Short answer

Prioritize context-specific sustainable supply chain solutions for emerging markets, focusing on practical integration of environmental, social, and economic factors.

Field
Sustainability
Source
Sustainability (2020)
Method
Systematic Literature Review
Sample
56 articles
Evidence
Moderate effect

Research indicates that while interest in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is growing globally, emerging economies are significantly behind developed nations in its adoption and academic investigation. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Sustainability. Using Systematic literature review with 56 articles, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize context-specific sustainable supply chain solutions for emerging markets, focusing on practical integration of environmental, social, and economic factors.

Study
SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Emerging Economies Lag in Sustainable Supply Chain Integration

Research indicates that while interest in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is growing globally, emerging economies are significantly behind developed nations in its adoption and academic investigation.

Sustainability · 2020

01

Key Findings

  • 01There is an increasing global interest in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM).
  • 02Research and implementation of SSCM in emerging economies significantly lag behind developed economies.
  • 03The specific context of developing countries is important for empirical and case study investigations in SSCM.
  • 04Integrating the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and their impact on supply chain performance is critical for emerging economies.
  • 05There is a need for more research on collaboration, sustainable practices innovation, sourcing, and supplier development from the perspective of emerging countries.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize context-specific sustainable supply chain solutions for emerging markets, focusing on practical integration of environmental, social, and economic factors.

How to apply

When designing products or systems intended for emerging markets, research local sustainability challenges and opportunities to tailor solutions effectively. Consider how your design can support the integration of all three pillars of sustainability within the local supply chain.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a product for a specific region, consider the local supply chain's sustainability practices.
  • 02Investigate how cultural and economic factors in emerging markets might influence the adoption of sustainable design choices.
  • 03Look for opportunities to design solutions that are adaptable to varying levels of infrastructure and resources.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo review the existing literature on sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies and identify research gaps and opportunities.
MethodSystematic Literature Review
ProcedureA systematic review of 56 articles published between 2010 and April 2020 was conducted, analyzing them from a descriptive and content perspective.
Sample56 articles
ContextEmerging Economies, Supply Chain Management

Variables

IVEconomic development level of a region (emerging vs. developed)
DVLevel of research and implementation of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM)
CVTime period of literature review (2010-2020)
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of SSCM research in emerging economies.
  • +Identifies specific areas for future research, guiding further investigation.

Limitations

The literature review might not capture all on-the-ground realities or the latest industry innovations in emerging economies.

Reliability & validity

The systematic review methodology enhances reliability by using clear inclusion/exclusion criteria. Validity is supported by the descriptive and content analysis approach to understand the literature's scope and focus.

Think critically

Given the identified lag, what are the primary barriers preventing emerging economies from adopting sustainable supply chain practices, and how can design interventions overcome these barriers?

05

Design Principles

"Contextualize sustainable design principles to address the specific socio-economic and environmental realities of emerging economies."

For designers and engineers, understanding this gap is crucial for identifying opportunities in markets where sustainable practices are less established. It highlights the need for context-specific solutions and the potential for early adoption to gain a competitive advantage.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that countries with developing economies are not as advanced as richer countries when it comes to making their supply chains sustainable, meaning there's a lot of room for improvement and new ideas in those places.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study to justify the need for sustainable supply chain considerations in your design project, especially if targeting emerging markets.
  • 2.Use the findings to highlight potential challenges or unique opportunities related to sustainability in your chosen context.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights a significant gap in the adoption and study of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) within emerging economies compared to developed nations. The findings suggest that the unique contextual factors of developing countries play a crucial role in the implementation of SSCM, and there is a pressing need for further investigation into integrating the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability within these supply chains. This underscores the importance of designing context-aware sustainable solutions for these markets.

09

Source

Sustainability

Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Literature Review on Emerging Economies

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about emerging economies lag in sustainable supply chain integration?
Prioritize context-specific sustainable supply chain solutions for emerging markets, focusing on practical integration of environmental, social, and economic factors. Evidence: Sustainability (2020).
Why does "Emerging Economies Lag in Sustainable Supply Chain Integration" matter for design?
For designers and engineers, understanding this gap is crucial for identifying opportunities in markets where sustainable practices are less established. It highlights the need for context-specific solutions and the potential for early adoption to gain a competitive advantage.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize context-specific sustainable supply chain solutions for emerging markets, focusing on practical integration of environmental, social, and economic factors.
What were the main findings?
There is an increasing global interest in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM).. Research and implementation of SSCM in emerging economies significantly lag behind developed economies.. The specific context of developing countries is important for empirical and case study investigations in SSCM.. Integrating the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and their impact on supply chain performance is critical for emerging economies.
What research method was used?
Systematic Literature Review with 56 articles.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing products or systems intended for emerging markets, research local sustainability challenges and opportunities to tailor solutions effectively. Consider how your design can support the integration of all three pillars of sustainability within the local supply chain.
What are the limitations?
The review's scope was limited to articles published up to April 2020, and the focus was primarily on academic literature, potentially missing industry-led initiatives.