Sustainability in supply networks: finding the most influential green interventions using interpretive structural modeling technique

Abstract

Manufacturing organisations adopt various kinds of green interventions to make their operations more environment friendly. However not all interventions have a similar impact on enhancing the environmental efficiency of supply networks. The present study aims to identify the most effective green interventions for effective green supply chain management (GSCM) using the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique. GSCM includes the implementation of green interventions to enhance the environmental viability of their products and processes. First, a set of green interventions is identified through literature and expert opinions, and then these are analysed using the ISM technique. The green interventions ‘developing environmental strategies, policies and procedures’ and ‘performance review and long term action plan’ are identified as the most influential green interventions as they have low dependence and high driving power, which means that it is important to give emphasis on these interventions for effective green supply chain management. Additionally, the study identifies that ‘adoption of cutting edge technology’, ‘cleaner production’, and others are the interventions with high dependence and high driving power. Among all the interventions analysed none has an independent character. Sustainability managers can use this technique and the results in improving sustainability in their SCM.