Abstract
The design of a more sustainable supply chain is the main topic of this chapter. Recently [Halldorsson A, Kotzab H, Skjøtt-Larsen T (2009) Logist Res 1:83–94] raised an important question: how could sustainability be integrated in the SCM approach—is sustainability coherent, complementary, or contradictory to the traditional SCM approach? This chapter includes a discussion on the meaning of sustainability when it comes to SCM as well as a suggestion of how to incorporate sustainability into the SCM concept. The character of this paper is conceptual and based on a literature review and secondary data analysis of illustrative case examples. Just as economic globalization creates opportunities and poses challenges to our ability to formulate macroeconomic policies, so does environmental globalization. The opportunity for business profit is an additional motive for the companies. Relevant legislations in developed countries derive from the social demand for environmental protection and the perspective that the manufacturers should be made responsible for their products “from cradle to grave” has dominated. However, it can be claimed that the efforts made so far are rather limited, while nobody would argue against the need for a global approach to the situation. Developed countries or leader firms, mainly, have established environmental policies for product recovery. The issue of how effective these policies are is debatable. The scope of this chapter is to identify systematically environmental principles for the design and operation of SC.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Alting L, Hauschild M, Wenzel H (1998) Elements in a new sustainable industrial culture environmental assessment in product development. Robot Comput Integr Manuf 14:429–439
Andersen Corporation, Ashland Chemical (2000) EPA742-R-00-XXX, forthcoming in 2000. www.epa.gov/opptintr/acctg
Atkinson W (2002) Demand for green solvents will boom. Purchasing Magazine Online, October 10. www.purchasing.com/article/CA250861.html. Accessed 20 May 2005
Bierma TJ, Waterstraat FL (1999) Chemical management: reducing waste and cost through innovative chemical supply strategies. In: Chemical Strategies Partnership, Tools for Optimizing Chemical Management Manual, forthcoming, Wiley, New York. www.chemicalstrategies.org
Boyer M, Porrini D (2002) The choice of instruments for environmental policy: liability or regulation? An introduction to the law and economics of environmental policy: issues in institutional design. Res Law Econ 20:1–41
Certified Organic Food Standards (2005) http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/standards/pgs/PGSDefinitioninEngFrenSpanPort_web.pdf
Clift R (2003) Metrics for supply chain sustainability. Clean Technol Env Policy 5(3–4):240–256
Connor T (2001) Still waiting for nike to do it. A Global Exchange Report. www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/nike/stillwaiting.html. Accessed 5 June 2005
Daniel SE, Diakoulaki DC, Pappis CP (1997) Operations research and environmental planning. Eur J Oper Res 102:248e63
Ron Ad J de (1998) The ultimate result of continuous improvement. Int J Prod Econ 56–57(1): 99–110
Dyllick T, Hockerts K (2002) Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability. Bus strategy Environ 11(2):130–141
Elkington J (1998) Cannibals with forks. The triple bottom line of 21st century business. New Society Publishers, Tintown
Elkington J (2001) The Chrysalis economy. Capstone Publishing Ltd, UK
Environmental Tax Policy Institute. (2005) www.vermontlaw.edu/elc/index.cfm?doc_id=134. Accessed 17 May 2005
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2000) A practical guide for materials managers and supply chain managers to reduce costs and improve environmental performance. www.epa.gov/wastewise
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2000) Enhancing materials management and supply chain performance with environmental cost information: examples from commonwealth edison, Andersen Corporation, and Ashland Chemical, EPA742-R-00-XXX, www.epa.gov/opptintr/acctgwww.epa.gov/opptintr/acctg.
Faucheux S, Nicolai I (1998) Environmental technological change and governance in sustainable development policy. Ecol Econ 27:243e56
Germany’s Blue Angel Certification (2005) www.blauer-engel.de/englisch/navigation/body_blauer_engel.htm. Accessed 1 June 2005
Green Seal Product Certification (2005) www.greenseal.org. Accessed 1 June 2005
GreenTech Assets Inc. (2005) www.greentechassets.com. Accessed 31 May 2005
Gregory J, Atlee J, Isaacs J, Kirchain R (2004) Sustainability metrics for materials use at the system and operational level. Materials Systems Laboratory discussion paper
Grenon M, Joseph M, Turner M (2007) How big is your carbon footprint. CSCMP Supply chain quarterly
Halldorsson A, Kotzab H, Skjøtt-Larsen T (2009) Supply chain management on the crossroad to sustainability: a blessing or a curse? Logist Res 1:83–94
Handfield R, Sroufe R, Walton S (2005) Integrating environmental management and supply chain management. Bus Strategy Environ 14(1):1–9
Hansen N (2004) Organic food sales see health growth. MSNBC News Online, 3 Dec 2004. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6638417/. Accessed 20 May 2005
Hoffman A (2005) Business decisions and the environment: significance, challenges, and momentum of an emerging research field. In: Brewer G, Stern P (eds) National Research Council, Decision Making for the Environment: Social and Behavioural Science Research Priorities
Hutchins MJ, Sutherland JW (2008) An exploration of measures of social sustainability and their application to supply chain decisions. J Clean Prod 16(15): 1688–1698
Jayaraman V, Luo Y (2007) Creating competitive advantages through new value creation: a reverse logistics perspective. Academy of management perspectives, pp 56–73
Klassen RD, Johnson PF (2004) The green supply chain. In: Westbrook R, New S (eds) Understanding supply chains: concepts, critique and futures. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Kopicki RJ, Berg MJ, Legg L, Dasappa V, Maggioni C (1993) Reuse and recycling: reverse logistics opportunities. Council of Logistics Management, referenced in Hoek, 1999
Kura Y, Revenga C, Hoshino E, Mock G (2004) Fishing for answers: making sense of the global fish crisis. World Resource Institute Report. pubs.wri.org/pubs_description.cfm?PubID=3866. Accessed 30 May 2005
Maloni M, Brown M (2006) Corporate social responsibility in the supply chain: an application in the food industry. J Bus Ethics 68(1):35–62
Mamic I (2005) Managing global supply chain: the sports footwear, apparel and retail sectors. J Bus Ethics 59:81–100
Murphy PR, Poist RF, Braunschweig CD (1996) Green logistics: comparative views of environmental progressives, moderates, and conservatives. J Bus Logist 17/1:191–211
Nagel C, Meyer P (1999) Caught between ecology and economy: end-of life aspects of environmentally conscious manufacturing. Comput Ind Eng 36:781e92
Paquette J (2005) Supply Chain 2020, a research initiative investigating the critical factors shaping supply chains of today and tomorrow. Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, June
Pearce F (2009) Confessions of an eco sinner: travels to find where my stuff comes from, Eden Project Books
Pojasek RB (1998) Activity-Based Costing for EHS Improvement. Pollution Prevention Review, Winter 1998, pp 111–120. www.pollutionprevention.com
Puckett J (2002) Exporting harm: the high tech trashing of Asia. A Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Report, February 2002. www.svtc.org/cleancc/pubs/technotrash.pdf. Accessed 5 June 2005
Rabs H, Bohn C (2003) Bæredygtig supply chain management: et studie i muligheden for at anvende supply chain management til at gøre en virksomhed bæredygtig. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, CBS, Denmark
Roberts JA (1996) Green consumers in the 1990s: profile and implications for advertising. J Bus Res 36/1:217–231
Roberts S (2003) Supply chain specific? Understanding the patchy success of ethical sourcing initiatives. J Bus Ethics 44/2:159–170
Sarkis J (1995) Manufacturing strategy and environmental consciousness. Technovation 15(2):79e97
Shrivastava P (1995) Environmental technologies and competitive advantage. Strateg Manag J 16(3):183e200
Srivastava SK (2007) Green supply-chain management: a state of-the-art literature review. Int J Manag Rev 9(1):53–80
Tsoulfas GT, Pappis CP (2006) Environmental principles applicable to supply. J Clean Prod 14:1593–1602
Unilever’s annual report describing efforts to build and sustain reliable fish supplies is available at www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environmentandsociety/default.asp. Accessed 5 May 2005
United Nations Environmental Program (2002) Vital graphics: an overview of the state of the world’s fresh and marine waters. www.unep.org/vitalwater/. Accessed 30 May 2005
US Environmental Protection Agency (2005) Energy star program. www.energystar.gov/. Accessed 1 June 2005
US Green Building Council. Leadership in energy and environmental design is a national rating system to certify green buildings, administered by the www.usgbc.org/LEED/. Accessed 1 June 2005
Walls M (2005) The role of economics in extended producer responsibility: making policy. Res Energy Econ 27(4):287–305
Walton SV, Handfield RB, Melnyk SA (1999) The green supply chain: integrating suppliers into environmental management processes. Int J Purch Mater Manag 34(2):2–11, referenced in Hoek, 1999. www.rff.org/Documents/RFF-DP-03-11.pdf. Accessed 28 May 2005
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bevilacqua, M., Ciarapica, F.E., Giacchetta, G. (2012). Design a Sustainable Supply Chain. In: Design for Environment as a Tool for the Development of a Sustainable Supply Chain. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2461-0_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2461-0_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2460-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2461-0
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)