SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT NEEDS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Objectives. The aim of this paper is to identify the initiative what are the concrete initiatives that companies undertake to ensure sustainable supply chain management through sustainable packaging. Methodology. To investigate the research question a literature review and empirical exploratory investigation were conducted through qualitative methodology. Findings. The literature and the operational reality analysed reveal that there are many opportunities for companies to improve their approach to sustainability in a supply chain perspectives through sustainable packaging innovation initiatives. Research limits. Even though this exploratory research has reviewed in deep the literature and has implemented a first preliminary empirical study, it needs to be extended in terms of numbers of case studies investigated, so that it might also be valuable to conduct a quantitative content analysis. Practical implications. This study may help corporate decision makers to understand the role of packaging in the sustainability programmes of companies and the importance of collaboration along the entire supply chain to achieve sustainability in a complete life cycle way of thinking. Originality of the study. The present study is one of the first attempt to investigate the topic of sustainability in a supply chain perspective especially the important role that packaging can play in achieving this strategic goal.