Title: Critical analysis of drivers and barriers of sustainable supply chain management in Indian thermal sector

Authors: Jitendra Narayan Biswal; Kamalakanta Muduli; Suchismita Satapathy

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, CV Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, CV Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India ' School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Abstract: In an attempt to satisfy its ever increasing need for energy, the Indian government has setup a large number of coal fired power plants, which in turn has led to increased socio-environmental hazards such as global warming, acid rain, scarcity of drinking water, reduced crop production, and a stressful work environment. Realising the fact, efforts have been made by government, industry as well, as by the academicians to develop and incorporate sustainable practices in the thermal power supply chains. However, sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) implementation is a complex activity owing to its dependence on various factors with a varying degree of influence on SSCM. In light of this, this research has been carried out to explore and evaluate the degree of influence of the factors those that influence SSCM either positively or negatively. It was observed that academic involvement and lack of coordination are the most significant driver and barrier respectively. Knowledge of the influential factors and their ranks will help the decision makers in reducing the impact of the barriers and optimise the benefits derived from the drivers.

Keywords: sustainable supply chain management; SSCM; drivers; barriers; thermal power plants; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2017.085033

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2017 Vol.10 No.4, pp.411 - 430

Received: 07 Apr 2016
Accepted: 20 Jun 2016
Published online: 10 Jul 2017 *

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