I.

Article Title: Impact of Social Sustainability Orientation and Supply

Chain Practices on Operational Performance
II. Source: This Article was taken from www.mendeley.com

The Article link is:

https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/151774220
/Impact_of_Social_Sustainability_Orientation_and_Supply_
Chain_Practices_on_Operational_Performance.pdf

APA Citation
Croom, S., Vidal, N., Spetic, W., Marshall, D., & McCarthy,
L. (2018). Impact of social sustainability orientation and
supply chain practices on operational
performance. International Journal of Operations and
Production Management, 38(12), 2344–2366.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-03-2017-0180.
III. Introduction

“Going green “has been one of the common trends in businesses nowadays. But
being sustainable is more than just being environment - friendly, going plastic - free,
and preventing pollution. It is an approach used by businesses to improve their
sustainability. Aside from minimizing negative environmental impacts, adopting
socially – sustainable supply chain (SSSC) advanced practices will lead to the
improvement of business operational performance. However, due to lack of
knowledge on SSSC practices, the managers and the top level management find it
difficult to describe, understand and apply it in business operations. This article will
further discuss the effect of sustainability practices on the improvement of
operational performance.

IV. Summary
Socially-sustainable supply chain (SSSC) practices involve a range of initiatives
that are critical for global supply chains, including health and safety, child and slave
labour, working conditions, human rights and community impact programs. Besides
being relatively unexplored when compared to environmental practices, different
SSSC practices can have different business outcomes. For example, process
oriented SSSC practices, such as codes of conduct and monitoring systems, serve
as guides for suppliers on sustainability issues and help monitor supplier activities.
However, while they may improve supplier sustainability behavior, they do not
necessarily lead to better sustainability performance.

There are two types of SSSC practices; ‘basic’ and ‘advanced’ practices. Basic
practices focus on the health and safety of workers in the supply chain, such as
health and safety monitoring or management systems, while advanced practices
redefine the supply chain through new products or processes that benefit multiple
stakeholder groups, promote transparency of social sustainability information and
include NGOs and communities in supply chain decision making. SSSC practices
address pressing social issues and may provide operational benefits as well as
positive impacts on society. However, due to gaps in our current knowledge, it is
difficult to know what practices will provide benefits and what management
orientations can maximize the impact of these practices on operational performance.

V. Learning or Insights

I recently watched a video on YouTube about how to improve cash flow in a

business. It explains how income plays a significant role in its success. Even though
money can be used to spend on different resources, it doesn’t mean it is for long
term growth. I have learned on this article that socially-sustainable supply chain
practices are the key to continuous stream of revenue and creating positive impact to
the community. If we value our products, the employees and the community, we
would be able to create a better world where everyone benefits from every supply
chain practices.

I have formulated different practices or initiatives on which businesses or

organizations could apply to have more sustainable outcome. These are the
following:

1. Making deals with sustainable friendly suppliers that embrace viable

environmental and social practices. Good purchase decisions could
eliminate different labor, health, and environmental issues faced by firms
nowadays.. Example: Coffee shop owners getting supplies directly from
farmers practicing organic and environment friendly farming instead of
companies offering supplies at low price but has labor and legislative
issues.
2. Conduct training and ability building programs to all employees to
showcase the best practices from top performing employees and
management. This won’t only recognize their efforts but also getting them
engage in sustainability initiatives to everyone in the supply chain.
Example: A business will conduct various training on antidiscrimination,
energy conservation, labor rights and mental health and other related
topics.
3. Create or shift to sustainable products that would help the business,
employees and communities in the long – run. By focusing on
sustainability, the business would be able to protect our environment,
evaluate product options, and create a better future for everyone.
Example: A business shifts from plastic to paper packaging and organic
products.
4. Influence suppliers to create a bigger impact on sustainability. Businesses
or organizations should adopt more refined and effective approaches for
shifting their suppliers’ practices. This could be done by publicizing codes
of conduct, performing assessments and surveys to help suppliers
implement sustainability programs that align with the companies’ goals. 

VI. Implications

A. Education
 Sustainable schools play a significant role in generating awareness and
understanding on environmental and social issues. They can create an environment
where teachers and faculty can encourage a positive and progressive school culture.
Teachers have more opportunities to formulate unique educational opportunities and
students benefit from it through increased productivity and improved problem-solving
and critical thinking skills. Through environmental education and engagement of all
members of the community, the school can create a culture of continuous learning,
growth, and development. For example, the school will implement a “No trash
policy”, which means that all waste should be recycled or reused. The students
would be able to practice it every day in school, in their homes or wherever they go.

B. Business

One condition that can slow a company’s growth is poor sustainability

performance. Socially-sustainable supply chain practices can influence their
suppliers and make their network more sustainable. Setting sustainable practices
would help the companies achieve their goals and realize greater returns on their
investments. For example, a canned goods company will set high standards for their
suppliers’ performance on sustainable farming. It will not just help the business reach
its long term goals, but also help the employee, the suppliers and the consumer.

C. Public sector

Socially-sustainable supply chain practices are important to many political and

legal instruments in forming policies and procedures for a more sustainable planet.
Their responsibility to on the conformity of political and social aspects will not just
help the future generations but could also contribute to long-term sustainable
environment. This would help the public sector in the development of the legal
framework needed for sustainable processes. Example: A public sector adopts
business practices that increase operational efficiency or supports suppliers/vendors
committed to sustainability. They t will lead as an example to the general public and
so other businesses or individuals will also follow. In general, it will help our country,
our future and eliminate scarcity of resources.

VII. Recommendations

The following recommendations are formulated based on the insights and

implications conveyed from the article.

1. Businesses need to approach socially-sustainable supply chain practices

with long term mentality to adopt its long term benefits.
2. Businesses should practice sustainability not only for revenue and
marketing purposes.
3. The employees and the community should wholeheartedly take part in the
change for the good of all.
4. Government should give incentives to businesses that practices
sustainability to promote viable working policies.
5. Government should create programs that would help increase the number
of sustainable business and organizations.