Purpose: This paper develops a conceptual framework to analyse the impact of a supply chain network (SCN) structure on relationship management strategies (RMS) that focal firms apply to manage sustainability issues within the SCN.

Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a comprehensive review and analysis of the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP), sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), and SCN literature.

Findings: The conceptual framework expands the network perspective in the SSCM context by considering the important role of the SCN structure in the firm’s decision-making process. Four factors (dependency, distance, power, and transparency) were found that are useful in conceptualising the SCN structure. The conceptual framework also categorises various sustainability practices into four RMS (non-compliance, transactional, dictatorial, and collaborative), which are needed to make a SCN more sustainable. In addition, 16 propositions are developed based on how firms may identify the most effective RMS to implement appropriate sustainability practices through examining their SCN structure.

Research limitations/implications: The conceptual framework, developed as a result of a comprehensive review of the literature, led to the development of 16 propositions, which can assist in furthering a research agenda on RMS to diffuse various sustainability practices within SCN structures.

Originality/value: The relationship between SCN structure and RMS in the sustainability context remains an under-researched but emerging area of interest. This paper leverages existing research to develop a conceptual framework suitable for empirical testing.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	supply chain network structure, sustainable supply chain management, relationship management strategies, industrial marketing relationships, sustainability practices
Research Division:	Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Research Group:	Business and Management
Research Field:	Entrepreneurship
Objective Division:	Manufacturing
Objective Group:	Processed Food Products and Beverages (excl. Dairy Products)
Objective Field:	Bakery Products
UTAS Author:	Rezaei Vandchali, H (Mr Hadi Rezaei Vandchali)
UTAS Author:	Cahoon, S (Associate Professor Stephen Cahoon)
UTAS Author:	Chen, S-L (Dr Peggy Chen)
ID Code:	130773
Year Published:	In Press
Deposited By:	Maritime and Logistics Management
Deposited On:	2019-02-12
Last Modified:	2019-03-20
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