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Environmental sustainability

Sustainability Research Reveals Key to Supply Chain Success

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A groundbreaking study by researchers at Widener University has found that distributing supply chain network designs can significantly improve the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators. The study, which surveyed 733 supply chain professionals, discovered that distributed SCNDs exhibit the highest adoption levels of ESG indicators, outperforming centralized and decentralized SCNDs. The research has been peer-reviewed and offers actionable insights for decision-makers to align supply chain structures with sustainability goals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that distributed supply chain network designs exhibit the highest adoption levels of ESG indicators, outperforming centralized and decentralized SCNDs.
  • The research revealed that decentralized SCNDs exhibit lower adoption levels of ESG indicators compared to both distributed and centralized SCNDs.
  • The study statistically analyzed differences in the adoption of 21 ESG indicators across SCNDs, providing actionable insights for decision-makers.
  • The research concluded that this study contributes to the limited empirical research on the relationship between SCNDs and ESG adoption, offering new understanding of supply chain sustainability.
  • Afrooz Moatari-Kazerouni led the research team at Widener University, School of Business Administration, with additional authors Yvonne Lederer Antonucci and Mathias Kirchmer.
  • Financial support for the research came from Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP).

Statistics:

  • 733 supply chain professionals were surveyed as part of the study.
  • The study analyzed the adoption of 21 ESG indicators across SCNDs.
  • Distributed SCNDs exhibited the highest adoption levels of ESG indicators, outperforming centralized and decentralized SCNDs.
  • Decentralized SCNDs exhibited lower adoption levels of ESG indicators compared to both distributed and centralized SCNDs.

Sources:

  • Sustainability Adoption Across Supply Chain Network Designs: a Comparative Analysis of Centralized, Decentralized, and Distributed Structures. Sustainable Development, 2025.
  • Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/;
  • Sustainable Development - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719
  • Afrooz Moatari-Kazerouni, Widener University, School of Business Administration, One Univ Pl, Chester, PA 19013, United States.
  • Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP).
  • NewsRx. New Findings from Widener University Update Understanding of Sustainability Research (Sustainability Adoption Across Supply Chain Network Designs: a Comparative Analysis of Centralized, Decentralized, and Distributed Structures). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 22, 2025; p 255.

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