Short answer

Integrate social impact assessment as a core component of the design process for supply chains, moving beyond environmental and economic considerations.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas (2023)
Method: Systematic Literature Review
Evidence: Moderate effect

Despite the growing importance of social sustainability, research and practical application within Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) significantly lag in addressing social aspects. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas. Using Systematic literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate social impact assessment as a core component of the design process for supply chains, moving beyond environmental and economic considerations.

Study

Innovation & DesignRecentModerate effect

Social Sustainability in Supply Chains Remains Underexplored

GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas · 2023

Key Findings

01Most research on GSCM and SSCM originates from China, India, and European countries.
02Quantitative studies often address economic, environmental, and social aspects together, but social performance research is not specialized.
03Studies focusing specifically on social issues within GSCM and SSCM are scarce, indicating significant research gaps.

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate social impact assessment as a core component of the design process for supply chains, moving beyond environmental and economic considerations.

How to apply

When designing or redesigning a product's supply chain, explicitly include criteria for social impact, such as labor practices, community engagement, and ethical sourcing.

Project actions

01When researching a product's lifecycle, dedicate specific attention to the social impacts at each stage.
02Consider how your design choices might affect workers, communities, and end-users from a social perspective.

Method & Evidence

AimTo what extent is the social dimension integrated into research on Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), and what are the key research gaps?

MethodSystematic Literature Review

ProcedureA systematic review of academic literature was conducted to identify and analyze studies that integrate GSCM and SSCM with a focus on the social dimension, using established criteria for analysis.

ContextSupply Chain Management Research

Variables

IVFocus on GSCM and SSCM research that integrates social aspects.

DVThe extent and nature of the integration of the social dimension.

CVGeographic origin of research, quantitative vs. qualitative approaches.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a clear overview of the current state of research on social aspects in GSCM/SSCM.
+Identifies specific areas for future research and practical application.

Limitations

It can be challenging to quantify social impact, and data may be difficult to obtain or verify.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the systematic review depends on the rigor of the search strategy and the criteria used for study inclusion. Validity is enhanced by the systematic approach to analyzing the literature.

Think critically

Given the scarcity of research on social aspects in supply chains, how can designers effectively identify and mitigate potential negative social impacts without robust existing frameworks?

Design Principles

"Holistic sustainability in design encompasses social, environmental, and economic dimensions."

Designers and engineers must recognize that a truly sustainable product or system encompasses social well-being, not just environmental or economic factors. Ignoring the social dimension can lead to reputational damage, ethical concerns, and ultimately, a less resilient and accepted design.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about how a product's creation affects people, not just the planet or profits. There's not enough research on this 'people' part of supply chains, so it's a big area for new ideas.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of social impact analysis in your design project's research phase, highlighting the existing gaps.
2.Frame your design choices in terms of their potential positive or negative social consequences.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights a significant gap in the literature concerning the social dimension of Global and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. My design project aims to address this by explicitly considering and integrating social impact factors, such as ethical labor practices and community well-being, into the design of [mention your product/system], recognizing the need for a more holistic approach to sustainability.

Source

GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas

Mapping the social aspect of GSCM and SSCM: a future research agenda proposal

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about social sustainability in supply chains remains underexplored?: Integrate social impact assessment as a core component of the design process for supply chains, moving beyond environmental and economic considerations. Evidence: GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas (2023).
Why does "Social Sustainability in Supply Chains Remains Underexplored" matter for design?: Designers and engineers must recognize that a truly sustainable product or system encompasses social well-being, not just environmental or economic factors. Ignoring the social dimension can lead to reputational damage, ethical concerns, and ultimately, a less resilient and accepted design.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate social impact assessment as a core component of the design process for supply chains, moving beyond environmental and economic considerations.
What were the main findings?: Most research on GSCM and SSCM originates from China, India, and European countries.. Quantitative studies often address economic, environmental, and social aspects together, but social performance research is not specialized.. Studies focusing specifically on social issues within GSCM and SSCM are scarce, indicating significant research gaps.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from GEPROS. Gestão da Produção, Operações e Sistemas.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or redesigning a product's supply chain, explicitly include criteria for social impact, such as labor practices, community engagement, and ethical sourcing.
What are the limitations?: The review's findings are based on existing published literature, which may not fully represent all ongoing research or industry practices.