Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Theory and Practice

Combining Communication and Efficiency for Long-Term Success

Abstract

This study aims to present a sustainable supply chain management with insight from both theory and practice by combining communication and efficiency for long-term success. The study presents a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) as published in leading logistics and supply chain management journals over the past two decades. A systematic literature review approach was employed to minimize researcher bias and ensure the reliability and replicability of findings. The study further enhances its empirical robustness through strong inter-coder reliability across thematic coding categories. The evolution of SSCM research has progressed from isolated studies focusing on social or environmental dimensions, to a corporate social responsibility framework, and more recently toward an integrated sustainability approach based on the triple bottom line. SSCM is emerging as a distinct theoretical construct, with the research field becoming more conceptually grounded and methodologically robust. Nonetheless, there remain significant opportunities to deepen theoretical development, refine methodologies, and enhance managerial relevance. By identifying key trends and research gaps, this review contributes a well-structured roadmap for future research directions in SSCM. Contemporary SSCM insights offer valuable guidance for practitioners, helping them allocate limited resources toward initiatives that simultaneously address environmental, social, and economic objectives. This paper offers a rigorous, methodologically sound review that traces the development and maturation of empirical SSCM research over a 20-year span, offering critical insights for both academia and practice.