Sustainability drivers of fast-moving consumer goods supply chains: a multi-method study

Purpose This study responds to the calls from the literature on identifying interactions among the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) drivers, which influence focal firms’ SSCM decisions. It also determines how the effect of SSCM drivers differs across the upstream and downstream supply chains (SCs) entities of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) companies. Design/methodology/approach We employ a multi-method design encompassing three studies: study 1 (multiple-case study), study 2 (quantitative survey), and study 3 (multiple-criteria decision-making or MCDM modeling). Findings The results show that the external drivers such as customer pressure, competition, and supplier pressure and internal drivers such as top management commitment interact to influence the adoption of SSCM practices, and this interaction is diverse across upstream and downstream SC entities of the FMCG sector. The study provides empirical evidence of relationships among the SSCM drivers, which influence SSCM decisions. Originality/value Understanding these interactions will help managers derive strategies to manage the overall SSCM ecosystem and recognize the multiplier effects of upstream to downstream and vice versa.