Sustainable green procurement practices in supply chain management

This report analyzes the impact of sustainable green procurement practices on supply chain management in business. It explores the concept of supply chain management, different green practices, the role of critical success factors, and challenges faced by organizations. The study aims to assess the influence of sustainable green procurement practices on supply chain management.

Assessment
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Contents
TITLE – “Sustainable green procurement practices in supply chain management”.......................4
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................4
Background of study...............................................................................................................4
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................4
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................4
Research Questions................................................................................................................4
Significance of research.........................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................5
1. Concept of supply chain management................................................................................5
2. Different green practices in supply chain management that can be used by businesses....6
3. Impact of sustainable green procurement practices on supply chain management in business
................................................................................................................................................6
4. Role of critical success factors in sustainable green supply chain management................6
5. Different issues or challenges facing by business organisations in supply chain management
................................................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................6
CHAPTER 4 - DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS...........................................................10
Data Interpretation................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 5 – CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
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TITLE – “Sustainable green procurement practices in supply chain
management”
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Background of study
Sustainable procurement means ensuring that goods and services that people get are as
sustainable as possible, along with the low impact on environment as well as most positive social
outcomes. In the current competitive business environment, it is very necessary for the
organisation to abide by green procurement practices so that long-term sustainability can be
maintained in the market and competitive advantage can be gain. Green supply chain is the
integrating eco-friendly concept to enhance environmental sustainability with distinct green
practices involving green distribution, green transportation, green marketing, green purchasing,
green manufacturing etc. This report intent to analyse the impact of sustainable green
procurement practices on supply chain management. The aim and objectives of the study is
provided below which directs the investigator to accomplish them effectively.
Research Aim
The aim associated with this particular study is “To assess the influence of sustainable green
procurement practices on supply chain management in business.”
Research Objectives
The key research objectives in context of this specific study is provided below:
1. To understand the concept of supply chain management.
2. To identify different green practices in supply chain management that can be used by
businesses.
3. To analyse the impact of sustainable green procurement practices on supply chain
management in business.
4. To assess the role of critical success factors in sustainable green supply chain
management.
5. To identify different issues or challenges facing by business organisations in supply chain
management.
4

