Towards a theory of multi-tier sustainable supply chains: a systematic literature review
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework that synthesizes approaches and contingency variables to manage the sustainability of multi-tier supply chains and sub-suppliers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review, the authors analyse 39 studies and relevant theories to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates research efforts so far.
Findings
The authors build a conceptual framework that incorporates four approaches to manage the sustainability of multi-tier supply chains. They also identify several contingency variables (e.g. power, dependency, distance, industry, knowledge resources) and their effect on the proposed approaches.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the framework, six research propositions that advance the theories on multi-tier supply chain management, allow lead firms to develop comprehensive sustainable supply chain strategies and set the ground for future research in the area were developed.
Originality/value
This study provides a novel framework for studying sustainability in multi-tier supply chains that goes beyond the single-tier perspective and incorporates the extended supply chain.
Keywords
Citation
M. Tachizawa, E. and Yew Wong, C. (2014), "Towards a theory of multi-tier sustainable supply chains: a systematic literature review", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 19 No. 5/6, pp. 643-663. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-02-2014-0070
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited