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This paper aims to address the imperative of establishing adaptive sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) within the context of export food supply chains (EFSC) in Jordan, with potential global applicability. The research introduces a new conceptual framework validated through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), prioritizing critical factors based on five expert opinions. The practical and managerial outcomes emphasize achieving sustainable supply chain performance through quality-driven sustainability (QDS), encapsulated in a practical framework (SSCQM). Employing the concept of QDS, this study aims to develop a novel decision framework for Sustainable Supply Chain Quality Management (SSCQM).

Conducted as an empirical qualitative study in Jordan, the research employs a systematic literature review to identify research gaps and establish the initial conceptual framework. A pilot case is subsequently conducted to refine the framework, followed by Case Studies of four Triads, elucidating network relationships between suppliers, manufacturers and customers. A total of 32 semi-structured interviews, complemented by observations, tours and document analysis, individually explored each case during the exploratory stage. Cross-analysis of the four cases at the explanatory stage provides empirical insights, and data triangulation, literature review and validation using NVivo enhance the robustness of the findings.

The amalgamation of the three perspectives, when treated individually, results in the integrated category of QDS influencing sustainability (SUST) performance, evident in economic, environmental and social dimensions. Various sustainable initiatives have emerged through the relationships within the Triad, comprising a company, supplier and customer in the supply chain and its broader environment, including society, aiming for enhanced sustainable development and SUST performance. Recognizing the urgency of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the Middle East, where global supply chains are susceptible to disruptions leading to food shortages and insecurity, this research investigates the state of EFSC in the export food industry in Jordan. The novel decision (SSCQM) framework equips managers and policymakers with knowledge and practices applicable to focal actors in Triads within their EFSCs, particularly in developing countries, thereby contributing to enhancing the export food industry’s sustainability.

This research provides empirical and contextual justifications for the supply chain-quality model (SSCQM) that advocates for business organizations how a desirable, sizeable and significant outcome/shock can be triggered via embedding quality elements in an international supply chain specifically in Jordan. The research also offers significant implications for practising supply chain experts in terms of how they can effectively utilize the supply chain quality to align other players in the supply chain, revenue potential, customer retainability and employee retention to achieve superior organizational performance. The research selectively encompasses three key perspectives of supply chain networks (SCN), total quality management (TQM) and SUST to elucidate the essence of SCM.

This research contributes towards filling the gap as a lack of empirical research.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the relative importance of factors affecting quality. This is important where great expenditures of time, money, and resources are wasted each year due to inefficient or non-existent quality levels.

An exploratory approach is employed. After a literature review, six interviews are initially conducted with construction experts and then a simple survey of 328 questionnaires was administrated through structured personal interviews among contractors and architects in the Jordanian housing sector.

The findings suggest that contractors and architects combined agreed that the highest important factors affecting quality are: human resource management, customer satisfaction, and construction specific factors. The findings also suggest that strategic planning, continuous improvement, resources are the lowest important factors. A conceptual framework encompassing the key quality factors is also developed.

This research has important implications for different level managers at construction companies. By understanding the quality factors, managers can focus on the highest factors and catch up with their lowest important factors in order to maintain a balanced and integrated quality approach.

This is one of few studies that investigate the importance of quality factors. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper providing empirical evidence of the quality factors in construction management in a developing country.