Research Questions
The main questions associated with this study are as follows:
1. What is the concept of supply chain management?
2. What are the different green practices in supply chain management that can be used by
businesses?
3. How sustainable green procurement practices impacts on supply chain management in
business?
4. What is the role of critical success factors in sustainable green supply chain
management?
5. Which are the different issues or challenges facing by business organisations in supply
chain management?
Significance of research
This research study aims to assess the influence of sustainable green procurement practices
on supply chain management in business. It is significant to perform research on this topic as it
helps researcher in determining the concept of supply chain management along with the different
green practices that can be used by organisation in supply chain management. Apart from this,
with the help of this research, researcher will be able to determine the impact of green
procurement practices on supply chain management and the role of critical success factors in
green supply chain management. Moreover, researchers are also able to know about the different
challenges that business organisation face in supply chain management. It research improve the
knowledge base of investigator and help in gaining deeper insights on the topic.
CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Concept of supply chain management
As per the view point of Jason Fernando, 2020, supply chain management is referred as the
management of products and service flow and involves all processes to convert raw materials
into finished goods. It is the practice of coordinating different activities required to develop and
deliver products to the consumers. Supply chain management is one of the crucial aspect of
organisation is it assist in attaining the objectives of business. It provides many opportunities to
organisation in enhancing their profitability. By the help of effective supply chain management,
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a business organisation can be able to satisfy its customers by streamlining its business
operations.
2. Different green practices in supply chain management that can be used by businesses
There are various green supply chain management practices green marketing, green
materials, ethical sourcing, green certification etc. which can be used by business in its supply
chain management. This will help in improving the performance of business and enable firm to
gain competitive advantage in the market. Green material sourcing or purchasing the components
which have evitable eco-friendly features like recyclability, reusability as well as nonuse of
hazardous chemicals is one of the green practice that can be used by Organisation in supply
chain management. Apart from this, the green management practices administer company with
supplementary information sources which can improve the business as well as environmental
objectives.
3. Impact of sustainable green procurement practices on supply chain management in business
As per the view point of Kaaria, 2020, Sustainable green procurement practices impact
positively on supply chain management and improving its performance in business. The main
aim of green supply chain management is to constrict waste product in industrial system to keep
and protect energy and prevent dissipation of harmful materials into the environment. Green
Practices improve the overall performance of business and adoption of green sourcing in supply
chain is a reliable way that help in mitigating the waste incur in production or manufacturing
process. Apart from this, is satisfied the desires of minimum adverse effect on environment and
improves the competitiveness of business.
4. Role of critical success factors in sustainable green supply chain management
In sustainable green supply chain management, critical success factors play a significant
role. Green supply chain management gaining so much popularity to improve environmental
performance. Customer management is a critical success factor in supply chain management
where customer play a significant role. Cooperation with consumers becomes very useful for the
company in order to attain fruitful advantages through green practices in supply chain
management. Apart from this, supplier management is also important as strong collaboration
with suppliers help company improving incentive systems and developing innovative eco-
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friendly ideas. Thus, critical success factors play a significant role in sustainable green supply
chain management.
5. Different issues or challenges business organisations are facing in supply chain management
As per the view point of David Lans, 2019, there are some challenges that businesses are
facing in managing supply chain management. One among the challenge is quality customer
service. Supply chain is centralized on requirements of consumers. It is about providing right
quality and quantity of product at right price within perfect timing and setting is a challenge for
workforce (7 Main Challenges in Supply Chain Management, 2019). Apart from this, risk
management is also another challenge for management because of constant changes in market
from various sources like political agendas, consumer demands and global sourcing that cause
issues to operations.
CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It forms out a vital part of every research project which provide systematic information about the
proposed set of research method and approaches. With respect to current investigation on topic
of supply chain management implication of research onion model has been made as it ensures a
clearer presentation and justification for selection of an appropriate research method a discussion
of which is provided as below:
Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research philosophy- This being the first layer of applied model that is divided into four
parts i.e. positivism, interpretivism, realism and pragmatism. Out of these forms of research
philosophy use of positivism is seemed most appropriate and justifiable as it ensures a systematic
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and practical form of investigation through better implication and analysis of set objective in
numeric form.
Research approach- Inductive and deductive forms out to be two most widely used
research approach out of which application of deductive form of research approach is proposed
for current investigation. The main reason and justification behind application of deductive
approach is based on the fact that it is parallel with positivism philosophy and also lads to better
testing and scanning of set objectives.
Research strategy- Complete base and framework of a study is based on the selection of
research strategy which consists of action research, experiments, case study, interview, survey,
