Understanding the green supply chain management barriers of cosmetic industry SMEs through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 483 - 500, 11.11.2025

Pınar Kocabey Çiftçi

https://doi.org/10.26650/JTL.2025.1607805

Abstract

The cosmetic industry faces several challenges on its journey toward sustainability. Green supply chain management (GSCM) can be accepted as one of them. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the barriers that may affect GSCM from the perspective of the cosmetics industry by synthesizing the information obtained from literature and experts. The causal relationships between the identified barriers were analyzed, and their relative importance was assessed with the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach, which can support decision makers in prioritizing key issues and providing an understanding of how different elements influence each other. The results reveal interdependence between barriers while contextualizing these barriers within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), illuminating their impact on broader societal and environmental goals. The results indicated that “lack of training”, “lack of management commitment”, and “lack of awareness in society were identified as the most important barriers. According to the results, the most important barriers can be associated with SDG12 Responsible Production and Consumption, SDG4 Quality Education, and SDG13 Climate Action, respectively. By revealing the dynamics of GSCM challenges in the cosmetics sector, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners striving for sustainable development.

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals , Cosmetic Industry , Green Supply Chain Barriers , DEMATEL

References

• Aggarwal, V. (2019). An Empirical Study on the Barriers and Application of Best Green Supply Logistic Practices in Manufacturing Sector. SJCC Management Research Review, 57-73. https://doi.org/10.35737/sjccmrr/V9/i1/2019/145546 google scholar
• Ahmed, M., Thaheem, M. J., & Maqsoom, A. (2020). Barriers and opportunities to greening the construction supply chain management: Cause-driven implementation strategies for developing countries. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(3), 1211-1237. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-04-2019-0192 google scholar
• Ahmed, W., Asim, M., & Manzoor, S. (2020). Importance and Challenges of Green Supply Chain Management in Healthcare. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 5(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejbmr.2020.5.2.249 google scholar
• Balon, V., Sharma, A. K., & Barua, M. K. (2016). Assessment of Barriers in Green Supply Chain Management using ISM: A Case Study of the Automobile IndustrY in India. Global Business Review, 17(1), 116-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150915610701 google scholar
• Banihashemi, S. A., Khalilzadeh, M., Antucheviciene, J., & Edalatpanah, S. A. (2023). Identifying and Prioritizing the Challenges and Obstacles of the Green Supply Chain Management in the Construction Industry üsing the Fuzzy BWM Method. Buildings, 13(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010038 google scholar
• Chen, A. P. S., Huang, Y. F., & Manh-Hoang, D. (2022). Exploring the Challenges to Adopt Green Initiatives to Supply Chain Management for Manufacturing Industries. Sustainability, 14(20), 13516. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013516 google scholar
• Cöte, R. P., Lopez, J., Marche, S., Perron, G. M., & Wright, R. (2008). Influences, practices and opportunities for environmental supply chain management in Nova Scotia SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(15), 1561-1570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.04.022 google scholar
• Dhull, S., & Narwal, M. (2016). Drivers and barriers in green supply chain management adaptation: A state-of-art review. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 4(1), 61-76. google scholar
• Do, M. H., Huang, Y. F., & Phan, V. D. V. (2023). AnalYzing the barriers to green supply chain management implementation: A case study of the Vietnamese agriculture sector. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 37(1), 125-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-10-2021-0459 google scholar
• Faisal, M. (2015). Research analysis on barriers to green supply chain management in pharmaceutical industries. Review of Public Administration and Management, 3(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.4172/2315-7844.1000176 google scholar
