Ethical sourcing : an analysis of the literature and implications for future research

Kim, Seongtae; Colicchia, Claudia; Menachof, David

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a rigorous, focused review on how this field of ethical sourcing research has grown and evolved over the decades, providing implications for future research. We combine two research methodologies in this study: a systematic literature review and a citation network analysis. The former is used as a scientific tool to select the most relevant ethical sourcing articles, while the latter is then applied as a research technique to analyse these selected articles. Such a combined approach allows for a rigorous investigation into this field of research in a more scientific and objective way. Based on this approach, we identify (1) distinctive features of ethical sourcing studies such as growth trends and content issues; (2) important articles that have played a significant role in developing this field; (3) evolutionary paths that show how its knowledge has been created and transferred; (4) emerging trends that have received growing attention in the recent literature; (5) main research areas that underlie the entire ethical sourcing studies; and (6) major implications that need to be pursued in future research. The results of this study provide not only the current status of the literature but also the patters of evolution in this field of research, thus contributing to the existing literature.

Citation

Kim, S., Colicchia, C., & Menachof, D. (2018). Ethical sourcing : an analysis of the literature and implications for future research. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(4), 1033–1052. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3266-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jul 20, 2016
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Deposit Date: Jul 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Journal of business ethics
• Print ISSN: 0167-4544
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
• Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 152
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1033–1052
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3266-8
• Keywords: Citation network analysis; Corporate social responsibility; Ethical sourcing; Main path analysis; Socially responsible sourcing; Sustainable sourcing; Sustainable supply chain management; Systematic literature review
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/441112
• Publisher URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-016-3266-8
• Additional Information: Copy of article first published in: Journal of business ethics, 2018, v.152 issue 4.