IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i20p13622-d948922.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Analysis of Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation: The Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Mehrnaz Jalali

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China)

  • Bo Feng

    (School of Intellectual Property, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
    Management School, Nanjing Audit University Jinshen College, No. 100, Xianlin Avenue, Xianlin University Town, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Junwen Feng

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
    Management School, Nanjing Audit University Jinshen College, No. 100, Xianlin Avenue, Xianlin University Town, Nanjing 210023, China)

Abstract

This study aims to identify and analyze the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation barriers in the context of Iran to determine the barriers and establish a cause-and-effect relationship between them. The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) is used to assess the barriers to SSCM implementation in Iran, and a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is used to obtain qualitative assessments from multiple experts regarding how to mitigate the impact of the barriers. To validate the proposed methodology, out of 20 barriers identified through the literature review and 9 more barriers suggested by experts, 26 barriers are identified to be relevant to the context of Iran using FDM. Six SSCM implementation barriers (i.e., economic sanctions; banking problems; economic instability; high inflation rate; lack of regulation and guidance from the government and lack of a globally competitive environment) were determined as important barriers in the cause group. All of them are related to Iran’s economic situation, the economic sanctions against Iran, and the government’s neglect of the importance of sustainability issues, all of which are obviously out of the companies’ control; moreover, the impact-relation map for each has been developed to facilitate the visualization of its interactions (i.e., influencing and influenced) with other barriers. The outcomes achieved are unique to Iranian companies and cannot be generalized to every company in other countries; however, the proposed approach might serve as a foundation for analyzing and comprehending the interactions between barriers. The suggested technique would identify the most effective areas for directing resources and efforts to reduce the effects of barriers to successful SSCM implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehrnaz Jalali & Bo Feng & Junwen Feng, 2022. "An Analysis of Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation: The Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-30, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13622-:d:948922
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/20/13622/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/20/13622/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joash Mageto, 2021. "Big Data Analytics in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Focus on Manufacturing Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-22, June.
    2. Jun Dong & Dongran Liu & Dongxue Wang & Qi Zhang, 2019. "Identification of Key Influencing Factors of Sustainable Development for Traditional Power Generation Groups in a Market by Applying an Extended MCDM Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-30, March.
    3. Annu Markkula & Johanna Moisander, 2012. "Discursive Confusion over Sustainable Consumption: A Discursive Perspective on the Perplexity of Marketplace Knowledge," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 105-125, March.
    4. Saeed, Muhammad Amad & Waseek, Ishfaque & Kersten, Wolfgang, 2017. "Literature review of drivers of sustainable supply chain management," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Jahn, Carlos & Kersten, Wolfgang & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), Digitalization in Maritime and Sustainable Logistics: City Logistics, Port Logistics and Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Digital Age. Proce, volume 24, pages 159-184, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    5. Raja Usman Khalid & Stefan Seuring, 2019. "Analyzing Base-of-the-Pyramid Research from a (Sustainable) Supply Chain Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 155(3), pages 663-686, March.
    6. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Luo, Suyuan, 2019. "Data quality challenges for sustainable fashion supply chain operations in emerging markets: Roles of blockchain, government sponsors and environment taxes," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 139-152.
    7. Kaveh Madani, 2021. "Have International Sanctions Impacted Iran’s Environment?," World, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-22, April.
    8. Jihui Wu & Xiaofei Zhang & Jianjun Lu, 2018. "Empirical Research on Influencing Factors of Sustainable Supply Chain Management—Evidence from Beijing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-12, May.
    9. Fahimnia, Behnam & Sarkis, Joseph & Davarzani, Hoda, 2015. "Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 101-114.
    10. Schrettle, Stefan & Hinz, Andreas & Scherrer -Rathje, Maike & Friedli, Thomas, 2014. "Turning sustainability into action: Explaining firms' sustainability efforts and their impact on firm performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PA), pages 73-84.
    11. Esfahbodi, Ali & Zhang, Yufeng & Watson, Glyn, 2016. "Sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies: Trade-offs between environmental and cost performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(PB), pages 350-366.
    12. Jun Dong & Huijuan Huo & Dongran Liu & Rong Li, 2017. "Evaluating the Comprehensive Performance of Demand Response for Commercial Customers by Applying Combination Weighting Techniques and Fuzzy VIKOR Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-32, July.
    13. Govindan, Kannan & Kaliyan, Mathiyazhagan & Kannan, Devika & Haq, A.N., 2014. "Barriers analysis for green supply chain management implementation in Indian industries using analytic hierarchy process," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 555-568.
    14. Aymen Sajjad & Gabriel Eweje & David Tappin, 2015. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Motivators and Barriers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(7), pages 643-655, November.
    15. Sukran Seker & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, 2017. "Application of Fuzzy DEMATEL Method for Analyzing Occupational Risks on Construction Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, November.
    16. Silvestre, Bruno S., 2015. "Sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies: Environmental turbulence, institutional voids and sustainability trajectories," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 156-169.
