Abstract:
Sustainability is an initiative that continues to gain momentum in the marketplace and influence the way business is conducted in today’s economy. Businesses are continuously seeking methods and tools to help stimulate greater efficiency and operate in a more sustainable manner. This paper is concerned with exploring Supply Chain Waste Management (SCWM) (an operational strategy associated with the identification, reduction, transportation, recycling and effective treatment and disposal of waste within an organisation) and the relationship it may have on promoting greater sustainability within an organisation. This research follows a single case study approach that seeks to investigate influential factors in sustainability development as well as address the correlation between SCWM systems and the promotion of sustainability. Waste streams within a New Zealand organisation are analyzed to help reveal the underlying influential factors driving or causing waste to occur along the SC. A value chain perspective (an expansion of the SC where the entire production chain from raw inputs to the final output consumed by the end user is analyzed as each link in the chain adds value to the original raw input) of SCWM is applied in this study to evaluate and determine where value is being lost along the SC. The objective of this research is to address the following research objectives: Identify the main drivers that cause wastes to occur along the SC by determining the underlying influential factors behind these waste processes. Question why such waste processes are still present in the SC and determine how waste drivers are being monitored or plan to be managed? How do these waste drivers impact sustainability and how can waste management promote greater sustainability? As well as explore the feasibility of value chains analysis to promote sustainability through waste management systems, particularly for NZ SCs. Considering the research questions proposed in this study, it is implied that overall SCWM may have a positive relationship with promoting sustainability within organisations, particularly New Zealand organisations. The objective of this research paper is to confirm or deny this proposition whilst providing more insight on the topic.