Socially responsible supply chain management in small and medium enterprises in the GCC
ISSN: 1747-1117
Article publication date: 1 May 2019
Issue publication date: 21 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine variables and their relationships that hinder socially responsible behaviours in the supply chain of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the mixed-method approach that includes the survey method and soft mathematical modelling. Empirical data were collected from 130 SMEs and their suppliers based in Qatar and Oman. Furthermore, to understand the barriers and their interrelationships, interpretive structural modelling approach is applied.
Findings
The results of empirical study reveal lack of coherence among SMEs and their suppliers in prioritising social responsibility issues in their supply chain. The hierarchy-based model reveals that shortages of incentive, short-term objectives, the lack of cooperation and willingness among supply chain partners, constraints (financial, managerial and technological) and the pressure from customers were the independent barriers and have strong driving power.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study are expected to provide an insight to further improve and promote socially responsible supply chain in emerging economies in Gulf region. Future research could compare the socially responsible activities of SMEs from different Gulf countries and expand the understanding of the barriers that outline the responses of suppliers situated in different Gulf economies.
Originality/value
The results contribute to the field of supply chain sustainability as the first academic attempt to shed light on how SMEs in GCC are dealing with supply chain social responsibility issues and one of the few in the emerging economy perspective that probes the key role of barriers to improve the socially responsible behaviour of Gulf-based SMEs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Author 1 and Author 3 acknowledge the support by Qatar University Internal Grant No. QUUG-CBE-DMM-17/18-4. Author 4 acknowledges the support by Abu Dhabi University Internal Grant No. 19300084. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Also, the authors wish to thank the Chief Editor, Professor Fauzi Hasan, and the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable and constructive comments.
Citation
Al-Esmael, B., Talib, F., Faisal, M.N. and Jabeen, F. (2020), "Socially responsible supply chain management in small and medium enterprises in the GCC", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 369-386. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-09-2017-0174
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited