Understanding the implications of Belt and Road Initiative for sustainable supply chains: an environmental perspective

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to explore the potential impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on sustainable supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs twenty qualitative interviews with supply chain managers located on the BRI lane from Asian countries.

Findings

Findings revealed that if not managed properly, BRI can pose a serious threats to sustainable supply chains from environmental perspective. The findings also revealed additional properties which lead to the emergence of these perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study may not be generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores supply chain managers’ interpretations from Asian countries only.

Practical implications

Supply chain firms can use the findings from this study to understand the implications of BRI for sustainable supply chains. Particularly, firms can understand how the BRI may harm the organization's sustainable supply chains from the environmental perspective.

Originality/value

This is, perhaps, the first study which provides empirical evidence concerning the potential impacts of BRI on the management of sustainable supply chains.

Citation

Butt, A.S. and Ali, I. (2020), "Understanding the implications of Belt and Road Initiative for sustainable supply chains: an environmental perspective", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 27 No. 9, pp. 2631-2648. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-04-2020-0143