Honoring complexity in sustainable supply chain research: a rough set theoretic approach (SI:ResMeth)

Abstract

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) faces greater complexity because it considers additional stakeholder requirements, broader sustainable performance objectives, increased sustainable business practices and technologies, and relationships among those entities. These additional complexities make SSCM more difficult to manage and operate than traditional supply chains. Complex systems require new methods for research especially given reductionist research paradigms of modern science. Rough set theory (RST) can be a valuable tool that will help address complexity in SSCM research and practice. To exemplify RST usefulness and applicability, an illustrative application using sustainable supply chain practices (SSCP), and environmental and economic performance outcomes is introduced. The conceptual case provides nuanced insights for researchers and practitioners in mitigating and evaluating various SSCM complexities. RST limitations and extensions are introduced.

Keywords::

• Sustainability
• supply chain management
• complexity
• rough set theory
• environment
• greening

Notes

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project (71472031, 71772032).

Notes

1 The various ‘elementary set types’ for the supply chain respondents are determined for the respondent set when they have similar variables levels and same performance result.

2 Symmetry is not assumed in RST analyses, thus allowing for this asymmetry (Ragin 2006). An example of this asymmetrical presence is provided by Ford, Seers, and Neumann (2013). In a murder case for homicide to occur, and for there to be a victim, the presence of a murderer is necessary. But presence is not sufficient, as the means must also be present. The asymmetrical nature of this relationship arises among the variables in that if a murder does not take place, it cannot be assumed that here was no murderer or weapon present.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chunguang Bai

Chunguang Bai is currently a Professor in the School of Management and Economics at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. She earned her Ph.D. in Management Science from the Dalian University of Technology, China. Her research interests include SSCM, management of technology, and business process management and the environment. She has published over 20 papers in journals such as European Journal of Operational Research, the International Journal of Production Economics, the International Journal of Production Research, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, the Journal of Cleaner Production, and the Annals of Operations Research. She has over 1400 citations in Google Scholar. Two of her papers have become some of the highest cited in 10 years (ESI index). Her research has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project (71102090, 71472031, 71772032); and the Liaoning Excellent Talents in University (WJQ2014029).

Joseph Sarkis

Joseph Sarkis is a Professor in Foisie Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He teaches and researches at the nexus of business and sustainability issues with a focus on green supply chain management. He has over 400 publications. He is the editor of IEEE Engineering Management Review and Co-Editor of the Springer-Nature Book Series on Greening of Industry Networks. His most recent book is titled ‘Green Supply Chain Management: A Concise Introduction’, published by Routledge. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo.