To read this content please select one of the options below:

Extending sustainability to suppliers: a systematic literature review

Cristina Gimenez (Department of Operations Management and Innovation, ESADE Business School, Universitat Ramon Llull, Avda, Spain)
Elcio M. Tachizawa (Department of Business Administration, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Getafe, Spain)

Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 1359-8546

Article publication date: 3 August 2012

18480

Abstract

Purpose

To make their supply chains more socially responsible, many companies are implementing supplier assessment tools and collaborative practices. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on the governance structures used to extend sustainability to suppliers. More specifically, the authors aim to answer two questions: “What is the impact of these mechanisms or governance structures on sustainable performance?” and “What are the enablers of these mechanisms?”.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review is carried out that analyses published studies, evaluates contributions, summarises knowledge and identifies managerial implications and lines for further research.

Findings

Both assessment and collaboration have a positive impact on environmental performance and corporate social responsibility, although the most recent collaborative paradigm stresses that assessment alone is not enough. Some enablers of these practices are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors believe that the right search terms have been used, the choice of these terms could be a limitation of this study. Also, the selection of the articles could be considered subjective, although the papers were reviewed by two researchers.

Practical implications

Supplier assessment and collaboration are effective in improving sustainability. However, the results also indicate that assessment alone is not enough. Firms also need to adopt a collaborative approach. Finally, a list of enablers to implement these practices is provided.

Originality/value

The paper summarises knowledge related to the impact of supplier assessment and collaboration on sustainability, and describes the enablers of such initiatives, providing some managerial implications and lines for further research.

Keywords

Citation

Gimenez, C. and Tachizawa, E.M. (2012), "Extending sustainability to suppliers: a systematic literature review", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 531-543. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598541211258591

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles