Sustainable Supply Chain: A New Paradigm for Supply Chain Strategy

In this chapter the authors define a new paradigm in supply chain management and a new strategy—they refer to the concept of sustainability and aspects of economic, environmental, and social management. The conceptual aspects of the new strategy will be discussed as well as the determinants of its creation and the barriers and benefits of applying the new business solution. In this context the new business model will be presented. The challenges by supply chain managers in implementing the new business model are described. The chapter will examine strategies that support the construction of a sustainable supply chain. It shows the evolution of supply chain strategies, and indicates the elements that, in addition to the traditional ones, were considered to achieve the objectives of the chains. The discussion will focus on the 3BL/ESG criteria and their individual elements already implemented within supply chains and aimed at laying the foundations for building a new chain concept.