A systematic review of sustainability driven apparel supplier selection

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in sustainable supply chain management in the textile and apparel industry, leading to an increase in research on supplier selection. The purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive review of 105 publications on sustainable apparel supplier selection (SASS) that were published between 2001 and 2021. Firstly, the paper provides a systematic analysis of the research hotspots and trends in SASS. Secondly, the paper analyzes the research themes in this field from two perspectives: the construction of standards and the use of methods using content analysis. Finally, the paper explores the future prospects of the development of SASS studies under the influence of big data and blockchain. Through a systematic analysis of the literature, the following key findings have been revealed: (1) current research on SASS predominantly employs comprehensive methods and models, with an increasing use of fuzzy mathematics; (2) investigating the impact of consumer, social, and technological factors on sustainable supplier selection is a popular direction of research; (3) future research will focus on the application of information technologies, such as big data and blockchain, in supplier selection and sustainability management. This study will be helpful for practitioners in the textile and apparel industry, and for researchers who hope to understand the current status of SASS.