Sustainability Within The Supply Chain And What It Entails

Abstract

For whatever reason, enterprises are yet to fully appreciate the relevance of sustainability to their supply chain management system and this is unfortunate.  Infusing  eco-awareness into every aspect of an enterprise raises the reputation of the enterprise and legitimizes the enterprise. After all, it helps the enterprise raise its productivity and reduce its expenses at the same time. The question that arises in the circumstances is the measures that are needed to ensure sustainability with the supply chains of enterprises.  The researcher took up an investigation into the issue and interacted with two respondent groups who are associated with  the issue, for the purpose. The respondent groups were experts in supply chain management and the entrepreneurs themselves. The interaction with the experts led the researcher to conclude that sustainability should be at the core of all functions of the enterprise including its supply chain function if the enterprise is to ensure sustainability within the supply chain.  This view, inexplicably, was not shared by the entrepreneurs. However the two  groups agreed that the enterprises needed to ensure that their packaging was recyclable, reusable, etc. The view that supply chains of enterprises should use natural substitutes wherever possible resonated with both the respondent groups.  However, the view that enterprises should satisfy themselves that  their suppliers adhered to fair labour practices did not resonate significantly with the entrepreneur group.