World Class Sustainable Supply Chain Management: critical review and further research directions

Purpose

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has attracted considerable interest among academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of the literature, to identify missing links, to argue for the use of world class SSCM (WCSSCM) through a framework, and suggest further research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper the authors have undertaken an extensive review of literature and classified articles using a novel classification scheme.

Findings

Through the extensive review and identification of research gaps, the paper identifies significant differences between definitions and methodologies in the SSCM literature; and argues for “WCSSCM.” This term is elaborated on via a theoretical framework in which 18 dimensions are classified under six constructs of SSCM. Furthermore, a list of potential research directions for WCSSCM is discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The research is an attempt to critically review literature, argue for WCSSCM, and develop a theoretical framework.

Originality/value

The paper offers a new approach to SSCM literature, arguing for WCSSCM through a framework, and providing further research directions.