Strategies to mitigate barriers to supply chain sustainability: an apparel manufacturing case study

Purpose: This research aims to develop a decision support framework to determine the optimal strategies for mitigating supply chain sustainability (SCS) barriers.

Design/methodology/approach: To operationalize the research objectives, both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. The qualitative phase comprised a field study, while a quality function deployment approach and optimisation technique were used in the quantitative phase.

Findings: This study finds that a lack of support from top management and cost and utility supply problems are the primary barriers to SCS. This study also finds that incentives for suppliers to implement sustainability practices, awareness building among supply chain members and supplier development are the main strategies to mitigate the barriers. 

Practical: implications The findings of this study will assist the supply chain managers in prioritizing sustainability barriers and implementing the optimal strategies to mitigate the barriers.

Originality/value: Founded on the stakeholder theory and dynamic capability view, this study developed a unique decision support framework to identify appropriate strategies for mitigating SCS barriers while optimizing the social, environmental and economic objectives of the supply chain.