A conceptual framework for measuring sustainability performance of supply chains

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2018-07, Vol.189, p.570-584
• Main Authors: Qorri, Ardian, Mujkić, Zlatan, Kraslawski, Andrzej
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Framework; Green supply chain management; Metrics; Multi criteria analysis; Performance measurement; Sustainable supply chain management
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.073

Supply chains are critical driving forces behind business competitive advantages, hence their sustainability measurement and management is vital. Determining the sustainability performance of supply chains is challenging. It requires appropriate tools for capturing and analyzing data for every supply chain activity and for each sustainability aspect. This study analyzes measurement approaches that are used to assess sustainability performance of supply chains. Using Content, Context and Process framework, we have studied 104 peer-reviewed articles, published in the literature on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and green supply chain management (GSCM). The results show that various measurement approaches are used to assess sustainability in different sectors and supply chain echelons. The application of multi-criteria decision-making methods is increasing and several promising measurement frameworks have been proposed. The most used approaches include Life Cycle Assessment, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Fuzzy set approach, Balance Scorecard, and Data envelopment analysis. Additionally, this study proposes a novel conceptual framework and provides a concise guideline for assessing sustainability of supply chains. Key challenges that need to be solved by future measurement approaches include sustainability data collection and sharing, metrics standardization, and collaboration among supply chain members per se and stakeholders. This study creates better comprehension of how existing approaches evaluate sustainability of supply chains and provides new insights into sustainability performance measurement approaches, supply chain configuration, and metrics selection. •This study content analyzes 104 peer-reviewed studies that examine sustainability performance of supply chains.•Results indicate that literature is fragmented and pan supply chain sustainability measurement methods are missing.•Existing measurement approaches only partially assess sustainability performance in various sectors and supply chain echelons.•A novel conceptual framework and a guideline for evaluating sustainability of supply chains are proposed.•The framework serves as a design structure for the development of supply chain sustainability performance measurement system.