Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices for a Greener Future by Irshadullah Asim Mohammed – Review
I recently stumbled upon the latest edition of a book first published in 2019. Upon reading it, I found myself compelled to feature the book here. Irshadullah Asim Mohammed’s book is a masterpiece that’ll help not only those in academia but anyone involved in supply chain management for a small or large business operation. Find the detailed review below.
It is rare for a single academic text to synthesise a complex and rapidly evolving field with such clarity, depth, and practical utility that it immediately establishes itself as a foundational pillar. “Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Practices for a Greener Future” by Irshadullah Asim Mohammed, published in May 2019 as a First Edition, is one such work. This book arrives at a critical juncture in global commerce, a time when the intertwined crises of climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality are forcing a fundamental re-evaluation of how goods are produced and moved around the world. Mohammed, with a clear and authoritative voice, posits that integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into supply chain operations is no longer a peripheral concern for a select few ethically minded corporations but an absolute necessity for any business seeking long-term viability and resilience. This core conviction forms the beating heart of the text, propelling its narrative from theoretical foundations to actionable, future-facing strategies.
The book’s primary quality is its remarkable structural integrity and holistic approach. It is meticulously organised into twenty-four logically sequenced chapters, divided into four distinct yet interconnected parts. This structure is not merely an organisational convenience; it is a pedagogical masterstroke. It guides the reader on a deliberate journey, beginning with the “why” of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), moving through the “what” of its core practices and technologies, and culminating in the “how” of implementation, measurement, and strategic foresight. For the uninitiated student or manager, this progression is invaluable. It prevents the common pitfall of disorientation that can occur when diving into a complex subject, ensuring that advanced concepts like blockchain for traceability or circular economy models are built upon a solid understanding of foundational principles such as the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. The book’s comprehensive coverage is another defining quality. It leaves no stone unturned, addressing environmental drivers such as climate change and resource scarcity, social imperatives such as ethical labour and community engagement, and economic drivers such as risk management and financial incentives with equal rigour. This balanced treatment underscores the author’s central thesis that true sustainability cannot be achieved by focusing on a single dimension in isolation.
Beyond its structure and scope, the book is distinguished by several special features that elevate it from a theoretical treatise to a vital practical resource. The most prominent of these is its unwavering commitment to real-world application. Throughout the text, Mohammed grounds abstract concepts in tangible reality through the strategic use of case studies. The detailed analysis of industry leaders such as Patagonia, IKEA, and Unilever in Chapter 23 is not merely an add-on; it is an integral part of the learning process. These case studies serve as powerful proof of concept, demonstrating how diverse corporations have successfully operationalised the principles and strategies discussed in earlier chapters. They provide relatable narratives that illustrate the challenges, compromises, and ultimate rewards of pursuing a sustainable supply chain. For a student, this bridges the often-wide gap between classroom theory and corporate practice. For a manager, it provides a source of inspiration and a repository of adaptable ideas.
Another critical feature is the book’s provision of practical guidance tools. It is replete with frameworks, metrics, and roadmaps designed for immediate use. Chapter 14, dedicated to Sustainability Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), is particularly noteworthy. It moves beyond vague exhortations to “be more sustainable” and provides concrete metrics for environmental performance (carbon emissions, energy use, waste diversion) and social performance (fair labour metrics, supplier diversity). This focus on quantification is essential for securing executive buy-in, allocating resources effectively, and demonstrating tangible progress. Similarly, the final chapter, “Developing a Roadmap for Implementing Sustainable Supply Chain Practices,” offers a step-by-step guide that is both ambitious and accessible. It understands that organisations begin their sustainability journeys from different starting points and provides a flexible yet structured pathway that can be tailored to the specific context of a multinational corporation or a small to medium-sized enterprise. This transforms the book from a passive source of information into an active instrument for organisational change.
Furthermore, the text demonstrates a forward-looking perspective, ensuring its continued relevance. It dedicates significant space to the role of digitalisation and cutting-edge technology in enabling sustainability. Chapter 11, on Digitalisation and Sustainability, and Chapter 21, on Innovations, provide insightful analyses of how Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain are revolutionising supply chain transparency, efficiency, and traceability. The book correctly identifies these technologies not as standalone solutions but as powerful enablers that can optimise routes for lower emissions, provide real-time data on resource consumption, and create immutable records to verify ethical sourcing claims. This integration of technology with sustainability discourse is a significant strength, positioning the book at the forefront of contemporary supply chain thinking.
In academia, “Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Practices for a Greener Future” is a potent pedagogical tool. Its structured progression makes it an ideal core textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in supply chain management, business ethics, environmental management, and sustainable development. The chapter-by-chapter layout aligns perfectly with a standard university semester, allowing instructors to build their syllabus around the book’s logical flow. Each chapter provides a self-contained yet interconnected unit of study, complete with clear definitions, elaborated themes, and real-world examples that are perfect for stimulating classroom discussion. The case studies offer ready-made material for group projects and critical analysis, challenging students to dissect the strategies of leading companies and apply the lessons to hypothetical or real-world scenarios. The book’s language is academic without being obtuse, making it accessible to students from diverse backgrounds while still providing the intellectual rigour required for higher education. For researchers, the book serves as a comprehensive literature review and a source of fertile ground for future inquiry. It identifies key gaps, synthesises existing knowledge, and points toward emerging trends, making it an excellent springboard for thesis topics and further academic investigation.
When placed alongside other leading books in the genre, Mohammed’s work carves out a distinct and highly competitive niche. The field of sustainable supply chain management has been served by several excellent texts, such as those by Robert Handfield and Steven Walton, as well as more operations-focused works in green logistics. However, many existing texts tend to lean heavily toward one particular aspect. Some are deeply theoretical, strong on frameworks but light on implementation details. Others are highly technical, focusing on life-cycle assessment or logistics optimisation without fully integrating the social and economic pillars. What sets Mohammed’s book apart is its masterful and deliberate balance. It refuses to sacrifice depth in one area for breadth in another. It gives the environmental dimension its due, with dedicated chapters on carbon footprint reduction and waste management, while also providing a thorough and nuanced exploration of social sustainability. This dimension is often given short shrift in more technically oriented volumes. Its extensive and dedicated coverage of digital technologies and the circular economy also gives it a distinct edge in terms of modernity and relevance compared to books published even a few years earlier.
In conclusion, “Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Practices for a Greener Future” is a significant and timely contribution to the field. It is a work of remarkable synthesis, clarity, and practical wisdom. Its qualities of comprehensive coverage, logical structure, and balanced perspective are complemented by its special features, including actionable roadmaps, quantifiable metrics, and illuminating case studies. It functions simultaneously as an authoritative academic text, a compelling call to action, and an indispensable manual for practitioners. Irshadullah Asim Mohammed has not merely described the landscape of sustainable supply chains; he has provided a detailed and reliable map for navigating it. For educators, students, and business leaders alike, this book is an essential resource that demystifies a complex subject and empowers its readers to contribute meaningfully to the creation of supply chains that are not only efficient and profitable but also equitable and regenerative. It stands as a benchmark against which future texts in this vital and evolving discipline will be measured.
Get a copy of the latest edition from Amazon India – click here.
Review by Vinod for The Last Critic
