Enhancing supply chain sustainability and supply chain resilience : perceptions and practices

Abstract

Climate change and recent disruptions have led supply chain sustainability and supply chain resilience to emerge as relevant topics during recent years. These two areas have become important considerations for companies to compete in the modern business environment. This study aims to determine managerial practices that can simultaneously enhance the sustainability and resilience of supply chains. Secondary aims include better defining the relationship and influence between these two topics. A systematic literature review revealed that while sustainable supply chain management and supply chain resilience have been researched, their intersections have sparsely been studied.

Empirical data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine supply chain and procurement professionals in Finland and the US. Interviewees came from a wide range of industries in order to better define the similarities and differences across companies and industries. The interviews revealed six practices (lean processes, nearshoring, supplier selection processes, supplier relationship management, supplier certificates, and supplier questionnaires) that can enhance both supply chain resilience and sustainability. The study also found that the relationship between supply chain sustainability and resilience is nuanced and that it has the potential for synergies, trade-offs, or no relationship. These results contribute to this nascent field of research while providing managers with clear actions and a better understanding of the complex relationship between these two topics.