• Fetter, B., & Zilahy, G. (2022). Challenges of the green supply chain management in the pharmaceutical industrY. BecmHUK Cohkiti-nemepöypzcKozo yHueepcumema. 3kohomuko, 38(2), Article 2. google scholar
• Gahlot, N. K., Bagri, G. P., Gulati, B., Bhatia, L., Barat, S., & Das, S. (2023). AnalYsis of barriers to implement green supply chain management practices in Indian Automotive Industries with the help of ISM model. Materials Today: Proceedings, 82, 330-39. doi: 10.1016/ j.matpr.2023.02.146. google scholar
• Green, K. W., Zelbst, P. J., Meacham, J., & Bhadauria, V. S. (2012). Green supply chain management practices: Impact on performance. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 17(3), 290-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598541211227126 google scholar
• HandaYani, N. ü., Wibowo, M. A., & DYah Ika Rinawati, T. G. (2021). Drivers and barriers in the adoption of green supply chain management in construction projects: A case of Indonesia. International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management, 11(2), Article 2. google scholar
• Herrador-Alcaide, T. C., Hernândez-Solîs, M., & Cortes Rodrîguez, S. (2023). Mapping barriers to green supplY chains in empirical research on green banking. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01900-x google scholar
• Jalali, M., Feng, B., & Feng, J. (2022). An AnalYsis of Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation: The FuzzY DEMATEL Approach. Sustainability, 14(20), Article 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013622 google scholar
• JaYant, A., & Azhar, M. (2014). Analysis of the Barriers for Implementing Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) Practices: An Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) Approach. Procedia Engineering, 97, 2157-2166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.12.459 google scholar
• Kaur, J., Sidhu, R., Awasthi, A., Chauhan, S., & GoYal, S. (2018). A DEMA " based approach for investigating barriers in green supply chain management in Canadian manufacturing firms. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1-2), 312-332. https://doi.org/10. 1080/00207543.2017.1395522 google scholar
• Kumar, V., Sabri, S., Garza-ReYes, J. A., Nadeem, S. P., Kumari, A., & Aldcaranggoon, S. (2018). The challenges of GSCM implementation in the üK manufacturing SMEs. 2018 International Conference On Production and Operations Management Society (POMS). International Conference on Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), New York. https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/ full-record/WOS:000461351500010 google scholar
• Li, W., & Wu, X. (2022). Identification and Analysis of Factors Influencing Green Growth of Manufacturing Enterprises Based on DEMATEL Method—Wooden Flooring Manufacturing Companies as a Case. Processes, 10(12), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10122594 google scholar
• Majumdar, A., & Sinha, S. (2018). Modeling the barriers of green supply chain management in small and medium enterprises: A case of Indian clothing industry. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 29(6), 1110-1122. https://doi.org/10. 1108/MEQ-12-2017-0176 google scholar
• Majumdar, A., & Sinha, S. K. (2019). AnalYzing the barriers of green textile supply chain management in Southeast Asia using interpretive structural modeling. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 17, 176-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2018.10.005 google scholar
• Mathiyazhagan, K., Haq, A. N., & Baxi, V. (2016). Analysing the barriers for the adoption of green supply chain management—The Indian plastic industry perspective. International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 8(1), 46. https://doi.org/ 10.1504/IJBPSCM.2016.076000 google scholar
• Menon, R. R., & Ravi, V. (2021). An analysis of barriers affecting implementation of sustainable supply chain management in electronics industry: A GreY-DEMATEL approach. Journal of Modelling in Management, 17(4), 1319-1350. https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-02-2021-0042 google scholar
• Mohamed, A. E. (2021). An AHP Framework to Evaluate Barriers and Potential Tensions to Green Supply Chain Management in the Food and Beverage Industry. European Journal of Business and Management, 13(6), 1-29. google scholar
• NaraYanan, A. E., Sridharan, R., & Ram Kumar, P. N. (2018). Analyzing the interactions among barriers of sustainable supply chain management practices: A case study. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 30(6), 937-971. https://doi.org/10.1108/ JMTM-06-2017-0114 google scholar
