Interdependence between supply chains and sustainable development: global insights from a systematic review

Economic growth combined with industrialization brought negative repercussions, notably the depletion of resources and environmental challenges. In light of new global consumption patterns, unprecedented challenges arise for Supply Chain Management (SCM). Given the magnitude and consequences of this issue, there is a gap in the literature that explores the relationship between supply chains (SC) and sustainable development (SD). In this context, this article analyzes the interdependence between SC and SD, considering the impact of consuming products and services on sustainable issues. This study also aims to categorize the subtypes of SC most frequently discussed in the literature and identify the methodologies most used in research on sustainable chains. This study was conducted through a systematic literature review (SLR) in the Scopus database, following a research protocol validated by the literature. The analysis was conducted on the textual corpus of 485 articles published in the last decade. The results indicate a High interdependence between SC and SD, with environmental sustainability as the most firmly established theme. However, there has also been a consolidation of social and economic sustainability. In the theoretical field, it is necessary to establish the Circular Economy as a field of research and relate it to SC. In the practical and managerial field, attention must remain focused on food SC, which needs to be well explored, mainly to avoid food waste, which affects sustainability in all areas of the triple bottom line. This research innovates by exploring the interrelationship between (SC) and (SD) through a comprehensive approach that goes beyond geographic boundaries and specific categorizations of SC. While many previous studies have focused on niches or specific geographic contexts, the present research breaks with this norm by considering SC’s global and multifaceted character, aligned with the vastness and complexity of SD. The adopted approach differentiates this work from others in the field. It reflects the magnitude and depth necessary to understand and propose practical solutions to the challenges interconnecting SC and SD in the contemporary scenario.