observations and many more. Out of these forms of research strategy, implication and utilisation
of survey strategy is appropriate for current investigation as it leads to most easy and efficient
form of data collection with the help of questionnaire from a larger section of participants.
Choices of method- Qualitative and quantitative are two commonly used research
method from which qualitative is related with theoretical nature of study while quantitative
support objective nature of investigation. To ensure better presentation and analysis of facts use
of quantitative nature of research method is made which leads to collection of data in numeric
and statistical form. Thus, selection of quantitative form of research method is appropriate and
suitable as it ensures a more specific and measurable form of research results which support
more effective conclusion and decision making.
Data collection- Gathering of information would be made from both primary and
secondary sources of data to ensures ample amount of information for analysis of current
research objectives. Collection of primary data would be made with the help of questionnaire
which is justifiable to provide authentic and first hand data. Apart from this, collection of
secondary sources of data would be made from the online articles and journals which facilitates
better support and base for current investigation with the help of past findings and records. The
questionnaire associated with this specific study is provided below:
Questionnaire
Name -
Age -
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Address -
Email –
Q 1) Are you aware of the concept of Supply Chain Management in business?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) According to you, what is the significance of supply chain management for a
business organisation?
a) Minimize operating cost
b) Decrease waste of resources
c) Boost customer service
d) Improve financial position
e) All of the above
Q 3) What is role of Procurement in Supply Chain Management in business entity?
a) Reduce the risk of supply chain
b) Help in bringing innovation
c) Administer competitive advantage
d) Maximize business profitability
Q 4) Which of the green practice employ by business to make its supply chain
management sustainable?
a) Reverse logistics
b) Ethical sourcing
c) Green certification
d) Efficient transportation
e) Green materials
Q 5) As per your opinion, how effective eco-friendly supply chain management practices
is for a business organisation in improving its performance?
a) Very effective
b) Effective
c) Neither effective nor ineffective
d) Ineffective
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e) Highly ineffective
Q 6) How sustainable green procurement practices impacts on supply chain management
in business?
a) Positively impact
b) Negatively impact
c) No impact
Q 7) Which is the key critical success factor in sustainable green supply chain
management that leads business towards success?
a) Ethical leadership
b) Competitiveness
c) Supplier management
d) Industry standards
e) All of the above
Q 8) Which can be the key issue or challenge face by organisation in managing its supply
chain?
a) Lack of information technology execution
b) Ineffective human resource
c) Market uncertainty and competition
d) Increased cost
e) All of the above
Q 9) According to you, which is the key strategy that will help management in resolving
the issues associated with supply chain management?
a) Developing strong supplier relationship
b) Adopting green SCM practices
c) Close monitoring of process
d) Invest in information technology
Q 10) Recommend any other way or strategy that can help in improving management of
supply chain in business
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
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Sampling- a sample size of 30 respondents is selected for current investigation with the
help of random form of sampling.
Ethical consideration- To meet the set ethical consideration for leading out an
investigation and research project, implication and adoption of BERA code of ethics is made in
current project. Apart from this, provision of data protection act is also applied in order to
maintain the authenticity and privacy of collected data.
Research limitation- Availability of limited time along with assess to limited resources are
main limitation and issues faced during current research project.
CHAPTER 4 - DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Q 1) Are you aware of the concept of Supply Chain Management in
business?
Frequency
a) Yes 27
b) No 3
Q 2) According to you, what is the significance of supply chain
management for a business organisation?
Frequency
a) Minimize operating cost 7
b) Decrease waste of resources 6
c) Boost customer service 5
d) Improve financial position 5
e) All of the above 7
Q 3) What is role of Procurement in Supply Chain Management in
business entity?
Frequency
a) Reduce the risk of supply chain 8
b) Help in bringing innovation 9
c) Administer competitive advantage 6
d) Maximize business profitability 7
Q 4) Which of the green practice employ by business to make its
supply chain management sustainable?
Frequency
a) Reverse logistics 6
b) Ethical sourcing 6
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c) Green certification 6
d) Efficient transportation 5
e) Green materials 7
Q 5) As per your opinion, how effective eco-friendly supply chain
management practices is for a business organisation in improving its
performance?
Frequency
a) Very effective 10
b) Effective 15
c) Neither effective nor ineffective 2
d) Ineffective 2
e) Highly ineffective 1
Q 6) How sustainable green procurement practices impacts on supply
chain management in business?
Frequency
a) Positively impact 27
b) Negatively impact 2
c) No impact 1
Q 7) Which is the key critical success factor in sustainable green
supply chain management that leads business towards success?
Frequency
a) Ethical leadership 5
b) Competitiveness 6
c) Supplier management 7
d) Industry standards 5
e) All of the above 7
Q 8) Which can be the key issue or challenge face by organisation in
managing its supply chain?
Frequency
a) Lack of information technology execution 5
b) Ineffective human resource 6
c) Market uncertainty and competition 7
d) Increased cost 5
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e) All of the above 7
Q 9) According to you, which is the key strategy that will help
management in resolving the issues associated with supply chain
management?
Frequency
a) Developing strong supplier relationship 7
b) Adopting green SCM practices 9
c) Close monitoring of process 7
d) Invest in information technology 7
Q 10) Recommend any other way or strategy that can help in improving management of
supply chain in business
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
Data Interpretation
Theme 1: Concept of Supply Chain Management in business
Q 1) Are you aware of the concept of Supply Chain Management in
business?
Frequency
a) Yes 27
b) No 3
13