• Nigam, P. (2014). Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) of the barriers to green supply chain management in Indian companies. International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 6(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBPSCM.2014.062466 google scholar
• Nteta, A., & Mushonga, J. (2021). Drivers and barriers to green supply chain management in the South African cement industry. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, 15(0), Article 0. https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v15i0.571 google scholar
• Sarker, M., Ahmed, F., Deb, A., & Chowdhury, M. (2018). IdentifYing barriers for implementing Green Supply Chain Management (Gscm) In footwear industry of Bangladesh: A Delphi studY approach. Leather and Footwear Journal, 18, 3. https://doi.org/10.24264/lfj.18. 3.1 google scholar
• Shieh, J. I., Wu, H. H., & Huang, K. K. (2010). A DEMATEL method in identifying key success factors of hospital service quality. Knowledge-Based Systems, 23(3), 277-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knosYs.2010.01.013 google scholar
• Si, S. L., You, X. Y., Liu, H. C., & Zhang, P. (2018). DEMATEL Technique: A Systematic Review of the State-of-the-Art Literature on Method-ologies and Applications. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2018, e3696457. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3696457 google scholar
• Silva, F. C. D., Shibao, F. Y., Barbieri, J. C., Librantz, A. F. H., & Santos, M. R. D. (2018). Barreiras  Gestao Da Cadeia De Suprimentos Verde Na Industria Automotiva. Revlsta de Admlnlstraçâo de Empresas, 58, 149-162. https://doi.org/l0.1590/S0034-759020180204 google scholar
• Singh, C., Singh, D., & Khamba, J. S. (2020). AnalYzing barriers of Green Lean practices in manufacturing industries bY DEMATEL approach. Journal of Manufacturlng Technology Management, 32(1), 176-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-02-2020-0053 google scholar
• Singh, R. K., Rastogi, S., & Aggarwal, M. (2016). Analyzing the factors for implementation of green supply chain management. Competl-tlveness Revlew, 26(3), 246-264. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-06-2015-0045 google scholar
• Soni, G., Prakash, S., Kumar, H., Singh, S. P., Jain, V., & Dhami, S. S. (2020). An interpretive structural modeling of drivers and barriers of sustainable supply chain management: A case of stone industrY. Management of Envlronmental Quallty: An Internatlonal Journal, 31(5), 1071-1090. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-09-2019-0202 google scholar
• Srivastava, S. K. (2007). Green supply-chain management: A state-of-the-art literature review. Internatlonal Journal of Management Revlews, 9(1), 53-80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2007.00202.x google scholar
• The 17 Goals | Sustalnable Development. (2023). https://sdgs.un.org/goals google scholar
• Tumpa, T. J., Ali, S. M., Rahman, Md. H., Paul, S. K., Chowdhury, P., & Rehman Khan, S. A. (2019). Barriers to green supply chain management: An emerging economy context. Journal of Cleaner Productlon, 236, 117617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117617 google scholar
• Tzeng, G. H., Chiang, C. H., & Li, C. W. (2007). Evaluating intertwined effects in e-learning programs: A novel hybrid MCDM model based on factor analYsis and DEMATEL. Expert Systems wlth Appllcatlons, 32(4), 1028-1044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2006.02.004 google scholar
• Uddin, S., Ali, S. M., Kabir, G., Suhi, S. A., EnaYet, R., & Haque, T. (2019). An AHP-ELECTRE framework to evaluate barriers to green supply chain management in the leather industry. Internatlonal Journal of Sustalnable Development & World Ecology, 26(8), 732-751. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2019.1661044 google scholar
• Vishwakarma, A., DangaYach, G. S., Meena, M. L., & Gupta, S. (2022). Analysing barriers of sustainable supply chain in apparel & textile sector: A hybrid ISM-MICMAC and DEMATEL approach. Cleaner Loglstlcs and Supply Chaln, 5, 100073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. clscn.2022.100073 google scholar
• Wu, H. H., & Chang, S. Y. (2015). A case study of using DEMATEL method to identify critical factors in green supply chain management. Applled Mathematlcs and Computatlon, 256, 394-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2015.01.041 google scholar
• Yu, Y., Zhang, M., & Huo, B. (2019). The impact of supply chain quality integration on green supply chain management and environmental performance. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 30(9-10), 1110-1125. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2017.1356684 google scholar