Social Sustainable Supply Chain Practices Evidence From the Indian Manufacturing Sector: An Empirical Study

1. Introduction

As world is shrinking due to climate change, majority of industries including manufacturing as well as service oriented are making a drift in their business activities by incorporating the concept of social sustainability. Health and well being, nutrition, shelter education and cultural expression are essential priorities of a human being to live happily. “Sustainable development is defined as the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”, (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, also known as the Brundtland Commission). According to Phillip Sutton, “social sustainability is not “about” the integration of ecological, social and economic issues, nor is it “about” widespread”. Elkington (1997) conceptualized the expression ‘triple bottom line’ which has been adopted by majority of companies globally a method of corporate reporting that addresses environmental, social and economic perspective. However, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI, established in 1997) has disclosed that GRI reporting on environmental index covering social performance is sparse and uncertain by organizations. Similar view by Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS) that environmental economic issues are densely addressed however social aspects slipped from sustainability agenda. Linton et al. (2007) argues that legislations were adopted worldwide over a short span to phase out chemicals that effect ozone layer. Sikdar argues that prominent role of social, environmental, and economic aspects. According to him, sustainability is “a wise balance among economic development, environmental stewardship, and social equity” Sikdar (2003). Hutchins & Sutherland (2008) view of TBL approach embedded by economic, social and environmental dimensions acknowledged as three pillars of sustainability. However, limited studies directed on practice or implementation of social sustainability across the supply chain management of Indian manufacturing industries and implications are based on survey, statistical results, our research fixate using survey results proposed a house of for social sustainable supply chain management practices for Indian manufacturing sector a unique view. We developed scale items and measures for social sustainability.