Role of Sustainable Procurement in Sustainable Manufacturing Operations: An Indian Insight

Introduction

In the emerging markets like India, sustainable manufacturing has taken a new momentum as there is a focus beyond Green operations. Industry professionals also started practicing the principles in multiple operational domains with diversified objectives. The concept is to be supported by sustainable procurement in the upstream and sustainable transport/Logistics in the downstream directions. Both of them are having an effective role on the core operations and look for including the partners inclusively and to work in the long term focus. In recent decade, governments across the world have become increasingly conscious about the adverse and undesirable impact of their purchases on society and environment, and are adopting sustainable procurement practices facilitated by legal reforms and policy guidelines (Terrin report, 2012). At present, Indian government is looking for a momentum in manufacturing domain through its new policy program called “Make in India” and for that Sustainability is becoming an essential element of Supply Chain (SC) systems. Due to this, many of the foreign players are trying to establish in Indian market with advanced and inclusive concepts in manufacturing, which have to be inducted to Indian system diligently. These firms are looking at India as an emerging market as a potential one because of abundant and versatility in resources’ availability. Naturally, when they try to invest in manufacturing domains, they bring in the latest trends and to be adopted in the localized condition to sustain in the market. They also give the directions to their Indian counterparts to be ready to implement and go further on their current level of understanding on sustainability. Also, it would help Indian players to compete globally by adopting stringent global norms followed in the operations which are considered to be sustainable.

As earlier said, Sustainable procurement is becoming an integrated component in the supply chain systems with many players are becoming aware of the regulations and needs of the customers closely. Moreover, the research in the said domains is in nascent stage and any work in sustainable manufacturing, procurement and logistics would help industry policy makers to look upon and devise their strategy accordingly. The domain is explored in the public procurement domain at the global level with very few research reports on private firm orientation. Further, Indian industries face lots of challenges in implementing the same. This chapter will identify and discuss those challenges along with a brief report on the current status of sustainable procurement in India.