Βιωσιμότητα στην εφοδιαστική αλυσίδα : βέλτιστες πρακτικές
Sustainability in the supply chain : best practices
View/ Open
Keywords
Βιωσιμότητα ; Εφοδιαστική αλυσίδα ; Βέλτιστες πρακτικές ; Sustainability ; Supply chain ; Best practicesAbstract
This thesis aimed at studying the concept of sustainability and the concept of sustainable
supply chain, emphasizing on the best practices adopted by firms to ensure the sustainability
of their supply chains. For the purposes of the thesis, a review of international relevant
literature was conducted. The analysis that took place, showed that the practices that lead to
a more sustainable supply chain, may be either best practices of traditional supply chains or
slight changes of existing practices or innovative practices. In any case, to benefit, firms have
to employ management systems and tools that integrate environmental measures and safety
measures along with measures of other processes within the organization and throughout the
supply chain. These include among others: total quality management, Just in Time system
and lean production approach. Further, individual environmental responsibility, sustainable
design and use of appropriate materials for products’ packaging form the next stage of
activities of sustainable supply chain, while recycling, remanufacturing and reverse logistics
form the third stage of above-mentioned activities. In the same context, firms developed
processes of monitoring and assessing the efficiency of sustainable supply chain, as well as
informative and educational programs for employees, suppliers, vendors and customers,
aiming at increasing the level of their awareness. Finally, rapid technological advancements
play, as well, an important role in improving the quality of employing best practices in
sustainable supply chain.