Identifying barriers for implementing green supply chain management (GSCM) in footwear industry of Bangladesh: a Delphi study approach

The footwear industry is the second largest export earning sector of Bangladesh, contributing to earning $1.234 billion in 2016-17. Despite its ample opportunity to value addition to national economy, the sector faces enormous image crisis at home and abroad because of non-existent green practices in the supply chain. The tenet of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices is to diminish or obviate wastages, greenhouse gas emission, and energy consumption and promotes reuse, recycle, remanufacture and reverse logistics. The study was designed to identify the barriers for implementing Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices in Footwear Industry of Bangladesh. A two round Delphi study approach was conducted from five industrial experts and five academic experts to identify the common barriers. The study identified twenty two barriers whereas the lack of commitment of management is the paramount. Financial constraint, lack of energy management & wastage management as well as lack of source of eco-friendly materials are the second most important barriers. The internal barriers and regulations & awareness barriers were classified as the top source and features barriers respectively. The study result may provide insight to the management in formulating strategies and tactics to implement green practices in footwear industry for sustainability.