The impact of adopting sustainable supply chain management practices on the performance of public sector organisations in Zambia: a case study of Zambia Air force (ZAF)

Abstract

Sustainable Supply Chain Management involves integrating environmentally and financially viable practices such as recycling, refurbishing, waste management etc. into the complete supply chain lifecycle, from product design and development, to material selection, (including raw material extraction or agricultural production), manufacturing, packaging, transportation, warehousing, distribution, consumption, return and disposal. Zambia Air Force through the procurement department procures a wide range of equipment which include aircrafts, aircraft spares and other technical equipment through the supply chain but there is no form of disposal for this equipment when they reach their end of life. Currently the aircrafts and spares that have reached their end of life are just parked and spares are kept in the storage rooms once the end of life is reached. Therefore, the problem has to do with lack of recycling or reuse of these spares which creates a breeding ground for environmental pollution and the focus of this study is to independently assess the impact of adopting sustainable supply chain management practices on the performance of public sector organisations in Zambia, with particular case study of Zambia Air Force (ZAF). This study adopted a descriptive (qualitative) survey design to assess the impact of adopting sustainable Supply Chain Management practices on the performance of public sector organisations. The findings of the study showed that sustainable supply chain management is achievable in ZAF. The study concluded that leadership is a significant factor in Sustainable supply chain management practices being implemented by public sector organisations, and if senior managers are supportive of sustainability and incorporate Sustainable supply chain management practices into planning, strategies and goal setting, then the purchasing team will implement Sustainable supply chain management practices. The study recommended that Zambia Air Force should make use of identified main drivers of adopting sustainable supply chain management practices, continuously improve sustainable supply chain management practices and should endeavor to overcome the challenges of implementing sustainability in its supply chains. KEY WORDS: Sustainability, Performance, Practices and Supply Chain Management