Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking

 

Special Issue on: "Sustainable Innovation in Global Supply Chain Networks"

Guest Editors:
Dr S.S. Mahapatra, National Institute of Technology, India

Today, firms have realised that competencies of firms within the global supply chain network must be explored in order to innovate. The innovations put forth by a single firm may no longer be effective enough to improve the performance of the supply chain to an extent adequate to be competitive in the market place. However, limited academic as well as practical efforts have been devoted to address this vital issue. Innovative approaches may lead to significant enhancement on issues such as sustainability and competitiveness without ignoring ethical principles.

From a managerial perspective, sustainability should be viewed from a supply chain network perspective since it is strongly dependent on the relationships that each company has with its customers, suppliers and other players. Moreover, the linking of innovative approaches in a global supply chain with sustainability is regarded as a key issue today. However, design and management of global supply chains is a complex multidisciplinary subject which requires knowledge of supply chain network design principles, geopolitics, international economics and risk management.

Sustainability has a dynamic characteristic because the factors related to sustainability such as green supplier selection, climate change, ecology, working conditions, economics and ethics place persistent and dynamic pressures on organisations to improve their sustainability. Supply chain theoretical and management models must be given fresh investigation in relation to the intertwined perspectives of innovation, sustainability and global networks, particularly in industries such as food, luxury, electronics, computers and fashion goods.

With this background, this special issue invites submissions that contribute to the understanding of innovations from a global supply chain network perspective with a firm focus on sustainability. Specifically, authors are encouraged to submit theoretical and empirical research papers leading to an understanding of innovations for sustainability from a global supply chain network perspective. Contributions must be based on well-grounded theory and provide clear implications for practising managers. Theoretical papers should propose concrete models with empirical validation.

Subject Coverage
Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Drivers and barriers of innovations in global supply chain networks
• Managing innovations in global supply chain networks
• Performance implications of global supply chain innovations
• Strategies to promote innovation in global supply chain networks
• Sustainability through innovation in global supply chain networks

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. (N.B. Conference papers may only be submitted if the paper has been completely re-written and if appropriate written permissions have been obtained from any copyright holders of the original paper).

All papers are refereed through a peer review process.

All papers must be submitted online. To submit a paper, please read our Submitting articles page.

Important Dates

Manuscript submission: 30 September, 2014

Revised paper submission: 30 November, 2014

Final paper submission: 15 December, 2014