Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies

Purpose – Despite the growing interest in the field of supply chain sustainability (SCS), little exploration of new theories exists. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce practice theories to SCS studies through a practice turn. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper in nature. H...

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Main Authors: Raphael Lissillour, Minelle E. Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2024-07-01
Series:RAUSP Management Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-09-2023-0181/full/pdf
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author Raphael Lissillour
Minelle E. Silva
author_facet Raphael Lissillour
Minelle E. Silva
author_sort Raphael Lissillour
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – Despite the growing interest in the field of supply chain sustainability (SCS), little exploration of new theories exists. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce practice theories to SCS studies through a practice turn. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper in nature. Hence, based on theoretical arguments, the authors elaborate on how the practice turn can arise in the SCS field. Findings – The theoretical elaboration is rooted in the understanding that sustainability is not limited to the materiality of environmental and social issues, as often observed. Instead, there is a need to include immaterial, emotional and intangible elements to better comprehend SCS practice. The authors argue that a continuum exists for a practice turn, including practice-based view, practice-based studies and critical practice theory. Research limitations/implications – The authors provide a research agenda with a comprehensive perspective of understanding the application and implications of practice theories to SCS. Practical implications – The practice turn in SCS studies can support managers to better understand their practices not only through recognizing explicit activities but also mainly by reflecting on hidden elements that affect their performance. Social implications – SCS studies can better engage with grand challenges through a practice turn, which helps increase its contribution to solving social problems. Originality/value – Unlike previous literature, the paper elaborates on how practice theories are powerful in supporting both scholars and practitioners in moving away from an extremely economic focus to genuinely embrace sustainability practice. In doing so, the practice turn appears as an important phase for SCS field maturity.
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spelling doaj-art-57e49095e70c4fd09a70bde10d382ccb2024-12-11T12:37:42ZengEmerald PublishingRAUSP Management Journal2531-04882024-07-0159213815310.1108/RAUSP-09-2023-0181Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studiesRaphael Lissillour0Minelle E. Silva1Department of Management and Strategy, IPAG Business School, Paris, France and Department of Supply Chain Management, BIBS School of Sustainability Management, Prague, Czech RepublicSupply Chain Management Department, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, CanadaPurpose – Despite the growing interest in the field of supply chain sustainability (SCS), little exploration of new theories exists. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce practice theories to SCS studies through a practice turn. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper in nature. Hence, based on theoretical arguments, the authors elaborate on how the practice turn can arise in the SCS field. Findings – The theoretical elaboration is rooted in the understanding that sustainability is not limited to the materiality of environmental and social issues, as often observed. Instead, there is a need to include immaterial, emotional and intangible elements to better comprehend SCS practice. The authors argue that a continuum exists for a practice turn, including practice-based view, practice-based studies and critical practice theory. Research limitations/implications – The authors provide a research agenda with a comprehensive perspective of understanding the application and implications of practice theories to SCS. Practical implications – The practice turn in SCS studies can support managers to better understand their practices not only through recognizing explicit activities but also mainly by reflecting on hidden elements that affect their performance. Social implications – SCS studies can better engage with grand challenges through a practice turn, which helps increase its contribution to solving social problems. Originality/value – Unlike previous literature, the paper elaborates on how practice theories are powerful in supporting both scholars and practitioners in moving away from an extremely economic focus to genuinely embrace sustainability practice. In doing so, the practice turn appears as an important phase for SCS field maturity.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-09-2023-0181/full/pdfSupply chain sustainabilityPractice theoriesPractice-based studiesCritical research
spellingShingle Raphael Lissillour
Minelle E. Silva
Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
RAUSP Management Journal
Supply chain sustainability
Practice theories
Practice-based studies
Critical research
title Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
title_full Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
title_fullStr Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
title_full_unstemmed Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
title_short Going forward and beyond: on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
title_sort going forward and beyond on the track of a practice turn in supply chain sustainability studies
topic Supply chain sustainability
Practice theories
Practice-based studies
Critical research
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-09-2023-0181/full/pdf
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AT minelleesilva goingforwardandbeyondonthetrackofapracticeturninsupplychainsustainabilitystudies