Contemporary Issues in Sustainable Operations Management

Abstract

Global atmospheric and ecological changes necessitate the implementation of environmental regulations to manage global warming contributors and other waste-related matters. Better management of scarce resources and the protection of social, economic, and environmental dimensions are crucial. To adopt green business practices, products and services must be adapted. Despite tax and other benefits through corporate social responsibility initiatives, not all managers have embraced green operational initiatives. This chapter explores sustainability in operations and supply chain management, green labelling, design for the environment, environmental economics, and humanitarian operations management. A thematic desktop literature review of journal articles, books, and conference papers was conducted to compile the chapter. The traditional linear economy that disposed of waste after the production of products and services has evolved into a circular economy (also the theoretical underpinning) that uses waste as inputs into new products and services. With this new wave of sustainable operations management, jobs are created, waste becomes more useful, and the exploitation of scarce resources is reduced.