Conceptualizing a circular framework of supply chain resource sustainability. Issue 10 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koh, S.C. Lenny; Gunasekaran, Angappa; Morris, Jonathan; Obayi, Raymond; Ebrahimi, Seyed Mohammad
• Is Part Of: International journal of operations & production management. Volume 37:Issue 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1520
• Page End: 1540
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Supply chain management -- Production operations -- Resource sustainability; Production management -- Periodicals; Business logistics -- Periodicals; 658.5
• DOI: 10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-3577

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building toward the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, the purpose of this paper is to advance a circular framework for supply chain resource sustainability (SCRS), and a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the backdrop of five foundational premises (FPs) deduced from the literature on resource sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: Taking a conceptual theory-building approach, the paper advances a set of SCRS decision-support criteria for each of the theoretical premises advanced, and applies the theory of constraints to illustrate the conceptual and practical applications of the framework in SCRS decision making. Findings: This study uses recent conceptualizations of supply chains as "complex adaptive systems" to provide a robust and novel frame and a set of decision rules with which to assess the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social capital of supply chain resources from pre-production to post-production. Research limitations/implications: The paper contributes to theory building in sustainability research, and the SCRS decision framework developed could be applied in tandem with existing quantitative hybrid life-cycle and input-output approaches to facilitate targeted resource sustainability assessments, with implications for research and practice. Originality/value: The novel SCRS framework proposed serves as a template for evaluating SCRS and provides a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the five theorized FPs.