Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) emerged as a niche topic around 20 years ago but moved into the mainstream. This paper revisits some of the conceptual developments of the field-building on Seuring and Müller (2008). We draw upon this framework and its core constructs to revisit the status quo of theory development in SSCM. We reflect on the research needs for each construct of the initial framework. Some constructs, like drivers and barriers, are well researched, while stakeholder management issues or supplier development warrant future research. Risk and performance aspects will stay on the agenda, albeit some more critical accounts are needed. This discussion forms the second main part of the paper thereby pointing toward future research needs. The link between digital transformation and sustainable development would be one of the core topics driving change in SSCM. More research on emerging economies and the environmental and social impact of supply chains in such contexts would be welcome. Contemplating on the constructs’ content and arrangement for prospective future endeavours drive this research, while not conducting a complete analysis including all aspects can be seen as a limitation.

With the emergence of the circular economy (CE), conventional supply chains are transitioning towards circular supply chains (CSCs) that achieve improved sustainability performance. Inter-organisational relationships across supply chains need to be redefined to achieve this. We perform a systematic literature review to examine how collaboration may improve sustainability performance in implementing circularity in supply chains. A content analysis has been conducted on 82 journal articles published in the last five years using deductively derived constructs related to supply chain collaboration practices, CE implementation strategies, and sustainability outcomes. Further, a contingency analysis has been conducted to enhance the findings of the content analysis and understand the associations among constructs. Based on the analysis, a conceptual framework is developed to identify appropriate collaboration practices to enhance symbiotic relationships internally and externally in CSCs to improve sustainability performance. Sharing information, penalties and incentives, sharing responsibility for product recovery, risk-sharing, and joint product design are the prominent external vertical collaboration practices advocated for successful CE implementation. Cross-functional coordination and collaboration with government agencies are the most acknowledged internal and external horizontal collaboration practices, respectively. The study reflects that the main focus of CSCs is on improving environmental and economic aspects rather than social performance. The engagement of external parties such as governmental, non-governmental organisations, entrepreneurs, and research institutes complements managerial understanding on collaboration to improve the sustainability performance of CSCs. The study provides a foundation for future empirical work to assess the implications of different collaboration practices in CSCs.

Digital manufacturing empowers supply chains with enhanced information and resource flows. As a state-of-the-art technology related to Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing (AM) presents many possibilities for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of supply chains embracing circular economy (CE). In this study, we use the content analysis method to analyse 39 papers to understand how AM supply chains can be successfully implemented while overcoming the inherent limitations of CE. The results show that features of AM provide various opportunities and challenges to mitigate the inherent limitations of CE.

Organizations, suppliers and consumers are highly sensitive towards environmental impacts arising from their operations today. Under this context, green consumption and the green packaging are gaining popularity among consumers. This research evaluates young educated consumer perception towards green packaging in Sri Lanka. A survey was conducted targeting university students who are reading for an undergraduate degree in Sri Lanka. Demographical information, attitudes and beliefs, knowledge about environmental sustainability, environmental awareness, and factors influencing their consumer behavior towards green packaging were collected through the survey. The data was analyzed using the Analytical Hierarchical Process. The findings of the research help understand main factors which influence the young educated consumer behavior towards green packaging and the level of influence of each factor. The analysis also reveals the hindrances and challenges withholding the use of green packaging.

Scholarly discussion on the amalgamation of sustainability and supply chain management has been growing in the last decade. However, an integrated social and economic sustainability performance measurement in supply chains is an emerging avenue in the Sustainable Supply Chain Management discourse. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand how socially sustainable practices affect economic sustainability performances in supply chains. A survey questionnaire and a conceptual framework were developed to explore this relationship. Survey data collected based on responses from 119 managers in the Sri Lankan apparel-manufacturing sector was analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. We observed that the practices conducted by apparel manufacturers ensuring the social sustainability of the human factor inside the company (Internally influencing Social Sustainability Practices-ISSP) and in society (Externally Influencing Social Sustainability Practices-ESSP) create a positive impact on the economic performance. However, the effect produced by ISSP was higher compared to the ESSP. This study is based on a single developing country and, thus, should be extended to other countries considering the different institution environments when studying this interrelation between the social and economic sustainability dimensions.

Social sustainability dimension in the supply chains has been addressed scarcely and very differently across the time in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) literature. Hence, the necessity of addressing social sustainability in different supply chains has been addressed by the scholars over the years. Meanwhile, the United Nations expect sustainable development across the globe by 2035 by introducing the Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in 2015. As a result, the tremendous responsibility falls upon the shoulders of the actors of supply chains spread across the globe since businesses play a major role towards the development of the world. Hence, this research attempts at studying how the integration of UN SDGs and supply chain practices of the suppliers in the developing countries lead to better sustainable apparel supply chains. A systematic literature review followed by interviews with experts in the apparel supply chains were conducted to gather data in this study. As a result, 11 sub-topics were identified under the social sustainability dimension of sustainable supply chains followed by best practices of the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers who also played a major role as suppliers in the ethical global apparel supply chain. Hence this study presents social sustainability practices in depth from the perspective of UN SDGs setting example for any other labor-intensive supply chains.

This empirical study investigates three supply chain transformation projects in Sri Lanka. Building on two previous studies, this study attempts to discern the imperatives and essentials of a successful supply chain transformation project. In essence, this study retrospectively scrutinizes the outcomes of supply chain transformation projects commenced a minimum of 5 years earlier. By juxtaposing the outcomes with longitudinal data from of the said projects, the authors draw unique insights on the dynamics of managing a supply chain transformation project. Additionally, this study outlines critical factors that need to be taken into consideration when implementing supply chain transformation projects. Furthermore, this study improves and outlines the supply chain project management process outlined in previous studies [1]. In sum, this study connects the two growing fields of Supply Chain Management and Project Management in order to posit the importance of expanding the understanding of supply chain project management.

This empirical study investigates three supply chain transformation projects in Sri Lanka. Building on two previous studies, this study attempts to discern the imperatives and essentials of a successful supply chain transformation project. In essence, this study retrospectively scrutinizes the outcomes of supply chain transformation projects commenced a minimum of 5 years earlier. By juxtaposing the outcomes with longitudinal data from of the said projects, the authors draw unique insights on the dynamics of managing a supply chain transformation project. Additionally, this study outlines critical factors that need to be taken into consideration when implementing supply chain transformation projects. Furthermore, this study improves and outlines the supply chain project management process outlined in previous studies [1]. In sum, this study connects the two growing fields of Supply Chain Management and Project Management in order to posit the importance of expanding the understanding of supply chain project management.