Employing total quality practices in sustainable supply chain management

The rapid development of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) has resulted in several links and management techniques less explored to date. Thus, the integration of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Sustainable Supply Chain Quality Management (SSCQM) is an important intersection that needs further investigation. In this study, tools from TQM and resources from the resource-based view (RBV) theory are integrated into the sustainable supply chain setting. We employed a hybrid approach by combining grey-based Decision-Making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling (CBSEM) to create a model comprising of influential practices to analyse the interaction between practice and its effects on the implementation of SSCQM in the manufacturing industry. The analysis emphasises the interrelations as well as the level of importance of the identified resource components while proposing a model and testing it based on empirical data. Results revealed that cross-functional cooperation is effective on social issues, human resource management (HRM), the quality management system and supply chain capabilities. Also, social issues are effective on HRM, the environmental management system and customer focus. The quality management system is effective on HRM and supply chain capabilities. Supply chain capabilities impact customer focus and the environmental management system while HRM impacts environmental management systems. The developed model was initially validated and all interrelationships between the practices were accepted except the effect of HRM on environmental management system and the effect of social issues on HRM. This study assists practitioners in focusing on the core practices of managing resource consumption with regard to SSCQM.