Evaluating barriers to implementing green supply chain management: An example from an emerging economy

Abstract

This study proposes a fuzzy-based VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) framework for evaluating barriers to implementing green supply chain management (GSCM) in the context of an emerging economy. The methodology uses a mix method approach combining literature review and opinions of some selected managers from the plastic industry of Bangladesh to identify four main-barriers and twenty-five sub-barriers relevant to GSCM implementation. Fuzzy-VIKOR approach was applied to aid in the analysis of the barriers in the plastic industry of Bangladesh. The findings of the study show the order/rank of intensity and severity of the main-barriers to implementing GSCM practices in the plastic industry of Bangladesh as follows: ‘inadequate knowledge and support’, ‘insufficient technology and infrastructure’, ‘financial constraints and unsupportive organizational’ and ‘operational policies’. The results also show the rankings of the sub-barriers under each main barriers. This research contributes to the literature in a number of ways. First, it identifies multi-levels of barriers to GSCM implementation. Secondly, it identifies and proposes alternative action plans (strategies) to help mitigate and implement GSCM practices. Though this study has significant contributions, a number of limitations do exist. The barriers in this study were identified using the extant literature review and industrial managers’ opinions. A more scientific approach and empirical validation is required, especially in the plastic manufacturing industry of Bangladesh to identify more new challenging barriers. However, this study can provide managers with a better understanding of the barriers to implementing GSCM practices and motivate the researchers to further extend the investigation on the insights for developing strategic plans for implementing GSCM practices in the plastic industry of Bangladesh.

Keywords:

• Green supply chain
• barriers
• fuzzy theory
• VIKOR
• plastic processing
• emerging economy

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Towfique Rahman

Towfique Rahman has completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh. He has received his Master of Engineering from the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. His research appears in Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Sustainable Production and Consumption, and Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management. He has more than five years of professional experience in supply chain management in reputed companies. He has keen interest in supply chain management, green and socially responsible supply chain network planning and design.

Syed Mithun Ali

Dr. Syed Mithun Ali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. He holds a PhD majoring in supply chain risk management from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan. His research appears in Journal of Cleaner Production, Computer and Industrial Engineering, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Measurement, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Industrial Management and Data, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, The Journal of the Textile Institute, International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Advanced Operations Management and so on. His research interests include logistics and supply chain management and supply chain risk management and tying that to supply chain sustainability.

Md. Abdul Moktadir

Md. Abdul Moktadir is a Lecturer of Leather Products Engineering at the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology (ILET), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has completed his B.Sc. in Leather Products Engineering from ILET, DU and M. Engg. in Advanced Engineering Management from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. His research work has been published in various international peer-reviewed reputed journals such as JCP, IJPR, CAIE, IMDS, PSEP, SPC, EIA Review, GJFSM and many more. His research interest includes sustainable supply chain management, supply chain risk management, green human resource management, industry 4.0, energy efficiency supply chain, productivity improvement, circular economy and logistics.

Simonov Kusi-Sarpong

Dr. Simonov Kusi-Sarpong is a Lecturer in Operations Management at Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, UK. He received the PhD in Management Science and Engineering from Dalian University of Technology, China. Simonov’s research focuses on emerging and developing economies and investigates how green and sustainable initiatives such as lean operations, sustainable supply chains, sustainable risk analysis, circular economy, Industry 4.0, blockchain, reverse logistics, etc. and their synergies could be used to achieve sustainable operational excellence and supply chain performance. His works has been published in journals such as the International Journal of Production Economics; International Journal of Production Research; Production Planning and Control; Journal of Cleaner Production; Resources Conservation and Recycling among others. Simonov is a reviewer for many reputable journals and currently an Editorial Board Member for the journal Resources Conservation and Recycling.