moreover, we welcome interdisciplinary contributions from fields including operations management, environmental science, social policy, information systems, economics, and business strategy.

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

• Theoretical and Strategic Foundations:
• New business models for circular supply chains and servitization.
• Supply chain governance structures for sustainability (e.g., multi-tier, collaborative governance).
• Strategic alignment of supply chain operations with the SDGs.
• Trade-offs and synergies between resilience, profitability, and sustainability.

• Environmental Transformation:
• Innovative approaches to measuring and managing Scope 3 emissions.
• Closed-loop and circular supply chain design and implementation.
• Sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials and biodiversity conservation.
• Green logistics and decarbonization of transportation networks.

• Social and Ethical Transformation:
• Strategies for ensuring human rights, fair labor practices, and living wages in complex supply networks.
• Community development and creating shared value in sourcing locations.
• Addressing modern slavery and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion upstream.
• Social Lifecycle Assessment (S-LCA) and measuring social impact.

• Technological and Digital Enablers:
• The role of Blockchain, the IoT, and AI for enhancing transparency, traceability, and accountability.
• Big data analytics for sustainable supplier selection and risk management.
• Digital twins for simulating and optimizing sustainable supply chain performance.
• Overcoming implementation challenges of digital technologies in supply chains.

• Policy and Regulatory Drivers:
• Impact of emerging regulations (e.g., EU CSRD, CBAM, due diligence laws) on global supply chain design.
• Policy frameworks that incentivize circular economy practices.
• The intersection of trade policy and supply chain sustainability.

• Cross-Sector Collaboration:
• The role of industry alliances, NGOs, and public–private partnerships in driving systemic change.
• Strategies for building capability and compliance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within supply chains.
• Multi-stakeholder initiatives for addressing sector-specific challenges.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mohammad Miftaur Rahman Khan Khadem
Dr. Ahm Shamsuzzoha
Guest Editors

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