SPECIAL TOPIC FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: INTRODUCTION AND REFLECTIONS ON THE ROLE OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT^*

Abstract

This paper introduces a special topic forum on “Sustainable Supply Chain Management.” Before introducing the papers included in the forum, the authors provide thoughts on the direction and future of sustainability research, particularly in the context of purchasing and supply chain management. The underlying premise that structures our discussion is straightforward: a company is no more sustainable than its supply chain. As such the purchasing function becomes central in a company's sustainability effort. In doing so, we reflect on the relationship between purchasing management and sustainable development by drawing from Kraljic's seminal article on how “Purchasing Must Become Supply Management.”