Global supply chains play an important role in developing strong and sustainable economies by achieving many targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations. Approaches, strategies and activities of supply chain are directly or indirectly related to most of the SDGs. For instance, SDG1, SDG5, SDG8 and SDG10 can be achieved through transparent supply chains, by developing strong supply chains in developing and under-developed economies, promoting gender and economic equality in supply chain operations to reduce inequalities in various industry sectors and regions of the world. Inequalities in terms of low-wage or low-status forms of employment of women than that of men in several industries can be reduced through transparent supply chains. Improving working conditions, developing global labor standards, and policies in supply chain activities is the need of the hour for economic equality. Developing decent work in global supply chains also needs to be addressed in order to achieve the goals of SDGs such as informal economy, compliance, removing unacceptable forms of work and for developing cross-border production systems.
Global supply chains have created many employment opportunities for economic and social development. As the nature of global supply chains is complex, diverse, fragmented, dynamic and evolving, there is a need to integrate activities, processes and systems by developing a strong supply chain infrastructure and ecosystem to achieve the targets of SDGs to reach circular and sustainable global economy. Providing higher levels of support for encouraging global entrepreneurship, development of sustainable start-ups and SMEs by enabling affordable digital technological infrastructure in supply chains results in building strong global economy by reducing economic disparities. Global economy can flourish with equality through strategic supply chain partnerships and alliances supported through accurate information sharing and coordination. At the same time, economic sustainability can be achieved through smart and circular supply chains, green sourcing, green procurement, green logistics and green manufacturing. Reduction of global waste, minimizing carbon footprint and promoting cleaner supply chain technologies contributes to the reduction of inequalities in global economy. Involvement of governments, workers and employers from different countries, including multinationals in strengthening governance in global supply chains enable achievement of targets of many SDGs.
An international economic environment needs to be developed through coherent and mutually supporting world trade, monetary and financial systems, and strengthened and enhanced global economic governance. Global supply chains have the ability to promote inclusive growth. At the same time, global supply chains also play an important role in reducing supply-demand uncertainties and promoting balance between production and consumption. Global supply chains also develop safe, secure and inclusive development in healthcare sector. Efforts to educate and train aspiring students by providing high quality education in supply chain management for achieving global economy by developing global higher educational institutions is also the need of the hour.
The book will consist of contents and chapters which cover diverse perspectives related to Global Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Economy from global authors from diverse regions of the world. The contents of this book will fill the existing gap in the body of knowledge in the field of supply chain management and global economy. It will impact all the stakeholders involved in developing supply chain and policies related to global economy by enabling them to redesign their current strategies and by providing them with latest and successful models. This book is ideal for researchers, industry practitioners, academicians, higher education institutions, students, governments, policy makers, world associations, global trade organizations and corporate executives. Additionally, due to its broad scope, the book will also add immense value to all the other stakeholders indirectly involved in supporting supply chain activities and economic policies. It is also highly useful to undergraduate, graduate and research level students, pursuing education in supply chain management and economics.