    17. Rebeca B. Sánchez-Flores & Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo & Sara Ojeda-Benitez & Ma. Elizabeth Ramírez-Barreto, 2020. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Literature Review on Emerging Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-27, August.
    18. Zailani, Suhaiza & Jeyaraman, K. & Vengadasan, G. & Premkumar, R., 2012. "Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in Malaysia: A survey," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 330-340.
    19. Muhammad Amad Saeed & Wolfgang Kersten, 2019. "Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Identification and Classification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-23, February.
    20. Nelly Oelze, 2017. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation–Enablers and Barriers in the Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    21. Eduardo Machado & Luiz Felipe Scavarda & Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado & Antonio Márcio Tavares Thomé, 2021. "Barriers and Enablers for the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability in Supply Chains of MSMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    22. Mani, Venkatesh & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Papadopoulos, Thanos & Hazen, Benjamin & Dubey, Rameshwar, 2016. "Supply chain social sustainability for developing nations: Evidence from India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 42-52.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chen Liang & Dongshi Sun & Danlan Xie, 2023. "Identifying Waste Supply Chain Coordination Barriers with Fuzzy MCDM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-23, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rebeca B. Sánchez-Flores & Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo & Sara Ojeda-Benitez & Ma. Elizabeth Ramírez-Barreto, 2020. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Literature Review on Emerging Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Ehsan Shekarian & Behrang Ijadi & Amirreza Zare & Jukka Majava, 2022. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Industrial Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-30, June.
    3. M. K. Dhillon & P. M. Rafi-Ul-Shan & H. Amar & F. Sher & S. Ahmed, 2023. "Flexible Green Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies: A Systematic Literature Review," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(1), pages 1-28, March.
    4. Katiyar, Rajesh & Meena, Purushottam L. & Barua, Mukesh Kumar & Tibrewala, Rajen & Kumar, Gopal, 2018. "Impact of sustainability and manufacturing practices on supply chain performance: Findings from an emerging economy," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 303-316.
    5. Mohsin Malik & Salam Abdallah, 2019. "Sustainability Initiatives in Emerging Economies: A Socio-Cultural Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Anup Kumar & Santosh Kumar Shrivastav & Avinash K. Shrivastava & Rashmi Ranjan Panigrahi & Abbas Mardani & Fausto Cavallaro, 2023. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Performance Measurement, and Management: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, March.
    7. Chand, Pushpendu & Thakkar, Jitesh J. & Ghosh, Kunal Kanti, 2020. "Analysis of supply chain sustainability with supply chain complexity, inter-relationship study using delphi and interpretive structural modeling for Indian mining and earthmoving machinery industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    8. Sharma, Varun & Vijayaraghavan, T.A.S. & Raghu Ram, Tata L., 2023. "Resolving operational paradox of sustainable supply chain: A decision framework approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PB).
    9. Asterios Stroumpoulis & Evangelia Kopanaki, 2022. "Theoretical Perspectives on Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Digital Transformation: A Literature Review and a Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-30, April.
    10. Kai-Chong Thong & Wai-Peng Wong, 2018. "Pathways for Sustainable Supply Chain Performance—Evidence from a Developing Country, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-26, August.
    11. Roy, Vivek & Silvestre, Bruno S. & Singh, Shubham, 2020. "Reactive and proactive pathways to sustainable apparel supply chains: Manufacturer's perspective on stakeholder salience and organizational learning toward responsible management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    12. Dongwook Kim & Sungbum Kim, 2017. "Sustainable Supply Chain Based on News Articles and Sustainability Reports: Text Mining with Leximancer and DICTION," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-44, June.
    13. Warley Henrique Silva & Patricia Guarnieri & José Márcio Carvalho & Josivania Silva Farias & Silvia Araújo dos Reis, 2019. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Analyzing the Past to Determine a Research Agenda," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-15, April.
    14. Marcus Brandenburg & Tim Gruchmann & Nelly Oelze, 2019. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-15, December.
    15. Theofilos Mastos & Katerina Gotzamani & Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos, 2022. "Development and Validation of a Measurement Instrument for Sustainability in Food Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, April.
    16. Ana Labella-Fernández & M. Mar Serrano-Arcos & Belén Payán-Sánchez, 2021. "Firm Growth as a Driver of Sustainable Product Innovation: Mediation and Moderation Analysis. Evidence from Manufacturing Firms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-22, March.
    17. Seles, Bruno Michel Roman Pais & de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes & Jabbour, Charbel José Chiappetta & Dangelico, Rosa Maria, 2016. "The green bullwhip effect, the diffusion of green supply chain practices, and institutional pressures: Evidence from the automotive sector," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 342-355.
    18. Hoyoung Lee, 2020. "The Role of Environmental Uncertainty, Green HRM and Green SCM in Influencing Organization s Energy Efficacy and Environmental Performance," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(3), pages 332-339.
    19. Amer Saeed & Yun Jun & Saviour Ayertey Nubuor & Hewawasam Puwakpitiyage Rasika Priyankara & Mahabaduge Prasad Fernando Jayasuriya, 2018. "Institutional Pressures, Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Environmental and Economic Performance: A Two Theory View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    20. Zhifeng Wu & Senjing Zhai & Jiangtao Hong & Yibin Zhang & Keren Shi, 2018. "Building Sustainable Supply Chains for Organizations Based on QFD: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13622-:d:948922. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.