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 27
3
Frequency
Interpretation: As per the bar graph, it can be said that 27 out of 30 respondents are
aware of the concept of supply chain management and the remaining three respondents are not
aware of the concept.
Theme 2: Significance of supply chain management for a business organisation
Q 2) According to you, what is the significance of supply chain
management for a business organisation?
Frequency
a) Minimize operating cost 7
b) Decrease waste of resources 6
c) Boost customer service 5
d) Improve financial position 5
e) All of the above 7
14

a) Minimize
operating cost b) Decrease
waste of
resources
c) Boost
customer
service
d) Improve
financial
position
e) All of the
above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
6
5 5
7
Frequency
Interpretation: The above chart depicts that according to 7 out of 30 respondents,
minimise operating cost is the significance of supply chain management for business, 6
respondent said that it decreases the waste of resources, according to five respondents, it
increases customer satisfaction, 5 respondents said that it improves financial position and
according to remaining seven respondents all the above are the significance of supply chain
management for organisation.
Theme 3: Role of Procurement in Supply Chain Management in business entity
Q 3) What is role of Procurement in Supply Chain Management in
business entity?
Frequency
a) Reduce the risk of supply chain 8
b) Help in bringing innovation 9
c) Administer competitive advantage 6
d) Maximize business profitability 7
15

a) Reduce the risk
of supply chain b) Help in bringing
innovation c) Administer
competitive
advantage
d) Maximize
business
profitability
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 8
9
6
7
Frequency
Interpretation: According to above chart, it can be said that according to 8 out of 30
respondents, procurement plays significant role in reducing the risk of supply chain, 9
respondent said that it helps in bringing innovation, according to 6 respondents, it administers
competitive advantage and the remaining seven respondents said that procurement play a
significant role in maximizing the profitability of business.
Theme 4: Green practice employ by business to make its supply chain management
sustainable
Q 4) Which of the green practice employ by business to make its
supply chain management sustainable?
Frequency
a) Reverse logistics 6
b) Ethical sourcing 6
c) Green certification 6
d) Efficient transportation 5
e) Green materials 7
16

a) Reverse
logistics b) Ethical
sourcing c) Green
certification d) Efficient
transportation e) Green
materials
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 6 6 6
5
7
Frequency
Interpretation: The above chart depicts that according to 6 out of 30 respondents, reverse
logistics is the green practices employed by Business to make it supply chain sustainable, 6
respondents said that ethical sourcing is the green practices that help company in making its
supply chain sustainable, 6 respondents said that green certification is the practice, according to
five respondents, efficient transportation is the green practice that can be employed by business
and according to remaining 7 respondents, green materials practice can be employed by business
to make it supply chain sustainable.
Theme 5: Effectiveness of eco-friendly supply chain management practices is for a business
organisation in improving its performance
Q 5) As per your opinion, how effective eco-friendly supply chain
management practices is for a business organisation in improving its
performance?
Frequency
a) Very effective 10
b) Effective 15
c) Neither effective nor ineffective 2
d) Ineffective 2
e) Highly ineffective 1
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a) Very
effective b) Effective c) Neither
effective nor
ineffective
d) Ineffective e) Highly
ineffective
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
10
15
2 2 1
Frequency
Interpretation: According to about chart, it can be said that according 10 respondents out
of 30, eco-friendly supply chain management practices is highly effective for business to
improve its performance, 15 respondents said that it is effective, according to two respondents it
is neither effective not ineffective, two respondent said that it is ineffective and according to
remaining one respondent, it is highly effective to use eco-friendly supply chain management
practices in improving business performance.
Theme 6: The way sustainable green procurement practices impacts on supply chain
management
Q 6) How sustainable green procurement practices impacts on supply
chain management in business?
Frequency
a) Positively impact 27
b) Negatively impact 2
c) No impact 1
18

a) Positively impact b) Negatively impact c) No impact
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 27
2 1
Frequency
Interpretation: It can be said that according to 27 from 30 respondents, sustainable green
procurement practices positively impact on supply chain management, two respondent said that
it impacts negatively and according to remaining one respondent, sustainable green procurement
practices have no impact on supply chain management.
Theme 7: Key critical success factor in sustainable green supply chain management that leads
business towards success
Q 7) Which is the key critical success factor in sustainable green
supply chain management that leads business towards success?
Frequency
a) Ethical leadership 5
b) Competitiveness 6
c) Supplier management 7
d) Industry standards 5
e) All of the above 7
19

a) Ethical leadership
b) Competitiveness
c) Supplier management
d) Industry standards
e) All of the above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
7
Frequency
Interpretation: As per the above graph, it can be said that according to 5 out of 30
respondents, ethical leadership is the main critical success factor in sustainable green supply
chain management which leads the business towards success, 6 respondents said that
competitiveness is a success factor, seven respondents said that supplier management is a success
factor according to five respondents industry standard is a success factor and the seven
respondent said that all of the above are the success factor in sustainable green supply chain
management which leads business towards success.
Theme 8: Key issue or challenge face by organisation in managing its supply chain
Q 8) Which can be the key issue or challenge face by organisation in
managing its supply chain?
Frequency
a) Lack of information technology execution 5
b) Ineffective human resource 6
c) Market uncertainty and competition 7
d) Increased cost 5
e) All of the above 7
20

a) Lack of
information
technology
execution
b) Ineffective
human
resource
c) Market
uncertainty and
competition
d) Increased
cost e) All of the
above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
7
Frequency
Interpretation: The above chart depicts that, according to 5 out of 30 respondents, lack of
information technology execution is the key challenge face by organisation in managing supply
chain, six respondents said that ineffective human resources is the challenge, according to seven
respondents market uncertainty and competition is the challenge, 5 respondents said that
increased cost is challenge and according to remaining 7 respondents all of the above are the
challenges that a face Organisation in management of supply chain.
Theme 9: Key strategy that will help management in resolving the issues associated with
supply chain management
Q 9) According to you, which is the key strategy that will help
management in resolving the issues associated with supply chain
management?
Frequency
a) Developing strong supplier relationship 7
b) Adopting green SCM practices 9
c) Close monitoring of process 7
d) Invest in information technology 7
21

a) Developing
strong supplier
relationship
b) Adopting green
SCM practices c) Close monitoring
of process d) Invest in
information
technology
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7
9
7 7
Frequency
Interpretation: The above chart demonstrate that as per the opinion of 7 out of 30
respondents, developing strong supply chain is the key strategy that management can use for
resolving issues related to supply chain, 9 respondents said that adopting green supply chain
management practices is the strategy, according to 7 respondents close monitoring of process is
the strategy and the remaining seven respondents at that invest in information technology is the
strategy that help in resolving the issues.
CHAPTER 5 – CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that supply chain management is a
crucial aspect of organisation which leads it towards growth and success. Procurement practices
in supply chain management benefits the Organisation in terms of improving its profitability.
Various green practices in supply chain management like green materials, ethical sourcing, green
certification etc. help in improving customer satisfaction and attaining competitive advantage in
market. Apart from this, there are some critical success factors including ethical leadership,
competitiveness etc. plays significant role in sustainable green supply chain management. Thus
help in improving the performance of company and make it able to attain its objectives.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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sustainability performance. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.
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management practices and performance. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management.
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systematic literature review on green supply chain management: Research implications
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Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A. and Papadopoulos, T., 2017. Green supply chain management:
theoretical framework and further research directions. Benchmarking: An International
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Ghadge, A., Kidd, E., Bhattacharjee, A. and Tiwari, M.K., 2019. Sustainable procurement
performance of large enterprises across supply chain tiers and geographic
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L., 2019. Sustainability and procurement practices in higher education institutions:
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7 Main Challenges in Supply Chain Management, 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://yourstory.com/mystory/7-main-challenges-in-supply-chain-management-and-h-
rdq2oy6mh9>
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