Sustainability metrics for a supply chain: The case of small and medium enterprises

Abstract

Using digraph and matrix method this research enunciates a simple method to quantify supply chain sustainability for small and medium enterprises. It proposes a numerical index which can be used to measure sustainability for different supply chains in actual practical settings. This approach also provides the opportunity to visualise variable interdependencies at system level and also presents a method to compare supply chains on sustainability dimension. The research would help to understand the dynamics between different variables and sub-variables of a sustainable supply chain and more importantly it would facilitate organisations to identify the areas in which the supply chain is lacking and need immediate attention to improve the overall supply chain sustainability. Numerical assessment of supply chain sustainability by transforming it in an index is a unique attempt in the area of supply chain management. Copyright 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.