Exploring tools and enablers for sustainable supply chain management

During the recent past, sustainability in supply chains has gained more attention and raised more concerns, due to the growth of various external factors that put supply chains everywhere under test. Hence, supply chains need to be managed with a sustainable manner, to prevail against these uncertainties and be prepared for upcoming ones. With that in perspective, this research paper attempts to explore the sustainability realm in supply chain management, by evaluating the key enablers to achieve sustainable supply management, the main tools used to activate these enablers, and the effect that these enablers and tools have on the sustainability performance of supply chains. In addition, the paper also highlights the main supply chain processes affected by the sustainability performance, and how sustainability could enhance those processes. The paper also attempts to explore a practical case study, showing the potentialities of these enablers with a real technological solution, aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the supply chain. The main enablers of sustainable supply chain management found in the literature and in the case study were visibility, collaboration, and efficiency. To activate these enablers, modern tools such as emerging technologies and Industry 4.0 technologies are taken advantage of, thereby unlocking further levels of these enablers that were not attainable with traditional tools.