Driving Sustainability: Unpacking the Forces Shaping Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Abstract

This study investigates influences on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) implementation, emphasizing regulatory, market, and organization pressures. Drawing on data collected from manufacturing firms, it examines how government regulations, customer expectations, competitor actions and the internal dynamics of firms all affect their sustainability initiatives. NGO pressure, supplier pressure and internal environment indirectly influence the SSCM adoption process. The study emphasizes how crucial regulatory and competitive dynamics that can drive sustainable supply chains. As evidenced through rich and vivid narratives, they also contribute to the practical implications for policymakers to strengthen regulations, for businesses to integrate green practices, and for supply chain managers to ensure deeper supplier engagement. Supplier engagement should be taken to the next level while technology should be used to maximize sustainability performance from supply chain managers. Nonetheless, the study offers valuable insights, albeit with some limitations, which include the cross-sectional nature of the study, its industry specificity, and its limited ability to account for mediating variables. However, limitations like industry focus and cross-sectional nature mean that future research on longitudinal trends of SSCM and its digital transformation is merited. Future research may further consider Ramos et al. (2024) study longitudinal, cross–industry, and the digital transformation role on SSCM practices. This research provides a pertinent window into the dynamics of sustainability adoption within international supply chains, displaying how external pressures can ultimately dictate sustainable business practices.