Mapping the Path Forward for Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Review of Reviews

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of 59 sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) SLRs. The key findings are that (1) we have reached a point of saturation, where we likely do not need additional SSCM SLRs that simply provide a broad overview of the content, themes, and structure of the SSCM literature (although periodic updates of existing SLRs may be warranted); however, (2) there is “white space” and opportunity to examine relationships among specific constructs and use SLRs for theory development; and (3) there is a need to improve the methodological rigor of future SSCM SLRs, as found through our introduction of a modified set of AMSTAR criteria to assess SLR quality. Finally, there is an opportunity for studies that move beyond metrics and investigation of performance from the perspective of a single organization to the broader supply chain.