Abstract
Modern day organizations have begun to implement the green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in response to demand from various stakeholders which includes customers to create products and services that are environmentally sustainable. The digital technology has been a boon in erstwhile supply chain management practices. However, the impact of digital technology on various dimensions of GSCM practices are not yet studied. This chapter explores the impact of digital technology on green supply chain management practices. A qualitative study is conducted on managers working in organizations using GSCM. The data is analyzed in line with interpretative phenomenology analysis approach. The impact of digital technology is analyzed on the five dimensions of GSCM practices suggested in earlier research. The research propositions are developed, and future research opportunities are identified.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Customer Cooperation: Is the customer cooperation for the green supply chain management initiatives. It is process perspective, which concerns types of customer relationships that occur in green supply chain management. Customer pressure is a primary driver for enterprises to improve their environmental image and practices.
Investment Recovery: Is recovery of investments already made for green supply chain management. Investment recovery typically occurs at the back end of the supply chain cycle or as a method to “close the loop.”
Internal Environmental Management: Is defined as improving organizational environmental performance. Top management support is necessary of improving environmental performance.
Green Supply Chain Management: The strategic, transparent integration and achievement of an organization’s social, environmental, and economic goals in the systemic coordination of key interorganizational business processes for improving the long-term economic performance of the individual company and its supply chains.
Environmental Sustainability: Means a systematic approach that allows economic activities to be bounded by environmental limits.
Supply Chain Management: The management of the flow of goods and services. It involves the movement and storage of raw materials or WIP (work in process) or finished goods from suppliers (point of origin) to customers (point of consumption). In other words, it included interconnected or interlinked networks, channels and node businesses, which combine altogether in the provision of products and services required by end customers in a supply chain.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: ( IPA): Is a method of qualitative research with an idiographic focus. The main aim is to give insights into how a given person, in a given context, makes sense of a given phenomenon under study. Usually these phenomena relate to experiences like in this case green supply chain management practices.
Lived Experience: Refers to a depiction of the experiences and choices of a given participant, and the knowledge that they gain from these experiences and choices.
Eco-Design: Is ecologically friendly design of products. RCO-design or design for environment (DfE) is an important and emerging GSCM practice to improve companies.
Digital Technology: The branch of scientific or engineering knowledge that deals with the creation and practical use of digital or computerized devices, methods, systems, etc.
Green Purchasing: Green purchasing practice focuses on the inbound or upstream segment of a product’s and organization’s supply chain. It includes environmental requirements for purchased items, cooperation with suppliers for environmental objectives, environmental audits for supplier’s internal management, and suppliers ISO14001 certification.