Barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementation in Egyptian industries: an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach
Management of Environmental Quality
ISSN: 1477-7835
Article publication date: 19 October 2020
Issue publication date: 5 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, sustainability aspects are gaining importance among supply chain management (SCM) research field, hence this study aims to explore barriers to sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation in Egyptian industries and the interrelationships among these barriers to provide a structured detailed model for barriers and suggest recommendations to deal with these barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is an empirical study with a descriptive research approach using qualitative methodology. Data were collected through interviewing experts involved in sustainability implementation within supply chain functions. Afterward interpretive structural modeling (ISM) for barriers was conducted to develop a structured model representing possible interrelationships between barriers.
Findings
Findings have reported slight differences among barriers to SSCM implementation in Egyptian industries other than those stated previously. ISM analysis helped in shaping barriers into a detailed structured model where interrelationships among barriers can be clearly defined. Additionally, based on the data collected and the ISM model, this study managed to offer recommendations to deal with these barriers.
Research limitations/implications
Future researches might consider developing ISM analysis for a smaller number of barriers, or focus on each of internal and external barriers individually to minimize ISM analysis complexity and enhance its accuracy. As ISM analysis technique is highly dependent on experts' opinions and experience, validation is highly recommended either by structural equation modeling (SEM) or linear structural relationship approach.
Practical implications
This study provides insights for managers about internal and external barriers to SSCM implementation in Egyptian industries, a detailed structured model for interrelationships among these barriers and recommendations to deal with these barriers.
Originality/value
This study is one of the very first studies to implement ISM for barriers to SSCM on data collected from Egyptian industries. Consequently, it will direct further research focusing on developing strategies or recommendations to overcome these barriers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Green Supply Chains and Environmental Benchmarking – implications for emerging economies”, guest edited by Sachin Kumar Mangla.
Citation
Zayed, E.O. and Yaseen, E.A. (2021), "Barriers to sustainable supply chain management implementation in Egyptian industries: an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 32 No. 6, pp. 1192-1209. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-12-2019-0271
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited