A State-of-the-art Review and Meta-analysis of Quantitative Sustainable Supply Chain Models: Research Implications and Future Perspectives

Abstract

In the era of industrialization, implementing successful Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) in industries has become essential due to limited natural resources and increased pressure from the government and customers. This study reviewed fifty-one peer-reviewed journal articles on sustainability implementation in Indian manufacturing industries following a data-driven approach using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The paper considered quantitative models of the forward supply chain to determine and analyze the critical sustainability implementation drivers and barriers. The first part of the paper elaborates on a state-of-the-art review of the selected topic from 2011 to 2022. Subsequently, a metadata analysis is conducted based on various aspects such as publication year, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), methodological approach, industrial context, and research focus. Thirdly, a step-by-step guideline has been provided to establish a sustainability framework with a practical case implementation. Finally, several future directions have been suggested for improving and extending existing research through methodological advancements and broader industrial applications. The literature study revealed a growing trend in publications, with increasing interest in organizational factors, a dominance of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) tools as research methods, and a comprehensive consideration of all three dimensions of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental.