Sustainable resource management towards circular supply chain in dairy industry in Vietnam: a hierarchical structure and interdependence relationships

Abstract

This study contributes to understand the sustainable resource management (SRM) attributes towards circular supply chain (CSC) in the dairy sector in Vietnam. The industry arises from serious pressings such as high levels of waste, water use and greenhouse gas emissions, resource scarcity, finite resources dependence, rising costs of raw materials and supply chain vulnerability. SRM is the foundation for CSC practices; yet the attributes are always with interdependence and hierarchical structure. In this scenario, the circularity is the scarcity of resources; therefore, prioritising SRM towards CSC must be analysed. This study focuses on determining pivotal SRM attributes and CSC under interdependence and hierarchical structure. A hybrid method is proposed to deal with the interdependence and hierarchical structure in nature. As a result, the cause group encompasses technology advancement, circular human resource strategy, and circular collaboration, whereas effect group covers sustainable product stewardship and zero-waste practice. Managerial implications are discussed.